m - Isle of Man Today

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Ihave not seen many photographs of
men down mines but this view shows
Le Neve Forster, Chief Inspector of
Mines. The label on the lantern slide says
the view was taken down Foxdale Mines.
Notice the thickness of timbers used as pit
props and the constant presence of water
under foot. Notice also the candle held on the
hat by a lump of clay. Perhaps there is a
reader who can advise about the pipe
system above his head. MNH/pic/4346
Another views of Tynwald
fair but one taken from a
photographic print. The
original photograph is believed
to have been taken by Sophia
Morrison about 1910. Sophia
was the author of the little book
‘Manx Fairytales’. Notice how
the centre house was at that
time the place for teas and
coffees. The ladies in the
foreground are standing on the
raised ground around the base
of Tynwald Hill.
Photo No 2
Apostman by a postbox is the subject of this glass negative
held in the museum library as part of the Southward
collection. The title on the negative is ‘P.M. Corlett
postman at letterbox opposite our gate’ Philip Murray Corlett
was a son of Philip Corlett, Sadler and Harness maker. P.M.
also worked as a sadler as well as being a postman. His
brother John was a miller and brother Thomas Edward was a
coach builder. The family shop existed next to the Ramsey
Town Hall for many years and ledgers showed how some work
was done on a barter basis being paid for over a period with
farm produce. Skins were imported from England as well as
purchased locally. Pony hide was bought as well as cowhide and
dog skin was used to make waterproof tobacco pouches. The
first pillar box to be erected in the Isle of Man in December 1858
was opposite Albert Terrace at the junction with Osborne
Terrace in Douglas. The second box was a wall box placed in
Sandy Road, Ramsey, (later renamed Bowring Road in February
1859.) This could very well be that box of 1859. The photograph was
taken by Mr Southward who was a distant relation to the Corletts.
Southward Box 1 No 11
An interesting child portrait but
no name for the photographer.
The young lad is John F.
Crellin, son of J. C. Crellin MHK of
Ballachurry, Andreas. The boy is
dressed in an especially made uniform
of the Manx Fencibles. The first corps of
Manx Fencibles was raised in 1779 and
subsequent Corps in 1793, 1795 and 1803.
The picture dates from considerably
later. MNH/pic/4342
Afamiliar sight for northern residents is the former
town hall at Ramsey which was demolished in 1972,
following an outbreak of dry rot. Now its replacement
lego building is to be demolished and replaced by a pseudo
Victorian building but few modern buildings that try to
look old can achieve the same ‘presence’ as the real thing.
Look carefully at this building which, with the exception of
the semi-dormer windows, is not balanced either side of the
central doorway. One side has a projecting oriel bay
window at first floor level, the other includes a fire station
which housed a horse drawn fire engine. When the fire
engine was changed the arched brickwork above the door
was removed and replaced by a straight lintel at a higher
level so that the new engine could get in. The town hall design
was the subject of an architectural competition which was won
by a Mr Berrington who received the £10 prize. This was in May
1888 and by August 1889 the building was handed over to the
commissioners. On the first floor windows behind the
decorative street lamp can be read the words ‘school
committee’ The clock which fitted the circle in the central
pediment was added in 1911. Southward Box 2 No 15