Becoming the Sixth Manx Bard in August 2019 has, undoubtedly, been the making of me.

I had spent 42 years searching for a role I felt comfortable and confident in, and undoubtedly this is it.

As a Manx woman, going back generations on both sides of my family, I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my x4 Great Uncle, William Kennish, who not only helped design the route of the Panama Canal, but was also a prolific poet.

I wanted people to remember me too – maybe just not to quite the same extent!  

As a result of this driving emotion and ambition, I made this the subject of a poem I presented at the Inauguration of the Manx Youth Bard 2020; entitled – “Something Good ‘Round Your Corner”.

It was my personal expression of how people peak at different times in their lives. Just because you seemingly haven’t reached your aims by a certain age, this does not mean they cannot still be achieved!               Never give up!

I am eternally grateful and thankful to The Isle of Man Arts Council and The Manx Bard Committee, and in particular Bridget Carter, for all their support and encouragement throughout.

The post of Manx Bard is still in its relative infancy; with the first living Manx Bard only being appointed in 2015. I believe that this will develop and become more widely known. I undertook some fantastic projects and met some interesting and generous people. But as time progresses and The Manx Bard becomes better established, there will be greater demand on my successors for appearances at engagements around the Island.

That said, I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure and everything about it still makes me smile. After the initial thrill of my appointment, I started off at a great rate of knots, determined to make the most of it. Understanding I only had a year ahead of me, I drew up a list of plans. My initial five months were, by far, my busiest – and my favourite.

I whizzed around nursing homes providing afternoons of entertainment and led three school assemblies. I was introduced to HRH The Princess Royal, having written a poem to mark the opening of the new Harbour Bridge at Peel. I was asked along to a variety of events, gatherings and concerts, and I don’t think that I have ever turned down a single invitation.

Although I explored many different ideas, I realised that not everything was possible, nor was I able to open every door.

However, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, I also had exciting plans which, unfortunately I’ve been unable to bring to fruition. This included an arrangement with Dr John Bethell to bring the current Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, over to the Erin Arts Centre. This had been booked, with sponsorship in place. It makes me desperately sorry that a year later, this has still been unable to happen due to the border restrictions and general ongoing uncertainty.

I had also formed a fun friendship with the famous punk poet, Dr John Cooper Clarke, who (despite having written a poem mocking our beautiful Island), was looking forward to coming over here to perform. To build the relationship with Dr John Cooper Clarke – I took a risk; something I love to do in life, and often it pays off!

So many people were jumping up and down to get to any gig of his. It remains pending…

Leaving the Isle of Man also became a no-go! I would have loved to wander around the country of the original (English) Bard Williams Shakespeare and drink in the place of his inspiration but, alas, it was thwarted.

Therefore, I felt relieved that I had managed to take one trip off Island. I read my poetry to the wonderful London Manx Society at their annual Mhelliah. I don’t mind admitting that there were tears in my eyes at a huge group of us singing the Manx National Anthem in a Church in the middle of Fleet Street. 

During this trip, I also visited Clifton College in Bristol, where our First Manx Bard, TE Brown, was a Master, and also his grave. The College was mind-blowingly stunning; the cemetery was careworn. It is disappointing that TE Brown is not buried over here on the Island, where the Manx people could cherish his final resting place.

There is no doubt that the Covid-19 Pandemic has hugely disrupted my tenure, even though I was fortunate enough to be granted an extra year. There was a constant question hanging over our heads – ‘will we be in a lockdown again?’

During Lockdowns 2 and 3, much of the artistic hunger of the original one had somewhat burnt out, and there was less overall enthusiasm for online projects.

I still have £100 prize fund that I donated for a poetry competition (via The Manx Music Festival) and hope that, one day, this can proceed.

I have tried not to allow these disappointments take away my passion for any of it. Altogether, I have written 60 lengthy, major poems. I have penned a further 25 personal poems for people who have helped me in my life in some way. Some of these were pinned to face coverings, which I labelled “masked poetry”.

Sometimes I will sit down and write or type a poem for my own pleasure, in a freefall, unrhyming style, just as an outlet. Only for me – not for the world. But it made me realise that when you stab a hole in your poetry tin, your contents pour out…

I could not write any piece about my time as The Manx Bard without reflecting upon poetic tributes I have paid to people who have been sadly died.  I was honoured to write to commemorate those lost through the sinking of the Solway Harvester and Ellan Vannin Vessels; 90 years apart.

Taking part in the Holocaust Memorial Service at St George’s Church was a nerve-wracking but extremely moving experience.

However, something that particularly touched my heart was the research and creation of a poem for a special service marking Organ Donation in December. The gift of life is a cause I firmly believe in and the people I met through my association with this, including its organiser, Diane Taylor, were the bravest, most selfless and kindest I have ever encountered.

It was very sorrowful that I lost my own dear Mother four months ago. However, I will forever remember the look of happiness on her face when I first walked into her Nursing Home wearing my Bardic Robes and carrying the staff. That was the moment I knew I’d done something that not only was I immensely proud of, but my parents would be too.

As for my plans for the next four months, until I hand over to the Seventh Manx Bard, I have the following firmly booked in my diary:

* Cronky Horse Gathering, May 2021

* Mona’s Queen WWII Ship – Service of Commemoration – June 2021

*Women’s Institute Get-Together – June 2021

* Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation Charity Golf Day – July 2021

* Tynwald Day Celebrations – July 2021

* Live At Home Scheme Charity Ball – July 2021

* 30 Year Anniversary of Alan Shea’s successful gay rights equality campaign – July 2021

Written by Zoe Cannell, May 2021