DOI minister quizzed over support for events

Questions over the Department of Infrastructure's support for Island events will be raised in the House of Keys next week.

Questions over the Department of Infrastructure's support for Island events will be raised in the House of Keys next week. When members gather, Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Tim Glover will ask minister Tim Crookall about fencing and cones supplied by his department. He wants to know why the services have been pulled from some events, and which the DOI still supports.

Today on the island

Overcast, 13°C (56°F), wind 14 mph

The local news that matters this morning

A tight, deduplicated briefing from the 05:00–05:00 news window. Story titles link straight to the original report.

Manx Radio · Politics06:32 Deputy Chief Minister attends Channel Islands Liberation Day reception Jane Poole-Wilson represented Island at Palace of Westminster The Isle of Man has been represented at a special Channel Islands Liberation Day reception in London. Deputy Chief Minister Jane Poole-Wilson attended the event at Speaker’s House in the Palace of Westminster.

3FM · Culture11:55 MHK queries music service funding A politician's raised questions about how young musicians are supported on the Island. Peel and Glenfaba MHK Kate Lord Brennan has tabled two Tynwald questions for written reply to Education Minister Daphne Caine. She wants to know how much funding has been allocated to the Music Service in each of the past 15 years.

IoM Today · Sport16:00 Valkyrs and Vikings juniors shine at North West hockey finals Two of the Manx sides met in the competition’s semi-final With the sun shining and relatives travelling from the Isle of Man and elsewhere in the UK to cheer them on, the stage was set for a brilliant day of hockey. Each team was placed in a pool of four teams where they played matches in a round robin format and then moved onto play off matches for their overall positions in their tournament.

IoM Today · Sport15:00 Isle of Man under-eight tennis team shine at Northern Counties County Cup The Isle of Man boys eight and under tennis team competed in the Northern Counties County Cup in Sunderland recently. For readers following Manx sport, the useful bit is how Island teams and competitors are performing when they step into regional competition.

IoM Today · Island News14:58 Isle of Man could turn to seaweed to cut fertiliser costs Staff are currently examining its use in a farming context Minister Clare Barber told the House of Keys this week that her department is examining the use of seaweed in farming, particularly as fertiliser costs rise due to global factors. She was responding to a question from Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse, who asked what assessment had been made of seaweed’s suitability before consulting local authorities.

IoM Today · Island News14:51 New food outlet at Isle of Man beauty spot set to reopen It’s been described as a ‘new chapter’ for the venue The Lodge is being run by couple Bryony and Michael, who also operate a sauna and plunge pools at the beauty spot and are planning to reintroduce glamping pods. The venue forms part of a wider regeneration of the area, including the transformation of the Swiss Chalet into a farm shop with a deli takeaway.

IoM Today · Island News14:46 Rowers complete cross-sea challenge linking biospheres Isle of Man and Scottish crews unite to celebrate shared environmental and cultural ties The resident angle is environmental and practical: it points to how Island groups and government are trying to turn local natural resources into something useful.

IoM Today · Politics14:18 Island praised as ‘safe and welcoming during Commonwealth Jewish Council visit Isle of Man Government’s adoption of antisemitism definition was welcomed by the delegation The public-interest angle is what government is doing in residents’ name, and whether the follow-up is clear enough to hold decision-makers accountable.

IoM Today · Island News14:10 Island estate secures £25,000 grant for accessible garden project It’ll help fund a new greenhouse and pathways The funding will support the development of an accessible area and greenhouse within the estate’s heritage fruit and vegetable garden, in partnership with the Manx Wildlife Trust. Milntown’s team of around 25 volunteers currently grow produce at the site which is then donated to community projects.

IoM Today · Sport13:59 Hounsell triumphs in third round of Proper Manx Spring Series It was an exciting evening of racing, with aggressive riding, multiple attacks and a challenging wind For readers following Manx sport, the useful bit is how Island teams and competitors are performing when they step into regional competition.

Manx Radio · Island News07:11 Autoimmune charity approaching 10 year anniversary Island founder of 'Without Wings' says it's a 'big deal' An Isle of Man autoimmune charity will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Set up in 2016 ’Without Wings’ was previously named the Manx Autoimmune Arthritis Trust.

