August/September 2026

/ LIFE & STYLE IN THE ISLE OF MAN

SUMMERTIME

Well then... somehow we’re already into late summer. The ice creams have melted, the sunscreen has definitely expired, and if you’re anything like me, there’s still a list of “summer things” you promised yourself you’d do before the evenings start drawing in.

The good news? This issue of Gallery is packed with enough inspiration to fill whatever’s left of the season.

One of the things I love most about putting this magazine together is discovering the stories quietly unfolding all around us. Sometimes they’re extraordinary, like Christopher Whitlow’s journey from a love of horses to working on major film productions. Sometimes they’re closer to home, like Lisa Davis’s heartfelt story of arriving on the Island during lockdown and finding not only a new life, but a real sense of belonging.

We’ve also got Viking runestones, murals in Ramsey, horse-drawn canal boats in Wales, and the biggest ever celebration of the Manx language as Cooish goes properly vooar this year. Honestly, where else could one magazine take you from Norse mythology to a lunchtime Manx lesson in Douglas?

One thing that always strikes me is how creative this Island is. Everywhere you look there are people making things, writing things, painting walls, preserving traditions, building businesses and dreaming up new ideas. It’s easy to forget how much is happening right on our doorstep until you stop, take a look around and say, “Actually, that’s pretty brilliant.”

And that’s really what Gallery is all about. Joining the dots between people, places and stories. Celebrating the things that make Island life unique. And occasionally giving me an excuse to write about fairies, Vikings, giant murals or horses in Hollywood.

As always, thank you to everyone who contributes, advertises, photographs, writes, illustrates, supports and, most importantly, reads the magazine. Without you, these pages would be considerably emptier and a lot less interesting.

Right then, kettle on? Find your favourite chair, ignore the jobs list for half an hour and enjoy the issue.

SR

Disclaimer.

All rights reserved. Any form of reproduction of Gallery Magazine, in part or whole is strictly prohibited without the written consent of the publisher. Any views expressed by advertisers or contributors may not be those of the publisher. Unsolicited artwork, manuscripts and copy are accepted by Gallery Magazine, but the publisher cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage. All material, copy and artwork supplied is assumed to be copyright free unless otherwise advised. Contributions for Gallery should be emailed to editorial@gallery.co.im. Names have been changed to protect the innocent and no penguins were harmed in the manufacture of this magazine, although the new cover colour is called ’penguin white’. Tag us in your pictures at @galleryisleofman and #gallerysmallprint and we’ll give you something.....

Recycle.

Gallery recycles all its storage and packing materials, boxes and any old magazines that are returned. We don’t get that many fortunately. We love to know our readers hang on to previous copies but when you move or find that they’re taking up too much space, put them out in the recycling bins. If you want to find out more about recycling, call 01628 686540. We put this in a green font. It’s not made out of leaves, honest.

We’ve got a blank space baby, and we’ll write your name.

We’re always looking for new contributors. If you love writing or illustrating what others write, we’d like to hear from you.

contribute@gallery.co.im

CAN YOU CREATE?

contribute@gallery.co.im

Sure, you might share photos of your food or have a portfolio on Behance, but why not get a little joy from seeing something in print! We’re always looking for contributions from people who are passionate about subject matters close to their hearts.

FEATURE WE PROFILE ISLANDERS

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If you are an artist with work to exhibit, an event or entertainment organiser with an event coming up, a business with some exciting news or a new product to feature, get in touch. We’re keen to feature anything captivating that will be of interest to the good people of the Isle of Man who flick through a Gallery each edition.

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The Horse - A Mirror to the Soul

Christopher Whitlow, a career in the TV and the film industry. Hishorsemanship is undoubtedly among the best in the business, but what really sets him apart is his perspective on the relationship between horse and rider.

The Isle of Man’s annual Manx Language festival, Cooish, or a friendly chat in Manx, which is usually held in November returns a couple of months early with its most ambitious programme to date, or in Manx, it’s gone mooar or, in this context, vooar – BIG! Why Wardrobes Go Unworn?

Why don’t we wear most of our wardrobes? New research suggests many women are buying clothes for someone else’s life.

FROM BALLYMENA TO BALLASALLA: FROM BALLYMENA TO BALLASALLA:

My journey of moving from Ireland to the Isle of Man, how it’s been and how far I’ve come!

Words by: Lisa Davis

In March 2020, I was a twenty-three-year-old PGCE student from Ballymena, County Antrim in Northern Ireland. I was studying in Liverpool and life at that time consisted of balancing university placements with a busy social diary. I could predict how my future was going to pan out. But something I didn’t predict – I don’t think anyone did – were the words ‘Lockdown,’ ‘Pandemic’ and ‘Isolation.’

It was about a month or two into this strange new way of life, that I made a spur of the moment decision to accept a surprise job offer on a little island in the middle of the Irish sea. My mind flashed back to the mock interview I underwent in a recruitment agency in Liverpool. The final question on the tick-box form asked me if I was open to teaching in the Isle of Man. Nonchalantly, I ticked the ‘Yes’ box, thinking absolutely nothing of it. Ironically, that single, insignificant action would ultimately seal my fate and shape the years to come…

Now, you’re probably thinking that this introduction sounds like something out of a film, or the opening line to an unbelievable story! In a way, the first two weeks I spent on Manx soil could have provided the basis for a psychological thriller! Everyone loves a wee spell in a luxurious hotel, but maybe not if it involves confinement to one room for fourteen days under COVID 19 regulations! Makes you think of ‘The Shining’ doesn’t it?! To make matters worse, the TV stopped working on my third day of isolation! Luckily, I was spared from going full on Jack Nicholson by having Netflix on my Tablet, plenty of novels and a view of the beautiful lake outside to while away the many, many hours!

On release day, I was driven to my new home in Ballasalla – a small village with a name not too dissimilar to many places I already knew. An old university classmate had just vacated the island and generously offered me her spacious, twobedroom flat to live in. At this point, my knowledge of the Isle of Man was scant to say the least. Of course, I was aware of the Dunlops and their racing connection to the island. That was about it. I was also completely on my own, with my family and friends on the other side of the Irish Sea. But little did I know that a rich history, culture and a series of unexpected opportunities were lying in wait to be discovered, ready to mould me into someone I would not have even recognised then…

I first became acquainted with the Fairy Bridge on the bus to Douglas. An automated announcement prompted us to say hello to the fairies as we passed the bridge. I did a little research on this somewhat amusing tradition and was fascinated to learn that not greeting the fairies brings serious bad luck! Inspiration struck and I ended up creating a new poem, imaginatively titled, ‘The Fairy Bridge.’

I soon discovered the Arts to not only be alive and well but absolutely thriving in the Isle of Man! When I saw a Facebook post regarding the 2021 Manx Poetry Trail hosted by the Poetry Society, I thought why not enter my latest creation? Perhaps it was a touch of that fairy magic, but my poem was chosen as one of twenty winning poems to be published and displayed around the island! Where better to have my poem displayed than in the Manx Museum itself? Another two of my poems have been published in subsequent Poetry Trail competitions. More recently, various Open-Mic nights have given me the incentive to create, share and absorb the vast talent of other wordsmiths up and down the island.

The acting community on the Isle of Man is rife, with shows and musicals regularly on the stage of Douglas’s historic Gaiety Theatre. In 2022, I joined Parker and Snell Company, attending regular lessons in acting for TV and Film. I have also performed for schoolchildren in a Theatre in Education programme with Kensington Arts. Best of all, I’ve had the opportunity to star in Parker and Snell’s ‘Les Misérables: The Drama’ in 2024 and Parodos Theatre Company’s ‘Macbeth’ in 2025 as a witch – my favourite role to date! The best thing about these experiences, was finding an immediate sense of belonging with like-minded people that I identified with.

Coming to the Isle of Man was my first real, tentative step into adulthood. I often wonder about how many others on the island have been where I was then and made that journey too. What expectations did they have? Did they feel like they belonged? It’s easy to feel like an outsider in a place where no one knows you. But if I could express one thing to anyone coming here to live and work, I would say that you do not have to stand on the sidelines just because you are in unfamiliar territory. Make your name known. You are where you are rightfully meant to be! I’ve discovered many new and exciting things, even my Manx-born husband Jamie!

So, will I transition from ‘Comeover’ to ‘Stopover?’ Who knows?! For now, let’s see what direction this insane journey will take me in next!

BALLYMENA BALLASALLA:

BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION

Come From Away show

18th July Saturday afternoon matinee show

On behalf of the British Heart Foundation, Jill Pugh wants to say a huge thank you to you and everyone at Two Feather Productions for so kindly allowing us to hold a bucket collection at the end of Come From Away on Saturday afternoon.

