THE Isle of Man's new Lieutenant Governor has said his official swearing-in ceremony will remain in his memories forever.
Adam Wood was sworn in at Castle Rushen on Thursday, April 7 – taking up the position as Her Majesty The Queen's representative of the Crown in the Isle of Man.
Speaking from his home at Government House in Onchan, which he described as "a very beautiful house with a wonderful garden," Mr Wood said: "Katie, my wife, and Persie, my daughter, and I have had a fantastic first week in the Island.
"We were welcomed very warmly - I think Thursday, the day of my swearing-in, will remain in our memories forever."
At the ceremony Mr Wood made the effort to say one of the prayers in Manx but says he hasn't yet had the chance to learn the National Anthem. He explained: "I don’t speak Manx – I trusted that there was no microphone close to me as my pronunciation is appalling. We had the words there and I felt it was a mark of respect to make an effort, even if it was a rather poor effort!
"We did try (to learn the national anthem) but actually this was one time that YouTube let us down. We found all sorts of strange renditions from obscure countries but we couldn't get the proper tune."
He explained that the family have been busy immersing themselves into life in the Island and said: "Since that time we've managed to get out and about around the Island – we went to the Manx Music Awards on Saturday evening, visited the MSPCA yesterday, and we've got an exciting few days ahead."
The new Lieutenant Governor also attended yesterday's sitting of Tynwald. Mr Wood continued: "It was great – it was very interesting, to see quite a bit of dynamism in the cut and thrust of questioning and answer. I like how the Members show a sense of humour."
Katie Richardson said the family would commute between the Island and the UK so that their daughter, who is 12, could attend school.
She explained: "It's going to be challenging – we've got about a year and a half of commuting because Persie is at a weekly boarding school in Hampshire.
"It will be challenging but it will be exciting aswell. We are really really enjoying being here, and actually it's going to be very hard going back across already."
Part of the role of Lieutenant Governor involves playing a full and active role in social and charitable affairs in the Isle of Man. Ms Richardson said she was keen to support the arts and that her daughter was keen to help animal charities.
Asked if there were any charities that he has pinpointed already Mr Wood said: "I think obviously there are some which relate directly to my own personal interests. I think it would be arrogant to turn up with a particular agenda. I think my role is to be responsive to the Island's needs.
"One of the things I would say is that traditionally there has maybe been some demarcation perceived, between what might be a charity that I would support and a charity Katie would support.
"In my own professional life, I've always sought to cross that boundary. If I look back to my time in east Africa one of the big issues there was gender based violence – which traditionally has been something female ambassadors had championed. I saw it as 'game changing' for a male ambassador to be somebody who spoke out against violence against women. I do look to cross boundaries."
Mr Wood also confirmed that he would be taking part in the Parish Walk in June. He said: "I do like walking and with the Parish Walk it's an impressive number of people. I'll give it a shot. I don't promise to finish – I don't promise to get very far – but it will be interesting."
Concluding on his first week in office Mr Wood said: "From that first week it's struck me firstly the warmth of the welcome we have received and secondly just how impressed we are by the sense of community and the high standards we've seen here on the Island."
Mr Wood also explained today why his wife Katie Richardson had not taken his name. He joked: "For me, Mrs Wood has always been my mother!"
Also see: New Lieutenant Governor "excited" about the years ahead
