National politicians are accustomed to standing up in public. Commissioners are not accustomed to this level of exposure, much as they would welcome a greater attendance at the public parts of their meetings. It was years ago, when we first invited the Commissioners, for what has become an annual event. Even so, it is a demanding experience and we appreciate the courage of those who attended.

Mike Berry, our chairman, welcomed all and quickly introduced Rodger Gimbert, next year’s Chairman of Commissioners and his colleagues. The first question landed in his lap and was soon passed around. The concern was that the promenade railings from opposite the Sailing Club to a point opposite the gaming saloon were to be replaced by a wall that was perceived to be too high, preventing people seated on the prom from seeing the beach and keeping an eye on their children. It was suggested that wheelchair users would be similarly affected.

Part of the reason for the change is to offer a barrier to wind-blown sand that can fill the street, partially kept back by the erection of boards every Autumn. However, Brian O’Hanlon, an engineer member of the audience, pointed out that wind-blown sand is extremely dry and fine and would happily fly over the top! Will some more consideration be given, I wonder? The rest of the railings are to be replaced with modern equivalents. The drinking fountains will be retained. The Commissioners were congratulated on the way the shelters have been restored and for improving the kiosk.

Weeds in streets and car parks were landed on the D.O.T. and we surged on to the house next to the Town Hall. The Commissioners claimed that it was structurally unsound and would be demolished to allow for a possible extension to the Town Hall and car park. This was challenged with a request for another structural survey to be made.

The Marine Hall/old swimming pool site was considered. Suggestions were invited, with no one dissenting to the notion that a hotel would be beneficial. Anyhow, suggestions to the Town Hall, please.

Town Centre Improvements were requested. Apparently, the architects, McGarrigle and Jackson have drawn up a scheme. We were promised a day of public consultation. This seems to be particularly important, with members expressing concern at the growth of supermarkets that can suck the life-blood out of other retailers, leaving an abandoned moonscape where a bustling centre of life and human activity once thrived.

Concerns were expressed over the abandoned Iris scheme with continuing development and huge traffic problems with heavy lorries in the town centre, due to the building of houses onto Oak Road. This had been seen, initially, as a relief route but residents were concerned that should this now be used, it wouldn’t be just their pets being killed.

Mike closed the meeting with thanks and, “Isn’t Peel a great place to live!” Applause!

Next meeting, Wednesday, 27th May – ‘Out and about with the Forestry Warden’. Another treat.

Is nostalgia just a thing of the past? Not if our last meeting was anything to go by. More than one hundred members and friends, covering a wide age range, surged into the Centenary Centre for a very professional slide presentation by Scottie Keith. His subject was slides of old Peel and these were in the form of a Power Point presentation with picture fading into picture, all with an appropriate musical accompaniment.

There was much debate amongst members about possible dates for particular scenes and speculation about the identity of people, now frozen in time. This has been one of the spurs for the Trust recording the memories of Peel residents. We are building up a readily accessible archive, with the disks available in the Ward Library, in Castle Street. This should be of great help to present and future researchers.

It soon became clear that younger members of the audience, new residents and visitors from elsewhere were engrossed in the sight of a harbour packed with fishing boats, some sailing ships, some with steam engines. The quantity of fish landed was prodigious, compared to the present day, as was the number of people employed. Crews apart, there were people gutting and preserving fish in ice or salt in barrels, all of which had to be made or repaired. Supporting net, sail and rope-makers were essential as were the boat builders, chandlers, fish merchants and carriers. The noise, bustle and excitement were captured in many scenes, as was the underlying sense of loss of life from storms and accident. Remember, no industrial compensation, unemployment or sick benefit in those days and as for Health and Safety!

Some of the buildings, such as the large salt houses on the Peveril site have gone. Others remain and we fight hard to save them. Even now, quayside buildings are at risk, despite the ‘protection’ afforded by Conservation Area status.

