A new heritage centre will open in a former bus shelter in Port Erin today (Tuesday).

The Rushen Heritage Centre will open from 10 am to 4pm Tuesday to Saturday, from Easter until late October/early November each year, providing a base to support Rushen Heritage Trust’s activities.

The people behind the project promise a new topic featuring in exhibitions every six weeks.

The first exhibition is a collaboration with the Isle of Man Public Record Office, looking at the ’Lives and Landmarks of Rushen’.

This will feature photographs and plans showcasing the local landscape and its people from early to mid-20th century.

Doreen Moule, chair of RHT, said: ’Since the trust was founded in 2014, we have enjoyed great success with a series of exhibitions, which have attracted more than 10,000 people to Rushen, and published four well-received books, alongside many other events.

’Two years ago, we identified a need to have a physical base, somewhere for the public to come and meet us, learn about the work we do, and hopefully get involved with our projects.

’In addition to exhibitions, the centre will stock our books, host regular meetings, and serve as a visitor centre for the Rushen area, providing information on both heritage and tourism.’

The idea of transforming the bus shelter into a heritage centre came from Staffan Overgaard, one of the trust’s directors.

The building project was managed by quantity surveyor Robert Graham and Ali Graham, of Robert Graham & Co, who carried out the work without charge.

They developed the plans for RHC, submitted the planning application and put the project out to tender, with the building work undertaken by J&J Building Contractors.

Mrs Graham, who is the RHT treasurer, said: ’We have received wonderful financial support towards RHC from several organisations and private individuals, including Manx Lottery Trust, Gough Ritchie Charitable Trust, Elizabeth Clucas Charitable Trust, Lord Cockfield Memorial Trust, Celton Manx, Visit Isle of Man, Isle of Man Government’s Town and Village Regeneration Scheme, and a significant donation from RHT co-founders Hugh and Sandra Davidson.

’In addition, several of our suppliers gave us generous discounts or provided items free of charge, which was wonderful.

’The Friends of RHT has held several superb fundraising events - the next will be Port St Mary Secret Gardens & Hidden Treasures, which will take place over Tynwald weekend July 3 to 5 - and our sincere thanks to all volunteers who have helped with those events.

’Our thanks also to Port Erin Commissioners, with whom we agreed a 99-year lease at £1 a year - and we have already paid up our 99 years’ rent in advance!’

Pamela Crowe, who leads the RHC operations team, said: ’This is an exciting time for RHT and the culmination of a lot of hard work by a wonderful team of people.

’We have more than 40 volunteers who have kindly offered their time to "staff" the centre and we are indebted to those volunteers, because without their commitment the vision for the project would not have been possible. It has been a real team effort to see this project through to fruition and we cannot wait to open the centre and welcome visitors.’