Valerie Caine's blog

The Manx Year, albeit with some minor adjustments, was a singular opportunity to reflect on a whole host of cultural celebrations through the medium of music, song, poetry, dance and drama.

Held at the Centenary Centre in Peel, the evening's entertainment was compèred by Annie Kissack, well known to many in the Manx cultural circle and beyond, more particularly since her year as the Manx Bard.

A recent musical adaptation of the book M is for Manx Cat recently finished its tour of Island venues at the Centenary Centre, with many families enjoying an ingenuous interpretation of the alphabet.

Created by local author Gemma Hjerth and illustrated by Kim Gee, the story revolves around two young children and their Manx granny - and her endeavours to read them an unusual bedtime story. But this is no ordinary tale, as granny takes them, and her audience, on a whirlwind journey through the alphabet; with each letter representing a significant aspect of the Isle of Man.

This absorbing publication, issued to mark the fortieth anniversary of the Tynwald Millennium celebrations, offers a unique insight into the history of the Isle of Man from a Norwegian perspective, and a fresh perception from an outsider's point of view.

Written by Jon Leirfall (1899 - 1998), it was launched at a small get-together by Culture Vannin in St John's with the blessing of his family.

A recent exhibition at the Manx Museum in Douglas reflected upon the work of the artist William Hoggatt, who spent many years living on the Isle of Man.

Born and educated in Lancaster, Hoggatt spent more than fifty years living and working on the Island and was said to have described himself as 'almost a Manxman'.

A number of students of Manx language and folklore have travelled to the Island over time to learn more about our unique traditions and native tongue, with some writing up their findings - many of which still survive.

Karl Roeder's Manx Notes and Queries, reproduced here under the title Ghosts, Bugganes and Fairy Pigs, was first published in book form in 1904, but was also available as a column in the Isle of Man Examiner.

The Manx Gaelic song album under the title of Sollys (light) was originally released in 2012, gathering together thirty much-loved Island songs and some lesser known examples.

Mainly unaccompanied, this special album features fourteen well-known singers and concentrates on a selection of solos, duets and trios together with a choral piece from local Manx Gaelic choir, Caarjyn Cooidjagh. The album re-introduces a wide range of traditional material which can be found in local manuscript collections.

Members and supporters of the Archibald Knox Forum gathered at the grave of the famous Manx born designer, situated in Braddan New Cemetery, to commemorate the anniversary of his death.

Director of the Archibald Knox Forum, Chris Hobdell, recited a short prayer at the grave-side before placing a floral tribute at the distinctive stone - initially designed by the artist for another family.

With spring (hopefully) just around the corner, the anticipation of a stroll amongst the snowdrops followed by afternoon tea, was a welcome diversion from the winter storms.

Organised by the hard-working team at St James Church in Dalby, a leisurely walk amongst the snowdrops attracts an annual, dedicated number of followers.

Local author, Derek Winterbottom, has written several books concerning different aspects of the Isle of Man, but he has now focused his attention towards two remarkable women who devoted their lives to an all consuming passion.

Both Sophia Morrison and Mona Douglas undoubtedly played a crucial role in the survival and continuity of the Island's language, folklore and other traditional elements of Manx life; but here we have a book which brings them together in printed form and explores their lives on an intimate basis.

Local group Clash Vooar will soon be heading to Denmark to represent the Isle of Man in the thirteenth edition of Liet International Festival, amongst a line-up of twenty participants representing regional and minority languages.

Most members of the group, described as having a gypsy/jazz groove, reside in the west of the Island, with regular gigs at both the Centenary Centre and The Whitehouse in Peel, and were selected by an international jury from an extensive list of forty five potential entries - reflecting a growing interest in the Liet International Festival.