We were absolutely delighted by the generosity of your audience, who helped us raise an amazing £414.81. Every donation, no matter the size, will help fund life-saving research helping to save lives!

ISLE OF MAN ENERGY SUPPORTS SALVATION ARMY EFFORTS TO HELP ISLANDERS FACING HARDSHIP

Isle of Man Energy has donated £10,000 to support The Salvation Army’s free, FCA-regulated debt advisory service, helping the charity continue its work with Island residents facing financial hardship.

The donation forms part of Isle of Man Energy’s ongoing support of The Salvation Army, continuing a relationship that has helped back the charity’s work on the Island for more than three years.

The funding will support the Debt Advice Service, which was established in 2020 and provides Island residents with budgeting support, debt advice and practical financial guidance. Demand has grown steadily since, with the service supporting people facing financial crisis alongside wider personal challenges. It is run by two full-time members of staff, supported by a team of dedicated volunteers, and is free to all who use it.

Working closely with Island charities, government and health professionals, the service provides tailored guidance and support, taking time to understand each client’s circumstances and help them move forward with greater confidence.

In addition to supporting the Debt Advice Service, Isle of Man Energy has also donated a further £5,000 to The Salvation Army Isle of Man Community Relief Fund.

The Community Relief Fund provides practical emergency assistance to local families and individuals experiencing financial hardship, utility top-ups and essential household goods. Support is available through referrals from partner agencies.

SIMCOCKS RAISES FUNDS FOR DEMENTIA CARE

Simcocks Advocates recently hosted a wine and cheese tasting night at the Food Cellar in Douglas, in aid of Forget Me Not, the local dementia charity.

The ticketed event saw more than 70 people gather to enjoy a range of wines and cheeses on a beautiful May evening, whilst raising money to help provide dementia specialist nurses for Isle of Man patients.

Forget Me Not is an Isle of Man registered charity formed in August 2018, with a mission to improve the support available for people living with dementia and their families in the Isle of Man.

Gemma Wild, Fiona Kirkham and Natalie Radford represented the charity on the night, with Gemma saying a few words to the crowd about the charity. There was a feeling at the event that this is a cause close to many people’s

hearts, and with 1 in 14 over 65s suffering with the disease, it’s not hard to see why.

Forget Me Not estimates that there are around 1600 people on the Island living with dementia, but that figure could be as high as 1800, taking into consideration those with suspected dementia.

CEO of Simcocks, Phil Games commented:

“I’m so pleased we have been able to do something to assist this fantastic charity help local people in need of this specialist support. It was a really enjoyable evening - the Food Cellar was a wonderful venue and the team did an amazing job looking after us.”

50 Years. Thousands of Homes.

One Family

Business.

NTo everyone who has been part of our journey, thank you” - Simon Talbot Talbot & Son’s showrooms over the years...

ow in our third generation, Talbot & Son has grown from Bob Talbot's small workshop into the Isle of Man's longest established blind and curtain manufacturer and supplier.

From our purpose-built showroom and workshops at Snugborough, the family business continues to be built on quality, personal service and the dedication of our loyal team.

As we celebrate 50 years of providing top quality window coverings across the island, Talbot & Son looks to the future while staying true to the values that have earned the trust of generations of customers.

“Reaching our 50th anniversary is something we're incredibly proud of, and it's only possible because of the loyalty and support of our customers, our dedicated staff and our trusted suppliers.

50TH ANNIVERSARY OPEN DAY

WIN OVER £5,000 OF PRIZES!

£3,000 Luxaflex Voucher

£500 Masterblinds Voucher

£150 Hallis Hudson Voucher ...plus many more!

You’re Invited!

50th Anniversary Open Day

Saturday 5th September | 10am - 4pm

Snugborough Trading Estate

Come and celebrate with us!

Everyone who visits our Open Day will receive a 10% off discount voucher, enjoy exclusive September offers, complimentary refreshments and nibbles, meet our trusted suppliers, and experience the latest products and innovations from across our ranges.

Whether you've been with us since the beginning or you've only recently discovered Talbot & Son, we'd love you to join us as we celebrate this incredible milestone.

‘The Horse MIRROR is a THE SOUL’ to

Intro By: Martin Malone - Personal Trainer/ Sports Nutritionist at Simply Nutrition

I thought I would take a different approach to this month’s article after recently catching up with my friend Christopher Whitlow. Christopher has turned a lifelong passion for horses into a career in the TV and film industry. His horsemanship is undoubtedly among the best in the business, but what really sets him apart is his perspective on the relationship between horse and rider, and how that has shaped both his career and his outlook on life.

I asked Christopher to share what horsemanship has taught him about performing under pressure, lessons that extend far beyond the saddle.

The Lessons Horses Taught Me About Performing Under Pressure

Words By: Christopher Whitlow

“I used to think I was training horses. I now understand that, in many ways, they had been training me.”

I grew up around horses and eventually turned that passion into a profession. After watching Gladiator, I realised horsemanship was far more than riding; it was an ancient martial art.

My recent work includes Sir Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, Marvel’s Kraven the Hunter, and Amazon’s worldwide Audible campaign, working as an actor, stunt performer and horse rider.

Through training and performing with horses on major productions, I’ve become fascinated not only by horsemanship, but by what horses teach us about pressure, focus, patience and performance. They have become remarkable sensei, demanding authenticity from those who work with them.

The saying “the horse is a mirror to the soul” is more than a poetic phrase. Horses reflect what is happening within us. They respond to our body language, breathing, attention and intention with complete honesty.

Whether we’re facing a job interview, a sporting event, public speaking or an important exam, pressure reveals our internal state. Horses simply make that state impossible to hide.

Horse

The Profession: High Stakes Performance

Working as an actor and stunt performer demands technical precision alongside creative performance.

You must hit marks, follow choreography, remain aware of cameras, crew, special effects and safety, often in fastmoving environments involving vehicles, fire, water or explosions. At the same time, you’re serving the story. The same choreography can become a Viking battle, a medieval duel or the actions of a calculated assassin depending on the character you’re portraying.

Every setup is expensive, time is limited, and safety is non-negotiable.

Now introduce an extremely powerful, highly perceptive prey animal into that environment.

The challenge doesn’t simply increase; it’s amplified.

Horses bring a presence that cannot be replicated, but that presence must be earned. They constantly read tension, hesitation, distraction and inconsistency. They need calm, clarity and confident leadership.

On set, a horse may be surrounded by armour, weapons, cameras, explosions and hundreds of people. My responsibility is to help the horse feel safe enough to perform while protecting its welfare.

To me, a horse is never a prop. It’s a scene partner, a professional athlete and a living being deserving of respect.

The horses I work with love their job and are cared for like elite athletes. I’ve even lost work because I refused to follow outdated approaches. Instead, I’ve built my career around performance riding, where the horse’s welfare always comes first.

The goal is simple: allow the horse’s natural brilliance to shine while keeping both horse and rider safe.

Synergy is everything.

Learning the Horse’s Language

On set, information arrives constantly from directors, producers and stunt coordinators, and it is often contradictory. My role is to filter that information, assess the situation, read the horse and execute safely.

When “Action!” is called, preparation must meet reality.

With horses, communication is rarely verbal. It happens through breath, posture, rhythm, balance, timing and intention. I aim to embody the state I want the horse to experience: physically ready, focused and energised, yet calm and composed.

Filming often involves long periods of waiting followed by moments of complete commitment. Managing both my energy and the horse’s throughout the day is essential.

Horsemanship, Martial Arts and Flow

My approach has been heavily influenced by Shotokan karate, which I studied as a child. As riding became my profession, I realised how closely martial arts and horsemanship overlap.

Horsemanship itself has a long martial history; horses

were central to warfare, demanding courage, balance, trust and precision. While my work today is about storytelling rather than battle, those principles remain unchanged.

Martial arts teach you to align your mind, body and breath. Horsemanship asks you to achieve that alignment within yourself before extending it to another living being.

This is where flow emerges: a state where attention is fully absorbed, movement becomes instinctive and performance feels effortless. The aim is not only to enter that state yourself, but to help the horse reach it too.

The Horse Is a Mirror to the Soul

This is where horses become extraordinary teachers.

If your breathing is shallow, your body tense or your attention scattered, the horse notices. You cannot convince a horse you’re calm; you have to become calm enough for the horse to believe you.

Calm doesn’t mean passive. The ideal state is focused, prepared, energised and emotionally regulated.

The horse reflects whatever you genuinely bring into the moment. It may expose frustration, hesitation or impatience, but it also responds to consistency, patience and clear intention.

That’s why I enjoy working with challenging horses. Some demand physical strength and balance to guide their power with subtlety. Others have learned not to trust people. In those cases, trust cannot be forced; it has to be earned through patience, understanding and consistency.

