Isle of Man hosts heritage transport festival

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The minister for community, culture and leisure said he expected a large number of visitors

The Isle of Man's heritage railways are being celebrated in a five-day festival.

The Heritage Transport Festival will run on the railways from Wednesday until the following Sunday.

People will be able to travel in the newly restored tram car No.7, which dates back to 1894. The steam railway is hosting a Rail Ale Tour.

There will also be bus shuttles to the Manx Aviation Museum, Jurby Transport Museum and Milntown House among others.

The Manx Classic Car Club will also be displaying its collections at various stations.

David Cretney, minister for community, culture and leisure, said: "The Isle of Man has a wealth of heritage transport within a very small area that we know from experience attracts large numbers of both residents and visitors.

"This Heritage Transport Festival aims to pack in a variety of special events and experiences across all our railways in order to ensure the five days provide a variety of unique transport experiences for fans new and old."

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Five Day Heritage Transport Festival 27-31 July

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Train fans will be in transports of delight with a five day festival of action packed days taking place next week on the Isle of Man’s heritage railways.
Running from Wednesday 27 July until Sunday 31 July, the festival offers great photo opportunities, social events, behind the scenes workshop tours, museum visits and dining experiences.
Hon David Cretney MHK, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure, said: ‘The Isle of Man has a wealth of heritage transport within a very small area that we know from experience attracts large numbers of both residents and visitors. This Heritage Transport Festival aims to pack in a variety of special events and experiences across all our railways in order to ensure the five days provide a variety of unique transport experiences for fans new and old.’
Saturday (30 July) will be the first opportunity to ride on newly restored tram car No.7, departing from Derby Castle on the 9.40am timetabled journey to Ramsey. Repainted in its original blue and white colour scheme, the 36-seater tram was delivered in 1894 and has been brought back into service to help accommodate increasing numbers of passengers travelling on the Manx Electric Railway.
This year’s festival includes a number of additional shuttle bus services to local attractions. There will be shuttle bus from Ballasalla Station to the Manx Aviation Museum (28 July), a vintage bus shuttle from Ramsey to the Jurby Transport Museum and Milntown House (31 July) and, to help reduce parking congestion, a connecting bus from Ballasalla Station to Great Meadow for the Southern District Agricultural Show on Saturday 30 July.
Extra trains and trams will be scheduled throughout the five day festival and the steam railway is also repeating the popular Rail Ale Tour to Castletown on Friday (29 July), serving beers, wines and soft drinks on board the steam train, following a Buffers Buffet in the evening.
The Tickethall at Douglas steam railway station will have Fireman’s Breakfasts on the menu from 8am to 11am daily – hearty breakfast feasts, served on fireman’s shovels. Meanwhile, at Snaefell Summit, Sunset Dinners can be booked for Wednesday (July 27) and continue to be available every Wednesday and Friday night until 9 September.
The festivities are supported by members of the Manx Classic Car Club who will be displaying their fine collections at various stations. Additionally, the festival includes a scenic coastal cruise on board the Karina, first launched in 1946. Volunteer-operated Groudle Glen Railway is planning to have every item of its rolling stock on display during the weekend.
For tickets to special events and Summit Dinning, call into Douglas Steam Railway Station or phone 673623. For more details on all events, call 662525 or visit www.iombusandrail.info

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Isle of Man Wurlitzer Summer Series

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A new series of free concerts featuring the Isle of Man Wurlitzer is taking place throughout August 2011. The concerts will take place on Monday evenings and Wednesday lunchtimes from 1^st to 31^st August 2011.

The series features organists from around the Isle of Man. Some have performed on the Wurlitzer before while others have not. All are united by enthusiasm for the kaleidoscopic sound of this unique and delightful instrument.

Series co-ordinator Jonathan King said:

“Since the Isle of Man Wurlitzer was inaugurated in the Villa Marina Arcade in December 2009 there have been some wonderful concerts played by visiting cinema organ virtuosi. Such concerts take place on an occasional basis, perhaps once every few weeks or so. As a result many people visit the Isle of Man and return home without having the chance to experience the sound of the Wurlitzer in its beautiful new setting.

“If we are to make the most of our Wurlitzer we must learn to play it ourselves. The good news is that the Isle of Man has a strong and creative musical community of its own. A number of individuals from within that community have already been prepared to take on the ‘Wurlitzer challenge’.

“I am delighted to be able to announce the 2011 Wurlitzer Summer Series in which a greater number of Manx resident musicians than ever before have ‘taken the plunge’ and agreed to play the Wurlitzer in public. I am sure they, and their audiences, will have a marvellous time.

“I am grateful to the performers for giving freely of their time and talents. Thanks to audiences’ generosity, the Christmas series of four concerts raised £770 for good causes. I am hopeful that, with nine concerts, the new summer series will raise even more.”

The full line-up for the Summer Series is as follows:

Monday 1 August 8pm	Margaret Cubbon, Douglas
Wednesday 3 August 1pm	Don Roworth, Peel
Monday 8 August 8pm	John Riley, Onchan
Wednesday 10 August 1pm	Jimmy Thomson, Port Erin
Monday 15 August 8pm	Margaret Cubbon, Douglas
Wednesday 17 August 1pm	Jonathan King, Port St Mary
Monday 22 August 8pm	John Riley, Onchan
Wednesday 24 August 1pm	Mike Porter, Rushen
Monday 29 August 8pm	No concert
Wednesday 31 August 1pm	Gareth Moore, Santon

 

Admission is free and there will be a charity collection on each occasion.

The Isle of Man Wurlitzer was installed at Summerland in 1989. Following the closure of that site, the Wurlitzer was repaired and overhauled by internationally renowned expert Len Rawle, and installed as the focal point of the newly restored Villa Marina Arcade. The inaugural concert was given by Len on 17^th December 2009.

The Wurlitzer Summer Series is designed to complement the highly successful brass band series, sponsored by the Isle of Man Arts Council, which takes place in the Villa Marina Arcade on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons throughout the summer.

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