Charity stalwart gets her BEM at Gov House
MORE than 50 years of charitable work has been recognised in the form of a British Empire Medal for one islander.
Marguerite Talmage was awarded the BEM in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours List for services to the community in Guernsey.
And this week she was presented with her medal at Government House.
‘I feel very honoured to be awarded the BEM,’ she said.
‘It was awarded for my work with St Peter’s Floral Group, WAG and Grow, and for all of them I’m only a member of the team.
‘Everything the three charities are achieving is based on teamwork and I feel very privileged to be involved in that.
‘If you find something you are really passionate about it’s really rewarding being involved in charitable work.’
In 2007, Mrs Talmage joined St Peter’s Floral Group, inspiring the parish to win six Floral Guernsey gold medals.
She has led Guernsey’s Britain in Bloom entry, with the western parish winning gold four times and finishing runners-up in the Champion of Champions category.
Recognising the value of therapy dogs, Mrs Talmage founded Wellbeing Animals Guernsey in 2018.
And she became fundraising lead at Grow Ltd in 2021, leading a campaign to raise £3m. for the new Grow site to be developed.
Mrs Talmage was presented the award at Government House, where she invited team members from the organisations she was involved with, plus friends and family.
‘Mrs Talmage’s vision and resourcefulness have enriched the lives of countless islanders,’ said Lt-Governor Richard Cripwell.
‘I was delighted to present her with the British Empire Medal on behalf of His Majesty the King, in recognition of her tireless work both in her parish and more broadly across Guernsey’s third sector.’
