Editor - Douglas Barr-Hamilton

Outing to Foundling Museum

Our 6th September visit to the Foundling Museum gave us a remarkable insight into the London of the 1700s. In the early 1720s, Captain Thomas Coran was horrified by the many young children (around 1,000 babies every year) abandoned on London streets. Coran spent the next 17 years working to raise funds and asked William Hogarth, Gainsborough and Reynolds, amongst others, to donate paintings, many relating to children which would be seen by philanthropists of the day and are still there to be admired. Hogarth was also responsible for funding and paying wet nurses, designing the orphans' uniform and paying medical fees. Handel arranged annual concerts of "Messiah" to raise funds.

The ornate ceiling in the Court Room was taken from the original Foundling Hospital and the marble fireplace depicts apprenticeship opportunities such as shipbuilding and farming. It was poignant to look at the trinkets left with the babies for identification: a hazelnut, an embroidered purse. There was a heart-rending poem written by a mother showing how hard it was to part with her baby. The babies were all baptised and given new names including Inigo Yateson, Ethelred Grantham, Julius Caesar! What is remarkable is that the work of Coram continues in education today and there is an exhibition in the basement. The museum is well worth a visit or two.

After an enjoyable lunch in the Coram Café we went to see Handel's house where he lived from 1723 until his death in 1759 and where he composed Messiah, Music for the Royal Fireworks, Zadok the Priest and many operas and oratorios. There is a magnificent harpsichord and recitals regularly take place on Thursdays. The many pictures relate to aspects of Handel's life. Thank you, Stewart, for an intriguing and thought-provoking outing.

Margaret Brady

Mhelliah 3rd October 2009

One of the most successful Mhelliahs in recent years took place on at St Bartholomew the Less and afterwards at the Park Inn (which most of us still call the Bonnington!). The Rev. Canon Robert Teare was officiating, and personally selected the order of service, prayers and responses which seemed well chosen and significant. Cannon Teare is the son of Hugo Teare who was born and brought up in the Isle of Man and has a famous ancestor - Bishop Wilson. The lesson was read by our President, Stewart Christian and Maisie Sell gave her faultless rendition of the Lord's Prayer in Manx learnt over 75 years ago at Peel Clothworkers School.

It was good to see Maureen Wigley joining us for the first time since losing Maurice last May and other familiar faces included Heather Qualtrough, Meryl, Jean, Colin, Derek Costain and daughter Tanya to name a few. We missed Maron who had a previous engagement but Terence and Chrissie Brack were over from the Island and performed their usual efficient job on the Bring and Buy, with Rose doing sterling work on the raffle. Business was brisk until lunch was served, which consisted of spicy beef in a rich sauce (too spicy for some but enjoyed by the majority) salmon, roast potatoes, mixed vegetables, cold meats, pasta, salad and sweets.

Before Stewart had introduced our guest Dessie Robinson, a warden from the Calf of Man, we noticed Dessie skilfully weaving rushes into a rattle shaped construction. These he explained later, were Bumbee cages, a favourite toy with Manx children long ago. A bee would be trapped inside and they believed that the angry buzzing sound was a bad fairy trying to escape. Having prayed to the spirit, their parents would release the bee whilst they slept, thus breaking the spell. It was a charming bit of old folklore and some of us were fortunate to win one in the raffle to take home.

We immediately warmed to Dessie with his strong Manx accent, lively personality and enthusiasm. He recounted that he had left school at 16 and considered himself fortunate to get the job on the Calf when another candidate withdrew. With the aid of his slides and amusing commentary, Dessie took us to every corner of the Calf of Man from the rocks to the harbours, flora and fauna and the deep holes were Manx Shearwaters build their nests.

The Calf of Man is 1.5 miles by 1 across and when it was farmed in the past the cattle had to swim over landing at Cow Harbour which is accessible at any state of tide. Now there are two ornithologists and a warden in residence and their food, post and newspapers are delivered weekly.

