Popular local figure and Manksman John ’Dog’ Callister was recently raised to the chair of Manx Bard. Each month shares one of his poems with readers and explains what inspired him to write it.

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I had known Raymond Caley for many years, through playing darts at the Sulby Glen or the GingerHall. He was always a larger than life character, full of fun and always willing to share a joke.

Also he was a very interesting and knowledgeable man to talk to on a serious subject. He knew of my interest in nature, the countryside and all things Manks.

He was also a good source of old Manks sayings and expressions, and he probably still used them daily. He knew everybody and they knew him, and he was always able to answer a query regarding who, what and where.

Although he had ill health in later life it didn’t stop him from having a laugh.

He enjoyed feeding the birds in his back garden and would regularly let you know if he’d seen anything special. He knew I would pass it on to the people who would be interested. His big interest was fishing and again he would let me know if he had spotted anything while out with the rod.

People like Raymond are ’one-offs’. A good Manksman and a good friend. He will be sorely missed but, as is the way with all those wonderful people who leave us, you just remember the good times. Some people come into this world and leave without making a mark, but Raymond has left loads of marks in a great many places and on a huge number of people.

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CALEY!

He was an institution in Sulby, and was known all over our Isle,

He was never short of a story, and he always wore a big smile.

Most of his life spent round Sulby, and in Sulby Stores from a lad,

It was the hub for all of the Village, the skeet was there to be had!

Getting stamps or daily papers, in the window a notice or two,

Spuds and carrots with the soil on, he’d always tell yer what’s new. Graham and he were a twosome, Open All Hours to a T.

Arkwright and side kick G Granville, and funnier than the TV.

He’d often be found up the Reservoir, his trusty rod in his hand.

Comin’ back and tellin’ tall stories, of corkers he just couldn’t land.

And over the water in Ireland, tellin’ yarns without even a pause!

About what happens in Sulby, the characters that visited the stores!

Then Marshalling over the road, Quarry bends his favourite spot,

Havin’ a short in the Sulby, or the Range next door in for a shot!

Was into to everything was Raymond, an’ had a heart of pure gold,

If he got tellin’ his stories don’t believe the half you were told!

He’ll be sorely missed in Sulby, G Granville will now be the boss,

We’ll have to get used to not seeing him, he will be a really big loss.

Just remember him jokin’and laughin’, behind the counter in ’sales’,

Sulby is sure to be greivin’, but up there they’ll be lovin’ his tales!