Episodes
The couple who've played a part in the momentous occasions of so many Islanders over their 40 yrs in business as Charles Alexander Jewellers, shared music & memories with Beth and Christy on 23rd November, as Charles and Susan Jane Alexander look ahead to the final weeks of their family firm.In early October news of their retirement was received with a heavy heart by many – although the subsequent closing down sale attracted hundreds of people who queued the length of Strand Street for their chance to grab a bargain from the shop with the reputation of being one of the premier jewellers in ...
Christmas is getting quirkier every year - and the advent calendar market is no exception. You can now get them with all kinds of fillings from biscuits, to cheese, to high class beauty products. So much for pretty festive pictures! And now you can even get ones with a wee tot of booze behind every door...This year it seems that alcohol advent calendars are projected to be the newest trendsetters and Gin is the drink on everyone’s lips, as sales of the spirit are at a record high; the UK alone now has more than 400 distilleries- including two right here on the Isle of Man (Seven Kingdoms an...
How would you like to go to Space School?? If you’re a sixth form student on the Isle of Man – or know one – who is looking to expand horizons into galaxies far far away, ManSat could have the perfect opportunity. Every year, working with the Department of Education, Sport and Culture, the Manx satellite firm sponsors scholarships for up to three Isle of Man students to attend the United Space School in Houston, Texas. Christy caught up Dr Jennifer Stone, Snr Manager of Regulatory Affairs at Mansat, who won the very first scholarship back in 2000, going where no other Manx student had gone ...
Musician and composer Simeon Wood was with Beth and Christy on the Conister Rock on Nov 9th. He shared backstage secrets from Britain's Got Talent, talked about childhood freedoms, first music loves, writing music for Snickers adverts; he also told us a very moving story about reconnecting with his first music teacher and of course shared some wonderful music choices that mean something to him and illustrate important moments in his life to this point.
Alison Schreiber teaches French and Spanish at King Williams College. But for the last 4 years, she has also been researching the 139 World War 1 casualties from the college, and organising the Centenary Celebrations - which involves a very special photographic tribute in the Chapel. Beth and Christy caught up with her in the college grounds to find out more.
Part of our series of interviews in recognition of the sacrifice and service of those who fought in the wars – from first hand experiences, to family members relating the often very emotional stories of their loved ones. It seemed no sooner had the Great War finished - and men, women and children were trying to rebuild their lives while dealing with the atrocities and enormous loss suffered by so many - that another World War loomed large. This of course meant that fathers, mothers, brothers and daughters were in the position of having to watch their loved ones leave home once more, potenti...
The first in a series of interviews with service men and women, in recognition of the sacrifice and service of those who fought in the wars – from first hand experiences, to family members relating the often very emotional stories of their loved ones.
We started with the Chairman of the Isle of Man Royal Naval Association, Mr Tom Quirk. We hear a great deal about the 1st and 2nd World Wars but one war – at the time referred to by those involved as the 3rd World War – isn’t often talked about. Tom served in the Navy in this war, the Korean War, in the 1950s and he told Christy DeHaven all...
Christy was joined on the Rock on 2nd Nov by Annie Kissack - teacher, composer, writer, singer, poet - whose life long passion for her native language music and dance was instilled in her by meeting much lauded folklorist Mona Douglas.
Annie continues to play a hugely important part in keeping Manx culture alive - not least informing, educating and shaping future Manx generations with her work at the Bunschoill Gaelgagh, but also from her work Directing and writing for Manx language choir Caarjyn Cooidjagh, amongst other talents.
Annie shared wonderful memories of her life growing up ...
Nov 1st is World Vegan Day – which also marks the start of World Vegan Month – and while there may be some way to go in terms of education about the subject, research has revealed that 50% of the British public would consider becoming vegan at some point in their lives. So what’s holding them back? Christy spoke with Dominika Peeyasekka from The Vegan Society and Vegan Chef Day Radley to find out more about what it means to be a vegan – and also what they think about attitudes like that of the Waitrose Magazine Editor who suggested they should be “trapped and forcefed meat..”
Anna Cottle is just “one of those people”. You may have seen her name popping up in the local media over the past year or so, whether it be for collecting truckloads of sanitary products to distribute to women who can’t afford them, or for her recent trip to Uganda – with a netball charity... You might wonder why on earth Ugandan villagers might need Netball in their lives – well, the charity in question – the Netball Development Trust or NDT as she refers to it - delivers the game in a number of less developed countries using it as a tool to bring communities together, working with partner...
