Shiaght Laa

In the last programme in the current series, Maralyn Crellin looks at some sayings associated with the Christmas time and with James Franklin of Culture Vannin we explore the tradition of The White Boys' play, song and dance.

Fiona McArdle presents a programme which looks at two kinsmen who wanted change, and the sea and its importance, not just in the life of the Island.

Hughie Jones of The Spinners wrote about the loss of the Ellan Vannin on 3rd December 1909. There's that song and reminiscences of the Ellan Vannin from Mona Douglas. In Kirk Arbory, an unusual custom was held on 6th December, with an associated song and other music.

Maralyn Crellin introduces the programme. Liam and Victoria Reynolds and Lisa Mellor of the Peel Pantoloons talk about the year-long work involved in bringing this year's production, Robin Hood, to the Peel Centenary Centre. We join Annie Kissack at the launch of her new book of poetry, A Suggestion of Wrens.

There are two deadlines approaching, as we hear from Bethany De Legh Runciman of the IOM Poetry Society and Breesha Maddrell of Culture Vannin. There are two musical projects underway involving the Manx language. Aalin Clague and Matthew Warren talk of their aims.

We hear from Ruth Keggin Gell of Culture Vannin about a new Manx language badge for all levels of guiding and scouting, and Sara Goodwins and George Hobbs of Loaghtan Books about two new publications.

Myra Gilbert and Helen Fox of the Creative Network talk about an art exhibition from Saturday 16th August in the Hodgson Loom Gallery in Laxey, and two packed weekends of the Isle of Man Art and Architecture Festival on 23rd-25th August and 30th-31st August, a venture between the Creative Network and the Isle of Man Society of Architects. Plus songs by George Formby!

Maralyn Crellin presents a programme in which we hear from author and illustrator Rosemary Greening about Blooming Marvellous : Manx Wildflowers - A Botanical Journey, published by Loaghtan Books, and Ruth Keggin Gell talks to some recent visitors to the Island.

Fiona McArdle introduces Shiaght Laa with Kristin Kelly from Australia and Catherine Iverson from the United States of America - both with Manx ancestry. There's also the launch of Fiddyl Reesht, with Director of Culture Vannin, Breesha Maddrell, and the author/editor of Fiddyl Reesht, Laura Rowles.

The North American Manx Association makes annual awards of silver medals for outstanding contributions to Manx culture and community by young people, and the Department of Education makes two awards for the Manx language. We hear this year's ceremony for the presentation of awards with Daphne Caine MHK and President of Tynwald, Laurence Skelly.

Maralyn Crellin introduces a programme which includes Julie Matthews talking about her life in teaching and the Manx language on the eve of her retirement as head of the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh, and Chloe Woolley and Jo Callister give an overview of Yn Chruinnaght 2025, the interCeltic arts festival which will be running 21st-27th July.

Fiona McArdle introduces a programme with items about the Sophia Morrison Award, Tynwald, Culture Vannin's Treisht26 project, which will feed into Blein ny Gaelgey, the Year of the Manx Language 2026. We hear from Breesha Maddrell, Ruth Keggin Gell and Phil Gawne.

Chloe Woolley of Culture Vannin tells of a recording of a suite of 19 Manx songs and tunes recorded recently in Georgia, USA, and available on the Culture Vannin website, Alex Brindley talks about the Groudle Glen Railways diesel and battery electric locomotives, and for the birthday of Hall Caine (14th May 1853), James Franklin of Culture Vannin talks about his work.

Manx Wildlife Trust's Community Ranger and Head of Engagement, Graham Makepeace-Warne talk about forthcoming opportunities to engage with nature. Oie Voaldyn and Laa Boaldyn are the Manx celebrations of May Eve and May Day, and there's an opportunity to find out a bit more about them, and Cathy Clucas tells us about the Oie Voaldyn to be held in Peel.

The Manx duo, Thurrick (Sue Harrison and Rob Middleton) are taking part in the Pan Celtic Festival in Ireland, and we hear Sue's song, Kirree Veg. Manx Wildlife Week runs from Saturday 26th April to Saturday 3rd May, and we hear about events from Manx Wildlife Trust's Community Ranger, Hannah Philips. We also hear about the Guild and a illustrated talk.

Maralyn Crellin hosts a look at Manx Easter traditions and sayings. Manx National Heritage has Easter activities at its sites, and Julian Power reminds us of the Meadowside Choral Society's Good Friday performance of Stainer's The Crucifixion. We look ahead to the Pan Celtic Festival with organising committee member, Nicola Tooms, and writer of this year's Arrane son Mannin, Sue Harrison.

Fiona McArdle is your host. The Island's highest cultural award has been made to Annie Kissack, Reih Bleeaney Vanannan. Meadowside Choral Society's musical director and conductor, Julian Power, talks of his role and of performances of John Stainer's The Crucifixion at 6.30pm on Palm Sunday in Mount Tabor Methodist Chapel, Port St Mary, and on Good Friday in Arbory Parish Church.

A major exhibition, Knox : Order and Beauty, opens at the Manx Museum in Douglas. We hear from curator, Katie King, and from Chris Hobdell of the Archibald Knox Forum about events associated with it in the Forum's Isle of Knox initiative. Chairman of the Shennaghys Jiu cultural festival, Juan Garrett, tells us this weekend's events.

Maralyn Crellin introduces the last in the present series of 'Shiaght Laa' which focuses on the launch of the book of poetry by David Callin, 'From the Nab', which was the name of the farm on which he grew up. In addition to David's introduction, including his thanks to illustrator, Vicky Webb, and publisher, Culture Vannin, we hear some of his own work, but also from his guests for the evening, fellow poets James Franklin, Hazel Teare, Doona Williams, John Dog Callister, Stacey Astill, Michael Manning and Annie Kissack. 'From the Nab' is published by Culture Vannin at £10.We also hear about a fun and funny film, Teeval: Ben-phrinse ny Marrey / Teeval: Princess of the Ocean, newly available in both Manx and English on line, made by Dario Leonetti for Culture Vannin with the help of the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee. It was written by Bunscoill Ghaelgagh students Olivia and Nora, who tell the story of as we see them acting it out in costume including wonderful papier mache heads against a backdrop of Niarbyl.

Fiona McArdle introduces this edition of Shiaght Laa in which we hear from David Callin, just prior to the launch of his book of poetry, 'From the Nab', published by Culture Vannin.The Director of Culture Vannin, Breesha Maddrell, shares some of her thoughts on Manx culture and the role of Culture Vannin with Phil Gawne, and also explains the process of awarding the annual cultural honour, Reih Bleeaney Vanannan.