Manx Radio's Island Life Series - Specials

Marc Tyley is joined by friends and colleagues for a look at those Christmas moments that didn't quite go to plan.

Senior Forecaster at Ronaldsway Met Office Kirsty Wilding joins Ben Hartley for a look back at some of the big weather events over the last 12 months.

Join H as he sits around the table with fellow specialist music presenters Ian Cottier, John Barker, Ernie Thorn and Chris Caine, to talk about and enjoy music, sausage rolls, hula hoops, Satsumas and Nosecco . . .

Do you remember "The Love Line on 2019"? Rhian Evans and guests recreate one of Manx Radio's best remembered features.

Yes, it's the still almost award winning but no awards to show IM1 again. Still - better than a lot of our other stuff which hasn't even been nominated of course. Or not. Listen and take your pick . . .

Join H for a festive chat about Christmas food with author and food historian, Sue King and a nostalgic time making and eating Xmas food with family and friends

Tom Cain and Toby Smith take a closer look at some of the best Christmas delicacies from the world.

Tom Cain and Lisa Smith take their annual trip to the flicks to play you some of the finest festive movie songs.

Rhian Evans gathers together a number of Manx residents to share a collection of mysterious, and sometimes chilling, ghost stories.

In 1985 an independent brewer produced his first barrel of beer... and a local legend was born. That brewer was Martin Brunnschweiller and he tells Manx Radio's Dave Moore about the journey from a small cellar on Victoria Street, Douglas to becoming one of the Island's best known brands in Forty Years of Bushys Beers

John Moss takes a trip into the archives to bring you a programme from the 1990s, where David Callister and Terry Cringle share memories of the "Golden Age of Cinema".

A collection of all the sh**e bits of Manx Radio for your delectation. It's not as long as you'd think, so either we're getting better or standards are getting lower . . .

Chanelle Sukhoo and Darren Timson bring you the sounds and memories of a South African Christmas.

H looks back at just a taster of some of Manx Radio's output over the last 12 months - from the 80th Anniversary of the end of World War Two to a group of young Manx folk musicians appearing at the Albert Hall

On the day people across the nation pause to remember those who've died in conflict and served in our armed forces, we hear more about the Manx forces who had a different experience of war. In this special Island Life Siobhán Fletcher speaks to Dr Stacey Astill, whose grandfather was captured in Crete.

For Remembrance Sunday, John Moss reflects on the reason why we pause today to recall those who laid down their lives, in particular those from a small island.

This year, people around the world have been marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War. This is the story of Isle of Man resident Celia Meade and her experience as a prisoner of war in Burma. Speaking to Lewis Foster, Celia gives a full and unflinching account of the atrocities she witnessed and experienced during 1942-1945.*A warning that this podcast includes descriptions of violence, sexual violence, and suicide that some listeners may find distressing.* If you've been affected by anything included in this edition of Island Life you can find support at Support - Manx Radio

*ADVISORY: not for the fainthearted*.... John Moss marks the spookiest time of year with a deep dive into the local connections to one of the most enduring and terrifying monsters in literary and movie history.

Artificial Intelligence is becoming an ever-increasing presence in our lives, but is it a great tool to make our lives easier or is it slowly killing our creativity and originality?In this edition of Island Life, Amy Griffiths explores some of the unintended impacts AI could be having on particularly the creative industries on the Isle of Man.

In this Island Life Special, Lisa Hywood, CEO of the Tikki Hywood Foundation in ZImbabwe, talks to H about her talk on the Isle of Man, hosted by Ramsey Crookall, in which she speaks of her work in conservation, especially in protecting the world's most trafficked mammal - the African Pangolin.

The final episode in a series of programmes discussing the history, culture, folklore, superstitions and music of the emigres to the New World, the United States of America and in particular, the Appalachian Mountains. In the this fascinating episode, David Kinley and Robert Teare explore the history of the emigres who stood with emancipation, fighting alongside African and Native American soldiers in the Civil War.

A quarter of a century ago, over 80 Isle of Man schoolchildren undertook the enormous challenge of creating, rehearsing, and transporting a full-scale multimedia production to London's Millennium Dome. In this programme, Charles Guard looks back at the sheer scale of the operation and the extraordinary effort it took to showcase Manx culture on an international stage, by reminiscing with the original production team who pulled it all together.

H chooses a few personal highlights from Manx Radio's output over recent weeks . . . including young cubs, old gents, Manx words, Manx music, fungi, Betty and Bottoms

A new Series of programmes discussing the history, culture, folklore, superstitions and music of the emigres to the New World, the United States of America and in particular, the Appalachian Mountains. In the this episode, David Kinley speaks with John Woodman, a passionate banjo expert whose historic knowledge of this subject is lifelong.

