THREE islanders are today celebrating after receiving honours in the Queen’s birthday list. Specsavers co-founder Mary Perkins has been made a dame, former St John Ambulance Bailiwick Commissioner Judith Le Tissier given an MBE and Chief of Police George Le Page awarded the Queen’s Police Medal.
Both Mrs Perkins and Mrs Le Tissier were shocked to receive their letter announcing the news.
‘It’s such an honour and now it’s been bestowed on me I’ll have to live up to it,’ said Mrs Perkins.
And Mr Le Page insisted his award was a result of a team effort.
But there were some prominent names missing from the list.
Figures such as Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland and World Touring Car double champion Andy Priaulx were not included.
Nominations for honours are forwarded by the Lt-Governor’s office to London where they are assessed and considered for inclusion.
The Lt-Governor’s secretary, Colonel Richard Graham, said he could not comment on individual candidates. But, speaking generally, he said: ‘Sometimes public expectation is that someone might be honoured whoever he or she is, but there’s nothing automatic about these things.
‘I don’t think people should read into the absence of any person on the list as having any sort of unfortunate meaning or significance.
‘Sometimes people that the island as a whole would wish to see recognised are not always at the time we wish them to be, sometimes they are not recognised at all. That’s something we have to accept.’
There is a long tradition of bailiffs being knighted. More recently, Sir Charles Frossard took office in August 1982 and was knighted the following year.
Sir Graham Dorey received his honour in June 1993, having taken office in February 1992.
Sir de Vic Carey was knighted in January 2002 after three years as Bailiff.
Mr Rowland took office two years ago today.
Article posted on 16th June, 2007 - 12.00am
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