27 February 2010

Annual General Meeting, and talk by Pat Skillicorn

A dreadful evening - sleet, and snow, an annual meeting and yet still a good crowd in the Centenary Centre. True, we also had Pat Skillicorn giving us one of her splendid talks in the second half as a sweetener, if any were needed. It’s very comforting to enjoy such a level of support from intrepid people of all ages, including two in their 90’s!

Mike Berry welcomed us all and we moved swiftly through the formal agenda. Minutes were approved and signed before Mike gave his report on the year’s activities. This included pleasure at the recent award of the Island’s top, national cultural award of the RBV to Joan Caine for her services to the Manx language and related activities. In congratulating her, we were reminded that this was the third award to Peel - Robbie Farrer RBV and Les Quilliam RBV being previous recipients. These represent a mere tip of an iceberg in this centre of the nation’s cultural heritage.

A survey of the year’s activities and warm thanks to all our speakers, committee members and the Centenary centre for hosting us so splendidly, brought Mike’s second term of office to a jubilant end.

Richard Banyard, our treasurer and membership secretary presented a very encouraging set of accounts and membership figures.

Committee elections added Jane Killey and Corrie Wooding.

The Peel City Guardian newspaper has grown in size and popularity. We actually sold out the last edition in a few days, which is pleasing in some ways but a disappointment if you missed out. We’re going to increase the print run for April but get in quickly!

The open part of the meeting brought some splendid suggestions for future meetings.

It now fell to me, to thank Mike Berry for his ten years of service on the committee. One usually delivers a panegyric following someone’s demise. What a treat to do this when the recipient is still very much alive! I feared that when Mike retired as head of the Clothworkers’ School, we would lose him and his dynamism, but not so. A chairman who leads from the front, including mundane tasks such as preparations for parties is hard to find. Mike will no longer serve on the committee but will be concentrating on his local involvement ‘over the bridge’ but has promised to visit whenever he can. Thanks and good luck!

With worsening weather, we waved Mike off, enjoyed our refreshments and I had the pleasure of introducing one of our regular, local speakers, Pat Skillicorn.

Pat’s talk on Peel’s Wesleyan Chapel and Guild Room was fascinating. This ranged over the buildings, and the little known burial ground from 1839. Much effort, even then, was dedicated to try and keep youngsters profitably occupied and not going astray. The Minister in 1887 said that, “Only Eternity will judge as to whether or not they had been successful.” This still applies!

Next meeting, THURSDAY, 18th March in the Methodist Chapel. Eddie Lowey will reveal more ‘Memories of Childhood’.


John Slater

24 February 2010

Programme for 2010-11

Wed 5th May 2010 Mr Geoff Corkish, M.B.E., M.H.K. "From steam to hot air" 7:30pm, Centenary Centre.

Sat June 10th 2010 "A tour of Lynague" with Mr Ian Faulds. Time to be decided.

Sat July 10th and Sun July 11th 2010 "Secret Gardens"

Wed Sept 8th 2010 A talk by Canon Brian Kelly. 7:30pm, Centenary Centre.

Tues Oct 12th 2010 An informal chat by Mr and Mrs Bernie Quayle, 7:30pm, Wesleyan Chapel.

Tues Nov 9th 2010 A talk by Mr Edmund Southworth, Director of M.N.H. 7:30pm, Centenary Centre.

Tues Dec 14th 2010 Christmas party, Corrin Hall 7:30pm.

Tues Jan 11th 2011 Andrew Johnson, M.N.H. "Finds at the Airport" 7:30pm Centenary Centre

Tues Feb 8th 2011 A.G.M. followed by a talk by Mrs Jennifer Leece 7:30pm, Centenary Centre

Tues March 8th 2011 "A Magical slide show" by Mr Scottie Keith 7:30pm, Centenary Centre

Tues April 12th 2011 Mr Michael Hoy M.B.E. "A talk about King William's College" 7:30pm, Centenary Centre.

17 February 2010

Peel Architecture and Landscape……26th January 2010

Wow – what an evening! More than ninety of us knew that we were in for a very special treat and all but filled the Centenary Centre.

Pat Tutt, one of our local architects and specialist architectural photographer who once had a practice in Peel before lecturing at the Isle of Man College, was our star of the evening. Her love of the ancient city of Peel and its setting shone through her presentation.

We were invited to consider a wide range of attributes of the built and natural environment and the effects they have on our well-being. This goes far beyond the layout of particular buildings and their fitness for purpose. Consideration was given to their juxtaposition, nestling up, in old Peel, like good friends supporting and sheltering each other. Deliberately narrow, twisty streets breaking the force of sea gales, driving spray and sand. These early builders knew what they doing. Compare this to the featureless, windswept, desolate estates attempting to strangle this gorgeous, ancient place. Why aren’t those responsible rammed into spiked barrels and rolled down Peel Hill? This last comment is mine, by the way and certainly not aimed at those living there for want of anything else on the market! Many old Peel properties change hands long before reaching the agents, such is the intensity of demand!

The opening slide was of the now intensely yellow building abutting St Peter’s churchyard. We are growing increasingly fond of this striking colour as with the splendid orange on a cottage at the head of Station Road hill. This intense vibrancy of colour is reminiscent of some Mediterranean towns. Thought needs to be given to neighbouring colours, of course.

The talk began with a potted history of Peel from earliest recorded time with defensive structures and religious sites on what is now known as St Patrick’s Isle. The ancient cathedral and proposed 19th c. plans to restore it, as on Iona, were studied. If only……..!

The progression from a fishing and trading port, surrounded by farmsteads, to a tourist centre were illustrated by gorgeous photographs of fine quality. Each was imaginative, capturing not just a scene or a building but also its unique atmosphere.

The renowned artist, Archibald Knox , in 1896, valued Peel as the most attractive place in Man. The author, Hall Caine was equally complimentary.

The architect, Gordon Cullen, 1914 –94 produced a wonderful scheme for enhancing Peel, creating public spaces and enhancing existing buildings and vistas. Pat showed us some of his scheme and we hope to have this, with more of Pat’s work on display before too long. The T.V. presenter, Dan Cruickshank, praised Cullen’s work. Pat said that the time had come for a serious re-appraisal of Peel, particularly with regard to traffic being given precedence to people.

Next meeting, Tuesday, 23rd February, 7.30pm, in the Centenary Centre. Our famous AGM will be followed by Pat Skillicorn. Don’t be left out!