Manx Radio: Sunday Opinion

Sunday Opinion: 27th January 2019

William King — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 16:45:00 +0000

This week, Sunday Opinion is dedicated to one of the Island’s most valued and influential ‘opinions’ in the modern era. We’ll hear archive audio from the late Dr Brian Stowell, who recently passed away.

The programme will reflect different elements of Dr Stowell’s life - as a nuclear physicist and also as a cornerstone of Manx Culture. He discusses proposals for a new nuclear power plant in 2009, and speaks about one of the figures who encouraged him to take up Manx. We also hear from someone that’s been helping him produce an autobiography.

The programme, from 12noon until 1pm, will be presented by Andy Wint - who used to work with Dr Stowell on Manx Radio’s Moghrey Jedoonee. After the 1pm news, the Mannin Line will open for you to share your memories and tributes of arguably one of the most important figures in the recent revival of the Manx language.

Sunday Opinion: 20th January 2019

William King — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 16:24:00 +0000

This week on Sunday Opinion, Roger Watterson will be finding out what last week’s happenings in Westminster mean for the Isle of Man.

On Tuesday (15/01), Theresa May’s deal for withdrawing the UK from the European Union was defeated in the House of Commons by 230 votes. 202 MPs voted for the government’s deal, and 432 voted against it.

Following this, Theresa May announced she would reach out across The House, to try and reach a deal which can be supported before the 29th of March - the date when the UK exits the European Union.

Howard Quayle, Chief Minister of The Isle of Man will join Roger Watterson in the studio to discuss what this means for The Island.

That’s from 12 noon until 1pm on Manx Radio. Then at 1.15pm, it’s your chance to voice your views when the Mannin Line opens until 2pm. You can contribute by calling 01624 661368 while the show is on air.

Sunday Opinion: 13th January 2019

William King — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 14:35:00 +0000

This week on Sunday Opinion, Andy Wint will be in conversation with Adrian Cowin, the Isle of Man's senior meteorological officer.

In December, 24 nations met in Poland following the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s meeting in Paris in 2015 to report on progress regarding climate change targets.

Adrian will be helping us look at the report's conclusions, and will also look at how climate change has affected the Isle of Man.

At 13:15, the Mannin Line will open for you to contribute to the discussion, by calling 01624 661368.

Sunday Opinion: 6th January 2019

William King — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 20:08:00 +0000

For the first Sunday Opinion of 2019, Bob Harrison will be joined by five special guests to reflect on 2018 and look ahead to their plans for this year.

Paul Bridson, the head of Manx Sport and Recreation; Martyn Perkins MHK; Canon John Coldwell; Davy Knowles, former local musician who now lives in Chicago and Samantha Barks (pictured), originally from Laxey who is currently appearing as Vivian in Pretty Woman on Broadway, will all join Bob Harrison between 12 noon and 1pm.

At 1:15pm, The Mannin Line will be open for you to share your reflections of 2018 and plans for the new year. To get involved, call 661368 or text 166177 whilst the show is on air.

Sunday Opinion: 16th December 2018

William King — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 13:38:00 +0000

On this week’s programme, Bob Harrison will be joined by guests to discuss the deliverance of high quality entertainment on the Island.

David Dawson from King’s Court Theatre at King William’s College, Emma Calvin from VillaGaiety and Dave McLean from the Peel Centenary Centre all run different types of venue, and are charged with the task of providing quality entertainment.

That’s from 12 noon until 1pm on Manx Radio.

Andy Wint will be along with the Mannin Line at 1:15, for you to add your thoughts to the discussion. Call 661368

Sunday Opinion: 9th December 2018

William King — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 10:21:00 +0000

On the programme this week, Bob Harrison was joined by guests to discuss issues of poverty on the Isle of Man. This comes after the select committee on poverty heard aural evidence earlier this week. Of course, Christmas can be a tough time for those below the poverty line.

Erica Irwin is from the homeless charity Graih, Tanya August-Hansen MLC and Jason Moorhouse MHK sit on the poverty committee, Neal Mellon is from the food bank and Don Bailey is a director at Housing Matters.

That’s from 12 noon until 1pm on Manx Radio. At 13:15, the Mannin Line will open for you to add your thoughts to the discussion. Call 661368.

Sunday Opinion: 2nd December 2018

William King — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 12:41:00 +0000

In the latest Quarterly economic report for, November, there were 120 vacancies in Catering and Entertainment. Vacancies have been high in this sector for a number of years now. Why is this the case? What can be done to meet demands?

To discuss this, Bob Harrison will be joined by Rom Kesa from the Mannin Hotel, Ben Heath from Harbour Lights and Nigel Sperring - former manager of the Grand Island Hotel who now runs a guest house in Peel and a company who meet and greet cruise ships arriving in Douglas.

We’ll also hear from Chris Franklin who is behind the Hospitality and Catering course at University College Isle of Man.

All that from 12 noon. At 13:15, the Mannin Line will be open for you to contribute via calling 661368, texting 166177 or emailing studio@manxradio.com.

