A memorial bench has been unveiled in Laxey dedicated to the first Manxman to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games.

The bench was funded by the Fellowship of the Manx Veteran Cyclists and a ceremony took place on Saturday beside the Miner’s Statue on Mines Road as the bench was unveiled on Ham and Egg Terrace.

Stuart Slack won a bronze medal in the cycling road race at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games becoming the island’s first medallist. He was also a musician who penned many traditional songs which are still sung today.

Stuart’s most famous tune was perhaps ’The Laxey Wheel’ song, but he also composed ’Laxey Girls’ and ’Foxdale Miner’.

A spokesman for Garff Commissioners said: ’We are extremely honoured by the request from Stuart’s family that the bench be installed in Laxey, as Stuart’s contribution to Manx life in sport, music and many, many other ways had particular links with the village.

’Those who pause for a few moments at the memorial bench will be able to think on Stuart’s achievements and glance up to check that the wheel is still "turning turning turning", as he predicted it would; a fitting confirmation for us all that life goes on.’

Stuart was born in January 1935 to parents Roberts (Bob) Kitchener and Molly (nee Waters) Slack, of Clarke Street, Douglas.

He was part of the first ever Manx team to participate in the British Empire and Commonwealth Games and came third in the 120-mile road race at the Games in Cardiff.

A report in the paper at the time, Isle of Man Weekly Times, of July 1958 praised Stuart’s Commonwealth Games performance saying: ’His amazing finishing spurt after a gruelling race run in terrible weather, heavy rain and a high wind, had his team mates and officials in a frenzy of excitement as he burst through to achieve what seemed the impossible.’

Stuart was also one of the most prolific song writers on the Isle of Man from the mid 1950s, writing over 30 songs.

Local band ’Shenanigans’ performed ’The Laxey Wheel’ in Stuart’s honour at the ceremony on Saturday afternoon.

Later in his life, Stuart published two books about the Isle of Man, called ’Manx Milestones’ and ’Streets of Douglas - Old and New’.

He passed away in 1998 and there is now an annual cycle event held in his memory.