There is a treacherous six knot current at the Sound and the rocks presented great danger to shipping as expressed by the young Robert Stevenson, the famous engineer, when he visited the Island in early 1800s. Two lighthouses were built in 1819 but these were superseded in 1875 by Chicken's Rock Lighthouse built on a dangerous reef close to the Calf. The granite tower rises to 150ft and tide and weather conditions presented enormous difficulties in construction. The work could only proceed in five hour stints between tides before the rock was submerged again. Three keepers lived there at all times and many eager Victorians visited this great feat of engineering including the Florence Nightingale.

In 1960 there was a serious fire in the Lighthouse when the keepers had to descend the steep sides with a rope and wait four and a half hours to be rescued because of rough seas. Following the fire, the lighthouse on Chicken Rock was converted to automatic operation and by 1996 all lighthouses in the Isle of Man had become automatic.

Whilst remote for humans, the Calf of Man is a haven for wildlife and migrating birds. There have been as many as 200 grey seals and it is home to the largest roost of hen harriers in North Western Europe. Razor bills, shearwaters, swallows, shags and cormorants are regular visitors and well over 5,000 rabbits, whose number rapidly dwindled when an eagle owl called Rocky made the Calf his residence for 6 months!

One of the less attractive jobs for the Warden is to establish the size of the Manx shearwater population. They build their nests down rabbit holes so it meant he had to thrust his arm full length into the hole, not sure of his reception! Another method is to play a tape of the shearwater's eerie call into each hole and await the response, provoking curious glances from any visitor passing at the time!

Dessie finished his talk with a touching story about reuniting a Loaghtan sheep with its lost lamb, demonstrating how close one becomes to the birds and animals that share this lonely spot. Stewart thanked Dessie for his excellent talk that had kept us enthralled for over an hour and we were delighted when he produced leaflets, coins and free CDs for us even a Shoprite bag each, with its three legged emblem.

We had thoroughly enjoyed learning about life on the Calf and went home having learnt the realities of living on this small but fascinating part our native Isle.

Mavis Bell

Crammag Bunloaf

- known to Rose's grandchildren as bungaloaf.

12 oz mixed dried fruit soaked in tea to plump it up.
9oz SR flour
6oz butter
6oz sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons mixed spice.

Beat eggs, add to beaten sugar and butter, drain dried fruit. Fold in sifted flour and mixed spice, add fruit. Bake in preheated oven 160oc fan oven for 1 hour then 20 mins at 150oc. I butter the slices but this is optional. I bake it in a loaf tin.

Rose Fowler

The Manx Shearwater

I was delighted at the news in Dessie Robinson's fascinating talk at the Mhelliah that the manx shearwater is again resident on our island shores, on the Calf of Man. He explained that it had disappeared after a shipwreck had released longtails onto the island and that there had been a recent programme to exterminate the rodent there. Now the bird is back and, knowing little about it, some research on the internet was needed.

The Latin name for the bird is puffinus puffinus but it is related to the albatross, fulmar and storm petrel, not the puffin. How it got its name is interesting: in the middle ages young birds were eaten and called "puffings" because they were plump and fatty. It was first described scientifically in 1676 when it was named the Manx puffin because the specimens had been collected from the Calf of Man. "Shearwater" didn't appear for another hundred years but by then puffinus had become the scientific name. And why "Shearwater?" That comes from a description of its flight: long low glides with stiff, straight wings skimming the sea, occasionally banking or "shearing" to return to rapid flapping to rebuild height and speed.

While this is interesting, their way of life is remarkable. Shearwaters return to the island in March, clean out the burrow that they tend to use each year and, at six or seven years old, find a mate for the summer. In late April after mating, the female flies away for about a fortnight to find the most plentiful food supply (oily fish such as herring) while the male stays to guard the burrow. Then a single large egg is laid and the birds take turns of between four days and a week to incubate it while its partner flies off to feed. 51 days later the chick appears and remains in the burrow for ten weeks being so well fed that it is finally a third heavier than its 420g parents.

