News

Free Membership to Henry Bloom Noble Library for Arbory Residents

Arbory Parish Commissioners have made arrangements with Henry Bloom Noble Libray so that Arbory residents can enjoy membership and all it brings for free.  This is a trial for one year and decisions on continuation will depend on usage.

A Henry Bloom Noble Library card entitles you to:

  • Borrow up to 8 items including books and audiobooks
  • 2 hours of free PC use
  • Free wifi
  • Download up to 6 eBooks or audiobooks
  • Download free eMagazines, comics and graphic novels
  • Free access to online reference resources

The library has over 30,000 books including the bestsellers in adult fiction and nonfiction, books for children and young adults, graphic novels, an extensive Manx collection, language courses, large print and audiobooks. They also offer a jigsaw swap.

There are 16 PCs and 2 iMacs available for public use with printing facilities and a photocopier. We have a study area with charging points, tables and free wifi as well as offering a full online range of reference materials from Encyclopaedia Britannic and Oxford Online.  They also have a hot drinks machine and a water cooler.

The children’s area has special furniture and offers books from board books and picture books for babies and toddlers to the latest bestsellers in fiction and nonfiction for older children and a comprehensive young adult section. We also have a Barrington Stoke collection aimed to help children with dyslexia. We hold a story time each Thursday for pre-school children, children’s craft activities during school holidays and take part in the Summer Reading Challenge each year.

If you don’t come into Douglas you can have a whole library at home using your PC, tablet or smart phone! You can download eBooks and audiobooks, eMagazines, comics and graphic novels and view our online reference material. You can also renew or reserve items and search our catalogue of physical stock online. Their online library is available 24/7 just visit www.douglaslibrary.im.

Keep up to date with library news using our website or social media pages; we have Facebook www.facebook.com/hbnlibrary and Instagram www.instagram.com/douglaslibrary.

What are you waiting for? Join HBN Library today!

30th July 2018 in Uncategorised

Road Resurfacing Ballabeg

Road Surfacing in Ballabeg.

On behalf of the Department of Infrastructure, Colas will be applying an antiskid surface to the road from Arbory Church to approximately 100 metres past the junction to Ronague Road.

In order to this Colas ask if all cars parked in the area can be moved off the road for the duration of the works taking place. The intended dates are Friday 3rd November through to Sunday 5th November 2017.

The intended works with take approximately 3 days and will be done in two halves. Traffic Lights will be employed to managed the flow of vehicles.

Should anyone have any queries or concerns, please contact Graeme on 320686 or John on 433329.

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2nd November 2017 in Uncategorised

2017 Garden Competition Winners Presentation

Arbory Parish Commissioners

Annual Garden Competion

 

On Sunday 22nd October Arbory Parish Commissioners held the awards ceremony for their Annual Garden Competition at the Parish Hall, Ballabeg.  Jane Glover, Chair of Arbory Commissioners presented the trophies and garden vouchers to the winners and runners up.  The presentation was delayed slightly due to the passing of long serving Clerk to the Commissioners, Ian Lowey.  All present took part in a minute’s silence prior to the presentations to remember him.

 

Parishioners did not have to enter the competition – the judge checked all gardens that fitted the criteria automatically. Basically he judged gardens based on what can be seen from a main road or estate roadway.  Criteria for judging is form, planting variety and combinations, colour, and maintenance.

 

The judging took place at the end of July and the new judge, Bill Gally was looking for 2 winners – The Best Front Garden in Colby and the Best Front Garden in Ballabeg.  Arbory Parish Commissioners would like to thank Bill for sparing the time to judge the competition and hope he will be able to assist again next year.

 

This is an annual competition which always takes place in July.

So Arbory Commissioners are inviting parishioners to start planning for next year now!  Sprucing up hanging baskets, trimming hedges and tending pot plants … you could be next year’s winner of garden vouchers and a trophy!

 

 

 


 

Results

 

The results and why the judge chose the winners are listed below.

 

Colby

 

1st  – Thie Plaish, Glen Road Colby – Phil and Gill Smith – £50 Voucher

Virtually all of this garden could be viewed on foot – front and back – so was a large area to keep to a high standard.  The garden combines excellent variety of bedding plants, shrubs and trees.  It is maintained to the highest standard with plenty of colour and texture.  Some unusual specimens grow in it, for example the Blue Atlantic Cedar and smoke tree.

