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Onchan (parish)
Encyclopedia
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Onchan , is a parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
( – Kirk Conchan) in the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
. It is also a House of Keys constituency
House of Keys Constituencies
-Current constituencies:These were used for the 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011 General Elections. The current electoral constituencies for the House of Keys are:-1986 changes:...
, electing three MHK
Member of the House of Keys
Member of the House of Keys, or MHK is the title given to a person who has been elected into the House of Keys, the lower house of Tynwald, the parliament of the Isle of Man. There are twenty-four Members of the House of Keys. Elections are held every five years; the last election took place in...
s. It is in the sheading of Garff, but was formerly in the sheading of Middle.
Parish
The village of Onchan (formerly known as Kirk Conchan, as it was dedicated to St. Conchan) is situated on a headlandHeadlands and bays
Headlands and bays are two related features of the coastal environment.- Geology and geography :Headlands and bays are often found on the same coastline. A bay is surrounded by land on three sides, whereas a headland is surrounded by water on three sides. Headlands are characterized by high,...
to the north of Douglas (of which it is a suburb), and has good views over Douglas Bay. The parish stretches from Windy Corner on the TT course in the north to Port Groudle and the town of Douglas in the south; it is bounded to the west by the River Glass
River Glass, Isle of Man
The River Glass is a river on the Isle of Man. The river begins in the area of Injebreck about 10 km north of Douglas, the Island's capital. Flowing down through the West Baldwin Valley, the river joins the River Dhoo to form the River Douglas on the outskirts of Douglas before flowing out to sea....
and the East Baldwin Valley, to the east by the parish of Lonan and to the south by the Irish Sea. The main settlement in the parish is the village of Onchan
Onchan
Onchan , is a village in the parish of Onchan on the Isle of Man. It is at the north end of Douglas Bay. Although administratively a village, it has the second largest population on the island, after Douglas, with which it forms a conurbation....
which has the second largest population on the island.
The coastline comprises the northern part of Douglas Bay and the Banks' Howe headland (which is 120 metres (393.7 ft) high). The highest peak in the parish is Cairn Gerjoil, near Windy Corner, at 445 metres (1,460 ft).
The parish is agricultural in nature and has only one centre of population, Onchan village. Apart from the hilly region in the north west, it is a fertile and well-cultivated district and also contains, along the hillside nearest Douglas, country villas. Onchan also is home to several large reservoirs that form part of the water supply to Douglas and the surrounding villages.
The parish has three national glens - Molly Quirk's Glen, Groudle Glen and Bibaloe Walk, which end at Groudle Beach, where there is holiday accommodation. The Groudle Glen Railway
Groudle Glen Railway
The Groudle Glen Railway is a narrow gauge railway north of Douglas in the Isle of Man which is owned and operated by members of the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association and operates on summer Sundays; May to September and Wednesday evenings in July and August along with a number of...
line runs along the coast line from Lhen Coan to the Headland and then on to the terminus at Sea Lion Rocks where passengers can alight and see the remains of the Victorian zoo which until World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
used to house sea lion
Sea Lion
Sea lions are pinnipeds characterized by external ear-flaps, long fore-flippers, the ability to walk on all fours, and short thick hair. Together with the fur seal, they comprise the family Otariidae, or eared seals. There are six extant and one extinct species in five genera...
s and polar bear
Polar Bear
The polar bear is a bear native largely within the Arctic Circle encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas and surrounding land masses. It is the world's largest land carnivore and also the largest bear, together with the omnivorous Kodiak Bear, which is approximately the same size...
s.