The Feedback Loop

Because horses respond so honestly, they become powerful feedback mechanisms.

When a horse becomes tense, I first ask myself:

Am I breathing properly? Am I rushing? Am I holding unnecessary tension? Am I communicating clearly?

A calm rider creates a calmer, more confident horse. An anxious or aggressive rider often creates the opposite.

I’ve seen riders shouting in frustration, trying to force horses to comply. The horse usually absorbs that emotional state, tension escalates and the situation deteriorates for everyone. An inability by the human to control their emotional state can create problems for everybody. It is the perfect example of what not to do — in horsemanship, but really, in any situation.

In high-pressure environments, emotions are contagious.

To bring out the best in the horse, I have to ask more of myself: greater patience, focus, humility and self-control.

Five

Horsemanship Lessons for Everyday Life

The wisdom horses have taught me applies far beyond riding.

Whether you’re giving a presentation, sitting an exam, competing in sport or facing a difficult conversation, pressure is often a sign that growth is taking place. Performance isn’t about becoming fearless. It’s about remaining effective when conditions are less than perfect.

1. Manage Your State

People often prepare for pressure by thinking harder. A better place to start is the body: breathe, release tension and return to the present moment.

Key takeaway: Before trying to control the situation, learn to control your state.

2. Attention Determines Performance

Horses only respond to what’s happening now. Dwelling on mistakes or worrying about the future reduces performance.

Focus on the next stride, the next breath or the next sentence.

Key takeaway: Where attention goes, performance follows.

3. Trust Your Preparation

Good performance is built long before the moment arrives. Fitness, repetition, rehearsal and preparation create genuine confidence.

The 1% seen in performance is built on the 99% no one sees.

Key takeaway: Confidence is earned before the event begins.

4. Find Calm Among the Storm

No horse, environment or day is ever identical. Like a surfer riding a wave, success comes from adapting rather than resisting.

The goal isn’t to eliminate the storm, but to perform within it.

Key takeaway: Don’t fight the wave. Learn to ride it.

5. Focus on What You Can Control

I can’t control the weather, unexpected noises or every decision a horse might make.

I can control my preparation, attitude, breathing, communication and decisions.

Key takeaway: Focus your energy on what you can influence, not what you can’t.

Mr & Mrs Lyons Gallery presents the wedding of

David & Kelly were married on the 7th March 2026.

CAR HIRE

The Price You See Is What You Pay

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What our customers say:

"The service from ASP was excellent – warm, friendly and great value for money, with no hassle. The vehicle was clean, economical and easy to drive. Having used many other car and van hire companies on the Island, I couldn't recommend ASP CarHire more highly.

Croeso i Gymru –Welcome to Wales!

Words by: Fionna Creggen

The Welsh town of Llangollen boasts a trio of attractions that the Isle of Man also holds dear: a much-loved festival of music and dance, horse-drawn transport and a UNESCO connection. We experienced all three of these on a recent trip to this scenic locality just over an hour’s drive from Liverpool.

Our visit was planned to coincide with the Llangollen Eisteddfod in July, which I first attended in 2009 and was blown away by its vibrancy, colourfulness and truly international flavour. An eisteddfod is a competitive festival of music and poetry but there the similarities to our Manx Music Festival end.

Llangollen Eisteddfod is globally famous, this year attracting selected choirs, dance groups and performers from as far afield as Ukraine, USA, Kurdistan, China, India and Zimbabwe as well as many from Wales and England. The event, which celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2027, comprises six days of competitions, concerts and a wonderful Parade of Nations through the town, and culminates in the prestigious Choir of the World showcase, won this July by a mixed choir from the Philippines. It was fabulous to see local youth performance group Skeealyn Vannin flying the flag for the Isle of Man this year.

The Eisteddfod is centred on the Pavillion, a huge auditorium with a capacity of several thousand, while the Pavillion grounds host a variety of food outlets, trade stands featuring for example Welsh harps and inscribed Welsh slate mementoes, and several outdoor stages. We were treated to the rousing sound of the Bollywood Brass Band as we enjoyed stone-baked pizza in the blissful evening sunshine.

Our accommodation was a spacious two-bedroom selfcatering apartment named Dinas Brân Retreat which had a view of the eponymous ruined castle atop a hill overlooking the town. The apartment was within White Waters Country Hotel and we took advantage of the small pool, games room and terrace with lovely views of the River Dee and the Eisteddfod ‘tent’ in the distance.

Just down the road from the hotel was TNR Outdoors, where my son Thomas tried his hand at the air rifles, proving rather a sure shot, while my daughter Annie mastered the bouldering wall. Through the windows we watched intrepid youngsters rafting the rapids of the Dee.

On our second day, to escape the heat of the town centre, we headed up to the shady Llangollen Canal where we watched handsome Tobias being hitched onto a canal boat for a 45-minute cruise. Tobias was an Irish Cob, a breed whose height is suitable for the low bridges along the towpath, a requirement not of concern to our Clydesdale and Shire tram horses.

Canal boat trips in the other direction cross the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the world’s longest and highest cast-iron aqueduct. Designed by Thomas Telford, completed in 1805 and now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it stands 37 metres above the River Dee. Crossing the aqueduct either on foot or in a canal boat or kayak is not for the faint-hearted so we viewed the awe-inspiring structure from Cysylltau Bridge about 200 metres away.

Llangollen is a great destination for a varied break from the Isle of Man. With a picturesque setting, this small and friendly town is just a short drive from Liverpool and has much to explore including a museum and Llangollen Railway which runs steam and diesel trains through 10 miles of scenic countryside, plus walks and outdoor pursuits aplenty. It is difficult to truly do justice to the amazing spectacle of Llangollen Eisteddfod in words, so why not plan to experience it and some warm Welsh hospitality yourself in future?

BIG! Cooish goes

The Isle of Man’s annual Manx Language festival, Cooish, or a friendly chat in Manx, which is usually held in November returns a couple of months early with its most ambitious programme to date, or in Manx, it’s gone mooar or, in this context, vooar – BIG!

The Cooish Vooar marks Blein ny Gaelgey - Year of Manx Language 2026 and features five days of concerts, events, activities and cultural experiences running from Friday 25 to Tuesday 29 September –and it’s open to everyone of any age from complete beginners to confident Manx speakers and even the ‘Manx curious’.

Tickets are now available for the three flagship events:

The premier of Matthew Warran’s Manx language opera Caillagh (Crone), a world first and marks a significant milestone in the development of Manx language arts. In Peel Cathedral on Friday 25 September, ‘Caillagh’ is an enchantress and her story, as told by this young composer, is one of both loss and hope.

Yn Mheillea – The Harvest concert on Sunday 27th at the Peel Centenary Centre, has been created by the team behind another Manx festival Yn Chruinnaght, and – just for Cooish Vooar and for the first time - features an exclusive lineup of traditional Manx musicians and performers.

And winding up Cooish Vooar on Tuesday 29 September, is acclaimed Scottish Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis and her quartet Allt who will be performing at the Gaiety Theatre – with support from the Island’s very own Manx Gaelic singer Ruth Keggin and her duo partner, Scottish harpist Rachel Hair. Julie Fowlis is known for her ability to connect Gaelic song with global audiences and her concert for Cooish Vooar is titled ‘InterGaelic Song & Music with Allt’ and will explore the deep cultural and musical ties between Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man through a programme inspired by Gaelic poetry.

Cooish Vooar is coordinated by Culture Vannin in partnership with Jeebin and community groups across the island. Year of the Manx Language Coordinator, Tiffany

Kerruish, is delighted to see the Manx language showcased in such a high-profile concert:

“It promises to be both spellbinding and a fitting finale to what will be the biggest Manx language festival ever held on the Island. It will be wonderful to hear the beautiful Manx language alongside Scottish and Irish Gaelic, all performed by a world-class group of singers and musicians.”

Culture vultures and heritage boffins will notice that by holding Cooish Vooar in September the Island’s heritage sites will be open and the steam trains and trams will still be running.

Tiffany Kerruish says this is no accident:

“"Holding Cooish Vooar in September means the language can be experienced alongside many of the Island's other unique cultural experiences, from museums and historic sites to heritage transport. We hope this will encourage more people, both locally and from further afield, to experience Manx as a living language that remains an important part of Island life today and inspire them to engage with it and become part of its future.”

Heritage tours, led by blue badge guides, will take place every day, and excitingly. the tours will be presented in both Manx and English. Nicola Tooms, joint curator of the Mind Your Language! exhibition at the Manx Museum. will be leading tours of the exhibition, again in both Manx and English (these events are free but ticketed – you need to book!)

