Tynwald ceremony 'a chance to be Manx for a day'

Vicki Gillings from Peel said people got "a real Manx feeling" going to Tynwald Day

People celebrating the Isle of Man's national day from across the island have hailed it as "a chance to be Manx for a day".

The annual open-air sitting of Tynwald took place in St John's earlier, with music and traditional dancing throughout the afternoon alongside activities promoting the island's culture.

Lynn Bashford, who travelled from Port St Mary with her father to watch the ancient ceremony on Tynwald Hill, said it was good to be able to see it again after spending some time away.

"I have been reconnecting with what the island is and what the heritage is," she added.

Lynn Bashforth said the day helped her reconnect with the island's heritage and history

Her father Adrian Bashforth agreed that it was a special occasion as it was "one big occasion every year, in some respects like the opening of parliament, it is our way of doing things".

"It is the Manx way and we are very proud to be Manx," he said.

Marian Ashcroft has been attending proceedings for 22 years

Marian Ashcroft from Ramsey said one of her favourite parts of the day was watching the military parade followed by the ceremony on the hill itself.

She said it was something close to people's hearts because it was "our day where we see our parliament in action" which was "part of our community and culture".

Vicki Gillings, who lives in nearby Peel, said the right to hand over a petition during the ceremony was "just so empowering".

"You know that someone somewhere will listen to what you have to say," she said, adding: "I love the feeling that it is all tangible."

Geoff Robinson from Onchan used to dance in the Manx Folk Group Society

Geoff Robinson, from Onchan, said for many years he had taken part in the traditional dancing displays at the event with the Manx Folk Group Society, which was still helping to keep the "tradition going".

Juan Watterson SHK said Tynwald Day was the "epitome of Manxness"

The ancient outdoor ceremony, which has its roots in the island's Viking links, saw politicians, dignitaries, the judiciary and the clergy assemble on Tynwald Hill in St John's.

For many of the island's politicians, taking part in the ceremony is a source of national pride.

Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson Tynwald Day was the "epitome of Manxness".

"You don't get anything close to this anywhere else in the world, it is a peculiarly Manx institution and long may it continue," he said.

Watterson said the "heart of the ceremony" was the Proclamation of the Acts, which meant it remained the "same as when the Vikings were running it".

Daphne Caine MHK said it was a "privilege" to be part of the proceedings

Daphne Caine MHK said the ceremony was "for the people" and being part of the proceedings was "a real pinch me moment".

It was a "wonderful time to come together and catch up with people", she continued.

MHK David Ashford said it was "remarkable" to think about the long history of the ceremony "and what it means for our island and our community".

"As a small island nation, community is at our core", he said, adding: "I love seeing how happy people are."

David Ashford MHK said he was proud to have taken part in the ceremony for 10 years

Kirsty Morphet MLC was experiencing the Tynwald Day ceremony for the first time

Newly elected MLC Kirsty Morphet, who was taking part in the ceremony for the first time, said it was "awe-inspiring to be part of something that has been going since the 10th Century".

It was "amazing" to see the laws of the island "come to fruition" and "hopefully in the future be part of really meaningful legislation", she added.