I’m a glass half full person. All too often it appears we concentrate on the negative to the detriment of what is good.

As well as living in a special place I think something we don’t do often enough is celebrate the achievements of so many residents.

I’ve mentioned in my column previously about some of our sporting heroes and I intend to return to that subject at some time in the future but I thought I would look at a few other Manx-born people who have made their mark on the world in various areas.

The reason I thought this subject timely was the Isle of Man Newspapers’ annual Awards for Excellence took place at the Villa Marina on Thursday night.

Now in its 15th year this special event has recognised more than 600 local companies since the event started alongside charities, individuals and public sector services.

A number of people who have made a significant contribution to island life have been publicly recognised over the years. I will revert to this celebration a little later but for now let’s look at a few people who have made an impact around the world over the years.

In the field of academia Edward Forbes, naturalist, was the first Manx fellow of the Royal Society.

Martin Bridson, educated at St Ninian’s, is the Whitehead professor of pure mathematics at the University of Oxford.

Forgive me mentioning once again my uncle, Sir Godfrey Cretney, who was recognised by the Harold Wilson government for his services to comprehensive education most notably as the first head teacher of Castle Rushen High School.

Actors from our island who have achieved great success obviously include Samantha Barks whose film debut as Eponine in Les Miserables earned her the Empire Award for best female newcomer and the Elle style award for best breakthrough performance.

The hugely successful 2021 TV drama ’It’s a Sin’ contains a tribute to Dursley McLinden who died aged 30. He had come to prominence in the West End in a number of musicals.

Artists in all forms include George Rayner Hoff, sculptor who is best known in Australia for his war memorial work and in particular the sculptures at the ANZAC war memorial in Sydney.

Chris Killip, Manx photographer who went on to work as professor of visual and environmental studies at Harvard University in the USA between 1991 and 2017.

Like so many I am a very enthusiastic fan of the work of Archibald Knox. Unlike Brad Pitt though I am not fortunate enough to own any of his work though I have a friend who has a passion for his watercolours.

Knox was the primary designer at Liberty’s at the height of its success.

We owe much to the late Liam O’Neil whose enthusiasm and energy served to promote Knox and his Isle of Man connections around the world. Knox was multi-talented working in various mediums and across various movements including Arts and Crafts, Celtic revival, Art Nouveau and modernism and he collaborated with the wonderful architect Baillie Scott.

Brian Kneale sculptor, like Knox attended the Douglas school of art. He taught at the Royal College of Art and between 1982 and 1990, and was master and professor of sculpture at the Royal Academy.

His older brother Nigel was a very successful screenwriter best known for the Quatermass works.

We have talented musicians who were born in our island and who have gone on to achieve much in their field.

The brothers Gibb were born at the Jane, Barry in 1946 and Robin and Maurice in 1949.

Sadly Bernie Quayle passed on recently and he was a great ambassador for and friend of the Bee Gees. Christine Collister is always welcomed home as a very talented contemporary folk singer and Davy Knowles has seen much acclaim as a blues guitarist and singer in the USA and Port St Mary amongst many other places.

In the literary field, the works of our national poet TE Brown always make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck when spoken with a true Manx dialect.

Randolph Quirk from Lambfell was Professor of English language and literature at University College London and although a life-long Labour supporter sat as a cross-bench peer in the House of Lords.

Professor Sir Frank Kermode was a distinguished literary critic and Lord Northcliffe Professor of modern English Literature at University College London and the King Edward VII Professor of English Literature at the University of Cambridge.

I know there will be some I haven’t mentioned in this piece and would welcome any nominees you have for when I return to this subject. Please email [email protected], text 333974 or post suggestions to 12 Manor Drive, Farmhill IM2 2PA.

I think it would be interesting also to look sometime at those who have joined us over the years and contributed to island life.

With the annual remembrance services island wide last week, we must never forget the debt owed to so many Manx men and women who played their part in two world wars and the various military conflicts since.

Major Robert Henry Cain was awarded the Victoria Cross for his part during Operation Market Garden in World War Two.

Hector Duff received a lifetime achievement award at the IoM Newspapers Awards for Excellence in 2014. His commitment was recognised also by Tynwald, by the French authorities with the award of the Legion d’Honneur and the Soldiering On awards.

That was a very emotional event for those of us in the Villa Marina when he was recognised for his lifetime achievements and he recalled very clearly some of the situations which he had faced with great bravery.

At the Awards 2021 the lifetime achievement award was awarded to another soldier with a lifetime of experiences and who still serves the ex-service community, Major Charles Wilson.

Despite the last 20 or so months the world has experienced unprecedented, in peacetime, turmoil and restrictions on everyday life.

The island has not been immune and has significant challenges ahead, but compared with many others we are in a better place.

At the Awards a number of Isle of Man businesses were recognised in particular for their efforts during these difficult times.

In the ’small and medium sized enterprise section’ the nominees were Manx Business Solutions, the Shred House and Ross Bakery with MBS taking the award.

Established in 2007 starting with two staff, it now employs 19 staff with business in 40 jurisdictions and saw 10% growth in 2020 despite Covid.

In the ’providing excellent customer service’ category Rex Motor Company has grown and diversified in just a few years with really good customer feedback.

The ’Leader of the Year’ award was awarded to Greg Ellison for the establishment of the first new island bank in many years with 100 high-quality jobs, and 150,000 customers.

In the ’Celebrating our local food producers’ category Aimee Ford and her cake business Butterfingers, which has won awards internationally, was the winner.

It was demonstrated how during lockdown she had switched to meet the particular conditions like a number of such businesses.

In the ’Innovation and independent thinking’ category Kermelly Seafoods demonstrated how they had turned adversity into opportunity.

There were of course many other winners including the government’s Covid community support team and others in the third sector for whom we should be very grateful for their commitment during such difficult times.