Keys and Cuffs

Keys and Cuffs
The Inside Stories
The History of the Isle of Man / Manx Prisons
1417 – 2008

This is the first comprehensive history of the Manx Penal System covering the 500 year period of the use of the Islands two castles as prisons, prior to the building of a purpose built prison in Douglas, the Island’s New Capital in 1891. This prison was closed in 2008 and prisoners moved to a new £40 Million prison at Jurby in the North of the Island.

The book, written by N. D. Quilliam – a former Manx prison officer, gives a detailed account of social history and daily routines. The 16 chapters and appendix cover all aspects including a detailed article on the last execution in 1872. It has 45 photographs, maps and letters, including one from the Hang Man.

Crime has been with us since man was first created, and unfortunately will continue, but the prison system helps to reduce crime. This book gives you the insights to a life behind bars!

Mannifest Live – Music and Film Garden Party

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, you probably don’t know about Mannifest, the music and film garden party that’s taking place at The Nunnery on the 14th and 15th August. With talent like Kosheen, Easy Stars All-Stars and local talent like Planes Over Paris, the festival is designed to be a celebration of art and energy, right here in the Isle of Man.

So, “What will there be to do?” you may ask. Well, without any further ado, here’s the line-up:

Friday Main Stage

• 17:00 Maldune
• 17:50 Chris Beauman
• 18:05 Zara Sophia
• 18:30 Jeceris
• 19:20 Paul Freeland
• 19:40 Good times with henry wood
• 20:25 Laura Goucher
• 20:40 Planes Over Paris
• 21:30 Orca
• 10:30 Kosheen (live)

Saturday Main Stage

• 12:00 The Lotus Project
• 12:30 Helen Morrison
• 12:50 Camden sporting arts and social club
• 13:30 Curious Turtles
• 13:50 Dub Heart
• 14:35 Strengyn
• 14:50 Nigel Williams
• 15:30 Ryan Inglis and friends
• 16:00 Anthony Battersby
• 16:15 Vex Mama
• 17:15 Grambo
• 17:45 Tommy Cole
• 18:05 The Behavers
• 18:55 Dave from The Zutons with Tony Davis
• 19:25 Uber Room
• 20:15 Paul Wright
• 21:05 Lost Soldiers
• 22:00 Easy Star All-Stars

Friday Dance Tent

• 17:00 Day of Hugs DJ’s
• 19:00 Remedy DJ’s (Jungle)
• 20:00 Kosheen DJ’s
• 21:30 Jay Bessant Vs 7Quidstudio
• 10:30 Kosheen (played through rig)

Saturday Dance Tent

• 12:00 Magnus the Massuer
• 12:40 NA NA Matt Shepard
• 13:00 Sonic Jihad
• 14:00 DJ Cav
• 15:00 Nick Lowe
• 16:00 Christian Claige
• 17:00 Barry Fearon
• 18:00 Bill Norman
• 19:30 The Head Gardener
• 21:00 Stiff Kittens (Sonia)
• 10:30 Easy Star All-Stars (through rig)

An Adult 2-day ticket starts at £50 if you book it online (subject to a booking fee), but if you’re not sure you can make it, you can take a chance and try and get them at the door. They’re more expensive here and you may not get a ticket if the event sells out. Have a great time!

Computer drop-in centre for disabled set up

Isle of Man BCS members have created a computer drop-in centre primarily for people with disabilities at the Leonard Cheshire Disability Centre in Onchan on the Isle of Man.

It’s very easy to take the availability of IT for granted. It’s often hard to imagine that there are people who have never used a computer, or indeed seen or had the ability to access the internet.

Leonard Cheshire Disability Centre is now able to offer disabled and older people in their community the access to IT facilities many people take for granted.

BCS Members worked with Keith Fitton, Service Manager of Leonard Cheshire, to ensure that the critical items were secured for the drop-in centre. BCS Members Nick Smith from Phoenix IT, John Cannell from RBS, Tracy Kinrade from Central Software and Peter Jackson from Open Systems Management worked together to plan, source and install all the IT requirements needed for four disabled users at the centre.

The idea of the computer drop-in centre was to meet three requirements:

1. Provide a facility where disabled people can simply come along for an element of social activity while they surf the internet or check their email and perhaps do their shopping online.
2. Offer an opportunity to develop completely new skills for people who have not used computers before.
3. Enable the process of supporting disabled people along the path either to further education or employment.