 

2nd  – 81 Ballacriy, Colby – Mr and Mrs Laurence Maddrell – £40 voucher

Good examples of formal bedding are displayed.  Good layout is combined with excellent maintenance.  Lovely variety of shrubs.  Striking Agapanthus and Marguerite Daisies.  Also includes an unusual rose – Rose Blue Moon.

 

3rd – 2 Ballacubbon Court – Mr and Mrs McFarlane – £30 Voucher

Although a small area, this garden is alive with variety and colour.  Excellent formal bedding plants    A vibrant mix includes Alliums, Crocosmia and Agapanthus.  Well maintained.

 

 

 

Ballabeg

 

1st  – Sycamore Cottage, Ballabeg – Carole Bridson – £50 Voucher

Stunning display in a difficult road location with high volume of passing traffic!  Despite the property having recently had its exterior renovated which required removal of some of the plants, this colourful display had a delightful mix of lilies, perennials, bedding plants, climbers such as roses and sweet peas, window boxes and baskets.  Every inch of space has been covered and well maintained.

 

2nd  – 95 Friary Park, Ballabeg- Mr and Mrs P Venables – £40 Voucher

This is a corner plot with a large amount of this garden being visible by passers so involves lots of work to ensure every aspect well maintained.  There are 18 island beds as well as house beds which are filled with a beautiful mix of roses and bedding plants.  Even the side of the house had been considered as it is covered with tall clematis and runner beans!  The lawn is also maintained properly – something some garden owners fail to do.

 

3rd – Arbory Cottage, Ballabeg – Mr & Mrs T Lyth – £30 Voucher

An incredible display  – a riot of colour maintained to the highest standard.  Bedding plants and herbaceous borders complement the hanging baskets and boxes.  From the roadside the back can also be seen and this too is a well maintained.

 

23rd October 2017 in Community

Vacancy – Clerk to Arbory Parish Commissioners

Arbory Parish Commissioners have a vacancy for the position of The Clerk, which includes Responsible Finance Officer.

This post is part-time and salaried. Due to the varied nature of the work involved, the applicant will need to be able to work flexible hours.

The applicant will need to provide an office in their home. The ability to drive and to own a vehicle is essential.

Ideally, applicants should have a good knowledge of the Parish of Arbory and have an interest in Local Authority affairs. He/she should live either in or close to the Parish District of Arbory.

Technical skills required include:-

  • Computer literate
  • Working knowledge of accounts or book-keeping.

Desirable attributes include:-

  • Self motivation
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Enthusiasm
  • Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
  • Sense of humour

Closing date for applications is Friday 20th October 2017.

For further information and job description please contact the Chairman, Mrs Jane Glover, Ash Cottage, Main Road, Colby, IM9 4NS                                                                                         Phone 835013 or Email – janeglover68@gmail.com

5th October 2017 in Commisioners

Ian Lowey

It was with great shock and sadness that Arbory Parish Commissioners learned today that their Clerk, Ian Lowey, had suddenly passed away on 31st August 2017.
Ian had faithfully served the parish as clerk for 40 years and his knowledge, experience and commitment will be greatly missed by the current Board.  Sincere condolences are sent to Ian’s family and many friends at this difficult time.
Any enquiries for Arbory Parish Commissioners should be directed to the current Chairman, Jane Glover, by telephoning 835013 or 492010 or by emailing janeglover68@gmail.com
1st September 2017 in Uncategorised

Commissioners Rates 2017/18

The Commissioners have decided to increase the rate for next year to 117 pence in the pound, that is an increase of 2 pence or 1.74%.   The reason for the increase is a general rise of 1% in Manx inflation, the necessity to replace ageing lighting standards on Ballacriy and elsewhere, the increased areas and frequency of grass cutting on public open spaces, an increase in refuse disposal costs at the Incinerator from £79.50 to £82.87 per tonne, and an increase in the costs of the Southern Civic Amenity Site.   These increases have been partly offset by rates on the new houses on Cronk Cullyn, but the rates income from the two quarries in the Parish, based on tonnages extracted,  has reduced quite significantly this year.

 

20th January 2017 in Commisioners

Commissioners Accounts

In accordance with the Isle of Man Audit Act 2006 and Section 17 of The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2013 , Arbory Parish Commissioners advise all interested parties that their accounts for 2015/16 have now been received.

The accounts have been posted on this website and can be inspected at the office of Arbory Parish Commissioners by appointment at any reasonable time.

2nd November 2016 in Commisioners