Happy Easter, yessirs. This week:
forget pandemic era toilet roll, better ration that heating oil instead
Dave cancelled all the boats (thanks Dave…)
Jack Russell identifies as cat and uses one of his 9 lives
Grab a hot cross bun and settle in.
🔥 Heating Oil Prices Have Nearly Doubled
If you heat your home with oil, prepare to cry into your thermostat. The price of domestic heating fuel has surged, with one customer reporting their bill for 900 litres leapt from around £590 in January to over £1,129 this week — an increase of a whopping 91%. Middle East volatility is to blame, thanks to stable genius Donald Trump, and local suppliers have been apologetic but also mentioned it's not at all their fault.
Island Fuels have halved the minimum order value they will deliver from £100 to £50 to help you budget through the pain. Meanwhile, diesel pumps at some garages ran dry over the weekend as drivers scrambled to fill up before the new prices hit, with crazy long queues forming at EVF on Peel Road in Douglas, who had also applied a £20 cap at the pump.
The Chief Minister says things should stabilise soon, because everyone knows Trump will do the right thing, America’s track record in the middle east is stellar, and the end of the war has been announced so many times now one of them is bound to be legit.
⛴️ I am Dave, Delayer of Boats
No this isn’t Big Dave from Quids who bought you a tequila rose last Friday. He was cool. This is the significantly less cool Storm Dave, set to sweep in for Easter on Saturday with gusts of up to 75mph and a yellow weather warning in place. The Met Office alert covers a six-hour window, and if you had plans involving the Manxman, you might want to check those twice — six weekend ferry crossings are at risk of disruption. The Heysham sailing schedule was already in trouble on Good Friday thanks to "operational reasons" and tidal restrictions. Douglas Harbour is also mid-dredging, which is adding its own flavour of disruption to the sailing timetable. In short: if you're trying to get on or off the rock this weekend, pack patience alongside your waterproofs. Whose job is it to name storms anyway?
🐶 Teddy the Jack Russell Survives 60ft Cliff Fall
In the week's most heart-in-mouth moment, a two-year-old Jack Russell called Teddy tumbled 60 feet down a cliff — and then just walked it off, the absolute mad lad. The Isle of Man Coastguard team carried out a daring rescue, and Teddy was reunited with his mightily relieved owners. No bones broken, no lasting damage, just one extremely lucky pooch with a story that'll be told at every family gathering from now until the end of time. Teddy is just built different.
🏛️ The President of Tynwald Is Peacing-out
Laurence Skelly has announced he won't seek re-election when his term ends on 21 July, bringing the curtain down on 15 years in Manx politics. He served a decade in the House of Keys — including over seven years in ministerial roles — before being elected President of Tynwald in 2021. He described the role as the greatest honour of his career and plans to stay active in island life through family businesses and cultural and charitable work. Lovely stuff. The Attorney General, Walter Wannenburgh, has also announced his retirement this year. Something in the water at the top, clearly. Hopefully they don’t own bunkers in New Zealand. The race for who fills these seats should be one to watch as the general election approaches. I hear Pam Bondi is available.
🦷 Ramsey's NHS Dentist Shuts Up Shop
Smile Dental Care, which operates out of Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital, has announced it will stay closed until the hospital fully reopens — and nobody told Manx Care first. The practice had been temporarily running sessions out of Hillside Dental Practice in Douglas while building works were underway at RDCH. But after those works were pushed back due to unexpected roof problems, Smile has simply downed tools. Manx Care says it's now trying to get in touch. If you're a Smile patient in the north, you don’t have a lot to smile about. Luckily we all have loads of spare cash to go private right? Right guys??
📹 Voyeurs Beware! Ring Doorbells Now Needs Data Protection Registration
Here's one for the "things you didn't know you had to do" file. The Isle of Man's Information Commissioner has confirmed that if you've got a Ring doorbell or any CCTV-style camera pointing beyond your own property, you'll need to register for data protection. The good news? It should be free. The less-good news? Most people had absolutely no idea this was a requirement. So if your doorbell has been quietly filming the postman or late night doggers, it's time to make it official.
🧛 Vampire Comeovers
Fans of the Anne Rice universe had a brief, glorious moment when the Ben-my-Chree turned up in the season finale of Talamasca: The Secret Order, with two blood suckers fleeing persecution in the UK aboard the Manx ferry. It was the kind of spooky exposure money can't buy, but sadly, AMC has now cancelled the show, so there won't be a second season, and we'll never find out whether there's a secret coven of sexy vampires behind a bush in Jurby. Shame.
🚌 Bus Drivers Vote on "Final Offer" — Attempt Number Eight
The long-running dispute between the government and Bus Vannin drivers rumbles on, but there may be light at the end of the route. An eighth offer has been put to drivers in an attempt to resolve the industrial action that's been causing disruption for months. It's being described as a "final offer," which either means this is the one that sticks — or we're about to learn that "final" is a relative concept. Watch this space. Don’t wait for the bus.
🗣️ Get Paid to Manx
It's Blein ny Gaelgey — the Year of the Manx Language — and Culture Vannin is offering mini grants of up to £100 to help anyone host a Manx language event. You don't need to be fluent; even a few phrases, some bilingual signage, or Manx songs playing in the background counts (probably). The idea is grassroots and community-led, and they'll help you along the way. If you're one of the four people on the Island who have been meaning to do something with your Gaelg, it’s time to cash in.
🗓️ What's On in April
🥚 Egg Rolling at Cregneash (Mon 6th) — The annual tradition of rolling eggs down a hill and chasing them like it's an Olympic sport. Free, wholesome, and the closest thing to exercise most of us will get this Easter.
🎵 The Corrib Singers (Mon 7th, Old Grammar School, Castletown + Laxey Wheel) — Traditional Irish vocal group over from Galway for two Isle of Man gigs. Raw harmonies, no backing tracks, proper music. Worth the trip.
🍺 CAMRA Beer & Cider Festival at the Villa Marina (Thu 9th–Sat 11th) — Three days of real ale, cider, and increasingly questionable pint choices. The 13th year of this one. Bring a designated walker.
🎸 John Power: Cast, the La's, and Me (Thu 9th, Villa Marina Prom Suite) — Britpop royalty tells tales and plays the hits. If "Alright" doesn't make you feel something, check your pulse.
🐉 The Dino Express (Fri 10th–Sun 12th) — Steam train from Douglas to Ballasalla, then a bus to Rushen Abbey for a full dinosaur experience. One for the kids. Or adults who never grew out of their Jurassic Park phase.
😂 Tom Davis: Spudgun at the Gaiety (Sat 11th) — The big lad from King Gary and Taskmaster brings his stand-up to Douglas. Loud, daft, and very funny.
📬 Daily Tail Postbag
Do you have a gripe, some hot off the press goss, or a funny story? Be our first ever letter writer and secure your place in Daily Tail history, drop us a line at [email protected]
😍 Missed Connections
Did you lock eyes with Mr Right at Bushy’s, or bump into your future wife in Marks & Spencer and wish you’d said hello?
Send your Missed Connections to [email protected] with the subject line 'Missed Connection.' If your person gets in touch, we'll play cupid. This island is too small for what-ifs ❤️
If you do go on a date, please send us a photo 📸
That's your lot for today yessirs. Stay warm, keep an eye on those sailings, and give your heating oil tank a gentle pat of solidarity. If you didn’t like this week’s newsletter, there’s a boat in the morning.
See you next time.
— The Daily Tail 😽
