Laxey’s own great exhibition this TT

Bill has staged the exhibition using images from his TT FoTTofinders archives for the past nine years.

As usual the exhibition is free to enter but donations for the Manx Grand Prix Supporters’ Club helicopter fund would be greatly appreciated.

‘This year’s exhibition will contain getting on for 200 photographs,’ said Bill.

‘There will also be some art work from motorsport artists. The idea, as always, is to amuse, entertain and inform.

‘The pictures are mostly new ones this year, but the famous smoking bantam picture (showing a rider out on the course while apparently smoking a cigarette) will always be there,’ he said.

‘We always try to find pictures that I can put a story with.’

The exhibition is usually complemented by a bike on display - no mean feat as the exhibition area is on the first floor up fairly steep steps - and Bill has been trying to finalise a possible display machine.

The photograph accompanying this article is typical of many of the photographs on display, which tell a story.

Bill said: ‘It was taken at Hillberry and it shows Arthur Wheeler. He had broken down there and he is being towed away by a policeman who appears to be using a length of string.

‘We put out a call on Facebook and we have now even managed to find the identity of the policeman, who we are told is Bill Campbell.’

Bill’s exhibition runs from May 30 to June 11, 9am to 5pm, including Mad Sunday. 

Disabled access is limited as both the exhibition, in the Hodgson Loom Gallery, and the adjacent tea rooms are on the first floor. 

Parking is easy as the mill has its own car park. 

For visitors travelling from Douglas, head into Laxey on the New Road and turn right down the hill by Laxey Co-op, just after the Bridge pub. Head down the hill, under the Manx Electric Railway bridge, over the river bridge and into the car park.

Further details from amulree022@gmail.com or on 862238.