Rushen Heritage Trust has a new chair after Doreen Moule took over the role from Hugh Davidson MBE.

Doreen has been involved with the trust since its inception in 2014 and currently leads its Second World War Women’s Internment team.

She played a lead role in the trust’s two most recent books: ’Friend or Foe?’, the story of women’s internment in Port Erin and Port St Mary, for which she acted as coordinator and wrote a chapter.

She also wrote a chapter for ’Living with the Sea’, which tells the story of Port St Mary and its people from 1829 to 1979.

During Doreen’s time as chair, the new Tree Archyn Heritage Centre in Bridson Street, Port Erin, will be completed and opened to the public at Easter 2021.

It will serve as a ’multi-purpose base’ to support RHT’s activities.

Doreen said: ’I am looking forward to my time as chair of RHT and the many events planned for the coming year, particularly the opening of the Tree Archyn Heritage Centre.

’This is an exciting new venture for the trust and its important role in the community.

’As ever, we are seeking to share our research with local people and visitors alike and we look forward to welcoming you all to Tree Arçhyn.’

Born in Wolverhampton, Doreen grew up in the Black Country and trained as a teacher in Birmingham, where she taught in a primary school from 1970 to 1999.

In 1999, she moved to the Isle of Man to take up a teaching post, retiring in 2008.

She has lived in Rushen since 2004 and still retains an interest in education, being the trust’s schools liaison officer.

Hugh and Sandra Davidson were the co-founders of the trust six years ago and both still serve on the board.

Hugh said: ’Doreen has been a major player in the success of Rushen Heritage Trust, leading the Second World War women’s internment team from the beginning in 2014.

’The team has run two exhibitions attracting more than 6,000 people, published two books, one sold out, the other in its second edition, and the team is making an impact internationally.

’She also initiated and led the trust’s schools programme within and outside Rushen.

’Doreen is a great team person and highly respected by her colleagues.

’Her appointment as chair is well deserved.’

RHT’s next event is an illustrated talk by Charles Guard about ’Filming the Isle of Man’ on December 7 at 7.30pm (doors open 7pm) at the Erin Arts Centre.

Tickets cost £5, or £4 for Friends of RHT, and are available in Port Erin from Erin News, Bridge Bookshop, and Erin Arts Centre or Calvert Newsagents in Port St Mary.