16 minute read
The Hawthorn Sings
The Hawthorn Sings in Smeale
Words Suzy Holland Illustration: Carola Colley
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I wouldn’t mind betting half the Island has never been to Smeale. There’s no church, no pub, no shop and although there is a beach even the hardiest swimmers talk about the rip tide. But what Smeale does have is abundant farming land in what is colloquially known as the golden triangle, experiencing the best weather on the Island.
And deep in Smeale is Smeale Farm, owned and run for generations by the Martin family. Beth, who grew up on a dairy farm, and studied agriculture at Bangor University, swore she’d never marry a farmer. How wrong she was! Steve Martin and his brother Chris manage Smeale Farm as sustainably as possible, and with wildlife conservation in mind. And it is this which has inspired Beth to write the stories and vignettes which make up her book ‘Song of the Hawthorn’. In the early days of the pandemic, when farming continued but their holiday cottages were closed to visitors, Beth began to write down the short stories which, she says, had been wafting around her head partially formed, “like a teasing perfume I couldn’t pin down”. “Covid meant our lives were quieter, and we felt more isolated, but the natural world doesn’t work like that!” says Beth. “The hawthorn continues to sing, the hens continue to lay, worms turn the earth and so on and so forth. And so it was with my writing: once I’d started, I couldn’t stop and two years later, with the help and support of family, friends and the Island’s creative writing community ‘Song of the Hawthorn’ was published.”
The book begins with a nod to Manx folklore and the magical properties of the hawthorn tree. But just as you think ‘Song of the Hawthorn’ might be just a little bit twee, Beth interjects with wry humour: “Listen carefully and you may hear a tiny vibration, a harmonious tree tune … or your tinnitus is playing up.” Most of the stories are written in the third person (or more precisely, third sheepdog, hedgehog or spider) but others draw on Beth’s own day-to-day life on the farm – collecting eggs, avoiding the ‘summer-drunk’ bees in the grass.
Beth’s stories are illustrated by an artist well-known not just on the Island but further afield – Carola Colley. Now living in Portugal, Carola knows Smeale inside out, with happy childhood memories of visiting her grandparents there, and later living just around the corner from Smeale Farm, practicing her own art and running classes for children and adults (including, at one time, Beth), and she even remembers feeding the Martin family lambs as a child. The Manx landscape, myth, folklore and histories have always provided inspiration for her work, and it is this which informed her illustrations for ‘Song of the Hawthorn’.
“I was delighted when Beth approached me as her stories took me straight back to my Smeale life,” Carola – who also edited the book - says. “I know the shape of Smeale, the hills, the fields, the flora and fauna and once I’d discussed my preliminary drawings with Beth, the finished illustrations actually came together very fast.”
The illustrations, like the stories, can be viewed and read individually, but there is a coherence to them. “I wanted there to be a motif, a theme, to them, without detracting from Beth’s stories, without slavishly following her words,” continues Carola, “but those words were my inspiration, and I’d like to think each of my drawings echoes them.” I won’t ruin the humour of Beth’s book by repeating passages here (although I particularly liked the hedgehog avoiding certain mushrooms because they ‘blew her mind’) but if like me you avoid all ‘animals as humans’ books, don’t worry! - ‘Song of the Hawthorn’ touches gently and intriguingly on the lives which are lived alongside ours. Beth’s writing is so beautiful I found myself reading some passages out loud just to hear how they sounded – surely an audio version is in the offing? – and I’d love to see an exhibition of Carola’s illustrations in one place because my copy of ‘Song of the Hawthorn’ is already dog-eared by flicking back and forth to remind myself of the smallest details. Come on Isle of Man, is that too much to ask?
If you’d like your own copy of ‘Song of the Hawthorn’ – and I really recommend it as both a stunningly written collection of stories (suitable for all ages) and a reminder that there is a natural world existing and thriving alongside our own – then it costs just £10 from Manx National Heritage sites (including the Museum), Bridge Bookshops in Ramsey and Port Erin, Andreas Stores, Mother Ts in Laxey, the Manx Wildlife shop in Peel, Farmers Combine in Ramsey and also at Georgie Revill’s Cook Shack in Bride.
www.carolacolley.com www.songofthehawthorn.com www.manxfarmhols.com
Well read.
Why eBooks and eAudiobooks are on the rise, and how you can access digital titles locally in the Isle of Man
Following the pandemic and the closure of schools, high streets, and libraries, digital book sales soared, as the public turned to reading to escape pandemic cabin fever.
More notably, the audiobook market has seen a significant increase in readership numbers, especially across the younger demographics. The audiobook’s surge in popularity can be attributed to several factors – firstly it enables the time-poor to stay in touch with reading, while bridging a gap for those where reading and literacy is a challenge. Lastly for many, audiobooks have acted as a reassurance and form of escape– to be read to is a comfort and affords a human connection at a time where a lot of people have felt isolated.
The enduring nature of books and reading will always remain; however, it appears that readers – both old and new, are now embracing books in all their forms.
