A new Manx youth club was formally declared opened last night.
Possan Aeglagh – which translates as Youth Group – will meet at the newly refurbished Peel Youth Centre in Shore Road on Monday evenings from 7pm to 9pm and is open to pupils in school years 6 to 9.
Mike Clague, Youth and Community Adviser with the Department of Education, said, "The Youth Service has for many years had an objective to promote awareness of Manx culture and heritage.
"Youth clubs and projects have incorporated this into their programmes, but we were aware that the Manx language wasn't being promoted in clubs to the same extent as other aspects of our culture.
"Knowing that the number of young people speaking our language has increased since the opening of the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh, we wondered if some of them might be interested in having the opportunity to join a club at which they could use the language socially with their peers while having fun.
"A meeting held in the springtime confirmed there was a high level of interest in a Manx youth club, so we have progressed from there."
The club’s establishment is also in line with the Isle of Man curriculum, which states pupils should be encouraged to embrace Isle of Man society and Manx culture.
Cathy Clucas, Youth Worker in charge of the club, said, "We are based in Peel because there is an available slot on Monday evenings and because a high percentage of young people who can speak Manx live in the west.
"However, the club is open to any young person from anywhere on the Island who speaks Manx or is the process of learning Manx and would like to use it in a social context.
"Depending on demand, the age range we cater for could be adapted to the needs of the members of the club."
She continued, "The club, once fully established, hopes to link up with other Gaelic-speaking youth clubs in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Cornwall and maybe do exchange visits."
The opening was carried out by Graham Cregeen MHK, the Department of Education member responsible for the Youth and Community Division.
Mr Cregeen said, "I am pleased that the Department has been able to continue its long standing support for the Manx language and culture.
"This is an important initiative which helps maintain children’s fluency levels and encourages them to use Manx outside of a school setting."
Children from the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh at St John’s played music and sang at the opening, which was timed to coincide with Cooish, a week of events held to celebrate the Manx language.
Guests at the opening included Cooish committee members and social linguist Dr Marie Clague, who discussed, in her PhD thesis for the University of Liverpool, how important it is to create opportunities for pupils learning the Manx language to speak it out of school.
Pictured (l-r): Cathy Clucas (Youth Worker in Charge), Adrian Cain (Manx Language Development Officer, Manx Heritage Foundation), Graham Cregeen MHK (Department of Education Member) and Val Goldie (Assistant Youth Worker).
