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ISLAND GEARS UP FOR NATIONAL DAY
THE Island is gearing up for its national day with the promise of a great celebration on Tynwald Day.
Thousands are expected in St John's on Monday to mark the Island's national day with the annual open-air sitting of Tynwald.
In addition to the traditional church service in the Royal Chapel of St John's and Tynwald Hill ceremony there will be plenty to keep the crowds entertained throughout the day.
The fun starts at 9am with folk music, dancing and exhibitions and continues through until 11pm with a piper playing the Manx National Anthem on a floodlit Tynwald Hill.
President of Tynwald Noel Cringle said: 'This year we have enhanced the entertainment programme even more anticipating many of the Island's residents will wish to come along for part or all the day to enjoy the fun and spectacle of a Royal Tynwald.
'It's imperative people make plans to arrive in good time for the Tynwald Ceremony at which Her Majesty will preside. We have free buses laid on to hopefully lessen the traffic on the roads and parking areas will be specifically signed.
'Tynwald Day is a symbol of our nation, steeped as it is in tradition. It can be thoroughly enjoyed by young and old alike.'
A new feature for 2003 will be a big screen next to the homecomers' tent - the same type used during the TT festival - which will give crowds a better view of the ancient ceremony.
Unusual sights to enjoy on the fair field will include the cow parade featuring life-size fibreglass bovines all painted with Manx themes.
The Old School will feature a record number of exhibits, displays and crafts including newcomers the Mannin Woodworkers and Erin Arts Bonsai Tree Society and old favourites like the Scalextric club and several other model clubs.
Another first for this year is the Craftworks Studio which will offer visitors the chance to paint their own ceramic mementoes.
The Isle of Man Amateur Radio Society will have its bus visiting the Island especially to mark the royal visit. It will be alongside the Island's computer bus in the Old School yard.
The Arboretum will again host many events including Ramsey Town Band and the Manx Jazz Aces with a mixture of Manx music and dance, along with a martial arts display from Yuki Yama Dojo.
The homecomers' marquee will for the first time have Onchan Silver Band perform in the early evening before the popular ceilidh band King Chiaullee.
The evening will see concerts staged by the likes of Castletown Town Band in the Old School, the Regal Singers in the church, Beat Retreat by the military band and the Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums band which will conclude the performances by playing the National Anthem after the fireworks.
Timetable details, plus the chance to enter a competition with a 1,000 prize, were circulated with Manx Independent sister paper the Courier this week.
The Tynwald weekend will also be attended by Barbara Taylor Bradford, one of the world's best-selling novelists. She is in the Island for the launch of Emma's Secret, the eagerly awaited follow-up to A Woman of Substance which features scenes set in the Isle of Man.
She will attend a charity dinner at the Castletown Golf Links tomorrow (Saturday) and the Tynwald garden party in the grounds of the Nunnery mansion house, Douglas, on Sunday.
On Tynwald Day Mrs Bradford will be signing copies of Emma's Secret at the Isle of Man Post stand at the fair field in St Johns. Mrs Bradford, one of several authors featured on a new set of Manx stamps will be at the stand between 10am and 10.30am and 1.15pm and 2pm.
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Weather for Isle of Man
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South west