It's now late August: first the parents quit the burrow leaving their young behind; it stays for about a week gradually flapping its wings and getting used to the outside world. A chick may fall prey to gulls but most, at night and without their parents, then fly six thousand miles to the River Plate region of South America - taking less than two weeks! Three quarters of them survive to return when nearly two years old, usually to the colony where they were born - but only on dark nights around a new moon. Their feet are placed far back for efficient swimming but they can do little more than shuffle on land making shore a dangerous place. On average they will survive to twenty although a fifty-five year old has been found: the oldest bird in Britain.

Sources:
RSPB
Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales
British Trust for Ornithology
Concise Birds of Western Palearctic (OUP 1994)

Island News

Air Marshall Ian MacFadyen, lieutenant governor of the Isle of Man until four years ago, has been appointed Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle, taking up his post in August. The Society has fond memories of the visit he made to us with his wife and wishes him well in his new appointment.

Congratulations to LMS member Phyllis Long on the publication of what should be the first volume of her autobiography, "A Native of Peel." I'm told that it may be difficult to get hold of a copy as the initial print run was quite small and it was to be stocked only in a couple of Peel newsagents. Fortunately, my brother sent me a copy. I found Phyllis's memories of arriving in London early in 1939 evocative and it was encouraging to learn how much she appreciated the work of the Society which seemed to do much more seventy years ago; she mentions particularly a dance the society organised. Now that's an idea for the committee! However, the book is particularly fascinating for the story of pre-war parental attitudes, unusual schooling, life during the war and adjustment to peace. The story moves along interestingly and at pace so it's a shame it ends in 1948. The next forty years are history now and a different sort of historian would value the continuation of the story.

Before the Grand Island Hotel in Ramsey closed early this year, it was reported that its replacement would be a much smaller establishment on the corner of Park Road and Premier Road on the Mooragh Promenade. Things seem to be moving at the traditional Manx pace and it was reported in late September that a planning application had been made for a 30 bedroom hotel with bar and restaurant. On the north-west corner of the site where there are currently two bungalows, it will overlook the Mooragh Lake. The developer is quoted as saying, "He hopes to build the hotel at the earliest opportunity to help regenerate that part of town."

Planning permission has already been given for The Grand Island building to be replaced by sixty-eight apartments.

DBH

The number of cases of swine flu on the Island is less than had been feared but the director of public health Dr Parameswaran Kishore is suspected to have contracted the virus.

Making contact in Manx

I live in...
C'raad t'ou cummal? - Where do you live?
Ta mee cummal ayns Doolish - I live in Douglas
Ta mee cummal ayns Ellan Vannin - I live in the Isle of Man
Ta mee cummal ayns:
- Port Çhiarn Port Erin
- Purt le Moirrey Port St. Mary
- Purt ny hIinshey Peel
- Balley Cashthal Castletown
- Skylley Maayl Kirk Michael
- Rhumsaa Ramsey
- Kiondroghad Onchan
- Mwyllin Doo Aah Union Mills
- Laksaa Laksey
Do you like living in Douglas?
Mie lhiat cummal ayns Regaby ? Do you like living in Regaby?
Cha mie lhiam - No
Mie lhiat cummal ayns Crosby? - Do you like living in Crosby?
S'mie lhiam - Yes
Mie lhiat cummal ayns Doolish? - Do you like living in Douglas?
Beggan, agh s'hare lhiam Purt ny hInshey - A little, but I prefer Peel
You like living in Peel!
Mie lhiat cummal ayns Purt ny hInshey? - Do you like living in Peel?
S'mie lhiam - Yes
Nee Gobbag uss? - Are you a Govag?
Cha nee - No
Nee Gobbag uss? - Are you a Govag?
She, she Gobbag mish - Yes, I am a Govag!
Some points to remember
Cummal means both 'to live' and a 'dwelling' in Manx. You often see it in house names. Cummal beg = small dwelling.
Mie lhiat? = Do you like and means is there good (mie) with you (lhiat). The response S'mie lhiam = I like, means there is good (mie) with me (lhiam)
Inhabitants of Peel are often referred to as a Gobbag/Govag which means Dogfish in Manx.

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.

