Do you have a favourite season of the year?

I love each but there is something really special about spring on our island.

From seeing the first snowdrops peep up out of the cold ground accompanied by optimistic bird song this time of rebirth and regeneration always cheers me up. January and February can sometimes be long cold dark months after the excitement of Christmas and New Year festivities.

Most years though we enjoy some bright if chilly days and some spectacular sunsets and sunrises and this year has been no exception. In the pages of our newspapers or via social media photographs announce the arrival of this special time.

Snowdrops appear by river side walks and crocuses also add colour, followed by showers of golden daffodils in abundance all around the island but a particular favourite for me and I’m sure many others is the daffodil walk at Port Grenaugh.

Do you have a special place to enjoy our spring flowers?

Later come the fragrant carpets of bluebells particularly appreciated in woodland settings.

My favourite for these is timeless Ballaglass Glen with its fast flowing river carved over millennia through large rocks contrasting the colourful display of blues and green from new tree and leaf growth.

We really are fortunate to be surrounded by unspoilt nature to recharge our human batteries and for me and I’m sure others feel more energised and it has to be good for your mental health.

The days stretching, weather generally better, the appearance in our fields of baby lambs and spotting other animals coming to life combined with blossom on our trees just adds up to make it such a special time to look forward to and enjoy!

If you get a chance try to get out and enjoy yourself with healthy activity amongst the best of what Manx nature has to offer!

***

After the heat generated by the report of the House of Keys management and members’ standards committee in relation to chaplaincy and prayers in the House suggesting an alternative approach for 12 months in the absence of any nominees being put forward as chaplain I listened to the discussion online.

There were some very thoughtful contributions by a number of members on both sides of the debate and, whilst I think most people believe there are currently far more pressing issues facing the island, it was good to hear the quality of dialogue on this matter, so sensitive for some.

As we move forward towards a more caring, tolerant, inclusive society the members seemed to sincerely recognise each other’s differing opinions on the matters.

I felt it was just a little ironic that the report was published less than a week before the discussion following on from the concerns expressed in relation to the All Island Plan timescales.

It was reported that the Bishop supports moves towards a more inclusive response and other commentators believe there should be clear separation between politics and religion so the timely amendment moved by Sarah Maltby MHK ’that as a matter of principle every member should be free to participate in prayers or not according to their individual conscience; and that the management and members standards committee should consider and report on how to give effect to this principle’ has given the committee and members further opportunity to reflect.

There have always been members who did not want to participate but the approach to date has been to silently reflect.

Both the Speaker of the House of Keys and the chaplain have a role in supporting elected members and during my time there were a number of persons appointed to the role, I apologise if my memory fails me but I recall Rex Kissack, David Willoughby, George Quinn, Bill Martin, Andie Brown and Dennis Baggaley.

The latter when I had a negative newspaper headline story published was the first to make contact with me to offer words of support.

One point worthy of note about the debate to counterbalance the five days notice was that the debate had not taken place behind closed doors as sometimes their is a tendency to do in Tynwald members briefings but a lesson learned I’m sure is that there must be better public consultation on matters of clear importance to many.

***

It is a sign that time is passing by so quickly when one of the anthems of the 20th Century ’American Pie’ by Don McLean from the album of the same name is out on its 50th anniversary tour in the United States presently.

Described as an eight-and-a-half minute folk rock ’cultural touchstone’ about the loss of innocence of the early rock and roll generation. McLean has appeared at the Villa Marina as I was reminded the other night and I have seen him several times.

I tell the story that after one show I was in the queue to meet him and when it was my turn I said: ’I just want to thank you for all your music which means so much to my generation.’

His reply in smoky New York drawl was: ’My pleasure!’

Last week another of my musical heroes passed her 80th birthday, I’m ashamed to say I’ve never seen her live but Carole King is unquestionably a music legend. Her album Tapestry is full of classic favourites such as It’s Too Late, I Feel the Earth Move, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, So Far Away, Tapestry and You’ve Got a Friend.

Again now over 50 years since it was recorded, in 2020 it was ranked number 25 on Rolling Stone magazine list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

Despite not seeing Carole live I have seen James Taylor many times, he released ’You’ve Got a Friend as a single in 1971 reaching number one in the USA and four in the UK.

It won Grammy awards both for James (best male vocal performance) and Carole (song of the year). I’m looking forward later this year to see James Taylor again in two UK venues.

***

David Callin recently wrote to me after reading my piece about old pubs of Douglas with this piece of nostalgic prose:

Dead pubs of Douglas

We will not start with a couple in the Star, before moving on to the Theatre Royal with its peculiar booths, reminiscent of third class rail travel.

We will not mingle with what passes for Bohemia in the Dogs’ Home, nor will we tackle the strenuous itinerary of the Barbary Coast, those gaudy quayside establishments.

We will not be barred from the Grosvenor, nor will we be called a dxxkhead into the bargain; there the old courtesies are no longer extended.

The lost pubs of Douglas: let me memorialise them here - the Ridgeway, the Regent, the Raglan, the Shakespeare: where are their smoke-stained ceilings?

Where are the snugs of yesteryear?

And if some phantom barman, having taken our pence and draped the towels over the pumps, should ask, in a spirit of waggery, if we have no homes to go to, we’ll start say we do, then stop and wonder.

***

I have recently had an interview, my first since my last election in 2011, when the panel consisted of more than 3,000 people assessing me for a further five-year fixed-term contract in the House of Keys! This time a small group interviewed me which I approached with some trepidation. A subject I’ve long been interested in so fingers crossed!

This column was first published in the Isle of Man Examiner last week. David’s latest column is in today’s Isle of Man Examiner.