As with the other parishes on the island, Onchan can be subdivided into Treens (areas of land bounded by natural formations such as rivers). Onchan contains, according to the 1511 Manorial Roll, the following treens:
- Slekby
- Alia-Begod
- Begod (now Bygoad)
- Byballo (now Bibaloe)
- Hawstrake (now Howstrake)
- Horaldre
- Tremsare
- Tremott
- Douglas
Onchan wetlands
The Onchan Wetlands is a 1 acres (4,046.9 m²) reserve in Onchan village that contains a variety of habitats. The site was donated to the Manx Wildlife Trust in 1988 and is open to the public for viewing and has a boardwalk which is suitable for wheelchair users.The site contains curragh (wetlands - willow scrub), broadleaved trees, dub (pond), neutral grassland and embankments of tall grassland. This variety of habitats leads to a diversity of wildlife and plant life. Some of the plants/trees that grow there are silver birch
Silver Birch
Betula pendula is a widespread European birch, though in southern Europe it is only found at higher altitudes. Its range extends into southwest Asia in the mountains of northern Turkey and the Caucasus...
, ash, holly, rowan, marsh marigold, yellow flag, reed canary grass
Reed canary grass
Reed canarygrass, Phalaris arundinacea, is a tall, perennial bunchgrass that commonly forms extensive single-species stands along the margins of lakes and streams and in wet open areas, with a wide distribution in Europe, Asia, northern Africa and North America.-Description:The stems can reach 2.5...
, hemlock water-dropwort
Water dropwort
The water dropworts, Oenanthe , are a genus of plants in the family Apiaceae. Most of the species grow in damp ground, in marshes or in water....
, woody nightshade and cuckoo flower. Also, among the wide variety of birds that on the site are the grey wagtail
Grey Wagtail
The Grey Wagtail is a small member of the wagtail family, Motacillidae. The species looks similar to the Yellow Wagtail but has the yellow on its underside restricted to the throat and vent. Breeding males have a black throat...
, goldcrest
Goldcrest
The Goldcrest, Regulus regulus, is a very small passerine bird in the kinglet family. Its colourful golden crest feathers gives rise to its English and scientific names, and possibly to it being called the "king of the birds" in European folklore. Several subspecies are recognised across the very...
, woodcock
Woodcock
The woodcocks are a group of seven or eight very similar living species of wading birds in the genus Scolopax. Only two woodcocks are widespread, the others being localized island endemics. Most are found in the Northern Hemisphere but a few range into Wallacea...
, chiffchaff
Chiffchaff
The Common Chiffchaff, or simply the Chiffchaff, is a common and widespread leaf-warbler which breeds in open woodlands throughout northern and temperate Europe and Asia....
and hen harrier
Hen Harrier
The Hen Harrier or Northern Harrier is a bird of prey. It breeds throughout the northern parts of the northern hemisphere in Canada and the northernmost USA, and in northern Eurasia. This species is polytypic, with two subspecies. Marsh Hawk is a historical name for the American form.It migrates...
along with invertebrates and bat
Bat
Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera "hand" and pteron "wing") whose forelimbs form webbed wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals said to fly, such as flying squirrels, gliding possums, and colugos, glide rather than fly,...
s. There are also many frogs and spawn in early summer.
