GUERNSEY’S Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland receives a knighthood in today’s Queen’s Birthday Honours, which see three other islanders awarded MBEs.

Sir Geoffrey Rowland revealed that he learnt of his knighthood after returning from the Chelsea Flower Show last month.

He said that maintaining confidentiality was routine for lawyers and judges.

He said he was honoured and surprised to be recognised for his services to the Crown and community in Guernsey. He knew it would give his family cause for celebration and he hoped that others would welcome the news too.

‘It is a community honour and I trust that it will be regarded as such,’ he said.  ‘The relationship with the Crown and our Sovereign, Her Majesty the Queen, is at the heart of the constitutional relationship which underpins Guernsey’s status in the world,’ he said.
ONE Guernseyman’s Chelsea connections have earned him an MBE.

John Gallienne has received the award for voluntary services to the Royal Hospital Chelsea and to communities in Guernsey and Sark.

For 45 years he has been fund-raising to bring Chelsea Pensioners to the Channel Islands.

‘I did have to catch my breath when I got the letter, my wife said I was speechless for once in my life,’ he said.

Mr Gallienne was introduced to the Chelsea Pensioners as a youngster. His mother would take him to visit his grandfather, a former Grenadier Guard, in Battersea.

HORTICULTURALIST David Miller, has been awarded an MBE ‘for services to horticulture in Guernsey’.

The former president of the Guernsey Growers’ Association has worked in Guernsey’s industry for over 40 years.

‘When my wife and I found out we were rather amazed to say the least, and of course, very honoured,’ said the 72-year-old, who said he had never considered the possibility of being awarded an MBE.

Wiltshire-born Mr Miller is a well-known local horticulturalist and works as a consultant to the Eden Project in Cornwall.

Barbara Benfield helps Sylvia Sebire into Age Concern’s minibus.

TIRELESS charity worker Barbara Benfield is to receive an MBE for services to the community.

Ms Benfield, 50, set up Alderney Age Concern in 2004 and is also involved with St John Ambulance, Meals on Wheels and the Royal Connaught residential home.

As well as organising Alderney Week for three years, Ms Benfield also found time to enter the States of Alderney in 2004 before deciding to step down at last December’s election.

Ms Benfield, who lives in La Marette with her partner John Barnett, said: ‘I felt shocked and honoured when I read the letter telling me about the MBE. All sorts of things ran through my head. I haven’t told anyone yet, apart from John, who was very pleased.’