Manx Newscast

A charity has called on government to do more to help children with mental health issues.  A Little Piece of Hope claims there's currently a two year wait for youngsters to get a diagnosis through the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.  Chanelle Sukhoo spoke to Helen Sheppard from the group.

A Manx microbrewery has been featured in the latest collection by beer subscription service, Beer52. Union Mill's based Kaneen's collaborated with London brewery Brew by Numbers to create a pale ale as part of its 'Celtic Nations' edition monthly box. An accompanying write-up in Ferment Magazine looks at the work of owner Peter Kaneen as well as that of other producers around the Island including:...

Manx Care has cancelled a meeting for residents of a residential home in Ramsey which it’s earmarked for closure. Those living at Cummal Mooar, and their families, had been told staff from the healthcare body would meet with them on 23 August. That’s almost a month after sending them a letter stating the home would be closed within the next two years and before a replacement facility i...

The Director of Manx National Heritage is calling on government to approve funding for a​​ regeneration project as soon as possible. Plans to redevelop the nautical museum in Castletown will involve the return of 18th Century schooner The Peggy to the site.  Connie Lovell's been speaking to Manx Radio's Phil Gawne.

Twelve people have been jailed for almost 70 years in total for their part in a major drug trafficking operation which stretched between the Isle of Man and Merseyside. The men and women, from the United Kingdom and the Island, made up an organised crime group which the Isle of Man Constabulary has been working to dismantle for more than three years. Operation Achilles ran between February 2020 an...

Parents are urged to ensure toys and remotes are secure. It's after a 4-year-old accidentally swallowed a button battery last week. The boy had to be airlifted to Alder Hay and is recovering well.  Chanelle Sukhoo spoke to Ryan Taylor, his father, and also has advice from the Interim Deputy Director of Public Health, Toysin Amusan. 

Manx bodybuilder Rio Garcia moved from working on losing weight to bodybuilding in April 2023. At the end of July, he entered four categories at the Pure Elite Manchester 2023 amateur competition and won all four. He tells William King about his journey and plans going forwards.

Today (2 August) marks fifty years since the devastating fire at the Summerland leisure centre on Douglas promenade, during which 50 people died and around 80 were injured. In recent weeks we've heard the detailed stories from survivors and victims' families. In this edition, Lewis Foster speaks to Jackie Hallam from Huddersfield who was just 12 when she escaped the Summerland fire with life-chang...

Today marks 50 years since the fire at the Summerland Leisure Centre which claimed the lives of 50 people.  Eighty others were injured after the disaster at the venue in Douglas.  Doctor Nick Batey, was 38-years-old at the time, and he was one of the consultant general surgeons on duty on the night.  Mr Batey spent three days at the hospital treating burn victims.  He shared hi...

Adrian Cowin joined Ronaldsway Met Office in July 1983 and moved up the ranks to become a senior meteorological officer. Kirsty Pendlebury will take over his role. He spoke to Manx Radio about his career and how technology has changed since he first started.

Following Manx Care's announcement about the closure of Cummal Mooar in Ramsey, Health Minister Lawrie Hooper offers some reassurance to residents and staff at the residential home.   Manx Care has been asked for an interview but has declined the invitation.

Lewis Foster speaks to Vicki Hewison, whose mum is a resident at Cummal Mooar, after the announcement that the residential home is to close within the next two years - with plans to build a replacement in the north shelved. We take a look at Manx Care's announcement and discuss the impact on residents, their families, and staff at the facility.

An antiques and railway expert says making cuts to the Island's heritage railways would be 'complete lunancy'. Paul Atterbury, who's known for his appearances on Antiques Roadshow, has been visiting the Island this week for the Manx Heritage Transport Festival. Consultants Systra are currently carrying out an economic assessment of the Island's railways offering. Mr Atterbury t...

It's feared accessibility issues are impacting some disabled peoples' decisions to go out in public.  The Manx Stroke Foundation has claimed that accessible parking spaces for people with disabilities have 'dramatically reduced'. The charity says it wants to address the issues that its members have highlighted with government.&...

Members of the Royal College of Nursing is on strike at Nobles Hospital for 12 hours today.  From 8am members formed a picket line outside the main entrance of the hospital - the walkout will last until 8pm. It’s in response to RCN’s rejection of the latest pay offer proposed by Manx Care and the recent strike action postal ballot in which 70 per cent of respondents voted in favou...

A former Chief Minister claims Castletown Commissioners decision to demolish the old fire station will put a burden on the ratepayers.  The local authority says people had lodged expressions of interest in the building but still want to demolish it, subject to planning. But Tony Brown told Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper that it's an asset to the town and should be kept.

That's according to members from two charities that's planned things for kids with autism and learning disabilities to do over the school holidays. It's a first of its kind and, if successful, it's hoped this holiday scheme will continue.  Chanelle Sukhoo spoke to Kelly Quaye from Manx Mencap and Carol Williams from Autism In Mann about the importance of having activities for...

Efforts are underway to raise money to buy privacy screens that can be used at motorsport events to give people who crash more dignity. A fundraising campaign has been started by a Southern 100 marshal who witnessed a fatal crash at the event last week. Racer Alan Connor, from Ireland, and marshal Liam Clarke – who was from Wigan - were killed in the incident on the Castletown Bypass. Anothe...

A number of Manx nurses and union representatives walked through the streets of Douglas, from Noble's Hospital towards Tynwald, in a protest over pay and safe staffing. It's in response to the Royal College of Nursing members rejection of the latest pay offer proposed by Manx Care, with 70 per cent of respondents to a recent ballot voting in favour of industrial action. Chanelle Sukhoo spo...

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan announced this morning that he's asked Infrastructure Minister Chris Thomas to step down from the position . It comes just over a year after the Douglas Central MHK took up the role. So what happens next for Mr Cannan's Council of Ministers and the Infrastructure Minister post? Manx Radio's Political Correspondent Phil Gawne joined Ben and Sian on Manx Radi...

Lewis is joined by Kathleen Graham from the Curraghs Wildlife Park and Leigh Morris, CEO of the Manx Wildlife Trust.

For the first time since 2017 a humpback whale has been photographed swimming in Manx waters. The images were captured by Ben and Katie Hellowell, around 50 metres offshore between Peel and Niarbyl. Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch say the pair first saw the animal leap vertically out of the water facing towards them, and could see the entire body, head, and flippers with only its tail remaining under...

Representatives of the Mississauga First Nation have visited the Isle of Man as part of the first official visit to the British Isles since the 19th century. It's part of what's described as a 'nation-to-nation diplomatic mission to renew relationships and explore cultural, education and business opportunities', while re-animating the Silver Covenant Chain of Friendship - first established with Ki...

Do you worry about how much ultra-processed food your children are eating at school? Figures published by the Department of Education, Sport and Culture have shown up to 30% of food served in some of the Island's secondary school is classed as 'ultra-processed', and around 15.5% in primary schools. Garff MHK Daphne Caine is now calling for a review into the food served in school. In th...

People living in Ramsey, Garff and Lezayre are being urged to fill out a consultation form on a proposed boundary extension.  This is the first step of the expansion for Ramsey Commissioners which says the town is at 'capacity'. However, there is strong opposition from the other two local authorities. Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been finding out more.