Peter Kelly has been awarded the Tynwald Honor, the highest recognition the Isle of Man can bestow.
The veteran heritage consultant, broadcaster and architectural conservationist was nominated for his decades of public service, particularly in Manx heritage, architectural conservation, and community service.
Speaker Juan Watterson told Tynwald: “Mr Kelly is widely recognised as one of the Isle of Man’s foremost champions of Manx heritage architectural conservation and voluntary service.”
Mr Kelly has given over 60 years to Manx Scouting, including 34 years as Island chairman, and founded the Isle of Man Victorian Society and presented more than 1,000 broadcasts of Kelly’s Eye on Manx Radio.
Julie Edge MHK, who worked alongside Mr Kelly in Onchan, said: “I sometimes thought Peter knew every property, every boundary in Onchan and on our island.”
Diane Kelsey MLC added: “The fact that Mr Kelly was picked in 2010 to become the captain of the parish of Onchan is testament of some of his lifelong work.”
Mr Watterson noted the recipient was absent from the ceremony, saying: “Mr Kelly is not in the gallery to hear the speeches made about him today because he is on the campaign trail trying to save a building in Castletown, which, what would you expect?”
The Tynwald Honor will be conferred as part of the Tynwald Day ceremony in July.