GD No 2017/0037
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GD No: 2017/0037 isle of Man. Government Reiltys ElIan Vannin The Council of Ministers Annual Report Isle of Man Government Preservation of War Memorials Committee .Duty 2017 The Isle of Man Government Preservation of War Piemorials Committee Foreword by the Hon Howard Quayle MHK, Chief Minister To: The Hon Stephen Rodan MLC, President of Tynwald and the Honourable Council and Keys in Tynwald assembled. In November 2007 Tynwald resolved that the Council of Ministers consider the establishment of a suitable body for the preservation of War Memorials in the Isle of Man. Subsequently in October 2008, following a report by a Working Group established by Council of Ministers to consider the matter, Tynwald gave approval to the formation of the Isle of Man Government Preservation of War Memorials Committee. I am pleased to lay the Annual Report before Tynwald from the Chair of the Committee. I would like to formally thank the members of the Committee for their interest and dedication shown in the preservation of Manx War Memorials and to especially acknowledge the outstanding voluntary contribution made by all the membership. Hon Howard Quayle MHK Chief Minister 2 Annual Report We of Man Government Preservation of War Memorials Committee I am very honoured to have been appointed to the role of Chairman of the Committee. This Committee plays a very important role in our community to ensure that all War Memorials on the Isle of Man are protected and preserved in good order for generations to come. The Committee continues to work closely with Manx National Heritage, the Church representatives and the Local Authorities to ensure that all memorials are recorded in the Register of Memorials. In particular this is a very poignant year, marking the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele which is officlally known as the Third Battle of Ypres. Passchendaele became infamous not only for the scale of casualties, but also for the mud. In closing I wish to express my gratitude to all the members for their support and for their contribution to the work of the Committee. David Cretney MLC Chair of the Committee 3 Contents Page No Introduction 5 Remit of the Committee 5 Meetings 6 War Memorials legislation 6 Register of Isle of Man War Memorials 6 Memorials considered during the period of the present membership of the Committee 7 Malew Parish War Memorial 7 Way Forward 8 Photographic record 9 Appendix 1 12 4 1. Introduction At the Tynwald sitting in October 2008, approval was given to the establishment of a Body for the Preservation of the Island's War Memorials to be called the Isle of Man Government Preservation of War Memorials Committee ('the Committee'). The Committee is responsible for - (a) ensuring a proper registration of War Memorials throughout the Isle of Man; (b) encouraging the proper maintenance and upkeep of such memorials; and (c) avoiding the destruction of, or overseeing the removal of, such memorials by encouraging the owners or custodians to advise the Committee that such is likely prior to such actions being taken so as to enable the Committee to ascertain any actions that may be appropriate for them to safeguard the memorial. The establishment of the Committee did not remove the responsibility for War Memorials from Local Authorities. Accordingly, the term of appointment for the members ended prior to the General Election in September 2016. Following the Isle of Man Government governance procedures the Committee was appointed in early 2017: Chair: Mr David Cretney MLC Vice Chair: Mrs Daphne Caine MHK Lay Members: The Venerable Andrew Brown Mr Roger Christian Mr Keith Dalrymple Mr Robert Dowty Mr Hector Duff BEM MM LGdh TH Special thanks go to the former members of the Committee Hon Juan Watterson SHK (Chair), Mr Richard Ronan (Vice Chair) and the Reverend Ian Faulds for their contribution to the work of the Committee. 2. Remit of the Committee To ensure War Memorials were recognised and cared for in the future, the Committee was to compile a register undertaking the systematic recording of the details of War Memorials throughout the Isle of Man including the following information on the register — • location; • brief description; • photographs showing the War Memorial and its location; • (where known) the War, campaign, action or unit commemorated; • the date of erection and/or dedication; • transcript of inscriptions and names so that a permanent record exists in case of future damage or loss; and • (where known) the designer/maker/craftsperson who created the War Memorial. 