Old Onchan - Picture Gallery 3

Hillberry Chapel

When the chapel opened in 1864 it was referred to by the unusual name of Cold Clay but the name Hillberry came to the fore and has remained ever since. The short road in front of this chapel was in fact the road to the mountains at one time. The chapel celebrated its centenary in 1964 but shortly afterwards was closed and sold. It was purchased by a local builder who built a flat roofed extension in the yard in front of the Chapel and turned the whole building into a workshop and store.

Methodist Hall

Opposite the chapel is a hall bulilt in the 1930's after years of saving. It replaced an older building that at one time served as a Sunday School and day school. Like the chapel the new hall cum Sunday school eventually closed, was sold and converted Into a dwelling. Several of the foundation stones as laid by Eliza Emily Oates, John Caesar Kaighan, Gilbert Jones CP are still visible and legible, others unfortunately have been obliterated by paint. The dwelling rejoices in the name Apples Blossom.

The Hillberry Straight

Although it has existed for well over 150 years, the Hillberry Straight is a new road to replace the road that ran in front of the Hillberrry Chapel up to Gob-na-Gaey. In this photograph highway workers under the supervision of the parochial surveyor are at the bottom of the Hillberry Straight.

Gordon Bennett Trials

In 1904 Lord Raglan the Lieutenant Governor pushed through Tynwald (the Manx Parliament) an Act to permit the closure of roads. As a result the Gordon Bennett Trials were held that year which involved several cars coming from England on the boat to race on closed roads. This view shows one of those cars coming down the Hillberry Straight.

T.T. Races

In 1907 motorbikes took over from the Gordon Bennett Trials and the famous Tourist Trophy Races began. This view was taken during the 1937 Junior TT race by which time the road surface had much improved.

The Beeches

Immediately opposite the Hillberry Straight was a farm called
Cronk-ny-mona but at some time after 1870 the name was changed to The Beeches. When the Gordon Bennett trials started the occupiers realised that they were at a good vantage point and started to sell teas and then they erected a grandstand for the crowds to watch the TT races, something which continued for many years. The old farmhouse was replaced by a bungalow around 1969/70 and this has been extended at least twice since.

This photograph was taken during the 1908 TT Races.

Cycle Races

In addition to being used for motorbike races the TT Course was also used once a year for a cycle race as part of International Cycle Week. This view shows the riders on the stretch from Cronk-ny-Mona corner to Signpost Corner. Cronk-ny-Mona House can just be seen in the trees on the right.

The Quarry at Cronk-ny-Mona

A rare view of inside the quarry at Cronk-na-Mona taken during work to provide stone for the construction of the Baldwin Reservoir. Later the quarry was purchased by Onchan Village Commissioner and used as a tip. It now lies buried in the Centenary Park.