NEWSLETTER Winter 2018 Editor – Douglas Barr-Hamilton Mhelliah The Manx harvest was celebrated in London as usual this year, again with a service at St. Bride's Church and a meal at the Punch Tavern just down the road. The members attending at mid-day on Monday 8th October, were Elaine Abraham, Anne and Nick Alexander, Douglas and Margarita Barr-Hamilton, Bryan and Sheila Corrin, Sally and Peter Miller, Pam and Mike Fiddik, Stewart Christian, Rose Fowler with her grandson George Long, Alastair Kneale, Margaret Hunt, Nicolas and Elizabeth Watson, Sam and Mary Weller and Douglas Wellman. Society member, Nick Alexander, who is a licensed Lay Reader led the service and preached an interesting sermon on verses from Luke chapter 12 after president Professor Bryan Corrin had read the passage. The congregation sang heartily the Manx Fishermen's Evening Hymn, Isle of Mona and Come ye thankful people, come, as well as the grace set to the tune of Ellan Vannin. Alastair Kneale recited the Lord's Prayer in Manx to continue that long tradition and Sally Miller the Tynwald Prayer. Nick Alexander kindly stepped in because Rev Justin White has moved from London. He has returned to teaching in Winchester explaining that he is a fairly fully committed on a Monday, so feels he ought to decline our invitation this year. Everyone enjoyed being back in the Punch Tavern where fish and chips and steak and mushroom pie were the most popular dishes and consumed during animated conversation as folk caught up on personal and Island news broken up by a raffle that contributed generously to the Society's bank balance and provided members with Island mementos and the ever popular Christmas pudding, home-made by Stewart Christian and reminding everyone that the Society's next gathering will be for pre-Christmas drinks in early December. London Manx Trophy traced Following an enquiry from Sam about the Mary Weller award at Yn Cruinnaght, Chloë Woolley tells us she had a root in her stock/archive boxes cupboard at work at , and, unlike the silver cup she had in mind, discovered . . .

She thinks it had been stored in the attic of Ramsey Town Hall and passed to Culture Vannin a few years ago. Now the LMS committee will need to discuss its future. Members' ideas welcome.

It's interesting that the plaque at the bottom says: Yn Chruinnaght Solo instrumental 11 years and under Winners were: 1996 Kate Collister 1998 Lindsey Skillicorn 1999 Lindsey Skillicorn 2000 Kirsty Kermeen And the final winner was 2003 Tom Callister Wafer (who has now gone on to be a well-known fiddle player with Imar and Barrule!)

On the back it says Hand Carved C. Jefferson 1989

2 FOR OUR DECEMBER ISLAND VISIT Manannan's Winterfest - A Magical Manx Christmas! There's something new on the Christmas calendar this year with the introduction of a sparkling new event at the Gaiety Theatre under the title of Manannan's Winterfest - A Magical Manx Christmas! Billed as a unique concert celebrating Manx Christmas traditions, the event will be a collaboration of the Island's finest exponents of classical, folk, brass and choral music - topped with local humour and drama. The brainchild of local musicians David Kilgallon and Malcolm Stitt, their aim is to combine both the old and the new and fix Manannan's Winterfest firmly on the Manx calendar. It's an idea which grew synergistically from several conversations between them as they reminisced about traditional, childhood memories and their shared love of performing Christmas music. The Year of Our Island initiative proved to be the catalyst for the event, and with the help of friends and families the show promises to be an exciting, new experience for anyone looking for a great night out at the beautiful and historic Gaiety Theatre. Hosted by the inimitable Dot Tilbury on 7th December, the list of entertainers will include the BBC Radio 2 award-winning folk harpist Mera Royle, Alexandra Slater and the legendary Michael Players. Also within the musical mix will be some rousing festive sounds from Ramsey Town Band, well- known carols from the choir Manx Voices and Gareth Moore on the piano: as well as a world renowned collective of Celtic musicians including David Kilgallon, Malcolm Stitt, Jamie Smith and the Lawrence sisters. It's also hoped to include the stunning Whiteboys during the evening, which reflects an old Manx custom including drama and comedy. Sponsored by Year of Our Island 2018, Culture Vannin, the Arts Council and the Malcolm Dickinson Charitable Trust, tickets priced at £24/£20 are available from www.villagaiety.com. Valerie Caine © November 2018 (Courtesy of Manx Life)

