Shiaght Laa

The Isle of Man Poetry Society has been organising an annual Poetry Trail for some years, placing ten poems in shops and other public places round Douglas. This year, the trail is expanding. Chair of the Isle of Man Poetry Society, Bethany de Legh Runciman tells us about the trail and the official launch. Adrian Cain tells us about Brian Stowell, about the Aundyr Brian Mac Stoyll, a prize to be awarded for creative work incorporating the Manx language, and about the group which awards it, Pobble. 

We visit the barn at Paul Costain's farm, Moorhouse, in Colby to join the ceremony at which the Seventh Manx Bard was named, robed and chaired. We hear Owen Atkinson reading some of his poetry and then telling us about how he works. By the end of September, entries have to be in for Aundyr Brian Mac Stoyll, an award for creative work incorporating the Manx language made by the group, Pobble, in honour of the late Brian Stowell. Adrian Cain tells us about the sort of work that can be submitted.

The Isle of Man Arts Society was founded in 1953 with 28 members, but now has about 300. We hear the opening of this year's exhibition with Society President, David Sayle, and Chief Executive of sponsors, Ramsey Crokkall, Joanne Crookall, before David Sayle tells us more about the Society's activities. Over the long bank holiday weekend, Rushen Heritage Trust is organising a series of exhibitions and events to reflect Port Erin's experiences in the Second World War. Pam Crowe describes the events and some of the history on which they're based.

We visit the bell-tower of St Thomas's Church in Douglas in the company of Judith Ley and Charles Guard as tower captain Edwin Creer talks about the carillon system there played with the Ellacombe apparatus, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2021. The Snaefell Mountain Railway was opened on 21st August 1895, and we hear from Andrew Scarffe about its history and a description of the day itself. Then it's over the mountains from Laxey to Peel, and Peter Jones tells us about Cycle 360's Corrin's Folly Challenge, taking place on 22nd August, including a tough ascent from the Coastguard Cottages at Knockaloe Beg, up to Corrin's Tower. 

Carol Kennaugh, the Secretary of the Royal Manx Agricultural Show, and Dennis Quirk, one of the many voluntary helpers, talk about putting the show together, what's on this year, and Dennis tells us about the all-important judging.   We hear about Manx-Breton musical collaboration of David Kilgallon and Mera Royle with Lors Landat and Thomas Moisson, their forthcoming CD and how they will be taking to an international stage.  And the first Sunday in Harvest - Matt Creer explains what it's all about, and he plays guitar and Josephine Evans her cello in a piece recorded by Culture Vannin.

We have some of the history connected with Laa Colum Killey before there's a reminder about Laa Colum Killey Beg in Arbory School from Julie Young. Online and Educational Resources Officer for Culture Vannin, James Franklin, tells us about the film, Island Utopias, by Sarah Mercer, which has been shortlisted for an award in the Celtic Media Festival. We also hear a little more about Gaelg 21, including an award-winning song in praise of the Manx language, Gaelg Aboo!

Maralyn Crellin introduces a programme which looks at the Colmcille Eireann is Albain initiative, which is increasingly involving the Island, and joins Ruth Keggin Gell to look at events in Gaelg 21, a Manx language festival which is part of the Colmcille 1500 celebrations. One of those events is a Bree session, and we hear from Chloe Woolley about what will be involved, not only as part of Gaelg 21 but also to prepare for Make Music Day on Monday 21st June.  After a summary of events over the weekend, we look ahead to this year's Laa Columb Killey event in Kirk Arbory with Secretary of the event, Julie Young. Head of Arbory School, Jonathan Ayres, explains how it fits into the wider Colmcille events, though the issue with Covid-19 has prevented link-ups with other school communities elsewhere.