In addition to the events mentioned here Cooish Vooar is also following the traditional Cooish road by organising Manx language pop-ups across the Island at times to suit everyone, whatever their ability, and a new one for 2026 is the ‘lunch and learn’ sessions at Neoworx in St George’s Street, aimed specifically for those who work in Douglas or nearby.

A full five days indeed – for Blein ny Gaelgey Cooish has certainly gone Vooar!

For the full Cooish Vooar programme (which is being added to all the time) see www.yearofmanx.im.

Sponsors: Island Escapes and the Domestic Event Fund

New app adds colour to Ramsey

Words: Suzy Holland

Images: Ramsey Art Trail app, the artists

Iknow I’ve been going on about this for years, but Ramsey really is the public art capital of the Isle of Man. And now Ramsey artist and gallery owner Leanne Higgins has launched the Ramsey Art Trail app to bring all these murals, all these painted shelters and all the art works together for the enjoyment of locals and visitors alike. So hop on the bus or tram, jump in the car (parking is free in Ramsey) and make your way North and see what’s adding colour to the town.

Hi Leanne – your new Ramsey Art Trail app has made quite an impression, but when did you first decide to create it?

It started life as a colouring book which I thought would be a lovely way to encourage people to explore Ramsey and interact with both the art and the artists behind them. But new murals started appearing while I was still researching so I quickly realised that a printed book would be out of date almost as soon as it was finished. The advantage of an app is that it gives the trail room to grow, which feels much more fitting for something that’s still evolving.

Was the design of the app all your own work?

Yes. I researched all the murals, wrote the content, designed and built it, with help with the coding from AI.

Creativity has shaped my whole career. I spent more than 15 years working in communications and design before opening Pink Seaweed – my gallery on the ground flower of ‘the flower building’ - which has become a platform for more than 140 Manx artists and makers. Every day I get to meet incredibly talented people and hear the stories behind what they create. The Ramsey Art Trail App is an extension of this.

Did the artists supply the images for the App?

It was a real mixture. Some artists sent photographs, members of the public shared theirs and some I took myself.

Some of them still need better photos, but I hope that’ll fix itself as more people use the app and upload their own. I quite like the idea that it continues to improve as more people use it. It really is a living project. Ramsey’s

public art offering is still growing, so hopefully the trail –and the app - will grow with it.

I’d also love to include information about the local businesses that are home to one of the murals, so people can discover the places that have helped make the trail possible.

The app has been live now for a few weeks – what’s been response?

Incredibly positive. There’s a feedback button built into the app because I’d genuinely like people to tell me if I’ve missed something. There’s also a ‘Report an Issue’ option so we can all play a part in looking after the artwork.

Most of the messages have been people sharing stories, suggesting little additions or telling me about artwork I’d accidentally missed. The nicest comments have been from people saying they’d walked past a mural for years without knowing the story behind it, or that they hadn’t realised quite how much public art Ramsey has. That’s exactly what I hoped would happen.

The artists have been really supportive too. It’s another way for people to discover their work and appreciate the contribution they’ve made to the town.

I understand the Ramsey Art Trail App has had support from not only the businesses which are ‘hosting’ this public art on their own walls, but also the IOM Arts Council and Ramsey Town Commissioners, but is there anyone else you’d like to thank?

The artists! Some of them are well known names, others are just starting out in their careers, and many hadn’t ever produced art on such a large scale. I wanted there to be somewhere that celebrated the artwork, the people behind it and everyone who believes Ramsey is worth investing in.

I think public art is one of the most generous things you can give a community. Once a mural is painted, it belongs to everyone. It becomes part of the walk to school, trips into town and everyday lives and if my new Ramsey Art Trail app encourages someone to wander down a different street, discover an artist they hadn’t heard of before, pop into a local business or simply look up a bit more often, then it’s done exactly what I hoped.

Before we finish Leanne, is there anything else you’d like people to know about the project?

That public art in Ramsey is not a new thing! Although there were murals in the town before, it was the flower building – a three-storey depiction of Manx Wildflowers painted by Karolina Pawlowska in 2019 on the corner of Christian Street and Parliament Street -that really started the recent revival of public art .

This stunning interpretation of the words of Manx writer Josephine Kermode, better known as ‘Cushag’, was commissioned by the building’s owners Caira and David Kilgallon who enlisted the support of the Isle of Man Arts Council and Ramsey Town Commissioners, not to mention friends and family. Juan McGuiness of RTC pushed for the shelters on Mooragh Prom to be the next project, followed by the shelters in the park – all completed with support from local businesses, private sponsors and individuals who believe that public art is worth investing in.

The murals are so much more than colourful walls. They represent years of creativity, collaboration and belief in Ramsey. The Ramsey Street Art app celebrates the artwork, the artists, the organisations that commissioned them and the community which helped make them happen. If people come away with a greater appreciation for what creativity brings to a place, then I’ve done what I set out to do.

Thanks for taking the time to talk to Gallery, Leanne. You’ve said that your own motivation was to ‘join the dots’ between the art, the town, and the community and it’s safe to say that your app does all those things so congratulations! Where can our readers find the Ramsey Art Trail App?

That’s easy. It’s a web app so just go to www.Ramsey-Art-Trail. netlify.app and add it to the home page on your phone. From there you can browse the Trail tab, learn about the art and the artists – and where to find the works – and even share your own photos and add a comment. You can also explore by artist if you’d like to know more about them.

Thanks Leanne, I’ve added your app to my home page and it really is as easy as you say.

After I’d spoken to Leanne and browsed through the app myself, I was keen to speak to one of the businesses who’d embraced the whole Art Trail ethos, so I contacted Pippa Byrne at The Natural Apothecary to discuss her collaboration with artist Lisa Lennon:

Pippa, please tell me how your collaboration with Lisa came about? Lisa is one of my lovely regulars, and one day she asked if I knew about the art trail Leanne from Pink Seaweed had created. Admittedly, I had no clue but I loved the idea! There are some fantastic pieces of artwork around town so what a wonderful way to encourage people to get out and about and discover them! Lisa thought my shop should be part of it and kindly offered to create something. Of course I said yes! I absolutely love Lisa’s work. Just a couple of weeks later the ‘Apothecary Bunnies’ were finished and proudly on the wall! We think they’re probably a one of a kind paper mural! The pressed flowers are from the old railway line that I gathered and pressed back in 2023. The plantain makes the perfect staff! I pressed those flowers during a bit of a difficult chapter in my life. I knew I wanted to preserve them but I had no idea what I’d ever use them for so it feels super lovely that they’ve now found their place on my shop wall becoming part of something so special! I love hearing the comments from customers and passersby.

I’m sure Gallery readers will agree that the Bunnies couldn’t be a more perfect fit for the Apothecary – thanks Pippa and, of course, Lisa!

The Runestones of Mann: The Fusion of Two Worlds

Megan Quirk

What if I told you that one of the world's most important Viking collections isn't in Norway or Sweden, but right here on the Isle of Man?

It is one of the Isle of Man’s best-kept secrets that our small island is home to the one of the world’s most remarkable collections of Viking-age crosses. In fact, nowhere else outside of Scandinavia will you find such a dense concentration of runic crosses per square mile. Every year, tourists and locals alike pass these stones and remain totally oblivious of the stories they tell and the archaeological significance they embody in the wider world.

Scattered across the island’s churchyards you will find them and most impressive is the recently completed exhibition at Kirk Andreas Church, purpose-built to protect the weathering of these fragile carved stones and ensure they can be enjoyed by future generations. There could be no better place to begin your journey into the Island's Viking past. Indeed, what these stones critically reveal to us is the meeting of two worlds: the local Celtic Christian community already living on Mann and the Norse settlers who arrived during the Viking age bringing with them their own pagan beliefs, artistic traditions, mythology and most notably their system of writing: the runes.

Runes, which appear on 35 of the Manx crosses, with 28 inscriptions surviving well enough to be at least partially translated are written in Short Twig Younger Futhark, a Norwegian form of the runic alphabet. This is suggests that many of the Vikings who settled on Mann originated from Norway. Unlike our modern alphabet, runes were designed to be carved using straight lines into wood and stone and most of the Manx inscriptions we see

v are largely commemorative in their nature. These inscriptions record who raised the cross and, in whose memory it was erected for, reading much like the memorials we still place in churchyards today.

Yet it is the carvings themselves that make the Manx crosses truly unique.

At first glance they appear to be ordinary Christian crosses. However, inspect them closely and woven within the intricate knotwork there can be found dragons, wolves, ravens and serpents, together with scenes from Norse mythology. At Andreas, you will find Thorwald's Cross which depicts Odin's final battle with the wolf Fenrir during Ragnarök (the end of the Viking world), whilst nearby Sigurd's Cross also at Andreas tells the story of Sigurd, the legendary dragon slayer, and his battle with Fáfnir. These unmistakably pagan stories are carved onto Christian monuments, creating a remarkable fusion of two belief systems.

