Lydia Batchelor

St John Cadet Lydia Batchelor is one of five Lieutenant Governor’s Cadets in Guernsey.

Lydia was appointed to the role in September 2017 at a ceremony at Government House.

As a Lieutenant Governor’s Cadet Lydia attends events and ceremonies, assists His Excellency Sir Ian Corder and Lady Corder in their various duties and accompanies them on some official visits around the island. One of Lydia’s jobs is to meet and greet guests as they arrive at Government House. Although these are often formal events, Lydia says there is always a friendly atmosphere. During the Christmas period Lydia assisted on a trip to meet patients at Guernsey’s Princess Elizabeth Hospital. She said “It was nice to be able to meet and chat to people who would be spending their Christmas on the ward, and to see parts of the hospital I’d not seen before”.

In November Lydia was on duty at Guernsey’s Remembrance Sunday service at the Smith Street War Memorial. She said “I feel proud to represent St John and have this opportunity”.

This year the five Lieutenant Governor’s cadets are also getting involved with the Youth Forum.

“Cadets has been a great way of meeting new people and learning new skills, such as basic and advanced first aid”.

Lydia is also the current Guernsey St John Cadet of the Year. She became Cadet of the Year in February 2017, so is now coming to the end of her year in office.

Lydia joined St John as a Cadet at the age of ten and is now a Cadet leader. She helps the adult leaders organise activities and teach topics such as caring for the environment and creative crafts. She says “Cadets has been a great way of meeting new people and learning new skills, such as basic and advanced first aid”. During her time as a cadet she has also learnt sign-language.

Like many of her young colleagues Lydia can also be seen helping her community by providing first aid cover at events like Liberation Day and the summer shows. Lydia is hoping to use some of the skills she has developed during her time with St John in her future career.

A new Cadet of the Year will be appointed to take over from Lydia in February.