Bring back join(g)

Wonderful irony by Jeremy Clarkson in a recent Sunday Times column: he complains about his wife wanting to use the word jo when playing Scrabble and objects that it isn't in common usage. He's right. I confirmed this with a contemporary still living in Andreas where I was joed regularly as a boy. The piece concludes that people vent their anger, especially on the sports pitch, because they can't act normally any more. To jo used to be normal.

Mary Weller Award

Dhoon School submitted 26 beautifully written and imaginative accounts of the Ellan Vannin disaster and it was a hard task for Veen and me to decide on a winner. Eventually we selected Meg Byne for 1st prize and Joseph Newman as runner-up. The children's entries were on display at the Mhelliah and I look forward to meeting them all when I go over to present the prizes in November. Thanks to Head teacher Fran Mclean for her cooperation and last, but not least, many congratulations to Mrs Reid the Class teacher who inspired each child with such imagination and enthusiasm.

Mavis Bell

Society's finances

As a general trend, the funds of the London Manx Society decrease over the years owing to a small level of subsidy being applied to our events, especially those held in London, to ensure that our prices do not discourage members from attending. Naturally, we are always searching for more cost effective venues around the Capital but this continues to be a challenge. If you know of possible alternative venues for our Luncheon and Mhelliah, please let the Committee know. Also, in the past, the downward trend has been reversed through the efforts of our members in sponsored activities, such as the IOM Parish Walk, Quarter Marathons, etc. So, if you are planning to, or could, participate in a sponsored activity, please consider the London Manx Society as a possible beneficiary. Island members might like to offer a year's membership as a gift to friends leaving the Island for the London region or parents a bankers order for the duration of a son or daughter's time at university.

Sam Weller

Society Website

The Society's website has been re-launched with a new look co-incidentally using the same colour scheme as Manx Radio selected for theirs - the colours of the Manx tartan. There is a "NEW" button on the home page which will take you straight to anything recently added to the site. Thank you to Brian Kneen who kept it up to date for the past seven or eight years.

Wendy and Sean

NOTE

You may find useful, as I do, the links on the site that include all you might expect: Isle of Man on Line for the news, Government for the official line, and tourist guides as well as our sister societies and Manx family histories but also the unexpected gem: students of the island's history could spend days on Chiollogh Books.

Hunt the Wren

When spending Christmas on the Island last year, we were delighted to learn that the old custom of Hunt the Wren is still alive and well in Ramsey. Of course, none of us would want any harm to befall the tiny wren, one of our most popular and elusive birds, but in the past it was thought to embody the spirit of a witch. It would be hunted and killed at dawn and the feathers distributed for good luck.

The new Heritage Centre next to the MER station was the venue, where we danced and sang round the traditional circular boughs and streamers on a pole. Then we enjoyed listening to Maron's niece, Maeve, play two arrangements of Sheep under the Snow on a violin. An expert in her field, Maeve also sang to her father's accompaniment before they brought round the mince pies, Christmas cake and bonnag. A pupil from St John's Manx School told us why the wren is called King of the Birds. In a competition to see which bird could fly the highest in the sky, the crafty little wren stole a ride on the back of the eagle, then jumped off and fluttered higher, thus winning the title of King.

The singers, dancers and musicians then went outside to perform on the green and the little ceremony came to an end. There was no name of the organisers of this traditional event or requests for contributions but I should have loved to have the recipe for the delicious bonnag which was the best I have ever tasted.

Mavis Bell

Happy Christmas

To follow that seasonal note, the Editor would like to wish every member a Joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Christmas Cards

Our president still holds a modest stock of London Manx Society Christmas cards and members can order from him if they wish. 75p per card (plus a contribution towards postage, please) with payment by cheque payable to Stewart Christian and sent to 53 Monks' Close, Enfield, Middx. EN2 8DZ

The Christmas build up

Manx Radio, the Isle of Man's national broadcaster is going to support the "Sure Slate" initiative on the Isle of Man this Christmas. The Cable and Wireless on Island brand Sure will be bringing Kyran Bracken and his "Dance on Ice" event to the Isle of Man. A 250 capacity ice rink will be built in the grounds of the Villa Marina entertainment complex and will have a gala opening on 23rd November at which Bracken will perform.

