Pride and surprise for Birthday Honours recipients

Saturday 09 June 2018

There are four Bailiwick recipients in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours List, with their services to the islands all being recognised.

Two Guernsey men, a Guernsey woman and an Alderney woman are included with Jurat Stephen Jones awarded an OBE, Mr Keith Robins awarded the MBE and Mrs Rosemary James awarded the BEM. Mrs Sarah Penney was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal (silver).

Pictured: Jurat Stephen Jones receiving a Community Foundation Award in 2017 from the Lieutenant Governor

Jurat Stephen Jones is awarded the OBE for his work for local charities and the wider island community, as well as his services to the Royal Court of Guernsey.

He has previously been awarded by the Community Foundation in Guernsey, which granted him a Special Award in 2017 for his years of dedicated service. He had previously been Chairman of the Board of the organisation.

Jurat Jones has been responsible for a number of charitable endeavours in the island, including organising the first 'million pound lottery' which was run as a fundraising initiative for the Guernsey Cheshire Home in 2010, bringing in an additional £310,000 towards the Home's running costs.

He has also previously been Chairman of the Lloyds TSB Foundation which grants money to deserving causes in the islands.

Pictured: Keith Robins and his wife Karen

Mr Robins is to receive the MBE for his services to vulnerable young people and their families in Guernsey. This includes many years spent fostering and also his work to establish the Action for Children charity.

Mr Robins told Express he was "chuffed and very honoured" to be recognised in this way. He had known for weeks before the announcement was made publicly and said his wife had also known as she had been there when he received the phone call to tell him of his MBE.

"I've managed to keep it quiet, but I'n not sure about her!" he joked, "I hope she has."

Mr Robins and his wife Karen have together fostered "hundreds of children" as well as raising their own five children. They have recently been on a barge holiday in Norfolk, England; which was a prize they won as the Specsavers Unsung Heroes at the former Awards for Achievement in 2015 (pictured above). They couldn't use their prize at the time as they were fostering, but they currently don't have any additional children to care for so took their break. 

Mr Robins said they will be fostering more children, if needed, when they are back home. He said it is a "vocation, definitely not a job. It's just something we love to do."

He said he and his wife and family will celebrate his MBE once they are home.

Pictured: The Queen at a previous Birthday celebration

Mrs James is receiving the BEM for her services to sport and the community in Alderney.

She has a long list of credentials for which she was nominated having supported a wide variety of sporting initiatives in Alderney in recent years.

As a Trustee for the Alderney Sports Centre Trust, Ms James has been involved with the fund-raising and campaigning for the development of a number of sports. She has been involved with the swimming pool, the tennis club, the running club and other organisations in Alderney as well as entering race walking and golf competitions and playing other sports.

Mrs Penney is Second Cook at Guernsey’s Government House. She, has been awarded the Royal Victorian Medal (Silver) which forms part of the Royal Victorian Order, founded by Queen Victoria as a way of rewarding personal service to Her.

The Order remains entirely within the personal gift of the Sovereign.

Mrs Penney commented: "This really is a complete surprise and such an honour. I’m so delighted to receive this medal."

She also paid tribute to her colleagues: "We’re a very close team here, which is the best way to be and undoubtedly part of the reason I have worked here for so long. Everyone here has always been so supportive and I certainly could not have achieved this without all their help."

Mrs Penney added: "In particular, I’m so grateful to Pippa Ozard, the Head Cook and my longtime friend and colleague."

Guernsey’s Lieutenant-Governor, Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder, welcomed the news of the award: "I am delighted that Sarah has been singled out for this very special award. So far she has served eight Lieutenant-Governors and helped to host countless visiting dignitaries, including members of the Royal Family, as well as a long list of Ministers, Ambassadors and senior politicians. She has amassed a remarkable record of loyal service to the Crown."