Val Cowley and Iain Dixon have received awards from NODA North West following their hard work in last year’s production of HMS Pinafore by the Manx Gilbert and Sullivan Society. In her directorial debut for the society Val Cowley won the award for best director of the north-west region while Iain Dixon, in his first principal role with the society, won the most promising newcomer in a musical award. In congratulating Val and Iain on their success Karl Cubbon, the Society’s Chairman, commented ‘These awards recognise the outstanding contributions given by Val and Iain to our 2009 production of HMS Pinafore, these efforts serving to fight off superb competition for these awards from across the north-west and the Isle of Man. In particular, the best director award for Val is a fantastic recognition of all the months of hard work she put in behind the scenes in producing this show, while the award for Iain shows what a wonderful talent he is and highlights that he is someone to watch for the future.’ The Manx Gilbert and Sullivan Society will be starting rehearsals on 14th January 2010 at All Saint’s Church Hall for their March concerts and rehearsals for the society’s next production, the Gondoliers, will begin in April. For further information visit the society’s website www.gands.org.im or the Facebook group page. Ends