90 Not Out!

A Manx Radio favourite has hit a double milestone this week, turning 90 and quietly racking up one of the most impressive streaks in local broadcasting.

Ian Cottier, the voice behind Time for Brass, has now presented his weekly show for an incredible 45 consecutive years, without missing a single episode. Yes, not one.

The programme, which airs every Monday at 9pm from the studios on Douglas Head, is a go-to for brass band fans, featuring music from around the world alongside performances from local groups. And with the Isle of Man’s strong brass band tradition, it’s become a bit of a staple over the decades.

Remarkably, even holidays haven’t stopped him.

Mr Cottier has always made sure the show goes out by pre-recording episodes in advance, proving that not even a well-earned break gets in the way of a Monday night slot.

The idea for Time for Brass first came to him while he was Headmaster at St Ninian’s High School, and it’s fair to say it’s stuck ever since.

Manx Radio managing director Chris Sully paid tribute, saying: ‘Ian is a broadcasting legend on the Isle of Man, and his show has huge and popular appeal across the whole community.

‘Spending half of your life presenting and producing the same show is a remarkable achievement and one which we believe could be a record in the British Isles for a music-based show being presented by the same presenter.’

To mark the occasion, colleagues at Manx Radio held a small celebration, presenting him with a bottle of whisky and an engraved whisky glass.

Not a bad way to celebrate 90, and still making sure the music plays on. We hope it was a good one, Ian.