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© F.Coakley , 2026
[from A.M Harrision's Descriptive List of Insular Societies]
The setting-up in May 1859 of the 'Amusement and Recreation Committee of Douglas' at a public meeting was a major step in the development of the Isle of Man as a holiday resort. Under the presidency of the advocate(from 1864 High Bailiff) Samuel Harris, already one of the major developers of Douglas amenities, it was an association of active and ambitious townsmen determined to improve Douglas and offer its people a new opportunity of real prosperity.
Inspired by its efforts the later society was formed to protect the most precious amenity of any aspiring seaside holiday resort, its shore. Also under the presidency of Harris, a group of business men and prominent citizens of Douglas led by Philip Killey, a member of the House of Keys, formed a Committee to lead the association in its principal object, "to protect sand being stolen from the shore of Douglas Bay by employing detectives, and by bringing all offenders to justice; also for all or any other matters in connexion with the conservation and good regulation of the shore'. (Mona's Herald, 15 June 1861).
In this particular case the association was fighting against a well-established practice of carting sand from a bay hitherto undervalued and unesteemed by the inhabitants of a harbour-centred small port and fishing town, but later to be developed by the new resort as its premier trademark attraction. The shore management was shortly taken over by nine Town Commissioners, created by the Douglas Town Act of the same year.
M.N.H.L.. Isle of Man newspapers, ut supra.
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Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
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