Latest news with #Onchan
BBC News
12 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Litter at school campus branded 'utter shambles' by Beach Buddies
The volume of litter at a secondary school campus has been branded an "utter shambles" by a volunteer group after its members cleared up rubbish including 415 plastic 50 members of Beach Buddies took part in the clear-up around St Ninian's Lower School at Bemahague, in Onchan, collecting about 331lbs (150kg) of litter. Founder Bill Dale said it was "disappointing" to see the area in an "absolute mess" and the situation highlighted the continued need to educate children about the danger littering posed to the school and the education department have been contacted for response. Following the group's efforts on Sunday, Mr Dale said there was a "psychology" that once a place is clean, people would be less likely to "drop the next piece of litter", because it would stand he said if there were "already piles of rubbish around", there was a perception that discarding a "few more bits doesn't seem to matter". He said the items retrieved included plastic bottles, sweet, chocolate and crisp wrappers, tin cans and fast food packaging, which indicated the rubbish was likely dropped by said the charity regularly visits schools across the island to promote the "responsible disposal" of litter through its education programme, but had not visited St Ninian's Lower School "in a few years".Although the education programme had been "massively successful", particularly with primary schools, the situation at the Bemahague site had been reported to Beach Buddies by a member of Friends of the Earth Isle of Man, Mr Dale said. It was was "an utter shambles and heart-breaking" to find one school in "such a mess", he continued.A meeting with the school had been organised for next week to find a way to "make sure this does not happen again".It was important to speak out now to prevent the island going "seriously backwards" in its mindset towards littering, he he said it did not mean the island was "not still regarded as a fantastic example to the rest of the world as to how a community can get together and make a difference", he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Isle of Man minister to host 20mph speed limit plan drop-in sessions
Drop-in sessions on proposals to introduce lower speed limits on residential roads in Douglas and Onchan are set to be hosted by the infrastructure Department of Infrastructure is currently consulting on plans which would see 20mph (32km/h) limits implemented in built-up areas across the Isle of Haywood MHK said gathering local knowledge and views at the sessions - to be held at the Sea Terminal on 20 and 25 June - was "a vital part" of the a separate statement, and in response to some concerns being expressed about preparatory works, Haywood reassured residents "no decisions" would be made until the survey closes on 4 July. She said the installation of posts, including in Douglas, had "led to people being concerned that the department has predetermined the outcomes of the current consultation".Haywood stressed this "was not the case" and apologised for any "confusion" caused."We are taking time to review the work that has been carried out and resolve any issues with misplaced posts," she said."We won't be installing any more posts until any issues have been dealt with."The minister said "we are very much listening to what people are telling us about the extent of the 20mph areas and which streets should or should not be included". 'Right solutions' Tynwald approved the DOI's plan for the scheme in May, which could see the scheme - already in place in Port St Mary - rolled out across the outlining the details for Onchan and Douglas have since been made available in an online can be viewed at Onchan Commissioners' office, Onchan Library, Douglas City Hall, Douglas City Library and the Sea drop-in session on Friday will be held at the Sea Terminal in Douglas from 13:00 to 16:00 second session will be held between 15:30 and 18:00 on 25 of the public can also submit feedback via email, post and the online portal until 4 July. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Sight Matters: Charity to open special therapeutic space
A sight loss charity has been awarded a grant for a new therapeutic garden to help people move on from the challenges they project, called Life Grows On, will see six alotments and a water feature installed in a former dog pen at the Sight Matters headquarters in Corrin Court, Onchan. Created in partnership with the Manx Deaf Society, Cruse Bereavement and the Alzheimers' Society, the project was awarded a grant of £21,385 from Manx Lottery spokesman Peter Marshall said the garden was for people to meet others and "grow things which symbolises moving on from whatever challenges they face". The garden would include features such as raised planters, tactile signage, and guided gardening sessions to make the space accessible for all. 'Much-needed' The funding would allow the charities to "create a much-needed therapeutic space where members of our community can come together, reflect, and experience the healing power of nature", Mr Marshall said. "Gardening offers so many benefits, and we're excited to provide an inclusive, accessible environment where people can nurture both plants and their own emotional wellbeing," he executive Cathryn Bradley said the project would provide a space for the various charities to grow what they wanted in their for the project, which it is hoped will be completed by the end of summer, was being undertaken by prison work parties. Unlike Sight Matters' Freedom Field, which required a fob to access, the space would be openly available for members of the charities at all times. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- BBC News
