Charity
Gef’s Daily Roundup
Sheffield Utd v Wrexham is on ITV4 tonight, something to watch at least.
Ballakermeen
The amazing Maughold House prefects are at it again! The group of final year students at Ballakermeen High School are fundraising for the house’s chosen charities A Little Piece of Hope, The Manx Wildlife Trust and The Red Cross in Ukraine. So far this year they have raised over £900 for the charities. This time team Maughold are proud to bring to you their Valentine’s Day Raffle including the chance to win a two night staycation in Maughold with breakfast and fizz!
Mrs Shelton, Maughold House Manger said: ‘I am consistently impressed with the dedication of the prefect team. They are all in year 11 and have a very busy year, including sitting their GCSE exams, yet they are still very keen to run events such as this raffle to raise funds for our house charities. They are exceptional young people and I am very proud of them. I am also very grateful for the exceptional generosity of local businesses who have contributed to the raffle, and to the many people who have purchased a ticket. Good luck!’
Graham Makepeace-Warne, Manx Wildlife Trust Engagement Manager, said: ‘We are thrilled that Maughold House have chosen Manx Wildlife Trust to be one of the charities benefitting from their Valentine’s raffle. Nature needs our help now, more than ever, and every penny raised goes directly to helping Manx wildlife for the future.’
The draw takes place on February 13 at 12pm and is open to everyone. Tickets are priced at £1 and tickets are available now from Ballakermeen High School reception.
TT
Manxman Marcus Simpson will make his debut at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races, competing in both Supersport and Supertwin categories.
Alongside compatriots Nathan Harrison and Jamie Cringle, Simpson is part of a new generation of Manx riders making the step up to the TT, and he does so after a breakthrough year in 2022. The 24-year-old took a string of top-ten finishes on his debut at the Southern 100 event and also enjoyed a successful season competing in Ireland. Finishing second overall in the Senior Support Championship, highlights included victory at the Skerries 100 on his Yamaha R6 along with second place finishes at the Kells and Armoy Road Races.
He said: ‘Growing up on the Island and as a proud Manxman, competing at the TT has always been a dream of mine and I’m really excited about the challenge and the prospect of racing around the Mountain Course. I’ve been doing plenty of laps in the van and I’ve been watching onboard laps for years, and I’m also fortunate to have Nick Jefferies [1993 Formula One TT Race winner] as a family friend who’s been helping me prepare.
‘There aren’t any expectations from anyone in my debut year and I can be anonymous, just going out in each session doing my own thing and putting in as many laps as possible. My aims are simple – to qualify for all my races, to finish all of them and to enjoy myself.’
Folk Awards
Entries are now open for the 12th annual Manx Folk Awards, Aundyryn Kiaull-Theay Vannin. During the five days of friendly competition it’s expected that over 1,000 young people, aged from pre-school to secondary, will take part in over 92 classes.
Organised jointly by the DESC and Culture Vannin, the Awards will take place from 26 – 30 March at Kensington Arts and Rosemount Church in Douglas, and in St Johns Methodist Hall. Each year has a special theme, and for 2023 it is ‘Manx Calendar Customs’. The theme is reflected in the choir set pieces and poetry recitation classes, and gives inspiration for new composition.
As well as an own choice Manx song, young choirs are asked to learn the same set song, so they can all take part in a communal sing-a-long after the judges make their decisions. The dance classes also end with a group dance, giving performers the chance to watch their peers and perform with others their age. The emphasis at the Manx Folk Awards is on having fun while celebrating Manx Culture, and the organisers and judges aim to provide a supportive environment for complete beginners, as well as more seasoned performers – giving positive feedback and advice for future performances.
Dr Chloe Woolley, Manx Music Development Officer at Culture Vannin and organiser of the event, said: ‘The Manx Folk Awards gives schools a real focus for learning and creating new Manx songs, tunes, poems and dances, and the friendly atmosphere during the week intends to encourage all schools to get involved in celebrating Manx culture and have a fun time whilst doing it!’