On July 13th Ian Meikle joined Beth on the Conister Rock to share music and memories. Born and bred in the Isle of Man, he now owns and edits a weekly magazine in Canberra, and co-hosts a radio show every Sunday.
Beth and Ian spent a lovely hour reminiscing about days gone by, the Regal (or Royalty?) Cinema and his music choices reflected the earliest memories Ian has of growing up on the Island.
Former Manx politician Leonard Singer joined Beth on the Conister Rock on July 20th 2018. He shared some wonderfully witty and often very poignant memories as he explained the pieces of music he had chosen.
Christy was joined on the Conister Rock on Sept 21st 2018 by Roger Smith OBE, one of the world’s finest craftsmen, creating exceptional and highly sought after timepieces, working out of a purpose built studio in the North of the Island.
He shared memories from his childhood, from his early years learning his craft as the only apprentice to Dr George Daniels CBE, talked about important figures from his family life and about setting up and building his own successful studio, training up apprentices of his own and how important it is to him to have the Isle of Man marked on every watch and...
Christy spends on hour on the Conister Rock sharing memories and music with John and Emma Quirk, the husband and wife team behind Manx Litfest, one of the Island's biggest events in the cultural calendar. They chatted about Manx Connections, about changing life circumstances, about their love of the Island and its community, about the importance of libraries and reading with children - and about giant beasts in movies...no, really! Find out more about the festival, the team and events past and present on the website here: www.manxlitfest.com
We find out about a fabulous initiative designed to make single-use plastic reduction even easier; and one that could be coming to a coffee shop near you very soon...Christy caught up with "Cup Club" founder Safia Qureshi and operations manager Rosanna Capper. Visit www.cupclub.com to find out more
Christy was joined on the Conister Rock on 17th August by Dylis Watson, former Head of 6th Form at Ballakermeen High School. As a Teacher to hundreds - if not thousands - of students in a career in education that began in 1955 and continues today, Mrs Watson has helped shape the lives of many young people, she is a teacher who manages to maintain a balance of respect and friendship and she delights in continuing to follow the progress of her students throughout their adult lives, staying in touch with many of them.
She told us about the many changes she has witnessed in the education sys...
Christy was joined on the Conister Rock on 3rd August by star of stage and screen David Artus, who has bagged some of the biggest roles in musical theatre in his time, from Jean Valjean in Les Miserables to The Phantom in Phantom of the Opera; he has written and produced 7 pantomimes (and gave Broadway star Samantha Barks her first professional role!) and now lives The Good Life in Kirk Michael with his lovely wife Victoria, their children and a some miniature sheep and tiny horses. As y'do... Dave talked about what it was like being one of the only young boys in tap shoes, about dealing wi...
Christy was joined on the Conister Rock on July 4th 2018 by Southern 100 Races Press Officer and Media Co-Ordinator Phil Edge. He first became involved the ‘Friendly Races’ in 1994 and is most definitely the right man for the job - saying that “Road Racing has been and still is my passion – something that has held me together for most of my life. it is in your veins and once there – never leaves you.” He shared fabulous memories from childhood through to today, reminiscing about his first bikes race meets, his favourite moments, encounters with Geoff Duke and Joey Dunlop and so much more. ...
Christy is joined on the Conister Rock by a Man of Mischief with a very recognisable voice and one or two famous catchphrases under his flat cap... Derry Kissack is a proud Manxie, skilled tradesman, champion sidecar trialsman, after dinner speaker and published author; he can hypnotise a chicken with a piece of chalk and - and we're not sure if these two things are related - he’s the man tasked with keeping control of the World Famous Purple Helmets…He shared some wonderful music and memories over the course of our time with him and was, as expected, more than a little mischievous.
As regular listeners will know, Rowan Henthorn – who has worked recently as an advisor to the Isle of Man Government on the issue of plastic pollution – has spent the past few weeks floating around in the North Pacific Ocean. This may sound like a lovely marine adventure but sadly, Rowan and the all female crew of the SeaDragon were actually making their way through the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, something they described as ‘plastic soup’. Christy caught up with Rowan via satellite phone just as she was starting her watch on night shift, to find out how the expedition has gone. As you ca...
