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Interview with Miss Janet Gibb of the Grove, Ramsey, about her life

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Date(s): 7 March 1973

Scope & Content: Track 1: Janet Gibb of the Grove, Ramsey talks to John Stowell Kenyon about her life. Janet talks about beekeeping, including hives made by old Corlett and Mr Cubbon being given surviving skeps; clock given to Grannie as a wedding present in 1830; early Victorian wooden wool winder; knitting; portrait of great-grandfather James Blake and his life; lithograph of Watt; painting of grandfather Duncan Gibb; painting of Mrs Clare, James Blake’s mother-in-law; painting of great aunt Mary (Aunt Ralph); and use of premises on Parliament Street, Liverpool. Janet talks about similarities between design of the Grove and Thurroo Cottage (1809), Beach House, Castletown (1814) and Ballaleena owned by the Needles; how the Grove was originally a seaman’s cottage; use of Pooilvaaish marble at the Grove. She recalls retired lighthouse keeper from the Calf of Man living at Port-e-Vullen; Manx crucifix and keeil remains on the Calf; living arrangements for families of the Calf lighthouse keepers; diet on the Calf; crops at the Grove, number of fields and their uses; varieties of garden flowers; apple and pear varieties; the Grove greenhouse built by George Harrison; herbs and their uses.

Track 2: Janet continues to talk about herbs; hens at the Grove; the well and outside pump. Janet then describes her young daily life; town water arriving at the Grove in 1922; auntie embroidering altar cloths for St Paul's, St Olave's and Ballure churches; 'cup and bun' picnics; cycling parties; Valerie McGay (nee Lamonthe) and her husband Will Crebbin lost in the First World War; Norah Carr; Lucy who married Ridley Makepiece; Gertrude Rigby (nee Lamonthe) and sister of Deemster Eric Lamonthe and daughter Joan. She recalls evenings in Ramsey listening to the band; Mrs Caley; meals; bridge playing; their accounts with shops; Stan Goldsmith building Riversdale; Mr Patten’s work for the poor; Bobby Keig’s father, Isle of Man Bank manager; Old Garrett, the gardener; Sunday morning church services; matron proctor of Ramsey Cottage Hospital and Doctors Sutton and Barber; mourning dress; and Harry Morrison.

Administration / Biographical History: Janet Anne Gibb was donor of The Grove, Ramsey (1878-1974). John Stowell Kenyon was a businessman and local antiquarian (1908-1998).

Language: English

Extent: 2 hr. 1 min. 25 sec.

Item name: cassette tape

Collection: Sound Archive

Level: ITEM

ID number: SA 0177

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

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