On the way home yesterday on the Staarvey Road I decided to take a picture of the unusual Bell Tower on the barn of Ballakaighen Farm.
I bumped into the owner of the farm a Mr Donald Cannan (as in piccie) this man who is 85 years of age is still a working farmer and an absolute true Manxman and Gentleman.
Donald told me the story of the old Cronk y Voddy Church undergoing extensive renovation in the late 70’s and how he went to the auction room and bought the bell which now stands above his barn on the Staarvey Road in Cronk y Voddy, the bell is still used now and again, especially on Tynwald Day which is also the the Cronk y Voddy Sports day and the Cronk y Voddy Eisteddfod.
Donald also mentioned that the old bell can be traced back to 1852 which makes this original bell 163 years old (in 2015).
Donald told me all sorts of lovely stories about his life and it was an absolute honour to have met him, he even rang the bell for me to prove it still worked.
Feel free to make any comments either on this website by clicking the “Write comment” below or by logging onto my Facebook Page enjoy – Click on the images for a larger view.
Peter Killey
What a great character and such a wealth of stories too. Thank you for sharing them.
I couldn’t agree more Eleanor, a wealth of knowledge on all matters and a true kind Gentleman for sure.
I’ve just been looking at that second picture again. Is that an owl hole above the dove cot holes? I know that in old buildings there was often a hole for barn owls to enter and leave the building.
Good question Eleanor, I popped back to show Donald the pictures and if I would have spotted this quicker I would have asked him.
OMG!!!!! Only IoM gives such story-history-person!! And COmments, as well!!!! 🙂 I am impressed with Mr. Donald! Peter, you bring us such treasures!!!!!! Eleanor, how can you see such details?? Precious eyes!!!
Great to see Donald Cannan still going – did he tell you he was a track cycling champion in his day ? !!
Ask Gary Hinds . . . .