Residents Get Back To Their Roots with Ramsey in Bloom

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This year’s Ramsey in Bloom yet again revealed outstanding horticultural talent. At the prize giving held in Ramsey town hall on Tuesday August 9 Ramsey Town Commissioners’ chairman Captain Nigel Malpass congratulated entrants on their achievements and spoke of the ‘stunning’ displays in all categories, adding that he was pleased the competition continued to attract new participants every year.
Judging took place in July by the Commission’s head gardener Ken Barnes and well-known local horticulturalist Pat Goodway who said it had been a ‘privilege’ to have visited so many beautiful gardens and witnessed such high standards. Mrs Goodway welcomed the eight newcomers to the competition this year and said that among the new themes to have emerged was a creative planting mix of vegetables and flowers providing a dual-purpose garden. An estate garden beyond the scope of the large garden category earned owners Mr and Mrs John Crellin a special commendation certificate and a comment from Mrs Goodway that the judges would welcome more estate entries in the future.
The prize presentation also provided an opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of head gardener Ken Barnes who is to retire in November after more than 10 years with the Commission.
The full list of Ramsey in Bloom results can be downloaded at www.ramsey.gov.im

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International Folk Dance Festival

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The Manx Folk Dance Society will be celebrating 60 years of dancing later this month by staging a special international folk dance festival, with public events across the length and breadth of the Island for everyone to enjoy.

Prominent at many Island events the Manx Folk Dance Society was formed in 1951 for the Festival of Mann celebrations, and although there is no definitive traditional Manx costume the group has adopted a number of distinctive and colourful designs over the years, which members use during performances both on and off the Island. Their continuing popularity has played a major role in preserving Manx dancing as they pass on their knowledge to subsequent generations, but their unabated enthusiasm has now spilled over into the production of books, records, cassettes and videos. They are currently working on a DVD of Manx dances which they hope will be completed by next year.

Generously supported by the Manx Heritage Foundation, the Isle of Man Arts Council and the Elizabeth Clucas Trust, the festival promises to be a colourful exhibition of costume and dance with a multi-cultural line-up of groups from England, Germany, Sweden, Wales and the Isle of Man. Many of the dances date back over centuries, expressing individual traits as diverse as daily chores in Sweden, or the fertility of crops in England, with their costumes replicated through the study of historical drawings and patterns to identify some of the key features of each country.

Members of the Manx Folk Dance Society have represented the Island at many international events over the years, and in turn have hosted visiting groups from which they have made their selection. There will be a cross section of talent treading the boards during this unique festival which has been many years in gestation and will culminate in a gala performance at the Royal Hall in the Villa Marina.

Despite a hectic schedule members of the visiting groups will also have the opportunity to explore the Island and meet up with old friends.

In addition an open invitation has been extended to members of the Manx Folk Dance Society, both past and present, to celebrate the group’s 60^th anniversary on the 7^th September, 2011, at the Hydro Hotel, Douglas. If you would like further details please contact Freda Black by phoning 624858.

Programme of Events

12th August 2011

Parade and opening ceremony in Castletown Centre 7.30pm – 10.00pm with short dance displays.

13th August 2011

Concert at the Villa Marina with all groups in the Royal Hall at 7.30pm

£10 (adults) £7.50 (children) tickets available from the Box Office at the Villa Marina and the Welcome Centre

14th August 2011

Dance performances in Castle Rushen 1.20pm - 2.30pm and 3.30pm - 4.40pm.

Dance performances at the Quarterdeck on Port Erin Promenade 1.30pm - 2.50pm and 3.10pm - 4.30pm.

15th August 2011

Dance performances in the Mooragh Park, Ramsey, 11.00am - 12.40pm and 2.20pm – 4.00pm.

Dance performances on the forecourt of the House of Manannan, Peel 10.45am - 12.30pm and 2.30pm - 4.15pm

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New Ramsey Tram Service for Sunset Dinners

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Additional train and bus services have been launched to enable anyone from the north and west of the Island to enjoy the popular Sunset Dinners at the Snaefell Summit Hotel.
Hon David Cretney MHK, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure said: ‘Following the refurbishment of the Summit Hotel, the extra Friday night tram service will help cope with the increasing popularity of our Sunset Dinners. With 85 diners attending the last dinner in July, the welcome addition of the tram service from Ramsey will help provide more convenient travel and greater availability to those in the North of the Island.’
Sunset Dinner trams are now departing Ramsey at 5.40pm, arriving at the Summit at 7pm. The return journey departs at 8.50pm and arrives back at Ramsey 10.10pm. Evening trams from Ramsey will continue weekly until 2 September.
Connecting buses serving Jurby, Kirk Michael and Peel are also available using service number 5, enabling travel on public transport from all areas for the round trip. The bus departs Peel at 4:49pm to reach Ramsey at 5:29pm with the return bus departing Ramsey at 10.40pm.
An additional tram is also now operating for anyone who wishes to depart from Douglas for the Sunset Dinners. There is a later 6.40pm service as well as the 5.40pm service, with returns departing at 8.50pm and 9.50pm, also until 2 September.
Friday Sunset Dinners cost £34 including tram travel. Call 673623 for bookings.
Other evening opportunities on the electric railway include the return of Friday night trams between Douglas and Ramsey until 2 September. It is the first time for five years the service has been operating. Evening trams depart from Douglas for Ramsey at 5.40pm and 8.55pm and from Ramsey at 5.40pm and 8.40pm.
Additional trams are running to and from Laxey, with the last one departing Laxey at 10.25pm and arriving Douglas 10.55pm. See IoM Transport timetable for full details or the website: www.iombusandrail.info.

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Isle of Man wildlife team spot rare Risso's dolphins

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A team of marine experts has recorded a rare sighting of a group of Risso's dolphins off the Isle of Man coast.

The group also spotted seven minke whales and about 30 common dolphins.

The Manx Wildlife Trust (MWT) expedition, including basking shark and whale experts, took place on 27 July.

MWT Marine Officer Eleanor Stone said: "Our waters support a huge variety of marine animals and some of the most charismatic ones put on a great display for our survey teams".

Shark disappointment

The Risso's dolphins were sighted off the island's west coast.

The number of Risso's dolphins spotted near the Isle of Man has been steadily decreasing in recent years.

The number of sightings last year was a third down on 2009, with just 20 compared to 60 in previous years.

Conservationists have been recording the number of sightings to better understand their habits and behaviour.

Ms Stone added: "The only slight disappointment was the lack of basking shark sightings.

"They have been few and far between over the last couple of months because there has been no big build-up of plankton near the surface of the water, which is why we think there are no sharks at the surface either".

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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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