World's largest waterwheel among buildings earmarked for heritage protection

5 hours ago

Catherine NicollIsle of Man

News image — The Laxey Wheel is the largest working waterwheel of its king in the world

MANX SCENES The wheel, which is red and has multiple spokes, sitting in its casing with viaducts leading to it carrying the rods that pump the water. It it surrounded by the green of the valley. — The Laxey Wheel is the largest working waterwheel of its king in the world

The Great Laxey Wheel is among nine historical buildings being proposed for increased protection on the Isle of Man.

Known as Lady Isabella, the famous feature was built in the Laxey Valley in 1854 and recently underwent extensive refurbishment.

It has now been put forward by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture for inclusion on the Protected Buildings Register to safeguard it from any future changes or demolition.

The Calf of Man Bird Observatory and the Grove Museum in Ramsey have also been suggested for the list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest, with people given four weeks to put forward their views on the proposal.

MANX SCENES A small white cottage with red windows and door and an orange roof. There are hills behind it. — Knockuskey Cottage is the current home of Beach Buddies

Proposed buildings:

Laxey Wheel: Designed by Robert Casement it was built to support the island's mining industry, with a diameter of 72ft (22m) makes it the largest working wheel of its kind in the world.

Calf of Man Bird Observatory: Under the guardianship of the Manx Museum and National Trust, the former farmstead is on the Calf of Man, which is a nature reserve.

Grove Museum: A former Victorian holiday home and hobby farm for Scottish shipping merchant Duncan Gibb and his family, the property in Ramsey now acts as a museum demonstrating life during the era.

MANX SCENES A two-storey Victorian building with a large green lawn in front of it. — The Grove Museum in Ramsey was once a Victorian holiday home

Foxdale Heritage Centre: Built in the late 1800s, the former railway station in the village provided passenger facilities for those using the line, which was predominantly used for freight to support the area's mining industry.

Leece Museum in Peel: known as the Old Courthouse the building had a footprint on the site from 1709 before it was rebuilt in 1744 and then enlarged further from 1830. After being used by a religious organisation following the relocation of the courthouse, it became a museum in 2000.

MANX SCENES Cregneash village from above show a network of stone built buildings, some white washed, among green fields. — The proposals include two buildings at Cregneash in the south of the island

Ward Library in Peel: Created using funds donated by a Manx-born businessman who made his fortune in Canada, the free library and reading rooms were opened in 1907.

Knockuskey Cottage: The cottage was built by Thomas Teare in 1906 as a family beach retreat at Niarbyl Bay. It is now used as a base for litter picking charity Beach Buddies.

Church Farm & Karran's Farmstead: Situated in Cregneash, the buildings form part of the 19th Century folk museum run by Manx National Heritage.

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