The first 100 sound recordings of a new Manx National Heritage project are now available to listen to on the imuseum.im website.

Released by Manx National Heritage in advance of the Manx Museum’s 100th anniversary, the recordings from the UK-wide ’Unlocking Our Sound Heritage’ project include stories of folklore and superstitions.

Jude Dicken, collections information manager for Manx National Heritage said: ’In October 2020 we took around 600 sound recordings, carefully selected from our library and archives, to be digitised for free by audio preservation experts at National Museums Northern Ireland.

’Once digitisation was complete, our digital team and our amazing team of ’Listening Volunteers’ started work on cataloguing and completing rights clearance on the recordings.

’Following this, we are delighted to have released the first 100 recordings on iMuseum, with more scheduled to become available later this year in tandem with our popular ’Lunchtime Listen’ events.’

Among the recordings are stories told by William Cubbon, one of the founders of the Manx Language Society, president to the Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society and Director of the Manx Museum from 1932 to 1940.

Jude continued:’As we plan our 100th anniversary celebrations, it is particularly fitting that William Cubbon is included in the first 100 recordings.

’His deep patriotic love for the island came from his childhood days in Port St Mary, spent in the company of farmers and fisherman from whom he first absorbed their language, customs and folklore. He strove all his life to convince those of his countrymen, who needed to be convinced, that not only was their cultural and linguistic heritage well worthy of preservation but that its value extended far beyond the shores of their own little Island, and above all...that it is no mean thing to be a Manxman.’