Manx Radio's Island Life Series - Specials

Sir Barry Gibb chats to Manx Radio's Chris Pearson and Christy DeHaven about his life, the BeeGees and growing up on the Isle of Man!

John Moss takes a look at the history of the ancient Tynwald Ceremony at St John's.

She's back - Siobhán Fletcher marks Pride month 2025 with a special documentary episode of Island Life. Back in 2023, we heard from the likes of Alan Shea and Hazel Hannan in our series 'A Brief History of Pride'.Now, a short verbatim documentary exploring the history of the Isle of Man leading up to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1992 has been released online.Directed by John Craine, and funded by BFI Doc Society, The Guardian and Isle of Man Arts Council, "No Man Is An Island" was primarily filmed here on the Island last year - and we went along to the set!In this episode, we hear more from members of the cast, producer Diarmuid Hughes, and find out the details on where to watch the film as part of the Island's first ever Pride film festival, which gets underway next week in Port St Mary.You can buy tickets to 'Pride on Screen' here - Port St Mary Business Association event tickets from TicketSource.And you can stream 'No Man Is An Island' here - No Man Is an Island: a British society and its historic push for gay rights | Pride | The Guardian

H explores the fascinating "Hear Us" project, its links with author Malcolm Lowry, and the sounds under the sea . .

Explores the legacy of Beryl Swain, the first woman to race in the TT, and a local band’s musical tribute raising funds for the Island’s hyperbaric chamber.

H looks back at some of Manx Radio's recent output which you may have missed - from memories of VE Day to Dodgeball via Wetherspoons!

As we celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe on 8 May 1945 - we hear from children at Laxey and The Dhoon Schools, and students from Castle Rushen High School and Ramsey Grammar School who have all been researching past generations of their families who were involved in the 2nd World War. What's their reaction to the stories they've discovered?There's also some wonderful archive material from Laxey School 30 years ago - and a treasured diary tells the story of a very different celebration on another Island.Some of this material has been taken from the VE Day 80th Anniversary Concert recorded in the Villa Marina Royal Hall on Thursday 8 May 2025. The complete Concert is available as a podcast here in Manx Radio's Island Life Series - Specials.

The Drumhead Service held in the Villa Marina Royal Hall as part of the Island's commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of VE Day - Victory in Europe. Before the Drumhead Service there was a Commemorative Concert, which is available as a podcast in this Island Life Series.

The complete concert to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day - held in the Villa Marina on 8 May 2025. The concert was followed by a Drumhead Service which is available as a separate podcast.

To mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Christy Dehaven takes a trip into the Manx Radio archives to bring you extracts from a programme first broadcast in 1995, presented by the late Roger Watterson, to mark the 50th anniversary in 1995. There's also another chance to hear some Ramsey residents sharing their memorable and very poignant memories of the Second World War.

This week marks Deaf Awareness Week. According to the Manx Deaf Society, one in six people are experiencing signs of hearing loss. Earlier this year the organisation held a Hearing Off Awareness On event to show hearing people what’s it like for those with difficulties to get around to the high street.Channelle Sukhoo was there.

Join H as he looks back at a selection of Manx Radio's vast and varied output over the last couple of weeks! There's more than you think!

Chris Pearson dons his PPE and jumps onboard to experience the RNLI's winter helicopter winching operation with the Air Force, the first for some years.

Christian Jones sits down with the Treasury Minister Dr Alex Allinson for an extended interview about the Isle of Man Budget 2025

It’s been four years since the last round of local authority elections were held on the Island and seven constituencies elected new members to these boards. But what does it take to be a commissioner or councillor and why should we care about our local authorities? Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper finds out more, chatting to the current Leader of Douglas Council Claire Wells, Garff Commissioner Melanie Christian, Ramsey Commissioner Lamara Craine, Peel Commissioner and former DOI Minister Ray Harmer, as well as former commissioners and current MHKs Michelle Haywood and Lawrie Hooper.

Scottish author, screenwriter and former Isle of Man resident George Macdonald Fraser is best known for a series of works that featured the character 'Flashman', but he also wrote the 'Octopussy' screenplay and numerous other books. Manx Radio's Terry Cringle - who also read the eulogy at Fraser's funeral in 2008 - took the opportunity to sit down with him and ask about his life and career.

This Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD), January 27th, marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp complex. The theme this year is 'For a Better Future', with organisers saying it's an opportunity for people to come together, learn both from and about the past, and take actions to make a better future for all. In this special Island Life, we take the time to pause and remember them. We hear from holocaust survivors, and Siobhán Fletcher speaks to the Deputy Director and Head of Research at London's Wiener Holocaust Library, Dr Christine Schmidt.

In the week that started with 'Blue Monday', we take a deep dive into the increasingly popular obsession of plunging into the Big Blue. Often referred to as “cold water therapy”, just how therapeutic is it, really? Christy DeHaven speaks to regular dippers, experts and members of the Island’s medical community to find out more.