MHKs and elections
| Year | Election | Turnout | Candidates | Elected | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | General Election |
67.2% |
|
Peter Karran Peter Karran MHK is a Manx politician, who is the current Minister of Education and Children, Member of the House of Keys for Onchan and Leader of the Liberal Vannin Party. He was a Manx Labour Party member but left in 2004. In August 2006 he founded the Liberal Vannin Party... (Lab Manx Labour Party The Manx Labour Party is a political party operating in the Isle of Man. It is independent of its namesake, the Labour Party in the UK.-History:... ) |
|
| 1988 |
By Election |
48.7% |
|
Ron Cretney Louis Ronald Cretney was a former Minister in the Isle of Man Government.Ron Cretney was born in Douglas and educated in Hanover Street School and Douglas High School before leaving the Island to train as a teacher at the Chester Diocesan Training College. He served in the Royal Artillery from 1942... |
|
| 1991 |
General Election |
66.9% |
|
Peter Karran Peter Karran MHK is a Manx politician, who is the current Minister of Education and Children, Member of the House of Keys for Onchan and Leader of the Liberal Vannin Party. He was a Manx Labour Party member but left in 2004. In August 2006 he founded the Liberal Vannin Party... (Lab Manx Labour Party The Manx Labour Party is a political party operating in the Isle of Man. It is independent of its namesake, the Labour Party in the UK.-History:... ) Richard Corkill Richard Kenneth Corkill was the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, December 2001 to December 2004. He was born in Douglas, Isle of Man. He was elected by Tynwald with 21 votes, defeating Edgar Quine, who received 10 votes.... George Waft George Henry Waft Dip App SS BSc RMN MLC is a current Member of the Legislative Council of the Isle of Man.Mr Waft was educated at the Isle of Man College of Further Education, the Naval Training School and the Nurse Training School... |
Ron Cretney Ron Cretney Louis Ronald Cretney was a former Minister in the Isle of Man Government.Ron Cretney was born in Douglas and educated in Hanover Street School and Douglas High School before leaving the Island to train as a teacher at the Chester Diocesan Training College. He served in the Royal Artillery from 1942... retired from politics and Richard Leventhorpe was defeated by George Waft George Waft George Henry Waft Dip App SS BSc RMN MLC is a current Member of the Legislative Council of the Isle of Man.Mr Waft was educated at the Isle of Man College of Further Education, the Naval Training School and the Nurse Training School... and future Chief Minister Richard Corkill Richard Corkill Richard Kenneth Corkill was the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, December 2001 to December 2004. He was born in Douglas, Isle of Man. He was elected by Tynwald with 21 votes, defeating Edgar Quine, who received 10 votes.... . |
| 1994 |
By Election |
44.7% |
|
John Raymond Kniveton John Raymond Kniveton was a Member of the Legislative Council of the Isle of Man.Born in 1933, he was educated at Douglas High School. He joined NatWest Bank and the Royal Air Force before becoming the Managing Director of Tours and a director of Laxey Glen Mills... |
Called following the elevation to the LegCo of George Waft George Waft George Henry Waft Dip App SS BSc RMN MLC is a current Member of the Legislative Council of the Isle of Man.Mr Waft was educated at the Isle of Man College of Further Education, the Naval Training School and the Nurse Training School... MLC MLC -Technology:*Multi-level cell, a type of flash memory*Multi-Platform Language for Calculators*Multileaf collimator, a tool used for shaping radiation beams in external-beam radiotherapy.*Mobile Location Center, a network element in GSM Telephony Networks... . |
| 1996 | General Election |
57.8% |
|
Peter Karran Peter Karran MHK is a Manx politician, who is the current Minister of Education and Children, Member of the House of Keys for Onchan and Leader of the Liberal Vannin Party. He was a Manx Labour Party member but left in 2004. In August 2006 he founded the Liberal Vannin Party... (Lab Manx Labour Party The Manx Labour Party is a political party operating in the Isle of Man. It is independent of its namesake, the Labour Party in the UK.-History:... ) Richard Corkill Richard Kenneth Corkill was the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, December 2001 to December 2004. He was born in Douglas, Isle of Man. He was elected by Tynwald with 21 votes, defeating Edgar Quine, who received 10 votes.... John Raymond Kniveton John Raymond Kniveton was a Member of the Legislative Council of the Isle of Man.Born in 1933, he was educated at Douglas High School. He joined NatWest Bank and the Royal Air Force before becoming the Managing Director of Tours and a director of Laxey Glen Mills... |
