Manx Newscast

Who is the man in charge of the Isle of Man's public school, where did he come from and what are his plans for KWC? Manx Radio's Christian Jones sits down with Damian Henderson, who's approaching the end of his first term in the top job for a conversation with, rather than a formal interview of.

If you missed November's Tynwald sitting, Manx Radio's Political Correspondent Phil Gawne takes us through the main things that happened.

Vexatious litigation is defined as 'legal action which is brought solely to harass or subdue an adversary'. The Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Justice Committee will 'give consideration to the issue and [determine] what legislation may be needed to provide improved protections and recourse in this matter', before it reports back to Tynwald. It follows a petition sub...

Businesses are being encouraged to partner with a charity dedicated to helping young people. Junior Achievement has launched a volunteer loyalty card.  In the last academic year, 223 volunteers gave 1,787 hours of their time to help students.

Should we be worried about Radon? Five schools on the Island have been found to have minor issues with levels of the radioactive gas, but government is stressing there are no immediate health concerns. We hear more from the education minister and a Radon expert.

Why does Douglas need a new sea wall? 🌊 Work to replace 500 metres of railings with a 1.2 metre high wall is set to start in January. Manx Radio has been discussing the project with infrastructure ministers - past and present - and a historian tells us about the changing landscape and use of the beach over the years.

Ensuring children, and vulnerable adults, are safeguarded from harm is ‘everyone’s business’. That’s the message from police on the first day of the Isle of Man’s Childrens and Adults’ Safeguarding Week (20 November). The event gives professionals – and the public - the opportunity to learn more about the safeguarding services and support available on the...

Licensed premises on the Isle of Man are lending support to a new campaign designed to help people who find themselves in vulnerable situations on a night out. The ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme is being rolled out across the Island to provide discrete assistance to anyone who ends up feeling unsafe or threatened. The safety initiative was started in the UK and encourages individuals to appro...

Ninety households on the Island are believed to be at risk of being cut off from their gas supply.  It's a claim currently being investigated by the Office of Fair Trading which is seeking an urgent meeting with Isle of Man Energy.  One customer facing the possibility of a winter in the cold is Leah Garrett - a 23-year-old single mother. Three weeks ago, she received a letter in...

Simon Richardson speaks to Public Accounts Committee chair, Speaker of the House of Keys, Juan Watterson about a new report into the Liverpool landing stage project

A disabled motorist says blue badge parking policies don't make sense. Joanne Hill is an amputee and is able to park in disabled bays, but recently got a parking ticket for staying in one for too long. She'd previously been told you could have double the amount of signposted time in a disabled space. Joanne's been telling Amy Griffiths more:

Earlier this month you may have seen a local charity expressing its thanks to Shoprite for its support over the years, calling the retailer a 'friend'. Isle of Play says over the past six years the Manx brand has provided it with monthly vouchers to buy essential products that help keep costs down. In the social media post, the charity said that come the New Year, they couldn't he...

Later this month, politicians will decide whether or not work permits on the Isle of Man should be suspended. It's something that's divided opinion among Tynwald members, with some MHKs describing the move as contentious. Government hopes the change would make it easier for employers to find new staff, but a number of backbenchers fear it could have a negative impact on Manx workers, parti...

Collector from the UAE snaps up two Manx made watches with an incredible back story.

Two XL Bully's from the UK have been relocated to the Isle of Man for rehoming.  That's according to the founder of Animals in Distress - a group that finds displaced pets new homes.  In December the breed will join a list of banned dogs in England and Wales - the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture has told Manx Radio it's assessing how to proceed here. Anita Wil...

SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder affects 1 in 50 of us and is most prevalent during the long, dark winter days. Simon Richardson's been talking to Sinead Nudd from IOM Samaritans and Medical Officer for Health, Professor Hugo Van Wuerden.

Beth Espey reflects on the FIDE Grand Swiss and FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss 2023 How has the Isle of Man cemented its reputation as somewhere to hold a major chess tournament?

Yesterday, politicians voted to proceed with developing legislation which would help terminally ill people seek assistance to end their own lives. Seventeen members ultimately voted in favour, with seven voting against. It followed an extensive six-hour debate in the House of Keys.  In this special Newscast, reporter Siobhán Fletcher summarises that extensive debate into 40 minute...

A member of the Southern Swimming Pool Board has labelled the delay of the strategic plan of the regional sports hub as 'unfortunate'. In January Tynwald ruled that the Department of Education, Sport and Culture and Department of Infrastructure should deliver the plan by October however this did not happen.  Laurence Vaughan-Williams told Manx Radio while they await feedback - the bui...

Crowds of people have gathered outside the House of Keys to make their voices heard about the Assisted Dying Bill. It's had its second reading in front of members. If progressed to legislation, it would mean residents of the Isle of Man fitting a narrow criteria would be able to have a doctor administer drugs that would end their life. Amy Griffiths has been speaking to some of the people outside...

The family of a murdered teenager have called for the law on the Isle of Man to be changed to give victims more of a voice at parole hearings. Sixteen-year-old’s George Green and Samantha Barton were killed by former abattoir worker Peter Newbery in February 2002; he was 23 at the time. Two years later Newbery was jailed for life and told he must serve a minimum term of 20 years. After two d...

A former children's champion on the Isle of Man says there are 'serious failings' within Children's Social Care that need to be addressed. Onchan MHK Rob Callister went through the care system himself as a youngster and knows all-too-well the difficulties that can present themselves when leaving it. Following the publication of Ofsted's report into Children's Social Care Services, Mr Callister has...

After more than 20 years staging some of the biggest names in music as well as the most promising up and coming acts, independent concert promoter Triskel Promotions is looking at winding down its operation. Director Lenny Conroy said changes that have placed financial risk entirely with promoters have made it unachievable for independents like Triskel to carry on. Lewis Foster sat down with Lenny...

The first assisted death on the Isle of Man could take place by 2025.  That's according to a campaigner for Humanists UK - who will be addressing Manx politicians today (26 October).  The group is in support of introducing new legislation on the Island which would permit assisted dying but many others aren't.  Ramsey MHK, Treasury Minister and GP Alex Allinson will take his...

Michele Moroney retired in May this year. In this episode you'll hear from former patients who say she changed their lives, and also from Mrs Moroney herself, from the moment she realised she wanted a career in medicine to what she's doing now and everything in between.