More gongs awarded on queen’s birthday
(CNS): As Cayman looked forward to a long weekend more royal awards were handed out to celebrate the British queen’s 85th birthday on Saturday. During the official celebrations in George Town past recipients of various royal awards were given their medals and five new Caymanians were named by the deputy governor to receive the Cayman Islands Certificate and Badge of Honour. The new royal gongs go to Marjorie Jane Bodden for the Air Ambulance Service, twins Maxine Ethel and Maureen Helen Bodden for services to the people, especially the poor and needy, Lendell Albert Layman for services to the community and Philip David Glanmor Thomas for services to the electricity industry.
As Queen Elizabeth enjoyed her official birthday in the UK (her real one is in April) Cayman’s officials, dignitaries, government workers and the public gathered for a little local pomp and circumstance and to see previous gong recipients get their medals in front of the Legislative Assembly building in George Town.
After the traditional parade by uniformed services, a royal salute, 21-gun salute and three cheers for Queen Elizabeth II. The former leader of the opposition and leader of government business Kurt Tibbetts got his OBE and Kemuel Jackson, a local catboat expert, Mary Lawrence the speaker of the LA, and the now leader of the opposition Alden McLaughlin all received their MBE medals.
Doorly McLaughlin was awarded the Colonial Police and Fire Service Medal while Cayman Islands Certificate and Badge of Honours were given to Jackie Balls, Mary Blake, Celeste Broderick, Reba Dilbert, Penny McDowall and Ellen Sherman.
The governor is currently in the UK so the ceremony was conducted by Donovan Ebanks, the deputy governor. This year as a result of cutbacks the traditional garden party held at Government House after the ceremony was cancelled.
Read more about the new recipients here.
Category: Local News
Oh, it was a "Gong Show" alright….
"The governor is currently in the UK"
Strictly off the record, he's back home dealing with the unrelenting fall out from Operation Tempura.
Congrats Kurt!
For what?
Yeah they got that right for Captain Crunch and his trusted navigator Baby Shambles yes MBE more bad excuses.
well look at who got a gold nugget after bringing the country into an 81 million deficit… that should have been alden
Congrats to everyone.
congrats for what? for a royal gong??? Give me at least a million dollars for my services!
Congrats Reba!!!
Congratulations Miss Marjorie….you are one of the truly decent Caymanian people…I am honored to know you!
Congratulations Mr. Alden and Mr. Kurt! Well deserved!!
Fame of myself to justify! All other plaudit be superfluous,an incense beyond necessity.
Fame of myself to justify to lack, although my name be else supreme,this were an honor honorless, a futile crown to thyself. Yes Cayman only the Good Lord knows what our so call politicians and their anointed few have done to attain such high regard.All others we see hear and understand why.
The politicians cross nominate each other and their croanies every year, gather the signatures and submit in an effort to bestow nobility and rank to their parties. It's not a big mystery on how it's acheived, and merit is not a key requirement, though for some notable civilians it has been.
Finally, a note of sanity. Anyone else care to join us?