Pride of Guernsey 2016 - A proud moment

THE Pride of Guernsey 2016 proved to be one of the island’s proudest moments of the year. From the instant the inaugural campaign was launched in March right through to October’s awards ceremony, islanders throughout the Bailiwick have taken it to their hearts.

The objective - to find and celebrate those among us doing extraordinary things on behalf of others every day, with no thought of recognition or reward – was one we knew we would achieve, as our community prides itself on having wonderful individuals and groups.

What we weren’t quite so prepared for was just how many there were – with more than 200 separate nominations being received in what was only the initiative’s very first year.

A public poll to shortlist those nominees, which attracted almost 20,000 votes, also revealed the widespread level of support for the scheme.

And while that process managed to whittle down those names to just 36 finalists, having to choose between them still presented a formidable challenge for our judges who gathered for a special judging lunch at the OGH.

Saturday 8 October’s Oscars-style presentations at Guernsey Press headquarters, transformed by Joy’s Production Services, marked another first and proved the crowning moment of all.

The 12 winners of the awards – Emergency Hero, Carer, Neighbour, Teacher, Angel, Parish Champion, Young Achiever, Parent/s, Grandparent/s, Welcome, Arts Contribution and Overcoming Adversity were finally revealed by our award partners Rossborough, Specsavers, Swoffers, Garenne, Ravenscroft, OCS, Butterfield, The Christies Group, Channel Islands Co-operative Society, RefCo, Moonpig and Guernsey College of Further Education, respectively.

Thanks to our special guest hosts Jo and Andy Priaulx and our MC, local radio presenter James Bentley, the ceremony was as entertaining as the stories of each and every finalist were uplifting and moving.

It was an evening of laughter, tears and joy – but most of all it was a night for us all to be proud of, which is why we are now very much looking forward to meeting 2017’s Pride of Guernsey nominees.

WINNERS

The 12 Pride of Guernsey 2016 winners were:

Emergency Hero:  RNLI St Peter Port

Carer: Alicia Carter

Neighbour:  Vera Tracy

Teacher: Karlie Bichard

Angel: Andrea Inder

Parish Champion: John and Marilyn Garnham

Young Achiever: George Garnett

Parent/s: Claire Backlund-Leale

Grandparent/s: Jean Tanner

Welcome: Robert Steen

Arts Contribution: Lisa Johnston

Overcoming Adversity: Jessica Pearce