What makes the survival of these runestones so impressive is that rather than representing conflict of two peoples, the crosses instead capture a unique moment in history: a society in transition. They show that the Vikings who settled on Mann were quickly no longer simple raiders but settlers establishing permanent homes, willingly adopting Christianity while still celebrating the stories of their Scandinavian ancestors. Nowhere else is this cultural blending illustrated so beautifully in stone.

The names carved into the stones reveal something else too. They show just how quickly the Vikings became Manx.

At first, many of the people commemorated have unmistakably Norse names. But before long, something shifted. Viking fathers began raising crosses for children with Gaelic Christian names, showing that Norse settlers had clearly married into the local population and were embracing both Christianity and Manx culture as a result.

One wonderful example comes from Andreas churchyard, where a Viking father commemorates his son Mailbrikti: a Gaelic name meaning ‘servant of St Brigit’. This shows that within just a generation or two, the Vikings weren’t simply living alongside the Manx people; they had become part of the community.

Sigurd's Cross: The Dragon Slayer

The Manx Runestone Trail

Part One: North & West

Visit the Viking churches (1-6) of the North & West. Discover dragons, wolves and viking heroes. Decode real Viking runes.

Can you complete the Manx Runestone Trail?

It may even explain why we still speak a Gaelic language today. As Manx children were traditionally raised by their mothers, many of whom were local women, the language and customs of the home remained Gaelic. While the Vikings left an unmistakable mark on our place names, art and history, the language of everyday life remained Gaelic, shaping the Manx identity we recognise today.

These crosses are therefore far more than impressive works of art. They preserve the names of people who would otherwise have been lost to history, reveal where the Island’s Viking settlers came from, and record the birth of a new Manx identity forged from two cultures.

Perhaps most remarkable of all is that these stones survived at all. Across much of Britain, the tradition of carving runestones faded and many monuments were later lost – either reused as building stone or destroyed over the centuries. On the Isle of Man, however, these crosses remained within Christian churchyards, where they were valued and protected rather than removed.

Now that you know the stories hidden within these stones, it is time to discover them for yourself.

Our trail begins in the north and west of the Island, taking you to some of the most important Viking sites on Mann.

Take your time, look closely at the carvings, and don’t forget to bring this magazine with you. How many can you find?

Recipes for Healthy Eats & Indulgent Feasts

From Boo’s Little Kitchen

For more recipes, follow along on Instagram: @boosli7lekitchen

Spaghetti alle vongole with langoustines

It’s summer time lets take dining outdoors. Think relaxed, al fresco feasting with crispy chicken, fresh fish, vibrant salads and a glass of wine in hand.

Spaghetti with clams, wine and garlic and beautiful langoustines.

“When seafood is this fresh, simplicity is everything.”

Sometimes a beautiful display of seafood is all the inspiration needed. This dish came together exactly that way. Fresh clams and langoustines, simply cooked, letting the ingredients shine.

INGREDIENTS

SERVES 4

• 1 pack of good quality spaghetti (I prefer Rummo)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp butter

• 2 shallots, finely chopped

• 1 red chilli, finely chopped

• 4 cloves of garlic, crushed

• 2 fresh tomatoes, chopped

• 250ml white wine

• Fresh clams, enough for 4

• Langoustines, 3-4 per person

• Chopped parsley

HOW TO

Bring a large pan of water to the boil and season generously with salt. Add in your pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes.

Melt the olive oil and butter together in a large pan that has a lid. Add in chopped shallots, the chilli and garlic, and cook slowly until soft. Add in the tomatoes and wine. Add in the clams and langoustines, giving it a good mix. Pop on the lid and simmer until the clams pops open.

Toss in the drained spaghetti and mix well and sprinkle over parsley.

Serve in big bowls with crusty bread to mop up all the sauce. Absolutely gorgeous!

Where Passion Becomes Wine

Words: Anne Berry – Wine Down

Have you ever thought what makes the difference between wine and ‘good’ wine?

It can be easy to make wine. Plant vines in flat, fertile soil, wait a couple of years for the vines to produce enough grapes to make wine, harvest as much as you can and make the wine. The result will be a wine but it is unlikely to have a lot of character or expression of where it is produced.

Good wines are a result of passion and dedication and are also a reflection of the people who make them. The people behind the wines live and breathe them. Growing good quality fruit doesn’t just happen. The vineyards are tended every day with winemakers checking for disease, pests and closely monitoring weather forecasts to see when the next job should be done.

They don’t just want to make wine, they want to make a wine that expresses the character of where the grapes are grown, that is as good as it possibly can be and for their customers to enjoy and remember.

Our Chablis producer, the Philipponat family are a brother and sister team, Beatrice and Olivier, who work tirelessly to produce their amazing wines. Olivier looks after the vineyards and makes the wines while Beatrice

does everything else! Days off are a luxury as they are a small family business and if the vines need them, they cannot be far away.

Likewise in Sancerre, Philippe Raimbault works from 7am until 7pm almost every day to ensure that he has a crop of healthy, good quality fruit from his fossil rich soil. It is not possible to make a good wine from poor raw materials and, when your name is on the label, you really want to ensure that you do everything possible to ensure that the product is good.

This is more straightforward in some years than in others and this year has been particularly challenging. In drought conditions, vines go into survival mode. They protect themselves and ripening the grapes slows right down. There is less water available for the vines and irrigation is not allowed. Throughout Europe, the grapes are too small for the time of year. Everyone is praying for rain (but without hail as that can wipe out the crop) during the first week of August and then a warm, dry spell to allow the flavours to fully develop in the grapes before harvest starts in late August.

As we go to print, there is no rain in the forecast and another heatwave imminent. 2026 will be seen as one of the most challenging vintages in recent times and we are delighted to be working with people who, we feel sure, will be able to make good wine, albeit in a smaller quantity.

Chicken Caesar Schnitzel

Crispy chicken schnitzel topped with cool, creamy Caesar salad. Simple, satisfying and endlessly popular.

“Hot, crispy chicken meets cool, tangy salad—an irresistible combination.”

Chicken schnitzel and Caesar salad. I'm sure you've seen this viral dish everywhere. It’s probably the most ‘girl dinner’ dinner there is! Combining hot crispy chicken and cool, creamy, tangy salad, it is wonderful.

The crispy chicken it an absolute family favourite in our house, either served with tomato spaghetti, with katsu curry or by itself as homemade chicken strips.

From Boo’s Little Kitchen

For more recipes, follow along on Instagram: @boosli7lekitchen

SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS

• 2 large chicken breasts

• 100g flour

• 2 eggs

• 150g breadcrumbs

• 1 tbsp dried Italian herbs

• 2 tbsp grated parmesan

• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Caesar dressing

• 4 tbsp mayonnaise

• Juice of half a lemon

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 clove garlic, grated

• 1 anchovy (leave out if you wish), mashed

• 2 tsp Dijon mustard

• 4 tbsp grated parmesan

To serve

• 1 head of Romaine lettuce

• Optional – cooked streaky bacon

HOW TO

Get your chicken and pop on a chopping board. Holding it down with one hand, use a sharp knife to carefully slice horizontally through the thickest part, splitting it into two thinner, even cutlets.

Place clingfilm over the top and bash with a rolling pin until flat. Season well with salt and pepper.

Next, get 3 bowls out and put flour in one, beaten eggs with a splash of water in the other and breadcrumbs seasoned with the dried Italian herbs and parmesan cheese in the last. Dip each cutlet into the flour, then the egg and finally the breadcrumbs. Pop onto a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil and bake in the oven at 200c for 12-15 minutes until crispy.

For your salad dressing mix all the dressing ingredients together, making sure the garlic and anchovy are mashed through. Add a dash of water to loosen. Chop up the lettuce and mix with the dressing. You can mix in chopped bacon too if you like.

Serve the crispy chicken on a plate and pile on the fresh, crispy salad on top.

AGENDA

STATE OF STYLE REPORT 2026

Independent consumer research into women’s confidence, shopping behaviour and personal style across the Isle of Man, page 36

2026 ISLE OF MAN DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The winners of the 2026 IoD Isle of Man Director of the Year Awards, sponsored by SW Legal, were announced at the Comis Hotel & Golf Resort at a gala event recently. The awards recognise the broad spectrum of leadership talent, success, and achievement in the Isle of Man.

