The essence of community distilled

Everywhere you looked was an example of what it takes to hold together a strong community.

From good neighbours to emergency heroes via carers, grandparents and angels were tales of islanders who put the needs of others ahead of themselves.

That is the essence of the Guernsey Press awards – to recognise the public-spirited, people who go about their lives giving as much as they can without expectation of reward.

This year’s awards took that a step further. The all-consuming assault on the island’s freedoms and comforts by the Covid-19 pandemic has served only to highlight the importance of community in coping with adversity.

Visually, during lockdown, that took the form of rainbows in windows, a profusion of flags and thousands of pebbles stacked high on coastal walls.

Less obvious, but no less important, were the quiet deeds, the moments of kindness when one islander helped another. A vulnerable person’s prescription collected, a meal delivered, a friendly wave through the window, a daily phone call or text. Heaped together these small acts of kindness made everyone’s lives more bearable during difficult times – and hopefully beyond.

Scores of Pride of Guernsey nominees, narrowed down in 13 categories to shortlists of three, exemplified this communal spirit.

Ably led by the new Guernsey Press Ambassador of the Year for 2020, Dr Nicola Brink, the Bailiwick of Guernsey has much to be proud of.

Even the ability to hold the awards was a credit to islanders everywhere. To gather more than 150 people in the Press offices and for people to feel safe enough to embrace and cheer in celebration was a rare privilege that should not be undervalued.

It was a privilege that, sadly, one of our main sponsors, Zef Eisenberg, did not get to share.

However, as a generous champion of charities, tireless campaigner and benefactor of so much that is good about these islands, he would have been the first to recognise and applaud all those who go out of their way to make other people’s lives better.