Pride of Jersey 2015 – scenes of joy and celebration as Jersey’s best are honoured

Held in a transformed Aviation Beauport hangar, the three finalists of each of 11 categories, together with friends, family, judges, dignitaries and sponsors, all came together to hear the winners announced.

Hosted by local celebrities former England footballer Graeme Le Saux and Brit Award-nominated singer and songwriter Nerina Pallot, the ceremony had a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere with the duo providing warm, good-natured humour throughout.

  • Ambassador of the Year: Roger Nightingale
  • Customer Service Employee of the Year: Richard Tanguy
  • Environmentalist of the Year: Jordan Todd
  • Teacher of the Year: Ben Silva
  • Grandparent of the Year: Jane Dervin
  • Neighbour of the Year: Kate Lamy
  • Jersey Angel of the Year: Lorna Kearney
  • Community Champion of the Year: David Stokes
  • Volunteer/Fundraiser of the Year: Reg Langlois
  • Inspirational Leader of the Year: Paul McMurray
  • Unsung Sporting Hero of the Year: Mark Jones

As the night progressed, category by category, the audience was reminded of the touching stories that led to the nominations.

None more so than for the late Paul McMurray, who passed away shortly after his nomination for inspirational leader was made public.

Mr McMurray, who went on to posthumously to claim the award, spent 15 years running Les Quennevais Kenpo Karate Club, teaching adults and children in the ancient practices of the martial art.

Although he was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer two years ago, he continued to teach at the centre until his last few months.

After collecting his father’s trophy, Mr McMurray’s 21-year-old son Khiai told the JEP about the special significance of the award to his family and how the £1,000 prize money would be spent.

‘My Dad would be incredibly humbled right now and so thankful for all those people in Jersey that voted for him,’ he said.

‘For me to be able to go up on stage and accept the award for him is an absolute honour and I feel very humbled.

‘The trust fund that the prize money will start will hopefully help lots of people with their karate and allow them to take part in championships around the world.’

Neil Roberts, who nominated the karate teacher, said that he could imagine his friend ‘smiling from ear to ear’ when he heard the news.

‘Paul will be looking down and smiling from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat,’ he said.

‘No matter what difficulty comes your way you can always be a champion – that’s what he showed us.

‘Everybody wanted to be around Paul – he really was a character that no one else can match.’

In an act of generosity that characterised the spirit of the event, Reg Langlois, the owner of Reg’s Garden, who won the Volunteer of the Year award, donated his prize-money to the Jersey Women’s Refuge.

Don’t miss our Pride Of Jersey souvenir supplement, featuring all of the winners, inside this weekend’s JEP

Meanwhile, teacher of the year finalist Ben Silva said he was ‘completely stunned’ to be named the winner.

‘It’s not often I’m speechless, but this is a real real honour,’ the Victoria College Prep teacher said.

‘To win that award with so many other great teachers also nominated, is kind of hard to believe.

‘It makes me feel proud that people feel that I am able to inspire students to make them enjoy school.

‘I am very lucky to work with wonderful staff and boys who are just so eager to learn.

‘It makes going into work every day a really great experience.’

Chief Minister Ian Gorst, who attended the ceremony together with Deputy Bailiff Tim Le Cocq, said that he thought the event helped celebrate those who would not have previously have been recognised.

‘I think in the past we haven’t celebrated those that are sometimes behind the scenes who are really dedicating their lives to create a great community,’ he said.

‘We’ve got a fantastic community in Jersey and tonight shows that that community is made up of ordinary people dedicating themselves to the service of others.’

‘Some of the stories of the difficulties and the heartache of individual people are incredible.

‘The way they have managed to overcome their ill health or loss of loved ones and are still able to serve others – that really is something to be celebrated.

‘I think it’s just the start of something that will run into the future.’

Following the presentation of the last award, it was announced that the winners had an unexpected surprise journey home – and as the hangar doors opened a private jet and a queue of limousines were waiting.

Armed with their trophies, the newly crowned community champions took off for a flight over the Channel Islands to mark their achievement.

Speaking after landing back on Jersey soil, Richard Tanguy, who won the Customer Services Employee of the Year award said: ‘What a surprise that was!

‘Such an amazing ending – something so different that we would never usually get to do.

‘I think I am still in shock of it all, but it was such a great experience – an absolutely unforgettable night!’

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