The three sitting MHK's all held their seats. |
| 1998 |
By Election |
? |
|
Geoff Cannell Geoffrey Thornton Cannell Geoffrey Thornton Cannell Geoffrey Thornton Cannell (1942 – September 24, 2007 was a former Member of the House of Keys (MHK) and a sports broadcaster in the Isle of Man.... |
Called following the elevation to the LegCo of Ray Kniveton John Raymond Kniveton John Raymond Kniveton was a Member of the Legislative Council of the Isle of Man.Born in 1933, he was educated at Douglas High School. He joined NatWest Bank and the Royal Air Force before becoming the Managing Director of Tours and a director of Laxey Glen Mills... . |
| 2001 | General Election |
57% |
|
Peter Karran Peter Karran MHK is a Manx politician, who is the current Minister of Education and Children, Member of the House of Keys for Onchan and Leader of the Liberal Vannin Party. He was a Manx Labour Party member but left in 2004. In August 2006 he founded the Liberal Vannin Party... (Lab Manx Labour Party The Manx Labour Party is a political party operating in the Isle of Man. It is independent of its namesake, the Labour Party in the UK.-History:... ) (2305 votes) Richard Corkill Richard Kenneth Corkill was the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, December 2001 to December 2004. He was born in Douglas, Isle of Man. He was elected by Tynwald with 21 votes, defeating Edgar Quine, who received 10 votes.... (2243 votes) Adrian Earnshaw Adrian John Earnshaw MHK is a Manx politician, who was the Minister of Home Affairs in the Isle of Man Government and a Member of the House of Keys for Onchan.-Early life and career:... (1929 votes) |
Labour's Peter Karran Peter Karran Peter Karran MHK is a Manx politician, who is the current Minister of Education and Children, Member of the House of Keys for Onchan and Leader of the Liberal Vannin Party. He was a Manx Labour Party member but left in 2004. In August 2006 he founded the Liberal Vannin Party... and Chief Minister Richard Corkill Richard Corkill Richard Kenneth Corkill was the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, December 2001 to December 2004. He was born in Douglas, Isle of Man. He was elected by Tynwald with 21 votes, defeating Edgar Quine, who received 10 votes.... both held their seats with increased votes, while challenger Adrian Earnshaw Adrian Earnshaw Adrian John Earnshaw MHK is a Manx politician, who was the Minister of Home Affairs in the Isle of Man Government and a Member of the House of Keys for Onchan.-Early life and career:... defeated sitting MHK Geoff Cannell Geoff Cannell Geoffrey Thornton Cannell Geoffrey Thornton Cannell Geoffrey Thornton Cannell (1942 – September 24, 2007 was a former Member of the House of Keys (MHK) and a sports broadcaster in the Isle of Man.... to take the parish's third seat. |
| 2006 |
General Election |
60.8% |
|
Peter Karran Peter Karran MHK is a Manx politician, who is the current Minister of Education and Children, Member of the House of Keys for Onchan and Leader of the Liberal Vannin Party. He was a Manx Labour Party member but left in 2004. In August 2006 he founded the Liberal Vannin Party... (LVP) Adrian Earnshaw Adrian John Earnshaw MHK is a Manx politician, who was the Minister of Home Affairs in the Isle of Man Government and a Member of the House of Keys for Onchan.-Early life and career:... |
Former Chief Minister Richard Corkill Richard Corkill Richard Kenneth Corkill was the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, December 2001 to December 2004. He was born in Douglas, Isle of Man. He was elected by Tynwald with 21 votes, defeating Edgar Quine, who received 10 votes.... did not stand allowing David Quirk to take Onchan's third seat. |
| 2011 |
General Election |
57.5% |
|
Peter Karran Peter Karran MHK is a Manx politician, who is the current Minister of Education and Children, Member of the House of Keys for Onchan and Leader of the Liberal Vannin Party. He was a Manx Labour Party member but left in 2004. In August 2006 he founded the Liberal Vannin Party... (LVP) |
Liberal Vannin challanger Zac Hall defeated sitting MHK Adrian Earnshaw Adrian Earnshaw Adrian John Earnshaw MHK is a Manx politician, who was the Minister of Home Affairs in the Isle of Man Government and a Member of the House of Keys for Onchan.-Early life and career:... |