The formal proceedings of the public meeting of Douglas Borough Council on Wednesday July 13 were preceded by an acknowledgement of a unique achievement by a Member of the Council. Councillor John Faragher, in his capacity as an Isle of Man Coastguard search and rescue officer, had been awarded a Chief Constable’s Certificate of Commendation for Courage, Patience and Initiative, presented to him earlier this year by the former Lieutenant Governor, His Excellency Vice Admiral Sir Paul Haddacks KCB. At the Council meeting, His Worship the Mayor of Douglas, Councillor Ritchie McNicholl JP., extended his congratulations to Councillor Faragher on behalf of his fellow Members for achieving the commendation that praised his ‘calm and low-key courage when faced with a man threatening self-harm at the edge of cliff’. The certificate also read: ‘His whole demeanour and approach averted a tragedy.’ Councillor Faragher explained: ‘The incident was during the 2010 TT and happened on a cliff edge at Douglas Head where, having been alerted that a man was threatening self-harm, I spent around one and a half hours talking to him and finally managed to persuade him to leave the cliff edge and agree to undergo medical treatment. It is a great honour to have received the commendation but this was very much a team effort in which I was supported by my station officer David Keggin.’ - Ends -