A series of 49 short films about some of the hidden places and history of the Calf of Man has been released online.

Presented by David Fisher, a Blue Badge Guide with years of experience of working on the Calf, and produced by Culture Vannin, the films range between well-known stories of shipwrecks and rescues through to fascinating secrets hidden in walls or the corner of a farm yard.

The series of films began in 2018, when the first 19 films were released, exploring the south side of the island, including the lighthouses and the famous story of a helicopter being sent to the Calf to help with a birth when they saw ’baby’ written on the outside of the lighthouse.

Earlier this year, on a ’perfect day this summer’, a further 30 films were captured between the 1878 farmhouse and northern shore.

They feature stories of shipwrecks such as the Brig Lily and Clan MacMaster, the curious tale of the Italian graffiti at the barn, and the ingenious reuse of shipwrecked sewing machines in a place rarely noted by visitors.

The films are divided between English and Manx versions, with David Fisher having recorded each story in both languages.

Ruth Keggin Gell, Manx language development officer at Culture Vannin said: ’So many people have a fascination with the Calf of Man, which means it is wonderful to be able to share some of its wonderful stories, thanks to David’s generosity.

’David is not only enormously knowledgeable about the Calf, but he is undoubtedly one of the Island’s great story-tellers.

’These films bring the Calf to life and add an enormous depth and interest for anyone who watches them.’

The films were created by Culture Vannin as part of a continued commitment to supporting, promoting and celebrating Manx culture, through our island’s unique landscape, history, stories and more.

They view the Manx language as one of the island’s most important cultural assets.

The language has seen an upsurge of interest in recent years, and Manx is spoken not only on the Isle of Man, but around the world.

The Manx language versions of the films were launched at the recent Cooish festival celebrating the Manx language and its communities.

l All of the films are available for free online on the Culture Vannin and LearnManx websites, as well as on YouTube.