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2008 Relaunch 

30th 

1998

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September 11th 1998: Manx Telecom’s Ron Thomas, Sulby School’s Thomas Lord and Catherine Barham and Department of Education Director Ralph Cowin cut the ribbon to launch what became the 22-year journey of the Isle of Man’s unique computer bus...

March 3rd 2020: Catherine Barham and Ralph Cowin about to ‘pull the plug’ on the computer bus...

Also in the picture are (L to R) John Thornley MBE, former IT Adviser for the Department of Education, David Midgall Managing Director of TOURS Isle of Man, the ‘computer bus man’, and Marg Magee from Manx Telecom.

ABOVE: A view of just one of the remarkable SketchUp models of Sulby School produced by Year 5 pupil Aimee.

ABOVE: A view of just one of the remarkable SketchUp models of Sulby School produced by Year 5 pupil Gregor.

ABOVE: A view of just one of the remarkable SketchUp models of Sulby School produced by Year 5 pupil Jim.

ABOVE:Part of a video incorporating drone footage edited today using Final Cut X by Year 5 pupil Olivia.

ABOVE: Having just sung a version of ‘The Wheels on the Bus...”. Year 1 present the computer bus man with “A Guide to Retirement - A guide to making the most of your new found freedom.”

ABOVE: In addition to the “Guide to Retirement” a fabulous leaving book including pages from the whole of Sulby School, and a lovely artwork from Arbory School’s Mrs Wood all of which the computer bus man will keep and cherish. (The ‘mystery bottle’ is from the computer bus man’s friends down at Banks Circus - cheers!)

ABOVE: A Cake in the shape of the computer bus from Sulby School. This was absolutely delicious - and was thoroughly enjoyed by both the computer bus man (who has a small slice) and the boys and girls and teachers at Sulby who polished the whole thing off by the next morning!

ABOVE: September 11th 1998 and white balloons mark the launch of the computer bus outside Sulby School.

ABOVE: March 3rd 2020 and no balloons to mark the final switch-off of the computer bus outside Sulby School.

ABOVE: Marg Magee, Computer Bus Man, Catherine Barham, Ralph Cowin and current pupils from Sulby School pose for photographers at the big ‘Switch Off’ of the computer bus,  March 3rd 2020.

ABOVE: Group shot includes pupils from Sulby School. The grown-ups (LtoR) include Catherine Barham (who as a Year 6 helped cut the ribbon to launch the bus 22 years ago), Marg Magee (Manx Telecom) , Claire Wright (Edge Hill College), the computer bus man with cake, Martin Jackson (Head Teacher Sulby School), Sophie Leaton (ICT coordinator Sulby School) Mike Clague (retired Youth Service Head IoMDOE) David Midghall (Managing Director TOURS Isle of Man - one of the main sponsors of the bus 1998 - 2007), John Thornley MBE (IT Advisor IoMDOE 1987-2007), Penny Creighton MBE ( former Education Technology Advisor IoMDoE), Paul Reynolds (retired Head Teacher Ballasalla School), John Cain (retired Director of Education), Jan Reynolds, Tom Thomson (retired Head Teacher Rushen Primary School), Fliss Wood (ICT Coordinator and former ICT X-Team member), Will Nelson (Head Teacher Jurby Community School and former ICT X-Team member)...

1998

2020

ABOVE: Pulling the plug - Catherine Barham and Ralph Cowin who cut the ribbon to launch the bus in 1998 prepare to pull the power on the bus one last time...

ABOVE: Aimee working on Final Cut X for the last time aboard the computer bus.

(PHOTO: Catherine Nichol BBC)

ABOVE: Gregory and Joey from Year 5 editing together their exported SketchUp movie and drone footage using Final Cut X for the last time.

(PHOTO: Catherine Nichol BBC)

ABOVE: ALL CHANGE... The Computer Bus Man (aka Alex Townsend) and his computer busreach the end of the road, March 3rd 2020.

(PHOTO: Catherine Nichol BBC)