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St Mary Matters OUR COMMUNITY Autumn 2026

PA S T, P R E S E N T & F U T U R E

Edition 32

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The summer that eclipsed them all? What a memorable summer we have just experienced. Anyone over fifty will be comparing it to 1976 – what a summer that was. It has become the benchmark for extreme drought and persistent sunshine conditions - despite the fact that several summers this century achieved higher overall temperatures. But 2026 seems to have topped the lot for consistent heat.

owever, while a hot summer is welcomed by many, when coupled with such a severe drought, the likes of keen gardeners, farmers and insomniacs may not be so happy. The succession of heatwaves certainly gave the La Mare wine estate a headstart with the grape harvest, but it was a mixed blessing for Jean Vautier who’s concerned about the harsh winter that she believes will follow a hot summer. And it has given Beachcomber the hump – he has been inspired to suggest a new tourist attraction that would take advantage of the shifting Our parched Parish sands of time. However, the dry summer has given the Parish’s outdoor events calendar a big boost – from the Wild West Fest at the Community Centre, the beach events put on by the National Trust, centred on the Seaside Café, the St Mary Church garden party, the Battle of Flowers, featuring the amazing St May/St Ouen float, and the end-of-term party at St Mary School, they have all been able to flourish in the sunshine – and they are all featured in the pages of this magazine. However not everything is coming up roses. The Constable, David Johnson, is keen to highlight a couple of issues which may prove to be thorns of contention. First of all, there is the link between St Mary and its Normandy twin town of Longues-sur-Mer. It’s been years since there has been any effective liaison entre nous – but with the big anniversary celebrations of the birth of William the Conqueror coming up next year should we be making more of the entente cordiale with our Normandy counterpart? And then there is the issue of how the church estate is funded in St Mary. It’s under review by the Parish’s Rectorat, but your opinions on the matter would be very welcome. By the time you read this, summer may still have one last hurrah in store, but then we’re on the downward path to longer nights and colder days and the joys of Christmas and the New Year. I wish you well on the journey.

Mike Fennell Editor

St Mary Matters Autumn 2026

In thisEdition 10 Wild West

19 Batting for Bats 20 Sea Spectacular 24 Summer of Fun 28 On Hump or Two 37 Fruit Beds & Blankets

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If you would like to contribute to future editions of “St Mary Matters”, please email Mike Fennell at mlpfennell@googlemail.com.

St Mary Matters

Published for the community by MediaMasters EDITORIAL Mike Fennell T: 07829 800840 E: mlpfennell@googlemail.com ADVERTISING Martyn Farley T: 07797 743191 E: martyn@farley.je ACCOUNTS Helen Le Marquand E: helenlm@mediamasters.je Copyright © MediaMasters The entire content of this publication is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. No part of this journal may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written consent of the copyright owner. Disclaimer While MediaMasters and contributors to St Mary Matters have provided the information contained in it in good faith, they accept no responsibility, financial or otherwise, for any action taken by any other party as a result of the information so provided. Independent and appropriate advice should always be sought on such matters. The views expressed within this newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. The Editor accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions that may occur. St Mary Matters is a community parish publication by MediaMasters and is printed on FSC certified paper using vegetable-based inks by an ISO 14001 accredited printer.

Fee Fi Foam Fun

It was the last day of the school year, a time to celebrate for many, but for Year 6 pupils a chance to reflect on the end of their time at St Mary’s School and to look forward to what comes next.

ot that any of that was allowed to dampen the spirits of the end of term partygoers. Although everybody did get soaked, thanks to the Jersey Showman and his fantastic foam machine, not to mention his giant bubble catapult.

