A rousing farewell
Thursday 30th June 2011, 2:58PM BST.
Sir Andrew and Lady Ridgway are met by Islanders in the Royal Square
JERSEY’S Lieutenant-Governor, Lieutenant-General Sir Andrew Ridgway, said farewell to the Island today with thunderous applause ringing in his ears from crowds of well-wishers.
Around 150 Islanders gathered in the Royal Square to say goodbye to Sir Andrew and his wife Lady Ridgway after five years of what the Bailiff, Michael Birt, called five years of outstanding service.
In a rousing farewell speech to the States Assembly that was met with unprecedented stamping of feet and applause from within the Chamber and the public gallery, Sir Andrew thanked Islanders for their hospitality and friendship and promised that he would return.
• Full report in today’s JEP
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Shame to see him go, represented the Queen ( & his position ) with fairness, smiles & someone who was interested in all parts of Jersey ,not just the “official” protocol….. It should also be applauded that his “leaving” speech in the States was spot-on, you Politicians really should grow up, put aside your personal adgendas & get us out of the ever-increasing black hole…oh nearly forget – you are all gonna be out of a job in the Autumn when the elections come (haha)
Anyway, back to the subject, that is Sir Andrew Ridgeway; many thanks for your work in the last 5 years & can we now have a Wham reunion?!?!
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Thunderous applause followed by…around 150 islanders gathered. Methinks the JEP has exagerated the thunderous part..lol.
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Unnecessary hangover from the empire, costing the tax payer a pretty penny.
Time to scrap this out dated and out moded pomposity, flog government house for a decent couple of million and save on the frivolities.
Good bye and Good riddance.
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Din’nt he used to be in that 80s duet called wham
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I walked through the square this morning at 9.45.
On my return journey at 10.30 I saw the MAJORITY of the crowd were tourists wondering why police tape was stretched between the trees and the rest were states members.
Exaggeration indeed JEP
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Thanks for your contribution to the deficit. Perhaps the next guy with his head in trough will have the decency to pay income tax!
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‘Thunderous applause followed by…around 150 islanders gathered.”
A bit different to when Sir John Cheshire left, when the Square was packed. Necessary, but sycophantic, reporting by the JEP.
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I am sure they will be missed by some people.
Whom that may be, I cannot guess.
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‘Sir Andrew thanked Islanders for their hospitality and friendship and promised that he would return.’
Become a director in a major Jersey company, perhaps?
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Interesting how both he and Stuart Syvret feel that local politicians have let down the Haut de La Garenne survivors…some red faces and wriggling at Andy Ridgways comments….for the tea and stickies brigade here really only want to hear praise and applause…they do not accept truth or anything that discomforts…what a sick little coven we have here….and still they’ll deny it,that’s how deep this evil and corroding thread weaves it’s way through the community.
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For all the sarcastic comments above, these were two people who sincerely did their best for so many people.A couple who were down to earth and did their duty,should not be mocked.I for one would not do all the socialising involved in their role for all the money in the world.And they were genuinely interested in all aspects of island life.
Thank you and sincere good wishes.
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@Cancer I’m one and there are plenty who don’t share the typical deriding attitude of the majority of posters to this site.
The Ridgeways were a great couple and always a pleasure to deal with, down to earth and very approachable. I’ve seen them arrive, in their own transport, at garden parties unannounced to deliver an item to the raffle, which raised £300 for a worthy cause. Each year the LG’s team out stripped every other team in sponsorship to Swimarathon running into £10Ks. We could mentioned all the fetes and fund raisers they attended over the 5 years, which possibly wouldn’t have been so well patronised if the LG had been along. Like it or not, people do like to rub shoulders with the Queens representative to Jersey.
Of course the position of LG could be removed the money saved and reallocated, but in reality it wouldn’t. Also you lot would be quick to jump on the band wagon and shout foul when the staff at Gov’n Hse are laid off with no prospect, then Gov’n House is converted to another office block for a local finance house or worse still a luxury residence for a 1.1K.