Taste of Victorian Christmas On Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 December 2018, will host ‘A Taste of Victorian Christmas’ at the Grove Museum in Ramsey. It will include the opportunity to see the Grove decorated for the festive season and experience the sights, sounds and smells of a Victorian Christmas. Musical entertainment will be provided by a local choir and bands including Ramsey Town Band, with a Victorian minstrel also on hand to entertain guests throughout the weekend. The smell and taste of festive cooking will be brought to life with roast chestnuts available in the yard, festive cakes and hot drinks from the conservatory and hot food cooked over a fire pit by the Train Smokers. Father Christmas will make a special visit to the Grove for the entire weekend, although his appearance may bring about debate amongst young visitors…. rather than wearing his red festive outfit, he will instead be wearing green, representing the coming of spring. ‘A Taste of Victorian Christmas’ is kindly supported by Lloyds Bank International and the event programme at the Grove includes: Saturday 8 December All day – Father Christmas, festive food and crafts and old fashioned lucky dip 11.15am to 11.45am – Ramsey Town Choir 12.30pm and 3.30pm – Storytelling in the barn 2pm to 3pm – Douglas Town Band Sunday 9 December All day – Father Christmas, festive food, crafts and old fashioned lucky dip 10.30am and 3pm – storytelling in the barn 1pm to 2pm – Encore Choir in the garden marquee 3pm to 3pm – Ramsey Town Band 3pm to 3.30pm – Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums MNH

The Snow Queen at Castle Rushen On Saturday 15th December, the ‘Snow Queen’ will take up residence in her winter palace in Castle Rushen and invites her subjects for a private audience in the throne room of her winter realm, here on the Isle of Man. Inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s classic fairy tale, this special “one day only” invitation to meet the Snow Queen is open to all, with timed sessions bookable online at www.manxnationalheritage.im Helen Ashcroft, Heritage Site Manager for Manx National Heritage said: “The Snow Queen’s festive friends are already transforming the castle, with the musician tuning his mandolin and everything beginning to glow with Christmas sparkle”. Costumed characters, music and performers will keep guests entertained as they explore the castle and await their audience with the Snow Queen. Timed admission tickets cost £10 per person, which include a gift from the Snow Queen for all children aged 2 and over. Seasonal refreshments are included within the ticket price for all adults. No concessions are available for this special event. Free admission for children aged under 2 years. The event is expected to sell out, with all tickets available in advance from www.manxnationalheritage.im/shop. MNH The Guriat Cross Following the report in our last edition on the Manx Museum's initiative to make images of all Manx crosses available on its web site and an article about another carved stone in Cheltenham, it was interesting to read the following in the autumn newsletter of the Manx Society of New South appearing at almost the same time with another coincidence: a mention of Henry Skillicorne in an article about famous Manx sea captains in an Australian Manx Society newsletter: At the time the Guriat Cross with its five bosses stood by the roadside* at Port y Vullin before it was removed to Kirk Maughold, a fable was told to the children which takes two or three forms. One is that the old woman who lived at this spot was wicked enough to spin on Sunday. Another version says that she was getting over the hedge of her little field with the balls of wool or thread she had been spinning slung on her back. A third says she was climbing the Shen Lewaigue road to take them to the weaver who lived at Dreem ny Lhergy. In the two latter alternatives the wind took hold of the balls and hindered her progress, and she cursed the wind. In all three the result was that she was punished by being turned into the cross, with her five bluggans (balls), equally petrified, sticking to her wicked old face. *Woods' Account of the Isle of Man (1811) says it had previously stood in the middle of the field. There was an old chapel there which has long disappeared. (source: A Second Manx Scrapbook by W Walter Gill (1932); Alwyn Piggott (Manx Society of NSW) DBH

We will remember them Our summer newsletter of 2012 sought details of Kathleen Joughin, a New Zealand army nurse whose grave Maureen Wigley had come across in Egypt. A little later our research revealed she was descended from a Bride family. Eighteen months after that we heard from her niece will a lot of information about Kathleen. While I was at the Shrouds on the Somme in Olympic Park recently I took the opportunity to look at the tent containing the list of every British and Empire death: compiled for the first time ever and, as it was nearly impossible to read every one, I was curious about this surname. Had the family suffered in the Great War too? Well there was one entry: Thomas C Joughin, South African Infantry was all it said. However, a brief internet search told me his full name was Thomas Cain Joughin of the 2nd Regiment who died on 8th December 1917 from injuries sustained on the Somme almost 18 months before and I wonder if he could to be descended from an Andreas stonemason named Thomas Joughin who emigrated in the 1850s and married a Caine in South Africa a little later who I discovered during the same search. DBH A Book of Manx Songs from World War I Distributed Amongst Manx Schools With the recent centennial commemorations of World War I, there was a special gift to each of the Island's schools of a book of Manx songs, originally compiled for the use of Manxmen serving with the forces. Published on behalf of the Manx Society and the World Manx Association, the facsimile covers a spectrum of tunes, ranging from Ellan Vannin, the Manx Fishermen's Evening Hymn and the Manx National Anthem, to lesser known examples. They are interspersed with a selection of other melodies, such as Ramsey Town, Kirree fo Niaghtey, Mylecharaine and A Manx Wedding. A slim, easily carried volume of just fifteen pages, the song book is designed to appeal to the proud Manxmen serving during the Great War and was published initially at the instance and cost of Walter Gill of Prenton (near ) who himself was on active service. He also gave the gross proceeds of sale of his then newly-published book Juan y Pherick's Journey and other Poems to the Manx Society, for the benefit of those Manxmen serving with His Majesty's Forces; partly at the instance of, and at the cost of, the World Manx Association. The committee who compiled this historical volume, also thanked W. H. Gill of Sussex for his permission to use the words of items reproduced from the publication entitled Manx National Songs, Mr F. E. Weatherley of Bristol for consent to use the words of the song Mona and all others who helped in bringing this publication to fruition. It was published in gratitude for those who risked their lives in war, in the hope that this little volume of patriotic songs may inspire them of home and raise their spirits. A limited number of facsimile copies are available by contacting Dr Chloë Woolley at Culture Vannin (manxmusic.com) in return for a donation, with a PDF version of the original book accessible at https://www manxmusic.com/news_story_552677.html Valerie Caine © November 2018

Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival in its Tenth Year Now in its tenth year, the Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival has firmly established itself as a weekend event where you can get a flavour of local produce and discover more about Island based innovative companies. Held centrally in the Villa Marina gardens, the event provides a day out for the whole family, including a variety of children's activities, live music and entertainment, the Manx Cookery Theatre and a range of outside caterers. But during Saturday evening the setting became more relaxed and informal, with street food, live music and a range of alcoholic beverages. This year's special guest was Adam Henson of the television programme Countryfile, who met both exhibitors and guests and also gave a presentation entitled My Life on the Land and in the Media. An extensive programme of events at the Manx Cookery Theatre concentrated more fully on local chefs and cooks, amongst others, who presented a range of old and new ideas. This was interspersed with such things as the Isle of Man Student Chef of the Year, the Hot Dog Eating Competition, the pursuit of a new Manx National Dish and the much coveted Isle of Man Chef of the Year award. Local producers popped up across the site, although the bulk of them were housed within the Manx Produce Marquee, which became a focal point for many visitors seeking established producers but delighting in new foodstuff. But there was also an area, tagged Farm in the Festival, which provided a great opportunity for young and old alike to experience a selection of animals to be found in the Manx countryside, some rare breeds and watch how cows are milked in a contemporary setting. Valerie Caine © September 2018

Queen's Pier progress Staying in Ramsey during a recent visit to the Island, it was inevitable that I should stroll down the Queen's Prom and have a skeet at the pier. The volunteers behind the restoration of Ramsey's pier were hard at work and I could see that the replacement steelwork for the first bay had started to be delivered. Restoration work to the entrance gatehouse was in progress, repainting it in a light shade of green and I understand it is to get a new entrance clock and flagpoles. I'm told that the next stage in the work, almost all to be carried out by the volunteers, will involve power washing, de-greasing and giving a light sanding to provide a key suitable to accept the two-part epoxy paint. Once prepared, there will be the application of four undercoats before the new steel is swapped with the old iron. Only then will the top coat of paint will be applied. The final colour of the steel will be black. Iomtoday reported in October that project manager Stuart McKenzie thought the chances of installing the replacement steel this year were ’slim but still possible’. I hope the mild autumn has allowed speedy progress. The article went on to say that there is indeed a great deal of work still to be completed before they can actually install the new steel on the bay. The five replacement lattice trusses that will support the decking of the Victorian landmark’s first bay have been fabricated at the Gallas Foundry in Douglas and will replace the corroded wrought iron girders to be removed by the trust’s volunteers. The 12m long lattice-section trusses will run longitudinally along the pier at its landward end after bolting together on site. Some fifteen cross bars are also being manufactured. DBH

Commemorating the Departure of the Last Train from Peel A large group of enthusiasts gathered in the foyer of the House of Manannan in Peel for a short, nostalgic ceremony commemorating the final departure of the railway from Peel in 1968, drawn by the steam engine Mona. With a poignant introduction by Sam Knight of the Manx Transport Museum, this was an appropriate setting for the anniversary which took place on the site of the railway, which was brought to life with an evocative photographic display highlighting the period 1950s - 1970s. Peter Kelly, of the Isle of Man Victorian Society, enjoyed rapt attention as he expanded on the history of the Peel line, the loss of which is still deeply regretted fifty years later by many living in the west of the Island. He was swiftly followed by Sam Knight who urged bystanders to guard against future systematic dismantling of the Island's heritage transport network; citing rumours of possible closure of the Manx Electric Railway between and Ramsey. He was then joined by several engine drivers (some associated with the Peel line) and former Isle of Man Railways worker, Ian Watson, aptly closing proceedings by waving a flag and blowing his grandfather's train whistle in honour of the last train out of Peel fifty years ago - to the accompaniment of a recording of a steam engine departing the station. Valerie Caine © October 2018