How can I access eBooks and eAudiobooks locally in the Isle of Man?
Henry Bloom Noble (HBN) Library, based in central Douglas, was the first public library in the Isle of Man to launch an eBook and audiobook service back in 2011. The service has evolved considerably, and is now available to the Manx public, via an app called ‘Libby’, which holds a wide range of digital publications including eBooks, magazines, and newspapers from around the world. Libby, which is available to library members (of which membership is free to Isle of Man residents) is available to download from App Stores. The ’virtual library’ offers locals a wider choice of titles, which can be accessed at a click of a button via the smartphone app.
To complement the Libby app, Douglas Borough Council and HBN Library launched a brand new eAudiobook app in May, called Borrowbox, which hosts a digital library of over 300 eAudiobooks. The collection is a mixture of adult, young adult and children’s fiction and non-fiction, and includes the latest releases. Titles available to download include Dolly Parton and James Patterson’s ‘Run Rose Run’ and Richard Osman’s ‘Thursday Murder Club’ series. Other celebrated authors with works in the collection include Jo Nesbo, Lee Child, Liane Moriarty, and Jane Fallon. Both apps also include a wide choice for children and young people, including fiction authors Jacqueline Wilson, Veronica Roth, Roald Dahl, Holly Webb, Suzanne Collins, and David Walliams.
Attracting new audiences to reading
The launch of the new digital audiobook service on Island looks to inspire and attract new audiences of all ages and abilities to reading, while enabling those that already read, to have the opportunity to access the latest titles, as well as many classics, in an affordable and easy way.
The apps, which are user-friendly, with an easy check-out and check-in procedure and can be accessed 24/7. The digital platforms also allow members to borrow up to six titles at any one time, for a period of 21 days, with eAudiobooks and eBooks automatically returned to the digital collection at the end of the loan period. The two apps combined hold thousands of titles, which the library is keen to expand as the service attracts greater numbers.
How to join in
Existing HBN Library members can access the Libby and BorrowBox apps using their library card number and PIN at www. douglaslibrary.im/ebooks/. For those looking to become a member of the library, you can register for free at www.douglaslibrary.im/ join/ or in person at the library’s premises, which is located on Duke Street in central Douglas.
Ucm Art, Design, Media And Music Exhibition 2022
The Art, Design, Media and Music Exhibition is an annual end-of-year event, which is the culmination of the students’ final and self-managed projects which involves working through the various stages of creating a design.
The artwork is therefore, not only representative of their creativity, but also the development of skills, research, ideation, material manipulation and presentation, all of which are central to their course.
www.ucm.ac.im
Mahatma Gandhi
LEARN SOMETHING NEW, HAVE FUN AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS WITH A LEISURE COURSE AT UCM
Have some spare time on your hands? University College Isle of Man (UCM) has launched its new programme of Leisure Courses for the next academic year, starting this September, perfect for those wishing to learn something different, have fun and make new friends!
Delivered by a team of friendly and extensively experienced tutors, there are more than 200 engaging and exciting courses to choose from in business and technology, creative arts, health and wellbeing, languages and general interest.
Did you know that the island is home to some stunning UNESCO Biosphere dark sky locations? Meaning our skies are some of the clearest in the British Isles! But have you ever wondered what you’re actually looking at during those beautiful starry skies? Here is what one student had to say: “The Astronomy and Manx Night Sky course was truly fascinating! I never actually knew what the various constellations meant, or that the northern lights can be visible from the islands’ coasts. I now genuinely enjoy grabbing a friend, a flask, and taking it to Niarbyl bay to stargaze on a clear evening. I would 100% recommend this course.” – Astronomy student.
UCM’s leisure courses also run at locations across the island, during afternoons, evenings and weekends, making them easily accessible to anyone across the island. If you aren’t necessarily looking to learn something new, but just want to switch off, have a chat and enjoy yourself, there are plenty of creative courses to choose from. This is what one returning student had to say:
“I have completed both cake decorating courses with Emma, and she’s so patient and friendly, she’s brilliant! I signed up with a couple of friends, and I’m leaving with even more like-minded ones.” – Cake Decorating student.
‘People get involved in our leisure courses for a wide variety of reasons, but the courses are designed to help people learn new skills and hobbies, brush up existing talent, make new friends and have fun. If you’ve never tried one of our leisure courses, this is a great time to try something a bit different.’
As well as the popular courses that have been a feature of the programme for many years, UCM has added 48 new courses this year including:
ACTING AND VOICE FOR ALL: Develop imagination, confidence and a sense of well-being, laughter guaranteed and no experience necessary. The course will be taught by Ms L Becket who has taught acting at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama and Arts Ed in London.
AN INTRODUCTION TO CANDLE MAKING: Students will learn about using moulds or container candles and dipping candles, and can use either soy or beeswax.
MACRAMÉ FOR BEGINNERS: Macramé is the art of knotting rope, string or any type of yarn to make beautiful items from hanging basket to hanging chairs, shelves and more!
WOODWORK FOR IMPROVERS: Gain skills, confidence, and advice that you can take forward to plan and build successful home projects.
