An Electrifying Experience - Ashton Lewis, 19.11.14, by John Slater

Ashton’s talk was billed as, ‘An illuminating talk…electricity on the Island.’ At the conclusion, I confessed to having had some doubts as to whether or not this might be too specialist for a general meeting. I readily admitted that my concern was totally unnecessary!

After a sparkling introduction by Corrie Wooding, Ashton read a brief definition of electricity. He didn’t go back quite as far as the Ancient Greeks’ discovery of static electricity when wheat chaff in the fields stuck to the amber beads of their necklaces, but very nearly! It was a useful revision of our school physics, reminding us of how curious and at times, alarming this force can be.

We gave some thought to the various forms of electricity such as current, static, and radio waves, reminding us that despite knowledge of this force stretches back several thousand years, it is really only in the last century that we have managed to harness it for our use.

By way of personal history, we learned that Ashton had served for 45 years with the MEA, before retiring four years ago. As an apprentice, he realised that he would have to improve his qualifications and studied O-levels and then A-levels in Liverpool as appropriate courses weren’t available here. Further studies took him right on to becoming a Chartered Engineer in 1976/7. His rise from apprentice to Chief Executive is the stuff of dreams but achieved through hard work and talent!

Ashton got to know Peel well, digging up the streets and installing sub-stations in the 1980’s, involved with the ‘new’ power station and in the 1990’s getting to grips with updating the whole system. The race was on to ensure a constant, dependable supply for the burgeoning communications revolution. Televisions, high – fi’s, mobiles, home computing all expanding domestic needs. Coupled to E-gaming, on-line shopping and banking, a huge investment of knowledge, infrastucture and cash was vital.

In 1893, The Manx Electric Railway had to install their own generators, embodying an electric power company. As well as supplying the trams and their own premises, wires were tapped from the overhead wires to feed some of the properties bordering the line. In 1923, a power station was suggested at Pulrose and this was built between 1929 and 1933. Electricity was supplied to Peel and five other towns. 1949 – 55 saw a rural electrification scheme, including farms, funded by the government. A few remote locations are still without supply.

1950 – 51, ‘old’ Peel power station was built and in 1984, The MEA was born – one authority for the whole island. More recently, this has combined with the water authority as a utility company. Normally, we try to keep water and electricity apart!

I hesitate to quote all the figures Ashton gave us but 1 000 km of overhead cables on 11 000 wooden poles, some still in fine condition from the 1930’s was impressive as were 1.000 substations and 100km of sub-sea cable weighing 5cwt a metre – I hope I’ve got these mixed units correct!

Questions were invited during the talk as well as after refreshments. These were so lively and well informed that we went on later than usual so that I almost had to throw people out! Numbers of the audience were specialists in power generation and supply so we all benefited.

Interest was shown in the sample cables on display, particularly in fibre optics. The importance of our 2-way link with the UK is much appreciated as, whilst being a potential back-up for us, it also earns the island a useful profit. There was also interest in the 8% generated by our energy from waste plant and the 100 000 units generated by hydro-electric power. More is available from private, ‘green’ generation.

Our next event is the Christmas party and entertainment at Peel Golf Club at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 9^th December. Tickets are still available from Corrie Wooding on 843502. You don’t have to be a member to have a wonderful evening!

“Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven”, by Bill Quine

Many may wonder why I would choose such words in connection with a Remembrance service; but then, they would not have been privileged to be at the Peel War Memorial in the Cathedral grounds on Tuesday 11th November.

No politicians or commissioners paraded, no medals were worn, but one hundred and twenty of  Peel’s finest inhabitants stood in complete silence to honour their dead.

One of their number read the poem, “In Flanders’ Fields”, whilst another dipped and raised our national flag at the appropriate time. When a trumpeter played the last post, heads were bowed and such silence reigned that all one could hear was the incessant falling of rain, reminding us of conditions in Flanders fields one hundred years ago.

Once reveille was sounded, both flag and heads were raised and the assembled company filed forward to plant poppy crosses inscribed with the names of the city’s dead until they formed an eight foot by six foot cross, laying row on row  - our men, “Remembered and not forgotten.”

The small band of observers was invited to lay a cross as a personal tribute; it was fortuitous that it was raining as it disguised the tears running from many an eye!

