Forgetting to wish them 'good day' as you pass the Fairy Bridge is to risk bad luck — but to place a bra on their tree must surely be enough to incur their wrath.

Bedecked with ribbons, key rings, a hat, flags, corks, dolls, scarves, gloves and even a wing mirror and that red bra, the tree at Fairy Bridge is increasingly looking more like a tatty junk shop than a place of magic.

In Tynwald last month it was branded a 'litter tree'.

All of the messages pinned to the tree are well-intentioned and some genuinely heart-warming. One reads: 'Thank you fairies for making our stay on the Island the happiest ever.'

Others offer memoriams to lost loved ones. 'RIP Tony, from the boys,' reads one inscribed on the bark.

But in recent years, the ribbons and other paraphernalia have started to spread to the adjacent tree and even across the road, creating a possible distraction to motorists.

Now a Tynwald member has suggested installing a post box at the Fairy Bridge to ensure the eyesore tree is tidied up and that letters to the Little People get a proper reply.

The suggestion was made at this month's sitting of the court by David Callister MLC.

He told iomtoday: 'I think a letter box would be a good idea. The historical interest in fairies and the Little People is deeply embedded in the psyche of the people here.

'People really believe this — they are convinced that if they say something rude to them, something terrible will happen.'

Mr Callister said he had personal experience of this.

He recalled while courting he had ridden on his motorbike past the Fairy Bridge and made some colourfully disparaging remarks about there being no such thing as the Little People.

'Before I had reached my destination my exhaust fell off!' he revealed. 'Now I definitely say hello to the Little People as I go past!'

Mr Callister's idea was first suggested to him by Lin Willams, who runs The Fairy Shop, in Duke Street, Douglas, having moved there from the Villa Marina Colonnade two years ago.

Lin now runs her own fairy post service, sending hundreds of fairy-dust sprinkled letters each year to children and grown-ups all over the world.

She described the Fairy Bridge as looking 'horrendous'. 'It's a disgrace and it's getting worse. When I came back from holiday in January there was a bra hanging from the tree! What would our visitors think?

'Five years ago I wrote to every single member of the tourist board suggesting that if they put up a post box I would be responsible for the replies.

'I didn't get a single reply from the tourism department. They've really missed an opportunity. They've got to realise tourism is not just about one thing, the TT.'

Lin suggested that as well as getting a reply from the fairies, the letter writers could also be sent a tourism guide — giving people a happy reminder of their holiday and giving the Island an opportunity to attract repeat visitors.

She insisted however that any post box should be in a safe area as the Fairy Bridge was too dangerous for people to stop at.

Tynwald president Noel Cringle said he, too, had approached the tourism department several years ago with a similar suggestion for a post box at the Fairy Bridge.

He said Rushen and Western Mann Rotary Club had offered to supply the post box with the idea that it could be emptied once a week by the Post Office and delivered to the tourism department to send out a standard reply.

Mr Cringle said: 'It would be jolly good advertising for the Island and the costs wouldn't be huge.'

Tourism director Geoff Le Page didn't rule out the idea — but pointed out that it would be for another government department to lead the way.

He said: 'The Fairy Bridge has an iconic place in Isle of Man heritage and people enjoy the experience of communicating with the Little People.

'If there is a serious issue to be looked at then that's obviously in the hands of the Department of Transport and maybe the commissioners. The DTL would like to be involved in that decision.'

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Send your comments to newsviews@newsiom.co.im

YOUR COMMENTS

Far from being an eyesore, the appearance of the current Fairy Bridge represents a living continuation of ancient Manx customs. People have tied charms, rags etc to trees at fairy places (mostly spring wells) or left items representing wishes, ailments etc in the hope of gaining the assistance or kindness of the Little People in resolving their troubles. 'Fairy Holes' in hedges or boulders were/are also depositories of these items. Manx fairies never had wings or 'fairy dust', nor did they live in mushrooms - these are sanitised and romanticised English ideas invented in the 1800s. Those aware of the local traditions must agree that the representation of fairies preferred by the proprietor of the 'Fairy Shop' have little to do with original indigenous ideas about the Little People. It would be inconceivable for those representing our cultural and tourism interests to seek to alter or supress one of the few ancient living traditions that remain in the Island. Perhaps more research is needed to determine exactly whose folklore we are trying to sell to tourists?
Dr ADAM STANDRING, Tromode.

