Stunning Photos of Malew from Derbyhaven
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School administrator retires after 28 years
 (courtesy of Isle of Man Newspapers)
WITHIN a couple of days last week Ballasalla Primary School suffered a series of technical breakages and faults when the colour printer, photocopier, computer and laminator all misbehaved. Head teacher Lyn Ashworth blamed former administrator Isy Collister.
'It's all happened since she left,' she said of Isy, whose last day was the Friday before.
Heads, teachers and pupils have come and gone, but Isy has been always there as the mainstay of school life since 1982.
As she turned 65 on October 3, she had to take compulsory retirement meaning her last day was on October 1 and she'll be sorely missed, not least for her technical skills.
The school certainly saw her off in style. First there was a surprise party in Ballasalla village hall on Thursday night when 'friends, colleagues past and present and family came to share memories and anecdotes about this most popular lady', said Lyn.
Isy was brought up in Ballanorris and went to Arbory Primary School and even her school entry was on display.
President of Tynwald Noel Cringle paid tribute to the role Isy, who is also a commissioner and organiser of St Mark's fair, has played in the community and asked all visitors to toast her and to wish her to a long and healthy retirement.
Former Ballasalla pupil Gareth Moore provided the music.
The four head teachers she has worked with – John Martin, for 12 years, Paul Reynolds, for 11 years, Jacqueline Barrow, for four years and Lyn – presented a certificate acknowledging her contribution to the education system.Malew and Santon MHK Graham Cregeen presented another certificate from the civil service. Isy was also presented with a digital camera and printer.
At a special assembly on her last day at school, children presented her with a Manx engraved vase and tributes to Isy's reliability and friendship were made by chairman of the governing body Barbara Brereton.
In turn Isy gave the school 400 daffodil and crocus bulbs.
Later on Friday the director of education John Cain visited the school and paid his respects and thanked Isy for her hard work, there was a tree planting ceremony when Isy planted a willow in memory of former parish MHK Andrew Douglas, who was also a school governor and died last year, Isy was assisted by Andrew's wife Doreen.
Isy said she started at the school after her two sons, Keith and Mark, had started going to school. Over the decades she said the lifestyle of the pupils has 'changed a bit,' but the pupils and school life is 'really much the same'.
The best bit has been the friends and colleagues, she said.
'I was sad to leave I will miss school life. I have no plans, I will just see what comes along,' she said.
Whatever comes along might involve her granddaughter two-year-old Emily and almost certainly the school. 'I popped into school yesterday and got a job to do straight away,' she said. 'I was judging the fancy dress.'
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Community House Project Opens
The Community House in lagh Vane was officially opened by local shop keeper Andy Johnson on Saturday 2nd October.
Click here to see bookings calendar |
Popular Worker Retires
(Photo Courtesy of Mike Proudfoot. Isle of Man Newspapers)
Malew Commissioners gave Kenny Walton a fine send-off at The Whitestone in Ballasalla. Mr Walton retired after 14 years of service to the parish as a foreman, refuse loader and general worker. Kenny is a keen gardener and did much to enhance the appearance of the parish through his planting, particularly in areas such as the commissioners' car park, where his work resulted in a very colourful display. The Janet's Corner resident said now he has retired he was looking forward to spending more time in his own garden. Barry Powell, Malew Commissioners' Clerk said 'He was a very valued member of staff, he was very constructive and reliable and was a great asset to the commissioners and also well liked by fellow staff members and ratepayers. They always had a good word to say about him.'
Pictured above, Kenny with Commissioners, colleagues and friends at his retirement party on 30th June 2010. |
Centenary Celebration of Ballasalla Village Hall
Malew Commissioners are very pleased wih the positive feedback that has been received following the exhibition held during Manx week at the Village Hall. The event was well attended with an estimated 300 plus people visiting.
A big thank you is sent to all those who contributed material for the exhibition and those who gave up their valuable time to help set up and run the exhibition.
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It is hoped that the gathering of photographs will not stop now that this exhibition is over and that if anyone has pictures that are of interest, please still contact The Clerk who can then make copies for future exhibitions. (photo Barry Powell)
Malew Manx tay brews up some fun  
GOODIES: George and Charlotte Powell, TUCK IN: Joan Mellon and Mary Glassey
nine and eight, get stuck into the cakes
MALEW Commissioners organised a very successful Manx tay and concert on July 11, as part of Manx Week celebrations. President of Tynwald Noel Cringle compered an evening of entertainment that included Hugh Jackson reading Manx dialect poetry, Dorothy Faragher reading Manx poetry and Barry Powell and Robert Cowley on electro-acoustic guitars.
