The newly-formed Rushen Heritage Trust has appointed Graham Hall as its manager.
The trust aims to celebrate the history of Port Erin, Port St Mary and Rushen Parish with a series of pop up museums on different themes, while the long term target is to establish a heritage centre.
‘It’s tremendous,’ said Graham of his appointment. ‘I cannot tell you how exciting it is – this ticks all the boxes. I have an interest in the place and for me to do something for the village.’
He and his wife Jackie have been at Glenchass Farmhouse in Rushen for 14 years. They are known for their work with the Manx Basking Shark Watch; he is also chairman of Men in Sheds. His experience in project management for engineering companies throughout the world impressed the interview panel, as did his vision for the trust.
He said: ‘I propose we use the whole area around us as a museum.’ And he wants to embrace mobile technology – ‘We can have an app on a smart phone which has dates, voices and faces so, when people walk down the street, it will tell them what was going on there at that time.’
In addition to this, there will be a series of exhibitions.
A meeting for those who offered to volunteer for the trust at the public meeting held in April will take place at 7pm on Wednesday, July 9, in Port St Mary Town Hall. New volunteers can also attend. Email grahamhall@manx.net
l The trust is keen to enlist a treasurer. Anyone interested in this important volunteer role should contact juan.watterson@gov.im