Sure Skate, in partnership with Nokia Siemens Networks, is being organised in conjunction with Kyran Bracken's ice-skating company. Since winning ITV1's 'Dancing on Ice' in 2007, former England Rugby international and World Cup winner Kyran has toured the UK with his 'Ice Party' show, performing to thousands of fans.

Manx Radio will broadcast the opening live on the morning of the 23rd and the VIP event in the evening. It will also provide a unique "Rink Radio" for the Ice dome throughout the event. Manx Radio's business Director John Marsom commented, "This is a great opportunity for Manx Radio and fits perfectly with its community events programme which has been so successful. We are proud to have been asked to provide our services, especially the Rink Radio product which has been developed in house by our engineering team."

For more information on Sure Skate go to manxradio.com and follow the link.

Island Quiz

(open to non-members through the web site)

How well do you know our Island and its story?

1. Where would you find Crammag?
a) On Calf of Man, b) south-west part of Ronaldsway Airport, c) slopes of South Barrule, d) bottom of Sulby Reservoir.
2. Johnny Myers is?
a) Island badminton champion, b) sprint cyclist, c) Peel FC defender, d) Ramsey RFC scrum half.
3. What was the name of Capt Kewley's ship in "English Passengers"?
a) Authenticity, b) Honesty, c) Sincerity, d) Veracity.
4. Who was the first President of London Manx Society?
a) 16th Earl of Derby, b) Deemster S Stevenson Moore, c) Bishop Straton, d) former Governor Sir Spencer Walpole.
5. Kissack, Hutchinson, Maitland and Sutherland are the names of what?
a) Douglas Squares, b) Island governors, c) motor-bike "specials" d) railway locomotives.

Answers to the editor by post or email, please. Closing date 15th January.

The first with five correct answers will win a prize increased to £15 to encourage entries to spend at Laxey Woollen Mills.

Answers to September's questions
1. Farrant's Fort is in Andreas.
My apologies that the correct option was omitted from the choices offered. 2. Sarah Rigby won gold at this year's Island Games at Archery
3. T E Brown's Tommy Big Eyes' real name was Gellin(g)
4. In 1830-1831 the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company was known as
Mona's Isle Company?
5. Sir William Hillary, founder of RNLI, lived at Fort Anne

Letters

Hello Mr Barr-Hamilton

I am Margaret Diver, nee Corrin formerly Grundey, now resident in Birkenhead after spending over forty years in Cambridge. I am one of the two Manx born members of the Wirral Manx Soc. and have been passed your Newsletter. Strikes me there are rather more of you than we have up here. I too was at Tynwald this year, the first time for 20+ years I think: what a lovely fine day for it too. My elder daughter is working on the Island at present so I could combine the two events. Another thing, there is mention of a Maron? The only person I have ever heard of called that was Maron Woods from Port St Mary, is it likely to be her? Hope to hear from you at some stage

Margaret Diver

Dear Mr Barr-Hamilton

Best wishes from Wirral Manx Society. Our 09/10 programme has a traditional mix of speakers and events, mainly focused on the Isle of Man but with a lively interest in Wirral too. We meet at 7.30 on the evening of the third Wednesday of each month at Lower Bebington Methodist Church in Bromborough Road.

Yours sincerely

Ann Bridson

Secretary

Hi all:

I would like to thank everyone who has supported me during my ten plus years as Web-Master, it has been a great learning curve and I have enjoyed every minute.

Thank you Wendy and Sean for taking over the LMS web-page, we know it will be a success as always.

We are still hoping to catch up with you all at the functions.

Brian Kneen

Acknowledgements

The editor thanks Mavis Bell, Margaret Brady, Ann Bridson, Rose Fowler, Maron Honeybourne, Brian Kneen, Wendy Kneen, Maisie Sell, Sam Weller for their kind contribution and the Manx Heritage Foundation 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 February 2010.

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.

