Two islanders in New Year Honours list

TWO islanders have been named in this year's New Year Honours.

Published Dec 31, 2017

New Year Honours award winners – on the left is British Empire Medal award winner Anne Diamond (in red), with the late Ruth Torode, and on the right is GTTA president Derek Webb, who is to receive the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire).

Derek Webb is to receive the MBE for services to table tennis, while Anne Diamond has been awarded the BEM for her services to the island's deaf community.

Anne Diamond said she could not believe it was true when she had the call to say she was to receive the British Empire Medal: 'After that, total panic would seem to be not too strong a word!' She said.

She paid a special tribute to the late Ruth Torode, whose first child was born deaf and who was instrumental in getting Miss Diamond involved with the deaf world and sign language.

Mr Webb said that his MBE is a tribute to the support he has received from his family and those involved in local table tennis over the years.

He became president of the Guernsey Table Tennis Association in 1999 and his name has been synonymous with the local sport ever since.

He was delighted to hear that he had been given the award: 'I am thrilled to bits,' he said.