Sunday Opinion: 25th November 2018

William King — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 15:32:00 +0000

From 12 noon, Bob Harrison will be joined in the studio by Andrew Newton (leader of the Isle of Man Green Party) (pictured), Alice Quayle (from the Manx Labour Party) and Bill Shimmins MHK to discuss all thing environment.

The Mannin Line will be open from 13:15 if you want to have your say.

Sunday Opinion - 11th November 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sun, 11 Nov 2018 09:00:00 +0000

This week, a special programme to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, a conflict which cost the lives of over nine million soldiers from around the globe of them between July 1914 and November 1918.

We’ll explore the impact of the war on the Isle of Man with Curator of Social History for Manx National Heritage, and author of the book This Terrible Ordeal Matthew Richardson.

And Professor of Military History Ronald Barr discusses the origins of the conflict and how it unfolded.

Sunday Opinion - 4th November 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 14:00:00 +0000

On this week’s programme, Catherine Nicoll finds out more about some of the national collections held in the care of Manx National Heritage.

On the programme we visit the large objects store and library and archives, and find out more about the archaeology and natural history collections.

You can find out more about many of the items discussed on the programme via the iMuseum.

Sunday Opinion - 28th October 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 09:30:00 +0000

On this week’s programme, Catherine Nicoll will be finding out more about the about the opportunities to get involved in physical activity, and the facilities at the National Sports Centre.

She joins Head of Sport and Recreation Paul Bridson and Senior Sport Development Officer Gianni Epifani for a tour of the NSC, and discusses the work of Manx Sport and Recreation in implementing the Department of Education, Sport and Culture’s 10-year strategy for sport.

Sunday Opinion - 21st October 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 20 Oct 2018 16:19:00 +0000

This week, Catherine Nicoll will be taking a closer look at the Chief Minister’s annual State of the Nation Address, which was delivered by Howard Quayle in Tynwald this week.

On the programme, which features excerpts from the speech, Mr Quayle discusses some of the issues raised, including Brexit and other challenges facing the Island in the year ahead.

The full speech can be heard on the Tynwald website.

Sunday Opinion - 14th October 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 13 Oct 2018 19:33:00 +0000

On this week’s programme, Catherine Nicoll will be in conversation with Brian Brumby and Tim Johnston of the Manx National Farmers’ Union about the impact of this year’s weather on the agricultural industry, and the measures proposed to help farmers cope with it.

Environment, Food and Agricultural Minister Geoffrey Boot MHK will ask Tynwald members to support the Agricultural Drought Relief Scheme 2018, which would enable farmers to apply for grants for livestock, crops and vegetables. Mr Boot explains more about that scheme.

Sunday Opinion - 7th October 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 16:37:00 +0000

On this week’s programme, Catherine Nicoll will be in conversation with Chair of Manx Utilities Ramsey MHK Dr Alex Allinson about the proposed new MU pricing structure.

At the October sitting of Tynwald, Dr Allinson will ask members to support a five-year pricing strategy for Manx Utilities.

If approved, the strategy would see a rebalancing of water and sewerage rates, and annual increases in electricity, water and sewerage prices for domestic customers set at Manx CPI until 2023.

Sunday Opinion - 30th September 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 09:08:00 +0000

On this week’s programme, Catherine Nicoll will be in conversation with Chair of the Road Transport Licensing Committee Brendan O’Friel.

They’ll be discussing the regulation of public passenger vehicles (PPV), and the forthcoming introduction of regulations for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) in the Island.

Sunday Opinion - 23rd September 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 14:57:00 +0000

On this week’s programme, Catherine Nicoll is in conversation with General Manager of the Curraghs Wildlife Park Kathleen Graham.

They’ll be discussing animal conservation, the park’s place in European breeding programmes, and changing perceptions of zoos and wildlife parks.

Sunday Opinion - 16th September 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:21:00 +0000

This week, Catherine Nicoll is in conversation with Director of Manx National Heritage Edmund Southworth.

They’ll be exploring the origins of the Manx Museum and National Trust, the preservation of the Island’s ancient monuments, and the promotion of the Island’s heritage.

Sunday Opinion - 9th September 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 08 Sep 2018 21:23:00 +0000

This week, a special programme focusing on the 125th birthday celebrations for the Manx Electric Railway.

We speak to some of the people involved in the eight days of events to mark the anniversary, and find out about the history of the railway.

We’ll also hear about the restoration of ratchet car no. 14, which was officially unveiled to mark the occasion, and a re-enactment of the first ever journey on the MER, which took place on 7 September 1893 between Derby Castle and Groudle.

Sunday Opinion - 2nd September 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 17:14:56 +0000

On this week’s programme Roger is in conversation with veteran new reporter Kate Adie OBE.

The broadcaster and former war correspondent visited the Island in 2015 as a guest speaker at an event organised by the Manx Sporting and Dining Club.

She shares her memories of starting out in journalism and going on to report from war zones around the world.

Sunday Opinion - 26th August 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 13:00:00 +0000

This week, Roger will be finding out more about the history of Manx coinage and the process behind of issuing of new Manx coins.

