New Christmas Carol Highlights Ballaugh Old Church’s Community Role

A new Christmas carol has been composed to help generate awareness for the ongoing restoration of an 800-year-old church. Titled “Ballaugh Old Church Children’s Carol,” the piece was penned by Caroline Devlin, drawing inspiration from the historic community site, which originates from 1231. The structure was shut down during the pandemic but resumed weekend operations 18 months prior, coinciding with the establishment of the Friends of Ballaugh Old Church group. Ms. Devlin stated that the song’s inspiration arose while she was cleaning the church, leading her to reflect on what a “special place it was at the heart of the community.” She recounted that the melody and words “popped into” her head, and following her children’s endorsement, she contacted Ramsey musician David Kilgallon for orchestration. Subsequently, they recorded the carol, incorporating the voices of children from the village. Ms. Devlin mentioned that, in her capacity as a theatre director and former actor, she has previously composed music for productions and performs vocals regularly. Since its formation, the group has organized various events at the location, undertaken rewilding efforts in the backyard with assistance from the Manx Wildlife Trust, and facilitated the reopening of the building itself. The site, which remained closed for two years during the pandemic, now operates on weekends from 10:00 to 15:00 GMT. Although it does not host regular religious services, it is available for bookings for weddings or funerals. The group is presently endeavoring to collect £10,000 for the restoration of the church’s weathervane, originating from 1707, in addition to repainting the structure and installing a compostable toilet in an adjacent field. Ms. Devlin remarked that the friends’ initiative to reactivate the church had “brought the community together.” She further stated that Christmas was her “favourite time of year” and that it “brings out the best in people and gives people a chance to reflect on their communities.” She expressed her wish for the carol to become an annual tradition at the community church.