Howard Parkin (MBE!) talks to Christy DeHaven, giving us a heads up on what we can expect to see in the Island’s Night Skies in 2025. From eclipses to occultations, aurora to meteor showers, there's plenty to keep us occupied as we look up over the next 12 months.

What is safeguarding - and what do the teams across the Island who work in this area do on a day-to-day basis to keep our most vulnerable people safe? That's the question Siobhán Fletcher is asking in this special Island Life programme. We’ll hear from the various agencies who make up the MASH and find out how they’d tackle a real case.If you think you or someone you know is being exploited or is at risk of being exploited, Contact the Isle of Man Constabulary on 01624 631212 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You can also call the NSPCC Children's Helpline on 0808 800 5000.If you are a child or young person and want to speak to someone anonymously you can contact Crimestoppers' Fearless service through its website.And if you're here on the Island and want to speak to the Head of Safeguarding call 642602.The Safeguarding Children Duty Line is on 642697, and the Children's Initial Response Team (social care) is on 686179. 

BBC continuity announcer and presenter of the shipping forecast, Amanda Litherland, talks to Manx Radio's Chris Pearson about the forecast, what it means to people, her career and growing up here on the Isle of Man. 

A woman whose mum was abandoned in Ballure Glen near Ramsey as a baby nearly 80 years ago believes she may have traced the family names of her birth grandparents.Mary Ramsey, who was later adopted and renamed Stephanie Taylor (née French), was raised in the UK where she lived until her death in 2012.Her daughter Lorraine Berry has now used DNA tracing to find out more about her biological family.

January 11th 2025 marks 25 years since the Solway Harvester sank off the Isle of Man, with the loss of all on board. RNLI crewmen John McCreadie and Peter Cowin, Captain Stephen Carter of Laxey Towing Co and Dudley Butt, former Detective Chief Inspector of the Isle of Man Constabulary, along with Manx Radio reporter Dave Moore, recall the events of the tragedy.

William relives some of his favourite interviews and features from TT 2024.

H with his round up of the worst of Manx Radio from 2024. We're getting better. Apparently . .

She was as Manx as the hills, and when she died in Spring 2024, tributes poured in for Margaret Curphey, placing her firmly among the leading opera stars of her generation.Returning to the Island in 1980 with husband Philip Summerscales and daughter Helen, she soon established herself as an inspirational teacher.On 1st November 2024 a tribute concert to celebrate the professional opera career of Margaret Curphey, was held in St Andrew's United Reformed Church in Douglas. Music was by Glenfaba Choral conducted by Margaret's sister, Muriel Corkish with solo performances from Kristene Sutcliffe, Simon Fletcher, Neil Taverner, and members of the Kilgallon family. The compere was Glenfaba Choral member Alan Gelling. The choir was accompanied by Jean James and the soloists by Graham Kirkland.Helen Summerscales talks about her Mother's rise to fame in the opera world and this has been mixed with Margaret's own voice, talking about those early years, in conversation with Geraldine Jamieson in a recording made in 1980. Note - this archive material has only very recently been found and was not part of the tribute concert in November.This podcast is only EDITED HIGHLIGHTS of the concert. THE CONCERT IN FULL is available as a two-part podcast - it's in Manx Radio's Island Life Series - Specials - search for ECHOES OF EXCELLENCE - THE TRIBUTE CONCERT IN FULL, PART ONE and PART TWO

The complete concert recorded in St Andrew's United Reformed Church, Douglas on 1st November 2024 - a tribute to opera legend MARGARET CURPHEY (Margaret Summerscales following her marriage to Philip) who died in the Spring of 2024.The full concert features :Glenfaba Chorale conducted by Margaret's sister, Muriel Corkish and accompanied by Jean JamesSoloists Kristene Sutcliffe, Simon Fletcher, Neil Taverner and members of the Kilgallon family - all accompanied by Graham KirklandThe compere is Alan Gelling and the concert includes the recorded voice of Margaret Curphey both singing and talking about her professional life - together with a tribute from her daughter Helen.There is also a vote of thanks by Glenfaba Chairman Charles Fargher and a word from John Knight of the Forget Me Not Trust which fully funds the Island's Admiral Nurses who specialise in dementia care and who were a great support to the Summerscales family in the last years of Margaret's life. The proceeds of a raffle, and donations given on the night in lieu of an admission charge, were all given to the Trust.An edited version of this concert (approx 58 minutes in length) is also available as a podcast in the Manx Radio Island Life series

The wettest April day on record, the warmest May on record, a summer that never really got going and a battering from Storm Darragh, we've certainly witnessed a variety of weather throughout 2024.Ben Hartley and Senior Forecaster at Ronaldsway Met Office Kirsty Pendlebury look back at the big weather events of the last 12 months.

To celebrate the appointment this year of the tenth Manx Bard, H gathers together the nine living bards for a chat and of course some festive poetry. Warning: It's not all happy!

Rhian Evans brings you a spooky story for Christmas Eve.

Tom Cain and Lisa Smith take a trip to the movies to enjoy some festive films and soundtracks from down the years.