He’ll be joined on the programme by coin expert and author of the book Coins of the Isle of Man Mike Southall, member of Treasury with responsibility for currency Bill Henderson MLC, and Investment and Banking Manager at the Treasury Colin Campbell.

Sunday Opinion - 19th August 2018

William King — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 15:08:00 +0000

On this week’s programme, Roger will be looking at the statistics we’ve received following A-Level results day on Thursday.

He’ll be joined by Graham Cregeen (Minister for Education, Sport and Culture), Gail Corrin and Pippa Edmunds (University College Man) and Joel Smith (Schools Improvement Advisor).

For the Mannin Line, Pippa Edmunds will stay and Kathryn Sharman (Law student) will join to discuss the issues carried over from Sunday Opinion, and others which you wish to bring up.

Sunday Opinion - 12th August 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 21:00:00 +0000

On this week’s programme, Roger will be joined in the studio MHK Lawrie Hooper.

Elected to the House of Keys to represent Ramsey at the 2016 general election, Mr Hooper previously served on the board of commissioners for the town.

He’ll be discussing some of the main political issues affecting the Island at the moment, and his time in national politics so far.

Sunday Opinion - 5th August 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 21:00:00 +0000

On this week’s programme, Roger will be taking a closer look at the new General Data Protection Regulation, which was approved by Tynwald at the July sitting of the Court.

To discuss the new rules, and how they’ll be rolled out, he’ll be joined in the studio by Information Commissioner Iain McDonald.

Sunday Opinion - 29th July 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 21:40:00 +0000

On this week’s programme, Roger hands the programme over to William King, Noah Bovenizer and George Ratcliffe for highlights of the 2018 Junior Tynwald sitting.

The three secondary school students took on the role of reporters for the annual special sitting of the Court, which sees students take on the roles of MHKs and MLCs for the day.

Questions asked during the sitting covered topics including the government’s Cycle to Work Scheme, attracting tourists to the Island, and incentives to encourage graduates back to the Isle of Man.

Students also debated the Island drinks culture, and whether or not the Isle of Man should seek sovereign nation status.

Sunday Opinion - 15th July 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 14 Jul 2018 20:11:00 +0000

On this week’s programme, Roger will be exploring the issue of organ donation, and the law governing it in the Isle of Man.

He’ll be joined in the studio by Garff MHK Martyn Perkins, who has been given leave to introduce a private member’s bill, which could see the law changed to create an ‘opt-out’ system of consent for organ donation in the Island.

The programme also features an archive recording of Professor Nigel Heaton, a consultant liver transplant surgeon.

Sunday Opinion - 8th July 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 21:00:00 +0000

On this week’s programme, as the National Health Service marks its 70th anniversary, Roger will be looking back at start of the NHS.

He’ll also be in conversation with Dominique Cooreman, a Belgian-born retired court judge, who is the author of LA BASSE-VILLE 1917: New Zealand Voices from Flanders Fields (ISBN 978-0-473-35278-3), a book which explores aspects of the New Zealand involvement on the Western Front.

Her continuing research has brought her to the Isle of Man, and she joins Roger in the studio to explain more.

If you'd like to find out more visit the Facebook page La Basse-Ville1917, or email Dominique at labasseville1917@gmail.com.

Sunday Opinion - 1st July 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 20:39:00 +0000

On this week’s programme, Roger will be exploring the issue of future sea services for the Isle of Man.

Earlier this year, Tynwald voted to support a motion which would see the Isle of Man government buy the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, bringing ferry services to and from the Island into public ownership.

But just what will that mean for the day-to-day running of the services, and what implications are there for passengers and freight customers?

To discuss those issues, amongst others, Roger will be joined in the studio by Chairman of the IOMSPC Robert Quayle.

Sunday Opinion - 17th June 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 20:26:00 +0000

This week, Roger will be taking a closer look at one of the items listed in the government’s SAVE programme progress report.

He’ll be joined in the studio by President of the Isle of Man Law Society Jane Gray to discuss the potential implications of the establishment of a Public Defender Unit, which would replace the current system of providing defence advocates for defendants eligible for legal aid.

We’ll also hear more about the Securing Added Value and Efficiencies (SAVE) programme itself from Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan MHK.

Sunday Opinion - 10th June 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 09 Jun 2018 13:00:00 +0000

On this week's programme, Roger will be taking a closer look at the work of the Department of Infrastructure and its current projects.

To discuss those issues, he'll be joined in the studio by DOI Minister Ray Harmer MHK.

And, as we reach the end of the 2018 Isle for Man TT festival, he'll also be in conversation with Honorary Secretary of the TT Riders Association Frances Thorp.

Sunday Opinion - 3rd June 2018

Catherine Nicoll — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 13:00:00 +0000

On this week’s programme, Roger revisits a conversation which takes a closer look at the issue of human trafficking.

He’ll be in conversation with Loreto Nun Sister Imelda Poole, who has spent more than a decade on mission in Albania working to prevent trafficking and helping those who have been victims.

Sister Imelda was recently invited to address the United Nations about her experiences.