NEWSLETTER September 2009
Editor - Douglas Barr-Hamilton
Tynwald Day
in London
with the BHs
on 5th July 2009.
Well,
we didn’t expect a fairy dell! No taro
ushters, I’m glad to say but when you followed a steep path down through the trees
you came to a beautiful place to have a tea party and you could imagine the
lil’ folk weren’t far away. It was a
very interesting house and garden all built on a steep slope. Fourteen of us enjoyed Tynwald Day in
Enfield. There was a big Manx flag
outside and a warm welcome inside.
We
had traditional fare – kippers and bonnag cooked by Douglas. Maron insisted on
bread and jam afters as usual! She says
that was what she had at home on the Island.
Less traditional was the choice of coronation chicken, rice, salad, cake
and crème caramels. We met Anne and
Nick Alexander and learnt that they started the Gansey Charitable Trust in Port
St Mary at Malmore, a hotel on Port St Mary prom, which was a base for the Annual
Scripture Union Beach Mission. This has
now expanded and gap year students wishing to work in churches can stay there.
We
actually ate just by the house not at the fairy dell. We all had a good chat. Caught up with all the news. We retired indoors when it threatened rain
when we were having drinks, but then ate outside when the sun came back.
We
sang a Manx song or two but missed Mavis to give us the right pitch. Altogether a good way to celebrate our
National Day. Very many thanks to
Margarita and Douglas.
Rose Fowler
Tynwald Day on
the Island
Our
first experience of Tynwald did not disappoint. We arrived early in St John’s, parked easily and found our seats
in the grandstand. The big screen was
in clear view and we listened to various dignitaries explaining the history and
heritage of the occasion. Suddenly, we
were delighted to see Stewart, our President, being interviewed by Manx Radio –
proudly and capably representing us – The London Manx Society. What a great day - the pageantry, the pride
and the privilege to feel a part of this great Manx tradition! The sun shone on us the whole day. Before returning to our hotel in Douglas, we
wandered up to St John’s Mill, past a variety of live music events, to see the
Flower Festival display centred round the newly restored mill wheel.
Sam and Mary Weller
President’s Cooish
The
Cooish hosted by Stewart, our President, has become a bit of a legend, and members
and friends who gathered in Enfield on Sunday, 7th June were not disappointed.
The weather had been erratic but the sun was shining brightly over Stewart's
garden, where a large gazebo was decked in Manx flags fluttering in the breeze.
The beautifully prepared food was laid out amidst elegant floral arrangements
and some high quality Isle of Man napkins!
Serving
Pimms and home-made lemonade was a friend, Carol, and another friend had been
persuaded to deal with the washing up, but the cooking and planning was
entirely Stewart's. With such professional organisation and superb fare, it’s
no surprise to learn that he had studied Catering when he lived in
Liverpool. Coronation Chicken, cold ham, roast beef and green bean salad
were on the menu, with kipper pate, bread rolls and varied salads, followed by
a huge trifle, fresh fruit salad and gateaux. Tea was served and Stewart laid
on an impromptu raffle, which raised over £50 for the Society.
Throughout
the proceedings, recordings of Manx music were played in the garage (which had
been prepared in case of rain, but fortunately was not required.) Many of us
enjoyed looking at Stewart's great collection of Manx memorabilia including
countless china souvenirs, brass and other items gathered over a lifetime of
collecting, and still growing!
With
the food, the company, the music and the weather, this was an occasion to
remember, and grateful thanks to Stewart for all his hard work and for allowing
us to share his home, his garden and his wonderful cooking.
Mavis Bell
Sixty years
of Island Art
In
1950 a few gifted artists formed the Mannin Art Group on The Isle of Man with
its first exhibition in Ramsey at Albert Road School. Today the group has a
very gifted membership numbering around 150 and includes talented painters from
all walks of life.
An
Anniversary Calendar celebrates these 60 years by showing some usual and not so
usual scenes that present the Island in a number of different guises and moods.
To view the calendar paintings, download an order form or contact the group by
e-mail to purchase copies go to www.manninart.org The proceeds from the sale of this calendar
will be going to the Manx Wildlife Trust.
