Monologue by George Quayle of Close ny Mona about stonebreaking
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Date(s): 1970
Creator(s): Manx Museum
Scope & Content: George Quayle of Close ny Mona, Lezayre, talks about stonebreaking. George talks about the state of the roads in the Isle of Man before the motor car; process of basic repairs; carts and men being hired by the Highway Board and the rates of pay; road construction; the change of practices after the First World War; highway employee Tom Cleator; the haulage in 1915 of stones to Glen Auldyn quarry and the technique and equipment for stonebreaking; introduction of tarmac from 1920; description and usage of a scraper, now in the Manx Museum.
He describes a traditional Manx funeral; the Manx Church; the use of church paths on top of sod hedges or through fields and the church path through Glen Tramman; lost paths such as from Narradale to Ramsey; the enclosure of the common lands and demise of upland crofts; Sulby Claddaghs as the last surviving part of the common lands; Ramsey market place, Mooragh Park land and the green at Maughold purchased from the Crown; the making of manure and the use of seaweed; marking of sheep; the sod houses built for hens on the uplands; the split of the proceeds from the common land; tramman trees and fairies; Basil Lawton book circa 1830s; origin of the Fynoderee; local craftsmen; lack of educational opportunity for the poor; ploughing; and thatching.
Administration / Biographical History: George Quayle (b.1895), author of 'Legends of a Lifetime'
Language: English
Extent: 28 min. 51 sec.
Item name: magnetic tape
Collection: Sound Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: SA 0111
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