Presentation Party Phil Taubman MBE - David Collister - George Peach Colin Leather - Richard McAleer

(Pic by Boris Kitching)

The Derek Nicholson Trophy is in memory of former Southern 100 Club President, who was a great and respected man with an amazing sense of community spirit for which he worked tirelessly to help and improve.

His passion was the Scouts and Derek used to help the Donnycarney Scout group who visited regularly from Ireland, he would arrange for them to buy food at wholesale prices, source wood for their campfires and even donated a trophy for scout of the year, this is the mark of a man who gave so much back to the community and so gave Southern 100 club member Boris Kitching the idea for the Derek Nicholson Community Spirit Award.

The club, joined by Castletown Commissioners purchased the Trophy and replica, which was presented ‘For Services to Castletown’ to David Collister.

The Presentation took place in Castletown Square on the town’s TT Day and was presented to a very surprised David, who had been led to believe that his wife was presenting an award, to ensure his presence in the Square, by Colin Leather, representing Derek’s daughter Vanda Nicholson, who was unable to attend and Southern 100 Chairman George Peach.

Dave has a long history of giving back to the town, where he has lived most of his life and taking an active part in the community, playing football and Hockey becoming a popular character around the ancient capital.

A volunteer Fireman with the Castletown Brigade for 35 years and was also in the Civil Defence.

He has been a long time Southern 100 Marshal, 55 years marshalling at Iron Gate, then Castletown Corner and has been radio operator.

He has been part of the Manx Festival of Music & Dancing which was based in Castletown.

He is also a local historian, with special interest in Castletown & Castletown Brewery where he worked for 23 years, he does regular talks and slide shows on these subjects he also has a huge collection of Brewery paraphernalia and memorabilia.

But it’s his charity work he’s most famous for as a member of Castletown Ale Drinkers and a founding member of theWorld Tin Bath Championships which is in its 48th year this year and the Original, New Year’s Day dip which will be 56 in 2020.

The CADS have raised more than £300,000 pounds for local charities, he is the face and voice of the World Tin Baths and has done many TV and Radio interviews not only in the UK but around the World.

Dave has given his time to many things including making 3 trips from the Isle of Man to Romania taking Manx government donated fire engines and training their crews how to use them is one of his proudest.

He is an amazing ambassador for Castletown and his native Island and there is no worthier first recipient of the Derek Nicholson Trophy than David Collister.