Shiaght Laa

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.

Ta Fiona McArdle chebbal y chlaare shoh, as aynjee ta shin clashtyn mychione yn Arrymagh John Quine reesht veih ughtar lioar noa my-e-chione, Julie Quine. Eisht ta shin clashtyn mychione skeeal ass shennaghys yn Ellan va wheesh graih ec John Quine er, as ta shin feddyn magh woish Allison Fox jeh Eiraght Ashoonagh Vannin mychione traa boiragh son Reeaghyn Vannin as ny Hellanyn, as yn aght ren cah nagh row ro scanshoil per se ayns Largs eddyr ny Loghlynee as ny Albinee, va jannoo seose toshiaght y jerrey son yn Ree Magnus as e reeriaght. Fiona McArdle presents this programme, and it it we hear about the Rev John Quine again from the author of a new book about him, Julie Quine. Then we hear about a story from the Island's history that was such a great love of John Quine, and we find out from Allison Fox of Manx National Heritage about a troublesome time for the Kings of Man and the Isles, and the way a battle that wasn't too important per se in Largs between the Norwegians and the Scots, constituted the

James Kewley Ward became hugely rich in North America. Amongst his many philanthropic acts for the people of his native land, he had a library built and furnished on the site of his birthplace in Peel. Current librarian Gemma Quilliam tells us about the modern services available in the beautiful and iconic Ward Public Library which was opened on 26th September 1907. A popular book about Manx life was 'The Captain of the Parish' by Canon John Quine. Julie Quine has been researching his life and times and has just published 'Manx Patriot : the Life of Canon John Quine, Antiquarian, Author and 'Captain' of his Parish'.  

Maralyn Crellin introduces a celebration of the birth of Mona Douglas on 18th September 1898. We dip into the Manx Radio archives to hear something about Mona from Annie Kissack, who was a member of Aeglagh Vannin and later a friend of Mona, and who was greatly inspired by her. We hear, too, from Derek Winterbottom, author of 'Sophia Morrison, Mona Douglas & their Enchanted Isle' in which he emphasises Mona's importance. We also hear from Mona herself, singing excerpts from some songs in Manx and taking part in a radio phone in programme hosted by David Callister in which she recalls the history of charms and other forms of folk medicine. 

Fiona McArdle tells us a little about Brian Stowell and we hear an extract from his autobiography, written in Manx, 'Gaelg as Fishig : Skeeal my Vea', read by Phil Gawne. Now in its third year, Our Island : Our World celebrates the Island's cultural diversity with people from many traditions now resident here. The festival was the inspiration of Dave Mclean, who tells us about this year's events. After dipping into a little of the history of the Douglas Choral Union, Jude Fullerton tells us something about her own background in stage make-up and the work that goes on in the background for productions staged by the DCU. 

Standing in the cross house at Kirk Maughold is the imposing Crux Guriat. We were to have had a poem with an unlikely history of the cross by W W Gill last time, but there wasn't time - so we return to it this time. It's now coming up to the new school year, and we look at the history and the future of the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh with former teacher, Annie Kissack, founder of Mooinjer Veggey, Phil Gawne, and the Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, Dr Alex Allinson.

Maralyn Crellin introduces this edition of Shiaght Laa. We join Sara Goodwins, author of the book 'Cross Purposes : An Introduction to Mediaeval Manx Crosses', as she illustrates the range of decorative styles with examples from the specially-constructed cross house in Kirk Maughold. Moving southwards, we visit Port St Mary, where there is a joint initiative between Port St Mary Commissioners and Rushen Heritage Trust to add information to the name signs of the Port's byways. We find out more from Chair of the Commissioners, Michelle Haywood, and Trust member, Staffan Overgaard.

Laa'l Moirrey Toshee is the Manx celebration of St Mary's principal feast day. The Very Reverend Nigel Godfrey, Dean of St German's Cathedral, talks of St Mary and the many dedications to her in the Island. We visit Chibbyr y Woirrey in Onchan, whilst Sue Woolley tells us of the history surrounding Chibbyr y Woirrey in Ramsey. One of the Maughold stone crosses was found at Keeill Woirrey in Maughold. Author Sara Goodwins talks about it and what interested her in the Manx stone crosses and led her to produce her book, 'Cross Purposes : An Introduction to Mediaeval Manx Crosses' (Loaghtan Books, £5.95).

Manx Radio's weekly programme looking at Manx life from a different angle, exploring the historical, social, linguistic and academic issues. We join President of the Manx Amateur Drama Federation, Michael Lees, and Chairman of the MADF committee, Sharon Walker, to hear about the participants in this year's Festival of One-Act Plays, Wed 4th March-Sat 7th March. This includes the first stage of the Young Actor of Mann which will conclude during the Easter Festival of Full-Length Plays. Later in the year, the Federation hosts the National Association of Drama Federation's British All-Winners Festival. A busy year, and the Federation's on-going Spencer Wright Bursary to administer as well.

Manx Radio's weekly programme looking at Manx life from a different angle, exploring the historical, social, linguistic and academic issues. Fiona McArdle introduces this edition as we look at a piece of history associated with the leap day, 29th February 1760, when a battered French squadron was towed round the Point of Ayre and into Ramsey Bay, after a sea battle the previous morning off Jurby Head with a Royal Navy squadron under John Elliott, and the French commander, Francois Thurot, killed. And we look at the role of the Manx Amateur Drama Federation, which will he hosting its annual Festival of One-Act Plays over four days from Wednesday 4th March.

Manx Radio's weekly programme looking at Manx life from a different angle, exploring the historical, social, linguistic and academic issues. Maralyn Crellin presents this edition. There's a thread running through it, as we talk to the Chair of the Isle of Man branch of the Embroiderers' Guild, Marilyn Cullen, before reminding ourselves of the Mannin Quilters exhibition celebrating UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man, as the works go north to Jurby Health and Community Centre. There's also a new exhibition, 'The Luxury of Time', at the Manx Museum in Douglas.