The Island’s achievements in engineering and manufacturing innovation over almost two centuries depicted in a series of 10 aluminium panels has gone on permanent display at the Isle of Man College Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre at Hill’s Meadow.

Designed and created by students in association with the engineering and manufacturing sector the nine-month long project represents the sector’s contribution to Island of Culture 2014, the patron of which, the Hon Clare Christian, President of Tynwald, unveiled the display on Friday November 28th.

Ahead of the unveiling she spoke of the complex meaning of ‘culture’. ‘It’s not only artistic expression through art, music, theatre and writing but also our language, our heritage, those elements that shape our community.’

Images depicted range from the Laxey Wheel to the Peel P50 car and the Ramsey swing bridge to the Series 1 wristwatch by Roger W Smith, prompting Mrs Christian to observe that the panels took the viewer through the history of engineering and manufacturing over a period of almost 200 years: ‘From a time when no village would be without its blacksmith, smithies were to be found at the crossroads in many parishes and foundries were making everything from boilers to brass ornaments, street furniture to kitchen ranges. And, of course, shipbuilding was of high importance to our coastal towns and villages.’

The panels were a combination of art, science and history and provided, she said, ‘a wonderful resource to remind everyone of the fascinating achievements from the past to the present day...and I have no doubt we shall be able to add to them in the future.’

Paying tribute to all those involved in the project, including engineering sector skills champion Adrian Harrison, Department of Education and Children and Department of Economic Development political member Tony Wild MLC, students, teachers and apprentices, she said: ‘You have created a legacy piece in our Year of Culture for future generations to learn from and admire.’

The panels’ creators and the 20-year period depicted are:

1839-1849 Isle of Man College
1850-1869 Ashley Hill Primary School
1870-1889 Onchan Primary School
1890-1904 Education Support Centre
1905-1929 Scoill Phurt le Moirrey
1930-1949 Ramsey Grammar School
1950-1969 Ramsey Grammar School
1970-1989 Cronk y Berry Primary School
1990-2009 St John’s Primary School
2010-2019 Henry Bloom Noble Primary School

Members of the public interested in viewing the display should contact John.Cashin@gov.im.