Birkenhead YMCA
On Wednesday 24th August Hughie Jones of the Spinners Folk Group paid a visit to view a collection of watercolour paintings of Isle of Man steamers that have been produced by YMCA CEO Nigel Hughes and will be exhibited at the Wilfred Owen Story, Argyle Street from 6th September.
The painting of chief interest to Hughie was that of the Ellan Vannin which was lost in 1909 in a horrific storm in Liverpool bay with the loss of all passengers and crew and is still remembered today – largely thanks to Hughie's hugely popular song The Ellan Vannin Tragedy, which he wrote 50 years ago!
Hughie spent the morning admiring the paintings, reminiscing about some of the Steam Packet ships of the fleet that he had sailed on and then gave a performance of his song Ellan Vannin.
Nigel commented that it was a remarkable tribute that Hughie wanted to see the paintings and what an honour to have the song sung at the YMCA after the viewing.
The YMCA in Birkenhead has a long history – this is their 137th year and for a long period the YMCA was associated with many of the famous local shipping companies that used the docks and the Cammell Laird shipyard.
Birkenhead has been synonymous with the ships of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company – with many of their finest vessels having been built by the world renowned shipyard. The collection includes names that will stir many memories – Mona's Queen, Mona's Isle, Manxman, Ben-my-Chree and Snaefell amongst them.
(Read the related story Frontline Ferries puts Nigel at the forefront here)
