Scaled back Tynwald ceremony marks Isle of Man national day

The ancient ceremony marking the Manx national day has been scaled back due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Changes to the Tynwald Day ceremony at St John's were introduced before lockdown restrictions were lifted, said the government.

The island's border closure means there are no visiting dignitaries, military band or guard of honour this year.

The annual event, which is the only open-air sitting of Tynwald, has taken place for more than 1,000 years.

Presided over by the Lieutenant Governor, proceedings were restricted to essential functions of the occasion.

Aspects of the ceremony maintained included the reading of the island's newest laws, the presentation of petitions, and the swearing-in of coroners.

Strict social distancing rules, which were in place when the event was planned, were lifted in June after the island achieved "local elimination" of the virus.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said although it was "sad" the ceremony had been pared back, "the show must go on".

Mr Quayle said: "In our wildest dreams, when we were planning this event we didn't think we would have kicked Covid-19 off the island. The tradition carries on unbroken."

Public events in St John's have been cancelled this year.

Pam Evans attended the "moving" ceremony to show support for the government over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

"We wanted to give them a clap at the end to show them how much we appreciate they brought us to this amazing place of safety.

"It's an enviable position not to have any virus on the island and we're just able to feel a little bit more normal at last. I really am very proud of them," she said.

Jonathan Ayres said he visited St John's to witness the "historic occasion this year".

He said: "It's a real community and a national event and people who feel strongly that they should be here are here, so it's great to see them."

"We always come to Tynwald and we just thought it would be a historic occasion this year to actually see it without all the fair, just quite quiet and just seeing the bits of the ceremony that are left, the official part."

Nine new laws were read in English and Manx Gaelic in a part of the ceremony known as the promulgation of the acts.

Health Minister David Ashford said it was important to celebrate the occasion for more than its pageantry.

He said: "We have to remember Tynwald Day also has a legal aspect as well, the promulgation of the laws, that has to be done from Tynwald Hill on the day or the laws potentially fall."

If a new law is not promulgated within 18 months of being given Royal Assent, it falls from the statute book.

Reflecting on the island's efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19, Mr Ashford said the response of the Manx public had been "amazing".

"There's always the possibility of more cases emerging but the way the Manx public has pulled together and been able to get us to this point is absolutely amazing," he added.

Another aspect of the ceremony which was maintained was the presentation of petitions, although petitioners could not do it in person and had to submit their documents ahead of the day.

Trevor Cowin, who submitted eight, said it was "ridiculous" the personal aspect was not reinstated and there was "no reason" for it following the scrapping of social distancing.

He said: "Social distancing rules were abolished on 15 June, three weeks ago. There's no reason someone can't present the petitions in person."