Post by pigeonpie on Dec 19, 2009 8:49:03 GMT
Deborah Hellyer’s work earns a diploma from Spanish army
The Honorary British Consul in Menorca, Deborah Hellyer, M.B.E., was presented with a diploma by Colonel Francisco Riva Mayor last Tuesday, in recognition of her special contribution towards developing a good relationship between Spain and the U.K. The presentation took place during an act in honour of the Spanish army’s patron saint which was held at the San Isidre Military Base and attended by civilian authorities and military personnel and their families.
The Colonel explained that the award was particularly in recognition of the Consul’s work in strengthening the ties between the two countries and, as could be seen in the bicentennial celebrations of Amiens, to leave behind the earlier periods of confrontation between two nations which are now so close.
In reply, Deborah Hellyer thanked the army and emphasised the friendship enjoyed by the two nations “which I have been able to experience personally by being recognised by my country of adoption”. She recalled her 35 years in Menorca, 17 of which have seen her serve her country as Honorary Vice Consul and then Honorary Consul, and the British community’s “small contribution” to Menorcan society, such as involvement in acts commemorating “our shared history”.
Speaking after the ceremony, the Consul explained that the British input to the Amiens celebrations had been fairly important and successful, raising the profile enormously by having British troops and lecturers participating.
She felt that the diploma was a threefold honour - to her country, the consular corps and personally, adding that she had been “really surprised to be given the M.B.E. by my own country, but doubly surprised to receive this diploma from my country of adoption”.
The Honorary British Consul in Menorca, Deborah Hellyer, M.B.E., was presented with a diploma by Colonel Francisco Riva Mayor last Tuesday, in recognition of her special contribution towards developing a good relationship between Spain and the U.K. The presentation took place during an act in honour of the Spanish army’s patron saint which was held at the San Isidre Military Base and attended by civilian authorities and military personnel and their families.
The Colonel explained that the award was particularly in recognition of the Consul’s work in strengthening the ties between the two countries and, as could be seen in the bicentennial celebrations of Amiens, to leave behind the earlier periods of confrontation between two nations which are now so close.
In reply, Deborah Hellyer thanked the army and emphasised the friendship enjoyed by the two nations “which I have been able to experience personally by being recognised by my country of adoption”. She recalled her 35 years in Menorca, 17 of which have seen her serve her country as Honorary Vice Consul and then Honorary Consul, and the British community’s “small contribution” to Menorcan society, such as involvement in acts commemorating “our shared history”.
Speaking after the ceremony, the Consul explained that the British input to the Amiens celebrations had been fairly important and successful, raising the profile enormously by having British troops and lecturers participating.
She felt that the diploma was a threefold honour - to her country, the consular corps and personally, adding that she had been “really surprised to be given the M.B.E. by my own country, but doubly surprised to receive this diploma from my country of adoption”.
