THE traditional World Bonnag Making Championships have been held.
More than 70 people attended the annual Spring concert and bonnag making competition held at St James Church in Dalby.
The evening started with the presentation of cheques to the charities supported by the Friends of St James last year, Jonny Teare receiving £500 on behalf of the Peel Lifeboat and Doreen Kaddu receiving £500 on behalf of the overseas charity, Send a Cow.
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| Judge Bert Winkle testing bonnags |
Then representatives for the two charities to be supported this year by the Friends – (which annually raise monies for a couple of charities and at the same time generate monies for the Dalby church’s renovation fund) – Wish upon a Dream and ASK Outreach Trust spoke briefly to the audience introducing their charities. The concert was hosted by John Kennaugh and included guests Olive Dobson, Moira Pain Kenny Bawden and Gareth Moore.
During the interval of a shepherd’s pie supper, coffee and cake, the serious business of judging the bonnag competition began with Bert Winkle, from Foxdale, expertly examining each entry.
The awards went to Vanessa Callin, who won the Margaret Killey Trophy for best women’s entry; the contestant who had posted his bonnag from England was beaten by John Teare winning the Frank Beavis Cup for best men’s entry; and Vicky Beavis won the children’s award; Vanessa Callin won the Isle of Man Creamery Trophy as overall winner.
The bonnags – made using a traditional Manx recipe similar to a scone – were then auctioned to help raise a total of £535 from the event, which will be divided between St James’ Church and Restoration Fund and the two nominated charities for this year.
St James wants to do extensive renovation work on the east wall and window of the building this year to try to stop the water penetration that drives in during easterly gales.