Who were ‘Peel’s Finest’? – The children of Peel Clothworkers’ School – our city’s hope for the future – a true credit to our community.

Many thanks were received by Peel Heritage Trust for conceiving this memorial event and to Mrs Jackson (Headmistress) and all the Clothworkers’ staff for organising the logistics, to Arthur Christian (trumpeter), the Royal British Legion for providing the Manx crosses and the Dean and Chapter for making the grounds available. The Dean closed with a prayer for all children who have been and are still being killed and damaged by war.

The children left in an impressive silence.

“A Walk With ‘Dog’ in Nepal”, John ‘Dog’ Callister, 15.10.14. by John Slater

This month’s Peel Heritage trust meeting was unusual. We’re not so insular that we don’t occasionally stray to other parts of the Island but Nepal …! How did that come about?

John ‘Dog’ has spoken to us before, usually on things Manx, such as making bumbee cages and the like. However, we knew that he was much involved with the Pahar Trust which builds, staffs and runs schools for impoverished peoples in Nepal, often with the help of Ghurkas. Since 1993, over sixty schools have been established.

A former head of Kirk Michael School, Howard Green is much involved, to the extent that Kirk Michael is now officially twinned with Ghamrang, one of the areas served by the Pahar Trust. You’ll see the road signs as you enter the village. A similar sign has now been erected in Nepal! As we saw in one of the slides, this is in a far more precarious position than a Manx roadside!

John said that he was very honoured to open Ghamrang School in 2013. He had raised £9 000, half of the total cost, by selling copper bracelets made there and other Nepalese goods. This is truly remarkable. We invited John to bring some of his sales stock with him and there was a brisk trade in the interval.

It transpired that John had to struggle with a virus on his last visit but despite this, put a brave face on things and managed the walking, travel sickness and inability to eat for the two-week trip. However, we did see a shot of him tackling the local millet beer, so that must have sustained him. It says a great deal for the total commitment of John and his colleagues who accompanied him.

Travel seemed to be an excitement in itself. We particularly liked Yeti Airlines. Perhaps they might like to start operating direct flights to the Island. This might take our minds off the loss of UK destinations such as Luton and Blackpool! Most of the roads seemed to be precarious, earthen tracks covering everything in fine dust. Presumably these become even more exciting when turned to mud.

Surprisingly, there’s some hi-tech gear available, including rickshaws with electric motors and solar panels on the roof. These would soon be put out of action in Peel by our incontinent seagulls! John was surprised when one little girl he’d shown his smart phone to, flicked through the photo’s and then raced around other apps John didn’t even know he had. Clearly, children outsmart us adults, worldwide!

It’s no good opening schools if there are no teachers, so these have to be trained and resourced and the consumables for the schools provided. Unlike so many countries, girls and boys are educated equally and all look smart in neat uniforms. How they manage to keep shirts so white in such primitive surroundings is a testament to the commitment and determination of these charming people as much as those who work for the trust.

Particularly poignant was the school for the blind. We saw one boy, born without eyes and cast out by his family because they had no means to support him. With the help of boarding, he has become a star pupil and is on his way to a worthwhile career. This presentation must give our much more fortunate children pause for thought.

Everywhere the Manx party visited the welcome of food, music and dancing was overwhelming. The happiness of people of all ages, despite what we would regard as deprivation, was striking. A lesson for us all!

It is worth noting that 97% of all monies raised is applied to the schools. Labour costs are minimal as the locals provide the labour for free.

There were many questions in the second half of the meeting and a very thoughtful audience departing. Our thanks and good wishes to John and all his colleagues.

Our next meeting is at 7.30pm in the Centenary Centre on Wednesday the 19^th November. This is billed as, ‘an electrifying experience’. Ashton Lewis is going to be a luminary on electricity in the Island. This will spark some interest!

Do ring Corrie on 843502 if you’d like to come to the Christmas dinner on the 9^th December. It’s filling up nearly as fast as we will be on the night!

‘Carve Their Names With Pride’, Bill Quine 5.10.14, by John Slater

This event, led by Bill Quine, was Peel Heritage Trust’s contribution to the Open Doors week organised by Manx National Heritage. The invitation was ‘to take part in a conducted tour around Peel’s historic graveyard, with a focus upon First World War graves and notable Peel characters.’

