Interviews with visitors to the 1995 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) races and Glenys Taylor of Manx Leathers
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Date(s): 1995
Creator(s): Manx National Heritage
Scope & Content: Track 1: Interviews at the Manx Museum, Douglas with visitors to the 1995 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) races.
Interview with Enid Derby and Simon Canon, Kidderminster, Worcestershire who talk about why they visit the Isle of Man; riding their motorcycles; watching the races; visiting Castle Rushen; growth of organised motorcycle events; heritage transport; camping at Glen Wyllin, Kirk Michael; Mad Sunday event cancelled; and the Manx Grand Prix (MGP).
Interview with Caroline, Canterbury, Kent who talks about her visits to the TT; great atmosphere and range of people at the TT (despite the bad weather); meeting 80-year-old biker from Sweden; accommodation; and says bikers feel welcome on the island.
Interview with Richard Hansell, Nottingham. He talks about this being his first TT; bringing his motorcycle over on the boat; accommodation; riding the race course and sightseeing; going to Tholt y Will pub and seeing Joey Dunlop there; meeting German, Manx and Irish during their stay; Mad Sunday; and Bushy’s bar.
Track 2: Interviews at the Ramsey Sprint event [motorcycle noise in the background] starting with Ian Bell from Ramsey helping on the custom show. Ian talks about forming the Moddey Dhoo bike club; pubs during TT; his role as a TT marshal; other club bike events; future of the TT; his job making whiskey.
Interview with Yvonne King (midwife from Noble’s Hospital, Isle of Man) ‘regional rep’ for the Isle of Man Motorcycle Action Group (MAG). Yvonne talks about the Group’s stall at the Ramsey Sprint; preventing fatalities at the TT and improving road safety; her motorbiking family; policing during the TT; social life on the Isle of Man; and about bikers being part of the community.
Interview with Jill (34-year-old lawyer) who has a Harley Davidson motorcycle. She explains ‘Herbert’ her male inflatable pillion rider as a fun response to being irritated by the nude inflatable women dolls male bikers rider around with; Jill and her friend talk about being a woman biker; experiencing the TT; and talks about staying in Castletown during TT.
Interview with Glenys Taylor of Manx Leathers (at the shop, factory, radio music in background) who talks about herself, her husband Alan Taylor (leather technologist) and daughter Amelia designing and hand-making bike leathers for all the major riders including making suits for Joey Dunlop. Glenys talks about making leathers for riders around the world; the name Manx Leathers; and points at suit of Ian King who fell off yesterday doing 120 mph; Glenys talks about having made suits for over 80 TT winners; selling suits during TT to visitors; selling Manx Leathers in Northern Ireland; and about David Wood (Joey Dunlop’s manager) being a close friend of Alan.
Administration / Biographical History: Yvonne Cresswell Curator of Social History, Manx National Heritage.
This recording forms part of the TT Oral History Project 1995.
Language: eng
Extent: 48 min. 38 sec.
Item name: cassette tape
Collection: Sound Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: SA 2019-0074/4
Access conditions: All reasonable attempt has been made by Manx National Heritage to trace and request permission (where needed) from the copyright holder(s) in this sound recording. If however you think you are a rights holder then please contact Manx National Heritage.
Subject tags : #UOSH, #UOSHTT