Old News

You may have been in it this week. Your parents may have competed . . and your grandparents. . . The Manx Music, Speech and Drama Festival has been going for generations and is of course current and old news!

H looks back at the history of the iconic building on Douglas Promenade - once grand but semi-derelict and still awaiting full re-development. Not built as a hotel of course!

As we hear that plans for a new Castle Rushen High School are being kicked down the road once more, H looks back at how the school - and its current building - have featured in the papers over the decades

As coastal erosion comes up in the headlines again this week, H looks back in the papers on how much it's featured over the years. An early 18th century problem it seems . . . !

As we read of "ongoing" dredging issues in Douglas Harbour, H looks back at how dredging issues have featured in the press over the years. We certainly seemed to do more - but then we did have our own dredger . . .

As something of a - what shall we call it . . . . rumpus rages at Peel Commissioners over complex issues such as when a vote has been taken and when it hasn't, H looks back to see if there have been problems at the Commissioners before. Turns out there have . . .

Following recent stories relating to the Salvation Army seeing a marked increase in the work it does supporting people struggling with debt, H looks back at how the "Army" have featured in news stories over the years. Lots of good stories of course, but it seems they weren't always welcome by some!

It's been windy again of late - for a change . . . . H looks back at how wind and gales have affected the Island over the years as reported in the Island's papers

This week, Howard delves into the archives to look at the big news stories of 1688.

This week, Howard goes back over 400 years to look at the news making the headlines in 1620.

As election fever hots up on the Island - or doesn't perhaps depending on your viewpoint - H looks back at one of the view celebrity MHKs the Island has had - the novelist Hall Caine

As we hear about plans to redevelop the Golf Links Hotel site in recent news, H looks through the archives to find how the iconic building has featured in the press over the years

As we hear of an amateur meteorologist hoping to set up his own weather website, H looks back at how forecasters have fared over the years in the press. Not always favourable it seems . . !

H looks back at how the Bishop's vote has featured in the press over the years. Stormy at times it seems . .!

There's been a bit of a reshuffle within COMIN of late it seems . .. H looks back at what "reshuffles" there have been reported in papers of yesteryear - not all political!

Clowns appear to have been in the headlines of late . . . . H digs back in the papers to see if our baggy-trousered friends have featured much in the news over the years - for whatever reasons!

As we hear that comet Schaumasse may be visible in Manx skies, H looks back to see how the heavenly visitors have featured in the papers over the years. More than you may think!

As we start 2026 . .. . H looks back exactly 100 years to the start of 1926!

It may have just passed, but H looks at some wonderful Boxing Day traditions reported on in the Manx papers over the years. Bring back the Police v Clergy football match!

It's Christmas! As it has been at this time of year for generations. H looks at how it's featured in the papers over the years. Merry Christmas!

H looks back at Xmas lights and decorations reported in the papers over the years! And how "Ollick" found an "N" !

Ramsey Cottage Hospital: No closing or change of use contemplated. Recent news? Yes - but this headline was first used in 1961!

With icy weather having gripped the Island again recently, H looks back to see if it's something new for the papers to report. And you've guessed - it isnt! Some things never change . . . !

With talk of the introduction of 20mph zones never far from the headlines of late it seems - H looks back at the papers to see if this concept is new. Spoiler alert - it isn't.

Did you see the aurora recently? Did you know it was news in the Manx papers over a hundred years ago?! It was of course - it's old news!