Gef’s Daily Roundup

Starring Role

A partnership between a leading law firm and the Island’s longest-running musical theatre society is continuing to pay dividends for talented local performers.

Each year Douglas-based practice DQ Advocates supports the annual Douglas Choral Union (DCU) bursary which is awarded to young islanders as they pursue further education in any aspect of drama, dance, music and theatre.

Millie Christian, 19, has just completed her first term at the Performance Preparation Academy at Guildford in Surrey, where she is studying towards a BA in musical theatre. A performer of ballet, tap, musical theatre and singing, Milie has tread the boards from a young age and has appeared in four DCU productions since 2016. The cost of her bursary will go towards equipment and specialist lessons, combined with extra-curricular activities supporting her development.

Gracel Delos Santos, 23, is currently in the second of a three-year course at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Gracel has appeared in many island shows and works part time to support herself as she works towards a BA in Professional Acting degree. She is planning to use the bursary to invest in travel to training events and performances.

Alex Maxwell, 27, has become a well-known name in island theatre and began his foundation year at the London School of Musical Theatre in September. An accomplished performer, he formed his own company to build up finances to help fund his course, hoping to make the step into the industry at its conclusion.

Gary Corkhill, DCU chairman, said: ‘Once again we are thrilled to be supporting opportunities for our young people and working alongside DQ Advocates, with whom we have a very productive and long-standing relationship.

‘As an Island charity with a proud history and a reputation for embracing the future, teaming up with DQ for the bursary scheme is an important part of what we do. We were so impressed with the quality of the applicants and are confident that Alex, Gracel and Millie can thrive in their ventures so we are delighted to be able to help them with their studies.’

(L-R, Jude Fullerton (DCU), Alex Maxwell, Millie Chrstian and Donna Matthews, DQ Associate)

Pollution Tech

Pioneering technology which can trace and track pollution in seas and on coastlines around the world will be the focus at a public meeting this week.

Marius Suteu, Chief Technology Officer at Eyesea, will give a presentation about how the company is revolutionising marine pollution management at an event organised by the Isle of Man branch of IMarEST (Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology). It’s free to attend and will be at The Legion Hall, Market Street, Douglas on Thursday January 11 starting at 6.30pm.

Eyesea is a non-profit organisation with a mission to chart (or map in other words) global pollution and maritime hazards.

Find out more about Eyesea at eyesea.org – and click here for info about IMarEST’s Isle of Man branch.

Marius Suteu

Hospice Car

Inge Gestles has collected her prize of a hybrid, automatic Renault Captur which she won in the 2023 Hospice Isle of Man Christmas Car Draw.

Inge said: ‘As the lucky winner of the 2023 Hospice Isle of Man Christmas raffle I would like to thank Hospice and their generous sponsor Altitude for the fabulous car. Hospice Isle of Man does amazing work and I am very happy to support them.

 ‘When I bought the tickets I didn’t expect to win but I was happy to help this extraordinary charity raise funds.’

This year, £25,000 was donated to Hospice to enable them to purchase the prize for the annual ‘Christmas Car Draw’, by Altitude, a business consultancy offering leadership development.

This year 3,000 tickets were sold therefore an incredible £75,000 was raised for Hospice.

Further Afield