THE Isle of Man was the subject of our talk on Thursday, March 12 at the Evesham Boathouse. Cathy Jones of Worcester, accompanied by husband Elfed, took us on an illustrated guided tour of this amazing island which is her ancestral home.

Cathy outlined the geography, history and people and we learned that some 80,000 people inhabit the island with the majority living in the main town of Douglas. She described the legacy of the Viking invaders and the piracy that became rife in the 18th century, as well as their early democracy in the form of a Parliament. She spoke about the number of well known people are associated with the island, including Norman Wisdom, William Hillary, Gordon Bennett, Joseph Pilate and Nigel Mansell.

Cathy also spoke about the Manx cat, which she described as more like a dog with its exceptionally long legs than a cat. She showed pictures of the internment camps which were established on the island during the first and second world wars. She outlined the motorcycle TT racing which is what a few of us most know about the island with and paid tribute to its extensive tourism industry and urged those of us who have yet to visit to do so.

She responded to questions and Pat Sparrow thanked her for her well researched presentation on behalf of all members. He said that it was a wonderful tour and indicated that it was indeed somewhere he ought to visit.

Forthcoming talks include ‘From Silesia to Worcestershire’ by Sophie Dodds on Thursday, March 19, Fleet Street by Clive Allen on March 26 and then Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway by Alan Rampley on April 2.

CHRIS DONOUGH