It is really appreciated when readers get in touch about my weekly pieces.

If you would like to suggest any future themes, please feel free to contact me on [email protected] or 333974 or at my home address 12 Manor Drive, Farmhill IM2 2PA.

The look back in time features about pubs, shops or other things long since disappeared have been particularly popular and I would welcome any memories you would like to share.

One reader from Laxey has done just that, so I will share her recollections here today.

Pat and Bryan Sharp moved to Laxey from Buckinghamshire 60 years ago.

They had visited for the TT, and like many TT and other Isle of Man visitors over the years, made the move after Bryan was able to secure employment working for Davidson Marsh Architects in Athol Street, commencing on January 3, 1962.

They had visited Laxey while on holiday and loved it and became friends with Frank Cowin, who worked in the same practice and also lived in Laxey with his wife Jackie.

Travelling into Laxey in the direction of Ramsey was Fairy Cottage stores and then Fairy Cottage filling station. Carry on to the bend and high stone wall where you reached the Ravenscliffe guest house, run by Mrs Jessie Corlett.

On the left was the New Inn, their local, and Pat remembers playing darts in the Green Final league and she won the Golden Guinea one week!

It has been closed for some time but I remember live music in there as well going back many years.

On the right hand side, the Queen’s, is still a popular venue.

A little further along on the right hand side was Skillicorn’s the plumbers, Sylvia at the hairdressers, Jack and Anne at Kinrade bakers, Mylroie House, another Skillicorn shop and then Laxey Commissioners offices with Blinston’s newsagents adjacent.

On the left was the Coop and another small shop, which Pat thinks was run by Annie Kennaugh.

Back to the right hand side Walter Cowley’s paint shop and his wife’s shoe shop which also sold knitting wool. Next the Isle of Man Bank, police station and Laxey clinic. I wonder how many branches there once were of the Isle of Man Bank around the island?

I spent a summer in Laxey police station. No, I hadn’t been naughty, my mother was in hospital and my Uncle Rob (Corrin) was the village bobby and together with my Auntie Lil they had the responsibility of looking after me.

I had lots of happy times in Laxey with my cousins John and Do and their lovely golden Labrador.

I think I remember from the clinic a lady called Mamie Tate?

Across the road was the Coach and Horses and I remember my cousin John Cretney doing Sloopys mobile disco in there. I remember live music there as well, was it a folk club at one time? The site is now flats and the Laxey surgery.

Over the bridge on the left was the Laxey Glen hotel run by Bill and Joyce Langley.

Pat worked as a barmaid and was in the lower bar on the night of the Summerland fire.

Isn’t it the case that those of us who were on the island that fateful night can remember where we were?

Pat recalls that no one had any idea why fire engines were rushing through the village, the first thought was that it may have been a plane crash.

A customer came into the pub and told them what was happening. Pat is correct when she says no one will forget that night.

Latterly the pub has been a residential home.

Opposite is the rejuvenated Laxey Working Men’s Institute, which is now a very popular venue for events and entertainment but lay dormant for a long time prior to a number of residents getting together to undertake the transformation.

The Bridge Inn next to the Laxey Glen remains as does the local pharmacy across the road under the stewardship of former President of Tynwald and Garff MHK Steve Rodan.

A little further along on the same side the former post office is now a cafe.

On the corner was White House cafe, which is now the Coop and Corlett’s the butchers with its decorative tile features. Who remembers Arnold’s stores?

Pat remembers Lenny Arnold as a nice, helpful man.

New in the village, as a new mum she had walked her baby in the pram from South Cape to buy her groceries then discovered she had forgotten her purse!

He let her take the essentials and said she could pay later. She has never forgotten that kindness.

Lenny was a leading light in Laxey band.

Along the road again on the bend was Blacks fireplaces, now a cafe and shop, and just on the left up the hill Princes Motors, which is now proposed for some redevelopment. Am I right that there were several cafes on Ham and Egg Terrace?

Brown’s tea rooms was always a very popular spot for coach parties.

I think the Laxey Heritage Trust have been very proactive in the promotion of the many interesting aspects of the village.

Before going down the hill a long established business the Laxey Glen Flour Mills provides employment in the village and promotes Manx products.

At the bottom of the hill is another long established business the Laxey Woollen Mill which Pat tells me is an ideal place for Manx gifts and warm clothing.

If you travel the Glen Road at the tennis courts there was a cafe run by George Lawson’s wife, the Glen Road Chapel, which has seen much work recently and further on where the Mona Lisa is there was a shop and Kenyons the butchers.

Over the bridge was Osborn printers and Old Laxey post office operated by the Billington family, whose son Michael played Daniel Fogarty in the Onedin Line.

Pat used to do meals on wheels with his mum Helena. Once Michael was on the island he replaced his mum as Pat’s driver.

That had several people ’twitching’ behind the curtains because of his role in the TV series!

Recently significant work has commenced on the Laxey Shore Hotel and this was another very popular venue for those of us on motorcycles from Douglas because it had an extension at the rear with a disco and bar where we had some great nights.

My Auntie Peg was the deputy head at Laxey school for quite some time and, together with others, was heavily involved in the Laxey Fair celebrations, which continue to be a real attraction to this day.

Who remembers the Kenton Duo playing at the Glen Pavilion on Laxey Fair nights in the 1970s? Both accomplished players, I remember Ken Ingham well.

Also in the glen, who could forget the talented Peter Ellenberger, a wonderful Swiss chef and saxophonist in that venue. I remain a big fan of fondues!

Finally down to Laxey Promenade the Laxey Pipe Factory was very successful over many years and the building now houses apartments and office accommodation.

There was a cafe just behind the grassed area, was it the Sea View?, which is now a home, and End Cafe which is awaiting a future use which will hopefully be agreed soon.

Thankfully a number of really good businesses have replaced some of those lost and Laxey Promenade remains a popular spot.

Once again I’ve run out of space but please feel free to contact me about your memories of Laxey or anywhere else and thanks to Pat and Bryan Sharp for sharing theirs!

A new column from David Cretney is in this week’s Examiner, which is on sale now.