Well known to regular Manx Radio listeners for the being a voice of the weather reports, Kirsty is Manx born and bred, and it was a film that she watched at the age of 11 which helped to map out her future career. We learnt about the struggle Kirsty overcame to realise her dream, in a truly inspirational tale of how you really can achieve something if you have your heart set on it. Kirsty also credits her mum and dad for supporting and believing in her when she had lost confidence in her own ability. From the Island to the UK, America and back again, we heard some wonderful tales from Ki...
The thriller writer Douglas Stewart shares music and memories on the Conister Rock with Beth Espey. Now residing in the Isle of Man, Douglas was brought up in England and became a London based international lawyer, later living and practising in the USA. He was involved in some of the most high profile cases of the 20th Century. In tandem, he developed a successful career as an internationally read author of mystery thrillers.
Christy DeHaven visits the beautifully colourful and creative mini-gardens planted by school children from all parts of the Island, created as part of the 2018 Year of Our Island initiative. She speaks with project manager Anna Goldsmith and some of the children and teachers who have designed and created the flower beds. The "Blein Yn Ellan Ain" garden will be open to the public on the 25th June 2018, on the former site of the Farmers Arms pub in St.John’s. (Piece includes a clip from a live session with Croan Yn Tead, with thanks to Peddyr Cubberely and the players)
Apparently, the Sufragettes learned jiu-jitsu in order to protect themselves during the sometimes violent clashes with police when fighting for their rights - who knew?! To celebrate the UK's 100 year anniversary of some women getting the vote (something which the Isle of Man actually achieved in 1881, 36 years previously - not that we're boasting...), Arbory Brownies decided to get a taster of the Brazilian martial art as part of gaining their Sufragette badge. Christy DeHaven went to Arbory Primary School where Coach Conrad Roberts and his assistant Lucy Southward from Gracie Barra Isle o...
Christy DeHaven speaks with visitors from a small village in Uganda, representing the Mifumi Charity, an organisation fighting for the rights of women and children in Uganda: Beatrice Atyang (charity Co-Ordinator), Margaret Apio (Education consultant for Mifumi school) and Christine Auma (Mifumi school pupil) were also joined by Gary Cracknell from Standard Bank Isle of Man and Patrick Brennan Standard Bank Jersey, their hosts for their trip. Listen to the full interview with these remarkable people here.
We’re often told that community is important, but one man has found that connecting with those around you can have incredible results, changing - and even saving - lives. As the Managing Director of Nurture Developments and a leader of Asset Based Community Development (ABCD), Cormac Russell has worked in over 30 countries training communities, agencies, NGOs and governments in South Africa, Canada, Sweden and Australia to name just a few.
Passionate about community-driven change and citizen-centred democracy, he is now working with Isle of Man based mental health charity Quing (by invita...
On Women Today on 17th May 2018, as part of our special series of programmes for Mental Health Awareness Week 2018, Gemma Park shared her remarkable story and journey through gender reassignment. She spoke frankly about what it has been like for her to live in 'the wrong body', dealing with gender dysphoria, the challenges and discrimination she has faced and the emotional and psychological impact of it all.
Her story is fascinating, moving and enlightening and we hope you are as positively affected by hearing this as we have been. If you would like to find out more there are some inform...
Douglas Mayor Debbie Pitts shared music and memories on the Conister Rock with Beth on May 4th 2018, reflecting back on her year in the role that both her mother and father have previously shared. She talked about her family and the difficult times they have weathered together, about her childhood and teenage years on the Isle of Man and talked about her aspirations and achievements in the office.
The only man to be Chief Minister of the Isle of Man twice shared music and memories on the Conister Rock on 16th March 2018.
Someone who can truly be described as a Manxman through and through (his birthday is July 5th), Mr Gelling spoke of his early childhood while his father was away at war, his school days in Santan and then Murray’s Road and the moment he first met the love of his life Joan.
His political career is well documented. His dedication to public service dates back to the early 1960s when he first became a member of Santan Parish Commissioners and during the programme ...
Christy was joined on the Conister Rock on 27th April by Roy Moore, of Manx Radio TT fame, star of the Mountain Memories series and one time Isle of Man Golf Champion, sharing music and fabulous memories from across the decades. During the programme he revealed secrets about his preparation process for the TT, gave a rather emotional farewell to family and friends since departed and talked about his early days growing up in a family of motorsport fans.
This podcast has an additional exclusive 15 minutes of extra chat, recorded after the programme and including Roy's final song choice.