No pictures of this period would be complete without lifeboat launches and rescues. Crowds still gather and anxiously await a safe return of both rescued and rescuers. Despite modern, high-tech boats, the might of the sea can still be overwhelming. One thing that has not changed is the courage of crews setting off in any weather to effect a rescue. Human courage is still unconquerable, thank goodness.

A brief tea break was followed by shots of buildings around the town. Surprise was expressed by some at seeing the cathedral, then just a parish church, with its incredibly tall spire and absence of  surrounding trees. The spire had to be taken down, as the tower was inadequate to support it. Subsequent remedial action to the foundations has sorted that out. Acts of God are not just limited to other people! Early pictures of Michael Street and the brickworks were popular, indeed so great was the applause that Scottie has agreed to return, next year.

Tuesday, 14th April unleashes the Commissioners. This annual treat is a ‘must’.

Our 20th A.G.M. began with a splendid, often exciting and always gripping account by local personality John Teare. He served 35 years with the lifeboat and has amassed a wealth of pictures and videos of the Peel boat from the earliest days.

John opened with the founding of what became the RNLI in 1824 by Sir William Hillary, with a single rowing boat in Douglas, to the highly complex organisation we now see. It took £124m to run in 2007, with new, large boats costing £2m apiece with many smaller but still costly inflatables now in use for inshore work, including inland floods. This latter is a more recent innovation, as is a boat on the Thames. The crews and committees are volunteers and the whole is still totally dependent upon public subscriptions.

We saw a succession of Peel boats from 1887, onwards. An exciting sequence was a rescue from the Bath Shore, by breeches buoy, when the whole crew was rescued from the shore with pounding waves and a screaming gale threatening disaster.

A film clip of our Mersey class boat during its self-righting trials at its builders in the Isle of Wight, was impressive. It must also have been very reassuring for the crew as it rolled itself back in just a few seconds. This helps to explain the need for seat belts and attachment lines!

The new, larger boat necessitated the building of the new boathouse and slipway, in 1991. We saw the arrival of our new boat, the Ruby Cleary, the welcome by large crowds and boats, followed by a blessing from the bishop and a reading of T.E. Brown’s poem on the Peel Lifeboat by John Kennaugh. The final shots were of rescues and trials in tempestuous seas. This says a great deal for the fantastic, modern boats and the skill and courage of crews who set out to rescues when everyone else is seeking shelter.

Mike Berry, our chairman, warmly thanked John for his talk and contributions were made to the RNLI, a charity very close to our hearts.

Following refreshments, Mike spoke about some of the year’s highlights for the Trust and thanked the committee and all who had supported our work in caring for Peel and its history.

Clive Alford, our new editor of the Peel City Guardian, thanked the editorial and production team and great pleasure was expressed at the quality of the last edition. By the way, do remember that although the Trust owns the title, the paper is run as a separate entity of general interest as one of our commitments to preserving the best of Peel. We, in turn, thank Clive for filling this post so effectively.

The formal business was completed in a few minutes and we now look forward to Tuesday, 17th March when Scottie Keith will show us some very old slides of Peel. This will be in the Centenary Centre at 7.30pm. As always, all are welcome.

I suppose that radio and television have been responsible for propelling weather forecasters from back room boffins into celebrities. Brian Rae has not allowed fame to turn his head and gave us a splendid, informative, illustrated talk on meteorology.

The weather affects us in so many ways and impacts upon our sense of well-being. Sunshine is good for us and raises our spirits - rain and gales can lead to depression.

Brian started with the Ancient Greeks. Observations and recording of the natural world were seen to be important. This flowered in the 17th century with greats such as Torricelli and his important work on measuring air pressure with his invention, the barometer. Galileo and others were working with means of measuring temperature accurately, inventing a variety of thermometers – the importance of mathematical precision was being realised and applied. This was a very exciting period – the birth of science, as we understand it.

