Following on from our last blog regarding the recent Isle of Man Post Office Sir Ranulph Fiennes talk evening at The Villa Gaiety in Douglas, IOM, we are pleased to announce that a film of the event, recording by Your Web Video, is available to view on our Youtube page. Please click the image to be directed to the film.
Sir Ranulph Signing FDC
An evening with Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE held on Tuesday, 2nd October 2012 was sponsored by Isle of Man Post Office was an overwhelming success. Organised by the Isle of Man Sporting and Dining Club, a packed audience at the Gaiety Theatre listened to the intrepid explorer’s autobiographical talk about the highs and lows of his career which has seen him undertake some awe-inspiring adventures.
Sir Ranulph does not shy away from a challenge and has parachuted onto Europe’s highest glacier, forced his way up 4,000 miles of the mightiest rivers of Canada and Alaska, trekked on foot and unsupported to the North Pole and undertaken the great Transglobe expedition in which Fiennes and his companion Charles Burton became the first men in history to reach both poles.
His fascinating talk was illustrated by photographs from his various expeditions along with facts and some astonishing tales. All delivered in an articulate, genial and entertaining manner.
The event also coincided with Isle of Man Stamps & Coins issuing a new set of stamps to commemorate the Centenary of Scott’s South Pole Expedition and the stamps were on sale for the very first time at the event. This is an expedition which Sir Ranulph is very passionate about and the stamp issue commemorates Captain Scott’s heroic expedition to the South Pole. Sir Ranulph, who is also a well established author having published 12 books, provided the commentary text to accompany the photographs which feature on the stamps.
Dot Tilbury, General Manager of Isle of Man Stamps & Coins said: “We are grateful for the uniquely qualified contribution of Sir Ranulph Fiennes and to the Scott Polar Research Institute for permission to feature the extraordinary photographs of Herbert Ponting which, in Sir Ranulph’s words, powerfully serve ‘to remind us all of the stark reality of the conditions faced by Scott and his men, the very first human beings to penetrate and learn about Antarctica on behalf of the whole of mankind.”
Talking about the stamp issue Sir Ranulph Fiennes said: “I am very pleased to be associated with this Isle of Man Post Office stamp issue dedicated to Captain Scott’s South Pole Expedition and the wonderful photography of Herbert Ponting. Ten years ago Scott’s reputation was not as it should be so I decided to set the record straight by writing a biography. I am delighted that my book is now followed by this stamp issue in this centenary year.”
The Coldest Journey
At the beginning of December, Sir Ranulph will embark on a six-month expedition ‘The Coldest Journey on Earth’ in which he and five colleagues will attempt to cross Antarctica in winter with the aim of raising $10 million for the charity Seeing Is Believing.
Seeing Is Believing
Sir Ranulph Fiennes MT TV Interview
Following Sir Ranulph Fiennes sold out Isle of Man Post Office show last night at the Gaiety theatre in Douglas, Isle of Man , here is a Paul Moulton Manx Telecom TV interview with the legend. Please click on the image to view!
Scott/Ranulph Fiennes Signed Cover
Happy Captain Scott Stamp Day, they are released today! Sir Ranulph Fiennes at the Gaiety tonight woohoo! Buy your stamps HERE!
Sir Ranulph Fiennes Signed Cover
Don’t forget our Centenary of Captain Scott’s South Pole Expedition is out in two days – get your pre-order in now! We’re also selling signed covers by Sir Ranulph Fiennes who is due to talk to the masses at The Gaiety Theatre on the Isle of Man this Tues! Click HERE to order your copy!
Scott FDC
Described as „the world‟s greatest living explorer‟ Sir Ranulph Fiennes will be appearing at the Gaiety Theatre to a packed audience to give an entertaining and inspiring presentation on October 2. He will also be giving a unique insight about his recently announced six-month expedition „The Coldest Journey on Earth‟ which starts in December.
Sponsored by Isle of Man Post Office and organised by the Isle of Man Sporting & Dining Club, Sir Ranulph will motivate his audience with stories and visuals of his remarkable career of awe-inspiring adventures from parachuting onto Europe‟s highest glacier, forcing his way up 4,000 miles of the mightiest rivers of Canada and Alaska, trekking on foot and unsupported to the North Pole and the great Transglobe expedition in which Fiennes and his companion Charles Burton became the first men in history to reach both poles.