The Hunter family enjoying their icecreams

To add to the entertainment there were freshly baked pizzas on offer as well as an ice-cream van. Among the young revellers was elevenyear-old Solly, the son of the St Mary Community Centre manager, Jules Cabot. He had mixed feelings about the celebration because it was his last day at St Mary’s School, but that didn’t prevent him making the most of the moment. He started the day with a class swim at 7am, followed by bacon and egg rolls on the beach. The Year Six leavers were clapped out of school at 3pm and into the Ibiza-style foam party. Then after that it was straight onto the last junior’s youth club. They were then clapped out of there at 8.30pm and it was a case of straight back down to beach for a sunset swim and reflection. In September Solly Cabot will begin the new school year at Les Quennevais.

Solly Cabot and mum Jules

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More Tea, Rector? What a special afternoon. Almost everything had a touch of magic about it at the annual St Mary’s Church garden party in mid-July.

he weather was superb – warm and sunny, but not overbearing; the setting – Ian and Sibbie Ling’s magnificent garden in La Grand Rue – was superb; the tea was positively scrumptious – sandwiches, cakes and scones all served with a smile; the musical accompaniment provided by “Mary in the Dunes” was a real treat; and what’s more the Rector was back in our midst, having taking time out after being off duty through stress and burn-out, not to mention a bout of pneumonia. The only downside was church warden Frank Wood’s persistent inability to serve the correct brew in his teapot, but he’s now got a year to practice getting it right – mind you he was dealing with some very fussy customers! All that and a very healthy sum of £1,280 raised for church funds. It was the fifth year of the annual event and it’s difficult to think how it could get any better. As a comment in the church newsletter put it: “From parking to co-ordinating the food, from making sandwiches to baking cakes, from serving to pouring tea, from the raffle to clearing up, so many people got involved which made it a real church family effort. Out of all this has evolved a Social Committee which will dream up future events, plan and, hopefully, deliver them.”

Grape Expectations The prolonged dry spell has not only had a major impact on our gardens, the parish’s hedgerows, and farmers’ fields, it’s also caused a big change in the timetable for harvesting the grapes at the La Mare wine estate.

im Crowley, the managing director at the vineyard said that it had been about two and a half months without “meaningful rain,” and that this year’s harvest would be the earliest ever in the estate’s 28-year history. Usually, the grape harvest starts in late September or early October which in itself can be problematic because the unpredictability of the weather then can pose awkward conditions for the grape collection. Mr Crowley said the hot weather in June with temperatures above 30 degrees centigrade had been good for the grapes, but they did need water.

He said that grapes are resilient to dry weather, and that generally, they do a lot better than most crops, but they were starting to struggle after the prolonged dry spell. The apple harvest was also exceptionally early. Meanwhile the La Mare Wine Estate has become the first business in the Channel Islands to receive the AA Gold Award for Visitor Attractions, achieving a score of 96% in its first AA assessment. “This award is reserved for the best visitor experiences in the UK, and only around 10% of attractions assessed by the AA reach Gold standard, making this recognition a real milestone for our team and for Jersey’s visitor economy,” said Mr Crowley. “The assessment covered every part of the visitor journey, from our tours and tastings to our café, retail experience, cleanliness and customer service. We were especially delighted to receive perfect scores across several key areas, and to be described as a “stunning vineyard and working estate” that “far exceeded expectations.” St Mary Matters Autumn 2026

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An Honorary Police

for the Modern Age The Honorary Police have been part of Island life for more than 800 years, evolving from the earliest forms of local policing to the modern, community‑focused service Islanders recognise today. Parishioners, Islanders and visitors continue to benefit from a visible, trusted Parish policing presence across the Island.

