Episodes
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 h...
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 C...
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 ...
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.I...
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 Sutclif...
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 talkin...
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.)