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Busy Cliff Top Concerts
18 August 2022
Annual event drew the crows in the sunshine
Nothing could put off the crowds visiting our Cliff Top Concerts this year. Everything from baking heat to wildfires still didn't stop hundreds of people from flocking to Sea Lion Rocks to enjoy the open air concerts in stunning surroundings.
Trains were operated by diesel locomotives Maltby and Dolphin as a safety precaution in the extreme heat, as our steam locomotives would have been a fire risk. Despite this, there was a small flare up from a wildfire the day before along the line and the volunteers were extremely grateful to the Fire service for attending and keeping everyone safe.
AS in previous years the concerts were well supported and there were some great performances from Shoh Slynt, Mine's a Shanty, Truman Falls and The Shenannigans Banned.
Get the dates in your diaries.... Cliff Top Concerts 2023 will be Sunday August 13th.
Our next Event is the Steam Gala Day on Sunday 18th September 2022 between 11am and 4:30pm.
For the second year running families turned out in their hundreds to enjoy the family friendly spooky atmosphere at Groudle over the weekend. Sea Lion & Otter were in service hauling busy trains from Broomstick Halt where passengers had been met by Mr Pumpkin, a spooky trip through the glen passing some of our cheerful ghoulish friends then arriving at Witches Hollow. As well as the warm and spooktacular atmosphere, families visited Jinny the Witch in her lair to receive a frightfully fun gift, enjoyed sweets from her friends and refreshments including hot chocolate with cream and marsh mellows and spooky doughnuts! Our thanks to not only everyone who visited us, but also the volunteers who helped make the event so special and for the support of Bus Vannin for the provision of the shuttle bus to the railway. Next stop....CHRISTMAS!
The weather eventually played ball for our September Steam Gala as the day started damp and overcast, but by midday the sun was thankfully shining and the railway was very busy with all three steam locomotives in service with two trains passing at the headland loop. Visitors relished the opportunity to see all three locomotives; Sea Lion, Brown Bear and Otter in service together all day operating an intensive service. Sunday services now continuing into October. Our next special event is the Hop Tu Naa Trains at the end of October which is booking only. Tickets available online.
We are lost for words for just how well received our Cliff Top Concerts event was this year. Considering 2024 has not been the best of summers on the Isle of Man weather wise, the sun certainly shone on Groudle for this year's event. It was a day of wall to wall sunshine and people flocked to the cliff tops at Sea Lion Rocks to enjoy the free concerts from some of the island's most talented musicians. This year they were treated to performances from Callum Rowe, Mine's a Shanty, Biskee Brisht, The Reveilettes and our traditional finale group; The Shenannigans Band. A three coach shuttle service was operated with Sea Lion and Brown Bear topping and tailing the service all day.