Curraghs Railway The Orchid Line, a 7-25 inch gauge miniature railway operates within the Curraghs Wild Life Park in Ballaugh. The railway is owned and operated by The Manx Steam and Model Engineering Club. Now club members have designed and built a wheelchair carrying carriage for the line. The design means that the carriage looks just like all the others operating on the line until required to convey a wheelchair. Then the middle section lifts off, revealing a flat area where the wheelchair sits, and can be clamped down. Wooden ramps are provided to ease loading a wheelchair. The carriage was officially opened by Minister for Health and Social Care, David Ashford MHK, who cut a ribbon and unveiled the carriage before a couple of invited guests were given a trip on the line. IoMtoday New Book Commemorates the Peel to Knockaloe Railway Fitting snugly into a knapsack, this new publication encapsulates the memory of a short-lived 3ft gauge railway line which served the expanding Knockaloe Internment Camp, situated on the west coast during World War I. Acting as a spur from the main line in Peel, it became a veritable work horse for the burgeoning camp which eventually housed a population of approximately 26,000 internees and guards. The booklet is an ideal companion with which to follow the route - although you'd be hard pressed to find any of the track which transported essential supplies. It's believed to be the first time information about this topic has been made available under one cover, detailing some remarkable statistics, focusing upon employment opportunities and the railway line's construction. Published by the Manx Transport Heritage Museum, it's available from Mitchell's Newsagents and the Ward Library in Peel, as well as Manx National Heritage outlets priced at £5. However, there's an opportunity to join a fully escorted walk along the route of the defunct railway line on the 9th September, starting at 2.00pm from the overspill car park at the House of Manannan, with no need to book in advance. Alternatively, the walks will be repeated during the Heritage Open Days weekends. Please note that some sections of the route are unsuitable for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. Additionally, meet in the foyer of the House of Manannan at 3.30pm on the 7th September to commemorate the closing of the Peel to Douglas railway line in 1968. Valerie Caine © September 2018 (Courtesy of Manx Life)

Manx National Heritage to launch 3D images of Manx crosses Manx National Heritage is undertaking a ground-breaking project to creat 3D digital images of all 210 of the Manx crosses in a collaborative project with Lancaster University, the University of Southampton and Knowledge Integration. The finished images will capture evidence of the current physical condition of the crosses and inform plans for their future preservation, whilst also being made available for education, research and recreational enjoyment. Kirsty Neate, Head of Professional Services for MNH said, "For the purposes of conservation, the highest possible accuracy and precision is needed. Recent advances in laser scanning have, for the first time, made this possible. Detailed scans will capture the surface of the crosses to a resolution of one tenth of a millimetre. "Scanning the crosses posed a number of challenges including difficulties of access in remote locations and cramped display conditions. The objects themselves are mostly dark in colour which makes scanning much harder and the detail we are aiming to capture can elude the untrained eye". MNH has secured a partnership with Cr Patricia Murreta-Flores of Lancaster University, an archaeologist with a good track record of work of this type and scale. Kirsty continued, "Dr Murrieta-Flores is a leader in the digital recording, interpretation and communication of archaeological remains. Along with colleagues from the University of Southampton, she has championed techniques of digital recording with Historic England". The Manx crosses are stone objects of extraordinary diversity and cultural interest found throughout the Isle of Man. The range from simple grave markers to elaborately decorated and inscribed monuments. The stones were carved during a pivotal time, stretching from the Island's introduction and conversion to Christianity in the 5th and 6th centuries, through to the reorganisation of the Church in the 12th and 13th centuries. Some of the stones are carved with letters of the Ogham, Runic and Latin alphabets, while others include personal and place names and scenes from Christian and Norse mythology. About a third of the crosses are publicly displayed in two cross shelters located at Kirk Maughold and Old Church in their respective parishes. Another third are allocated their own space in several churches throughout the island. The last third of the crossed are located within the Manx Museum, either on display in the galleries or within the stores or archives. The 3D models of the Manx Cross collection will be made available to view, zoom and rotate via www imuseum.im in early 2019.

