Investment in new facilities at the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education has led to a further lasting legacy for students.
The Annie Gill Building, which opened in autumn 2013, accommodates students with learning difficulties and disabilities, ensuring they can access education no matter how complex their needs.
The £1.9 million building was named after Annie Gill CBE, an eminent Manx woman who, as matron of the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, from 1907 to 1925, was Scotland’s senior nurse. She went on to preside over the Royal College of Nursing from 1927-29.
Guest of honour at the opening, at the invitation of the Department of Education and Children, was Karen Taylor Roger, Annie’s great, great niece, who lives in the New Forest in Hampshire.
Karen was so impressed with the facility that she pledged to provide a unique prize, to be awarded annually.
Karen’s family has now presented the College with the Annie Gill Prize – a unique and handsome hand-crafted trophy carved of New Forest oak and depicting the Three Legs of Mann.
It will be awarded each year to the student from the College’s Learning Services area who makes most progress.
Karen said:
‘Following the opening of the Annie Gill Building, I wanted to do something special for its students. I knew that the Training School for Nurses at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, until the late 1940s, awarded the Annie Warren Gill Special Prize for Dietetics, which was founded ‘in proud and affectionate memory of Annie by the nurses who trained with and under her’. I thought it would be nice to recreate this for present-day Annie Gill students.
‘My father, Adrian Taylor, was a shipwright and joiner and has worked on many exciting projects and made many beautiful things. I knew that he was capable of creating something we would all be proud of.
‘He carved the prize in New Forest oak and it depicts the Three Legs of Man, which is so emblematic of the Island, on a base which is the outline of the Island with all its contours.’
Karen said her ancestors had always been passionate about education – one founding what was then the first girls’ school on the Island, The Buchan School in Castletown.
‘Annie herself recognised the need for highly educated nurses and was instrumental in setting up the registration of nurses following three years’ education. Prior to this anyone could call themselves a nurse,’ said Karen.
‘She would be thrilled that her name has now been given to the first facility for post-16 students with learning disabilities and difficulties, carrying on a long family interest of improving education for everyone on the Isle of Man.’
Karen will also award £50 a year to the student chosen as recipient of the prize.
Ian Sheard, Assistant Principal of the College, said:
‘This wonderful prize has made what is already a much treasured facility into something extra special. Each year, one student will be proud to be awarded it. The staff and students of the College are indebted to the family of Annie Gill for their kindness and thoughtfulness.’