I find that there is a far better way to get in contact with the fairies anyway.If you park in the lay-by on the corner before fairy bridge and lean over the wall and give them a shout, you will usually find one or two pop their heads up over the wild garlic leaves.In fact, I have got to know one or two of them quite well in the last few years.Just look for the little green hats appearing if you give them a call.
THE BIG FAIRY, Port Soderick

If the IOM Gov are serious about tourism they would build a café and tourist centre at the Fairy Bridge with a wishing well (money to local charities). I don't think the trees look tatty – it is a sign that tourists and locals are stopping there – what a hint!
JD

Should not the messages be in elfish and charged at a smaller rate to the Goodpeople, or Themselves As local Manx refered to the farie folk .The fairy bridge is not the only one one the IOM according to WW Gills Manx Scrapbooks but the best known ! The bridge also meant you where crossing into lands owned by the church eg Rushen Abbey and With Christianisation of older ways it was a way of paying homage to both traditions.
JOHN H.

I have visited the Isle of Mann on a couple of wonderful occasions, and apart from considering it to be one of the world's great unrecognised tourism destinations, I was always sure to joyfully address the Little People as I crossed the Fairy Bridge. The thought of a letterbox (a fine, sensitively designed and ornate letterbox, I'm sure) to assist those who wish to communicate more directly to those small folk is an inspired idea! Those who believe that tourism would be assisted as a result can be sure they are right - this email found its way to me in north America via Australia because there is an immense desire amongst people everywhere to connect and reconnect with what, for many of us, are ancestor memories rather than our everyday experience. And news like this travels fast! As a marketer who has helped cities, regions and countries enhance their appeal on many levels over the years, especially from a tourism perspective, I strongly believe that the rich and utterly fascinating mythologies, stories and history of the Isle of Mann should become the second and pivotal leg of what, by rights, one should expect to be a tourism strategy with three good legs! At the moment there is only one leg to that strategy (at least apparent to those at a distance) - the TT. The stunningly beautiful and uniquely authentic natural and built environment which the small folk help protect would obviously be the third leg of the approach. Sadly, the Isle of Mann did not select my tourism strategy when it was presented quite some time back, and I wish them great success in whatever approach they are currently taking. There are precious few places on Earth where ordinary people can escape from the harsh realities of the world and heartily suspend their cynicism, allowing themselves to once again believe and reconnect with the sense of wonder that we had as children. It's a feeling that makes us feel alive again. The Isle of Mann is one of those places. Please give the Little People their letterbox, as history is a living thing. You can still write the stories today that will be retold in a thousand years. And would someone over there be kind enough to convey to those wee gentle folk my very best wishes!
M. MEHTA, Canada

So what are the government exactly waiting for!!?? Lin Williams needs to take charge of this project. Simply because she's the only one expressing care! That is like gold dust these days, especially when dealing with any kind of heritage. The Fairy Bridge is on the verge of becoming a complete wreck and needs urgent attention. It's not just the location that is falling apart, it's the very cultural fabric that brought it into fruition in the first place. Let's not forget one of the key things that it stands for FUN and MAKE BELIEVE. Fun for children throughout the world who are inundated on a daily basis with a myriad of reasons to grow up faster than they should be. The Fairy Bridge and the wonderful letters that are sent from The Fairy Shop should be used to keep this innocence and positive energy alive for children throughout the world. Well done Mrs Williams for creating that love in your work and wanting to help maintain a little piece of Manx history in the process. I think it's about time somebody saw sense here, cut through the usual bureaucracy at the tourism department and gave her an opportunity to do some good for the island.
A LOCAL THAT CARES

I travelled to the Isle of Man, with my young nieces, for the sole purpose of visiting the famous fairy Bridge. We were very disappointed to find nothing there for refreshment. It is a pity as I feel a café with gift shop and maybe a garden for the children to explore would have enhanced the outing. We went into the Garden only to find it was private property. Met the owner who very kindly allowed the children to use the toilet and indulged their curiosity about the fairies. And rescued an otherwise disappointing experience. I think the I.O.M tourist industry has neglected an opportunity to make the most of fairy bridge as a tourist attraction
A BYRNE, Liverpool

The Fairies deserve a post box of their own, not people's undergarments and trash!
ANON

Dear Folk,
From far across the ocean's waves, a small suggestion, if I may,
That what e're ye may make to place at Ad Hene Droghad, where They play,
Do bear in mind Their compass great, that spans from mountain top to sea,
And what e'er ye may undertake, pray craft it for Them.... gracefully.
Regards
DC