We also work closely with partner agencies and other key stakeholders to uphold the standards of the Honorary Police. Although voluntary, our professionalism, training and conduct remain central to maintaining public confidence. Those interested in joining the Honorary Police can apply

he Honorary Police remain a vital part of Jersey’s infrastructure. Without our officers, many of the Island’s major events simply could not take place. The Battle of Flowers, the Jersey International Air Display, the Marathon and numerous other events rely heavily on the dedication and hard work of Honorary Officers to ensure their safe and smooth operation. Across the Island, we currently operate at approximately 55% of our full establishment of 311 officers. Like many voluntary organisations, we face recruitment challenges. Economic pressures, busy personal lives and changing work patterns all contribute to Islanders having less available time to volunteer. Despite these challenges, the Honorary Police continues to modernise while preserving its unique Parish identity. All officers - whether Centeniers, Vingteniers or Constable’s Officers - are automatically enrolled into the Honorary Police Association (at no cost to the officer). The Association provides essential support to officers, particularly in areas they may not wish to face alone, such as welfare concerns or disciplinary matters.

via www.yourparishneedsyou.je or through their Parish Hall. Applicants are interviewed and then invited to a Parish Assembly, where they may be elected as a Constable’s Officer, Vingtenier or Centenier - each role carrying different responsibilities, with Centeniers holding the Power of Charge. All officers are fully vetted. Once elected, officers attend the Royal Court to be sworn in for a three-year term. Training is a core part of the role. All officers complete Foundation Course Training, equipping them with the skills required for duty, followed by supplementary training throughout their term of office.

If you would like more information about the Honorary Police or the work of the Association, please contact me, as President of the Honorary Police Association, at Ben. Wheaton@police.sthelier.je.

St Mary Matters Autumn 2026

photos: PoppWphotography

Officers are subject to the Police (Complaints and Conduct – Honorary Police) (Jersey) Regulations 2025. While we hope complaints are rare, the Association has invested in training additional Police Friends to support officers through any such processes. Our welfare support network has also been strengthened, ensuring officers can easily access help for mental health, physical health or other personal matters.

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Wild West extravaganza In July once again part of St Mary was transformed into a scene from the Wild West with plenty of parishioners donning their cowboy hats and Stetsons as they moseyed along down to the hoedown outside the Community Centre.

ome were carrying their six-shooters, but they were holstered for the most part. And while the bucking bronco that had been advertised wasn’t available on the day, due to a technical mishap, there was plenty of fun and games on offer for the younger cowhands. It was the second year of the Wild West Country Fest and it again delivered a top-notch entertainment programme. Straw bales and rough timber tables gave the setting a flavour of the classic frontier landscape, although wooden boardwalks and hitching posts were in short supply. Nor did the saloon bar have swinging doors, but the service provided by the St Mary pub was much appreciated on a hot and dusty afternoon. The chuckwagon was another big hit with wild west staples like sourdough biscuits, pinto beans and salted meat being thankfully rejected in favour of a delicious hog-roast accompanied by roasted Jersey Royals. And the country and western music provided by Rick Jones went down a storm. It was followed up in the evening by line dancing with Step 55.

St Mary Matters Autumn 2026

The Jersey Polo Club

This year’s attendance was bolstered by a 16-strong crew of mavericks from the badlands of St Martin – and much further afield. They called themselves the Jersey Polo Club – apparently because of a family connection with an estate in Argentina where polo was played. The group had come together – some from as far afield as America - to celebrate Andrew Benitz’s 50th birthday. The emblem on their matching polo-shirts was the same as the mark used to brand the cattle at his grandfather’s ranch in Argentina.

Rick Jones

They’d already enjoyed a hog-roast the previous evening in St Martin, but the party continued the following day with a kind of pub crawl by public bus. Their first port of call was the Dolphin in Gorey, followed by the White Horse in Havre de Pas, and ending at the Farmers Inn in St Ouen before arriving in St Mary. The group made the most of their time in the Parish, even though they weren’t sure how they were getting back to St Martin, given the public bus option was no longer available.

Autumn 2026 St Mary Matters

St Mary Matters Autumn 2026

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It Takes Two to Tango

which all the twinning communities were invited. The response was mixed – St Mary sent a team but there was no-one from Longues-sur-Mer. There was a big deputation from St-Hilaire-duHarcouët, but no-one showed up from their twin parish, St Peter.

Driving into St Mary the roadside signs indicate that the Parish is twinned with Longues-sur-Mer, a commune in Normandy, north of Bayeux.

