Jubilee medals presented today

Sunday 05 June 2022

Alderney's emergency services personnel will receive medals today as part of The Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The medals mark the emergency services' dedication to their community.

The President of the States of Alderney, William Tate, said he hoped the entire community would come together to mark the presentation of the medals.

The presentation will follow a Platinum Jubilee Churches Together service at St Anne's Church, which starts at 10:30, and a parade involving numerous community groups from across Alderney society. 

Among those parading are members of the British Legion, who will lead the parade, all the emergency services, States' members, Jurats, Cubs, Scouts and "anyone else who wishes to take part".

The Jubilee medals will then be presented to the emergency services at the bottom of Victoria Street, where the parade will end. 

Pictured: The Queen's Platinum Jubilee medal. Image from The Royal Family website.

Mr Tate said he would be delighted to see the events attended by all residents and visitors who are able to be there.

"It is an important occasion and I would encourage everybody to attend to support the people who keep us safe," said Mr Tate. 

The church service, parade and presentation of the Jubilee medals brings to an end a busy weekend of celebratory events in Alderney marking the Platinum Jubilee.

"Given events of the last two years, this is a perfect opportunity to show not only our support for Her Majesty The Queen for her 70 years of selfless service, but also to celebrate our community who have faced the challenges together and are now entitled to celebrate together," said Mr Tate.

Pictured: The President of the States of Alderney, William Tate.

Mr Tate praised and thanked in particular all those involved in organising the weekend's Jubilee events.

"I would like to express my sincere thanks to everybody who has contributed to this extravaganza, particularly the volunteers, who as always have given their time and energy to make this an occasion to remember. Once again, Alderney punches above its weight," he said.

Mr Tate said it was hard to single out any one Jubilee event, but that a definite highlight was the party on the Butes, which included the lighting of Alderney's Jubilee beacon at the same time as thousands of other beacons across the British Isles and Commonwealth. 

He commended Ronnie Cairnduff, Ilona Soane Sands, Barbara Benfield and others who organised events across the weekend.

"What Ronnie and his team has put together has exceeded my wildest expectations. With the benefit of hindsight, we would not have expected anything less."

Pictured top: Alderney's St Anne's Church and (inset) a Jubilee medal.