Loosing the LG would severe our direct link to the British Gov’t, would you trust our politicians to report to the Home Office fairly on events in Jersey, our would you rather the British Gov’t relied on Jersey media’s accurate reporting for information and updates ? What would you replace the LG with, President Le Sueur or Ouzof ?
If we left the running of Jersey to the serial negative posters on this forum, the island would become the North Korea of Europe.
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What did he do for his generous salary apart from attending lots of function lunches and dinners and making a few speeches!
What did he do for HDLG victims? I would like to know. Does he believe in tooth fairies?
Time to save money and do without a LG!
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I don’t recall voting for this guy. What did he do again?
I know for my wage (a fraction of his), I need to have very regular meetings, justifying exactly what it is I’ve achieved for the money. There are things such as KPI’s (Key performance indicators), project timelines and meetings with HR and the CEO to ensure everything is on track. That’s what the average joe has to do to justify their wage.
Ok, so he helped raise 300 quid in a raffle and that’s very commendable, but to be honest, when we’re millions in the hole, we need a little more than that.
I’m sure if we still had Humfrey the lion turn up to events, he too could help raise some cash (and only cost minimum wage).
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As usual, truthseeker spreads further falsehoods and ranting for his/her own bizarre ends. If you could be bothered to read the transcript of the speech, Andrew Ridgeway (who kept a dignified silence through the whole sorry episode) criticised those politicians who used the abuse scandal for their own political capital. I read that as well-deserved criticism of Syvret and the other conspiracy nuts…
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@11 angeleyes:
I’m sorry, but is compassion true when you are paid to turn up at events and show your face at functions etc for charity..
The Lt Governor – is given a rather nice house to live in, chauffered car, servants and a massive salary, and what for? So some people can pay money to say they have had lunch with la-di-da so and so and he can ‘welcome’ visiting dignataries etc? Poppycock and a serious throwback to the days when the world was pink ruled by Queen Victoria.
I agree with most of the posts above – Save the money, get the seigneur of Trinity or some other bod to do the ‘duty’.
Jersey needs to be dragged into the 21st Century – The Bailiff (interfering busy-body) and Lt Governor (unwelcome and overpaid leech) have two things in common along with our COM which is that they are not in touch with REAL people.. they meet people with MONEY, who have influence and power.. they do not know about the man in the street, his problems, how much everything costs…
A la #3 – Good riddance.
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Ian
I guess you don’t pay much tax, or are too wealthy to be worried about the amount you do pay.
Several hundred thousand for a couple of fetes and a quick dip , and keeping some class obsessed islanders happy is too big a price to pay. The French and others manage with honoury consuls, why can’t the UK?
The honoury consul could attend a few fetes and may even slip on a pair of budgie smugglers,. Keeping the Hyacinth Bucket types amused.
The incoming residents of Gov’ House may even have their own money to pay
for butlers, housekeepers, gardeners, letter openers and chauffeurs.
Given all he has done for free speech in his time I doubt we need fear your prediction of North Korea too much.
p.s. Looking forward to another long weekend next year off the back of you flag waving types.
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I would be curious to know how much tax money is given to the Queen and the rest of the royal family.
French used the guillautine to make savings.
They should leave them to sort out their own maintenance and sell their stories and weeding to women magazines.
They might stop using private trains, jets , army vehicles as they they wish at our expense…
Also expensive, dinners or banquets, holidays, clothes, gadget ,business trips, security…
But at least we get a nice picture of the queen on every bank notes to thank us for our charity toward the royal family.
How nice !
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Shame really: another member of the establishment raises concerns, and comments, about the goings-on of other figures, or responsibilities, of the same establishment; just as the door hits his ar$3 as he’s leaving!
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You have all missed the point, Andrew Ridley respresented the allegience to the United Kingdom regardless of how many fetes, folk he met etc. He was doing his duty on behalf of the Queen.
