Community

The World Bonnag Championships at Dalby was won by Chef Kiril who is a resident chef at Green’s Café in St John’s. Bonnag was mentioned by Hall Caine in the 1860’s when describing his grandmother’s kitchen “a crock of fresh water, with perhaps a bowl of new milk, and a plate of bonnag”. Wheat was not that common on the Island in the 1800s before Laxey Flour Mills. The bread was made with oats and barley. Early gluten free!

Government backed Manx Menus announce this year’s 14 winners. The award is given to cafes, bars and restaurants in an annual competition. The winners were: Babbage’s Bistro, Café 360, Coast, Filbey’s, Frank Matchams, Fynoderee, Green’s, Henderson & Glass, Kiki Lounge, Little Fish, The Boatyard, Vibe, The Whistlestop Café and The Whitestone.

Politics

Despite MHKs voting to reduce numbers, The Council of Ministers state that reducing the Civil Servants will put more on the dole. The current staffing includes nearly 700 middle managers, roughly a ratio of one in five.

The Government bought a new office block for £2.1 million.

Planning

The Green Lounge in Parliament Street, Ramsey, has now opened as the Island’s first Cannabis Café.  

Transport

The bus strike continues as vintage trams and trains are brought into service.

Road works made getting into Douglas very difficult.

Sport

Mannin Youth Dance Company took part in Move It 2026 at the ExCel, in London from the 20^th-22^nd March. The world’s largest dance show. At the same time, The Manx Ballroom Championships were held on the 22^nd March at the Villa Marina.

Childhood friends, Tim Foster and Mike Reed, are the first Manx pair to row across the Atlantic. The 3,200 mile voyage took them 49 days.

While Bev Quayle, won Best of Breed at Crufts with her dalmatian, named Breesha.