Lisa Duckworth, Commercial Director of Isle of Man Post Office said: “We are delighted to be supporting what will be a most magnificent evening with world renowned explorer and author Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE. We are confident he will live up to the expectation as being one of the world‟s top inspirational business motivational speakers. The Sporting & Dining Club manages to secure some fantastic speakers and this is truly one of the greats. We very much look forward to this rare and unique opportunity to be in Sir Ranulph‟s company.”
The event coincides with Isle of Man Stamps & Coins issuing a new set of stamps to commemorate the Centenary of Scott‟s South Pole Expedition and the stamps will be on sale for the very first time at the event. This is an expedition which Sir Ranulph is very passionate about and the stamp issue commemorates Captain Scott‟s heroic expedition to the South Pole. Sir Ranulph, who is also a well established author having published 12 books, has provided the commentary text to accompany the photographs which feature on the stamps.
Dot Tilbury, General Manager of Isle of Man Stamps & Coins said: “We are grateful for the uniquely qualified contribution of Sir Ranulph Fiennes and to the Scott Polar Research Institute for permission to feature the extraordinary photographs of Herbert Ponting which, in Sir Ranulph‟s words, powerfully serve „to remind us all of the stark reality of the conditions faced by Scott and his men, the very first human beings to penetrate and learn about Antarctica on behalf of the whole of mankind.”
Talking about the stamp issue Sir Ranulph Fiennes said: “I am very pleased to be associated with this Isle of Man Post Office stamp issue dedicated to Captain Scott‟s South Pole Expedition and the wonderful photography of Herbert Ponting. Ten years ago Scott‟s reputation was not as it should be so I decided to set the record straight by writing a biography. I am delighted that my book is now followed by this stamp issue in this centenary year.”
Just 100 first day covers exclusively signed by Sir Ranulph will be available on the night as well as the Scott of Antarctic presentation pack and miniature sheet of stamps. To view the stamps visit www.iomstamps.com
Please be aware this event has now sold out!
The Isle of Man Post Office is pleased to present this special commemorative cover to mark the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Charles & The Duchess of Cornwall to the Isle of Man.
On 26th April 2012 the Isle of Man played host to two very special Royal visitors – His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall – who were on a whistle stop tour as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Despite the wet and windy weather, the visit was an overwhelming success and Royal fans and schoolchildren crowded the streets where the couple visited. Their first port of call was the National Sports Centre in Douglas where His Royal Highness started a four-lap outdoor race for members of the ‘Team Royal London 360 Isle of Man Cycling Club’ among crowds of children from Manor Park School who waved Manx flags in support of the competitors and the VIP guests. Once the race was completed, Their Royal Highnesses met local residents World Champion cyclist Peter Kennaugh and scratch race World Champion Ben Swift along with members of the cycling club and parents of young cyclists.
The couple then headed west to Peel where clusters of onlookers gathered to get a glimpse of them, wave their Manx flags and hope for the chance to shake hands with a member of the Royal Family. At the House of Manannan, a museum which guides visitors through the Island’s rich Celtic, Viking and Maritime past, Their Royal Highnesses spoke to local food producers including the Apple Orphanage Co, Green Mann Spring, Ellerslie Rapeseed Oil, Isle of Man Creamery, Laxey Glen Flour Mills and Ramsey Bakery. They viewed first-hand the stunning selection of produce which is created using Manx resources to create high quality local foods. Also at the reception were young farmers, from all sectors of the industry, along with representatives from the local Prince’s Trust, the Manx Wildlife Trust and the Manx Osteoporosis Society. The Prince is Patron of The Wildlife Trusts and the Duchess of Cornwall is Patron of the National Osteoporosis Society.
Following the House of Manannan, events moved quayside where The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall were introduced to the crew of ‘Vital Spark’, a replica Viking longship which will be taking part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on 3rd June. There was also an opportunity to meet local fishermen before attending the launch of the regeneration of the Isle of Man Food Park, touring a sustainable scallop processing facility and unveiling a plaque to mark the start of the redevelopment. Their final visit led them to Peel Lifeboat Station to meet Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteers, Coastguards and members of the emergency services. The RNLI is particularly important to the Island as its founder Sir William Hillary was a former resident.
