Latest news with #NatalieByronTeare
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Council's five-year plan to improve capital's play areas
A five-year action plan to spruce up play areas will ensure children have access to "safe, high-quality" facilities in the Manx capital, a councillor has said. Douglas Council has created the plan which outlines the scheduled refurbishment and replacement of equipment as well as ongoing investment into the facilities. The strategy would also see £7,500 made available annually for the replacement of old equipment for each of the 15 play areas managed by the Byron-Teare of the council's Regeneration and Community Committee said the areas offered "clean, safe environments for relaxation, activity and community life". Ensuring the public spaces were as good as they could be was "essential to the wellbeing of our residents and visitors". 'Long-term investment' The action plan includes the establishment of a maintenance fund from 2026-27 and preparing a capital programme to fund the full replacement of play areas that have exceeded their local authority has committed to including play area provision in its future housing developments under the strategy. Sparked by a "detailed audit" of the council's play facilities, which assessed their condition and lifespan, Byron-Teare said the plan aimed to provide "safe, more inclusive and better-maintained spaces for local children and families".Playgrounds were "vital to the community" and it was a "long-term investment" into the wellbeing of residents, she funding decisions would be considered by the local authority as part of the 2026-27 budget process, she added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New Douglas Mayor hopes to 'increase footfall' in capital
The new mayor of the Manx capital is hoping to work with businesses to "increase footfall" in the city Crellin, who was unanimously elected and will serve in the role for a year, was sworn in at a ceremony on takes over from Natalie Byron-Teare, who held the position for two years. She declared Mr Crellin would serve the residents with "great determination and passion".Accepting the role, Mr Crellin said: "I am truly honoured to serve, and I will do so with pride, determination and an unwavering commitment to making Douglas an even better place to live, work, and thrive." The new mayor said he was "honoured and humbled" to have be given the role, and spoke of an "abiding optimism", urging council and community to "shape a future" that was "inclusive, vibrant and full of opportunity".Crellin, who had previously held the position of deputy mayor, described that experience as "invaluable", allowing him an "overview of how everything is put together, and how events are organised".He said his theme, as mayor, was community and business, adding: "I can't wait to get going".The mayor has selected three chosen charities for the coming year: Hospice Isle of Man, Riding for the Disabled and Dot's Dream Foundation. Councillor Peter Washington was elected to serve as his follows last week's appointment of Devon Watson as council leader for Douglas. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Isle of Man VE Day commemorations to take place
Concert and services to mark 80 years since VE Day 8 minutes ago Share Save Ashlea Tracey Share Save BBC People are being invited to pay their respects at events across the island Services of remembrance and a big band concert are set to take place across the Isle of Man as it marks 80 years since VE Day. Ceremonies have been planned at war memorials in Ramsey, Douglas, Onchan, Port St Mary and Castletown to acknowledge the end of World War Two in Europe. A free two-hour concert and military service will also be held at the Royal Hall in the Villa Marina at 19:00 BST on Thursday as part of the commemorations. Church bells will ring out across the island and a beacon will also be lit, joining a network of others across the British Isles. The Manx public has also been invited to fall silent at midday to commemorate the anniversary and remember those who fought during the war. Services A number of services are being held across the island, including in the Manx Capital of Douglas. Mayor Natalie Byron-Teare will make a speech before the Last Post is played and a minute's silence is held at 10:45 at Hilary Park. Ceremonies organised by the Royal British Legion (RBL) will take place at the same time by the Onchan War Memorial and in the Port St Mary garden of remembrance. At 11:00 an act of remembrance is to be held at the Castletown War Memorial, to include wreath laying and readings. After the national two-minute silence at noon, a similar service will commence in Ramsey. The Douglas branch of the RBL will host a wreath laying commemoration, set to include a reading of Sir Winston Churchill's radio broadcast at 15:00 - the time the former British prime minister announced the war had come to an end on 8 May 1945. Commemorations Residents will also be able to hear the sounds of church bells ringing out at 17:00 at St George's Church in Douglas, followed by a peal at Cathedral Isle of Man in Peel at 18:30. The commemorations will continue with a big band concert of music from the wartime era at a ticketed event at the Villa Marina in Douglas. A traditional drumhead service, which uses drums as a makeshift altar, will then follow, led by the RBL. A commemorative beacon will then be lit by Chief Minister Alfred Cannan in the grounds of the venue.