September 30th marks the 100th anniversary of the tragic death in the Isle of Man of renowned medic Doctor James Niven. Dave Moore looks back on his legacy, in particular his role in saving many thousands of lives during the Spanish Flu' outbreak of 1918. Plus the Manx Bible celebrates 250 years since it was first published. Expert in this field, Dr Tim Grass unveils the history of this important document.

A new Series of programmes discussing the history, culture, folklore, superstitions and music of the emigres to the New World, the United States of America and in particular, the Appalachian Mountains. In the this episode, David speaks with James Franklin at Culture Vannin.

September is Dementia Awareness Month, so we've been getting advice about how to navigate the condition if you or a family member has to live with it, and busting some common misconceptions associated with it.

A new Series of programmes discussing the history, culture, folklore, superstitions and music of the emigres to the New World, the United States of America and in particular, the Appalachian Mountains. In the this first episode, David speaks with Dr Chloe Woolley at Culture Vannin.

As the new academic year gets underway we find out why some parents are delaying giving their children smartphones, and hear from the education minister about how a no-phone policy has been received in the classroom.With a warning this episode features conversations around self-harm and suicide that some may find distressing. If you've been affected by any of the topics featured in this edition of Island Life you can find help and support at manxradio.com/support.

In this special programme, we reflect on 80 years since the end of WW2, with a chance to hear an in depth conversation with 103 yr old veteran of the Forgotten Army, James Fenton and a selection of interviews with residents of the Island who celebrated Victory in Europe.

Manx Radio's occasional series looking back at some of the best of our recent output - yes there is some you non-believers! As selected by H . . .

Isle of Play Director Chris Gregory speaks with Christy DeHaven about the current state and future of play on the Isle of Man, as we enjoy the final weeks of the Summer holidays. We look at growing up here, the facilities available for children, how parenting could help encourage play and much more.

As we mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, Manx Radio gives you another chance to hear the now 103-year-old Burma Star veteran James Fenton talking about his time with the 14th Army, AKA the ‘Forgotten Army' in the jungles of Borneo in the 1940'sThe programme was first broadcast in 2023.

During the 1960s three-quarters of the Island's economy relied on tourism with over a fifth of the working population employed in the industry. In "The Comeovers", Dave Moore looks back on that time courtesy of the memories of those who came here to holiday, those who came to work and those who came to entertain.

Sir Barry Gibb chats to Manx Radio's Chris Pearson and Christy DeHaven about his life, the BeeGees and growing up on the Isle of Man!

John Moss takes a look at the history of the ancient Tynwald Ceremony at St John's.

She's back - Siobhán Fletcher marks Pride month 2025 with a special documentary episode of Island Life. Back in 2023, we heard from the likes of Alan Shea and Hazel Hannan in our series 'A Brief History of Pride'.Now, a short verbatim documentary exploring the history of the Isle of Man leading up to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1992 has been released online.Directed by John Craine, and funded by BFI Doc Society, The Guardian and Isle of Man Arts Council, "No Man Is An Island" was primarily filmed here on the Island last year - and we went along to the set!In this episode, we hear more from members of the cast, producer Diarmuid Hughes, and find out the details on where to watch the film as part of the Island's first ever Pride film festival, which gets underway next week in Port St Mary.You can buy tickets to 'Pride on Screen' here - Port St Mary Business Association event tickets from TicketSource.And you can stream 'No Man Is An Island' here - No Man Is an Island: a British society and its historic push for gay rights | Pride | The Guardian

H explores the fascinating "Hear Us" project, its links with author Malcolm Lowry, and the sounds under the sea . .

Explores the legacy of Beryl Swain, the first woman to race in the TT, and a local band's musical tribute raising funds for the Island's hyperbaric chamber.

H looks back at some of Manx Radio's recent output which you may have missed - from memories of VE Day to Dodgeball via Wetherspoons!

As we celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe on 8 May 1945 - we hear from children at Laxey and The Dhoon Schools, and students from Castle Rushen High School and Ramsey Grammar School who have all been researching past generations of their families who were involved in the 2nd World War. What's their reaction to the stories they've discovered?There's also some wonderful archive material from Laxey School 30 years ago - and a treasured diary tells the story of a very different celebration on another Island.Some of this material has been taken from the VE Day 80th Anniversary Concert recorded in the Villa Marina Royal Hall on Thursday 8 May 2025. The complete Concert is available as a podcast here in Manx Radio's Island Life Series - Specials.

The Drumhead Service held in the Villa Marina Royal Hall as part of the Island's commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of VE Day - Victory in Europe. Before the Drumhead Service there was a Commemorative Concert, which is available as a podcast in this Island Life Series.