We are pleased to announce the next stage of our online restructuring, with St John Ambulance & Rescue Service moving to a new web address at ambulance.gg. You can access this easily by clicking the black “Ambulance & Rescue” button at the top of your page.
This new website at stjohn.gg is dedicated solely to the charity rather than the Ambulance and Rescue Service, as we continue raising the profile of St John Guernsey LBG as a charitable cause, which is a separate organisation from the Ambulance & Rescue Service.
The perception of the role of St John in the community has become clouded for many due to the operation of the Emergency Ambulance Service. This new website highlights the roles we proudly play in supporting our Bailiwick communities through charitable endeavours like our youth programme, event first aid cover, first aid in schools, community library and training services, in addition to our fundraising events.
The new website also makes getting involved as a volunteer or signing your child up for one of our youth programmes easier than ever before.
Our recent feature in the Guernsey Press went into greater detail on the distinction between the two parts of St John.
Many people are unaware that the St John organisation in Guernsey is made up of two very different entities:
An Old Elizabethan whose academic achievements at school yielded to his skills and energies as an enthusiastic shot and sportsman, Peter Voute had a distinguished Naval career, including Fleet Air Arm duties and posts, diplomatic assignments including as Naval Attaché in Madrid, besides sea commands and operational service in various areas of confrontation eg Borneo/Indonesia, and which included teaching the King when Prince of Wales to fly helicopters. He retired from active service in 1992 to the no less exacting combats engendered by the UK Government’s assaults on the countryside as a senior executive of the Countryside Alliance. He was one of the organisers of the Countryside Rally, and later the Countryside March, both of which encouraged great support for the retention of traditional countryside pursuits.
On his returning to Guernsey in the early 2000’s, as then Chairman of the St John Council I asked him to become involved with St John, and in particular to review and reorganise its cumbersome and inappropriate voluntary Divisional structure, a project he undertook with characteristic efficiency and precision, and in the result a much leaner and more effective voluntary St John emerged. He succeeded me as Chairman of the St John Council in 2008, and was appointed to the office of Knight Commander on the Bailiwick’s St John activities and undertakings being transferred from the Priory of England and the Islands of the Order to the locally incorporated Commandery in July 2012, in order to give St John in the Bailiwick the independence it deserved as a Crown Dependency. In his dealings to establish the Commandery with the Priory and the Order of St John, he proved a skilled but pragmatic negotiator, and the eventual success of these new arrangements demonstrate the sense and value of his contribution.
Peter married Marta Blad, of the notable Guernsey family, who was a delightful companion, yet a discerning foil. Sadly, due to her illness, he had to step down as Knight Commander sooner than anticipated, but his contribution to the establishment of the Commandery and its subsequent achievements cannot be overemphasised. Peter’s life and career were marked by a sense of duty and discipline, and the maintenance of standards of conduct which he set himself and expected of others; yet he was a thoroughly engaging and interesting, besides modest, gentleman and his ever-courteous manner and characteristic efficiency were hard to match. St John locally owes him much.
Nik van Leuven KStJ.
Heather Langlois, Chief Executive Officer of the St John Guernsey charity said: “When the Commandery of St John in Guernsey was first formed in 2012, Peter was appointed as our very first Knight Commander. Being a Commandery meant that even though we retained our ties with the Priory of St John England, we became an independent entity. Peter made a much valued contribution to the history of St John Guernsey, providing oversight and counsel during what was a significant period of change. He brought a wealth of experience and wisdom to the role as well as being a loyal supporter and advocate for St John for after his retirement.”
Phil Ozanne, Community Operations Manager for St John Guernsey charity said: “Peter was a very warm and approachable person and was one of those people you could always have an informal chat with if you needed any advice or guidance. I know that he will be missed by all who knew him. The thoughts of all those associated with St John are with his family at this time.”
The flag at the Rohais has been flying at half mast as a mark of respect. Our thoughts are with Peter’s family at this time.
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