Pub landlord to “live on” through memorial award

Thursday 28 November 2019

The memory of a much-loved pub manager is to “live on” through a new award celebrating other leading lights in Jersey’s hospitality industry.

Following the sudden death of Old Portelet Inn Manager Yolande Kernoghan, Randalls, her former employer, is launching a new award in her memory to celebrate those who, like her, go “above and beyond” in their hospitality roles.

News of the memorial award came during her inquest, in which it was also heard that over 300 people attended Yolande's 'Celebration of Life' wake.

Held at Morier House yesterday, the inquest aimed to ascertain the cause of the landlord’s death on 20 August. It concluded that she died after an epileptic seizure – a condition which she had suffered with for many years.

Pictured: Yolande at her home and place of work - the Old Portelet Inn. (Randalls)

At her inquest, and in recent months, many tributes have been paid to the Northern Irish pub manager, who was just 52 years old when she died.

In a statement read at the inquest by Assistant Police Coroner’s Officer Glenn Cleave, one of Yolande’s colleagues at the inn remembered her as “extremely popular and very highly thought of” who is “very much missed” by her co-workers and customers alike. 

He also mentioned the launch of the new award by the Randalls Group. 

“Yolande was a lovely lady and a good person to work with,” he recollected.

Speaking to Express after the inquest, Managing Director of Randalls, Gavin Reid said: “It is Randalls’ intention to honour the wonderful work and personality that Yolande brought to our company by introducing the ‘Yolande Kernoghan Memorial Award’ to allow her name and spirit to live on.

“It will be something contested and awarded on a yearly basis to one of our managers who we believe has gone above and beyond their position to promote hospitality within their outlet and who have ultimately achieved success for the company.” 

Pictured: Randalls Managing Director Gavin Reid.

Mr Reid said that the pub chain hopes to present the inaugural award at a special ceremony in the new year.

“Yolande has been a great loss to our company and we feel it is fitting to recognise and inspire our other managers to make the customer feel special and create a wonderful environment for our staff to work in, exactly as Yolande would have wanted and achieved.” 

The inquest was told that Yolande has been repatriated and laid to rest in her native Northern Ireland.