Story of Moore's Kipper Yard celebrated in new short film

Culture Vannin commission 'important document for the future'

A new short film has been released celebrating the history of Moore's Kipper Yard in Peel.

The site, with its traditional smokehouse, closed in September, having been in operation for 140 years.

At the time of closure, tenants Darren and Jen said they 'tried to turn around a dinosaur' but could do no more to save the 'iconic' facility.

In the film from Culture Vannin, the manager of Moore's, Paul Desmond, tells of the yard's history and shares stories of the fishing industry in Peel over the decades.

The footage itself dates from 2022, having been captured by filmmaker Neil Corlett as 'extra material' during work to create another film 'Spuds & Herring: A celebration of the Peel fishing industry.'

Following Moore's closure, Culture Vannin said it 'felt it important to commission an edit of this footage for a new film.'

Online and Educational Resources Officer, James Franklin, says: '[The film] represents a piece of Peel and Manx history which is now sadly gone.'

'As well as being a beautiful and interesting film in itself, we realise that it is also an important document for the future. The last traditional kipper yard closing in Peel is a key marker in the changing face of the Isle of Man, and we feel it is important to document it through this film.'

You can watch the six-minute long film below:

Weeks after the the doors were closed on the smokehouse, the site was listed for sale with an asking price of £595,000.

Peel Commissioners were asked if they would consider purchasing the yard, but confirmed they had no plans to.

Kippers themselves can still be found in the town though, with nearby Devereau's still in business by Peel harbour.