Tynwald

I went with my friend to church this morning at The Abbey Church at Ballasalla, this isn't here normal church but a joint service they have for 4 churches when there is a fifth Sunday in the month.

It was a lively service with lots of children and when we came out the skies were blue again after a damp start to the day.
Rushen Abbey is next to the church and in my extra picture today you can see Rushen Abbey Mill just across the ford. I liked the colours of this building, the church it self is just round the corner across the bridge.

After lunch, with Chris off at his biking again in Castletown, we headed across the island to Tynwald. This is the centre of the island's parliament, the House of Keys, where a service is held in July on Tynwald Hill which is where you can see the Manx flag flying. Before the reading of the new laws the representatives all go to a service in the church and then process to the hill across the green. It is a public holiday and after the serious business there is much merriment including country dancing, bag pipes and a fair.

This shot is taken from the hill in the National Park and Arboretum which was opened in 1979 to commemorate the Millennium of the Manx Parliament.

Bizarrely, at the top of the hill, there is a three sided shelter over looking this view to commemorate 100 years of Marks and Spencer in 1984!

Returning to the town we looked around the church, which has named seats for each member of the House of Keys, and various memorials before retiring to tea rooms opposite for tea and cake! Another Great day.