Manx Language Festival Kicks Off with Guest Speaker from Ireland This year's Manx language festival Cooish kicked off with the annual Ned Maddrell Lecture given by the Irish Gaelic academic Tadhg Joseph Ó Ceallaigh, a lecturer in Limerick who explored language education. He was speaking about the different methods used to teach Irish and how this was integrated into the education system, but revealed he was impressed with the work undertaken on the Island which has revitalised the Manx language. Held at the St John's Mill Conference Centre, the Ned Maddrell Lecture centres upon an invited language academic, or activist, sharing their personal experience of working with a minority language; which has assisted in shaping the strategy for the Island's own native tongue. It's also an opportunity for those engaged within the language on the Isle of Man to share their own experiences. With the support of the Manx Language Network, the Cooish Festival continued with gatherings at Green's Café in St John's, Marks and Spencer in Douglas and a film afternoon at the old school at St Jude's. But the main event was a family-friendly event at the Masonic Hall in Peel with music by Clash Vooar, original poems in Manx Gaelic by the current Manx Bard, Annie Kissack, an interactive quiz and a range of related merchandise. Additionally, a new award, Londeyr (lantern) was bestowed upon Manx Radio journalist Dollin Mercer in recognition of his support for the language in his daily work. The evening closed with a short ceili fronted by the Kipperceili Band. Valerie Caine © November 2018

Manannan's Choice of the Year Nominations have now closed for the annual trophy (Manannan's Choice of the Year), which is awarded to an individual or group who have made an outstanding contribution to the Island's culture. Those nominated will be considered by a panel of representatives from a number of Manx, cultural organisations with a winner usually announced in January. Suggestions encompass art, dance, folklore, language, literature, music, history, education, or the environment, as well as other aspects of Manx culture. Previous winners include language teacher and author Phil Kelly, the Michael Players (dialect theatre), William Cain (wildlife and the environment), Clare Kilgallon (music, song and dance), the (language and culture), Allan Skillan (field-walking and pre- history) and Maureen Costain Richards (Manx artistic heritage - especially her work with Manx crosses). Nominations explore the impact they have made on the Island's culture, whether they have been active in one, or several areas, or may have achieved something remarkable in a short space of time. The winner, who will be entitled to use the initials RBV after their name, receives a personal donation of £500 and is also invited to name a Manx cultural cause which will receive an additional donation of £500 from Culture Vannin. It was who championed Manannan as the patron of Manx culture, developing the original Manannan Trophy with Stephen Quayle. This was later re-incarnated as the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan with a trophy depicting Manannan on a piece of Pooilvaaish marble, designed by the late Eric Austwick. The trophy itself is held by the winner for one year, but is additionally awarded a medal designed by Jenny Kissack and reproduced by Celtic Gold jewellers of Peel. Valerie Caine © November 2018

Letter to Editor Readers might be interested in a Manx book that was recently sent to me by a cousin (Helen Foy nee Keig) in England. It's entitled "Reapers, Clogs and Pulpits" - The Craftsmen of Kelly's Yard by Mike Clague. It's the history of Kelly's Joinery Works in Kirk Michael from its creation in the 1840s to its demise in 1984. The title comes from them making the very first reaper to be made on the Island, supplying thousands of clogs for the British Government during World War One and for their manufacture of hand carved oak pulpits and furniture that can be found in churches around the Island. It really is a lovely coffee table book, but of special interest to me was that fact that both my mum and dad are featured as they met when they worked at Kelly's Yard. My dad died when I was very young but we lived in Kirk Michael until I was eleven when we relocated to Ramsey for high school. Richard Moore

Members will remember that Margaret Brady, a Society member who died last year, was a member of the Kelly family and might like to consider it as a Christmas present. I'm told it is a fascinating and photo-filled book of 228 A4 pages that can be ordered directly from the author by leaving a message on 01624 878328. *audio only* or email mikeclague@me com. Cost £28 Ed. 12