Cav de
Triomphe
Only
in the past three years has le Tour de France held much interest in the Isle of
Man – since Laxey’s Mark Cavendish first competed. After capturing our
attention with four stage wins in 2008, this year his feats have captured
everybody’s imagination. Now 24, he is as well known in France as on the
Island.
The
tour is several competitions within one. The yellow jersey worn by the tour
leader is world famous. Less well known is the green jersey worn by the leader
of the points classification: a competition for the sprinters who are less
likely to shine overall. This was the scene for “Cav”, as he was always
described on iomonline. His main competitor is Norwegian Thor Hushovd and Cav
gains an early initiative when he wins stages two and three and is 26 points
ahead after a third place in Stage 5. However, his rival wins the sixth and
gradually overhauls him to take the lead in Stage 8 then goes further ahead.
Stage 10: it’s Bastille Day (14th July); Cav
wins a sprint finish with Hushovd second, both steaming past three French
riders seeking glory for la Patrie. Now only six points behind. He wins again
next day and regains the green jersey and goes further ahead in Stage 12. Then
follows “a brutal day in the mountains” (The
Times) and Thor regains the lead with Cav 23 minutes behind. Worse follows.
Cav outsprints Thor at the finish but gains no points after his opponent’s
objection and he is deemed to have blocked an opponent.
It’s
now almost impossible for Cav to overhaul the Norwegian and four days out of the
headlines follow. But he then springs a surprise to become the most successful
British rider in Tour de France history after taking his fifth stage: his ninth
career win in the Tour, in a text book team effort. He has beaten Barry Hoban's
record of eight wins which has stood since 1975. So to the final stage into
Paris. With every Parisian eye searching for a local hero, Cav storms away from
his team-mate pacemaker at the end of the Champs Elysées and into the centre of
the television pictures flashing across the world as he wins a sixth stage.
131st on the tour is excellent for a sprinter: Just over 3¼ hours behind the
winner’s 85 hours 48 minutes. Second in the points classification by 280 to
270, but 98 points ahead of the third place. While Briton Bradley Wiggins
deserves the praise of the British media for a fourth place overall, the London
Manx newsletter joins the Island press with its appreciation.
DBH
Myles not
Manx?
In
a recent issue, Bryan Corrin wrote about William Quilliam and explained that he
was probably not descended from Castletown’s John Quilliam of HMS Victory fame
as he claimed, casting doubts on some of his other claims too. The story of
another famous “Manxman” is similarly shrouded in mystery: that of Myles
Standish, in charge of the military contingent that protected the Pilgrim
Fathers.
Even
greater controversy surrounds the claim, apparently accepted in America that
Myles came from the Isle of Man. Latest research seems to say that he didn’t.
But if not, from where? There were Standishes on the Isle of Man in the 16th
century. A military family, they had served the Stanleys for generations and
there were three branches of the family – of Standish Hall, of Duxbury and from
Ormskirk. Myles was probably from the Ormskirk branch and, some think, grandson
of Huan (Hugh) Standish of Ellanbane in Lezayre although there is no record
that he was born there or ever lived on the island, the only evidence being
that in his “will” he left property in the “Ile of man” to his son, Alexander, property
that he claimed as “surreptitiously detained from mee my great randfather being
2cond or younger brother from the house of Standish of Standish.” The
interesting thing about the testament is that the properties listed are exactly
those added to the Ormskirk estate when a Margaret Croft had married into the
family in 1502.
Thus
ten years ago Helen Moorwood (information in Lancashire Historical Quarterly) logically pointed out that this
Isle of Man was the name given to some dryer land in the middle of a
swamp/flooded area between Croston and Bretherton in Lancashire that, long
since drained, still exists as a farm and she also shows that Myles could not
have been the eldest son of the owner of Ellanbane as he should have been.
He
could have been born in Lancashire, even Ormskirk, but nothing about him has
been found in any record in England before he left on the “Mayflower” in 1620
at the age of 35. What might be registration of his baptism in St Laurence
Church in Chorley has been erased by pumice stone. There is no sign that he was
ever here.
