Thirty years after retiring from Manx Telecom, 90-year-old Dougie Wright still looks forward to attending the company’s annual Christmas party for former employees.

Mr Wright is a familiar and popular guest at the event, and this year he was one of more than 130 retirees who attended the get-together at The Palace Hotel, Douglas.

He began work aged 14 in 1944 for the General Post Office (GPO) which was then responsible for the island’s phone network.

During his working life he witnessed massive changes in technology as the GPO evolved to become British Telecom, and then Manx Telecom which was founded in 1987.

When Mr Wright began work the island had an electro-mechanical telephone system and teams of switchboard operators who manually connected callers until an automated system was introduced in 1967.

In 1989 - Dougie’s last year working at Manx Telecom - the company installed Europe’s first fully digital telephone network.

The party is always well attended because it’s a great opportunity for ex-colleagues to meet, reminisce about times past, and celebrate the festive season together.

A spokesman said that in addition to providing an opportunity to have fun and meet old friends it also enables Manx Telecom to show its appreciation for the contribution that retired colleagues have made to the business, and the community it serves.

Manx Telecom chief executive Gary Lamb and several current employees and directors were there, including head of connectivity services Sean Dickinson (who was master of ceremonies at the event), chief financial officer Iarla Hughes, and chief operating officer Sutha Siva.

Following lunch, entertainment was provided by poet and storyteller Michael Cowin, aka Pullyman, and a raffle was held which raised funds for Graih, the Isle of Man charity which helps homeless people and those in insecure accommodation. For many years retired Manx Telecom employee Bob Walton has donated one of his paintings as the top raffle prize - this year he painted a view from Port Erin which was won by former Manx Telecom human resources director John McChesney.

Mr Dickinson thanked everyone who attended, the Palace Hotel staff, and Judith Walker, PA to Mr Lamb, who organised the event.