Peel cemetery chapel is a delightful building in a lovely elevated setting. In a previous article I had invited people to take the opportunity of viewing this from a vertical position! This must have struck a chord as the chapel was full and many said that this was their first visit and that they had no idea that the building and graveyard was so beautiful. We have left a supply of guide booklets in the chapel and a more detailed booklet hangs in the entrance porch. You will find the route easy to follow.

Bill explained to us that War Graves Commission gravestones are of identical form, worldwide. If the top has a simple curve, the combatant was killed in action, if the top has shoulders, the combatant had died subsequently as a result of their injuries. Examples of both may be seen, as illustrated in the pamphlet. The most recent example is dated 31^st May 2007 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Will there be no end to the killing!

As we had hoped, in the course of the tour, visitors added information to supplement the brief notes on the leaflet. On occasion, this was poignant when relatives were encountered and memories and associations rose to the surface.

At the conclusion of the tour, well-earned applause broke out to recognise yet another fine event organised by Bill with the support of his wife, Mary. I then invited all those present to stand for a few moments silence followed by a brief prayer for the repose of the souls of all those who gave up their lives in order give us the freedom we value so much, today. We left just before scudding black clouds shed their rain.

Our next meeting will be at 7.30pm in the Centenary Centre on Wednesday the 15^th October. John ‘Dog’ Collister makes a welcome return with, ‘A Walk With ‘Dog’ in Nepal’. Thanks to the remarkable efforts of a fine team in Kirk Michael, continuing help is given to the hill people of Nepal. Do come and enjoy a fascinating evening as well as showing our recognition of their admirable work amongst fine people struggling in harsh circumstances.

‘Cycling Anecdotes – Dot Tilbury’, 17th September 2014, by John Slater

It was my great pleasure to open the September meeting of Peel Heritage Trust by presenting a cheque for £1 139 to two representatives of the Royal British Legion for the Poppy Appeal. This was the profit from our two performances, last month of The Green Fields of France. Our thanks to the very appreciative audiences and to our sponsors, listed on the special edition of a Peel City Guardian distributed on the two nights.

Welcoming Dot is always a great pleasure. The audience was poised and expectant for what we knew would be a great evening.  Dot began by talking about her childhood fitness regime walking up and down the hill to Marown School. This was often a twice daily event when coming home for lunch.  Not many problems with obese children in those healthy days!

Dot reminisced about the times she spent in Peel, as a child. She had friends on Marine Drive and would stay there to take in the delights of the cinema and the Marine Hall.

After leaving school, she eventually went to London to broaden her experience. She must have done this all right as she arranged to stay with some long lost aunties. All that was known about them was that they were dancers. It transpired that their costumes consisted of little more than strategically placed ostrich feathers. Maybe we could acquire these accessories from the Wildlife Park for Dot’s next visit!

However, a Christmas job in Harrod’s toy department was a good start. She sold some bikes to Cilla Black, a nudge towards her future fame. She then went to Peter Robinsons and was suddenly promoted to a supervisor when her boss hit the headlines of the News of the World as the 12 times a night man, whatever that meant! I think I heard that aright! My pen was a little surprised.

After five years, the Island called and Dot returned to work for the Post Office, under Mr Slack who was a keen cyclist. Thus encouraged, she got herself a sports bike for commuting and was urged to enter sprints and 10 mile time trials and started to do rather well. She was in the world of cycling!

In no time at all, she was involved in committee work, becoming Chairman of the IOM Cycling Association.

The building of the NSC in 1991 with a suitable cycle track prompted her to start a children’s cycling club. The first night they had fourteen children. This rapidly grew with novelty triathlons of one lap running, one cycling and one in fancy dress.

The following year saw thirty-nine children taken away for contests all over Britain.

Club nights started to see more than one hundred children with strong parental support. There were events for little ones still using stabilisers or pedal toys. Dot’s enthusiasm and love continues to sweep everyone along in a great tide of enthusiasm.

