During their first two and a half years in post, His Excellency Sir Ian, and Lady Corder, have visited a number of different institutes across Guernsey, including schools, the hospital, charities and nursing homes.

As Christmas approaches, they continue to do so, with a specific focus on meeting people involved with the festive season, and those who might have it slightly tougher than others.

On their timetable this year was a visit to the hospital, where they spoke with a number of people who will either be working over Christmas to support others, or who have been ill, and will be spending their Christmas as a patient. Sir Ian said the stoicism and strength of these people was always inspiring. 

“When you go to these places, I am just amazed by the stoicism of people, those who have to work to help others and are going to be in across Christmas, and those who are going to be spending their Christmases at the hospital,” he said.

“We always enjoy the visits as well, we have met some great characters on the island and continue to do so. It really gives you a sense of the depth of good humour and resilience in our community, that’s a huge advantage for us to be able to draw upon going forwards when life gets tough.” 

One of the visits Lady Corder made earlier in the Christmas season was to help Rotary Guernesiais with their annual shoebox collection packing, before they sent the donated shoe boxes filled with gifts to less fortunate children overseas.

Sir Ian described the last of their visits as “the end of phase one” of Christmas at government house, which he said was a particularly busy time. Now, the couple said they and their staff would all be able to enjoy time with family over the holidays – and he urged everyone who could do, to also do the same. 

Pictured top: Lady Corder feeling festive on one of the couple’s many official pre-Christmas visits.