THE OUTGOING chairman of Ramsey Commissioners has spoken about her “great honour” in representing the people of Ramsey during her year of office.

Mrs Sylvia Beattie said she had been heartened by the strength of community spirit that flourished in the town, seen at its finest during the recent ceremony when the honorary Freedom of Entry had been conferred on HMS Ramsey.

Other highlights had been Ramsey’s winning of a Silver Gilt award for Britain in Bloom 2009 – a first for the Isle of Man - and the creation by local artist Michael Starkey of a “stunning piece of public art” which had transformed a derelict site into an attractive community space at the corner of East Street and Parliament Street.

Mrs Beattie went on to praise the efforts of those involved in Ramsey National Week events and the 13th Shennagys Jiu festival. She also applauded the work being done by Faith in Action to improve the local environment and presented chairman of the northern branch, Eddie O’Sullivan, with a certificate of appreciation.

In closing she expressed her gratitude to her fellow Commissioners, the Commissioners’ staff, her official companions for the year Georgina McClaren, Liz Popelier and Moira Anderson and deputy chairman Mary Bruce for their tireless support throughout the year.

The evening also provided a unique opportunity for Commissioner Richard Radcliffe to salute a Ramsey resident acknowledged as ‘the fastest man in the world’ - Conor Cummins - one of only three riders to have lapped the TT course at speeds in excess of 130mph. Mr Radcliffe hailed the 24-year-old as “a great ambassador for the Isle of Man” and invited local artist Michele Tramontana to present him with a limited edition print of his painting of the road racing star in action.

The evening concluded with a short speech by president of Ramsey Town Band Vivien Quane who explained that the band had not been able to perform at the Freedom of Entry ceremony as they had had a prior engagement – winning a total of nine trophies at the Manx Music Festival.