Suddenly, the names tripping from Dot’s tongue, girls and boys, we now know as international and world champions. We were shown photographs of a young Mark Cavendish on his BMX bike. With a more suitable bike, Dot took him to races for 11 and 12 year olds. She asked him how he thought he’d do and he said, “I’ll win!” and he nearly did! This confidence and drive took him to the very top as World Champion. It is perhaps to the whole phalanx of Manx cycling stars from Dot’s club that accounts for the fact that there are now 790 in the club.

Such is parental commitment that parents make huge sacrifices to support their children, even down-sizing their houses! The children’s success repays this. Apparently, in one major competition, there were prizes of six fine cycles. The Manxies won 5 of them!

Dot gave us the three most important things to succeed – 1 talent, 2 to know how to win and 3, the will to win. I guess that these qualities apply to success in life in general.

International newspapers such as the Times and Telegraph fall over themselves to find and wedge themselves into the Braaid Hall for training sessions together with world-wide T.V. coverage. The Braaid may well be the centre of the cycling universe. One thing is certain - Dot is the Queen of Cycling. Long may she reign!

Our next meeting is part of the Isle of Man Heritage Open Days on Sunday, 5^th October. Meet in or at Peel Cemetery chapel at 2.30pm for ‘Carve Their Names with Pride.’ This is a conducted tour of First World War and other notable graves. Leaflets with photographs, details and a plan are available to all. If the weather is severe, it will be postponed for one week. This will also give you a chance to view the chapel and beautifully set cemetery from the vertical position!

Wednesday the 15^th October will be in the Centenary Centre at 7.30pm for John ‘Dog’ Collister, A Walk with ‘Dog’ in Nepal. This will centre on the amazing work in Kirk Michael to help the hill people of Nepal. These events are very special so do join us.

The Green Fields of France, 8th & 9th August 2014, by John Slater

The Green Fields of France was billed as, ‘A Docu-Musical Tribute to Manx Soldiers of the Great War.’ This impressive work was conceived, written and produced by a former chairman of the trust, Bill Quine. It has to be one of the most ambitious projects undertaken by us and played to good houses on the 8^th and 9th of August.

When Bill first floated the idea, I was very supportive and hopeful during the succeeding eighteen months, that Bill, the cast, musicians and technicians at the Centenary Centre would be able to pull it off. This they did, well beyond any reasonable expectation. The local content, the large cast from elderly to young children, the content, the style and quality of presentation was moving and inspiring. This was particularly poignant when letters from the front to local people were read out. Sadly, many of the writers never returned or were seriously injured.

Members of the audience were greeted by a news paper boy handing out a ‘Special Great War Edition’ of the Peel City Guardian. This will become very collectable.

A narrator tied the various elements together. It began with a graveside and a small girl laying a poppy cross.  The vicar for Peel, in period uniform, recited, “They shall not grow old……” followed by a lone trumpeter sounding the last post followed by a minute’s silence. The narrator held up a soldier’s New Testament inscribed ‘Trust Jesus’ Sapper William Fox 2317’, followed by his favourite text.

War was declared on 4^th August 1914. Little did people realise that this bloody conflict would last for four years. 8 261 Manxmen went to fight, equating to 82.3% of all Manxmen of military age, the highest percentage of any country in the British Empire. Numerous horses were also commandeered.

Period songs, many war-related, were sung by soloists and the specially assembled choir. The audience joined in with the more familiar ones. All the music was in the hands of John Elliott – always much appreciated. Roy Kennaugh read poems in Manx dialect interspersed with instrumental items.

Suddenly, to cries of Gas! Gas!,  clouds of smoke rolled across the stage accompanied by the sounds of guns and shells screaming overhead, serving to illustrate the vicious cruelty of the enemy. This was contrasted by the name of the trench recreated on stage, titled Lhen. The sound of guns and shells were realistic.

The unofficial Christmas truce of 1914 was featured together with a decree from King George the Vth that this was not to be repeated. The fear was that if the two sides saw each other as humans and even fellow Christians, the will to fight might be sapped. At this point, our bagpiper moved from the back of the theatre to the front, playing, “Silent Night.” This had a dramatic effect. The final battle scene in 1918 with accompanying loss of life was very moving.

The last scene back at the graveside with the little girl, complete with poppy petals falling, was very moving.

It was appropriate that our narrator was James Mylchreest, grandson of the late Col. Brian Mylchreest, Colonel in Chief of the Manx Regiment.

