A flypast by RAF jets, the final Tynwald Day of a veteran politician, the Grim Reaper, a large number of petitions and the Grenadier Guards meant it was certainly a Tynwald Day to remember.

The procession got under way with Onchan Silver Band leading the island’s school children’s march before the Grenadier Guards, distinguished by their scarlet tunics and bearskin caps, marched in playing a variety of tunes including the ever popular Ellan Vannin.

Upon the arrival of the Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney and Lady Gozney, they chatted with members of the public, who enjoyed a break in the clouds to bask in the sunshine before Sir Richard inspected the Grenadier Guards and placed a wreath on the island’s war memorial.

This year the Lieutenant Governor led the tributes to commemorate 75 years since D-Day.

Inside the chapel, President Steve Rodan took a moment to recognise the commitment of church organist Derek Crellin who was appearing at his 60th Tynwald.

A special mention was also made for David Cretney MLC who has served in Tynwald since 1985, first as an MHK and latterly as a member of the Legislative Council. He will stand down in February at the end of his LegCo term.

It was a year of firsts too as First Deemster Andrew Corlett celebrated his first Tynwald Day in the role.

The usual pomp and ceremony followed where Tynwald members, guests, local authority chairmen, captains of the parishes and the coroners arranged at the hill for the reading of the new laws first in English and then in Manx.

The Grenadier Guards were rotated given the humidity and heat to allow for water breaks, which was provided in the form of single use plastic bottles.

Following this, members of the public exercised their ancient right to petition to air their grievances. Full coverage of this is on page 4.

At 12.30pm, with members safely inside the church at St John’s, a protest was held by environmentalists demanding immediate action on climate change.

At the sounding of a horn, about 90 to 100 people ’dropped dead’ while the Grim Reaper stalked the field next to the hill carrying a sheath with ’The Time is Now’ written on it.

It was unfortunate perhaps that under his gown, it could be seen he was wearing a T-shirt which advertised the TT races.

Spokesman Lamara Craine said: ’This Tynwald Day, we have united to demonstrate our overriding concern with the lack of urgency the Isle of Man Government is displaying on the climate emergency it has recently declared and emphasise the importance of taking immediate and meaningful nationwide action.

’The science on climate change is crystal clear; climate change is a global reality.

The ice caps are melting, forests are burning, crops are failing and species are going extinct in unprecedented numbers. Life on our island and this entire planet is in peril. As global citizens, we must take action now.’

It was an impressive sight, so impressive it was a shame that no Tynwald members were present on the hill when it occurred.

As for the Tynwald members themselves, it was a day for the Edwardian uniform of top hat and tails, aside from President Steve Rodan and Speaker Juan Watterson who wore ceremonial dress.

The fairground had a fantastic variety of stalls including some Manx craft stores, a smorgasbord of tasty foods and an array of local charities including Paws for Thought animal therapy, the Girl guiding Isle of Man, Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch and many more.

And making a triumphant return to Tynwald after missing last year was nationalist party Mec Vannin.

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