5 At the same time as compiling the register the Committee was to identify the physical condition and vulnerability to damage of each War Memorial in order to assess the need for conservation works. It was agreed that Manx National Heritage {'MNH') would maintain the register with updates being forwarded by the Committee. The Committee was to liaise with the Director of Planning and Budget Control to ensure that the Planning Division check for the location of War Memorials when a planning application is made. The Committee was to liaise with The War Memorials Trust which is a charity that works for the protection and conservation of War Memorials in the UK including Crown Dependencies. 3. Meetings Following the appointment of the lay members to the Committee, the Committee met during the period February to June 2017 on 3 occasions. 4. War Memorials legislation The War Memorials Act 2016 received Royal Assent at the April 2016 sitting of Tynwald and provides for the creation of a War Memorials Register. The Act also provides statutory protection to war memorials. Work is progressing on the introduction of the Regulations. 5. Register of Isle of Man War Memorials The Committee has continued its work establishing the register of War Memorials to ensure they are recognised and cared for in the future, the register details the War Memorials throughout the Isle of Man. The register is maintained by MNH and is available on its digital research facility via: http://www.imuseum.im/searchiall/search?term=war+memorials An extract taken from the register of War Memorials, which lists the locations, types of memorial and the responsibility, is attached at Appendix 1. MNH also holds a record of the grid reference, condition reports, historic information and digital mapping of the memorials. The data is being used for online visitors, teacher training, family history workshops, shared with War Memorials Trust; Historypin and other online partners. I would encourage anyone with an interest in Manx War Memorials to visit www.imuseum.im. 6. Committee visits Throughout the year the lay members continued a programme of visits and made contact with various custodians around the Island to advise on, and encourage, proper maintenance and care of the Island's memorials. 6 7. Memorials considered during the period of the present membership of the Committee Ancient Order of Foresters Roll of Honour 1914-18 Commemorative Woodland, Onchan Centenary Park Malew Parish War Memorial Douglas War Memorial Ramsey War Memorial Kirk Malew Church (window area) 8. itialew Parish War Memorial Malew Parish War Memorial has been an ongoing concern for the Committee; we consider this memorial to be in a dangerous location and in a dangerous state. Discussions are continuing with Malew Parish Commissioners to find a solution. 7 9. Way Forward The Committee will continue its work to ensure that the remit determined following the Tynwald Resolution is fulfilled and to seek the support of custodians to maintain their memorials in good order. The Committee will continue to build on the close working relationship with Manx National Heritage, as there is a mutual benefit from working together to establish a single register which will meet the requirements of both bodies. The Committee works closely with the Church Authority and is delighted that the Venerable Andrew Brown, Archdeacon of Man, is part of the Committee membership. The War Memorial Act 2016 received Royal Assent at the April 2016 sitting of Tynwald and work is underway with the legislative drafter to provide the secondary legislation required to bring this Bill into force. 8 10. Photographic record The Register of War Memorials includes a photographic record; please see below three selected examples taken from our record: Ballaugh Parish War Memorial, St Mary's (new) Church 9 Douglas Borough War Memorial, Harris Promenade tiii -alfilliffr 1 ill" Pk. •t:it t4 • • 4 1- .11/11111: " • 6 " - 4pm,-• , EWA 10 Second World War Manx Roll of Honour, Royal Chapel of St John the Baptist, St John's 11 Appendix 1 Isle of Man Government Preservation of War Memorials Committee Register The Committee has established a register of Isle of Man War Memorials. Below is an extract taken from the register which lists the location of the War Memorials, a brief description and the custodian. Town / Location Type of Memorial Responsibility Parish Andreas St Andrews Andreas Parish War Memorial Andreas Parish Commissioners Andreas St Judes (inside) Roll of Honour Friends of St Judes, Andreas Andreas St Judes (inside) Crellin Memorial plaque Vicar and Wardens - Parish of Northern Plain Andreas St Andrew's (inside) RAF Memorial Organ Vicar and Wardens - Parish of Northern Plain Andreas St Andrew's (inside) Memorial Windows - RAF Andreas / Vicar and Wardens Gunnery School Andreas St Andrew's (inside) Brass Altar Cross Vicar and Wardens Andreas St Andrew's (inside) St Andrew's Roll of Honour Vicar and Wardens Arbory St Columba's (inside) Arbory Parish Roll of Honour