Long-serving deputy now on the douzaine
Three St Peter Port residents were elected unopposed to various parochial roles at a meeting on Saturday.
John Gollop, one of the island’s most senior politicians as a member of Policy & Resources, was elected as a douzenier for the parish he served as a deputy for 23 years.
Chris Hudson won a seat on the Baubigny Schools’ Committee.
Odette Duerden was elected to the Amherst and Vauvert Infants and Junior Schools’ Committee.
Deputy Gollop and Mr Hudson had both been nominated for the Baubigny Schools’ position and were due to stand in a contested election, but the former withdrew ahead of the vote.
‘I felt it would have been inappropriate for me as a deputy to assume a corporate governance role,’ he said.
‘I am, however, looking forward to taking up my role as a douzenier.
‘I am enthusiastic about the parish and hope to get to know more about it.’
Mr Hudson was looking forward to taking up his role on the Baubigny Schools’ Committee.
‘I intend to serve the role in the public interest and do what’s best for the island,’ he said.
The parish meeting was also used by senior constable Zoe Lihou to hail St Peter Port’s recent Liberation Day celebrations as a ‘huge success’.
However, she was disappointed that plans to hold events on the East Arm were changed at the last minute, with the location switched to Market Square.
‘To find out so late was disappointing, especially for all the volunteers who worked so hard to make it happen, but we dealt with it and we held a really successful day in Market Square,’ she said.
Mrs Lihou was looking forward to working with Education, Sport & Culture more closely ahead of next year’s 80th anniversary celebrations, which are set to be more centred on Town than celebrations have been since the Covid pandemic.
She added that a family fun day would take place in the parish on 13 July, following a similar event held last year, with more details to be announced.
n St Peter Port will hold another parish meeting on Saturday 8 June at the Constables’ Office in Lefebvre Street.
Elections will be held to fill the vacant seats of junior constable, following the retirement of Jenny Tasker after 30 years’ service to the parish, and for a douzenier seat.
Nomination forms are available from the office or by emailing constables@stpeterport.gg. Completed forms must be returned by 4pm on 30 May.
