An exhibition looking at the life and legacy of William Milner is now open in Port Erin.

William Milner is best remembered as a great benefactor to Port Erin.

Milner Tower, built by the people of Port Erin on Bradda Head to honour him, has now stood guard over the bay since 1871.

The exhibition is being held to mark the 150th anniversary of the tower.

Milner was born in Sheffield and died in 1874.

Milner’s Port Erin home was called ’The Rest’ and was situated on land opposite the Falcon’s Nest Hotel (today it is home to Milner Tower), and he became a key figure in the village.

He built the cottages on St Catherine’s Terrace to house poor fishermen, he built the village’s first major hotel - the Falcon’s Nest - and he was instrumental in the building of the new breakwater, which was started in 1864 - although it would fall victim to the weather.

The breakwater was severely damaged on several occasions until it was finally washed away in 1884.

His funeral saw his adopted home village close for the day as huge crowds lined the streets to pay their respects.

The exhibition looks at his early days in the UK, the Milner Safe Company he inherited from his father, and his gradual move to the island, where he had fallen in love with Port Erin.

It also features the many philanthropic ventures he undertook for the people of his adopted home.

l ’Milner: The Man and the Tower’ is open until Sunday, October 31.

Most of the exhibition will be on display at St Catherine’s Church Hall in Port Erin, but part of it will be on display in Rushen Heritage and Visitor Centre, around the corner in Bridson Street.

It is free for all.

More information is available at: https://www.visitporterin.com/event/milner-the-man-the-tower/