Finch Hill Church in Buck's Road, Douglas was opened on 10th June 1868. It closed for worship in the 1970s, and, despite being registered for its historic and architectural interest in 1989, no-one was able to adapt a use for its facilities and it was demolished in 1997. St Barnabas's, in the heart of old Douglas, could seat up to 1,500 people. It's congregation dwindled and it was closed for worship in 1959, and it was demolished in 1969. The foundation was laid on the Feast Day of St Barnabas, 11th June in the year 1830. Colum Killey, St Columba of the Church, was born in 521, so is being celebrated in Ireland and Scotland with a year-long initiative, Colmcille 1500. The Island also celebrates Colum Killey, with the parish church of Kirk Arbory dedicated to him. From his feast day on 9th June until 9th July, the Island is holding a celebration of the Manx language, Gaelg 21, and Yn Greinneyder, Culture Vannin's Manx Language Development Officer, Ruth Keggin, tells us about that.

The Erin Arts Centre presents a range of cultural events, but with the current difficulties of bringing performers to the Island, we are fortunate to have so many first-class artists here in the Island. International concert pianist Olga Stone and Cleveland Medal winning mezzo-soprano Mandy Griffin are in concert on Friday 4th June. Belle Abbey in Colby takes its name either from an Irishman called Bell or from a Sarah Bell of Douglas, both of whom are said to be former owners of the property. It used to be the venue for an annual fair which involved the ritual funeral procession and burial of a hen. However, this Sunday it hosts the Southern Vintage Engine and Tractor Club Rally. 9th June is the feast day dedicated to Colum Killey, St Columba of the Church. That will be the date of the opening  event of a month-long celebration of 1500 years since the birth of Colum Killey. Yn Greinneyder (Manx Language Development Officer to Culture Vannin), Ruth Keggin Gell tells us about Yn Chruinnaght's contri

Maralyn Crellin introduces the programme, as Phil Craine, chairman of the oecumenical group that organises the annual Praying the Keeills event, tells us of the final two days, Friday 28th and Saturday 29th May. Saxophonist Jerry Carter and trombonist Jacqui Morrey-Grace are members of jazz group Blue Vannin, which will be holding what they hope will be the first of a regular Erin Arts Centre Jazz Club event on Saturday 29th May - tickets £10, u-18s £2. Last time we heard a Scottish song translated into Manx by Doolish y Karagher. This time we find out the story behind the song.

Goaill Padjer ec ny Shenn Chialteenyn - Praying the Keeills is in its 16th year. Chairman of the organising committee, Phil Craine, tells us about this year's programme, from Saturday 22nd to Saturday 29th May. This coming Sunday afternoon, 23rd May, the Port St Mary branch of the RNLI will be holding an all-Island knockout tug of war tournament on the sand in Chapel Bay. The tug of war used to be a feature of the flag day, but the branch hopes the new format, with something for all the family, will become an annual event. And Doolish y Karagher (Doug Fargher) tells us about how he heard song in Scottish Gaelic which he translated in Manx - and he sings it for us.

Fiona McArdle introduces the programme this time.  After the first get-together of the Manx Fiddle Orchestra, Katy Lawrence talks about the inspiration for it and how it went. By the modern calendar, we're almost halfway through the month of May, but by the old style, it's barely begun. We explore the traditions of Shenn Oie Voaldyn, Old May Eve (corresponding to the modern 11th May) and Laa Boaldyn hene, May Day itself (now 12th May) with archive recordings by Juan y Geill, Ned Maddrell, Tommy Leece, Sage Jane Kinvig and John Dan Kinvig, as well as modern recordings by Paitchyn Vannin, Jamys Kinry as Robard y Carsalagh.  

Manx National Heritage have recently made the first batch of films of the Island by amateur film maker J Walter Royston available through the iMuseum (www.imuseum.im). Katie Clugston of MNH tells us about the background of them, and of more to come.  Sara Goodwins is the author and illustrator of a fourth book in the series Tram Tales of the Manx Electric Railway, 'To the Rescue'. She tells us how she came to produce the story about tram number 14 which she has called Fenella. Chloe Woolley, Culture Vannin's Greinneyder Kiaullee (Manx Music Development Officer) reminds us of how to involved in the Manx Fiddle Orchestra and its first practice session in the Centenary Centre in Peel at 3.00pm on Saturday 8th May.

