Crowds to gather for annual Tynwald Day ceremony
Hundreds of people are expected to attend Tynwald’s annual open-air sitting later.
The ancient ceremony, which has its roots in the Isle of Man’s Viking links, will take place at St John’s.
Presided over by the Lieutenant Governor, the proceedings see members of the Manx parliament, joined by representatives of the judiciary and the clergy, gather on Tynwald Hill.
President of Tynwald Laurence Skelly has encouraged people to travel to the fair field to celebrate the island’s national day.
The annual open-air ceremony of the Manx parliament takes place on Tynwald Hill [BBC]
The Captains of the Parish, Coroners and representatives of the island’s local authorities also take part in the ceremony, which dates back more than 1,000 years.
The reading of the island’s newest laws from the hill in both English and Manx – known as the Promulgation of the Acts – remains a crucial part of the proceedings.
If an act is not promulgated within 18 months of being given Royal Assent, it falls from the statute book.
Ahead of the ceremony, the island’s secondary schools will be represented in a processional march to the fair field, led by Onchan Silver Band.
The pageantry of the day begins with the arrival of the visiting military band, which this year is the Band of the Royal Air Force College, accompanied by a fanfare team from The Band of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.
The musicians are set to lead the Guard of Honour – this year from the King’s Colour Squadron – and the standard bearers of all the Manx units and organisations to the ceremonial precinct.
Those involved in the ceremony take part in a procession from the Royal Chapel to Tynwald Hill [BBC]
The formalities get under way with the arrival of Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer, who will inspect the Guard of Honour following an RAF flypast.
After a short wreath-laying ceremony at the island’s National War Memorial, Sir John will then take his place in the Royal Chapel of St John’s for a short church service.
It will include a solo performance by Cleveland Medal winner Ruth Tickle.
The procession to the hill will then begin, followed by the ceremony itself, which begins with the fencing of the court.
As well as the proclamation of the laws to the people, the proceedings include the ancient right for citizens to hand over petitions for redress of grievance, which are collected by the Clerk of Tynwald at the foot of the hill.
The official proceedings are rounded off with the Captioning of the Acts, which takes place in the Royal Chapel and sees the new laws signed by both the President of Tynwald and the Speaker of the House of Keys.
Several events and activities are being hosted in St John’s to celebrate the Isle of Man’s national day [BBC]
As well as the ceremony, St John’s is set to play host to a number of other events to celebrate the island’s national day.
They include music on Tynwald Green by the Isle of Man Wind Orchestra and Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band.
The afternoon will also see performances by Scran, Claasagh and the Lon Dhoo Male Voice Choir in the Royal Chapel.
The arboretum will play host to the One World Centre’s celebration of cultures from around the world in its Global Village, and there is a chance to visit a replica Viking village encampment at Cooil Y Ree.
The Manx Tent, situated adjacent to Tynwald Hill, will offer a variety of activities and information about the island’s language, culture and heritage.
The day’s events will be rounded off by a performance by the Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums from 22:00 BST.
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