Vive La Vallette chairman dedicates OBE to his mother
A driving force behind the regeneration La Vallette Bathing Pools has dedicated his OBE to his 96-year-old mother.
David Warr received his medal from Lt-Governor Richard Cripwell on Saturday at Government House, with his mother Betty watching on.
‘She has been my rock,’ he said in his speech to friends, family and colleagues, who came to the ceremony.
‘Not just to me, but to my siblings, children and grandchildren.’
Mrs Warr said was lovely to see him get the award.
‘I’m so pleased for him,’ she said.
The award presentation happened just before her 97th birthday, which is tomorrow.
Her son was been recognised for the range of projects he has been involved in, which have largely been since he retired as a chartered accountant.
Mr Warr began volunteering in Guernsey’s third sector more than 30 years ago as a secretary of the Association of Guernsey Charities.
He went on to be instrumental in establishing the Ray Lowe Foundation, which offers financial help for islanders in sport, and was also a founding director of the Guernsey Sports Commission in 2004.
In 2010 he helped form the Guernsey Community Foundation and then in 2018 he started chairing Vive La Vallette LBG to redevelop the Bathing Pools.
He also campaigns for support with mental health issues.
Mr Warr said it was never a difficult decision to want to help people when he retired.
People involved in all the projects were there for the event, including members of Vive La Vallette.
‘For me that [Vallette] was the icing on the cake,’ he said, when listing his projects.
‘It was really hard work, but we had a fantastic time. And we still have lots of ideas for how to regenerate the area.’
Mr Warr’s three children and four grandchildren all attended, as well as some more distant relatives.
His cousin Renee Eeles-Ross travelled over from Brisbane, Australia, with her partner Greg Porter, to see the investiture and also celebrate Mrs Warr’s birthday. This was her third trip to the island and she had seen the pools before they were redeveloped, and now again following redevelopment, though she felt it was too cold to swim on this occasion.
‘It’s great to be able to see them in person,’ she said.
Lt General Cripwell said he was impressed by what Mr Warr had achieved.
‘Mr Warr is someone who has the vision and the determination to do the sorts of things that make this a better place for the people who live here,’ he said.
‘For over 30 years he has done so much for our community, and it has given me much pleasure to present him with the OBE today, on behalf of His Majesty.’
Mr Warr had dressed up in a shirt and tie for the event. But by Saturday afternoon he was back in more familiar surroundings, working at the bathing pools cafe.
Decorated islanders have been given the option to receive OBEs and MBEs at Government House, rather than at a formal London ceremony, since the pandemic.
While London ceremonies only allow three guests and see lots of people given awards at the same time, Government House investitures are done on an individual basis, allowing for dozens of friends and family to see the event.
Anyone may be considered for awards in the Order of the British Empire. Application forms are available in Guernsey from the Bailiff’s Office.
