Summer Programme 2013

Mon, 15 Apr 2013

Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society

SUMMER PROGRAMME 2013

Click here for downloadable PDF of Excursions July-October 2013

Excursion Secretary 2012/13: Jonathan Kewley castletown@manx.net

Saturday 27^th April at 2.00 p.m. Stained Glass of the Northern Plain

Leader: Jonathan Kewley

Stained glass in Manx churches has been little-studied, but there is much of interest for those who are willing to look beyond the Middle Ages. This exploration will start at Lezayre Church (not now regularly open to visitors) to see the windows by the great Manx stained glass artist, Daniel Cottier (his only work on the Island), and a good mid-nineteenth-century non-figurative window. We will then travel round the Northern Plain to see, among other treats, the mid-twentieth century windows at Jurby and those by the great late twentieth-century artist John Hayward at Bride and St Olave’s, Ramsey, where we will finish.

Meet at Lezayre Church car park SC422941. Parking: Lezayre Church car park. Public transport: Buses 5 and 6, Douglas to Ramsey via Peel. Travel between venues is by car; please identify yourself as requiring a lift.

Saturday 18^th May at 2.30 p.m. The coastal wildlife communities of the Marine Drive

Leader: Kate Hawkins

Please note later-than-usual starting time to fit with train times.

A leisurely walk along the Marine Drive to see how factors such as geology, topography and aspect influence species interaction and determine coastal habitats and the animal/plant communities typical of this part of the Manx coast.

Meet at the western end of the closed section of the Marine Drive, SC366731. Parking: At meeting point. Public transport: Trains between Douglas and Port Erin, alight Port Soderick.

Saturday 15^th June at 2.00 p.m. The Archaeology of Peel Hill

Leader: Andrew Johnson

The hill protecting Peel and its harbour has attracted human activity for around 8,000 years. Join MNH’s field archaeologist for an afternoon of flint tools, prehistoric burials, gun batteries, vegetable plots and tramways. Some rough walking involved.

Meet at Fenella Beach car park, SC 242844. Parking: Fenella Beach public car park. Public transport: Buses to central Peel, and then walk down in the direction of the castle.

Sunday 7^th July at 2.00 p.m A Visit to the CMS Dig

Leader: Professor Harold Mytum

This year the Centre for Manx Studies’ Archaeological Field School returns to the site at Ballacagen, near Castletown, originally dug by Professor Gerhard Bersu during the Second World War. The Society will have an opportunity to see what the dig is uncovering.

Meet in the Castletown Football Stadium car park SC263682. Parking at the meeting place. Public transport: Buses on the Douglas to Port Erin routes, alight at Victoria Road and walk west to the Malew St./ By-pass crossroads; turn right up the Malew Road..

Sunday 21^st July at 10.30 am Traditional Buildings of Mann: Cleigh Clagh, Lonan

Learn how to study traditional buildings on-site with a look at this unique tholtan with its free-standing chiollagh. Learn what features to look out for and try your hand at measuring and sketching the building.

Meet at 10:30am, Windy Corner car park (SC392845)

Thursday 1^st & Friday 2^nd August - Traditional Buildings of Mann: Drop-in session at the iMuseum

Explore how you can use the iMuseum to learn more about the Island’s traditional buildings. Come along with your ideas for projects and get advice from our experts.

Thursday 4pm-7pm & Friday 10:30am-2pm, iMuseum, Kingswood Grove, Douglas

Sunday 18^th August

Traditional Buildings of Mann: Narradale, Lezayre

Learn how to study traditional buildings with a trip to look at a deserted farmstead in Narradale. Learn what features to look out for and try your hand at measuring and sketching.

Meet at 10.30am, eastern end of Claddaghs (SC387944)

Saturday 24^th August at 2.00 p.m. First World War to the Fifties

Leader: Peter Kelly

A walking tour of lower Douglas looking at buildings erected from 1920 to the mid 50s as part of a modern capital that never quite took off....

Meet outside St Matthew’s Church on the North Quay, Douglas SC380752 Parking: Douglas public car parks. Public transport: Buses from Peel, Douglas and Ramsey, alight Lord St.

Saturday 14^th September at 10.30 am Traditional Buildings of Mann: Glen Roy, Lonan

Learn how to study traditional buildings with a visit to look at tholtans in Glen Roy. Learn what features to look out for and try your hand at measuring and sketching.

Meet at 10.30am, junction of Glen Roy Road with Creg Ny Baa Back Road (SC419833)

Friday 27^th & Saturday 28^th September - Traditional Buildings of Mann: Information stand at the iMuseum

The Traditional Buildings of Mann project will have an information stand at the Isle of Man Family History Society’s exhibition this weekend. Come and join us and find out more about the project and how you can get involved.

10am-5pm, iMuseum, Kingswood Grove, Douglas

Sunday 6^th October at 10.30 am Traditional Buildings of Mann: Slieu Managh

An guided walk (uphill) to view this tholtan and its upland setting. Bring sturdy boots, appropriate clothing and a packed lunch. Pre-booking required. See forthcoming Heritage Open Days programme for details and booking information.

Meet at 10:30am, Tholt y Will car park

Saturday 12^th October at 2.30 p.m. Fungi

Leader: Liz Charter

Please note later-than-usual starting time to fit with bus times.

A walk to enjoy and identify a range of common fungi, so bring camera and fungi book if you have one.

Meet at Archallagan Plantation car park (marked P on 1” OS), SC 307788 Parking: At meeting place. Public transport: Bus no. 4 from Douglas, alight at the Eary Dam; return by walking from meeting-place to Marown Old Church and downhill to Crosby for buses on the Douglas to Peel route.

Sunday 13^th October - The Franciscan Friary at Ballabeg with Andrew Johnson

A visit to the remains of a 14^th century Franciscan Friary at Friary Farm, Ballabeg. The visit will take place in two groups with pre-booking required. See forthcoming Heritage Open Days programme for details and booking information.

Meet at 2pm or 3:30pm, Ballabeg school car park

Please check all public transport details at www.iombusandrail.info/timetables.html. No dogs, please, on excursions.

Please check the Society’s website and Facebook page for details of a lecture the Centre for Manx Studies and the Manx Museum are hoping to arrange in May by the archaeologist Professor Sian Jones of the University of Manchester on heritage and authenticity/identity.