Photographs

My Father, Eddie Quayle took up photography as a serious hobby in 1918.
He created a dark room at home and did all his own processing and printing.
Most of the images that he pasted into albums were contact prints measuring
approximately 3" by 2" which I have scanned for this page.
Pictured here are Mum & Dad in 1924 - click either to enlarge.

Old Douglas 1925

      This collection of Old Douglas was captured just before
       demolition.   Below, the view from the top of Lord street.
      Residents were being re-housed in Pulrose, which was
      under construction at this time. Some of these pictures
     were used as subjects by Eddie's father who painted
      a series of eight - now in the Manx Museum.

Timber boats unloading on North Quay Douglas

Victoria Street - 1925

The open air service at Kirk Braddan 1930

The lone cyclist above is my father Eddie in Kirk Michael 1921, snapped by friend Bill (Buller) Callister who was later to become his business partner in the building firm Callister and Quayle, Ten years later Eddie was instrumental in starting the Manx Viking Wheelers cycling club - by coincidence, their very first meeting was at the Mitre in Kirk Michael. Below, the workshop of Mr. R.F. Douglas where Eddie's life long career in carpentry began, his inscription is included.

Left: Douglas Harbour 1927

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Dad told me this is when he proposed to Mary Margaret (Minnie) Magher on the beach at Niarbyl.
He set the camera on self timer in a cave which created this dramatic silhouette effect.
Above right: All smiles after accepting Eddie's proposal.

CYCLING DAYS

Mum and Dad are pictured above in Ballasalla 1935. In the sidecar, their first son Edward Daniel, he was known then as Teddy, but now Terry.
Left: Monk's Bridge 1931.

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In 1925, Eddie Quayle was appointed representative for the Cyclist Touring Club of Great Britain, and became the contact for visiting cyclists, arranging accomodation and taking them on tours of the Isle of Man. A member of the Bolton Clarion club became a regular visitor and suggested that Eddie form a local club. The Viking Wheelers Touring and Social Cycling Club began life at the Mitre Hotel Kirk Michael in 1931. It was launched, with elected officials, at the Bungalow in April 1932.

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Original members were: Charlie Coole, Hilda Craine, (Charlie & Hilda married soon after) Tommy Hall, Bill Hudson, Ernie Crellin and Eddfie's brother Leo who designed the badge for the club. The club would meet every Sunday morning at the Quarterbridge and explore every nook and cranny of the Island. Below, the club in 1933

Eddie would often take off on a solo tour of Great Britain, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. He would photograph himself using a small tri-pod and self timer and I have included some of those pictures on this page. Right: Anne Hathaway's cottage, Stratford-on-Avon.

ABOVE: In 1926 they started from what is now the Grandstand,
Note Alec Quayle, front and centre.
LEFT: The very first bicycle TT, 1924, starting at Governor's Bridge.

Above: Mum on her first run out with the club following the
birth of my brother Terry in 1935. He's in the sidcar.
In 2006, he's still very active cycling - quite a record!
On the right: resting at the top of Injebreck in 1933.

The Manx Viking Wheelers was, in the beginning, much more than a cycle club. They organised many social evenings and dances, often at the Recabite Hall in Allan Street Douglas. All four of the artist's sons were talented in a variety of musical instruments.

Pictured left are Bobby and Leo. Bobby went on to play with the Harold Moorhouse dance band and Frank played drums for a number of bands well into the 60s.

The Five Piece band on the right
From left to Right:
Steve Lammers
Bobby Quayle
Jimmy Laughlin
Leo Quayle
Frank Quayle

This composite is how dad glued the pictures into the album, so the page had to be scanned "as is"

Top right: 1935, Mum with Terry in the sidecar, she is accompanied by her sister Kathleen who was later to marry George Turnbull.

The 1934 picture is at "Brews Tea Rooms"

The last picture in the composite was taken in 1948 when the Manx Viking Wheelers Juniors met for their very first club run.

Left and above the Shambles in York

Left and above, York

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1927: The barque "Austrums" ashore at Rue Point Andrea.

Mum at St. Patrick's Chair in the parish of Marown, Isle of Man.
Yes, she went cycling dressed this way!

Mum & Dad on their honeymoon tour of Northern Ireland in 1932: Carlingford Loch, County Omeath

In 1925 Horse power really was horse power.
No other information on these, other than the date.
Dad took his camera everywhere - on his bike of course.

                 Above: 1923 Cycling in the Carnival:
                  Unknown on the left, Leo, centre,   Eddie on the right.
                 The picture on the right his brand new "Saxon" 1921

The artist EC Quayle at Tholt y Will

1930 - Head over heels in love.
An example of Eddie's "developing" skills

Quarry Bridge Sulby

Maughold 1922

Minnie, coasting to Ballig Bridge 1934