Guernsey Friends of Air Search 

President's Report 2007 

 A year ago, I attended the Annual General Meeting of the Guernsey Friends of Air Search, to be elected onto the committee.  I had previously served on this committee before resigning in 2004, prior to leaving the island for two years.  During the year I have had two changes of office and have very much enjoyed my increasing commitment to Channel Islands Air Search in the last 12 months.

Earlier this year, the committee of Guernsey Friends of Air Search said farewell to our long-serving President, Julyan Gardener-Wheeler.  Julyan’s contribution to Air Search has lasted more than 20 years, starting before he lived in Guernsey.  He used to ensure that he was always in the island for the AGM of the Friends and he was frequently the only non-committee member present.  In 1988, Air Search had a stand at Earls Court for the Boat Show, and we raised over £4000, mainly from raffle ticket sales.  Finding helpers was not easy, but Julyan gave us many hours – even though it involved travelling up from Sussex several times.  When he moved to Guernsey, it was inevitable that he was rapidly co-opted onto the Friends Committee.  From that day he has worked tirelessly for the Service, with total commitment.  Julyan was recently presented with an engraved vase as a token of our thanks, and I must also mention the help which both Elizabeth and Ashleigh frequently gave him.

During the course of the year, the Guernsey Friends, supported by the crew, have arranged seven Hangar Evenings.  Visiting groups have included Guernsey Round Table, St Saviours WI, Past Rotarians, and other corporate and social groups – all being very impressed with what they saw and heard, and generating  further support from within the community.  The Friends also attended various events over the summer to publicise the work of the organisation, including the Classic Car Show at Saumarez Park, St Saviour’s Revels, the West Show, the Donkey Derby, as well as a Flag Day and the Christmas Charities Fair at Beau Sejour.  In September, the vin d’honneur for visiting pilots attending the Annual Air Rally was again held in the Hangar, and we were also present at the Static Display.  All these events help to raise public awareness of the service and, at the same time, raise funds.

Also in the summer, we were lucky enough to be the nominated charity for the Cellar Door Ball which was held on 7 July in the marquee at Icart.  Our patron, H.E. Lieutenant-Governor and Lady Malbon attended, together with the Bailiff, Geoffrey Rowland and his wife Diana.  Over 170 guests enjoyed a spectacular evening, with good food and entertainment, as well as an auction, which included the Tim Thompson painting.  The event raised over £10,000, and we recently held a reception in the Hangar where Sam & Ita Spindlow presented the cheque to our patron, H.E. Sir Fabian Malbon.  Representatives of Friends, Trustees and Crew attended, as well as other rescue services such as the RNLI, both Fire Services, St Johns, the Police, and the Harbourmasters Office and the Airport.

In July we held an Open Garden at Castle Carey by kind permission of Mr & Mrs Clegg.  We were fortunate with the weather, and were kept busy providing afternoon tea for a large number of people, to the accompaniment of music provided by St Peter Port School band.

In addition to these events, our Annual Draw has again proved to be very popular and a regular source of revenue along with sales of Christmas cards both here in Guernsey and in Alderney.  Our collecting-boxes both at the airport and around the island along with the sale of goods (the range of which we are currently expanding) and used stamps all help to bring in extra funds.  Whilst this income is very necessary, we continue to be extremely grateful to the local businesses and companies who have sponsored searches and made a number of generous donations to our fundraising effort.  These donations are vital to our being able to maintain the level of funding needed to maintain the service. 

We have again had welcome support from our Friends in both Alderney and Sark.  Alderney had a very successful Air Search Day and the Simply Sark Team once again excelled themselves by raising more than £3500 from their Celebration of the Sea. Combined with other donations, the islanders continue to give the service terrific support for which we are very grateful.

The Friends Committee is saying goodbye to Mike Quarrington who has acted as Treasurer for a number of years and we thank him for his work during that period.  Mike is not leaving Air Search entirely, as he has taken on the position of Treasurer to the Trustees.  Shirley Morgan has taken over as Treasurer on the Friends Committee.  We must also thank Margaret Murphy for her work as Secretary for much of the year, and wish her well.  We welcome the addition of Bob Twist and Wayne Le Prevost as Committee members, who must be mentioned for being mad enough to take part in the man-powered flight competition at the Harbour Carnival in a miniature Lions’ Pride!

Thanks to the efforts of the Friends and the support of local people and businesses, I am delighted to report that in the financial year ending in June, the Friends were able to pay over to the Trustees a total of £37,500.  In addition to this, a further £12,500 was paid across to the Trustees in November.

The Friends have had a successful year fund-raising, but the operating costs and necessary maintenance on the aircraft are a continuous drain on funds, and the job of raising money does not get any easier, particularly with so many local charities vying for financial support.  That said, I am always heartened by people’s obvious affection and support for Channel Islands Air Search.

Finally, I would like to offer sincere thanks to all the Friends, helpers and supporters, both individual and corporate, of Channel Islands Air Search who have helped us achieve the results of the last twelve months.  I should also like to offer my own thanks to all the members of the Committee who have done so much to support the organisation.  We must also remember the enormous contribution made by the crew, without which there would be no service, as well as the work done by the Jersey Friends.  

Thank you all for your support.          

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