Gef’s Daily Roundup

Guild Entries

There’s still time to take part in the 2023 Guild, but entries close on February 4.

Running at the Villa Marina in Douglas from April 22 to 29, there are more than 200 classes in music, speech, drama and dance to participate in – whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned performer.

Among the new classes introduced this year are a Community Choir class for mixed choirs, a Junior Presentation aimed to create and facilitate a presentation; a Sacred Text Reading which can be in a non-English language and an open cabaret style Drag Class, open from year nine pupils to adults.

Festival Chairman, Anne Clarke, said: ‘The Guild has such a rich and wonderful history with so many genres to choose from in music, speech, drama and dance and something to challenge everyone taking part. All in all, it means Guild week should once again be a true celebration of the wonderful talent in all areas of the performing arts we have on our island. We hope our competitors have had time to study the Syllabus since it was published and distributed last autumn and have decided what classes they may wish to enter. We look forward to seeing both new faces and regular competitors.’

Entries can be sent using the entry form in the Syllabus or you can enter online at www.manxmusicfestival.org. No late entries will be accepted.

Sophie

The Journal of Community Nursing has published a paper written by UCM’s Sophie Hinks about a ground-breaking weight management pathway. The paper, based on Sophie Hinks’ Master’s dissertation, sets forth a new weight management scheme to help assess and encourage healthy, sensible weight loss.

Sophie, who is now a health and social care lecturer at University College Isle of Man (UCM), completed her Masters at UCM through the University College’s Work Based Integrative studies programme following nine years as a District Nurse and nurse prescriber.

Sophie said: ‘With an ever-growing trend towards poor food choices and reduced exercise, weight management is essential for the health of everyone in our community. As someone who has worked hard to find a sustainable balance to create a healthy lifestyle, I understand how difficult this is for many people. Creating a pathway of this nature not only helps those in need access the support they require, but also helps break the taboo around this subject. Seeing my research published in such an established and well-respected journal is a major achievement and I’m delighted to be shining a light on this important topic. I’m also pleased to fly the flag for UCM both locally and to the nursing community in the UK; the University-College offers a fantastic level of education across such a broad range of subjects and it’s something everyone on the Island should be proud to have.’

Hospice

Hospice Isle of Man has been awarded a £100,000 grant from the Wolfson Foundation. In its latest round of awards, the Foundation has awarded grants to capital projects – buildings, refurbishments and equipment – across arts, science, health and education.

Hospice Isle of Man will use the grant received in order to fund a new boiler for the building. The grant comes at a very important time for the charity with rising costs each day, and an increasing need for patient care on the Island.

Hospice CEO John Knight said: ‘It’s hard to explain how much receiving financial grants from places such as the Wolfson Foundation means to charities like Hospice. Our current boiler is over 15 years old and we simply must have confidence in all equipment that contributes to patient comfort. The Wolfson Foundation supporting the funding of a new, energy efficient, boiler for our building means that all the funds donated by the local community can be spent directly on patient care. Ultimately, this is ours and our community’s priority.’