Year of Our Island Kicks off July’s celebrations of culture with a visit from a Vintage Mobile Cinema bus during Tynwald week.

On Tynwald day, the bus will be at the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh and will offer attendees the chance to step back in time through a curated selection of films which showcase Manx myths, culture and history. Showings will be free to attend and will last around 20 minutes.

The Year of Our Island have arranged for the bus to visit the island, supported by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and, as an unusual addition to culture month, giving people the opportunity to see how the Island has changed over the last fifty years.

The bus, originally built in 1967, was used by the British Ministry of Technology to provide training sessions to help boost industrial productivity.

Now, however, it has taken on a rather different role, travelling around the British Isles showcasing historic British Pathe films.

After being rescued from a field in 2003 the bus was extensively refurbished and even appeared on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company chief executive Mark Woodward said they were delighted to be able to bring the bus to the island.

Year of Our Island has worked closely with Culture Vannin to organise events for July and Dr Breesha Maddrell shared her enthusiasm about the month, ’Culture Vannin supports and promotes culture all year round, but is particularly excited to be collaborating with the Year of Our Island team to celebrate July as culture month.’

As the national week celebrations continue the bus will venture up to Ramsey on the 7th to form part of the ’Ramsey, Then and Now’ Exhibition in the Courthouse.

The event organised by Les Clarke and Richard Radcliffe will feature a number of photos of Ramsey through the years.

The exhibition will run from 30th and be free to attend.

If you would like more information about July’s Celebration of Culture or would just like more information on the Year of Our Island project, email [email protected],visit ourisland.im or call 687007.

by the Year of Our Island project team

www.ourisland.im