Nikki Addlesee was elected by her Douzaine colleagues earlier this week, alongside Gary Van Der Linden who was re-elected for a second term as Vice-Dean of the Douzaine.

Both had previously been Douzeniers, but Ms Addlesee now holds the title of being the first female Dean of the parish.

Becky Link, Senior Constable for Torteval said the election had taken place earlier this week as is the norm for the parish.

“We elect the Dean and Vice Dean at the January meeting and they hold the position for a maximum of three years,” she explained.

Both the Dean and Vice Dean “are voted for by the Douzaine” and have a number of roles within the parish administration including legal and secular responsibility in a number of areas.

“The Dean of the Douzaine is the returning officer for the election of Constables and therefore Chair when the Electors meet for this purpose,” said Ms Link.

“They preside at the Parish Meeting dealing with secular matters. They also advise the Constables and are usually a senior member of the Douzaone. In this case Nikki is our most senior Douzenier.”

Torteval

Ms Addlesee was first elected to the Torteval Douzaine prior to 2020 when she was re-elected. 

She might be the first female Dean of Torteval Douzaine but she is not the first or only one island-wide with Rosemary Henry Dean of the Douzaine in the Vale, until next year at least.

Pictured top: Torteval parish hall and (inset) Dean of the Douzaine Nikki Addlesee (pictures from Torteval parish website).

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