Government House manager awarded Royal Victorian Medal
VANESSA WAKEFORD has been awarded the silver Royal Victorian Medal for decades of service at Government House.
Miss Wakeford, 63, began helping out on a part-time basis at Government House when she was in her twenties for events such as the Queen’s birthday reception and the Royal Commonwealth reception, before she was offered a job full time.
She did various housekeeping roles before she was formally employed as senior housemaid in November 1993.
‘It is a great honour to be nominated and awarded,’ she said.
‘I do really see this award as a team effort, I’ve always had a great team behind me, past and present, and there are lots of colleagues I would like to say thank you to – that is what’s really important to me.’
Miss Wakeford was appointed butler – now house manager – in August 2007, and was the first female house manager to the Lt-Governor in the island.
She has worked alongside seven Lt-Governors during her time working at Government House.
‘I absolutely love my job, everything is constantly changing and it keeps you on your toes,’ she said.
‘I’ve had a lot of memorable moments, but meeting the Queen and Prince Phillip is my top highlight.’
She met the Queen on two occasions on her visits to Guernsey.
The Royal Victorian Order was created by Queen Victoria in 1896 to recognise personal service to the monarch and their household.
It was the first order of chivalry that was given at the sole discretion of the sovereign.
