Bailiff to be knighted as four are honoured
SERVING the community and representing the island has been a great honour, the Bailiff has said after being given a knighthood.
The head of Guernsey's judiciary has traditionally received the honour but Richard Collas, 61, was both surprised and delighted that his had come after just two years in office – previous Bailiff Sir Geoffrey Rowland was not appointed for four years.
'I knew it might happen one day but I didn't expect it to be this early in my term of office, especially as I haven't had those long years of service as a law officer,' said Sir Richard, one of the few Bailiffs in history to be awarded the role without having been HM Procureur or Comptroller.
'I see it as an honour for the island and shows the special status of the Crown Dependencies and our special link to the Crown.
'It also shows that the office of Bailiff is held in high regard outside of these islands.'
The Bailiff was among four islanders honoured in this year's Queen's Birthday list.
The others were ActionAid volunteer Dr Glyn Allen, OBE, historian Dr Gregory Stevens-Cox, MBE, and arts stalwart Joan Ozanne, BEM.
