Two well-known young Manx musicians have written songs to thank those have been funding the restoration of the Manx Beauty, a historic fishing boat.

Traditional musicians Tom and Isla Callister are supporting the project in the East Neuk region of Fife, where the boat is being rebuilt to its original condition.

The Manx Beauty (PL35) was built in Cellardyke, Fife for the Isle of Man Government in 1937 and is one of the very few 1930s ring-net vessels left.

The Cellardyke Trust said it hopes that: ’A story that linked the two fishing communities in the past will link them again through music’, with donors being able to name the songs that Tom and Isla have written.

Along with the Manx Fairy, the Manx Lad and Manx Lass (the latter both built near Fraserburgh), it was hoped when they were built they would revive the indigenous herring fishing industry after it had declined since the days of the sailing fleets.

The Scottish and Irish fleets were doing well in the waters around the island so it was decided to invest in state-of-the-art boats to encourage young Manxmen back into fishing as a career.

The Manx Beauty, whose design is described by the Trust as being ahead of her time, was also requisitioned in WWII.

It served at Workington on port inspection duties, and as far as the Trust is aware no other vessel of this class that served in the war has been restored.

She was also one of the last boats to be working from Birkenhead, and the Trust thinks she is possibly the only UK fishing vessel to have a full-time female crew member when based in North Wales from 1975-1987.

Crews from Fife also came along with boats to share skills with Manx fishermen.

Lockie Horsburgh, the Manx Beauty’s first skipper, came from Pittenweem and married Esme Quane before settling in Peel, going on to become one of the island’s most successful herring fisherman from that generation.

Cellardyke Trust chair Richard Wemyss said: ’This is not only about an old boat, we’re interested in the stories and the people and how our communities were linked.

’In 1937 we sent over young men and their families as valuable additions to society, three years later we were sending over more of our locals as internees during WWII - a stark contrast and we want to tell these tales too.

’Tom and Isla’s Links to this are fascinating - not only is their mother from Fife, but they were brought up in a house that held [WWII] internees and are really interested in this history.’

Isla now plans to work with young musicians in the island, the East Neuk of Fife and the Moray Firth in Scotland (where the sister ships were built), to develop the story of the boat and depict the times.

The Trust is also discussing links between East Neuk and Manx businesses, and when the Manx Beauty is restored it plans to bring her to Peel.