The London Manx Society held its Mhelliah at a famous Fleet Street church with historic Manx connections recently.

Last year’s meeting had been cancelled because of the pandemic.

The society’s connection dates back to before the Second World War, with members then having contributed to its rebuilding after the severe bomb damage caused by the Blitz.

This is commemorated by the pictured plaque in the main aisle.

Society secretary Douglas Barr-Hamilton told how the songs sung during the service included ’Manx Fishermen’s Evening hymn’ and JW Gelling’s ’Isle of Mona, Home Beloved.

The Lord’s Prayer was recited in Manx by Alastair Kneale and the Tynwald Day prayer read by Sally Miller before the singing of ’May the Grace of Christ our Saviour’ to the tune of Ellan Vannin.

Mr Barr-Hamilton said of the social event afterwards: ’The small numbers [in attendance] then worked in the Society’s favour as post-lockdown staff shortages had led to its usual lunch venue deciding to close on Mondays and it plumped for the tiny ancient inn, "The Old Bell" adjacent to St Bride’s in which there was just enough space.

’Everyone having ordered in advance, service was slick and everyone chatted well into the afternoon, just long enough to miss the evening rush hour.

’There was relief among the society officers that they had agreed to go ahead with the occasion.’

The society celebrated its 125th anniversary last year, having been founded in 1895.

Its next meeting will be its AGM, at a date yet to be determined, having been unable to hold one last year due to the pandemic.

The next newsletter will be published on December 1.

The Society also keeps in contact with other Manx Societies around the world, including those in Australia, South Africa and across the United States.