Two islanders in Queen’s honours
TWO islanders have received awards as part of the Queen’s New Year Honours.
Patricia Holland, 70, who has spent years working for charity both in Guernsey and Romania, has been awarded the British Empire Medal while retired rugby player and Guernsey club president Ady Le Page, 65, is being made an MBE for his services to the sport.
They join a long list of British people receiving awards, such as Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, who has been made a CBE for services to music, and Dunkirk and Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan, who has also been made a CBE.
Model Twiggy, born Lesley Hornby, has been made a Dame for her services to fashion, the arts and charity.
In Jersey, environmentalist Dave Cabeldu has been made an MBE ‘for services to the preservation of Jersey’s heritage and environment’.
And Eileen Smith has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Parkinson’s Jersey.
Mrs Holland has spent 24 years volunteering for the Friends of Romania charity in Guernsey while she has also helped hundreds of Channel Islanders affected by adoption through her work through former charity Norcap and now independently.
She was very surprised to be told about the award.
‘It’s exciting and it’s a privilege at the same time.
‘I feel very humble because there are so many people out there doing such good things all the time.’
She will receive her award at a presentation at Government House later this year.
Mr Le Page was also very proud.
‘When the governor phoned me to say I had been put up for an award, I laughed at first. Then he said he was being serious.
‘I was absolutely staggered.’
He will collect his MBE from Buckingham Palace later next year.
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