Valerie Caine's blog

Despite atrocious weather conditions, a number of hardy souls braved incessant rain to join gatherings across the Island for the traditional Hunt the Wren on St Stephen's Day (Boxing Day).

Although other cultural pursuits may have lapsed over the years, this annual procession of dancers and singers, accompanied by a bush of evergreens and other more colourful decoration, parade through the streets and lanes of some of the main towns and villages of the Island.

If you fancy working off some of that Christmas turkey, then take a trip out to St John's on St Stephen's Day (Boxing Day) and join in the traditional game of cammag for some fresh air and fun.

The game of cammag is considered to be an earlier form of hockey, and is recognised by its Celtic neighbours, where it is closely related to Irish hurling and camogie, Scottish shinty and Welsh bandy. The word itself is derived from the same root as camanachd - a word associated with a Scottish Gaelic stick and ball game.

The Royal Chapel at St John's was the venue for the official launch of this year's Christmas stamps, which feature the creative artwork of Julia Ashby Smyth.

Each of the five stamps focus on a specific Manx word and a religious emblem closely associated with the spiritual aspect of Christmas and the winter festival. The words and images in turn draw upon the history of the Manx Gaelic version of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, translated by the Bishop of Sodor and Man, John Phillips, in 1610.

One of the highlights of the festive season is the much anticipated Mollag Ghennal, an evening of entertainment featuring a selection of some of the Island's best known Manx traditional singers and musicians.

Organised by the Mollag Band, it's a great opportunity to relax between cooking the Christmas turkey and celebrating the New Year and meet up with old friends.

If you're a local songwriter and fancy a new challenge, then why not have a go at writing an original song in Manx Gaelic for the annual Arrane son Mannin Competition?

With a chance to win £300 in prize money (sponsored by Culture Vannin), this is a great opportunity for a group to fly the Manx flag at the Pan Celtic Song Contest in Carlow, Ireland, next year as representatives of the Isle of Man.

Local performers have been consistently in the top three (including first place) of the competition in recent years, which is held as part of the Pan Celtic Festival.

A Taste of Christmas, held at St James' Church in Dalby, attracted a capacity audience in the run up to the festive season, with a tried and tested formula providing a sparkling programme of entertainment.

Gathered around the schoolroom fire on a windswept, winter evening, amongst an atmosphere of oil lamps, candlelight and rural decoration, it was the perfect setting for the combined talents of the Manx Gaelic choir Caarjyn Cooidjagh, under the direction of Annie Kissack.

There'll be a special concert at the Erin Arts Centre later this month, when Manx Gaelic singer Ruth Keggin teams up with Anna Czajkowska for a flute and piano recital.

Although originally from Poland, Anna (a private music teacher) now lives on the Isle of Man. Awarded a Master's Degree in music performance (piano), Anna has performed a wide variety of chamber music throughout both Europe and the USA, as a soloist and in partnership with various ensembles.

Manannan's Choice of the Year (Reih Bleeaney Vanannan) is an annual, cultural award made to an individual or group who made the greatest contribution to the Island's cultural heritage; and this is your chance to nominate a candidate for this unique award.

Nominees tend to be from a wide variety of backgrounds, working to promote and support the Island's language, literature, art, music, dance, history, education and the environment, amongst others.

Local fiddle player, Tomas Callister, has been nominated along with four other musicians, for Instrumentalist of the Year in the annual MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2015, and here's your chance to help him clinch the award.

Organised by Hands Up For Trad, awards will be handed out within sixteen different categories ranging from Album of the Year to Gaelic Singer of the Year, to be announced at a gala evening at the Caird Hall in Dundee on the 5 December.

The annual Ned Maddrell Lecture, hosted jointly by Culture Vannin and Yn Ҫheshaght Ghailckagh, takes place on Saturday 7 November at St John's Mill (Tynwald Mills), and will feature a guest speaker who will be discussing a minority language situation with relevance to Manx Gaelic.

Previous lectures have focused on issues in Nova Scotia, Norfolk Island and the Aboriginal languages of Australia, but this year's lecture will centre on the language revitalisation in Guernsey and Jersey; drawing comparisons with the Isle of Man.