There is now a completely changed perception of the significance, educationally, nationally, socially and economically, of heritage sites within the Island

Consequently, there is a considerably enhanced perception of the need for resources to sustain the infrastructure and to research its truth

The new presentations are fundamentally based upon the academic integrity of the portrayal - that is to say there is a new trust between the professionals and the community, based upon a new perception of relevance and participation which results in a release of new resources, thereby offering a much firmer base to support the core work.

We have changed the perception, and changed the heritage agenda in a way which, hopefully, due to the careful way we have brought the public with us, cannot now revert to the old ground rules of the professional struggle

An indicator of this is the community support for the investment of c£1million to produce a new 5-volume “History of the IOM”

Professional virtues are now recognised as being transferable directly into public benefit in a totally non-elitist way, and in a way which has tangible, direct benefits, both educationally and commercially

We now have a “Story of Mann Partners” scheme operating involving hoteliers, tourism carriers, taxi-drivers, universities, local heritage groups - this grouping has an amazing power to lobby for our professional resources in the corridors of power and also contribute directly to our funding requirements.