However, a major event is looming. Next year sees the 1,000th anniversary of the birth of William the Conquerer. To celebrate the milestone, the Normandy Regional Council is leading “Millennium 2027 - European Year of the Normans,” a yearlong international cultural project. The States of Jersey has already indicated it will host and contribute to a range of events, including heritage exhibitions, art commissions, educational and youth-focused initiatives plus cross-island collaborations with mainland Normandy.

t’s a partnership that suggests social and cultural inks involving community visits and regional exchanges. And St Mary isn’t alone in that respect with Jersey’s parishes having been linked with a counterpart in Normandy, although St Clement has established a tie with Cancale in Brittany. Time was that those links were quite active, especially during the ‘It’s a Knockout’ era - the TV programme first broadcast in 1966. It survived for nearly 40 years having been adapted from the French show ‘Intervilles’ and was part of the international ‘Jeux Sans Frontières’ franchise. A version of it also became a staple of the town twinning tie-ups between Jersey parishes and their counterparts in Normandy.

The question facing the parish is whether we should we buy into this programme of events in some meaningful way – perhaps starting with an attempt to revive the town-twinning with Longues-sur-Mer. Or, given that the commune is so far from Jersey - a day trip would be impossible with the current ferry schedules – should St Mary look for a more accessible alternative such as one of the seaside towns like Jullouville, near Granville.

One of the twinning tie-ups took place in St Mary on the field where the Community Centre now stands. Former St Mary Constable Ken Le Brun remembered it as being a big event. “We had all the parishes over. We had lots of water features, slides and so on, plus we had an egg throwing competition – with real eggs, not hard-boiled ones. It was great fun.” But over the years while some parishes like St Brelade have maintained active links with their French counterpart, others, including St Mary, have allowed the partnerships to lapse, more or less completely. Although there was an attempt to revive the format in Granville in 2023 with a pétanque competition to Gift from Longues-sur-Mer that has lost its plaque

Those were the days

But beyond town-twinning, there remains the question of how much interest there is in St Mary in getting actively involved in the first place and at what level. If you have any thoughts on the matter the Constable David Johnson would love to hear from you. You can write to him or send an email, or you could simply drop into reception at the Parish Hall and pass on your thoughts.

Rectorat Review Parishioners will wish to note that one recurring item being discussed is the amount payable in respect of the maintenance of the ‘Rectorat Estate.’

n that context, the Rectorat (being a panel comprising the Rector, the Churchwardens, the Constable and the Procureurs) is reviewing the overall position as to all the property making up its estate (including the Rectory Stables, the Barn Loft, Rectory Cottage and the Rectory itself) as a preliminary to presenting possible options for consideration by the Parish Assembly. The former Rectory stables

St Mary Matters Autumn 2026

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Where we’ll be: • Grouville – January 2027 • St Brelade – February 2027 • St Peter – March 2027 • St Ouen – April 2027 The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up, you may not get back what you invest. Quilter Cheviot, Quilter Cheviot Investment Management and Quilter Cheviot International are trading names of Quilter Cheviot International Limited. Quilter Cheviot International Limited is registered in Jersey with number 128676, registered office at 3rd Floor, Windward House, La Route de la Liberation, St Helier, JE1 1QJ, Jersey and is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission and as an approved Financial Services Provider by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority in South Africa.

OS017074_QC_Ad_Parish_Magazine_190x133.indd 1 St Mary Matters Autumn 2026

25/08/2026 11:39

Batting for our bats... and our hedgehogs! Children at St Mary’s School have become passionate advocates for the natural world – and this summer they’ve been active in learning about both bats and hedgehogs. This report from Year 3 teacher, Laura Webb.

“W

e’ve been out on evening bat walks which have taken us around the Scout Hut, Crabbé and along the peaceful lanes of St Mary. Armed with bat detectors and guided by local experts including Callum Webb, Secretary of the Jersey Bat Group, the children learned how bats use echolocation to navigate and hunt for insects after dark. One pupil said: ‘The bat walk was my favourite part of the year it was so cool seeing the bats flying around near where we live.’