The award winners across the categories were as follows:

● Aspiring, sponsored by Appleby Juliet Gomes, KPMG in the Crown Dependencies

● Medium Business, sponsored by Crowe Isle of Man LLC Jayne Hartley, Noventre Limited

● Innovation, sponsored by KPMG in the Crown Dependencies (Joint Winners) David Cox-Cooper, Koops & Co. Donald Edwards, Atla Group – Wealth Services

● Sustainability, sponsored by SW Legal Mark Emmington, Comis Hotel & Golf Resort

● Small Business, sponsored by Atla Group. Gail Yeowell, Smart Solutions HR Limited

● Large Business, sponsored by Canaccord Wealth. Nina Johnston, Equiom Isle of Man

● Public & Third Sector, sponsored by Conister Bank Victoria Hotchkiss, Isle of Man Football Association

VIEWS SOUGHT TO HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF ADULT LEARNING ON THE ISLE OF MAN

Following the inaugural Adult Learning Festival, UCM is asking the public and employers to help shape the future of adult learning provision by completing a short survey.

The research comes as the organisation looks ahead to the next three years of the Adult Learning provision, to ensuring they better meet the needs of both individuals and employers, while also improving engagement at future events.

The Adult Learning Festival, held in April, offered a range of free sessions designed to inspire learning and showcase opportunities. While the event attracted interest,

(L-R Alastair Gallichan, Masi Chuma, Catherine Harrop (all SBO), Rebecca Jones (host presenter)

Standard Bank Offshore has been awarded Gold for Best Overall PR at the prestigious Citywealth Brand & Marketing Awards 2026, recognising excellence in communications, marketing and brand strategy across the financial services sector. The accolade celebrates the success of Standard Bank Offshore’s strategic communications and employer

organisers are keen to understand how to improve both attendance and engagement in future years.

Feedback from employers will help shape a more responsive training offer, ensuring local businesses can access the skills they need to remain competitive and address future skills gaps.

Kerry Birchall, who manages UCM’s Adult Learning provision, said: “Adult learning plays a crucial role in supporting people into work, helping everyone in our community progress in their careers, and boosting confidence. These surveys are an important next step in making sure we are offering the right courses, in the right way, to meet the needs of our community and employers.”

The survey can be found on UCM’s website at www.ucm. ac.im/survey26

branding programme, including its innovative Why Wait campaign, which was designed to build meaningful connections with specialist talent while showcasing the organisation’s culture, values and longterm career opportunities.

Now in their tenth year, the Citywealth Brand & Marketing Awards recognise organisations demonstrating excellence and innovation across wealth management and financial services. The awards were presented during a ceremony at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel in Westminster, London, hosted by broadcaster and former BBC Chief News presenter Rebecca Jones. Winners were determined through a combination of independent industry judging and public voting.

The Gold award recognises Standard Bank Offshore’s proactive, relationship-led approach to communications, helping strengthen its reputation as an employer of choice within the offshore financial services sector and enhancing awareness of the organisation’s purpose, culture and career opportunities.

Will Thorp, Offshore CE, said: “This award is a fantastic recognition of the creativity, professionalism and dedication of our marketing and communications team. Their work has played an integral role in strengthening our brand, showcasing what makes Standard Bank Offshore a great place to build a career and helping us attract exceptional talent.

“At Standard Bank Offshore, we’re proud of our people, our culture and the opportunities we create for our clients and colleagues. The Why Wait campaign captured that authentically and this award is testament to the team’s ability to tell our story in a way that resonates with audiences and supports our long-term growth.”

Words by: Rebecca Hills

Most women know the feeling all too well. Standing in front of a wardrobe full of clothes, trying outfit after outfit, yet somehow feeling like nothing quite works.

It’s easy to assume the answer is a shopping trip, a wardrobe clearout or simply more choice on the high street. But the 2026 Isle of Man State of Style Report, the first research of its kind on the Island, suggests the real reason may be much more personal. Surveying 202 women across the Isle of Man, the research found that only 8% feel their wardrobe truly reflects who they are today, while around 70% wear half or less of the clothes they own. Nearly seven in ten (69%) admitted buying clothing because it looked good on someone else, only to discover it didn’t suit them.

Taken together, the findings suggest modern wardrobes are being shaped more by comparison than confidence, leaving women surrounded by clothes that reflect other people’s lives more than their own.

WHY DON’T WE WEAR MOST OF OUR WARDROBES?

New research suggests many women are buying clothes for someone else’s life.

For Rebecca Hills, founder of Vera Rae Image Consultancy and author of the report, that’s the real story behind the statistics.

“Many women assume they’re simply bad at shopping or putting outfits together. What the research actually suggests is that they’re trying to navigate life with wardrobes that no longer represent the person they’ve become.”

The report found that life changes play a significant role in that disconnect. Weight changes emerged as the biggest influence on how women felt about their wardrobe, followed by becoming a mother, reduced confidence, perimenopause and menopause, career progression and relationship changes. Together, the findings suggest wardrobes often struggle to keep pace with women’s changing lives. At the same time, 70% of respondents said they often or sometimes compare their appearance with women online.

“We don’t compare ourselves with just one person anymore - we compare ourselves with hundreds. Every day we’re seeing different influencers, celebrities and content creators, all with completely different styles. Without realising it, we stop buying clothes for ourselves and start buying clothes for the women we admire. Eventually, our wardrobe becomes a collection of beautiful individual pieces rather than one that genuinely works together.”

“Many wardrobes don’t reflect just one version of us. They contain clothes bought for the woman we were five years ago, the woman we hoped to become, and the women we admired online, all hanging side by side in the same wardrobe. It’s no wonder getting dressed can feel so overwhelming.”

The consequences are easy to recognise. Many women become trapped in a cycle of feeling disconnected from what’s hanging inside, buying something new in the hope it will solve the problem, only to find themselves back where they started. That cycle may also come at a financial cost. Fewer than half of women said they find it easy to create outfits from the clothes they already own, while almost a third admitted they actively struggle. More than half estimated they had spent over £100 in the past year on clothes they never wear, yet almost three-quarters believed they could save at least £100 a year if they felt completely confident in what suited them.

“Most wardrobes aren’t built intentionally – they’re built over years of changing bodies, changing careers, changing lifestyles and changing priorities. Add constant comparison into the mix, and it’s no surprise so many women feel disconnected from what’s inside their wardrobe. We often think confidence comes after buying the right clothes. This research suggests the opposite. When you understand what genuinely suits your lifestyle, personality and the stage of life you’re in, shopping becomes quieter. You stop chasing every trend, make decisions with greater certainty and naturally waste less money.”

While the report acknowledges that women would welcome greater retail choice on the Isle of Man, it argues that confidence deserves an equal place in the conversation.

“If you’ve ever looked at a wardrobe full of clothes and wondered why nothing feels like you anymore, you’re far from alone. The problem usually isn’t that you need more clothes - it’s that your life has changed, and your wardrobe hasn’t caught up yet.”

The full 2026 Isle of Man State of Style Report is available at www.verarae.com/stateofstyle. Rebecca hopes the research will become an annual benchmark, tracking how women’s confidence, shopping habits and consumer behaviour evolve over time.

ISLAND ESCAPES OPENS THE FIRST SOLAR-POWERED LAUNDRY SERVICE ON THE ISLE OF MAN

Local

holiday letting agency, Island Escapes, has opened the Isle of Man’s first solar-powered laundry facility, bringing new jobs and opportunities to the island.

Opened on Friday the 22nd of May by Lieutenant Governor, His Excellency Sir John Lorimer, the Managed Services Hub is the long-term project of Island Escapes, an award-winning holiday letting agency that manages almost 200 properties across the Isle of Man.

The Managed Services Hub is the operational heart of the business, where all property management tasks are undertaken, employing over 60 local staff in a variety of roles.

John Keggin, founder and Commercial Director of Island Escapes, which is part of the family-owned Sapphire Holidays group, said: “Bringing this in-house has been a goal for a long time to provide resilience to the business and allow for future growth, and with the support of Sapphire Holidays, we were able to move ahead with the project, acquiring the perfect building at Balthane Industrial Estate near our office in Castletown.

“It’s really important to us to continue the island’s sustainability goals, so making the facility solar-powered was part of the plan from early on. Luckily, we worked with Martin Coyle and his amazing team at Manx Solar Electrical to build a facility that will meet our needs for many years to come.”

The solar array is 44 kilowatts peak, coupled with 81 kilowatt-hours of Tesla Powerwall battery storage. At peak performance, it can produce up to 250 kilowatt-hours per day and over 41 megawatt-hours annually. This equates to an annual CO₂ saving of over 8 tonnes, the equivalent of planting 368 trees every year.

The investment benefitted a number of businesses across the local supply chain. Alongside the team at Manx Solar

Electrical, Island Escapes was supported by Hill Robinson to procure bed linen, towels and machinery; S&S Technical for the installation of equipment; and Collins Steel, T&M, the Venetian Plaster Company and Danny Shimmin for help completing the fit-out of the unit.

