Interview with Ronald ('Ronnie') Rigby and Mrs Mary Rigby about their family connection to running hotels in Douglas, 1900-1988
Audio Player:
Date(s): 1998, 1999
Creator(s): Manx Heritage Foundation
Scope & Content: Tracks 1 and 2: Ronnie Rigby and Mrs Mary Rigby talk to John Beckerson about their family's connection to the Isle of Man running hotels. They talk about the Collingwood as the first hotel owned by the family in 1921, followed by the Savoy in 1928; how the Collingwood was the first hotel to offer guests full board; Mr Rigby's parents owning the Manningham hotel until 1933, 34 and then taking over the Savoy, while other family members took over the Manningham and the Kenilworth hotels; requisition of the hotels to accommodate Second World War internees and the work required to restore the hotels afterwards; Second World War and its aftermath; Mary's parents buying Fernlea boarding house in Peel in 1946; getting married in 1961; and they recall their time running the Savoy hotel, including employing staff from Madeira and the problems caused by the government stopping this in 1979 due to high unemployment in the Isle of Man.
Administration / Biographical History: Ronald Rigby was born 6 February 1931. Mary Rigby was born 13 February 1933. John Beckerson, researcher, born 1974.
Language: English
Extent: 1 hr. 2 min. 38 sec.
Item name: cassette tape
Collection: Sound Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: SA 2019-0001/51
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, #UOSHHolidays