SCIENCE OF COOKING: Learn about the how’s and the why’s of traditional and modernist cooking techniques; using basic principles in chemistry and physics to bring your cooking skills to the next level and expand your kitchen knowledge
THE CREATIVE VEGAN: One-day course packed with essential tips and an opportunity to try unfamiliar ingredients. Discover new and fresh ways to cook delicious seasonal produce with essential tips for nutrition.
SPECIAL OCCASION MAKEUP FOR BEGINNERS: Includes basic makeup application or special occasions such as weddings, proms to add that finishing touch.
NAIL ART FOR BEGINNERS: Explore the fascinating world of nail art, learn different techniques including using dotting tools, freehand art, adding glitters and lots more.
RULERS & LOVERS – WOMEN WHO CHANGED THE
WORLD: Most people know about famous male rulers, but what about the powerful women? Would the history of the ancient world have been the same without Cleopatra? Would the Russian Empire have expanded under Peter III as it did under Catherine II?
WIND, WATER & ICE – THE SHAPING OF THE MANX
LANDSCAPE: An exciting journey of discovery bringing alive the natural processes which have been instrumental in forming what we see today within our beautiful landscape.
MANX LAW: Two workshops providing a basic introduction to Manx Law covering areas that people may encounter in their everyday life.
MICROSOFT EXCEL CHARTS AND GRAPHS: This course is aimed at those who have a basic knowledge of Excel but would like to learn more about charts, graphs and presenting data in an efficient way.
Cathy Lord, Programme Manager for Adult Continuing Education explained: ‘Every year, we develop a programme of leisure and recreation courses from feedback and comments we receive from the Manx public. We’re excited to be launching nearly 50 new courses this year across a wide range of subjects. It’s always fascinating to see the incredible skills that people in our community have and want to share.
‘People get involved in our leisure courses for a wide variety of reasons, and the courses are designed to help people learn new skills and hobbies, brush up existing talent, make new friends and have fun. If you’ve never tried one of our leisure courses, this is a great time to have a go at something a bit different.’
It’s never too late to learn something new! University College Isle of Man’s leisure course selection can be viewed and booked online.
www.ucm.ac.im/leisure
Suddenly At Home
Suddenly, At Home is an audio collage that presents a rarely examined kind of Manxness, one that finds hilarity, love, loss and yearning in ordinariness. Written by talented filmmaker John Craine, it’s a beautifully crafted radio play about the Isle of Man, told through a partly magical realist style, taking Dylan Thomas’s Under Milk Wood as inspiration.
The play engages with the oral tradition of storytelling that is often forgotten in a busy world where moving images are the primary medium. Inspired by the characters and stories that would be gossiped about by an older generation of eccentrics who don’t quite fit in to the contemporary world, Suddenly, At Home is also a story of place that rejects the usual cliches of Manx identity but strives to tell a story of a community that captures what it is to be Manx.
Suddenly, At Home is in equal parts funny and sad, flitting between vignettes of a policeman attending to the business of the day, two grieving sisters selling their mother’s house, an 18th Century ghost, neighbours who are nosy and neighbours who hear too much of one another.
“Sometimes it feels like we’re being on our best behaviour when we talk about what it means to be Manx” says John Craine. “It’s good to have an aspirational vision of how we choose to present ourselves, but I’m more interested in what we do in the privacy of our homes, or even in the privacy of our own heads. Having a narrator allows us access to our characters which is difficult to achieve outside prose writing”
The play is directed by Sonya Quayle, whose previous work is in film and theatre. She enjoyed the challenge of non-visual storytelling. “When John invited me to direct, I hesitated because I wasn’t sure what I could bring to a radio play, but I really enjoyed the process. Focusing on how we can use just the spoken word and silences to convey the range of emotions explored in the script has been so interesting and a lot easier than I imagined - mainly because John’s writing is so wonderfully evocative that it did most of the work for me.”
Sonya brought on collaborators from previous projects, amongst them editor Edward Crompton (Isle of Dogs, Ron’s Gone Wrong) and actor James Northcote (The Imitation Game, Wuthering Heights, The Last Kingdom). She was delighted to work with local legend Dot Tilbury MBE, as well up and coming composer Ellie Quayle and talented members of local theatre group MYCP.
“Because we were interested in capturing a recording of how the Manx accent sounds today, it was really important to us to use local actors and it’s been so rewarding. Our Narrator, James Northcote, uses a slightly heightened British accent to evoke the timelessness of a bygone era of radio, which creates the perfect backdrop for the surprisingly diverse range of really lovely Isle of Man voices.”
Suddenly, at Home deals with some fairly heavy subject matter but it’s never maudlin and a joke is never far away. “I was keen to incorporate jokes and word play that will specifically appeal to Manx people. There’s a pleasure in being in on a joke, to speak a secret language of cultural memory” says John.
Suddenly, At Home is funded by Isle of Man Arts Council. @SuddenlyAtHome Suddenly-At-Home-103594088929424 @suddenlyathome
