| This page
reproduces recent articles written for the Trust by John Slater and
published in the Isle of
Man Examiner. The articles review
the lectures and events hosted by the Trust. |
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Note
that the articles reproduced here are unedited and so headlines and
some text may differ to those published in the Isle of Man Examiner |
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| 14th May |
Eddie Leece "Early memories" |
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Stand a nearly blind man of 90 in front of an audience to talk for an evening, with just a brief refreshment gap and what do you get…………another resounding success!
This was the second occasion that Peel Heritage Trust had managed to get Eddie, former Head of the Clothworkers’ School to talk to us. Once again the hall was packed and, thanks to the Manx Heritage Foundation, we have been able to record the talk that, as part of a regular programme, will soon be available as a public record in Peel’s Ward Library.
Eddie stood against a display of wonderfully evocative pictures of old Peel, no longer physically visible to him but, as his talk showed, glowing brilliantly in his memory. What a privilege to share these. He spoke with great clarity and humour, holding us in his spell so that were transported back through the years with him. We could see him removing his socks and shoes when he went to school, as he wanted to be seen as the other children who could not afford them. Imagine running around on stony streets, playing football with no shoes. This was normal, for so many, not just on the Island. I can remember my parents talking of this, with a pair of shoes being shared by several children. How things have changed!
Clearly, despite deprivation for many, what shone through was the sense of freedom to play. Childhood was to be relished. Compare that to today’s pressurisation and commercial exploitation of our young. Eddie spoke with great feeling about this saying that he felt that the joy of being young was being taken away by modern teaching and Health and Safety!
Eddie confirmed the horror tales of the initiation rites on the school trains when it was time to leave Clothworkers’ and go to the newly-built St Ninian’s. As he was determined to be a teacher, he really applied himself. They were kept fit walking to and from the station against the clock. Contrast this with the procession of cars outside schools, today.
Peel children had to come to grips with so many changes. No more slates and slate pencils. For the first time they wrote in exercise books with pens and pencils. He earned money to help, by making wooden kipper boxes for 6d per 100.
Whilst waiting to get the results of his final exams, Eddie worked in a Douglas ironmongers’ for 7/6d a week. This was not ideal as his train fare was 12/6d a week! Fortunately for him and all the children he taught, he passed to 6th form and on to college in Leeds.
After a post in Lincolnshire, he realised the impossible dream, eventually becoming head of the school he loved, in Peel. He would gaze at his study door in disbelief.
Our warmest thanks, Eddie and Jennifer - here’s to part three!
Next meeting, 18th June, St John’s Arboretum, 7.00pm with John Kennaugh for part 2 walking around St Johns. |
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| 18th
June |
John Kennaugh "Walk around St John's - part 2". |
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It’s not often that I write about something that hasn’t happened! We were booked to enjoy part two of a walk around St John’s with John Kennaugh, the first of this year’s outdoor adventures. Somehow, lashing rain seemed an adventure too far, so this delightful trip had to be postponed. Fortunately, St John’s is still there as is John.
It would be a pity to let the enthronement and installation of the Right Reverend Robert Paterson as Bishop of Sodor and Man Dean of Peel pass without comment. This even included walking to the original cathedral on St Patrick’s Isle accompanied by a host of people. The simple ceremony with the bishop seated on the ancient throne of Bishop Wilson who had been imprisoned in the crypt, just a few centuries earlier, was very moving. This was especially so when we were all invited to touch the ancient walls of the chancel, in prayer. This simple but moving gesture linked us to our forbears over a millennium.
Our new bishop is exceedingly keen on our shared Celtic heritage and we look forward to this further enriching our lives. No one will be surprised that my conversation with him centred on my long-held dream of providing a roof, however light and simple, to protect the ageing sandstone. Why not add some plain glazing to enable the building to survive another millennium and to become a centre of pilgrimage like Iona? To view the 1877 plans for this, view www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/parishes/gn/rest.htm
Our next event is Peel’s Secret Gardens on Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th July. This remarkable event continues with increasing popularity with many, many hundreds touring around the town, brochure in hand, guided by Vic Bates’ excellent map. We depend so much on Vic, not just as a professional cartographer but also for assisting in the publishing of newsletters, guides and the Peel City Guardian. We manage to grow wonderful people as well as plants in Peel!
There are nineteen gardens to view, this year, plus a bonus one that you will easily discover. Remember, this is a biennial event, so make sure that you don’t miss out. This event goes ahead, regardless. In the unlikely event of rain, just bring or borrow a brolly. Gardeners are not easily scared off and the numbers vary little, regardless of the conditions. Even if you’re not captivated by plants and gardening, everyone enjoys a good skeet and what better way to get behind those mysterious doors and up the tortuous alleys and passages in this ancient town!
