Everyday life in Port St Mary was captured on July 20 by photographers and residents.

It is almost 40 years since the Southern Photographic Society spent a day photographing people, businesses and general street scenes in the port within 24 hours on May 26, 1979 and resident Will Gelling thought it was high time it was done again.

’It is lovely to look back at the old faces and our little port as it once was,’ said Will, whose parents Denny and Cynthia ran the post office.

Cynthia and her sister Joyce also run the Cabaret and Concert parties, which are mainstays of village life.’We are long overdue another snapshot to add to the archives for future generations to look back at,’ he said.

’When you look back at the photos it’s a shame it was not done more often.’

The photographs illustrate the shifting sands of everyday life.

The wet misty conditions on the day were an unlucky blip in the middle of a heatwave, but it was perhaps more typical of an average summer day in the island.

Given the ease of taking photographs today, Will has around 1,000 images to scroll through.

He aims to mount the best of them in a free exhibition at the town hall at Christmas.

’It will be great to get everyone in the town hall to reminisce,’ he said. ’It’s not just what places look like, it’s people, faces you’ve forgotten, fashion and cars, this is for 20 years down the line.’

â?¢ Any sponsors willing to help with the cost of mounting the exhibition can contact Will on 202809.