Ned Kennaugh describes burning gorse in the fields in Slieau Whallian Farm in the 1940s and 50s at the end of April.
Although not specifically done on the evening before 1 May, this burning of gorse was known as Burn the Buitch, and curiously only ever done at night.

This is an interesting variation of a Manx tradition for Oie Voaldyn: https://youtu.be/SJV0zZf2zM0

This is an extract from the oral history interview with Ned Kennaugh and Joyce Oates recorded by James Franklin on 21 February 2023. The full interview is available online here: https://culturevannin.im/watchlisten/oralhistory/-kennaugh-ned-and-joyce-oates-758092/

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Burn the Buitch at Slieau Whallian Farm

Ned Kennaugh recalls 1950s teenage mischief around St John's village, wherein he and his friends were bored one day hanging out in the bus stop and so they set about lifting and moving about gates around the village.
The next day, Ned was found waiting at the bus-stop by the policeman, who called him in to confirm some of the rumours he had heard around the village...

This is an extract from the oral history interview with Ned Kennaugh and Joyce Oates recorded by James Franklin on 21 February 2023. The full interview is available online here: https://culturevannin.im/watchlisten/oralhistory/-kennaugh-ned-and-joyce-oates-758092/

Culture Vannin exists to promote and support all aspects of culture in the Isle of Man.
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Teenage mischief around St John's in the 1950s

First-hand memories of the pinpound at St. John's in use in the 1940s.

Ned Kennaugh and Joyce Oates here recall the time in their youth when the pinpound in St John's was not only still standing, but also in-use, with stray animals being impounded within its high walls, only to be let out when a fine was paid to the adjoining smithy, where the key was held.

This is an extract from the oral history interview with Ned Kennaugh and Joyce Oates recorded by James Franklin on 21 February 2023. The full interview is available online here: https://culturevannin.im/watchlisten/oralhistory/-kennaugh-ned-and-joyce-oates-758092/

Culture Vannin exists to promote and support all aspects of culture in the Isle of Man.
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The St John's Pinpound

Ned Kennaugh was not the most-suited to school education in his youth, as is shown by this lovely story of a conversation about algebra with the headteacher of Ballakermeen one day in the 1950s...

This is an extract from the oral history interview with Ned Kennaugh and Joyce Oates recorded by James Franklin on 21 February 2023. The full interview is available online here: https://culturevannin.im/watchlisten/oralhistory/-kennaugh-ned-and-joyce-oates-758092/

Culture Vannin exists to promote and support all aspects of culture in the Isle of Man.
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"It's quite simple; my brother does my homework!"

A conversation about St John's in the 1940s and 50s with Ned Kennaugh and Joyce Oates.

Ned Kennaugh was born in Doalish Ard, over Foxdale, on 29/08/1940, but moved to Slieau Whallian Farm at the age of two, where he remained until moving away only when he was 26.
Joyce Oates, nee Kneen, was born at California Cottage on the Slieau Whallian Road in St John's, on 08/04/1938, where she lived until she got married at the age of 24.
Both attended St John's School and took full part in the St John's community throughout the 1940s and 50s.

The following topics were discussed in the conversation:
• St John's School under George Sayle as Headmaster
• Ballroom dancing
• Football and badminton
• The Railway, including Joyce's father's role as signalman
• The mart
• The pin-pound and its operation
• A number of blacksmiths around the village
• The shops around the village, including the Post Office and photography shop
• The pubs: the Tynwald Inn, the Junction, the Central and Ballacraine
• The police station and a run-in with them after youthful mischief about the village
• Village characters, including the man who would 'wink' with the tattoos on his bottom
• Activities through the year, including Burn the Buitch, Tynwald Day, Hop tu Naa, Christmas and the Quaaltagh.

This oral history interview with Ned Kennaugh and Joyce Oates was recorded by James Franklin on 21 February 2023.
The interview is a part of the collection of over 150 oral history recordings freely available on the Culture Vannin website: www.culturevannin.im/watchlisten/oralhistory/

Culture Vannin exists to promote and support all aspects of culture in the Isle of Man.
www.culturevannin.im
www.facebook.com/culturevannin/
www.twitter.com/CultureVannin

Oral history interview with Ned Kennaugh & Joyce Oates (21 Feb 2023)

Richard Stanley Shimmin interviewed by David Callister in 2003.

Dick was born at Bawshen Farm, but moved to Mullen-e-Cloie, St John's, when he was two. He describes farm work and St John's in the 1930s, including churning milk for butter, St Johns Mill and its owner, St Johns Marts and village life. Dick then goes to to talk about later moving to Dalby and Santon.

This oral history interview with Dick Shimmin was recorded by David Callister on 5 August 2003.

This interview is part of the collection of over 200 oral history recordings freely available on the Culture Vannin website: https://culturevannin.im/watchlisten/oralhistory/

Culture Vannin exists to promote and support all aspects of culture in the Isle of Man.
https://culturevannin.im/
www.facebook.com/culturevannin/
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www.youtube.com/@culturevannin8486

Oral history interview with Dick Shimmin (5 Aug 2003)

Promoting and supporting all aspects of culture in the Isle of Man.

Culture Vannin awards grants and initiates schemes whilst supporting the work of development officers for music and language. The work of Culture Vannin has been fundamental to the revival of interest and support for Manx language and culture over the last twenty years.

Culture Vannin is the trading name for the Manx Heritage Foundation, registered charity 333 in the Isle of Man.

New tracks tagged #st john&#x27;s

New tracks tagged #st john's