Manx memories of the Floweday family in South Africa I am fortunate to have the autobiography of my grandfather, Robert Floweday, written from his diaries which he kept all his life. The quotes in this story are from his autobiography. My great-great-grandfather, Robert Floweday, was a master-mariner, originally from Harwich in Essex, but who became captain of the Bahama Bank Lightship, Ramsey Bay, on the Isle of Man. He and his wife Rachael settled on the IOM in the early 1800s and had five sons and two daughters. Robert & Rachel’s son, my great-grandfather, Thomas Floweday, married Isabella Kenney, who was born in Ramsey in 1842. Thomas’s sister, Rachel Floweday, married Robert Corlett, cabinet maker of Ramsey, and had a family of nine children. Isabella and Thomas had 3 children, Maggie, Robert, my grandfather, born in 1869, and a third child. Isabella and that child died in childbirth, and Thomas immigrated to the United States, where he entered into business with two Manx friends. Great-grandfather Thomas is famous among his descendants mainly for the reason that he owned a cafe in Dallas, where he employed a young girl, Bonnie, who went from there to become the infamous robber couple Bonnie and Clyde. Robert, 3 years old, and Maggie, one, were left on the Island in the care of their maternal grandmother, Mrs Margaret Garrett. She had married three times, having been severally Mrs Cottier, Kenney, and Garrett. My grandfather describes her as “a remarkable woman – a tireless worker, thrifty, independent, most capable and practical”. However, the person who took the role of father-influence on my grandfather was his maternal uncle, John Cottier, “the best man I have ever known”. Highly successful in business, he retired when under forty years of age, thereafter devoting his time and means to doing good in all kinds of public service and in the service of the Church. He settled in Ramsey, was elected to the House of Keys, became a Railway Co director, and interested himself in the development of the Manx fishing industry. He took special interest in mission work among the poorer classes and was largely instrumental in establishing two Mission Halls; one at Ramsey and one in Liscard. He was “the soul of courtesy and the friendliest of men, greeting everyone as “my friend” and he was ever on the lookout to lend a helping hand to any in trouble.” He was keenly interested in music and “had the most perfect tenor voice I have ever heard”. As a soloist he was in great request at concerts and oratorios. He married first a Miss Lowry, then a Miss Holliwell. Robert Floweday, my grandfather, began his school days at the age of five, at a ‘Dame’s School’, Miss Campbell’s, then at the Ramsey Wesleyan Day School and the Church of England Grammar School. He particularly remembered two schoolmasters, Messrs John Spanton and Otto S Wicket of the . His close friend as a boy was Daniel Clague Joughin (Teg). They became companions at the age of four. “He was my faithful friend and correspondent for over seventy years.” WR (Willie) Dawson, “whose sister was my schooldays’ sweetheart”, was another friend who shared Robert’s interests in books and reading, and ultimately became the Rev Canon Dawson, Head Master of Brighton College. TH (Tom) Corkhill and Johnny (later Rev JS) Corlett influenced the religious side of Robert’s life and had much to do with his becoming, in his later teens, a local preacher in the Methodist Church. Robert remembers enjoying the game of ‘cammag’ (a kind of hockey) and doing a fair amount of boating and rowing in the summer months. “My schoolboy holidays were largely spent, in warm weather, on the magnificent beach of Ramsey Bay, one of the finest bays in the United Kingdom. I did a lot of country walking and hill and mountain climbing and enjoyed occasional days at my friend Teg’s country farm. In the blackberry season my grandmother and myself would go out for the day and return with billy cans full of ripe fruit.” “As in most outlying places, the Island, in my days, abounded in quaint and original characters. Some of these stand out in my recollection – Pat Lanegan, an eccentric Irish Catholic; Robby Teare (“Teare the Hairy”) – the strangest mixture imaginable of sanctity and hypocrisy (immortalized as “Old Caesar” in ’s once popular novel “The Manxman”) and that local celebrity, “Kelly the Barber”, who displayed outside his place of business this original signboard inscription: EDMUND KELLY Tonsorial Artist, Cranium Manipulator, Capillary Abridger, Piscatorial Repository, Hirsute Appendages adjusted with ambidextrous Celerity.