Boaldyn is the Manx celebration of Maytime. In 2020, during lockdown, Culture Vannin invited people to celebrate Boaldyn in music, song and dance. Now that Boaldyn is coming round again, it's an opportunity to hear some of those performances at the season itself. We hear about the winning dances by Heike Perry and Lowenna Joughin and hear winning tunes by David Speers and Frank Joughin and a new song by Paul Rogers as we talk to Culture Vannin's Greinneyder Kiaullee, the Manx Music Development Officer, Chloe Woolley. Chloe also tells us about how to get involved with the Manx Fiddle Orchestra. 

We join the ceremony to present the Island's highest cultural award, the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan, to Peter Kelly, MBE, CP. As part of the award, Peter requested that £500 be donated by Culture Vannin for the use of the Baillie Scott-designed Onchan Village Hall. We hear Chair of Culture Vannin, Chris Thomas, MHK reading the citation; Vice-Chair, Marlene Maska, MLC presenting the cheque for £500 to Peter Cory on behalf of the Onchan Village Hall, who replies; and, after hearing from Peter Kelly himself, Marlene Maska presents him with a certificate designed by Julia Ashby Smythe. Afterwards, we hear Peter Kelly talking about Onchan Village Hall and about how his two life-long pursuits of history and architecture came about. 

Fiona McArdle introduces the programme. David Callin's excellent selection of poems is available by contacting David by email - dcallin2bvc@gmail, or you can contact him through Facebook. We hear again the poem which gives its title to the collection, 'Always'. Dr Jennifer Kewley Draskau is a brilliant academic and writer who has has used her research as a foundation on which to develop exciting novels. Her latest novel is based on the history of one of a dozen Manx felons held in Castle Rushen and facing the death penalty. In 1698, these twelve instead accepted transportation to Britain's comparatively recently-acquired plantation colonies in Jamaica. Jennifer tells us more.

In this edition of 'Shiaght Laa' we hear something of the background to a collection of poems by David Callin. They look at people and places in an affectionate, sometimes wry, and often very moving way. The collection is called 'Always'.  The latest publication by Loaghtan Books is 'Peel : Past and Present', and writer Sara Goodwins and photographer George Hobbes tell us about how images from the extensive postcard and photographic collection of Ray Stanfield have provided a springboard for their work.

William Christian of Ronaldsway is better known as Illiam Dhone (meaning Brown William, from the colour of his hair). In 1651 he took responsibility for the Island out of the hands of the Royalist Countess of Derby, Charlotte de Tremoille, and negotiated terms with the Parliamentarians which recognised Islanders' rights and privileges which the Earls of Derby, as Lords of Mann, had denied. In 1662, Charles Stanley, the Eighth Earl of Derby, manipulated the law and the judicial process to bring charges against Illiam Dhone for his actions in 1651. Illiam Dhone was condemned and executed by firing squad on 2nd January 1663.  

Paul Quayle writes poems in the Japanese form, the haiku. He's just published a new book, 'Narrow Road to the Deep South', with 23 haiku and some information about them for context. He tells us about that project. The Manx Music Development Officer of Culture Vannin, Chloe Woolley, tells us about a way to help musicians get ready to play in sessions or for dancing, as Laura and Dave Rowles play tunes 'Steady as She Goes'. Finally we enjoy the peace in St Luke's on the slopes of Injebreck with Sue Sayle, who tells us about the church and about the Friends of St Luke's.

Maralyn Crellin introduces a programme in which we meet Yn Greinneyder, the newly-appointed Manx Language Development Officer to Culture Vannin, Ruth Keggin Gell. Culture Vannin began its Bree sessions in 2006 to inspire young musicians, singers and dancers. This year's Big Bree Weekend will be coming up at the end of this month, but this week was an important deadline. Manx Music Development Officer, Yn Greinneyder Kiaullee, Chloe Woolley, tells us about that. With the importance of the Island as the birthplace of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, we hear about a stirring and gallant rescue on 6th October 1889 - when Charlie Cain and the Peel lifeboat crew saved all aboard a Norwegian ship, the St George - you can still the figurehead in Peel Lifeboat Station today.