Bailiff’s New Year’s Reception toasts two honours recipients

Mike Chapple, 66, was honoured with a British Empire Medal for services to youth sailing in Guernsey, after more than 30 years of volunteering.

‘The first thought was you are so excited to hear the news, then you feel very humble,’ he said.

‘Then you have impostor syndrome, but I am enjoying the moment now.’

He first found out he was proposed for an honour in early December, but had to keep it secret. When the call came to let him know he would be receiving it, it came a bad moment. Mr Chapple was waiting to collect his luggage at Birmingham Airport, surrounded by other islanders. Seeing the local number, he suspected what it was about and had to hurriedly find a quiet corner, where he could not be overheard.

When the news finally broke on Monday night, he had a number of emails ready to go, in a bid to let friends and family know before they heard the news.

‘It is quite emotional,’ he said.

‘It makes you look back at all the children you have coached over the years.’

While he already has decades of volunteering under his belt, he was no plans to step down yet.

‘I think I still have another 10 years of coaching,’ he said.

‘I have a young granddaughter, and I hope she will take up the sport and I can coach her. When you enjoy something, you keep doing it.’

For Deputy Lyndon Trott, he said the really special part his OBE was that it was recognising both his work in financial services and his political work, both of which have benefitted Guernsey.

Fortunately, under the honours rules, he was able to tell his wife Karen about the award, but not his three children. This resulted in 11-year-old Seren being taken shopping for a special outfit, but not letting her know what it was for. It also created a challenge for Deputy Trott’s son Jack, 28, who was visiting from Canada. It was his first Christmas in Guernsey since 2020, and he had not packed for a formal event, meaning he was in borrowed clothes for yesterday’s formal reception.

‘It is such a proud moment [to hear about the honour], especially as I was able to be home for it,’ he said.

Deputy Trott said by chance his whole family were together this year, which had been special.

The speech at the reception would normally be made by the Lt-Governor. But with Lt General Richard Cripwell away, Bailiff Sir Richard McMahon stepped in give the toast and say a few words to the gathered crowd.

He paid tribute to Mr Chapple for helping to give young people confidence. ‘We are incredibly fortunate as a community that so many people volunteer,’ he said.

On Deputy Trott, Sir Richard said he had known him well for many years and he had served the island well.