Lt-Governor pays tribute to island and its people

Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder has held the role since 2016 and his tenure will end in the autumn. It was his fifth Queen’s Birthday Reception as last year was cancelled due to the pandemic.

He thanked more than 600 guests who gathered on the lawn at Government House for their enduring loyalty to the Crown and for everything islanders had done for him and his wife during their time in Guernsey.

He paid tribute to the five Bailiwick residents who were awarded Queen’s Birthday Honours – Tony Creasey, Pat Child, Stuart Falla, Clare Sealy and Dr Richard Axton – and those involved with the two charities – Clip and the RNLI – who were recognised with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service earlier this month.

Sir Ian paid tribute to the Queen, whom he described as a remarkable woman.

She was now in the 70th year of her reign he said, and the last 12 months of it had been among the most difficult yet given the pandemic, family issues, and the death of HRH Prince Philip.

Sir Ian and Lady Corder planted a tree in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh to conclude proceedings. This year’s reception took a different twist with 12 members of Retro Guernsey performing flashmob Charleston and rock n’ roll dances after the formal address.

A similar-sized group from Gadoc then sang songs from Les Miserables, Mary Poppins, Rent and Mamma Mia.

The Guernsey Old Car Club had a display of classic vehicles at the side of Government House.

Speaking prior to his address, Sir Ian said that to say he and his wife had enjoyed their time in Guernsey would be an understatement.

‘We have been made so welcome by the community and have been able to get involved in all the great stuff, like the natural beauty, vibrant cultural section and Anglo-Norman heritage,’ he said.

There was a joy of life about the island, he said, and the people had a spirit and determination to make the best of whatever life had to throw at them, good or bad.

The pandemic had been another example of that.