After thanking the Father of the House, Senator Stuart Syvret, for his ‘generous remarks’ about his and Lady Cheshire’s contribution over five years, and paying tribute to the teamwork of the Government House staff, many of whom were present in the public gallery, Sir John said: ‘When Sam and I attended the special sitting of the States on 25 January 2001, Senator Horsfall made mention of the very special Jersey welcome.
That welcome (and the friendship that goes with it) has been the bedrock of our happiness here for the whole five years.
‘Before coming here we were inveterate travellers, having moved 30 times in 35 years to all corners of the earth.
And, at the risk of repeating myself, because I have said this in many other fora – Jersey is in a league of its own as the most friendly place in the world in which we have had the privilege of living.
Nowhere else has come close to demonstrating the warmth of welcome, the depth of support and friendship, and the genuine help and kindness that we have found so evident here.
‘For that unqualified support and friendship, we thank you Mr Bailiff and Lady Bailhache and all the people of this beautiful Island – we shall never forget it.
When I say all the people of Jersey, I really do mean all.’
