Guiton Ambassador of the Year shortlist is revealed

Wednesday 23rd January 2013, 1:00PM GMT.

St Martin’s Floral Guernsey Group is made up of volunteers and last year they beat off competition from global entries to win Canada’s Communities in Bloom International Challenge (small category).

AN OLYMPIC gold medallist, a bowls world champion and an internationally-recognised floral group have been shortlisted for the 2012 Guiton Ambassador of the Year Award.

The accolade celebrates a group or individual who has promoted the Bailiwick beyond its shores and brought it recognition.

A selection of islanders were nominated for the prestigious award, including Wayne Bulpitt (Chief Commissioner Scouts), Floral Guernsey Council (organisers of the Britain in Bloom National Awards), CCL Division One and Premier Challenge Cup double winners Guernsey FC, Olympic marathon runner Lee Merrien, Rob Roussel (Vale Earth Fair organiser) and Olympian tennis star Heather Watson.

But the final shortlist was whittled down to bowls champion Alison Merrien, dressage rider and Olympic gold medallist Carl Hester and the international award-winning St Martin’s Floral Guernsey Group.

A judging panel, chaired by Guernsey Press managing director Mark Lewis, agreed the shortlist.

The award was also judged by Jurat Connie Helyar, Guernsey Press assistant editor Suzanne Heneghan, IoD vice-chairman Mark Palfrey, Fionnuala Carvill, from the Guernsey Community Foundation, 2011 Ambassador of the Year winner Roger Allsopp, Channel TV’s Jess Stevenson and Island FM’s James Bentley.

Local bowls legend Alison Merrien MBE last year won the British Isles Women’s Indoor Singles Bowls title for a record fifth time. Carl Hester MBE was part of the GB dressage team, which won Team Gold at London 2012.

Completing the trio of nominees: Local bowls legend Alison Merrien MBE last year won the British Isles Women’s Indoor Singles Bowls title for a record fifth time. Carl Hester MBE was part of the GB dressage team, which won Team Gold at London 2012.