Events

Saturday 26^th April – 2.30 pm
Marine Drive Geology
Leader – John Barker
In this walk we will take a look at The Lonan Formation of The Manx Group (formally known as ‘Manx Slate’) which is of Ordovician age (approximately 490 million years before present). We will look at the sedimentology and possible evidence of life along with the spectacular folding and faulting of these beds. We can relate these to the landscape and engineering problems of Marine Drive. There will of course also be ample opportunity to look at the history of Marine Drive and view the fauna and flora along this spectacular part of the coast.
A one-way level 2.5km walk to the far end of the closed section of the road at Little Ness.
Meet at the Pigeon Stream car park  SC 381 741   https://what3words.com/deal.stays.leader
Limited parking at the start location, please consider car sharing.

Saturday 17^th May – 10.00 am
A walk around Poyll Dooey and the Sulby River Saltmarsh, Ramsey, looking at its past history and current conservation interests
Leader – Dr Erica Spencer
Once the town’s tip, this is a rags to riches story of Ramsey's riverside nature reserve. From little egrets, great northern divers, comma butterflies, eye catching crimson heads of thrift and carpet of green saltmarsh Poyll Dooey is so much more than the casual visitor could appreciate.
Meet / park in the large Whitebridge car park on the NORTHERN bank of the river (accessed from Jurby Road)  SC 441 951   https://what3words.com/retaining.headlined.fund     
Please note the start time of 10.00 am to allow the saltmarsh to be seen before the tide gets too high.

Tuesday 10^th June – 6.30 pm
Nature's Apothecary
Leader – Jane Prescott  ( themanxherbalist.com )
A herbal walk and talk, exploring our common wild plants that are not only good for wildlife, but which can also be foraged for food and medicine.
Limited numbers so MEMBERS ONLY and BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Booking details on the members' programme card. Location will be given when booking accepted.

Saturday 12^th July – 2.30 pm
Dalby Mountain: exploring heathland habitat on a key Manx Wildlife Trust reserve
Leader – Kate Hawkins
A look at the flora and fauna adapted to the challenging conditions of this exposed situation and exploring the different microhabitats, particularly for invertebrates. Meet at the Trust car park  SC 232 766  https://what3words.com/presumes.terraced.propose

Saturday 2^nd August – 2.00 pm
In search of the Isle of Man’s lost patron saint - St Maughold and Pilgrimage
Leader – Dr Ian Faulds
Illustrated talk and walk. Concentrating on manuscripts, linguistics and archaeology, we follow the trail of St Maughold through a best-selling mediaeval story of forgiveness and redemption, through miracles and pilgrimage, to a conspiracy theory worthy of the Brother Cadfael stories of Ellis Peters! This event is also part of St Maughold Festival held annually in the village. Refreshments available afterwards. Meet on Maughold Village Green  SC 492 917 https://what3words.com/visitor.house.gathering

Saturday 15^th August – 2.30 pm
Balladoole, coastal geology, and Close-ny-Chiollagh
Leaders – Allison Fox, Dr Dave Burnett, Dr Marie Weale
A walk from Fisher’s Hill examining the geology en-route with Dave, to the Balladoole site, where Allison will tell of the history of, and discoveries at, Balladoole, and Marie will share news of her ongoing osteological research on remains from Balladoole. Optional visit to Close-ny-Chiollagh on the way back. Limited parking at the start location, please consider car sharing. Meet at the Fisher’s Hill car park SC 240 686  https://what3words.com/haircut.tarred.dynamics

Sunday 31^st August – 2.00 pm
Life On The Edge – The Curragh Community
Leader – Patricia Newton
Whether the land was muddy, wet, drained or dry, The Curragh supported a busy, hardworking community over the centuries.  Utilising historical records, the changing pattern of life around Kermode’s “Lough Caine” including some homes returning “to their earthern graves” will be seen. A 3-mile walk, with cut off points, along farm tracks and public roads. Courtesy of the Kneales of Loughdhoo. MEMBERS ONLY. Meeting place SC 351 966 on Ballamoar Straight (park on pavement side of the road)  https://what3words.com/sonar.hourglass.novice

Saturday 13^th September – 2.30 pm
Folklore tour of Glen Mona
Leader – James Franklin
A buggane, moddey doo, tarroo ushtey, glashtyn, witches, miraculous bells and “The Big King of the Hill” – Glen Mona has it all!  Join Culture Vannin’s James Franklin for a short walk around the village to find out about the area’s traditional Manx folklore. Refreshments available afterwards.  Meet / park in the Dhoon School car park (by kind permission of the school)  SC 453 891   https://what3words.com/hamstrings.pals.refined

We would like to remind members that dogs are not allowed on any IoMNHAS excursion, and to
please wear footwear / clothing appropriate to the conditions

For queries on any walks please contact excursions@manxantiquarians.com
or call Dave Martin (493 559) / Ian Burrell on (461 768).

Any changes to the programme will be advised to members by email,
via our web site: www.manxantiquarians.com and on Twitter / ‘X’:  @IOMNHAS
and Facebook: www.facebook.com/IsleofManNaturalHistoryandAntiquarianSociety