3FM · Culture09:55 Peel hosts Beltane fire festival A popular fire festival will return to the West of the Island today. Oie Voaldyn will feature costumed performers gathering for a pyrotechnic event in Peel this evening, Sunday, May 3. Themed around Manx Folklore, festivities will get underway from 2pm.

3FM · Transport07:55 Harbour 2 Harbour walk today A charity walk across the Island will take place today. The Harbour 2 Harbour event kicks off in Port Erin at 10am this Sunday, May 3. Over 500 walkers will tackle the coastal route, which goes all the way to Castletown.

Manx Radio · Transport12:00 DoI to move to monthly dredging in order to protect harbour depth Significant work to be undertaken first by specialist contractors Dredging will take place in Douglas Harbour every month in order to maintain appropriate depths for vessels to operate safely. Specialist contractors are being brought in to undertake heavy plough dredging work first.

3FM · Island News15:55 Company submits plans for Black Dub TT facilities A company has applied to keep its trackside TT facilities year-round. Rockfell Ltd of St Georges Street in Douglas has applied for planning permission for its site at Black Dub in Glen Helen. The company says it would put wood panelling on five shipping containers used for temporary grandstands, and install decking, an artificial grass area, and a new entrance and driveway.

IoM Today · Transport14:02 Airport disruption possible following light aircraft accident on runway No one was injured in the incident which resulted in both runways closing for a time For residents, the practical question is whether travel plans, commutes or event logistics need checking before setting off.

IoM Today · Culture12:00 Boost for band as it receives £10,000 grant for youth programme ‘It allows us to continue growing and inspiring the next generation of musicians’ The useful takeaway is where public, lottery or community money is going, and who on the Island is meant to benefit from it.

Manx Radio · Island News09:45 Oie Voaldyn: 'Our event is not cancelled' Claims someone is trying to sabotage event by issuing fake cancellation messages The organisers of Oie Voaldyn say they’re being targeted by someone who is trying to sabotage their event. The festival is due to get underway at 2pm today in Peel (3 May).

Manx Radio · Sport10:00 Last chance to enter 2026 Parish Walk Deadline for this year's event looming Entries for this year’s Manx Telecom Parish walk will close tomorrow (4 May). Aspiring participants have until midnight to sign-up. For the diary, the key point is what is happening, where it affects local communities, and whether plans have changed before people travel.

Manx Radio · Island News09:00 April: 'Warm, dry and sunny' says Met Office 14.1 hours of sunshine recorded on 29 April Ronaldsway Met Office says April was warmer, drier and sunnier than average. The mean daily maximum across the month was 12.6°C which is a degree above the long-term average.

Manx Radio · Politics07:30 Government considering if seaweed could be used as fertiliser DEFA contacts local authorities for their views Seaweed could be used as agricultural fertiliser on the Isle of Man. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture says it’s conducting a ‘small piece of work’ to look at potential uses for the naturally deposited material.

Manx Radio · Culture06:19 Laxey Brass Band Festival postponed First weather-related postponement in nine years The Great Laxey Brass Band Festival has been postponed due to poor weather. It was due to take place this afternoon (3 May). The useful takeaway is where public, lottery or community money is going, and who on the Island is meant to benefit from it.

Manx Radio · Transport06:12 TT footbridge to be installed Road closure in place whilst work is carried out The TT footbridge on Bray Hill will be erected this morning (3 May). Collins Steel Ltd is carrying out the work for the Department for Enterprise.

Tides · Douglas

Live tide API unavailable; using the latest cached Douglas tide table. Times shown local to the Isle of Man.

What's on: weekend planner

A short weekend planner plus notable Island events coming up during the week. Check times and tickets before setting off.

Resident pulse

Quick questions from the latest Tynwald business, so residents can signal what they want government to prioritise or explain properly.

From the Manx oral tradition

A small Manx fact

The Manx language (Manx Gaelic / y Ghaelg) was declared extinct by UNESCO in 2009, then officially de-classified in 2014 thanks to revival efforts.

The shape of the day ahead

Overcast, 13°C (56°F), wind 14 mph. Wind 14 mph. Highs of 13°C. Check A18 Mountain Road status before travelling.