The London Manx Society is celebrating its 125th anniversary this Saturday, having been founded in 1895.

His Excellency, Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney, a patron of the society, included a message in the society’s winter newsletter, writing: ’Warm congratulations to the London Manx Society on their 125th anniversary.

’Reading the Society’s newsletter during my four years in the Isle of Man has highlighted to me the very strong interest in Manx culture and history which is retained by those now living away.

’I find it admirable that members are keen to be well informed. It is a shame, of course, that the Society cannot celebrate in person as all of us would wish it but it is a celebration postponed, not cancelled.’

Despite the pandemic, the society has remained active by publishing its newsletters and organising committee members to make phone calls for a chat with each of its 100 members, which secretary Douglas William-Barr said was particularly appreciated during lockdown. He added: ’Almost every member is itching to get back to the island, under normal circumstances we aim to travel back every couple of years.’

The society has also kept up correspondence with other Manx societies around the world, such those of New South Wales and Queensland in Australia, and South Africa - and president Alastair Kneale attended a Zoom conference hosted by the Washington DC Area Manx Society.

An informal meet-up, or ’Cooish’ (Manx for chat, meeting, or get-together) was provisionally planned for December 8, and the society is also hoping to be able to hold their two-year AGM in 2021.

However, considering Covid-19 restrictions in England, summer meetings are instead being considered as a possibility.