It’s not every day you get to celebrate your 200th birthday. But that’s exactly what the Royal National Lifeboat Institution has been up to this year! As the huge milestone year comes to a close, Siobhán Fletcher looks back at how and why the RNLI come into existence. She also takes a tour of Manx National Heritage’s ‘All at Sea’ exhibition, held at the House of Manannan, to explore the pillars of the RNLI’s foundation.(With thanks to the RNLI, and Allison Fox at MNH.)

Almost 3 years since his accident on the Switchback Rd, the Kirk family can now celebrate Christmas with returning son Lockie in their community-built Peel home. Chanelle Sukhoo, who has followed Lockie's journey and progress, pops in to Ballalockie for a Christmas catch up.

Martyn Perkins celebrates the Island's long Maritime heritage with a second programme of themed songs and reflections on our Island and the seas that surround us.

In a special programme for Remembrance Sunday, John Moss reflects on the freedom we have today, because of war and conflict down the years.

A South African man who's been living on the Island for three years has recently discovered his own family's Manx links. It's led Justin Kinley Adkins to find out more about his lineage. He and Wendy Thirkettle, an Archivist from Manx National Heritage, have been talking to Chanelle Sukhoo about re-tracing our family trees,  looking at the stories of those who've left the Island over the years and why.

Amy Griffiths marks International Control Week, going behind the curtain with the Emergency Services Operators who are first point of contact and co-ordinate emergency response here on the Island.

Martyn Perkins celebrates the Island's long Maritime heritage with a programme of themed songs and reflections on our Island and the seas that surround us.

In the week Manx Care have announced a raft of cuts to patient-facing services to save money, Siobhán Fletcher speaks with politicians, medical professionals and the chief exec of the organisation itself, to find out the reasons why and hear some of the reaction.The organisation has since announced further cuts, which you can take a look at in detail here.

Amy Griffiths speaks with some of the groups on the Island who work with those affected by domestic abuse. *Due to the nature of this programme, some listeners may find the content distressing.*If you are affected by the issues raised, the following may be helpful: the police will listen you if you come forward to report an incident. You can call the non-emergency number 631212 oruse 999 if you are in immediate dangeryou can contact Victim Support on 679950 or visit their website –victimsupport.im

Christy DeHaven takes a look back at the Lorient Interceltique Festival which took place in Brittany a few weeks ago, with upwards of 900,000 festival goers enjoying the sights and sounds - some of which came from our own talented Manx contingent. We chat with the organisers and some of the performers to find out about this huge international showcase for Manx creatives and producers.

Just under a quarter of a century ago, a maritime disaster shocked the Manx community. But it also united the Island with a small community across the Irish Sea. Why did the Solway Harvester sink? John Moss returns to the opening days of the winter of Millennium Year, 2000.

Should children be allowed to have access to smartphones during the school day?The news that one of the Island's high schools was going to ban access to them during school hours sparked a big debate on social media, before the Department of Education confirmed it was planning on implementing a similar policy across the board.Amy Griffiths has been looking at both sides of the argument, and also the wider impact devices can have on young people.

Amy Griffiths takes a look at the Island’s planning laws to find out if they’re currently fit for purpose.After one UK developer told her they’d be reluctant to undertake any more projects here because of the amount of red tape they’ve had to jump through, she wants to find out more about how the current legislation works, who’s responsible for upholding it, and whether any changes need to be made.

Three deaths in three years. Three lives lost, all in similar circumstances, while incarcerated. Have lessons been learned?This special programme, produced by News Editor Tessa Hawley, takes a look at what's being done at the Isle of Man Prison System to keep people safe.NB: This programme contains content that some listeners may find distressing, as well as references to suicide.

In 1990, three Manxmen travelled independently to Italy for that year’s World Cup. These are their tales of a magical fortnight of football...

The Isle of Man: a destination like no other; an Island described by government as the British Isles’ ‘best kept secret’. But scratch beneath the glossy tourism adverts, the beautifully created social media content and the straplines … and you’ll find a small Island with a big problem. Tessa Hawley uncovers a darker side to our beautiful Island and the disturbing prevalence of Class A drugs following the largest ever mass sentencing exercise at the Isle of Man Courts of Justice.

Bob Carswell reflects on how Manx Radio played a part in the re-introduction of the Manx language, featuring the voices of Doug Fargher, Brian Stowell, John Quilliam and many more.

People across the United Kingdom will head to the polls this week to decide who will take on the top job at Number 10. But regardless of the outcome - what does the general election mean for the Isle of Man? In this Island Life special, Siobhán Fletcher catches up with some of our Ministers here to find out more about our intergovernmental relationship and asks the Manx public “do you care who wins?”

This special programme is an excerpt from the latest JOURNEY TO A DREAM podcast series. Beth Espey finds out that motor racing really is a Family Affair, as she meets with former TT sidecar passenger (now Marshall) Dicky Gale and his sons Ben and Jim, as they look to their first start on the Southern 100 circuit in a matter of weeks. Longer chat and podcast available now in the 'Journey to a Dream' series.