Manx Radio's Island Life Series - Specials

If you went to school here on the glorious Isle of Man, you might remember taking part in the annual Public Speaking competition. This popular event is just one of many that is organised by the youth committee of the Douglas Rotary Club. Christy - one of those that does remember taking part - wanted to find out more about the work of the Committee, so caught up with Chairwoman MaryJane Falconer. We also hear from the award winning pupils from St Ninian's and St Johns' Public Speaking teams, who took home the trophies this year for the Senior and Junior category respectively.

Christy DeHaven speaks to space entrepreneur Chris Stott, whose recent endeavours have taken Manx tech to the Moon and back. This is just the latest in many 'out of this world' achievements for Chris, who is a founding member of the British Space Education Council and remains active in supporting space education initiatives. He is also the Honorary Representative of the Isle of Man Government to the Space Community.

During the 2021 election campaign, housing was one of the most important topics for people on the doorstep amid rental shortages, soaring house prices and little to no support for first time buyers. So, at the halfway mark for the administration that promised housing would be one of its main priorities, what is actually being done to help? Amy Griffiths is finding out. Including interviews with David Ashford in his role as Chair of the Housing and Communities Board, Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall, Alex Cowley who is Chair of the Youth Tynwald Select Housing Committee and Chief Minister Alfred Cannan.

To mark the day that The Royal National Lifeboat Institution celebrates 200 years since it was founded here on the Isle of Man, Lewis Foster heads to Port Erin Lifeboat Station to meet some of the volunteers and join the crew out on exercise around the Calf of Man.

Not every career path is straightforward. You can take any number of different roads, with twists and turns along with the way – Squiggly, see? When Howard Caine and Christy DeHaven attended the Employment and Skills fair at the Villa Marina at the end of last year, that’s exactly what they discovered. With grateful thanks to all the employers and workers that spoke with us.

Simon Richardson looks into the dark mystery of an unsolved murder. Could an unidentified body found in Burton on Trent in 1971 be a Scout Leader from the Isle of Man who went missing in 1979? Simon speaks with Ken Davies, an investigator who has been looking in to the local links to this 50 year old mystery.

A special Island Life programme to celebrate 100 years of the Douglas Rotary Club, looking at the work they have done in the Island's community over the decades and getting a sneak preview of their exciting plans for their Anniversary Year - a project that will change the very landscape of the Island. Christy DeHaven in conversation with Club President Charles Fargher, Secretary Howard Callow and long time member Ivan Bratty.

In the first in a special series of programmes to celebrate our 60th anniversary year, John Moss takes an extended look at how it all began for Manx Radio back in 1964.

Rainy days and snow days, windy days and glorious sunshine, along with record breaking temperatures - the Isle of Man has witnessed a huge variety of weather throughout 2023. Senior Met Officer at Ronaldsway Kirsty Pendlebury joins Ben Hartley for a look back at the big weather events of the last 12 months.

Join H as he looks back over 12 months of gaffes, cock-ups, spoonerisms, double entendres and general incompetence from your favourite station. We did some good stuff as well apparently . . where did we find the time?

Rhian Evans narrates a spooky story at Christmas.

Our Spaceman Went Travelling... Astronomer Howard Parkin has returned from another global adventure, where he's been telling international enthusiasts about incredible celestial events. Christy took the opportunity to catch up with him again, for a festively seasonal insight into the astronomical events we can look forward to, by looking up at our own Island night skies. Winter brings meteors, areas of super bright constellations and, of course, a very special Christmas Star....

Earlier this year, 3 members of our news team went to London, where the station was recognised at an awards ceremony celebrating the very best in commercial radio news. Held at Sky Cinema in London in association with IRN and Sky News, the 2023 Commercial Radio Awards proved successful for the team and in this special programme, we listen back to clips from the nominated shows and hear some previously unheard audio recorded on the night itself.

Christy DeHaven and Howard Caine chat to some exhibitors at DESC's Employment and Skills Fair 2023 about how they came to be doing what they are today and the importance of transferable skills

You might have noticed various Island landmarks going blue on Tuesday? Well, this was to mark World Diabetes Day. Professional cyclist Sam Brand was diagnosed with the condition 22 years ago – on World Diabetes Day in fact. So it was poignant that our Christy caught with him on the day itself, along with his good friend and comrade in the mission to educate and empower – Natasha Parry from Diabetes Isle of Man.

101-year-old Port Erin resident James Fenton was a Bombardier with 178 Field Regiment of the Royal Artillery during WWII. At the age of 20, he was sent to fight in the steamy jungles of Burma as part of the 14th Army, the so-called “Forgotten Army”. Listen now to James’s incredible story in full, as part of Remembrance 2023. James recalls his exploits in Primary Training and thoughts on life when he was posted to the far east. From dealing with the hazards of malaria ridden mosquitos, snakes and scorpions to the daily onslaught of shelling by the Japanese army. James always had a passion for art and photography and recalls developing films whilst under a tarpaulin as the enemy sent wave after wave of mortars into his camp. After the war and a career in design, James moved to the Isle of Man to open the photographic museum in Port Erin.

Mozza and H drop down to the Villa Marina to talk about the season of 1955 which featured both the last appearance of Joe Loss - and the first of Ivy Benson and her all girl band!

In this special programme for Remembrance Sunday, John Moss reflects on war and conflict down the years and also the current conflicts around the world.

Howard Caine investigates ‘whatever happened to Bonfire Night?’ in a one off special asking if we really do ‘Remember Remember the 5th of November’

The nights are getting darker... which can mean only one thing - it's Spooky Season! This time, Siobhan 'FrightNight' Fletcher gets a crash-course in all things Hop-tu-Naa as she takes a deep dive into the traditions and festivities that make up this quintessentially Manx holiday. She'll be dragging Lewis Foster along for the ride, as they follow fearless leaders Beth Espey and Christy DeHaven into the dark...