Other local Manx companies have supported the scheme to enable the project team to get the centre up and running. These include Cains Advocates, which purchased flexible computer desks that can be adjusted to allow wheel chair users to sit comfortably while working on the computer.

Gary Shilling from Wi-Manx donated a router and provided ADSL internet access, while Timberland flooring transformed the centre by donating a new floor, which is more wheel chair friendly. GamesMaster of Ramsey donated a Wii game station.

Tracy Kinrade from Central Software commented: ‘New technology has great potential to overcome barriers in education, the workplace and social life for disabled and older people.
The project team were all delighted to be involved and excited that this facility will provide its many users with the facilities and access to the world which we all take for granted.’

The centre was opened by the island’s Department of Health and Social Security Chief Executive David Killip, who said: ‘It’s clearly going to be a wonderful facility.’

Recipe: Manx Queenies and Stilton

The Manx Queenie, or Queen Scallop, is one of the delicacies that one can savour on the Isle of Man. And once a year, the Isle of Man Queenie Fesitval is held to celebrate this delicate and savoury morsel that can be prepared in a variety of ways. Here’s one recipe that they have offered us to add to ManxVoice:

Ingredients:

• 454g Manx Queenies
• 100g Stilton
• 250ml Double Cream
• 100ml White Wine
• Salt and Pepper
• Vegetable Oil for Cooking

Method:

1. Place a frying pan on a high heat and add small amount of oil.
2. Add Manx Queenies to the pan and cook quickly for 2-3mins.
3. Place Manx Queenies in a dish , then place pan back on heat and add white wine.
4. Reduce wine by half, add cream and bring to the boil.
5. Reduce heat and crumble in stilton. Do not re-boil as it will split.
6. Return Manx Queenies to the pan allow to heat back through, season to taste.
7. Serve in a dish with crusty bread and salad.

That sounds really yummy, and you’re all welcome to try it. And, if you have a Queenie recipe you’re proud of, you can submit it to their Queenie Recipe competition for a chance to £100 worth of seafood.

The Queenie Festival starts on the 29th June this year. We’ll bring you more details closer to the event.

The Comedy Club – Thursday 28th May

Whoop, cheer and put your hands together for another hilarious night of comedy with The Comedy Club at Villa Marina & Gaiety Theatre on Thursday 28th May. So sit back and enjoy 3 top comedians as seen on TV and get stuck in with the unique Comedy Club Joke Competition on the night. With FREE membership at www.hahaheehee.com, there has never been a better time to enjoy the comedy club: receive club discounts, win free tickets and get all the comedy gossip free each month.

MC – Danny Buckler
A truly “magic” comedian, Danny Buckler is fast establishing himself as one of the most popular performers on the circuit, be it as a stand-up, improvisational actor, magician or all-round performer. Having worked both nationally and in an acclaimed sell-out show in the West End with Victoria Wood and Imelda Staunton, on television, he has appeared alongside the Dead Ringers, on Dinner Ladies and as a frontline presenter of The Secret of Magic.

In 2003 Danny made his Edinburgh Festival debut at the prestigious Edinburgh Assembly Rooms in an extremely successful double-hander with fellow magician, Mandy Muden. 2004 and 2005 have seen Danny fronting the BBC 1 prime-time Saturday night specials, ‘Secrets of Magic’, alongside John Lenehan, and Etienne Pradier.

Act 1 – Victor Daniels
Victor started his stand-up career in 1999 and hasn’t looked back since, becoming a regular in the circuit’s top venues such as The Comedy Store, Jongleurs, Comedy Café, Comedy Club,Up The Creek and the Hackney Empire.

His comedy has seen him perform in New York and reach the finals of some of the UK’s best known comedy competitions. He has also featured as a writer on the BBC’s Gina Yashere Show and the Angie Le Mars sketch show ‘Big Sister’.

He is the creator, writer and director of the highly successful Hackney Empire The United Colours of Comedy, which is now being developed by the BBC New Comedy Unit.

He is also a regular at the live ‘BBC Comedy Presents’ shows in the Soho Revue Bar.

