Hi All
Can all those that are coming to marshal for the Manx plzzzzzzzz make sure that you return your sign on forms as soon as poss so we know your coming, and the sector marshals can do their rotas. If you still haven't made your minds up yet plzzzz do so soon as we need all we can get.

Regards from all in the office and me Sicky

Lot of zzzzs in there, but that's par for the course, isn't it!

PS My form in ages ago... how keen is that!

thewitch Wrote:Lot of zzzzs in there, but that's par for the course, isn't it!

PS My form in ages ago... how keen is that!

Lots of zzzzzzs only when the fat lads head is on my shoulders

thewitch Wrote:PS My form in ages ago... how keen is that!

Yup, and mine, day after I got it IIRC.

Just done the decent thing and signed on as a Marshal tonight at the Masonic Hall in Ramsey, what a friendly bunch too.
Sounds like numbers are still a little low, so bumping this thread to the top.

The local press are saying that the situation with Marshall's for the MGP is desperate. So you know the answer if you want to keep the MGP get of your arses and sign up.

Picked up my marshals pack tonight. Even if you can only manage Saturday night, that would be a help... you signed up yet, Colin?

silence is golden golden ............

Am timekeeping this year so any time off you want ..... lol kidding by the way .............

thewitch Wrote:Picked up my marshals pack tonight. Even if you can only manage Saturday night, that would be a help... you signed up yet, Colin?

Helen the answer is no, and wont be I want to watch the races something ive not done for almost twenty years.

I have been thinking recently about the difficulty in obtaining adequate marshals for the Manx, in particular the early part of practice week, and had an idea which I wonder if it has ever been considered by the TT Marshals Association. I fully expect some clever comments in return but it is a genuine suggestion on my part.

If even an extra half a dozen marshals would make a marked difference as to whether or not practising goes ahead, would it not be possible to recruit prisoners to assist? Before this suggestion is dismissed out of hand as totally ridiculous, I would ask you all to bear in mind that certain prisoners are released from the prison on a regular basis into the community to carry out various work assignments. Obviously there would require to be thorough vetting by the prison authorities as to just who could be deemed to be trustworthy to be considered for such duties, many inmates would be totally unsuitable and would present too much of a risk to the prison authorities, if not the general public. But I am sure that out of a prison population stated only yesterday as around 90 inmates, that a few would be suitable for marshalling duties. Indeed they would probably be only too eager to escape (pardon the pun!) the mundane daily routine for a few hours. I don't see any difference whatsoever to prisoners working within the community and marshalling for the MGP. They could be collected from the prison by taxi(s) or by a people carrier type vehicle(s) by any other marshals prepared to take on the responsibility, or any other arrangement sanctioned by the Prison Governor, taken to their place of "duty" for that session, then returned to the prison after practice was over. As regards the suitability or experience of such persons to marshal, maybe a volunteer from the TT Marshals Association could visit the prison to show the necessary recruitment DVD or similar, and anyone deemed to be suitable could be signed up there and then.
By agreeing to marshal under these conditions, such action would surely then be favourable in respect of the prisoners' own individual prison effort. And bearing in mind that such people will, sooner or later, be fully integrated back within our community, they may become regular marshals in the future.
I don't envisage anyone serving a sentence for violent, sexual or drug-related crimes being remotely considered for such a scheme, but the prison authorities would obviously have the final word in who could be permitted to marshal.
Maybe this idea has been considered before and it is merely unworkable owing to security issues? Maybe I'm just talking a load of tat and don't really understand these things? But I would be very interested to (a) hear peoples comments and opinions on the suggestion and (b) read an "official" statement from someone in authority as to whether or not the idea has ever been considered before.

Will never happen Barry, Costs, any prisoner who leaves the prison has to have an escort by an officer. That's when you get into the argument that some Marshall's are being paid as a prisoner would be classed as being on a work party and could claim additional pocket money. Then you have the insurance problems. Why cant riders provide 1 marshal as part of their team.

Just a small thought Barry,one which would prevent prisoners carrying out the normal duties of a marshal, and that is the fact that a marshal's warrant permits them to take on the duties of a special constable.I can't see them being allowed to arrest someone for straying onto the course!Otherwise, a feasible idea

Not true Colin. Certain prisoners go quite freely to and from their place of "work" without accompaniment by an officer. But I accept your response. I'm rather surprised I haven't had more flak for suggesting the idea in the first place. It's a pity red tape dictates so much when there's so much potential manpower lying idle. Cheers Col.

Barry Wood Wrote:Not true Colin. Certain prisoners go quite freely to and from their place of "work" without accompaniment by an officer. But I accept your response. I'm rather surprised I haven't had more flak for suggesting the idea in the first place. It's a pity red tape dictates so much when there's so much potential manpower lying idle. Cheers Col.

Prisoners on licence can go to work on what is meant to be re-hab but that is not very many.

If you want the real answer to getting more marshals then thats simple. The DTL is one of the largest departments in Government, they have to many staff that do nothing but sit on their fat arses all day doing sod all, get them out to marshall at least they could then say they have done something for the Islands Tourism

FC Wrote:

Barry Wood Wrote:Not true Colin. Certain prisoners go quite freely to and from their place of "work" without accompaniment by an officer. But I accept your response. I'm rather surprised I haven't had more flak for suggesting the idea in the first place. It's a pity red tape dictates so much when there's so much potential manpower lying idle. Cheers Col.

Prisoners on licence can go to work on what is meant to be re-hab but that is not very many.

If you want the real answer to getting more marshals then thats simple. The DTL is one of the largest departments in Government, they have to many staff that do nothing but sit on their fat arses all day doing sod all, get them out to marshall at least they could then say they have done something for the Islands Tourism

Now now Colin I don't think that's called for! The DOT set up the mountain section ready for roads open and for practise to commence with removal of one way cones, I think they'll be upset by your comments I know we see them having their tea breaks but surely their due one like the rest of us. Good thought that marshalling could become part of their job description but some won't be amused !
And it means paying them.

GAIL I SAID THE DTL NOT THE DOT

Department of Tourism

I thought you were watching the races at the TT Colin? Thats a dammed quick 20 years, shame you could find the time to support the races and Marshaling is a great way to watch the bikes.

DCLUCIE Wrote:I thought you were watching the races at the TT Colin? Thats a dammed quick 20 years, shame you could find the time to support the races and Marshaling is a great way to watch the bikes.

Clucie. yes I did watch the TT and enjoyed being able to please myself where and when I went to watch. As for marshalling Ive done my stint when we had the morning practices, out in the cold on a bleak morning on the mountain, boy did that wake you up.