Despite the Island’s inclement weather on the day, the visit still brought out, in force, the Royal fans and schoolchildren who thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Royal couple in such a momentous year for the British Royal Family. The Island looks forward to the next time it’s greeted with such prestigious guests.
The Charles & Camilla Royal Visit Commemorative Cover, a stunning keepsake from the day which includes a filler card featuring text and a selection of photographs from the visit, is priced at £10 (QB96). Please visit our website at www.iomstamps.com to find out more about our stamps and products and how to purchase them.
The Isle of Man Post Office is pleased to present Harbour Lights, a set of six stamps depicting minor lighthouses around the Isle of Man. We commissioned local artist Tracey Dean to prepare new paintings which truly capture the elegance of the familiar landmarks.
Local historian Stan Basnett writes:
The principal Lighthouses around the Isle of Man are maintained by the Commissioners of Northern Lights and are not the only lighthouses around the Island. Each harbour being protected by minor lights erected on the extremities of piers and breakwaters many of which are also being fitted with an audible device such as a horn or bell for use in fog.
When built their purpose was vital to vessels entering harbour at night or in restricted visibility.
Their importance has since diminished through the use of modern equipment such as radar and GPS. They still however have a useful part to play as an aid to navigation. Prior to the Revestment Act of 1765 the responsibility for the Island’s harbours lay with the Duke of Atholland the Island’s Government. After that date the harbours came under the control of the Admiralty and the Crown. Ultimately they reverted to the Isle of Man Harbour Commissioners and still remain the responsibility of the Manx Government through the Department of Infrastructure
The outer harbour at Castletown is protected by a small breakwater on the end of which is a superb limestone built lighthouse. It carries an inscription that clearly states that it was built in AD 1849 at which time Castletown was the capital of the Island and the harbour was more important than now. The lighthouse displays an occulting red light every 15 seconds and is visible for 8 miles. The approach to the inner harbour carries a smaller “pepper pot” lighthouse displaying an occulting red light every 4 seconds visible for 4 miles.
This stamp depicts the lighthouse on the end of the Battery Pier at Douglas, which was completed in 1876 and formed the outer breakwater for the harbour. The light exhibited alternate white and red lights every 15 seconds and had a bell fog signal of one ring every 2 seconds. When a new breakwater was completed in 1983 a new light was erected on an unpretentious metal mast and as a result the original light now displays a considerably reduced quick flashing red light.
The harbour at Laxey owes its origin to the lead mining industry. Responsibility for it passed to the IOM Harbour Commissioners in 1890 who then commenced work on the construction of a breakwater which was completed in 1893. The stone built lighthouse on the seaward end exhibits an occulting green light every 3 seconds visible for 7 miles. The smaller inner light on the end of Rowe’s Pier displays an occulting red light every 3 seconds also visible for 7 miles.
Peel harbour is protected by five lights and the one depicted on this stamp is the oldest and located on the outer breakwater which was completed in 1896. It is an elegant octagonal cast iron structure erected on the raised head at the extremity of the breakwater. It displays a white occulting light every 7 seconds and is visible for 11 miles. It did have a fog signal in the form of a bell giving 4 rings every 12 seconds.
The harbour entrance at Ramsey has a channel trained between two piers. The South Pier was extended in 1876 and the stamp depicts the hexagonal cast iron lighthouse erected at its seaward end. It displays an occulting red light every 5 seconds and is visible for 8 miles. As the channel is effectively a navigable channel the North Pier exhibits a green light as an aid to ships entering the port. In the background is the Ramsey Queen’s Pier, now disused, which was built as a low water landing pier.
The harbour at Port St Mary has two piers. The Alfred Pier completed in 1886 protects the outer harbour and until recently carried one of the elegant hexagonal cast iron lighthouses but a severe storm washed it off the pier and it has been replaced with a light on a steel post. The drying inner harbour is protected by the Quay which is a much earlier structure and carries its original lighthouse, depicted on the stamp, which exhibits an occulting red light every 3 seconds visible for 8 miles.
Please visit our website at www.iomstamps.com to find out more about our stamps and products.
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