The new exhibition at Rushen Heritage Centre is ‘Edible Wild Plants of the South’, which delves into an almost forgotten element of the area’s nature.
 
The exhibition at the Heritage Centre in Bridson Street opened on Tuesday, June 6th and runs until Saturday, July 1st.

It has been curated by Rushen Heritage Trust volunteer Christa Viohl, and features many of the area’s best-known wild plants, and some perhaps that are not so well known.

Christa said: ‘Some people may know all about a plant’s botanical aspects, but I think fewer people know about their edibility and healing qualities, not to mention the folklore that surrounds them. Most of these wild plants represented an essential part of our ancestors’ diet. Many were traditionally used for medical treatment, while others provided dye for fibres and wool, and some have a fascinating background in folklore.’

The exhibition includes quizzes and a tombola, with prizes kindly donated by: Bridge Bookshop, Port Erin; Clear Pharmacy, Port Erin; Erin News Newsagents, Port Erin; Ken Quine, Port Erin; Pamela Crowe; Port Erin Post Office; Shoprite; and other donors who prefer not to be mentioned.

 
Following on from Edible Wild Plants of the South, Rushen Heritage Centre will host an exhibition about the Rushen Internment Camp, from Tuesday, July 4th until Saturday, July 29th. This is to coincide with the launch of the latest novel by author Shirley Mann, Bridget’s War, which is set in the camp during World War II. The book launch takes place at Erin Arts Centre at 2pm on Sunday, July 2nd as part of the Mananan Festival. For details of the launch, visit: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/erinartscentre

Run by volunteers, Rushen Heritage Centre features a series of exhibitions each season, acts as a visitor information centre in collaboration with Visit Isle of Man, and sells Rushen Heritage Trust books, greetings cards, and merchandise. It also sells a selection of other maps and books about Rushen.

The Heritage Centre is open 10am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday. Entry is free, with donations always welcome.