Today was quite different as we had to be down stairs in our church cloths ready for the church service in the morning. After the boys were fuelled up and raring to go we set of to St. Thomas' for a early practice before the service to make sure everything was right. The service itself was brilliant and three soloist sang verses from the hymn Brother Let Me Be Your Servant including a new soloist Dominic Tapper. After the service we had lunch and then we were off to Laxey beach and this time unlike Peel beach there were people to be seen on the beach itself. The boys themselves dispersed on to the beach like the sea running and darting everywhere eventually a game of football got going and the score was 6=5 to one of the teams. Then we were off to Ramsey for the legendary Ramsey Tea which is a huge buffet of food that is brought out to the boys from pizza to huge cakes the boys were spoilt for choice. Next was the afternoon practice which was followed by the last service of the trip and it was a good one at that. The congregation was 50 strong in St. Paul's Ramsey and it was a brilliant way to end the last service in the Isle of Man this year!!!!

The normal practice routine commenced this morning as the boys returned to St. Thomas's church to prepare for tonights service which was quite different to our usual services on the island. This is due to Mr Scott-Thomas returning to England at 6 in the morning for a wedding at Blackburn Cathedral, so we had no organist for the evening service which gave Mr Catterall a good work out as he leapt off the organ stool and gracefully jogged to his music stand and back again. However during the day we had an exciting treat as the senior boys were going to the Venture Centre on the island and the younger boys were going sailing on a peaceful lake. At the Venture Centre the Team Leaders and Head Choristers enjoyed every thing from exploring tunnels to abseiling down the side of a building. Mrs Stockdale was also there filming each and every second of our epic adventure wether it was through the tunnels or on the archery range. Meanwhile at the boating lake two boys had fallen in and were drenched from head to toe in freezing cold water, however they were well looked after by Mr and Mrs Cross. Over all an interesting day in the Isle of Man with Broughton Church Choir!!!    

This morning was a bit different as the practice was at Kirk Braden and not St.Thomas's due to their Coffee Morning so unfortunately for the boys there was no opportunity to run to the sweet shop down the road. However they were not disheartened and we had a good practice and achieved a lot during the time we were there. Following this depending on your age you either went to Castle Rushen and the Old Grammar School if you were a younger boy or to the House of Keys if you were a senior boy. Both trips were throughly enjoyed by the boys and another good practice followed at Kirk Braden before the evening meal. After the meal the boys got changed and we were straight off for the service and what a service it was as numerous boys read excellently and the soloist groups were on top form. We also had a special guest in the audience from the Manx Government who was so impressed he is coming to the service tomorrow to hear us again. A brilliant day yet again in the Isle of Man!    

After yesterday the boys were all a bit tired. However after a hearty full english breakfast they were ready for action once more and after room check and bank we were ready for the practice at St.Thomas's. Following this some boys went into town to look for presents for you at home or went to the beach and played football before lunch was served during free time. Next the boys sprinted for the mini bus' as we valiantly set off to Peel beach and unknown to us at the time a sub-terrain climate was waiting for our arrival. The beach was empty when we arrived which wasn't a good sign however the boys didn't seem to mind as they charged where no sane person would venture yesterday. The practice followed at St. Peter's and luckily Mr Catterall didn't get lost as he did last time down Windermere Drive. Tea was then upon us and the pork was delicious but there was no time to savour the taste as we had to get back to St. Peter's to sing the service at 8pm. And boy did we sing as we received wonderful comments from the congregation again and some people enjoyed it so much they are coming to a service on Sunday to see us again. Another great day!!!!      

Following yesterdays walk, today we could either go on another walk or go to the swimming baths. As you can guess the swimming baths won this battle and 30 boys went to the Nation Sports Centre to enjoy a fun packed afternoon. However before these great excursion we first had to first prove our worth at a early morning pratice at St. Thomas's, which most boys did and were rewarded with a break and a trip to the sweet shop down the road. After lunch we were ready to go and the boys flocked to the mini bus' with there towels and trunks at the ready for a wet exciting day. The walkers meanwhile took their coats and boots and went off on another expedition into the wilderness with Sir as there intrepid leader which I am told took them on two detours! Next on the list was tea with vegetable soup, Cod and ice cream we were all ready for the service at St. Matthew's, and this showed too as we received many compliments from the congregation. Over all another great day in the Isle of Man!!!
 

Hello there, you will be glad to hear that the crossing was smooth and we are all alive and well. We got up to our usual antics of walking on the first day to a place called Groudle Glen, the sun was hot and stifling on our backs as we set off on our journey into the wilderness! Sir lead the way valiantly leaping over crags and trees giving us hope of survival and the eventuality of returning to the hotel by night fall. However we soon reached the end of the line, literally as we had followed the train tracks of the Sea Lion Express to the cliff edge! After a short wait we were then off on a tram adventure all the way to Douglas which was a nice rest from all the walking I am sure the boys would agree. So after our exhausting walk and relaxing tram ride we headed home to indulge ourselves with our first meal of the trip at the hotel and you couldn't complain tomato soup and scampi and chips followed up by ice cream not a bad way to end the day!!!