A guide of ’10 things to do and see in Laxey’ has been launched by a charity group in memory of a former resident.

Using the tag line of ’The Valley that Lead the World’, the charity wants to show off the greatest attractions and locations the old mining village has to offer.

The list includes Christ Church which is in the centre of the village and operates as a welcome centre.

The church is near the Laxey MER station and start point for the Snaefell Mountain Railway which are also included. Other key attractions include Lady Isabella, the Great Laxey Wheel, the world’s biggest working water wheel, the Valley Gardens washing floors and the miniature Lady Evelyn wheel.

Visitors are also encouraged to visit the beach, Laxey Woollen Mill, Ballacregga Corn Mill, Laxey Glen and the Great Laxey Mine Railway.

Valerie Kinrade, one of the group who created the heritage trail, said the inspiration came from a relative who grew up in the village before marrying and moving to Sheffield.

Margaret Couldwell, *ée Kinrade, had intended to return to Laxey, but following the death of her husband, she suffered from dementia before she died.

Mrs Kinrade said: ’She would often tell her family of her life in Laxey so when she died, they arranged to scatter her ashes in the village.

’It was while they were in the island, daughter Tina and Tina’s husband Richard considered setting up a museum of mining in Laxey until being convinced a heritage trail would better suit Laxey by Manx National Heritage director Edmund Southworth.’

The family began by contacting Tynwald President Steve Rodan, MHKs Daphne Caine and Martyn Perkins and Kerry Sharpe MLC.

Mrs Kinrade added: ’All of the politicians were really helpful in organising it all as was Reverend Jo Dudley and the Archdeacon Andrew Brown.’

The church became the starting point and welcome centre following discussions with the reverend who said with declining numbers, it faced an uncertain future but the trail has given it a new purpose alongside its religious service.

In the welcome centre, visitors will find a short film with local actor Chris Caine playing the role of Captain Rowe who as the song goes had 600 miners working under him.

Captain Rowe introduces people to Laxey as a ’leading’ industrial village and gives a brief history of the mines with music provided by the harpist Mera Royle.

Mrs Kinrade said: ’We want people to spend time in Laxey, explore it, learn the industrial heritage, see what it has to offer and spend some money in the shops and cafes.’

She said the charity is ’very proud’ to have former Tynwald president Clare Christian as a patron.

They are looking for volunteers to help with the trail. Anyone interested should call the church on 861989.