I’ve tried to capture the atmosphere of this fine production. All the cast, too numerous to list here, performed with distinction. We are grateful to our sponsors listed in the Guardian and the unstinting efforts of the Peel Centenary Centre. All profits are being donated to the Poppy Appeal. A further event to mark the war’s centenary will be a conducted tour of war graves at Peel Cemetery at 2.30pm on Sunday, 5^th October. Meet in or at the cemetery chapel. Remembrance Day will be marked by a special event on the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month at the cathedral war memorial. This will include a large number of children.

In much lighter mood, our next meeting is at 7.30pm on Wednesday, the17th September in the Centenary Centre. Dot Tilbury, the undisputed Queen of Manx Cycling will be unleashed in a presentation entitled  ‘Cycling Anecdotes’. This will appeal to all her many fans, so come early!

‘One of Our Badgers is Missing’ Katie King, by John Slater

Captivating Katie had me captivated. She said that her parents had never heard this talk and that they would be in the audience. This fazed her not one jot and I was delighted to find that her father was a pupil in Ballakermeen when I was teaching there, shortly after the dawn of time!

Katie’s presentation was based upon Manx National Heritage’s archives featuring some of the more unusual Victorian and Edwardian tourist tales. This she did with charm, vivacity and piquancy. More of the latter later!

We were soon in a world where tourism transformed the Island from a quiet farming and fishing community to one of the liveliest places in the world. Some of the quotations used to attract visitors included, “There seemed to be a gentleness about it that made one feel as if one was in Paradise.” This still can be the case, thank goodness!

The climate was described as, “exceedingly salubrious. When Governor Loch took up his post, aged just 38 in 1863 he couldn’t believe that the Island wasn’t exploiting lovely beaches, scenery and sea bathing, made popular by Queen Victoria. Loch arranged for Port Skillion to be the first official bathing creek. Douglas Corporation insisted that this would be for men only and women had to swim at Port Jack!

The only access for passengers was by Steam Packet. The crossing in the early days could be anything from 12 – 24 hours. The worst was six days! Loch insisted on improved steamers and piers.  Even so, some crossings must have been a little lively as one writer records, “There was scarcely a person in the whole of steerage who was not ‘departing’ over the side.” By 1860, crossings were down to 6 hours with the record of about 2 ½ hours!

The government got a grip of this new tourist industry following the creation of ‘holidays’ for working people. The advertisements were very attractive, by top artists. Combined rail and sail tickets cost just 1p more than the rail fare! Just as many cross channel companies do now, fares are cheap but the on-board spend of thousands of passengers ensure profitability. Any chance of this happening again!

From 1870 onwards, posters featuring beautiful girls lured young men over in droves. This in turn fired up thousands of girls who were looking for freedom from their normally restrained lives with the prospect of a love for life. Not surprisingly, a large local industry of ladies who dispensed favours for a price, developed! Public houses and dance halls flourished.

Loch had slums cleared with housing on the edge of Douglas for those displaced and had fine hotels built. He also fired up the transport system, introducing the steam trains and electric trams we enjoy today. The horse trams took care of the ‘missing link’ from the station along the prom to Derby Castle. The whole island was transformed in both appearance and prosperity.

Pleasure gardens and the glens were developed. Glen Helen had a zoo, including the legendary badger named in the title of the talk. The police dealt with this poor animal when it escaped, by shooting it! Apparently they also gunned down a monkey from elsewhere. Our wallabies had better watch out for blue, flashing lights!

I can’t do justice to this sparkling talk in an article. We’ll get Katie back!

Saturday the 12^th and Sunday the 13^th July are Peel’s Secret Gardens from 1.00 – 5.00pm. Adult admission is by the glorious programme with original art works at just £2. Accompanied children are free. Programmes are available in Peel News Centre, Mitchell’s Newsagents, in the Market Square on open days, Greeba Plant Centre, Jurby Water Gardens, Felton’s Ironmongers, Ramsey, Kirk Michael Post Office, Shamyr Hey Tea Room, Peel, Ward Library Peel, Fairfield on Tynwald Day, The Welcome Centre in Douglas. Open gardens will also have a supply.

This bi-ennial event is a highlight. There are 16 gardens to enjoy, all clearly marked and a map in the brochure.