Culture Vannin is appealing for people who were members of the Manx youth organisation, Aeglagh Vannin, or have had any connection with it, to get in touch.

Aeglagh Vannin was founded in August 1931 and ran right up until the late 1970s.

Its aim was to promote all things Manx, including the island’s nature and landscape as well as folklore, history, music, song, dance and the Manx language.

The organisation’s telling motto was created by its founder, Mona Douglas: ’Paitchyn jiu, ashoon mairagh’ (’Children today, a nation tomorrow’).

Some of the former members of Aeglagh Vannin have gone on to play important roles in Manx culture today.

However, Culture Vannin, the government’s heritage organisation, says not enough is known about the organisation, how it was organised and what went on at its sessions.

A spokesman said: ’If you were a member at any time - even for a short time - Culture Vannin would like to hear about your experience. It is hoped that as many members as possible will take a little time to tell us about it. Some ideas have been jotted down to help guide you or jog some memories.’

Culture Vannin would also like people’s permission to copy any photographs or memorabilia they might have in order to record more of the organisation’s history.

The spokesman added: ’Perhaps you yourself were not a member, but another family member was - parent, even grandparent - and there may be some family stories, photographs or memorabilia you would like to share.’

To contact Culture Vannin, telephone, 676169; e-mail, [email protected] or write to: Aeglagh Vannin Project, Culture Vannin, Fairfield House, Main Road, St John’s, IM4 3NA.