Three people from the Isle of Man recognised
Three people from the Isle of Man have been honoured in the King's New Year Honours List.
Howard Parkin has been made MBE for his outstanding services to the understanding of astronomy and the Manx community.
He has been teaching astronomy to adults at the University College Mann for nearly 40 years and is also vice-chair and founder member of the Isle of Man Astronomical Society.
Mr Parkin, who has a monthly programme on Manx Radio, was instrumental in establishing the Island's Dark Sky status, becoming the Dark Sky Ambassador for the Isle of Man and raising awareness of the issues of light pollution from a Manx, environmental and social perspective.
He says to be recognised for his hobby and his passion is amazing:
Patricia Costain, who is Captain of the Parish of Patrick, has also been made an MBE for her outstanding contribution to public service and charitable causes on the Isle of Man.
She served as a Justice of the Peace before people put themselves forward as magistrates and served on Patrick Parish Commissioners for over 30 years.
Mrs Costain has also been an active member of the local Methodist Church of Glen Maye and has been a Circuit Steward for the whole Island.
She's a trustee and Chair of Peel Charity Shop which has raised more than £2 million since it was established in 2001.
Mrs Costain has been described as calm, tactful and conscientious in all her dealings with the public and volunteers, always acting with great integrity.
Pat told Manx Radio the news still hasn't sunk in:
Finally, Gillian Cowley has been awarded the British Empire Medal for her dedicated voluntary services to the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) here.
After joining the Douglas Lifeboat Guild in 1991, she was made chair in 2005 and continues to hold the position today after nearly 20 years.
In that time, the Guild has raised around £1.5 million, with over £1 million of that raised under Ms Cowley's leadership.
She's been described as selfless, committed and hardworking, expecting neither praise nor reward for the 'unglamorous' job of raising money.
Ms Cowley says she was really overwhelmed when she got the call:
Meanwhile, Sheila Healy has been given the Lieutenant Governor's Commendation for her work with the Royal British Legion over the past 20 years.
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