So
current thinking is that Myles Standish was not Manx. But it leaves some
questions in my mind: why would somebody starting a new life in America give his
English origins as a plot of land of little value and less renown when just
Lancashire would have sufficed? Why would so upright a man claim lands to which
he was not entitled by listing them in his will? Why would anyone erase an
entry in a Church register unless they had something dishonourable to hide?
And
doesn’t Ellanbane (white island) sound like as well as resemble the Lancastrian
Isle of Man? If you can, take a look; it’s between the TT course and the Sulby
River about three miles west of Ramsey.
End of
Reciprocal Health Agreement
The
Manx DHSS web site includes a letter from Hon Eddie
Teare MHK, Minister for Health and Social Security. It’s important that UK
members of the Society keep themselves informed about the changes:
“The Reciprocal Health Agreement between the Isle of Man and the
UK which allows residents of both countries to receive free emergency health
care if they are taken ill when visiting the other country that has been in
place for many years will end on 31st March 2010 as the UK Government has
decided to bring it to an end.
“From 1st April 2010, a Manx resident requiring treatment at a UK
hospital A&E Department, a “walk in” centre or immediately necessary
treatment from a UK GP will still be treated free of charge. What will change
is that if the resident has to be admitted to hospital in the UK as an
emergency case, charges will be made for that in-patient treatment. From the
same date, the UK will no longer meet the costs of its residents who require
emergency medical treatment in the Isle of Man. This change has no effect on
island patients who are referred to UK hospitals by their Consultant in the
Isle of Man which will continue exactly as before and will not involve any
charges to Manx residents as it is paid for by the Department of Health and
Social Security.
“The UK has also ended its reciprocal health agreements with both
Jersey and Guernsey though this is happening sooner than with the Isle of Man.
Notice has also been given to terminate agreements with other Crown Dependencies
and Overseas Territories.
“The Isle of Man Government is considering how it intends to
respond to the changes that will take effect next year in terms of Manx
residents visiting the UK who may require in-patient emergency medical
treatment and how it will deal with UK residents who are taken ill when on the
Island.”
Although they do provide more information, this uncertainty over
procedures is evident in the web site’s Frequently Asked Questions. For
example, the one dealing with UK visitors to the Isle of Man that will affect
members, “My mother who lives in England visits us regularly. If she falls ill
and needs to be admitted into hospital for emergency care whilst on the Island,
will she have to pay?” has the reply, “There are a number of options currently
being considered in relation to the costs of treating visitors to the Isle of
Man.”
So it’s still a matter of “Watch this space” and if things are not
clear when you are arranging to visit the Island after Easter next year, it may
be worth an e-mail to the Health Services Division at healthservices.dhss@gov.im or to telephone 01624 642608.
DBH
Mary Weller Award.
Dhoon
School are this year's participants and we await their submissions when they
return to school in September in time to display their entries at the Mhelliah.
Mavis Bell
London
Bonnag
I’m
one of those people who hates using a recipe but my approach on Tynwald Day this
year was undoubtedly influenced by the instructions contained in “My
Grandmother’s Cookery Book” compiled by Society member Suzanne Woolley, still
available on the Island which I am delighted to acknowledge since my first ever
effort followed it to the letter.
I
took 2½ measures (approx 150ml each) of self-raising flour and rubbed in a good
sized knob of butter. I then added a single measure of sugar and of mixed dried
fruit, a generous sprinkle of mixed spice and a few drops of vanilla essence.
Having mixed it well, I poured in a single measure of sour milk and kneaded it
into a sloppy lump of dough which I shaped like a loaf and baked at 200oC
for just short of an hour. It was then left to cool for another hour on a rack.
The result seemed to go down well.
The
classic recipe differs in several ways:
It
recommends plain flour and bicarbonate of soda instead of self-raising and
buttermilk in place of sour milk – I find some milk smelling “off” a good
excuse for baking some bonnag. The quantities of vanilla and spice depend on
taste, of course and the recipe specifies currants as the dried fruit; I
usually use sultanas but, as I didn’t have quite enough, this time I used half
sultanas and half mixed fruit. It tasted good.
DBH
Island
trains the English
Hilary
Kay, a near-neighbour tells me that the Bishop of Sodor and Man, Rt. Rev.