This all meant that he was a barber and sold fishing tackle!” A strange incident occurred in 1901, when Robert Floweday was working as a minister in Kingwilliamstown in South Africa, he was asked to visit, at the hospital, a man named Kelly, who claimed to be a Manxman, but would not talk about himself and his mind seemed to be a perfect blank. He was a Boer War refugee and very ill; far gone with consumption. After several attempts, Robert got his mind and memory back to his Island home and discovered that he was a nephew of Edmund Kelly, the Ramsey barber. Shortly before he died, on hearing that Robert would be travelling back on holiday to the Island, a gleam of intelligence came into his clouded mind and he stirred himself to get out of bed and asked: “Let me say my prayers to you.” Then he knelt down and mumbled a childish prayer which seemed to satisfy him. Later, on holiday on the Island, Robert was amazed to learn from his friend Teg Joughin, that old Kelly, the barber, before his death, had visited his grandmother Mrs. Clague, and asked if he could kneel at her feet and say his prayers to her. My grandfather recalls going to ’Chapel’ in Ramsey. As from the age of four, he attended Sunday School at both morning and afternoon sessions. It was customary for the majority of the school children to walk in procession to the Sunday morning service to Waterloo Road Chapel, an old-fashioned early Victorian building with closed-in pews, high pulpit and an upstairs gallery extending around three sides of the building. The seating accommodation was over 1,000 and it was well attended morning and evening. In his early teens Robert took a keen interest in politics, Manx and British. His uncle was an advocate of Women’s Suffrage and, in his time, the Manx Parliament distinguished itself by being the first legislature in the world to give votes to women. Among his boy and girl companions Robert started a Juvenile Conservative Association and also edited a manuscript magazine, which circulated monthly, the contents – political, articles, stories, poetry, etc – being largely his own composition, modeled on the lines of the “Boys’ Own Paper”. Robert’s early ambition was to be a newspaper editor. So, at fifteen, he left school and was apprenticed to Mr John Craine, printer and bookseller, and publisher of the “Ramsey Courier”. For his services during the five years’ apprenticeship he received the handsome sum of £100. Business hours, in those days, were very long; six days a week and no annual leave. Work hours were 8 am to 6 pm; four evenings a week Robert had to return from 19h30 to 9 pm and on Saturday to 10 o’clock for distribution of the English newspapers. Robert had a conversion experience at the age of 18, and the next year, became a Methodist local preacher, preaching his first sermon at the little country chapel at Dhoor under the supervision of his old schoolmaster, Mr J Rison. He began regular preaching, describing this aspect of his young life as: “Most of the chapels were from two to ten miles from town and we were accustomed to walk to nearly all our appointments. Congregations rarely exceeded from 20 to 30 persons, afternoon or evening, and were very small in one or two places. I remember, on one occasion, walking to Ballajora and preaching to an afternoon congregation of three. But it was all well worthwhile. The walks along the beautiful country roads, in fine weather, were delightful. The country people, though sometimes sleepy on a hot summer afternoon, were attentive and appreciative hearers. Everywhere we were warmly welcomed and, at the farmhouses, we received lavish hospitality.” In 1889, his grandmother died, and with the takeover of the Ramsey Courier printing and book business, my grandfather left and went to live in Liverpool. “It was with a sad heart that I left the little Isle of Man, which will always be to me the dearest spot on earth.” He continued working in the book retail business but became sure that the Christian ministry was his calling. His health was considered questionable, and he was advised to offer for the ministry in South Africa. He subsequently lived a busy and healthy life to the age of 90 years! He sailed from Southampton on the Union RMS “Tartar”, in 1894, taking seventeen days to reach Table Bay. On the first day in Cape Town, Robert was told that he would be working as a Methodist Lay Agent at Concordia, in the Okiep Circuit, Namaqualand, as chaplain to the employees of the Namaqua Copper Company. He travelled on a sailing vessel, the “Lord Clyde”, for 5 days to Port Nolloth, “a scattered collection of wood and iron buildings on a flat, sandy coast”, and then via the Mining Company’s narrow-gauge railway to Okiep, a journey of 92 miles which took about ten hours. At Okiep he had to learn to ride: not knowing even on which side of the horse to mount, he was thrown off quite half a dozen times! Robert was later moved to the Eastern Cape and experienced living in Bedford in the last days of the Boer War, where he and the doctor were the only men not required to carry arms against the Boer enemy forces scattered around the outskirts of the town. On furlough back to England in 1901, Robert discovered a friend’s vivacious little sister grown up into a “very charming young woman, as wise and capable as she was charming”, and after a two week courtship, Lillie Nelson was persuaded to marry him. She remained behind in England, since his salary was not considered adequate for a married couple, But a year later, she was sent out through the Mission House in London, on the RMS Carisbrook Castle suitably escorted by a Rev and Mrs. Baker. How brave my Granny Lillie was – enduring a stormy trip with strangers in an unsteady vessel, and then having a wedding the very next day after arriving in a strange country to marry a man she scarcely knew. Robert’s friends and fellow ministers rallied around to make their wedding festive, but Lillie knew no one. After a short honeymoon, they set off for Seymour – a long railway journey from Cape Town to Kingwilliamstown was followed by a 60 miles cape cart journey, broken by a night spent at the Middledrift hotel. To settle down in a village of only 170 inhabitants, in Africa, remote from the railway and from any town, could not have been easy for a young girl used to the sophisticated city life of Liverpool. But, said her new husband, “She cheerfully made the best of things, overcome the difficulties of South Africa housekeeping and, to my delight, completely adapted herself to her new surroundings”. Robert had a long and beneficial ministry in South Africa, becoming Chairman of the Queenstown District, and often entertained his parishioners with evening lectures on his beloved Isle of Man. He lived to be 90, outliving his devoted wife by two months. Robert and Lillie had four children, Jack, Mary, Rex and Robert Edward (known as Ted), my father. Jack and Rex both became bank managers in the Eastern Cape, and Mary became a teacher, dedicating her whole career to teaching at the Methodist mission school Healdtown Institute, near Fort Beaufort in the Eastern Cape, whose illustrious past students included Nelson Mandela, Walter Sizulu, and Govan Mbeki. My father, Ted, followed in his father’s footsteps in becoming a Methodist minister, serving mainly in Natal, and finally becoming the Chairman of the District (now called Bishop) in the Eastern Cape. Of the eight cousins who were my generation of Flowedays, I am the only one left here, but there are two next generation nephews who carry on the name Floweday in South Africa.

