Derek Crellin

Derek Crellin, the Tynwald Day organist for over 52 years, reflects on his life in St. John's and beyond.

Some of the things covered in the interview include:

• Growing up as the son of the St. John's Station Master, living in Station House, the former Foxdale line station
• Attending St. John's School under George Sayle and enjoying the initiation of Junior Tynwald
• Competing in the Guild with the school choir
• Enjoying piano lessons in St. John's and then organ lessons in St. Ninian's Church during his secondary education
• National Service from 1958, serving with the Royal medical Corps in Malta, where he acted as the garrison organist
• Working for the Forestry Board in St. John's
• Working as the Secretary of the Ramsey Cottage Hospital between 30 October 1969 and his retirement in 1994
• 52 years as the organist at Tynwald Day and his experience of the Manx National Day from the organist's seat
• Changes in Tynwald Day over the past 60 years

The interview finishes with a short performance of Gwendolen, one of the Manx voluntaries frequently performed on Tynwald Day, on his own organ at home.

Interviews

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• Interview with Derek Crellin