Robert Paterson is responsible for the training of all lay readers in the
Church of England. At a recent training course in York that she attended two of
the candidates were from the Isle of Man and the bishop made a big impression
by giving the blessing in Manx.
Making
contact in Manx
Some simple greetings
Moghrey mie – good morning
Fastyr mie – good afternoon / evening
Failt ort – welcome
Bannaghtyn – blessings / greetings
How are you?
Kys t’ou - How are you doing?
Kys t’ou whooinney – How are you doing yessir?
Ta mee braew – I am fine
Ta mee braew gura mie ayd - I’m fine thanks
Ta mee braew gura mie ayd, as uss hene – I’m fine thanks and yourself.
Ta mee skee whooinney – I am tired yessir.
Ta mee mie dy liooar whooinney – I’m well enough yessir.
I don’t know you – who are you?
Quoi uss? – Who are you?
Mish Terry – I am Terry
Quoi shoh – Who is this?
Shoh my charrey Bob – This is my friend Bob
Shoh my voddey Juan – This is my dog – Juan
Cre’n ennym t’ort – What’s your name?
Ta’n ennym orrym Graham – My name is Graham
Ta’n ennym orrym Graham as shoh my voddey Terry – My name is Graham and this is
my dog Terry.
Some points to remember
Ennym means name and in Manx what you are saying is, “What is the name on you?”
Orrym = on me; ort = on you.
First letters of words change for a variety of reasons in Manx. So moddey = dog
but when we say my dog we say my voddey. M becomes a V. This helps
pronunciation. Don’t worry too much about this: it is something you pick up
gradually.
Reproduced from the Manx Heritage
Foundation’s web site for learners www.learnmanx.com with kind permission. A MP3 audio version
can be downloaded from the site.
Island Quiz
(open
to non-members through the web site)
How
well do you know our Island and its story?
1.
Farrant’s Fort is in
a) Andreas? b) German? c) Jurby? d)
Lonan?
2.
Sarah Rigby won gold at this year’s Island Games at
a) Archery? b) Cycling? c) Javelin? d)
Volleyball?
3.
T E Brown’s Tommy Big Eyes’ real name was
a) Christian? b) Gelling? c) Mylchreest?
d) Qualtrough?
4.
In 1830-1831 the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company was known as
a) Ellan Vannin Company? b) Isle of Man United
Steam Packet Company? c) Liverpool and Douglas Ferry Company? d) Mona’s Isle
Company?
5.
Sir William Hillary, founder of RNLI, lived at
a) Derby Castle? b) Fort Anne? c)
Niarbyl? d) Port Mooar?
WE ARE INTRODUCING A BRIEF QUIZ
TO HONOUR THE MEMORY OF PAUL GARBUTT OBE WHO TESTED MEMBERS REGULARLY AT LONDON
EVENTS
Answers to the editor by post or email,
please.
The first with five correct answers will
win a £10.00 prize to spend at Laxey Woollen Mills.
Letters
I would
like to thank everyone who has supported me during my 7½ years as Editor of the
LMS newsletter. I have enjoyed it, but the time has come to hand over the
baton. Our family is growing and we want to enjoy seeing them. I have hobbies
to enjoy also. As you will see you have a new Editor and I wish Douglas every
success. We are still hoping to catch up with you at social functions
especially the lunch.
If
anyone is interested in taking over the web-site from Brian* please let Rose or
Stewart know or contact Brian. Once
again thank you for sending me the articles and I hope you will give Douglas
the same support you have given me.
Once again, thank you.
Mary Kneen
*We are delighted to report that Wendy Kneen
and Sean, her fiancé have since agreed to take over administration of the web
site.
Archibald
Knox
The
Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society Chairman, Liam O' Neill is to give a lecture
entitled 'Archibald Knox - Never be Ordinary' from 7 pm on Friday 9th
October with refreshments served from 6.30pm. They are kindly offering
concessions to our members if they would like to attend.
There
will also be a meal afterwards at around 9.15pm at a local Italian
restaurant, Venezia, in Goswell Road which is close to Barbican
tube, with members of our organising group. London Manx Society members
are welcome to come along to the meal but if it is more than, say three or
four, advance notice will be needed - email: aksociety@manx.net or telephone 01624 665459. The
restaurant offers a set price menu the current price of which is £11 (starter,
main and coffee), as well as à la carte.