Robert Floweday and Grandma Garrett Kelly the Barber

Robert and Isabella 1903 Robert and Isabella

Interesting coincidence that, at the same time that London was posing a quiz question asking the name of the fictional character in "The Manxman" known as Old Caesar, the Manx Society of Southern Africa newsletter was publishing a piece featuring the real person on whom he was based. Ed

Workshop Highlights Valuable Resource for Budding Genealogists at the Manx Museum A recent workshop organised by the Isle of Man Family History Society in conjunction with Manx National Heritage, proved very successful with sixteen members of the organisation taking the opportunity to learn more about recent innovation within the Reading Room and Library and Archives at the Manx Museum. Family History Society member Sarah Christian, who also works in the Reading Room, took charge of the afternoon workshop, guiding everyone through various resources readily available, such as manuscripts, online data and printed material. Once the presentation was completed, members split into three groups, and together with two of Sarah's colleagues, explored different areas, including use of digital equipment and new film readers, accessible information located in the Reading Room and a fascinating tour of the Manx Museum's archives, kept over several floors in specially controlled conditions. The long established Reading Room at the Manx National Heritage is a veritable treasure trove for any budding genealogist, with a tantalising array of card indexes and database records, as well as diaries and memoirs prepared for the online catalogue. Photographs, prints and plans are also available together with the revealing Folk Life Survey, periodicals, pamphlets, scrapbooks and availability of deeds. The now well established iMuseum online, particularly with its remarkable, historical newspaper collection, has proved to be an invaluable resource and is freely available at the museum, or from the comfort of your home using a tiered payment system. Additionally, it's also possible to use Find My Past at no cost, which may reveal new lines of enquiry, or confirm previous beliefs. Sarah explained the growing resources available on the ‘Familysearch’, website including unindexed images of probate records (wills). At the close of the session there was an opportunity to speak with staff, continue with on-going research, or take refreshment at The Bay Room Restaurant situated within the Manx Museum building. If you would like to join the Isle of Man Family History Society please contact them at iomfhs.im. Valerie Caine © August 2018

18 Island Quiz (Open to non-members through the web site) 1. Fixing of which product's price led to the 1918 general strike on the Island (a) flour, (b) herring, (c) milk, (d) potatoes? 2. Maisie Sell used to write poems about her place of work. Was it (a) Derry & Toms, (b) Fortnum & Mason, (c) House of Fraser, (d) Marks & Spencer? 3. What are "Carvals" (a) Christmas beverage, (b) Christmas carols, (c) Christmas outings, (d) Christmas poultry? 4. The foundation stone of which building was laid in 1832 (a) House of Keys, (b) Peel Seaman's Shelter, (c) Ramsey Court House, (d) Tower of Refuge? 5. On which coast of the Island is the Anvil (a) north, (b) south, (c) east, (d) west?

Closing date 15th January. The first reader to send me five correct answers will receive a Manx £20 note as their prize.

Answers to September quiz 1. (b) The Gaiety Theatre opened in1900, 2. (c) W S Rosee produced a concert at the theatre during WW1 3. (d) Douglas became the island's capital in1869, 4. (c) Cregeen, is Old Caesar in "The Manxman" 5. (c) The Queen's Pier was formally opened in 1886.

The first all-correct answers were received from Richard Moore of Durban, South Africa for whom we are keeping a Manx £20 note to spend on his next visit to the Island.

Acknowledgements The editor thanks Valerie Caine, Richard Moore, Sam Weller, Chloë Woolley, along with the Manx Society of Southern Africa, the New South Wales Manx Society, for their kind contribution and also Isle of Man Newspapers, Culture Vannin, Yn Cruinnaght and Manx National Heritage. 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 email (barrhamilton@btinternet com) or to 132 Bush Hill, N21 2BS. Copyright is retained by the contributor. Opinions expressed are those of the contributor and not necessarily those of the editor or the Society. Closing date for the next issue, 22nd February.

The Newsletter Editor and the Society officers and committee members with all readers a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year Nollick Ghennal errin, as blein feer vie

Dates for your Diary

Christmas Gathering Monday 10th December Doubletree by Hilton Hotel (Bonnington) Southampton Row, WC1B 4BH, from 4.00 p.m.

NEXT NEWSLETTER DUE IN THREE MONTHS PLEASE SEND NEWS TO: Douglas Barr-Hamilton, 132 Bush Hill, London N21 2BS (telephone 020 8360 8001) e-mail: barrhamilton@btinternet com

Visit the Society's web site at www londonmanxsociety.co.uk