Newer properties are not neglected. They all age, like the rest of us and add to the variety and excitement. There are six gardens on view, this time, never previously displayed. Old favourites are included, of course, as everyone is keen to see how they mature and change over time. The owners, of course, are timeless! |
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| 5th & 6th July |
Secret Gardens |
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Many, many years ago, we had the privilege of introducing to the Island, the idea of opening up a group of private gardens to the public. The level of interest and demand was such that we made it a biennial event. Not only has its popularity increased but so has the number of gardens on show. This year there were nearly twenty to explore, six of them new.
An important element is the total lack of competition. The original idea of giving the general public, particularly gardeners, the opportunity of exploring the mass of secret, cultivated spaces tucked away in this ancient city, still holds good. The making and renewal of friendships from not just the Island but beyond is just as enjoyable as the excitement of a narrow passage suddenly exploding into a great space of colour and beauty, totally unsuspected, sheltering behind richly glowing sandstone walls - such a feature of Peel.
The range of gardens is as diverse as their owners. These range from grounds surrounding a large property to tiny courtyard surprises maximising every nook and cranny, with pots strategically placed to take advantage of sun or shade, depending on a particular plant’s predilection. It is amazing how small spaces benefit from large, architectural plants. The ground area may be limited but the sky is the same height for all! This deliberate use of vertical space is something that interests me, particularly, now that we have downsized to a cottage garden, ourselves.
Of course we include old favourites. Many of the hundreds of regular visitors look out for these. They are keenly examined to see what has survived where and, if they are in new hands or have had a makeover, what has changed. Sympathies are shared about the effect of recent wind and rain on the rose blooms and tips exchanged on dealing with garden pests or the cat that has just eaten all but one of the goldfish.
One of our daughter’s pond has suffered this fate but this was offset by one of the unusual yellow frogs posing for the cameras. These pale looking amphibia seem to be a genetic variation peculiar to this part of Peel. In previous years, I recall seeing pale pink and albinos. Can anyone throw any light on this?
Of course people were promising each other cuttings. Many were wishing that they’d kept the name- tags of plants as they were asked to identify various specimens. This sometimes led to amusing debate as clusters of enthusiasts swopped knowledge or partially informed guesses! The display of plants for sale by Ballagawne Nurseries was the most extensive, yet. Gardeners who also provided teas were not only a welcome relief for visitors but also raised hundreds of pounds for their chosen charities.
Our thanks to all participants, Vic Bates for the programme and our delightful visitors! Of course the sun arrived on cue – this is Sunset City. |
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| 17th September |
Mr R Middleton, "Treasures beneath our feet" |
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Bill Quine opened our last meeting by warmly welcoming Rob Middleton, one of the best- known metal detectorists on the Island. There has been a great deal of excitement and publicity over recent finds made by him and his friend, Robbie Farrer, hence the sense of eager anticipation amongst the eighty- strong audience.
Robbie began with a series of health warnings attached to this hobby for its addictive nature. He emphasised that the rewards were not monetary but the excitement of finding objects, some thousands of years old and you are the first person to see or handle them. There is the added satisfaction that these have been rescued for the nation for present and future generations to learn from and enjoy.
A number of rules for metal detecting were stressed, including getting the permission of the landowner on each occasion and agreeing how any cash benefit would be shared, usually equally. The relevant authority must be notified, usually Manx National Heritage. Given this need and the wide choice of machines from £50 - £3000, Rob suggests that newcomers should contact Robbie Farrer, tel. 844602. He is another star in this field and can give advice and details about the local club.
With the aid of excellent slides, we were treated to an array of finds. These were accompanied by a clear and amusing commentary, laced with anecdotes. Military badges and buttons included the Manx Fencibles from the 17th C up to 20th C cap badges from the Air Training Corps.
Jews’ harps, played between the teeth, are often found, particularly in hedgerows. Before ‘canned’ music, farmworkers would play tunes during their brief lunch break and many harps were lost. Few survive complete as the spring steel vibrator usually corrodes. It was suggested that there is an increase in the levels of soil acidity with Copper and Iron objects suffering the most.
Barrel taps and keys, watch keys, 18th C buckles from the shoes, belts and clothes of Dandies, (fashion conscious young men), were featured. A 2000 year old trumpet brooch sat alongside even older flint tools and weapons, grinding stones and an early sundial.
Following the coffee break came the ‘plug’ for Manx legislation to be updated to match the UK Treasure Act. This need was accentuated by Rob’s finds of the first early gold ring, 10th – 11th C Viking – exceedingly rare, anywhere. Reference was made to Robbie Farrer’s find of the amazing Viking sword pommel. This and all the other significant finds are on display in the new Viking and Medieval gallery in the Manx Museum - it is a ‘must’. A 1000year old spear- head and cloth was another incredible find as was the only Viking battle axe.
Rob thinks that he has located the site of the Battle of Santwat, 1098, the nearest we get to a civil war site. More anon!