If you’d like to learn more, consider checking out the Jersey Bat Group and its website for more information. If you plan to spend time watching the evening sky, any member of the public can borrow a bat detector from Jersey Library free of charge! At St Mary’s School, we’re also getting excited about taking steps to become a Hedgehog Friendly School, helping one of Britain’s best-loved but declining native mammals. Throughout the year, our pupils have been learning about hedgehogs, why they are important, and the challenges they face. One Year 3 pupil said: “'Hedgehogs and bats are important because they help keep nature healthy. They eat pests, support the environment and are part of our amazing wildlife. By protecting them, we help look after the world around us for the future.”

Hedgehogs need our help because modern gardens and roads can make it difficult for them to find food, water and safe places to shelter. By making a few simple changes, we can all make a real difference. Here are some easy ways parishioners can support local hedgehogs:

We were delighted to record both common pipistrelles, the species most often seen in Jersey, and the much larger serotine - a special highlight for everyone involved. The project has inspired children to look more closely at the wildlife around them and appreciate the rich biodiversity on their own doorstep and many pupils encouraged their families to get out and about hunting for the Great Garden Batwatch in June.

• Leave a small gap (around 13 cm x 13 cm) at the bottom of fences so hedgehogs can move freely between gardens. • Provide a shallow dish of fresh water, especially during warm weather. • Create a wild corner with leaves and logs where hedgehogs can nest safely. • Check carefully before mowing long grass or lighting bonfires. • Avoid using slug pellets and pesticides, which can harm hedgehogs and reduce their food supply.

Bats are easiest to spot on warm, dry evenings between May and September, usually around 20–30 minutes after sunset, as they emerge from their roosts to feed. Why not take a gentle evening stroll through the parish, pause for a few moments and look up? You may be surprised by the number of bats flying overhead. Autumn 2026 St Mary Matters

Sea Spectacular It was called ‘Waves of Wonder’ and what a wonderful sight it was: the St Mary/St Ouen Battle of Flowers entry.

esigned by Marcus Davies and put together by a hard-working team of volunteers it provided a magnificent spectacle, as colourful and detailed as any of the other entries but somehow more vibrant than all of them. Sadly though, it didn’t win any prizes. Build leader Paul Pinel said: “There are lots of very tired people who worked so hard to get it finished. Winning isn’t always possible when you’re a new team, so we are not too disappointed. We don’t have much time to reflect. We are already planning a meeting to look at what happened this year and start to make plans for next year.” Whatever the result, the float was extraordinary, like an aquarium on wheels with so many underwater species on display in a vivid representation of their natural environment. The colourful seahorses were the icing on the cake, riding high above the float, although the big crab at the front of the display also attracted loads of compliments.

St Mary Matters Autumn 2026

Designer Marcus Davies with some last-minute flowering

It was, as ever, a race against the clock with lots of last-minute flowering taking place in a lay-by on the way to the big event. It all started in a small out-of-the-way barn in St Ouen before being transferred to more spacious accommodation at La Hougue Farm which used to be the home of the Amazing Maize. The complicated design needed a host of helpers to bring the float to life. And there were constant appeals from Paul Pinel for everything from laurel and hydrangea leaves to plastic buckets and empty fairy liquid bottles. The extraordinary range of colourful flowers came from Colombia. A week before the event there was a lot of stripping

stems, beheading and glueing of flowers, not to mention the hours of papier mache and woodwork. There was an all-nighter for some of the team before Battle morning. All credit to the volunteers from both parishes, although in reality the team could have done with a few more helping hands. Paul Pinel signed off with this comment: “A big thank you to our sponsors and supporters without whom none of this would be possible. We are grateful for all the support that we get and look forward to next year with huge excitement. If you would like to sponsor our next exhibit, donate or volunteer, please message Paul on 07700 712124 for more details.”