Headline – Mark Maier
Mark Maier has been in the comedy game so long and is so good at it he’s even been running courses in the art since 1994. Having taught improvisational comedy in London and founded the group MadLib, he is a regular of the world renowned Comedy Store Players, alongside the likes of Josie Lawrence, Jim Sweeney and Paul Merton. A multi-talented, mercurial comedian, he retains an edge that still makes him one of the most must-see acts on the circuit. A familiar face on TV and radio, he has written and appeared for such diverse shows as Dating The Enemy, Edinburgh Nights, Rory Bremner, Quando Quando Quando and The Sunday Service.

Lady Isabella (Great Laxey Wheel)

There are few images more iconic of the Isle of Man than that of Lady Isabella, the massive water wheel in Laxey. Erected in 1854, this is still the largest operational water wheel in world, a title which is unlikely to ever be challenged again. The Great Laxey wheel was mostly the product of Manx endeavour. Although the wheel’s axle was forged in Liverpool, it was designed by a Manx engineer (Robert Casement), the iron rims were made in Douglas and the timbers were shaped by Manx artisans. As you can imagine with something this size, it was assembled on the Island and commissioned in September 1854. This was cutting edge technology at the time and it’s awesome to see that it is still maintained and operational to this day.

The wheel was commissioned to pump water from the nearby Laxey mines when they were used to mine lead, copper, zinc and even silver in the past. When the mines closed in 1929, Mr Edwin Kneale, a Laxey builder stepped in to buy the wheel which was scheduled to be scrapped. He operated the wheel as a tourist attracting until the cost of maintaining the wheel meant it was no longer commercial viable to do this. It was then purchased by the Manx Government in 1965 when it was then restored to its former glory and handed over to the Manx National Heritage to operate as a National Heritage Site.

Here are some facts and figures about the Laxey Wheel:

• The wheel has a diameter of 72 feet 6 inches (22.10 m).
• The wheel has a circumference of almost 228ft (69.43 m).
• The wheel is 6 feet (1.83m) wide.
• The wheel as 48 wooden spokes.
• The wheel has 168 buckets.
• The wheel produces 200 horse power.
• The Great Laxey Wheel took 4 years to build.
• It’s peak operating capacity is 250 gallons per minute from a depth of 1500 feet.
• The wheel was nicknamed Lady Isabella after the wife of a former Lieutenant Governor, Charles Hope.

Laxey Wheel

Lady Isabella is usually open to visitors between April and October, though it’s worth keeping in mind that it’s best to visit in good weather as there’s little shelter and climbing to the top of the wheel can be tricky in windy weather. There are a number of rambling trails through Glen Moar where visitors can learn about the mining history of the area and even stop for a picnic.

If you don’t have the opportunity to visit the wheel, you can find a panoramic view of the Laxey Wheel on the Manx National Heritage site.

(Laxey Wheel photo courtesy of ManxScenes)

Manx Athlete in Mr Britain Competition

It’s always great to see the Isle of Man being represented on an international stage and this year we will have an entry in a prestigious body building competition. Nuno Figueira, a local gym instructor will be taking part in the Mr Britain competition later this year, a challenge which could also give him a shot at participating at the prestigious Mr Universe contest.

Nuno has been living in the Isle of Man for the last 5 years during which time he started training and became a qualified gym instructor. He is originally from Madeira, a Portuguese island slightly larger than the Isle of Man but much more densely populated. He currently works at Body Shack, a fitness centre in Kingswood Grove, Douglas, and you can also find him minding the door at Bordello over the weekend.

The initial event is scheduled for the 17th May which consists of the NABBA (National Amateur Bodybuilder’s Association) qualifier in Southport. If Nuno is successful in this competition he could proceed to the Mr. Britain competition two weeks later on the 30th May and could also potentially qualify for the WFF Mr. Universe.

Nuno can be seen here flanked by Richard and Steven from Body Shack who will be helping Nuno in his efforts by sponsoring his health supplements and personal training.

ManxVoice would like to add our best wishes to that of Nuno’s fans and supporters and wish him the best of luck in his forthcoming competition. We’ll keep you posted with any news we get.

Ellan Vannin

Have you ever heard the poem entitled Ellan Vannin by Eliza Craven Green? It’s a lovely poem written in the 1800s that embodies the beauty of the Island and has sometimes been referred to as the alternative Manx national anthem.

