Borough engineer and surveyor Ian Clague MBE has retired after 35 years' service with Douglas Borough Council.

Mr Clague began his working life in 1978 with the Isle of Man Electricity Board, which was to become part of the Douglas Corporation Electricity Department. He was appointed senior electrical assistant in 1984, progressing to chief technical officer electrical), acting technical services manager, engineering services manager and acting borough technical officer before achieving chief officer status in 1996 as borough services officer, which later became the post of borough engineer and surveyor.

To mark Mr Clague’s retirement a reception was held in his honour at Douglas Town Hall hosted by the Mayor of Douglas Councillor Sara Hackman at which chief executive Kathy Rice said Mr Clague had been ‘a completely dedicated and unstinting member’ of Douglas Borough Council.

Echoing the chief executive’s sentiments was borough treasurer Geoff Bolt who took the opportunity to present, with tongue in cheek, his departing colleague with a 'pension manual' he had devised.

In his speech council leader Councillor David Christian recounted a number of amusing anecdotes about working with Mr Clague over the years. He also applauded Mr Clague’s championing of new services and technical innovation, paid tribute to the valuable contribution he had made in shaping the Douglas Borough Council of today and said he counted Mr Clague as ‘not only a respected colleague but also a valued friend.’

Councillor Christian went on to refer to Mr Clague’s passion for music, in particular his longstanding leadership of the Manx National Youth Band and Manx Concert Brass Band, which had seen him appointed MBE for services to music in 2000. In closing Councillor Christian surprised Mr Clague and guests by announcing that in acknowledging his dedication to and love of music the Council was to re-name the bandstand in Noble’s Park The Ian Clague MBE Centenary Bandstand.

In his response Mr Clague said he was 'humbled' by the honour of having the centenary bandstand bear his name. He went on to say that he had witnessed many changes during his 35 years with the Council and that with more changes to come, not least in terms of localisation of services, 'exciting times' were ahead. He closed by saying that having worked in local government for more than three decades he had always been proud to serve the community and he added: 'And there’s no finer community to serve than Douglas.'

Photo - Retiring borough engineer Ian Clague, third right, with left to right, the Mayoress Councillor Carol Malarkey, Sammy Clague, Sue Clague, the Mayor Councillor Sara Hackman and Council leader David Christian. Picture Andrew Barton.