Next meeting - 14th October, 7.30, Centenary Centre - Charles Guard and ‘All things Manx’. |
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| 14th October |
Charles Guard "All things Manx". |
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Mike Berry, Chairman, followed his welcome to the packed theatre with thanks to Charles Guard, our guest speaker, with a presentation of one of the first recordings made by the Trust. Thanks to the generosity of the Manx Heritage Foundation, we are now able to record our speakers at meetings, as well as continue our programme of interviewing interesting people in the community. This collection of reminiscences has already built up and discs may be accessed via the Ward Library in Castle Street.
Charles had brought a great selection of films in various formats, including the nostalgic reel to reel. The sound of these is so evocative, even though the clouds of tobacco smoke in the light beam is a thing of the past!
We began with, “Say it With Flowers” – a stirring performance from 1936 from the now, rather capacious Florrie Forde. Many of the songs had references to the Isle of Man, including gems such as ‘Kelly from the Isle of Man’. There was a succession of these, apparently, to mark her annual summer concerts on the Island. Her voice, pre-amplification, penetrated both orchestra and audience as they sang along with the choruses.
Current filming projects were then shown – milling wheat in Laxey Mills and then bread making at Ramsey Bakery. These were absorbing and far more ‘high-tec’ than I imagined, especially in mills dating from 1860. What a wonderful tribute to our Victorian forbears. How many so-called ‘modern’ buildings would have come and gone in that time! No wonder I shed tears at every fine old building that is smashed down on some pretext or other.
We were told that 1800 tons of good Manx wheat goes to Ramsey Bakery each year, alone.
A film of Keith Kennaugh’s garden on the way down to Fleshwick, followed. This amazing concoction of plants, carvings, figures and machinery blows the senses. I was interested to see the trees fashioned into Indian chiefs. My wife and I visited the previous owner who insisted on contacting his late wife by way of a ouija board via his spirit guide, an Indian chief. He showed us a pencil drawing that he said this guide had drawn of himself. This was in the 1960’s and startled us rather! I wonder if Mr Kennaugh knew of the chieftain or if his spirit influenced his carving?
A fishing film preceded refreshments, closely followed by archive clips of wrecks – some, large steamers.
The most controversial film, “The Other Island” portrayed our faults in the 1960’s. It was shown on BBC and prompted a special Tynwald sitting! It included naked worthies dancing at the Witches Mill! Heritage is not dull!
Mike conveyed our thanks to huge applause. Charles’ work is so important. It is a joy to have him so involved in our work here, in Heritage City. |
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| 18th November |
Frank Cowin "Manx Heritage" |
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Frank has been lecturing on his love of Manx buildings and the Island, itself, for so many years, yet he retains a sense of infectious, youthful enthusiasm. Underpinning the man and his vast collection of slides and memorabilia is the word, LOOK! For those of us blessed with eyesight or with the benefit of someone who can see and describe the detail of a scene, building, object, stone, carving or their inter-relationship, we can all learn to ‘see’ what is before and around us.
Some structures such as Laxey Wheel or cottages at Cregneash were instantly recognised but fewer of the large audience in the Methodist Church, recognised Lag ny Keeilley, the ancient keeill, or church, perched on the cliff edge on a rough path leading from Eary Cushlin. This is a family favourite, transporting us back so far in time, possibly to St Patrick, himself. Incredibly, given its location, burials seem to have taken place up to the 1870’s with coffins carried by pall- bearers or packhorse. Compare this to the contemporary few minutes in the crematorium! Knowledge of old buildings and ancient sites also speaks to us about the people of that time, their commitment and beliefs. This is yet another reason why those of us dedicated to heritage, rail against the wanton destruction of our built and natural environment.
There may be sound justification for losing a building, such as the Druidale Keeill, now at the bottom of Sulby Reservoir. You really would have to ‘hold your breath’ to visit it now. Fortunately, Manx National Heritage archaeologists were in there, first, and Frank showed us his slides of this valuable work, still being carried out all over the Island.
Some ‘seeing’ is best done from the air or some elevated point, such as at the Viking ship burial for a chief, at Balladoole, when the outline may be clearly seen.
Great interest was aroused at the sight of “magic runes” – compressed runic letters carved into some Manx crosses. They are, presently, unreadable, we were told. What a challenge!
One underlying theme of Frank’s talks is his interest in building materials. If no local quarrying stone was available, field or beach stones were used or local clays used for bricks. The informed eye can tell where it is by the building materials used. Sadly, modern, mass- produced materials used in housing estates give no clues. No more Peel sandstone or Castletown limestone to give a sense of place or identity.
I thought I knew the Island pretty well, but Frank has clambered into remote corners and recorded detail that few of us could identify. Many of us hadn’t even ‘seen’ the large, stone rubbing strakes on the edge of Douglas Harbour to protect the paddle boxes of steamers, at high tide. How easy it is to look but not see!
Thanks to Frank, the Methodist church and catering division of the Centenary Centre. |
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