Now’s your chance to rediscover the Island’s heritage treasures with an early Spring visit to a national heritage site. Castle Rushen and the Great Laxey Wheel are opening early this year to coincide with the running of the Steam trains and MER respectively on Saturdays 12th and 19th March, doors open from 11am until 4pm March, April, May, September and October to 6th November and from 10am to 6pm in the peak summer months of June, July and August. All other MNH seasonal sites open from Friday 1 April until Saturday 30th October. Manx National Heritage museum sites have been officially ‘Accredited’ by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). The MLA’s Museum Accreditation Scheme sets national standards which UK museums as national museums aim to achieve. Accreditation acknowledge that our Manx National Heritage sites have achieved a status in which they’re considered as achieving the same standards as some of the biggest and best Museums in the UK. We have been proven to meet high standards for how our sites are run, how we look after our collections and the services we provide to our visitors. This year also marks 125 years of Manx National Heritage and being awarded full Accreditation status, recognising the high quality that MNH provides across the sites and the service achieved by our staff. The wide range of events and activities planned for this season at MNH give a new dimension to the visitor experience and help bring the history of the sites to life. Whether it’s joining one of our Curators for a walk and talk, joining in the medieval re-enactment at Castle Rushen or enjoying a relaxing stargazing dinner with renowned local astronomer, Howard Parkin at The Abbey Restaurant on 14th April, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this year. Visit the MNH website (www.storyofmann.com) for upcoming event details and make sure you get your copy of the Courier on 31st March which carries a guide of all MNH planned events for 2011 inside. And don’t forget that the ACE scheme, introduced last year and once again supported by Conister Bank, which gives all Island school children under 18, FREE entry to all MNH heritage sites, making a family visit fantastic value. Students in full time higher education can receive discounted admission on presentation of a valid student card and there is free entry for children under 5. Adults too can opt for a discounted admission pass, including the popular 5 site seasonal pass and the 10 day explorer pass which provides unlimited entry to sites for up to 10 days, with the greatest savings available on our online shop www.manxheritageshop.com. ENDS