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15 the way you read everything is simply to suit you and proves there are none so blind as will not see,20 Toasted teacakes…folk have not missed any point…we don’t care about all that monarchy rubbish…a german and Greek family living high on the hog while we pay..must be mad… we do not want our money wasted on such plum appointments for the boys and are desperate for the island politicians to take a more grown up stance, all that forelock tugging is dead..time to move on to a modern adult way of conducting our affairs…pomp and nonsense is for the mindless masses…we deserve better.
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Cheer up, folks, it’s not only happening in Jersey.
At my address with a Kent postcode in the London suburbs I get glossy magazines through the letterbox telling me what a great job the ‘Lord Lieutenant of Kent’ (whoever he is)does and how I should be pleased that my Council Tax is well spent subsidising the parallel universe inhabited by the aforementioned and his hangers on.
Doubtless they are all allocated beds and ample champagne and caviar in the County Emergency Bunker.
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Would just like to comment that even though I have only met the Lt Governor a couple of times, he is a more down to earth man then some realise. The charity work done by himself and his wife will never be matched by anybody who holds his position, and his straight talking to the politicians of this island is what is needed. Perhaps the traditional stand of his presence is outdated, but that is a part of who we are. Certain officials in the chamber must stop trying to think that we are bigger then we are. Time for all states members to realise that we have to get back to basics. Start thinking of what this island really needs, not what makes it look good. Whether we all agree or not on the whole Lt Governor position isn’t the real question here. What we should be asking ourselves is whether we can afford to keep certain states members in the positions they hold now. Time for change. Lets elect NEW people in that have their heads screwed on correctly and common sense pumping through their veins.
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what a bunch of old moaners you are ! good grief !!
The Ridgeways were lovely people down to earth and took the time to talk and listen to you, they were always interested in anything they attended, they took the time to find out all about what ever event they were attending, they made a point of trying to speak to all there. I for one think they will be a hard act to follow.
I would rather see 10 of the Ridgeways then the so called elite we have running out island !!
time to vote people and get the current states members out and get some decent ones in !
I agree with 23 Lets elect NEW people in that have their heads screwed on correctly and common sense pumping through their veins.
not before time either ! lets just hope its not too late
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Would the Ridleys have shook as many hands, opened fetes etc. free of charge. They were in paid employment.
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Euan Mee, spot on!
The most critical thing is this, the position of the Lieutenant-Governor is the most imnportant role in Jersey and elsewhere in the Commonwealth with the Governor-General in New Zealand, Australia, Canada. Even Australia in recent times rejected a republic model in favour on the Queen and her representatives.
This is the most important position for JErsey, and if the likes of truthseeker’s views were listened too, then Jersey will crumble.
Jersey’s governance depends on the UK, and shall God Save the Queen it always will.
Otherwise we become the basket case of Pip/Adrian/truthseeker’s dreams.
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26, or if we implement your “value” system we could go down the route of becoming a society that even the likes of Sarah Palin and her Tea Pot/Party supporters would reject as extremely to the right. Eugenics anyone?
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Hard decisions. I think not. We cannot afford the luxury! of this office when middle Jersey is on it’s knees. The super wealthy pay next to nothing in Tax and those on benefit live a live of luxury at our expense.
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Deserves a knighthood for not knocking the Crown appointees into shape.
Some have made the mistake in thinking that he was here as our representative when he was actually here to represent the Crown to assure good governance and the administration of justice.
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Perspicuous @ 29.’he was here to represent the crown to ensure good governance ..’Thank you for clearing up my misunderstanding. I did not realise that opening fetes etc. was just a front.
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I think you are all missing the point and mixing the personality with the role. The Ridgeways were lovely and did the best they could whilst here.
The real issue is that Jersey does not need this role it is a waste of money our money and serves no real purpose. Those who support this are those who love to have their egos stroked by being able to say they have met the Queens rep in Jersey. In reality it would be cheaper to pay for one of the minor Royals (On Flybe) (who do not have much to do) to pop over and joint the states sittings occassionally.
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