Four get honours in New Year list

All four men were honoured for their services to the island

Four men from the Isle of Man have been honoured by the Queen in the New Year Honours list.

The Honourable Noel Quayle Cringle MLC, President of Tynwald, has been appointed an OBE for public service.

Peter David Geddes and John Michael Thornley became MBEs - Mr Geddes for services to industrial heritage and Mr Thornley for services to education.

And Michael Culverhouse, lately Chief Constable of Isle of Man police, was awarded the Queen's Police Medal.

The Honourable Noel Quayle Cringle MLC, who was educated at Castle Rushen High School, started his parliamentary career in 1974 as MHK for Rushen.

Micheal Culverhouse is awarded the Queen's Police Medal

Mr Thornley joined the Manx Department of Education as a computing adviser in 1988 after spending 11 years in teaching, first at Douglas High School and then at Ballakermeen High School as head of IT.

He said the honour came as a "complete surprise" and that he had been very fortunate to work in the field of computing and IT on the island.

"It has been very rewarding and exciting to see so many positive changes in the adoption of computers within education," he said.

A spokeswoman for the education department said Mr Thornley had been instrumental in supporting and encouraging schools to use computers.

John Thornley pioneered the use of a bus as a mobile computer lab

"John also pioneered the Manx Telecomputer Bus, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year and which is set for a re-launch in January," said Jo Overty, from the education department.

She added that the department was delighted he had been honoured for his "invaluable input into the advancement of computers in education".

Mr Thornley retired as ICT Adviser in November.

Mr Geddes is keenly involved with the Laxey Mines Research Group, which has uncovered many of the island's former mineral mines.

It has also helped with the redevelopment of the Laxey site as a tourist attraction.