Longer break times, new playground equipment, more non-uniform days and setting up a cookery club were just some of the issues raised in manifestos of Scoill Ree Gorree year six students aspiring to be voted onto their school council. The election, hosted by Ramsey Town Commissioners at Ramsey Town Hall and presided over by ‘returning officer’ town clerk Peter Whiteway, had been arranged to illustrate democratic voting procedures and to raise students’ awareness of the forthcoming general election. Six candidates were popularly elected to the school council. Congratulating all participants Ramsey Town Commissioners’ chairman Captain Nigel Malpass said the event had proved democracy was ‘alive and kicking’. He urged students to use their vote once they became of voting age and added: ‘Our future is in your hands.’ ENDS