The 19th century saw tremendous advances in technology, with the application of accurate measurements of pressure to produce isobars. For the first time, a visual representation of cyclones and anticyclones was possible and the plotting of the movement of weather systems All of this is familiar to us now, with satellite pictures enabling us to see the real thing in action. Ancient weather saws such as, Red sky at night, shepherds’ delight, red sky in the morning, shepherds’ warning are still current and have a validity. Certainly, types of clouds were soon realised to act as weather indicators – cumulo nimbus, rain – alto-stratus, fine weather with lots of common names such as mackerel sky, mares’ tails and the like still current and useful indicators.

There has never been more interest in the weather with forecasts sought for outdoor events, sea-trips, flights or even space launches. The accumulated knowledge of weather leads to an understanding of climate and our current fear of man-made climate change. Unless we reduce greenhouse gases now, we won’t need forecasters as there won’t be anyone left to read them!

Brian started work at Ronaldsway in 1966 so he has built up a huge body of knowledge about Manx weather and climate. He has seen great technological changes, none greater than the introduction of computers. These are used to collate masses of data from all round the world on wave height, pressure changes, wind strengths, directional changes, sea temperatures – anything that is relevant can be  flashed around the world in seconds, hence the increased accuracy.

Pictures of local storms and floods were shared, followed by gorgeous sunsets, concluding a fascinating evening. Thank you, Brian – excellent!

We have just learned that one of our members, Robby Farrer, has been awarded the RBV as a founder member of the Manx Detectorists – metal detectors. He has made many important finds of substantial treasure hoards and, most recently, the Viking sword pommel on view in the Manx Museum. Congratulations!

Next meeting, Tuesday, 10th February, Centenary Centre, ‘Lifeboats’, followed by AGM.

Each year, we look at ideas for the next year, afresh. We do introduce new ideas but one event is sacrosanct - the Christmas party!  The one variation was the change of venue from our ever-hospitable Centenary Centre to the welcoming arms of the Corrin Hall. Pam Quine, our trusty secretary, played safe, as we were uncertain about the installation of the splendid, new, raked seating in the theatre and we really had to provide more space for the tables. Another benefit we enjoyed was the updated kitchen in the Corrin Hall, easing Nigel Kermode’s task of serving 80 hot-pot suppers.

This year, because of the ever-increasing demand for the limited number of tickets, we had to give priority to members. This wonderful event, alone, is sufficient reason to become a member of the Trust!

The members were welcomed by conviviality and a noble turkey hotpot that has become our traditional dish at our annual celebration. Nigel Kermode, of Green’s Restaurant, had excelled himself. This was truly a vintage year.

The entertainment was a roaring success. The Rencell Singers sang and so much more. They started with beautifully toned 200 year-old hand bells, enhanced by a new recruit, our chairman, Mike Berry. He was allotted the final note in the ‘Bells of St Mary’s. Needless to say, he was given the wrong bell, first time round, to much hilarity. This pleasant, light-hearted humour is so welcome compared to the travesty of so called, ‘cutting edge’ humour on the BBC and elsewhere.

Several styles of music gave great variety – carols, music hall, skiffle and even ukuleles in a nostalgic George Formby selection. It was only after the show that I learned that the leader was a member of the Dallas Boys and his wife, one of the Kaye Sisters. Yes, of course you remember them! One thing, for sure, this group that performs for charity throughout the year is to be congratulated for this as well as their musicianship and entertainment. 

The witching hour came and went. People circulated from table to table and the conversation and jollity were infectious. A truly great start to the festive season!

Our next meeting will be in the Centenary Centre on Tuesday, 20th January at 7.30pm. The weather should be tailor- made, as Brian Rae is our guest speaker. His talk is entitled, ‘Meteorological Memories’. This will be well-worth waiting for until next year!

A Very Happy Christmas and Joyful New Year from Peel Heritage Trust.

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.

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!

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.

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’.

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.

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.