So popular has an exhibition of an archive of Manx press pictures proved, that Manx National Heritage are to celebrate and share stories connected to the photographs.

Katie King and Jude Dicken, from Manx National Heritage, is to hold an evening where they will look into the 1960s and 70s, through the eyes of the Manx Press Photographers and the news reports of the time.

Katie and Jude are going to give a presentation on the stories behind the pictures, and also throw in some salacious gossip of the times too.

’We are going to use the photographs as our inspiration,’ said Katie.

’What we have done is found the original newspaper stories connected to the pictures and we are going to be sharing those stories with everyone.

’I’ll be using anecdotes that people have told me, and lots and lots of gossip i have heard over the years. I can’t say if what I am going to say is true, it is just what I’ve been told.

’It will a very light humoured talk,’ she added

’We’re not really going to Summerland or the collapse of tourism. I’ll be telling jolly stories, which may possibly involve a bit of scandal.’

Jude said that they hope to find out more about some of the faces in the pictures.

’We had a photograph of Miss Isle of Man 1978, and that was all we knew from the photograph,’ she said.

’I put that online and the actual person, Carol Kneale, who is now Carol Wheeler, said "that’s me!".

’What I’m really looking for is less of us talking and getting a conversation started with people who were there at the time.

’It is really all about people’s history.

’It really is that excuse to look back and remember the good the bad, and possibly the ugly.’

The exhibition featuring photographs of the Manx Press Pictures archive has been on display since the beginning of May.

Featuring press photos taken in the island throughout the 50s, 60s, and 70s, the display casts an illuminating light on the heyday of tourism, when thousands of people regularly flocked to the island.

For details about the exhibition or the event, contact Manx National Heritage on 648000.

by MIke Wade

twitter:@mwislandlife