Reih Bleeaney Vanannan

The Reih Bleeaney Vanannan trophy

The Reih Bleeaney Vanannan is the Isle of Man's most prestigious annual award for culture.^[1] It is presented by Culture Vannin to the person or group who, in the opinion of the panel of assessors, has made the most outstanding contribution to Manx culture. It is officially presented by the President of Culture Vannin, normally in January each year.

Recipients of the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan ('Manannan's Choice of the Year' in Manx Gaelic) are entitled to use the letters RBV after their name. They hold the trophy for one year, as well as receiving a medal and a donation to be split between themselves and a Manx cultural cause of their choice.^[2]

It was first awarded in 1987, as a part of the Foundation's overarching policy "to support and promote Manx culture"^[3] established at the creation of the Foundation through an act of Tynwald in 1982. The panel of assessors for the award is appointed by Culture Vannin and represents the key Manx cultural organisations. The panel consists of representatives from Cheshaght Ghailckagh, Yn Chruinnaght, the Isle of Man Arts Council, Culture Vannin and Manx National Heritage. Nominations are invited from the public in November of each year.

The RBV trophy consists of the figure of the sea-god Manannan standing on a piece of Pooilvaaish marble, resting on a plinth. It also contains traces of quartz from South Barrule, one of Manannan's fortresses, and a brooch of Laxey silver in the form of the Three Legs of Man presented by Mona Douglas.^[4] It was designed by the late Eric Austwick. The medal presented to each recipient is designed by Jennie Kissack and executed in silver and enamel by Tony Lewis of Peel.^[5]

Recipients of the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan award

1	Maureen Costain Richards[4]	1986
2	Mona Douglas MBE	1989
3	Constance Radcliffe	1990
4	Major Geoffrey Crellin	1991
5	Colin Jerry	1992
6	Revd Canon John Gelling	1993
7	Revd Robert Thomson	1994
8	Jane Narasimham	1995
9	Mike Boulton	1996
10	Leslie Quirk	1997
11	Fred Radcliffe	1998
12	Allan Skillan	1999
13	Tony Hopson	2000
14	Walter Clarke	2001
15	Marshall Cubbon OBE	2002
16	Frank Cowin	2003
17	Leslie Quilliam	2004
18	Juan Crellin	2005
19	Bunscoill Ghaelgagh[6]	2006
20	Dollin Kelly[7]	2007
21	Brian Stowell[8]	2008
22	Robert Farrer	2009
22	Joan Caine[9]	2010
23	Dr Fenella Bazin[10]	2011
24	Manx Folk Dance Society[11]	2012
25	Robert Corteen Carswell[12]	2013
26	Clare Kilgallon[13]	2014
27	William Cain[14]	2015
28	Bernard Caine and John Kennaugh[15]	2016

References

1. 'Reih Bleeaney Vanannan 2013' on the Ynsee Gaelg website (accessed August 15, 2013)
2. 'The Manx Heritage Foundation Reih Bleeaney Vanannan Trophy' on www.manxmusic.com (access August 15, 2013)
3. 'Who We Are' on the Culture Vannin website (accessed February 15, 2014)
4. 'National Award' from Our Heritage Still: More Memories of the Past in Rushen, Book Four, Douglas: Norris Modern Press, 1986 (accessed on the Rushen Heritage Trust Facebook page, 29 January 2015)
5. 'Reih Bleeaney Vanannan' on the Culture Vannin website (accessed February 15, 2014)
6. 'Reih Bleeaney Vanannan' in New Manx Worthies ed. Dollin Kelly, Douglas, Manx National Heritage, 2006
7. 'Reih Bleeaney Vanannan: Previous winners' on the Culture Vannin website (accessed February 15, 2014)
8. 'Dr Brian Stowell receives top Manx cultural award' on IOM Today (accessed August 15, 2013)
9. 'Reih Bleeaney Vanannan 2010' on the North American Manx Association website (accessed August 15, 2013)
10. 'Dr Fenella Bazin receives prestigious cultural award' on isleofman.com (accessed August 15, 2013)
11. 'Reih Bleeaney Vanannan' on the Manx Folk Dance Society website (accessed August 15, 2013)
12. ‘Manx Culture Award for Bob’ on IOM Today (accessed August 15, 2013)
13. 'Clare Kilgallon awarded Reih Bleeaney Vanannan prize' on Manx Radio (accessed February 15, 2014)
14. 'Culture award for former deemster' on Manx Radio (accessed February 02, 2015)
15. 'Cultural champions are honoured posthumously' on IOM Today (accessed February 09, 2016)