Island Escapes was founded in 2018 and has since become the main self-catering accommodation provider on the island, winning several awards and establishing itself at the heart of the local community.

Island Escapes is also a partner of Manx Wildlife Trust, Culture Vannin, and UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man, supporting their aim of protecting and boosting the Isle of Man’s wild spaces, culture, and communities.

Hire The ASP Way

The Price You See Is What You Pay

Need to hire a car or van on the Isle of Man? Whether it's for a day, a week, or longer, or you're arranging transport for visiting colleagues, ASP CarHire has you covered.

Enjoy competitive rates, exceptional customer service, and a modern new fleet of stylish, reliable vehicles.

WHY CHOOSE ASP CARHIRE?

• One low rental price with no hidden charges

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• Airport surcharges included

• Child seats and satellite navigation available

FIFTY-FOUR HOURS TO BUILD A BUSINESS

Words by Chamara Peiris - Techstars Startup Photography by Timeframe Photography

In July, Douglas hosted the first Techstars Startup Weekend in the Isle of Man and Crown Dependencies. A room full of strangers gave up their weekend to find out what they could build in 54 hours.

What could you build in 54 hours?

That was the question waiting for everyone who walked into Launchpad in Douglas on Friday 10 July. They had signed up for the first Techstars Startup Weekend in the Isle of Man and Crown Dependencies, a format that has run in cities around the world for more than a decade. The rules are the same everywhere. Arrive with an idea, or just an open mind. Pitch it in 60 seconds. Form a team with strangers. Then you have until Sunday evening to turn it into a business worth putting in front of judges.

Friday: ideas on their feet

Katerina Chantzi, a Techstars Certified Facilitator, flew in to run the weekend and opened Friday evening before short talks from Sesiri Pathirane, CEO of LIBT, and Dale Taylor, Head of Global Specialist IoT at Vodafone. Then the room warmed up with Half-Baked, an icebreaker where teams invent a company on the spot from random words.

The real pitches came next. Anyone with an idea got 60 seconds. No slides, no notes. The room voted, teams formed around the strongest ideas, and after dinner the building settled into a hum of keyboards. Hacking started at 10pm. Some teams barely stopped.

Saturday: where ideas meet reality

Saturday is the long day. Teams heard from Shelley Langan-Newton, CEO of SQR, and Chris Kissack of Acclaim, Tech Educator of the Year 2025, before a Lean Canvas workshop forced the awkward questions. Who is your customer? What will they pay? Why should it be you?

At 1pm, 13 mentors arrived for speed-dating sessions, drawn from the Island’s tech, business and creative communities. They returned in the evening for feedback rounds at each team’s workspace. More than one team changed direction after mentor feedback. That is exactly the point. Better to find the flaw on Saturday night than in front of the judges on Sunday.

Sunday: the pitches

Sunday morning brought a session from Carol Glover of Carol Glover Coaching. By the afternoon, Friday’s sticky notes had become working prototypes, tested assumptions and rehearsed pitches. Each team presented to a judging panel of five local business leaders: Sesiri Pathirane (LIBT), Shelley LanganNewton (SQR), Dale Taylor (Vodafone), Sharon McCulloch, Lecturer in Business at UCM, and Natalie

Gallagher, Co-Founder and COO of LEMA Logic. Then came the questions, which is where a weekend of testing pays off.

The winner was ProfitM8, an app that helps businesses price for profit instead of pricing on guesswork. First runner-up was Biosphere Beacons, a free public directory that scores organisations on their Biosphere impact, built on the Isle of Man Government’s Climate Impact Assessment methodology and the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Second runner-up was WhyPost, a social media management tool that gives small businesses the reach of companies ten times their size.

The prizes keep the momentum going. ProfitM8 won six months of Launchpad Pro membership plus six months of marketing coaching from Launch Experiments. Both runners-up took home Launchpad Flex memberships and coaching as well. All three teams now have a place to work and people in their corner.

A community effort

An event like this runs on goodwill. LIBT came on board as title sponsor, and Launchpad as the venue sponsor,

joined by event sponsors Loganair, Comis Hotel & Golf Resort, SQR, Amplifi, Pop Cornaa, Robinson’s, Smash n Fry, Victoria Grill, Just Pizza and Pasta, Kasalo, Launch Experiments, Solsen Media and Timeframe Photography. Global partners of Techstars, Google for Startups, Brex and Deel backed the weekend, and community partners the Chamber of Commerce, Code Club, Angel Network, Tekex, UCM, Startup Grind, GDG Douglas, Love Tech and the BCS Isle of Man Section helped spread the word.

What happens next?

The teams walked out with more than prizes. Some walked out with co-founders. All of them walked out knowing they can take an idea a very long way in a weekend, which changes what feels possible on a Monday morning.

Was this the first Startup Weekend in the Isle of Man and Crown Dependencies? Yes. Will it be the last? Not if the energy in that room on Sunday night is anything to go by. If you have an idea sitting in a notebook, keep an eye on startupweekenddouglas.im . Next time, that 60-second pitch could be yours.

THE HIDDEN SKILLS CRISIS No one is talking about

By Kelley Corlett Founder of The Skills Academy, ILM Approved Centre, Isle of Man

Tom has been a brilliant operations manager for twelve years. He runs a tight ship, knows his industry inside out, and has the kind of practical judgement you can’t teach.

Six months ago, his MD asked him to lead the business through what she called “a bit of digital transformation.”

Three pilots. New software. AI tools the team is being asked to use. Tom said yes, because Tom always says yes.

He is, by every measure, deeply skilled. He is also quietly stuck. The problem isn’t that he lacks skills. The problem is that the skills that got him to twelve years of success are not the skills the next twelve months are asking of him. Nobody has had that conversation with him yet.

Tom is not unusual. Tom is the rule.

We’ve been measuring the wrong thing

For the past five years, the future-of-work conversation has been dominated by skills shortages. Tech skills. Digital skills. Green skills. AI skills. Endless reports listing the capabilities organisations are missing.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2025 report is worth reading slowly. Yes, it identifies a long list of in-demand skills. But the more interesting finding sits underneath: 39% of workers’ core skills are expected to change by 2030, and the single fastest-rising capability isn’t technical at all. It’s analytical thinking, followed closely by resilience, flexibility and agility. The skills that determine how quickly a person can pick up the next thing, not the specific thing they happen to know today.

Recent research from the Stanford Digital Economy Lab tells a similar story from a different angle. As AI begins to reshape labour markets, the workers most exposed are not the least skilled. They’re the ones whose expertise is narrow, deep and frozen. Adaptability is becoming the asset that protects everything else.

In plain English: we’ve been counting the wrong thing.

The real shortage

The real shortage isn’t a list of skills. It’s the capacity to keep developing them.

Most organisations still treat learning as an event.

A course. A qualification. A two-day workshop. Something that happens occasionally and ends with a certificate. That model worked when the world stood still long enough for the certificate to remain relevant. It doesn’t anymore.

The capability that matters now is the ability to learn, unlearn and relearn while continuing to do the job. To pick up a new tool in a fortnight. To have a hard conversation about a process that used to work and doesn’t. To say “I don’t know yet, but I’ll figure it out” without panic. To rethink an opinion held for years because the evidence changed.

That is a fundamentally different posture. And almost nobody is being formally developed in it.

Why this matters more here

In a small economy, capability gaps don’t stay isolated for long. They become business challenges quickly, and economic ones not far behind. We don’t have the bench depth of a larger jurisdiction. When a key person stops adapting, there isn’t a queue of alternatives behind them. When a team can’t absorb a new tool, the work backs up across the whole business within weeks.

The reverse is also true, which is the part worth holding onto. In a small economy, a few hundred genuinely adaptable people can shift the dial. We are close enough to each other, and to the systems that shape capability, to do this differently than larger jurisdictions can. Employers, educators, government and communities are not strangers here. The people who need to talk to each other are usually one phone call away.

That proximity is an advantage if we use it.

What good actually looks like

The good news, and there is good news, is that adaptability is a learnable capability, not a personality trait.

People learn to adapt by being given permission to. By working in environments where saying “I don’t know yet” is treated as professional, not weak. By being shown how to learn, not just what to learn. By having leaders who model curiosity rather than certainty. By being asked, regularly, what they think might need to change about their own role.

Organisations build this by treating learning as part of work, not a break from it. Short, regular development beats annual events. Conversations beat courses. Curiosity gets rewarded. Mistakes made while learning something new get treated as different from mistakes made through carelessness.

Recognised qualifications still matter, because structure and frameworks help. But the goal of any good programme now is not to deliver a fixed body of knowledge. It’s to leave people more capable of learning the next thing on their own.

That shift, from teaching content to building capability, is the quiet revolution most organisations haven’t noticed yet.