Granville Christie gave a vocal solo performance, there was a keyboard solo by Geoff Quine, and then Geoff and Granville accompanied a sing-a-long.
Thanks went to the ladies who prepared the tea – Joyce Young, Elin Kelly, Thelma Cain, Catherine Bridson, Alison Hay and Donna Caley.
The evening raised £300 for the Malew Endowment Committee and this will go on fuel vouchers to be distributed to the elderly in the parish to subsidise their fuel bills in the winter.
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| Presentation for retiring Doctor and Nurse. |
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Malew Commissioners Chairman Mr Bob Pilling presents Dr Curphey Taggart with a plate to mark his retirement as a GP in Ballasalla after 28 years' service to the community and flowers to Mrs Dee Taggart, a nurse at the surgery, who also retired.
Dr Taggart was born and brought up in Ballasalla, where he had his primary education, he then attended Castle Rushen High School.
(photo Barry Powell) |
Civic Service Raises Funds for New Roof on Scout Hall
Chairman Bob Pilling, hands over the proceeds from the collection taken at the annual Civic Service to 1st Malew Group Scout Leader, Neil Young. The collection raised nearly £350 which is to be put towards the repair of the roof of the Scout Hall in Mill Road Ballasalla.
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Ballasalla welcomes new
Community Bobby
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VILLAGE WALK: Constable Dave Higson on the beat in Ballasalla
BALLASALLA has a new bobby. Constable Dave Higson has started operating from the police office in the commissioners' building for set hours during the week.
South division chief Inspector Mike Musson said: 'We tried to staff the office, but could not manage with other commitments. Now we are up to full strength in the south, we can staff it.
'Since I have come back to the south, it is clear we need to respond to what the community wants. Historically in Clagh Vane there have always seemed to have been issues, they always seem to be bubbling away.'
Constable Higson said: 'If people have any problems, they can call up and discuss things in person instead of ove r the phone.
'I was working from Castletown as a response officer on various police issues, this is more focused on the community side.'
The constable, who is 41 and lives in Colby, has been in the Island for just 18 months and arrived here from Greater Manchester Police in Bolton.
'I love the way policing over here is done, it's fantastic,' he said.
'I love the neighbourhood style, people get to know who you are. It's a joy to come to work.'
He added he thought youngsters in the Island were 'wonderful' and there were a lot of positives.
On those who did not come into that categor, Constable Higson, who is also a volunteer with the south's new Youth Bus, said he was keen to 'guide them in the right direction'.
The office will be open depending on Constable Higson's shift, he will put a notice on the door.
The scheme is being operated for a six-month trial. |
ELECTION 2008 |
There were five nominations for this years election, all five candidates have been elected. Therefore from 1st May 2008 and for a period of four years, your Commissioners will be: |
Mrs Barbara Brereton
Mrs Brenda Crellin
Mrs Isabel Collister
Mr Bob Pilling
Mr Geoff Taggart |
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Did you know that these is now free public internet access at the Commissioners' Offices?
Please call in for more information. |
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Lieutenant Governor visit
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His Excellency the Lieutenent Governor made an offcial visit to Malew on 7th March. |
FROM a tiny 19th century chapel to the cutting edge of technology, the lieutenant governor Sir Paul Haddacks enjoyed the rich diversity of the parish of Malew during a visit. |
His visit began at the commissioners' office, where he was greeted by the commissioners, Malew and Santon MHK Graham Cregeen and captain of the parish Roy Gelling. |
 Seven-year-old Charlotte Powell presented him with some flowers, as his wife Lady Haddacks was ill and unable to attend.
Ballasalla School pupils then grilled him on several aspects of being a lieutenant governor, not least, had he met famous people?
He said he had met the Queen on numerous occasions, and US president George Bush, but he added he had not met people the pupils would be interested in such as actors or pop stars. |
Then it was off to IT firm Domicilium. |
Sir Paul was impressed, 'It is extraordinarily high tech.' he said. |
As an interesting contra they then moved to a more traditional technology at Colas's quarry, where staff explained what they do and what they are involved in, such as the airport runway extension. |
Sir Paul was 'reassured to see the traditional industry after the high-tech business'. |
Kerrowkeil methodist chapel, built in 1841, provided a complete contrast. |
The Methodist preacher David Perkins gave a history of the chapel. |
There were fantastic views of the south, it was a nice clear day, It was a contrast to everything that the party had vistited before. The lieutenant governor described it as a little jewel.' |
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