This Is Guernsey

New president of La Societe Guernesiaise Pat Costen is keen to establish a junior section. (Picture by Daniel Guerin, 0555891)

INTRODUCING a junior section is one of the first aims of La Societe Guernesiaise’s new president.

Pat Costen also vowed to continue what she called the organisation’s tradition of fine leadership. ‘I want to introduce our future members to what it is we do and help them to appreciate their island,’ she said.

‘My plan is to suggest that each section take the youngsters for part of the year so they get introduced to aspects from archaeology to bird life to conservation and to our newest department, climate change,’ she said.

La Societe is open to all ages and Mrs Costen hoped anyone with a query would feel confident in seeking advice.

‘What I want to see preserved and developed is first and foremost a learned society,’ she said.

‘And although we are not a protest group, we keep a keen eye on politics and feel our information is very useful to those in government, particularly regarding issues concerning the environment.’

Outgoing president Charles David nominated Mrs Costen at La Societe’s annual meeting, at which she was elected.

She said she felt happy and confident in her new role.

‘I am passionately attached to Guernsey,’ she said.

‘I love it here and so I feel I can carry on the good hard work that previous leaders have done before me.

‘I am retired so I have plenty of time and I used to be a

nurse so I think I’m good with people.’

Mrs Costen first became involved with La Societe 25 years ago when she was looking for information about Guernsey bats.

‘What I discovered was a group with more than a century of experience and expertise who appreciated the island and were enthusiastic about providing information, so I joined,’ she said.

During her membership she has twice been secretary of the conservation section and has organised the annual fair for a decade.

Article posted on 7th April, 2008 - 12.00pm