The voice of Tynwald Day celebrates 50 years

Ian Cannell CBE (RHS) pictured outside St John's Chapel with organist, Derek Crellin, began commentating at Tynwald Day ceremony in the same year John F Kennedy was assassinated

Having spent two years in the Royal Air Force, Ian Cannell has always been well placed to provide expert commentary on the military dimension of Tynwald

When he began his work as official commentator, spectators would watch the ceremony from the fair ground which was situated on the green in front of the Tynwald path

The Queen is the Isle of Man's head of state and Her Majesty last presided over Tynwald in 2003

In the absence of the Lord of Mann, the Queen's representative on the Isle of Man, Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood, presides over the proceedings on Tynwald Hill

The Tynwald fair is a pivotal part of the island's national day. In recent years the entertainment has been extended into the evening with live music and fireworks

Ian Cannell has become an expert in the history of the Tynwald ceremony - every year he begins his preparation in April

This year the official voice of Tynwald, Ian Cannell CBE, celebrates a significant milestone in his career.

He will take up his position in the commentary box to cover Tynwald Day for the 50th time and will do so in the knowledge the event has remained largely unchanged for half a century.

"You can't change history," remarked Mr Cannell.

"In my early years they still had the church service, the procession and they still read the new laws in Manx and English. What has changed is the lay out.

"Fifty years ago the stalls and entertainment sat between the processional pathway and the main road - this is where everyone congregated."

But while the official parliamentary ceremony is largely the same, he reflected, his working conditions at the grandstand have been revolutionised.

"The public address system is now completely different. Back then it was rudimentary and consisted of a few horn-type speakers mounted on a wood gantry.

"The commentary box itself was a tall wooden structure which was owned by the Isle of Man harbour board. What they did with it during the year, I have no idea."

Having been the voice of Tynwald for so long, Mr Cannell has become a part of the fabric of the day. During his time he has seen several royal visits, but one stands out in his mind.

"In 1979 the ceremony was attended by the Queen for the Millennium of Tynwald," he said.

Queen's dress

"I clearly remember being told that under no circumstances was I allowed to describe the Queen's dress if she could hear me speaking.

"But she was listening to me coming out of the loud speakers all of the time, so what was I to do?

"We devised an elaborate communication system and it was agreed that when she arrived at the airport, her lady-in-waiting would hand a piece of paper, with the official description of the Queen's attire, to a police officer.

"That was then sent by the police communications system to St Johns and delivered by hand to me in the commentary box.

"This meant I was able to announce the contents of the note while the Queen was on the way to Tynwald from the airport. It's little things like this which stand out in your mind."

After half a century Mr Cannell has become as much a part of Tynwald Day as the ceremony itself, but he is not sure what the future holds.

"It has occurred to me that after fifty years it might be a suitable time to go into retirement, but I haven't actually decided that yet.

"Obviously it is something that has to be discussed sooner or later but as long as I am sound in wind and limb I can still do it. Let's see what happens."