THE “Tell Me” book project has been hailed as “a valuable educational tool that has made learning come alive” at the launch of the fourth and final book.

Addressing a packed audience of more than 200 invited guests at the Isle of Man College that included Speaker of the House of Keys Steve Rodan MHK and newly appointed Department of Education and Children minister Hon Peter Karran MHK, Hugh Davidson, the project’s founder and originator, spoke of how ‘Tell Me’ had been inspired by Pieces of Eight, a book of family memories he compiled for his grandchildren.

The book gave his wife Sandra the idea of developing an educational project for schools where pupils would interview older people about their memories of the past … and ‘Tell Me’ was born. 

Mr Davidson said the four years of the ‘Tell Me’ project, a Freedom to Flourish initiative, had been distinguished by “warmth, laughter, surprise and learning” and helped foster a greater understanding between generations and added to the Isle of Man’s global reputation for innovation.

‘Tell Me’ has been co-sponsored by the H&S Davidson Trust and AXA Isle of Man. AXA was thanked by Mr Davidson for contributing not only funds - £40,000 over the life of the project – but also thinking, ideas and a team of committed volunteer moderators responsible for ensuring the consistently high quality of interviews uploaded to the project’s website, www.thetellmeproject.com.

He said the Department of Education and Children had been “a cornerstone” to the success of Tell Me, with some 80 per cent of primary and secondary schools having participated, and paid tribute to the department and its fellow core partner Age Concern Isle of Man, along with Manx Heritage Foundation, Manx National Heritage, Manx Radio, Isle of Man Newspapers and Manx Telecom for their sustained and invaluable support. 

George Quayle, who as head teacher at St Ninian’s High School had been in at the beginning and as Age Concern Isle of Man chief executive at the end of the project, said ‘Tell Me’ had helped older people in later life by connecting them with the younger generation.

AXA Isle of Man’s Malcolm Lewis said that association with Tell Me had been “an incredible journey”, while Onchan Primary School’s head teacher Jo Richardson said the project had proved “a fantastic opportunity” for pupils to learn about the past and St Ninian’s High School head teacher Andrew Fox confirmed his school would be continuing the project.

Manx National Heritage director Edmund Southworth said in future years the iMuseum would allow schools and colleges to continue the work of ‘Tell Me’ “in new and exciting ways” and Department of Education and Children CEO Stuart Dobson referred to the project’s valuable outcomes, notably developing social skills and broadening cultural  knowledge.

Mr Davidson said the appointment some two years ago of ‘Tell Me’ co-ordinator Elizabeth Flynn had “lit the way forward” for the project and contributed hugely to its success, while the expertise of web developer Jonathan Teare had transformed the website, rendering it user-friendly and appealing to all ages and abilities.

The website’s ‘learning zone’ features Barbara Gale, founder and director of the Gale Force theatre school, along with a number of her students who were praised by Mr Davidson for their “articulate style” of delivery and talented communication skills.

In his closing remarks Mr Davidson said the ‘Tell Me’ project would continue online through Wiki and the website and that a ‘Tell Me’ grandparents’ day was under consideration for June 2012.

Four awards were presented at the book launch. The Outstanding Contribution to the Tell Me Project award went to Onchan Primary School in the primary school category and to St Ninian’s High School in the secondary school category.

Neill Angus of AXA Isle of Man received an award that acknowledged the company’s ‘outstanding contribution’ over the last four years, while Nathan Cromwell received an award on behalf of the volunteer team of AXA Isle of Man moderators in recognition of their invaluable work, listening to and reviewing every interview before they were uploaded to the Tell Me website.

The 'Tell Me' Project 2011 book is widely available at book shops around the Island, priced £10. www.thetellmeproject.com