More than 250 guests attended the launch of the Tell Me Project 2010 book at Isle of Man College on Monday 18 October. The book, the third in the series, features some of the best interviews conducted by primary and secondary school students with interviewees ranging from Manx politicians to pilots. In his opening address, Hugh Davidson, the project’s originator and chairman of the H&S Davidson Trust, co-sponsors of the project with AXA Isle of Man, spoke of how the Tell Me format of young people interviewing older people generated a wealth of ‘unexpected questions’ from the interviewers. It also provided an environment which put interviewees at their ease and allowed them to be more open in sharing their memories with pupils. ‘And, of course,’ said Mr Davidson, ‘Tell Me adds the extra dimension of enhancing understanding between generations.’ AXA Isle of Man’s personnel and training manager Emma Walker, a member of the Tell Me Project steering group, spoke of the company’s pride in having been involved with the project since its inception. Tell Me was ‘truly special’ said Mrs Walker who, when listening to the interviews, observed: ‘You can really hear the rapport building and the confidence of interviewer and interviewee growing with every passing question.’ As Tell Me entered its fourth year Mrs Walker said the steering group had ‘sought to ensure the project evolves and remains fresh while retaining Tell Me’s unique essence – namely encouraging and supporting communication between the younger and older generations and, by so doing, enhance mutual respect and understanding.’ Age Concern Isle of Man is a core partner in the project. Its chief executive Penny Creighton MBE, who chairs the steering group, said that through the Tell Me Project ‘we have taken a journey back in time and now have the most amazing collection of stories and memories; stories that might have been glossed over or never have been shared with a wider audience had it not been for the opportunities the Tell Me Project offers.’ Manx National Heritage has expanded its role in the project during 2010 and delivered a series of classroom-based ‘Every Object Tells a Story’ workshops at some of the participating schools where pupils ‘read’ mystery objects for clues into their history and investigate how those objects might have been used. Its director Edmund Southworth said that Tell Me echoed the practice of generation-to-generation story telling that dated from some 8000 years ago. He added: ‘Manx National Heritage is pleased to support the Tell Me Project. The accumulated archive, which will form part of the national archive collection, not only preserves the national memory for future generations but also the process of collecting it, and brings generations together with wonderful and shared enthusiasm.’ Before Department of Education and Children Minister Hon Eddie Teare MHK presented the Tell Me Project gold awards for best primary school and best secondary school interviews he shared a memory from his schooldays with the audience. Mr Teare, who used to travel by train from Sulby Glen station to Ramsey where he attended Ramsey Grammar School, revealed that on one occasion, to keep warm in winter he and his friends lit a fire in the train compartment, only to set light to the wooden floorboards. Turning to the Tell Me Project he said it had the capacity ‘to capture a moment in time’, adding: ‘Memories have to be caught before they’re gone forever.’ He concluded by praising the project’s participants, sponsors and partners for their commitment and for ‘making Tell Me come alive.’ The Tell Me Gold award for best primary school interview went to Sulby School for an interview by Tara Brown and Georgie King, both aged 12 and Breeshey Webb, 11, for their interview with Raymond Caley of Sulby Stores, while Ballakermeen High School was presented with the best secondary school gold award for an interview Katie Entwisle and Sam Hume, both aged 17, conducted with His Honour Deemster Jack Corrin CBE. The editor’s choice of best ‘Tell Me Project in action’ photograph was of 10-year-old St John’s School pupil Emily Edge being shown how to milk ‘Chrissie the cow’ by life-long farmer and former St John’s School pupil Ned Kennaugh during a Tell Me session that focused on one of the project’s key themes, farming. In recognition of her participation Emily was presented with a framed copy of the photograph by Mr Kennaugh. For the Tell Me Project 2010 book interviews were transcribed by Judy Norris; editing was by Elizabeth Flynn assisted by Hugh Davidson; layout, design and printing were by Mannin Media and production costs were sponsored by the Manx Heritage Foundation. Assistant Tell me co-ordinator Sharon Scott helped organise the launch event and Tell Me web developer Jonathan Teare set up the visual presentation. The Tell Me Project 2010 book will be widely distributed in good bookshops around the Island, priced ?10…(and makes an excellent Christmas present). The Tell Me Project is a Freedom to Flourish initiative, jointly sponsored by the H&S Davidson Trust and AXA Isle of Man. Core partners are Age Concern Isle of Man and the Isle of Man Department of Education and Children, supported by Manx Radio, Isle of Man Newspapers, Manx Telecom, Manx National Heritage and the Manx Heritage Foundation.