Laxey
Laxey
| |
|---|---|
 View of the harbour and old part of Laxey | |
| Population | 1,768 (Isle of Man census 2006[1]) |
| OS grid reference | SC434840 |
| • Douglas | 7 miles (11 km) |
| Parish | Laxey |
| Sheading | Garff |
| Crown dependency | Isle of Man |
| Post town | ISLE OF MAN |
| Postcode district | IM4 |
| Dialling code | 01624 |
| Police | Isle of Man |
| Fire | Isle of Man |
| Ambulance | Isle of Man |
| House of Keys | Garff |
Laxey (Manx: Laksaa) is a village on the east coast of the Isle of Man. Its name derives from the Old Norse Laxa meaning 'Salmon River'.
The village lies on the A2, the main Douglas to Ramsey road. Laxey Glen is one of the Manx National Glens, with Dhoon Glen being located close by. The Raad ny Foillan long distance coastal footpath, opened in 1986, runs along the coast through the village.
Village history
In the 19th century, mining for lead and zinc began, becoming the largest industry the village has had. The Laxey mines were the deepest in the world in the 19th century. Mining in Laxey came to an end 75 years later in 1929. The village also had a fishing industry.[2]
Laxey village is now a mainly residential and a tourist area boasting several gardens to wander in at leisure, primarily Laxey Glen Gardens. There is also a handweaving mill which sells its own and many other products. The village has five pubs and a Microbrewery, The Old Laxey Brewing Company. The village is built around a glen with a number of steep streets and paths leading to the glen floor, from where it is possible to walk by the side of Laxey River to the outflow to the sea at the small harbour and onto the beach and promenade. It is also possible to walk around the cliffs to the north of the beach,a lovely walk,which one begins,opposite the "La Mona Lisa Restaurant" which takes one up, over the cairn (kern), from where there are stunning views of Clay Head to the south.A laxey,born & bred person would say,"I'm going over the kern for a walk".
Demographics
The Isle of Man census 2006 lists the village population as 1,768, a slight increase from the population of 1,725 in 2001. It is the fourth largest village on the island.[1]
Laxey Wheel
Laxey Wheel, also known as Lady Isabella after the wife of The Hon. Charles Hope, then Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man, was built in 1854 to pump water from the Laxey mine shafts. Now a tourist attraction, it remains the largest working waterwheel in the world. Designed by Robert Casement, it is 72 feet 6 inches (22.10 m) in diameter and 6 feet (1.83 m) wide. It revolves at about 3 rpm. The mines employed over 600 miners at their peak, producing lead, copper, silver and zinc, until they closed in 1929. The Wheel was owned by Edwin Kneale from 1939 to 1965; he saved it from being dismantled and ran it as a tourist attraction, before passing it on to the Manx nation, with the agreement that it should be kept in perpetual running order for the people of the Isle of Man. In 1965 the Isle of Man Government bought the wheel and the site. Restoration work began, and in 1989 it was put under the control of Manx National Heritage.[3]
Great Laxey Mine Railway re-opened with two small steam engines in September 2004 to carry passengers along the restored route.
Laxey Woollen Mills
Laxey Woollen Mill was founded by John Ruskin in 1881 and was originally water powered.[4] The Mills are known for producing Manx tartan which is used to make a variety of items from hats, scarfs and kilt skirts to capes and rugs. The cloth is made of fine loghtan sheep wool and woven on traditional style looms. The Mills is now mainly a working shop.[5]
Laxey Harbour
The village has a small harbour which was built in the 1850s to service the mining industry. It is now used by leisure craft and inshore fishing vessels.[6]
Transport
Laxey lies on the Manx Electric Railway line. Laxey station is in the north of the village and is also the southern terminus of the Snaefell Mountain Railway.
Religion in Laxey
Laxey had a number of Methodist chapels. Shore Road Primitive Methodist Chapel was built in 1825, and closed in 1870. Glen Road Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was opened in 1850. It closed in 1966. Minorca Primitive Methodist Chapel was opened in 1870. A Sunday School was built in 1898 in land across the road. The chapel closed in 1966 when Flen Road and Menorca combined. In 1970 Minorca's Sunday School building became the new Methodist chapel for Laxey.[7] Christ Church (the Church of England parish church) was built to a design of Ewan Christian and constructed by the Mining Company at a cost of £950 and was consecrated by the Bishop of Sodor and Man, Lord Auckland, on 27 May 1856.[8]
Education
Laxey School is a primary school located on Quarry Road.
Sport
Laxey F.C. who play in the Isle of Man Football League are based at the Laxey Football Ground on Glen Road.
Gallery
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Laxey circa 1890
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View from hill above Laxey -
Laxey and Laxey Bay
See also
References
- ^ a b "Isle of Man Census 2006 Summary Results" (PDF). Economic Affairs Division, Isle of Man Treasury. 2006. p. 3. Retrieved 2008-09-28.
- ^ A notable Manx fishing family living in Laxey in 1800's, was a Robert Lawson, he was living with his family in "Sea Villa" on the prom, he converted this property from a cottage into a large house, he then built 5 houses running parallel with the prom, about 50yards back, called "Bay View Terrace",all of which are still in excellent condition & all still inhabited. One of his son's Robert Edwin "Ted",was habour master in the 1880's. This Lawson family first appeared on the Island circa 1580,(documented)in Bride,& in Lonan in the 1600's & were fishermen /farmers,& latterly found in the local mining industry,& were very instrumental in the building & shaping of Lonan/ Laxey as we see it today.During the 1700's & 1800's, the Lawson, & relatives,would probably have been,one of,if not, the largest family in the Laxey area. "Laxey". Isle of Man Guide. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
- ^ "Laxey Wheel". Isle of Man Guide. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
- ^ Laxey Woolen Mills history
- ^ "Laxey Woollen Mills". Isle of Man Guide. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
- ^ "Harbours - Laxey". Isle of Man Government. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
- ^ "Laxey Methodist Chapels". Manx Notebook. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
- ^ "Lonan". Manx Notebook. Retrieved 2008-10-07.