Mann: Milntown House report and the mood music is excellent

(Youtube report here from one of Mann's most important historic houses)

I’m sticking with MTTV I found an earlier interview with Manx Gas so enjoyable I go in search of more and am not disappointed.

Paul Moulton is talking to Charles Guard at Milntown. They really are talking not shouting at each other a la ‘the rumble in the jungle interview’ prior to Xmas about their differing perceptions of Manx Radio's performance;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36G-O7RX7mg&feature=youtu.be

This is about MILNTOWN HOUSE of which Charles Guard is Chairman of the Trustees. Charles is showing of the restored Library and is obviously absolutely committed to the role of restoring ‘the big house’. Indeed his enthusiasm is infectious because by the end of the interview which includes the showing of what appears to be a picture of Juan Watterson SHK complete with wig on the wall Paul is enthusiastic and so am I.

Indeed I may go to Milntown and drink in its charms or at least try the cafe.

Ramsey is rich in such sights I recall going some years ago to the Grove when it was opened. It was described as a ‘time capsule’ of yesteryear which I found disconcerting because some of the items in the ‘capsule’ like pottery hot water bottles and eiderdowns were a feature of my youth. I immediately felt old and that was thirty years ago...goodness.

Back at Milntown there is not a trace of the car park Manx Radio angst that marked their previous encounter and Charles Guard gives a potted history of the house and some of the ongoing restoration works. He has a keenness for detail on the house which in terms of our history is an institution, But then Charles is now an institution and come to that so is Paul.

I’m so happy at the end of the piece I decide not to spoil my day by watching Julie Edge in an MTTV interview about the IOM Post Office Dispute. Anyway my Manx curse on the place yesterday seemed to work as no mail arrived on the Island. Maybe I should focus the curses and include the Treasury. Mona Douglas that great cultural icon of Manx life and tradition was a great believer in the old ways maybe she was onto something...why did I get rid of that book of Manx Customs I’m always throwing things away!

Bernard Moffatt

Celtic League