Rolling NewsletterCentenary Celebration Plans for 2014

The Management Committee of the Qld Manx has decided to send out regular Newsletters to keep you informed on what is happening over the next few months and to ask for some help from members and friends where needed.

PLEASE NOTE:THE NATIONAL CELTIC FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD ON THE 3RD. & 4TH OF MAY AT GLEN INNES AGAIN. IT IS THE YEAR OF THE CORNISH AND WE HOPE TO JOIN THEM IN THEIR CELEBRATIONS. TYNWALD DAY - JULY 5TH which will be held at Arana Leagues Club, usual time and place.

At the meeting on the 22nd February, we had KNITTING PATTERNS FOR DOLLS TO DRESS UP IN MANX KILTS - remnants of Manx Tartan can be used to make the skirt into a proper kilt if this is preferred and we are calling on all Manx Knitters and Sewers to help out and have fun making these garments. If you have an old doll you do not want to keep and would like to have it displayed and/or sold at Ormiston, please let us know. We have patterns for 9 inch, [22/23 cm], 16 inch [40/41 cm] and 18 inch [45/46 cm] dolls. If you would like these patterns sent to you via email in PDF, please let Secretary know – 3273 1782. Even if you don’t have the dolls, knitted and made up garments wrapped in cellophane [or in re-sealable plastic bags] would really be ideal for sale.

I have been working on several knitted garments, and have decided the 16inch doll pattern is the best, as it seemed to be a popular doll size and readily available. However, if you are working on the larger size, this will be great also, as members of the public usually have dolls in all shapes and sizes.

We are also planning to hold a Working/Sewing Bee at George Cowin’s home ON MONDAY, THE 26TH MAY, for the making of Hats, Scarves and Vests – all for display and sale at Ormiston . George has lots of Tartan in both woollen and Cotton blends for this purpose and patterns are available. Turn up at any time between 10 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. Bring Sewing machines, [if portable] needles, scissors, and Blue & Black Cotton to match Laxey Tartan and Vests. Please come and help out, have fun, and a good “gossip” and catch up with some old friends. Contact Val on 3273 1782 for further information or George on 0421 210 222.

FOLK DANCERS AND SINGERS WANTED:

We have had a cancellation of Folk Dancers for our BIG DAY OUT at Ormiston and we are at present looking for Dancers and possibly Folk Singers to take their place. Do you know of any groups who might be interested? We have instructions for Manx dances and a DVD also to help out. Please contact us if you know someone.

MANX PLAY: We are still waiting on Grants to allow us to finalise our Play, as we need these to pay for a venue for rehearsals and the performance.

We have at last confirmed that the Play will be performed at the Irish Club, on the 7th SEPTEMBER, 2014, starting time to be announced at a later date.

THE QLD MANX SOCIETY WEBSITE IS UP AND RUNNING FOR 2014: [Please click on name and check it out]

www.queenslandmanx.org.au

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St Patrick’s Day March

Once again, the Qld Manx Society was represented in the St Patrick’s Day March on 15 th. March. Eight members turned up to fly the flag and greet the crowds. Doug Quayle and his daughters offered to help out the Celtic Council of Aust. to carry all the flags under their banner because they did not have enough members to carry them all. The rest of us paraded under our own Manx banner and flags with pride. The crowds were huge again and a few attracted our attention to let us know they were of Manx heritage. While the parade is long and at times came to a stand-still it was most enjoyable to take part. We may try to arrange a vehicle for next year’s parade to cater for those that can’t make the distance. A car and trailer is proposed, with a couple passengers sitting in the car waving flags and the trailer adorned with our banner, flags and bunting. More can be done to dress the trailer up if we wish. We may be able to have people on and inside the trailer waving flags too. If you are interested, let George Cowin know and we will make arrangements with the Irish Club to include a vehicle. The pictures below show our part in the parade. Here are a couple of photos taken by interested people.

Parades were not always like that. Back about 1917-8, our Society paraded in one of the annual city parades as shown below: maybe the “Empire Day” parade or a “Labour Day” parade. The vehicle from the G W Cowin fleet was decorated with Manx regalia and flowers. Lizzie (Bess) Cowin is standing in front of the vehicle. In the lower photo, about 1919-20, we were represented in another parade. The driver, Irishman Vince Belz, drove the truck for the parade. Harold Oscar Farragher and Isobel Farragher are standing in front of the truck, while

MANX CENTENARY CELEBRATION:Ormiston House offers a grand site to hold our Celebration (see right). Ormiston House provides lovely grounds with huge Norfolk Palms and grassed areas. A patio surrounding the house provides areas for Devonshire Teas and shaded resting spots. We will have a heritage tent situated on the right of the picture in which we will have our memorabilia and history stories, and the Redlands Genealogy Society. On the grassed area in front of the House we will have pipe band parades, folk dancers, and live music. Just to the left of the house will be the music stage for live entertainment and announcements. Our plans are progressing well and we hope to have a magnificent day for all to enjoy. As detailed above we hope to have a sewing bee in May to provide dolls and items of clothing in Laxey Tartan for saleSo put the date of 14th. September, 2014 in your diary. Bring a picnic lunch or buy hot and cold food available on site. Entry will be Adults $5.00/ Children $1.00 and there is ample parking within the grounds.There will a number of tasks to do on the day to keep the programme going so we need some helpers to ensure the day is a success. Please step forward and offer your help by contacting George Cowin on 0421210222.

Lizzie (Bess) Cowin (second from left) and others rode in the canopy on the tray of the truck. The shot was taken outside the Royal National Association showground at Bowen Hills after the parade. Parades were a regular thing in those days and the vehicle was used in some of these on a regular basis.