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Interviews with the Martin Family about farming at Smeale Farm, Andreas

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Date(s): 25 August 1998

Creator(s): Martin, Steve

Scope & Content: Track 1: Tom Martin talks to his son Steve Martin about his time growing up and farming in Andreas and Bride. Tom talks about living at Gat-e-Whing and the move, aged 7, to Smeale Farm, Knock-e-Dhooney; farming with horses and Smeale smithy; Harry Craine, Harry Kneale and Earnie Callister; looking after cattle; watering rights at Gat-e-Whing; ruined buildings; Andreas and Bride schools; silver trowel awarded to Miss Clucas, Ballavale on laying the foundation of Smeale Wesleyan chapel, 1879; field names and crofts; Smeale cottages, Curphey’s road; Tatty Caley and Tommy Lace weaving shed; mud houses; itinerants; original farmhouse on Smeale farm; Dick Tridley; wireless aerial and batteries charged in Andreas village; four brothers Tom, Willy, Stephen and Robert and sister Janey; old keeill at Knock-e-Dhooney and ogham stone; shoemaker; blacksmith; joiner and tailor. He recalls his schooldays; the farm and the Ayres during the Second World War; rifle range; mine field; Home Guard; windmill rebuilt at Port Moar; Bill Quine; Cronk-e-Cray broughs; lime kilns; Mary Gooden’s house; first binder in the parish at Knock-e-Dhooney.

Track 2: Isabel Martin (nee Corlett) talks to her son Steve Martin about her life. She talks about living in Ballacottier House, Andreas and the Cronk; family; mother running the farm with help from Tom Kneale and Arthur Kewley, blacksmith, Billy Howland and George Caley. She recalls the Second World War internees; land girls; father generating electricity and then reverting to paraffin lamps after he died; transport to school; Second World War air force buildings at Andreas; people rehoused in huts after the war; Joe Commaish; schooldays; aunt obtaining degree at Liverpool; father attending Ramsey Grammar School and Glasgow to learn engineering.

She talks about teacher training, Edgehill; family and their occupations; teaching in Liverpool; watching football; North Wales and cycling; hockey; Liverpool rebuilt after the war; travelling to college during the war; teaching at Andreas school; marrying Tom Martin; midwives delivering babies at home; herbal remedies; telephones; sisters with diphtheria and White Hoe Hospital; groceries delivered to farms; provisions supplied by Leece and Corlett and Callows; playing piano and organ at Ballakaneen Chapel; her mother living at Ballacottier house; Sunday School picnics to Glen Wyllin, Silverdale and Douglas; Mrs Tatty Kay; Rheast common land; George Caley, Upper Cronk and McKneale’s field.

Administration / Biographical History: Tom Martin (b.1920). Isabel Martin (b.1927).

Language: English

Extent: 1 hr. 18 min. 29 sec.

Item name: cassette tape

Collection: Sound Archive

Level: ITEM

ID number: SA 0413

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

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