When the summer day is over
And the busy cares have flown,
Then I sit beneath the starlight
With a weary heart. alone,
And there rises like a vision,
Sparkling bright in nature’s glee,
My own dear Ellan Vannin
With its green hills by the sea.

Then I hear the wavelets murmur
As they kiss the fairy shore,
Then beneath the em’rald waters
Sings the mermaid as of yore,
And the fair Isle shines with beauty
As in youth it dawned on me,
My own dear Ellan Vannin
With its green hills by the sea.

Then mem’ries sweet and tender
Come like music’s plaintive flow,
Of someone in Ellan Vannin
That lov’d me long ago,
So I give with tears and blessings,
And my fondest thoughts to thee,
My own dear Ellan Vannin
With its green hills by the sea.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. If you’re musically inclined you can find the words of Ellan Vannin set to music by J. Townsend on the Manx Notebook.

Kind thanks to Peter Killey from ManxScenes for the lovely photos of the Isle of Man shown alongside the poem.

Isle of Man Limo

Picture the scene. You’re lying on your back staring up at the stars with your partner lying next to you, champagne at your hand and soft music in the background. You take a deep breath, rise to your feet and walk your partner slowly back to the stretch limousine waiting for you down the road. It’s your wedding anniversary and you wanted to surprise your loved one with a moonlight picnic in a secluded corner of the Island. Your limousine picked you up from home took you for a peaceful trip around the Island, then left you to your privacy at a romantic spot, alone with a glass of chilled champagne. It’s now time to go back home, and your ride is waiting to take you home in style.

This is just one of the many types of trips that can by organised by Chauffeur Drive, a Manx company that specialises in high quality transport that can be booked for trips, parties, outings or airport pick ups. Whether you’re collected with the top-end Jaguar or with their stretch limousine you can be guaranteed a pleasurable trip, in the highest quality transport available on the Isle of Man.

The limo is the ultimate in luxury on wheels. It can accommodate 8 people and boasts laser and mood lighting, 2 TVs, CD, DVD, PS2 and Karaoke. All these can be configured to your liking and can be adjusted to suit any mood and occasion. The vehicle can also be rented for a booze cruise around the Isle of Man. This is a 4 hour trip around the Island stopping anywhere you wish. Complimentary bubbly, ice and glasses are provided as part of the package. It’s also available for weddings, parties and any other occasion that you may require.

If you don’t want to splash out, the company also has an executive Jaguar available for private hire at standard taxi rates. This has a really smooth ride and offers a luxurious journey which won’t break the bank. It’s fully air conditioned, with a tasteful leather interior and a really comfortable ride.

Chauffeur Drive are always happy to adapt their services to whatever you need, so if you are looking for a stylish ride, send them a message on their website or give them a call on 07624-472658.

Milner’s Tower

Standing on Port Erin’s sandy beach, one of the landmarks that is clearly visible is Milner’s Tower, sitting proudly upon Bradda Head. Milner’s Tower is easily accessible from Port Erin just by following Tower Road all the way to it’s end. Once you reach the tower you can climb up the 40 steps inside it and enjoy amazing views of the surrounding landscape, and breathtaking view out to sea.

Milner’s Tower was built in 1871 in honour of William Milner, known as “The Godfather of Port Erin”. Milner, a safemaker from Liverpool, who moved to the Isle of Man shortly after 1860. Milner came to the Island following a tragic accident in Burnley where a public demonstration of the strength of one of his safes resulted in the death of a young boy. Milner, full of remorse, retired to the Isle of Man and set up a number of charities to help local residents, particularly poverty-stricken fishermen. The tower was built out of local slate as a memorial “to his many charities”. To commemorate Milner’s heritage, the tower was built in the shape of a key, with a spiral staircase inside.

The tower was meant to be built in secret as a surprise, but once Milner found out he donated much of the building cost. Milner contributed to Port Erin even after his death, St. Catherine’s church in Port Erin was erected around 1879 with money from Milner’s will.

Milner’s Tower

Milner’s Tower is only a short walk from Port Erin and if you’re visiting the south of the Island, it’s well worth a visit. After you have taken a look, you can walk through Bradda Glen along the coastal path or explore the surrounding area.

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