Jail sentence reduced for dangerous driver who caused man's death
A driver whose reckless actions caused the death of a 29-year-old man has had his prison sentence reduced on appeal from six years to Paul, 36, was jailed in February for causing the death by dangerous driving of Jordan Thomas, who had climbed onto the bonnet of Paul's BMW on 25 February 2024 on Harbour Road in court heard that after Mr Thomas started punching the windscreen, Paul had accelerated to 30mph (48km/h) before braking sharply, resulting in the 29-year-old falling off the front of the three deemsters in a Court of Appeal hearing at Douglas Courthouse upheld Paul's conviction, they found his original sentence to be "manifestly excessive". Judge of Appeal Anthony Cross, Deemster Richard Pratt, KC, and Deemster Simon Farrell ruled the sentence should be reduced by one Courthouse previously heard that after Mr Thomas had climbed onto the bonnet, he had pulled at the windscreen wipers, breaking one off, before twice punching the initially reversed his vehicle before stopping, accelerating forward, and braking "propelled" Mr Thomas off the car, the court heard at Paul's trial. Mr Thomas died at Liverpool's Aintree Hospital nine days after the the appeal hearing, Paul's lawyer argued the "unique and extraordinary" circumstances had not been sufficiently considered by the judge when passing argued that it was "just over the threshold" for dangerous the prosecution said the original six-year custodial sentence was "tough but justified".Judge of Appeal Anthony Cross told the family of Mr Thomas that in cases where there had been a loss of life, deciding upon an appropriate sentence was "extremely difficult"."No sentence that a court can pass will ever satisfy those who are so deeply affected by their loss," he reflection, though, he said the Deemsters were "satisfied" the original sentence was "manifestly excessive".But they upheld the original sentence which will see Paul be disqualified from driving for eight years and be required to pass an extended driving test before he can regain his licence. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Sid Batty: 'I travel with a stuffed duck to feel less alone'
An social media influencer who gained popularity by traveling the world with a stuffed duck has said he hopes to "make a difference in a positive way" on mental health awareness. Sid Batty and Quack have gained attention after the 24-year-old from Onchan posted a video about his travel companion that amassed two million views in a bought the duck during a difficult time, Sid takes the toy along with him when traveling to feel "less alone".He said Quack was a "symbol" to demonstrate "everything will be ok" and his page aimed to show followers that it was "OK to be a man or a boy with a teddy". Sid said he had been diagnosed with depression, social anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder a few years prior, and had found the rehabilitation process following knee surgery in January 2023 "very difficult".He said it was at that time he went to buy something to make himself "feel better" and saw Quack, who described as "humble, outgoing and bubbly". But for the first 18 months after that he kept Quack in his room as he felt ashamed of having a stuffed animal, before deciding to take his toy companion out and about with people's reactions he said: "I do get a lot of stares, but I realised that not everyone who stares is automatically thinking negatively." "Nowadays with social media, the average person's mental health is probably not as good as it used to be because the comparisons are always there," he said."I guess I am just trying to make a difference in a positive way", he said, adding that suicide was the biggest killer of men under 50 in the British said even if his actions did not prompt his online followers to follow suit, he hoped they would "feel less anxious in being alone with what they want to do" after seeing him with Quack."Nothing makes me happier than sharing my story and helping people by doing so", he 24-year-old was invited to attend the Bafta Film Awards in February and took Quack with him, making the duck the "first teddy on the red carpet". "If someone told me a year ago that I would be attending the Baftas with my duck that I kept in my room as I was ashamed, I wouldn't believe them," he said. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