Sixty Years of Mannin Art

It is just sixty years since a few gifted people decided to form a club for artists in the North of the Island - and so The Mannin Art Group was born. Sir Sidney Wadsworth a retired Indian judge and his painter wife invited groups of artists to paint at their beautiful home on the banks of the Sulby River. The first exhibition was at Albert Road School, Ramsey. Whole rooms were devoted to the works of such celebrated artists as William Hoggatt, John Nicholson and John Aitken. The majority of pictures in the first Exhibition sold for under £5.

In 1974 the Exhibition moved to St Paul's Hall, Ramsey where exhibits had to be limited. In the early days competitions were a regular feature and this was revived in 1979 with an open competition to commemorate the Manx Millennium and again in 1987 for the Centenary of the Mooragh Park. Today The Mannin Art Group has a very gifted membership numbering approximately 150 and includes talented painters from all walks of life.

The Mananan International Festival of Music and the Arts held at The Erin Arts Centre in June 2009 held an Exhibition of Mannin paintings. 13 paintings were chosen from the Exhibition for a 2010 calendar to commemorate Mannin Arts sixtieth anniversary.

It was not difficult for the judges to select interesting and varied paintings for the Calendar. Artists' work include that of:

NANCY CORKISH: "Heron at Kentraugh" a watercolour

Nancy was born in Yorkshire but moved to the Isle of Man in 1957. In 1986 and 1996 Nancy was commissioned to design sets of stamps for the Manx Postal Authority. She has also undertaken a number of designs for greeting cards for charities and the Manx Heritage shop. Nancy is married to artist David Byrne but uses her maiden name for her art work.

ANN HEATH: "Secret Waterfall at Injebreck" a pastel

The longest serving member of The Mannin Group - Ann at 92 years of age still paints actively with the Mannin Group producing new and exciting work. Ann mainly paints in oils and is noted for her life work. She has been commissioned over the years to paint the portraits of the former Tynwald speakers which adorn the walls of The House of Keys.

DAVID BYRNE: "Derby Castle" a watercolour

David is a Manx born artist who has lived all his life on the Island. He is a gifted self taught painter working mainly in watercolour and pastel. He is a keen walker and enjoys the stimulation of direct painting from nature. His work has been exhibited by the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour.

PETER LLOYD-DAVIES: "Port Erin Bradda Head"

A prolific self taught painter. He paints landscapes of the Island, hills and valleys and the stunning coastline. He has exhibited worldwide including the Marine del Rey Gallery in Los Angeles. Over the years his works have been reproduced on cards, placemats, etc.

All the artists contributing to the Calendar are active members of the Mannin Group and exhibit annually. Their works can be seen along with others from The Group at a special Anniversary Exhibition at The Manx National Heritage Museum from 23rd January to 1st May 2010. Works of founder members will hang alongside those of today.

The Calendar is priced at £4.99 plus 0.85p post and packing each and can be ordered via the Mannin web page: www.manninart.org or by e mail: mailbox@manninart.org

Proceeds from the sale of the Calendar will go to the Manx Wildlife Trust. Members have enjoyed over the years painting in the Island's 22 nature reserves all manned by the Trust, a registered IOM charity.

Old Manx Carol

Maisie has sent me this Christmas carol that had been sent to her some years ago by a cousin living in Peel. Does any reader know the name of the author? More important, does anyone know the tune so we can sing a new Manx song at our next gathering?

Eisht ainileyn Niau ren boggey ghoaill,
Haink lesh ny niaghtyn hooin,
Ginsh jeh Saualtagh ruggit jiu,
Oikan ayns Bethlehem.

Then Heavenly Angels rejoicing came,
Bringing the news to us,
Telling of a Saviour born today,
A babe in Bethlehem.

Dates for your diary

AGM 2010

At 2.00 p.m. on a mid March date at St Bride's Church, Fleet Street.

(Please note, not 8th March as provisionally set; we are waiting for the church to confirm availability)

Preceded at 11 o'clock by a talk about the history of the church at £5 per head (a minimum of ten required so please advise Rose by the end of February if you intend to come to the talk.)

Annual Lunch 2010

8th May, speaker: Noel Cringle, President of Tynwald

NEXT NEWSLETTER DUE IN THREE MONTHS

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