the MANX Society of New Zealand
Christmas Luncheon 2024
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This year we had our Christmas Luncheon in a new venue, café DuMarché, Epsom. A special section was reserved for our annual gathering and two tables, one round and one long rectangular, sufficient to table all attending members and friends.
People arrived and were welcomed by the Committee, and everybody mingled and found their places, enjoying the latest news and updates. New members and friends were welcomed, and they seemed at easy very quickly. The food was good and well appreciated. Later in the afternoon everyone wished each other a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and went their way to enjoy the rest of the sunny day.
Unfortunately, nobody took any photos of the event, so this shows how everyone was too much occupied with having a good time.
On behalf of all the members of our Society, the Committee wishes to thank you all for making our Christmas Luncheon a succes and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!
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TYNWALD DAY 2023
This year’s Tynwald Day was celebrated at the usual venue of the Remuera Club in Auckland. After a few years of cancellations, thanks to Covid-19 lock downs, the members of our Society could meet and mingle once more on the most historic day of our beloves Isle of Man, with enjoyment of well-prepared food and refreshing drink. The attendance, however, was below expectations and we could blame the weather being not very encouraging to come to the venue. Hopefully better next year. Those who did make the effort were invited to take part in the AGM and hear the statements read by the Treasurer Chris Costain, who took the role as acting President and informed the AGM about last year’s doings of the Manx Society of New Zealand.
Then, prior to lunch, Max Jackson gave an inspiring account of the southern coastline of IoM in which he highlighted the lighthouse on Chicken Rock. Very interesting in detail and historic accuracy. For those who wish to learn more about this, go to Chicken Rock - Northern Lighthouse Board (nlb.org.uk) (Cntr+click)
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After Max’s presentation it was lunchtime and a slideshow of photos and videos taken during a visit to the IoM in 2018 by Suzann and George played in the background on a TV screen.
The members shared their latest endeavours with various importance and made a genuine effort to make the celebration a success. It was good to have a member from WBOP to be in attendance, so the link with this branch of Manx descendants was also renewed after a long period of being set apart. Thanks, Aylene, for driving all the way from Hamilton to be with us.
Such was the engagement that we had to be reminded by staff of the Remuera Club that “time was up”. So, we packed up all the Manx memorabilia, books and flags and other decorations and wished each other well and hopefully to see more of us the next event. Outside it was still raining.
