Astronomer among those praised in New Year Honours

Howard Parkin championed the Isle of Man's dark skies status

A Manx astronomer who has lectured on the marvels of the night sky for 40 years has been recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Howard Parkin, who has been made an MBE, said he was "overwhelmed, amazed and honoured" to be commended.

Captain of the Parish of Patrick and former Magistrate Pat Costain has also been made an MBE for her contribution to the community and local charities.

And Gilli Cowley has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for 33 years of fundraising for the Douglas RNLI Lifeboat Station.

Meanwhile, Sheila Healey received a Lieutenant Governor's Commendation for her 20 years service with the Royal British Legion.

Ms Healey, who will receive her honour at a ceremony at Government House, provides practical support for veterans and is a central figure in arranging talks for former servicemen to attend primary schools.

Pat Costain has been made an MBE

Mrs Costain is well known for her work within the Methodist Church, being a magistrate in the island's courts for 26 years, a prison visitor and chairman of Peel Charity Shop, which has raised more than £2 million for small island charities since 2001.

She said it was a "real privilege" to be part of the team in the western charity shop, "because a lot of hard work goes on".

It has also been a "a great honour" to serve as captain of the parish of Patrick, a role she has held since 2010, Mrs Costain said.

"It's unbelievable, I never, never thought about getting an accolade for just doing ordinary things," she added.

The Isle of Man is now recognised for its official dark skies status

Mr Parkin is the dark sky ambassador for the island, vice-chairman of the Isle of Man Astronomical Society, a public speaker and author, as well as a lecturer at the University College Isle of Man.

In 2012, Mr Parkin led the call for seven sites on the island to be nominated for official dark sky discovery status, with a further 19 sites later being recognised the following year.

Mr Parkin said he loved talking to people and "making them aware of what the heavens have got to offer".

"I get such a kick out of it and to be honoured for doing that is incredible," he said.

The award was a tribute to all the people who have shown "interest and enthusiasm" in the topic, he said.

Gilli Cowley has been awarded a BEM

Originally inspired by helping her mother make buttonholes to raise money for the RNLI, Ms Cowley became a member of the Douglas Lifeboat Guild in 1991 before being appointed Chair in 2005.

Over the last 33 years, the guild has raised an estimated £1.5M for the RNLI, with £1M of this under her leadership, most recently as part of the RNLI's 200th anniversary during which Ms Cowley organised a number of high-profile fundraising events.

Ms Cowley said: "It's just amazing really. I feel very passionate because Douglas is the home of and where it all started for the RNLI with Sir William Hillary".

It had been a "fantastic year" for the charity and receiving the award was "the icing on the cake", she said.