FOCKLE AYNS DTY CHLEAYSH

“Mooinjer Veggey foshlit dy oikoil liorish Yn Reejerey Chalse, Ballafayle, er y chiaghtoo laa, Toshiaght Arree, 1997.” Shen ny focklyn screeuit er y phlaik va rooshtit ec Chalse Ballafayle mysh shiaghtin er dy henney, ec shenn thie scoill Vraddan. Haink ram sleih ta er chooney lesh cur Mooinjer Veggey er bun, gys laa fosley y phossan cloie shoh, as by haittin lhieu fakin yn thie jesheenit dy gial as fakin bree ny paitchyn.

Ren Chalse Ballafayle araid y livrey roish rooisht eh y plaik. V’eh jeant bwooiagh dy row whilleen slieh marish as un aigney oc dy lhisagh y Ghaelg as Ynsagh ve kianlt dy cheilley ‘sy traa ry-heet. Er lesh Chalse Ballafayle dy row cultoor Vannin feer faase tra v’eh ruggit as troggit. Hoilshee Mona Inney Ghoolish da ymmodee Manninee ‘sy lhing eck dy row folmid ayns nyn mea er y fa nagh row nyn jengey as cultoor ocsyn.

Dooyrt eh dy row niart yn aavioghey Gaelgagh jannoo foays da cree Vannin. “She bun kiart as shickyr son traa ry-heet y Ghaelg t’aynshoh. T’eh feer scanshoil dy chur Gaelg roish ny paitchyn shoh my nee y Ghaelg ain bishaghey as lhiasaghey. S’baghtal dy vel ny paitchyn shoh goaill anaase ayns y chooish shoh; ta mee moylley yn obbyr shoh, as s’treisht lhiam dy jean eh lhiasaghey er fud ny cheerey ain. She cooish feer scanshoil t’ayn myr dooyrt Johnson, gyn chengey ta ashoon Vannin gyn caardys.”

Va’n Shirveishagh Ynsee, Dr Mann, soiaghey mooar jeh Mooinjer Veggey. “Ta mee goaill anaase mooar ayns y chooish shoh, as ta’n Rheynn Ynsee lane bwooiagh dy chooney lesh. Ta anaase mooar ayms ayns yn aght nee eh lhiasaghey ayns ny bleeantyn shoh cheet.”

Hug Phil Gawne, Caairliagh Mooinjer Veggey, bwooise da dy chooilley pheiagh ta er chooney lesh y chooish, er lheh Chalse Ballafayle son yn araid foayral livreit echey. Ny smoo na shen hug eh fys da’n chaglym mychione y scansh jeh Mooinjer Veggey da’n aa-vioghey Gaelgagh, as ny vondeishyn ynsee elley va currit da paitchyn liorish y phossan.

Ta kuse dy vuill faagit foast ec Mooinjer Veggey; £3 dagh voghrey. My b’aillish peiagh erbee cur nyn baitchey dys Mooinjer Veggey, chellvane er Helen Inney Robinson 801925.

“Mooinjer Veggey opened officially by Sir Charles Kerruish, on 7th, February, 1997.” These are the words on the plaque which was unveiled by Sir Charles about a week ago, at the old school house at Braddan. Many people who have helped establish Mooinjer Veggey came to the official opening day of this playgroup, and they were delighted to see the house brightly decorated and to witness the children’s enthusiasm.

Sir Charles made a speech before he unveiled the plaque. He was pleased to be with so many people who were of a like mind that education and the Manx language should go forward hand in hand. Sir Charles was brought up at a time when Manx culture had reached probably its lowest ebb. Mona Douglas showed many Manx people that there was a vacuum in their lives caused by the lack of their language and culture.

He went on to say that the developments we are seeing today are indeed encouraging. “Here you are providing the real foundation for the future of the Manx language. The introduction of Manx to these children, who are obviously interested in what they are doing, is so essential for the future development of the language and I applaud what is going on here and hope it will develop throughout the Island in the days ahead. This is important because as Johnson said, without our language we do not as a nation have a pedigree.”

Minister of Education, Dr Mann was also impressed with Mooinjer Veggey. “I am very interested in this project which the Department of Education is happy to support. It will be interesting to see how it will develop over the coming years.”

Chairman of Mooinjer Veggey, Phil Gawne, thanked everyone for their help with the project, and especially Sir Charles for his kind words. He went on to outline the importance of Mooinjer Veggey to the revival of Manx, and the educational advantages which the group provides to children.

There are still some places available at Mooinjer Veggey, £3 each morning session. Anyone interested in sending their children to Mooinjer Veggey should contact Helen Robinson on 801925.