Culture Vannin has released a collection of interviews of residents discussing a wide range of Manx history that have been recorded with the intention of ensuring this history is never lost.

They offer first-hand stories of the Isle of Man’s history from the 1920s through to the present day and have been recorded with people spread across the island, from Ayre to Port Erin.

James Franklin, online and educational resources officer at Culture Vannin said: ’The stories of people’s lives on the Isle of Man are incredibly important.

’They tell us so much more than newspapers or history books ever could, they give us a real sense of who people are and what their lives are like.’

The topics covered in the recordings mean there is something for everyone to be interested in, including rationing, the railways, the start of double decker buses on Manx roads, farming and much more.

There are also some more unusual stories which would otherwise be lost to history.

Mr Franklin said: ’Vivien Quane recalls a chilling story of the "White Lady" apparition seen by her and other nurses at the Ramsey Cottage Hospital in the 1950s.

’Pauline Kinvig speaks of the harrowing experience of exchanging waves with passengers on a World War II bomber moments before it crashed into the Manx hills.

’Rob Farrer laments having found a Mesolithic site at The Cronk one morning, only to have it washed away by coastal erosion by the next day.’

There are less serious topics too, David Fisher’s talks of riding empty train carriages down the hill from Foxdale to clatter into other trucks at the St John’s station before scampering away from the angry station master.

Four postmen also tell an interesting and hilarious set of stories, from the troubles of Christmas Day delivery when they were given a drink at nearly every house, to the time the traffic on Circular Road was halted by a colleague’s work-break ’raunchy’ picture show.

Mr Franklin added: ’They offer not only an important alternative side to Manx history, but also a wonderful way to connect to the stories and lives of the Island in the past, giving us a sense of connection to the people and places of the Isle of Man.’

The interviews are available at www.culturevannin.im, or via the SoundCloud page.

These new recordings join a collection of nearly 100 other interviews stretching back decades.

Details about how to contact Culture Vannin with ideas for other oral history recordings is available online.

And Renee Dixon rememberes her 60 years at Lay’s until her retirement in 2001, by which time she actually owned the property and the business

Renee Dixon remembers 60 years working at Lay’s until her retirement in 2001, by which time she actually owned the property and the business