On Thursday 12th November Bunscoill School with the support of Isle of Man Post Office held an assembly at The Royal Chapel in St John's to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Manx Prayer Book and the Post Office’s reflective Christmas stamps. The gathering was well attended by those pivotal to the Manx Prayer Book and the Post Office stamps.

The afternoon began with a warm welcome from Julie Matthews, the School’s Head Teacher who then spoke alongside her colleague in both Manx and English about the Manx Prayer Book and work undertaken by the children on the topic which involved them studying the Manx words depicted on the Post Office’s stamps - 'Shee', 'Credjue', 'Graith', 'Grayse' and 'Niart' and linking possible visual representations with these.

Maxine Cannon, General Manager of Isle of Man Stamps and Coins then addressed the children; she said: "It's great to see so many young people have taken up the Manx language, our heritage, long maintained for future generations, so thank you for helping to do this." She then acknowledged all the great work and support received from those that helped bring these and other stamp issues together, from custodians Manx National Heritage who brought with them to the assembly the 1765 edition of the Prayer Book for the children to see and all the talented designers, creators and researchers.

Maxine went on to wish the children a happy Christmas and asked them to “write a letter or postcard in Manx about the special new stamps to anyone in the whole wide world” and that she would be thrilled to hear about any responses they receive.

Julia Ashby-Smyth, designer of the 250th anniversary stamp artworks then spoke to the children about the Manx Prayer Book, how she came up with the words that appear on each stamp along with the associated symbols which were inspired by late 18th Century illuminated manuscripts, ecclesiastical texts and a 'Book of Hours', the result a reproduction of the colours and design elements used 250 years ago to create an authentic feel for the collection.

Following this, the children read a passage from the Prayer Book and sung in Manx, with The Lord Bishop saying a few words and giving a blessing. The assembly then finished with the Manx national anthem in Manx and English and a thank you to everyone that attended by the Head Teacher of Bunscoill School.

Photo - Taken at the assembly, showing the children at The Royal Chapel holding the 1765 Prayer Book.