St John members receive their long-service awards
MEMBERS of St John Guernsey were invited to Government House to receive long service and other prestigious awards.
Alan Stevens received the Coronation Medal, after attending the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and formed part of the honour guard lining the route of the coronation.
Mr Stevens has more than 40 years’ service with the organisation.
‘I feel humbled,’ he said. ‘It was a once in a lifetime event and I was surprised that I was approached for it. Now that I have done it, I believe that somebody else should have a similar opportunity – it would be a good experience for them.’
Jane Northrop received her service medal for 10 years’ service, and her first bar for an additional five years’ service.
She joined St John as a cadet and achieved the Grand Prior’s award, left and then returned.
‘I was a divisional officer. I was part of the voluntary ambulance service and I am now part of the St John Fellowship,’ she said.
Newly sworn-in Lt-Governor’s cadet Alexa Osborne, 16, said that it was her first official event.
‘This is my first engagement and because it’s related to St John it’s a great opportunity for me to see what I could be doing next, both within St John and other engagements as a Lt-Governor’s cadet,’ she said.
Lt-Governor Richard Cripwell said that public service was very important and deserved recognition.
‘We are here to recognise the public services of these very fine men and women within the St John community, who do so much for our community,’ he said.
St John CEO Heather Langlois said that the events always felt really moving to her.
‘They are nothing like anything I’ve ever attended outside of the organisation. We’re here to recognise the time people give outside of their jobs, away from their families and loved ones.
‘Their passion and interest is remarkable and necessary.'
Some recipients were unable to make the event and so will be receiving their awards at a later date.
The presentation had a special acknowledgement to former Knight Commander John Hollis, who stepped down recently due to ill health. He was presented with two gifts, one of an engraved photo of him meeting King Charles III and a framed photo of the Bathing Pools, taken by his favourite photographer Paul Chambers.