The
lecture venue is The Gallery at 77 Cowcross Street close to Farringdon Station on
Circle, Metropolitan, Hammersmith and City tube lines as well Thameslink. Knox
and Manx Society members are offered the CRMS Members’ rate of £6.00 booked in
advance and their guests £8.00 in advance. It will cost £1 more on the
door.
Acknowledgements
The editor thanks for their kind contribution Mavis
Bell, Rose Fowler, Hilary Kay, Mary Kneen, Masie Sell, Sam and Mary Weller and
the Manx Heritage Foundation, the Charles
Rennie Mackintosh Society and the Mannin Art Group.
News about you and articles (of around 450 words)
about Island life are welcome and of interest to all. If in doubt, please
contact me – contributions can be sent at any time for inclusion in the next
newsletter, if possible by e-mail (barrhamilton@btinternet.com) otherwise to
132 Bush Hill, London N21 2BS.
Closing date for the next issue, 16th November
2009.
Membership
list use
The London Manx Society compiles a membership list
from the information provided to us when joining the Society or informing us of
changes. It is used solely for the
purpose of mailing out the quarterly Newsletter and we take our
responsibilities under the Data Protection Act seriously. Those
responsibilities require that data collected by the London Manx Society may
only be used for the specific purposes for which they were collected,
newsletter mailings in our case. This personal data may not be disclosed to
other parties without your consent and we shall not do so.
However, there may be occasions when members would like information
from the membership list in order to contact another. In order to facilitate that, we are making available the
following process: call Sam Weller on 01223720607 and leave a message
requesting the required information or the complete list. Sam will contact you,
explain the implications of releasing this information to you under the Act and
request your compliance thus transferring responsibility to you that you will
keep the information secure.
Sam Weller
Data
Protection
The
London Manx Society has received and maintains information about members in the
form of a mailing list which includes name, address, telephone number, and
email address, in accordance with The Data Protection Act 1998. Under the Act,
individuals may check their records held on the list.
This
information will and should be used only for administration and furtherance of
London Manx Society activities. We will not release this information for any
other purpose.
Anyone
wishing to have their data removed from our mailing list should contact The
Newsletter Editor.
Autumn
Not so much green among the trees
But autumn colours such as these -
Russet, copper, breath-taking flame,
A dozen golds, none quite the same.
If only I could paint the scene
Before the winter breezes glean
These glories of such wondrous hue
That every autumn brings anew.
Maisie Sell
Dates
for your diary
Visits to Foundling and Handel
House Museums, 6th September 2009
Meet at 11 a.m. to visit The Foundling Museum,
40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ (nearest tube station Russell Square) then, after
a tour and lunch there, moving on to the Handel House Museum at 25 Brook
Street, W1K 4HB (nearest tube Bond Street)
Both museums charge £5; there is a restaurant
at the Foundling Museum.
Full details in June’s newsletter and on
the web site.
Contact: Margaret Brady, 50 Longmeadow,
Frimley, Camberley, Surrey, GU16 8RR, telephone 01276 64497.
01276
64497
Mhelliah, 3rd October 2009
Service at St Barts-the-Less at 11.00am.
Lunch at the Park Inn, Russell Square (formerly known as the
Bonnington)
Followed by meal and meeting.
Speaker Dessie Robinson, a warden from the Calf of Man.
Preston Glass will be away so please note
that queries and booking should be made to Rose Fowler, 24a Heathcote Road,
Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5DX, telephone 01372 740988.
AGM
2010
Provisionally set for 8th March.
Annual
Lunch 2010
8th May, speaker: Noel Cringle
Not to be missed. Keep the date free.
NEXT NEWSLETTER DUE OUT December 2009
PLEASE SEND NEWS TO:
Douglas Barr-Hamilton, 132 Bush Hill, London
N21 2BS
(telephone number 020 8360 8001)
e-mail :
barrhamilton@btinternet.com
Visit the Society’s web site at www.londonmanxsociety.com updated 26th August 2009
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updated 26th August 2009
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