Interviews with Mrs Quinn of Mona Street about her mother's fish shop and kipper curing yard in Strand Street and interview with men about mills and farming
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Date(s): 1950-1970
Creator(s): Manx Museum
Scope & Content: Track 1: Mrs Quinn of Mona Street talks to Margaret Killip about her mother’s family-run fish shop and curing yard in Strand Street Douglas. She describes how the kippers were prepared; the herring crane coming from Peel; gutting, salting and smoking; the kipper house and weekly routine; how the family would make kipper boxes with wood from Quiggins (later cardboard); skill required for smoking with oak chippings; the work of the ‘splitters’; she talks about salted herring, bloaters, mackerel and fulfilling orders; how her mother’s fish buyer operated; prices; salting fish when catches plentiful; fish landed in Peel, occasionally Douglas; employees mostly from Scotland and marrying locals (Mrs Whiteaway); number of employees; and the winter operation.
Men, including Johnny and Jack, reminiscing about old buildings, mills, and old yarns including church between Peel and St Johns. There is mention of St Johns Church spire; Rice putting the top stone on Peel church spire; iron waterwheel at the Hope; brickworks and slateworks at the Beary; folklore; the Giant’s Grave; Glenfaba Bridge; Harry Quayle’s Mill at Glen Maye; Ballacosnahan; Ballatesson; Peel cemetery; and a story about someone who killed pigs for farmers and a woman putting a charm on the pig’s blood.
Track 2: Men talking about beggars’ houses at Ballig. Mention of Johnny Clague; Robbie and Francis Quayle from the Eairy; tuck mill at Ballig; an anecdote about old Norris and Arthur Moore the dyer; Moore’s Mills with mention of Joe Foster and Morris Cain; a joiner’s shop with mention of George James Kelly; Foster family at Ballacraine; date on the old tuck mill; anecdotes about an old man who worked for Edwin Moore’s father; houses pulled down for new mill; work and wages; mhelliahs; Adam Thomson; Georgie Cannell; Robbie Kelly; an area called 12 shares on Greeba mountain; the Douse road; and mention of Arthur Kinvig.
Administration / Biographical History: This recording was made for the Manx Folk Life Survey.
Margaret Killip was a Manx Folk Life Survey recorder.
Language: English
Extent: 1 hr. 10 min. 35 sec.
Item name: magnetic tape
Collection: Sound Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: SA 0103
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, #UOSHManxFolkLifeSurvey