Rushen Heritage Trust opens a new chapter with the appointment of John Quirk as its new co-ordinator.

John will be helping to deliver the trust’s programme for 2019 and beyond, starting with a book charting the history of Port St Mary from 1829-1979, and building into a three-year plan of activities.

Manx-born John, 48, who lives in Port Erin with his wife Emma and two children, is a freelance writer and event organiser. A former journalist and PR director, he has written two books - The Manx Connection and The Manx Giant - and is one of the directors of Manx Litfest, which started in 2012.

’I’m passionate about the Isle of Man and heritage, and I’m looking forward to working with the team at Rushen Heritage Trust to explore new ways of telling the story of this wonderful area of the island,’ said John.

From Douglas originally, John moved to Colby in 2007 and Port Erin four years ago. ’It has taken me a while to realise how beautiful the south is,’ he joked.

He said: ’The Trust’s vision has always been to create a "museum of the future", by focusing its efforts online and using events, pop-up exhibitions and interactive walking tours to get the story across, rather than the traditional bricks and mortar approach. The Trust has done a huge amount of work over the last five years and I want to continue and build on that success, working alongside the management committee and a team of dedicated volunteers.’

Juan Watterson, chairman of the Trust and Rushen MHK said: ’We are delighted to have John joining our team to coordinate the Trust’s work and oversee the various projects undertaken by our action teams.

’He has a written extensively about heritage ... and coupled with his strong administrative skills, he is ideally placed to guide the Trust over the next few years.’