interview
Island Life - June/July 2010
appointment a little, saying there
long neglected and is outraged that the
are far more engagements involved
temporary “doubling up” of prisoners
A visit by the Queen and the Duke
for today’s Sheriff. Championing
in one-man cells still continues after a
of Edinburgh together, in May 2004,
opportunities for young people was
decade.
was one of the other highlights of
high on his agenda.
Taking on the role of Chairman of the
When Christopher Bland was
Khan!”
his tenure. While the Duke was taken
approached to be Lord Lieutenant in
to look at boats and businesses,
Health Authority was not his cup of
1995 it was a complete bolt from the
Christopher looked after the Queen
tea, however. He felt rather dragooned
blue. “I’d given my own suggestions as
on the Havenstreet railway. “We had a
into it: “When approached I said I
to whom it should be when approached
very special lunch at Osborne House,
didn’t want to do it, and the powers
by the PM’s office. But I never saw my
where the Queen was able to discuss
that be wrote back saying ‘You’re the
name on the list!” It was, he says, an
her gardening problems with Alan
only name on our list’!” He smiles at
honour and a privilege to represent
Titchmarsh.”
being the victim of a fete accompli.
the Queen for 11 years. The role of
“I don’t think I ever understood the
Lord Lieutenant has many facets, all
after 11 years, aged 70, and as
workings of the NHS and therefore
of which are important to the fabric
chairman of Hovertravel in 2008. As he
did not do justice to the position. My
of our society, and which need to be
remains a non-executive director he has
time was thankfully cut short after a
taken very seriously. However, there
effectively been with the company for
rather ‘frank’ discussion with the then
is also the lighter side of the position,
45 years.
minister, David Mellor.”
and Christopher recalls two very
Serving on the Albany Prison board
Christopher retired as Lord Lieutenant
Recognition for his dedication to the
special occasions. In 2001 the Royal
life of the Island came in 2008 when
was more to his liking. “You were a
Yacht Squadron at Cowes hosted the
he was made one of just two Freeman
neutral person the prisoners could talk
New York Yacht Club to celebrate 150
of the Isle of Wight – Dame Ellen
to. Ninety-five per cent of them are
years of the America’s Cup. “The RYS’s
MacArthur is the other. Although he
innocent of course – according to them.
organisation was as breathtakingly
joshes that the honour entitles him to
Someone once said to me ‘Mr Bland
efficient as it was impressive to those
drive any sheep he might have through
you’ve got to remember we’ve only got
from both sides of the Atlantic. Not
the centre of Newport, he is clearly
the stupid ones in here, the smart ones
only did we have the cream of the
humbled by the honour.
are still out there!’”
yachting fraternity, the event was
He believes the prisons have been
48
patronised by three kings and the Aga
So retirement for Christopher Bland
isn’t of the feet up variety. He remains
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