Five Jersey islanders rewarded with New Year Honours

Five people in Jersey have been recognised for their work in the island by being included in the New Year Honours List.

Gordon Burgis has been awarded an BEM for his services to the sailing community and has been described as "one of Jersey's and Channel Islands' all time surfing greats" by the Jersey Surfboard Club.

He won multiple Great Britain and European Surfing Championships between 1964-1971, as well as winning Hobie 16 European Masters Championship in 2000 too.

Mr Burgis said "it was a bit of a shock" learning he had been given the honour and sailing and surfing had "shaped me as a person".

He started surfing in 1959 and represented Great Britain at four World Surfing Championships from 1964 to 1972.

Mr Burgis said "surfing was my big passion which took me around the world" but discovered Hobie Cat racing in California in the 1960s and "we thought they'd be fantastic for St Ouen's Bay or for Jersey".

He added: "It is exhilarating, and it is like it is like flying because if you're skimming the tops of the waves and you're double cruising with your crew, so it's quite sensational."

Mr Burgis has helped build the sport's popularity in the island and said he was now working with others to bring the Multi-Hobi Cat European Championships to Jersey in 2028.

Det Supt Alison Fossey has been appointed an MBE for her services to island policing and the wider community of Jersey.

She said was "delighted" with the award, adding: "I accept this honour on behalf of the victims and survivors of abuse who have bravely come forward.

"Their courage has helped transform the response to sexual and domestic abuse in Jersey."

Her leadership roles include the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) action plan, which focuses on delivering better support for survivors of abuse and bringing offenders to justice.

Chief Officer Robin Smith said: "Alison's award is richly deserved and a source of immense pride for the States of Jersey Police.

"She is - as many will testify - a genuine force of nature".

• How does the British honours system work?

Advocate Cyril Whelan also was appointed an MBE for services to Jersey's judiciary after first starting as an advocate of the Royal Court 43 years ago.

He said: "I think it became apparent to me that the law is capable of achieving a lot of good... The overall feeling is one of deep gratitude to have one's efforts noticed".

Advocate Whelan has been the lead public prosecutor in several high-profile cases, including the murder of nurse Tracy Burns in 2004.

He added: "To see some sort of closure for families, individuals that have been cruelly bereaved in that way, does stand out to me from my career."

Solange Rebours joined Girlguiding Jersey when she was 10 years old and is the first member from the island to be award the Silver Fish award in 2023, which is the organisation's highest honour.

She has been appointed an MBE for her services to Girlguiding and said "it was a huge surprise".

She said: "I started with just joining a guide unit not really knowing anyone in that unit, and now I just look back and think that was one of the best things that ever happened to me.

"Girlguiding is very important because it gives girls and young women the opportunity to find out more about themselves, learn about their place in the world in a safe girl-only environment."

She also became the first person from the Channel Islands to become chief commissioner for Girlguiding South West England as well.

Nick Kershaw has been recognised for his work with Every Child Our Future charity and the Jersey Community Foundation with an MBE appointment.

He said "I was speechless" when he learnt he was being honoured and "it was a really lovely moment".

Every Child Our Future works to improve the educational opportunities for local children and the Jersey Community Foundation awards grants to charities, voluntary organisations and community groups.

Mr Kershaw added: "My daughter was very dyslexic and I've seen on a day-to-day basis how debilitating struggling with reading and writing was on a child."

He also said: "The initial driver for the foundation was to use money from the dormant bank accounts to fund relief for islanders during covid but now it provides support to islanders and charities across the whole community."

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