Four questions for a Sunday evening

Before you call anyone, sit with these honestly.

1. When was the last time someone in your business genuinely changed their mind about how their job should be done? Not because they were told to. Because they thought about it and decided to

2. If your most experienced person became unavailable tomorrow, would your business adapt or seize up? What does the honest answer tell you about how you’ve been investing in capability?

3. How is learning actually happening in your business? Not the L&D budget line. The everyday behaviour. Are people learning at work, or only when they’re sent somewhere?

4. What are you developing in your people that won’t be out of date in three years? If the answer is “not much,” that’s the gap to start closing now.

Tom, the operations manager from the start of this article, isn’t behind. He just hasn’t been shown how to keep learning at the pace the next decade is going to demand of him. Most people on this island haven’t.

The skills crisis isn’t a shortage of skills. It’s a shortage of permission, structure and time to keep building them.

That one we can fix.

Kelley Corlett is the founder of The Skills Academy, an ILM Approved Centre based on the Isle of Man, specialising in leadership development and workforce capability for the future of work.

UCM CELEBRATES STUDENT SUCCESS AT THE 2026 UCM AWARDS SUPPORTED BY THE ISLE OF MAN STEAM PACKET COMPANY

UCM (University College Isle of Man) celebrated the success of its students at the 2026 UCM Awards, recognising outstanding achievement, dedication and resilience across the college’s community.

The ceremony, held at the Villa Marina, honoured more than 60 students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their studies, striving for excellence throughout their time at UCM.

This year’s event was compered by UCM alumnus Percy Hampton, host of the What’s the Skeet podcast, who brought energy and humour to the evening while reflecting on his own journey since studying at UCM.

Guests also heard an inspiring speech from special guest speaker Tom Hull, a UCM engineering alumnus who is currently studying for his PhD. Tom spoke candidly about his experience of coming to UCM after not achieving the A-level results he had hoped for, and how the support and opportunities he found at

UCM helped him discover his passion for engineering, ultimately leading him to academic success and a clear career path.

During the ceremony, Sorcha Wade was awarded the Student Engagement Award, while Harley Cowley was named Student of the Year and James Smith received the Apprentice of the Year award.

Jesamine Kelly, UCM’s Principal, said: “For everyone at UCM, this ceremony is something we all really look forward to; celebrating the journeys our students have been on and recognising their success. It’s always inspiring to see how far our students have come and to share in that achievement with their families, friends and tutors. We were also delighted to welcome former students to take part in the event. Their experiences are a real inspiration to our students as they take their next steps.”

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s Managing Director, Brian Thomson, added: “We were delighted to sponsor this year’s UCM awards, which celebrates the successes of those completing their courses at UCM. The achievements from these students highlights the strength of the Isle of Man community for the future.”

SPECTACULAR PLATINUM GALA DINNER MARKS CHAMBER’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY

Photos by Ricciardi Media

Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 70th anniversary with a spectacular platinum gala dinner at Peel Cathedral, bringing together Chamber members, Past Presidents, sponsors, sector leaders and representatives from across the Island’s business community. Guests enjoyed performances from Roc Vannin Chior and the NOVA Band, alongside speeches from Chamber representatives and special guests.

In her address, Chamber President Claire Watterson reflected on the challenges currently facing businesses and the economy, while emphasising the Island’s collective strength and resilience. She highlighted the importance of supporting strategies that encourage economic growth, innovation and investment in local talent, adding that the future economy would be shaped by those willing to back progress and opportunity.

The event was sponsored by Ørsted, the company behind the proposed Mooir Vannin Offshore Wind Farm. Project Director Jamie Baldwin spoke about the importance of secure, renewable energy in supporting long term economic growth and reducing rising energy costs. He also highlighted the project’s potential to create skilled jobs, generate new revenue streams and deliver direct benefits to the local community.

Chamber CEO Rebecca George paid tribute to the individuals, organisations and members whose support over seven decades has helped Chamber remain a strong voice for the Island’s business community.

OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE CONSULATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND IN DOUGLAS

Photos: Piotr Kwieciński

Asignificant milestone in Polish–Manx relations was marked with the official inauguration of the Consulate of the Republic of Poland in Douglas, further strengthening the ties between the Republic of Poland and the Isle of Man.

The inauguration was led by Chargé d’ Affaires a.i., Ambassador Rafał Wiśniewski, who officially opened the new consular post during a formal ceremony held in the presence of distinguished guests. Among those attending were His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man, Sir John Lorimer and Lady Lorimer, Chief Minister Alfred Cannan, Director Justyna Chrzanowska from the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland,  Consul General Ireneusz Truszkowski and Consul Radoslaw Gromski.

A central moment of the ceremony was the presentation of the act of appointment to the newly appointed Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland on the Isle of Man, Ranita Szymańska. Her appointment represents an important step in expanding Poland’s consular network and ensuring closer support for the Polish community residing on the Island.

The newly established Consulate will provide assistance to Polish citizens living on the Isle of Man, offering consular support and serving as a valuable point of contact for members of the Polish community. Beyond its consular responsibilities, the office will play an important role in fostering stronger cultural, educational, economic and business links between Poland and the Isle of Man, while encouraging new opportunities for cooperation between institutions, organisations and local communities.

The ceremony took place by the courtesy of the Isle of Man Parliament in the historic Tynwald building, the official seat of the world’s oldest continuous parliament. The prestigious setting underscored the importance of the occasion and reflected the longstanding values of democracy, public service and international friendship shared by both nations.

The opening of the Consulate marks a new chapter in Poland’s engagement with the Isle of Man. It stands as a testament to the growing importance of the Polish community on the Island and to the commitment of both sides to deepen their partnership across a wide range of fields. The establishment of the Consulate will contribute to strengthening people-to-people connections, promoting Polish culture and heritage, and enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, education and tourism for years to come.

IFGL APPOINTS

JENNIE GILBERT AS HEAD

OF PEOPLE

SERVICES

International Financial Group Limited (IFGL) has appointed Jennie Gilbert as its new Head of People Services, reflecting the Group’s continued investment in its people, culture and colleague experience.

Jennie joins IFGL with more than 20 years of experience in people leadership, organisational development and employee relations.

In her new role, Jennie will build on the foundations already established within IFGL’s People Services function, supporting its ongoing development and ensuring colleagues across the Group receive high-quality support throughout their careers with IFGL.

Helen Thornton, Chief People and Culture Officer at IFGL, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jennie to IFGL. She combines strategic thinking with genuine warmth and empathy and brings a strong track record of developing people services and supporting cultures where colleagues feel valued and empowered to do their best work.

“Jennie will play an important role in helping us continue to develop our colleague experience and supporting the delivery of our wider business strategy.”

Jennie said: “I am excited to be joining IFGL and to have the opportunity to contribute to an organisation with such a clear commitment to people and our values.  “I am looking forward to getting to know teams across the business and working together to support a culture where people can do their best work and IFGL can continue to grow.”

Islands Energy Group relocates Group General Counsel role to the Isle of Man

Islands Energy Group has appointed Karen Lawrie as Group General Counsel, further strengthening its senior leadership team and reinforcing the company’s commitment to growing its presence in the Isle of Man.

Based on Island, Karen will lead legal, governance and regulatory matters across the Group’s operations in the Crown Dependencies, providing strategic legal support to the business as it continues to expand and evolve.

Karen brings more than 30 years of international experience advising businesses across the energy, infrastructure, finance and maritime sectors. She has held senior legal and executive leadership positions with a number of global organisations.

A dual-qualified solicitor in England and Wales and Attorney in Texas, Karen combines extensive expertise in corporate governance, regulatory affairs, risk management, major projects and cross-border transactions.

Boston Multi Family Office Announces Promotions and Board Appointments in the Isle

of Man

Linda Graham has been promoted to Assistant Manager within the Business Development team. Since joining Boston as part of the IQE acquisition in 2020, Linda has played a pivotal role in delivering an exceptional client onboarding experience while supporting the firm’s continued growth.

Georgia Mathieson-Nelson has been promoted to Senior Administrator within the Business Development team. Having joined Boston in July 2025, Georgia has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic.

Anya Dawson has been promoted to Client Relationship Administrator. Since joining Boston in February 2025 as a Trainee Client Relationship Administrator, Anya has provided outstanding support to the client relationship team.

Boston is also delighted to announce that Paul Healey and Helen Hall have been appointed as Directors of the Isle of Man office.

Paul joined Boston in 2024, bringing more than 30 years of experience to the firm. He acts as lead to a number of trusts and companies, providing strategic direction and supporting the wider team with his expertise.

Helen joined Boston as part of the IQE acquisition in 2020. Prior to her appointment, she served as Head of the Fiduciary Team and Company Secretary of Boston Limited.

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