Autumn 2026 St Mary Matters

BOOKMARKS A roundup of local publishing

A new book by local author Sarah Grigson takes a fresh look at the occupation through 100 objects left behind. Some objects are rare and historically significant, others are humble, even mundane, but each carries a story. Here we look at one of the objects: a gas mask.

water supply and whether there was a pond or stream nearby. They also noted anyone with first-aid knowledge or other skills that could be helpful in the event of an attack. Air-raid shelters were built all over the island. The States dug zigzag trenches in many parks, in the grounds of municipal buildings and at many of the schools. They were usually lined with timber, with wooden duckboards on the floor and long benches for islanders to sit on during a raid. Others were built into the basements of buildings, including in many private houses, or were constructed of brick or concrete in gardens.

The British government greatly feared the threat of poison gas attacks during air raids. They issued gas masks for every man, woman and child, including special versions for babies, and in Jersey, demonstrations and fittings were held at locations such as Grouville School and the St John’s Ambulance Hall to ensure the gas masks were used correctly. After war was declared in September 1939, islanders were urged to carry them at all times. Other precautions were taken against the threat of air raids by the States of Jersey. Tens of thousands of sandbags were ordered, and decontamination and first-aid posts were established in various locations. Blackout orders were issued and every window and door in the island had to be covered with a heavy curtain or shutter so that no light would show through. ARP wardens had to make a list of every household in their area, the number of people in each home, whether it had a telephone, how they accessed their

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Air-raid sirens were placed at the Fort Regent Signal Station, the Jersey Electricity Company at Mont a l'Abbé, the grounds of the mental hospital in Grouville, next to St Peter's Parish Church and by the cemetery in Sion. Twenty-five-foot metal towers were erected to hold the three sirens outside of town. The sirens were powered by electricity, and by varying the power, the siren emitted a rising and falling signal to warn the public of incoming aircraft. The ‘allclear’ signal was a single continuous note. In the case of a poison gas attack, ARP wardens carried ‘gas rattles’, a hand-operated device that produced a loud clacking sound to alert people to immediately put on their gas masks (many of these were repurposed by football supporters after the war). They also carried hand bells to ring the ‘all-clear’ signal. The German air raid on Jersey in June 1940 used conventional bombs, and there were no other major air raids during the occupation, although there were at least fourteen small raids or occasions when bombs were dropped on the island. A terrible accident occurred in the cold winter of December 1944 that resulted in the closure of many air-raid shelters on the island. A nine-year-old boy entered a shelter to look for firewood and tragically died when he removed a wooden support, causing the structure to collapse. As the threat of air raids had passed, it was decided that many shelters would be removed.

Jersey War Tunnels and also • Société Jersiaise - 7, Pier Road • Maison de la Normandie et de la Manche - 71 Halkett Place • The Harbour Gallery - 19, The Quay, Commercial Buildings • Jersey Heritage - Jersey Museum, The Weighbridge (and outlets) • John Cooper Antiques - 16, Central Market • DR Crenan - Harve des Pas, St Helier • St John Parish Hall St Mary Matters Autumn 2026

Saturday, 14 November St Helier Town Hall 10am to 4pm Free community fair with expert advice

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A Summer of

Seaside Fun

The hot weather has certainly meant plenty of activity on the beach at Grève de Lecq with islanders seeking to make the most of the summer bounty.

t the same time the Seaside Café has also been exceptionally busy this summer. That’s in part due to the National Trust for Jersey celebrating its 90th anniversary this year during which there have been plenty of events for the public to enjoy. One of the highlights was an exhibition celebrating the “90 Faces of the National Trust,” featuring portraits of members aged from 0 to 90, who have Tim Le Gresley helped shape the organisation’s work over the years (the exhibition is now on display in town at The Georgian House, New Street). The pictures were put on display at an event in the Seaside Café, alongside stalls selling a variety of local produce as well as a variety of stands illustrating the Trust’s work. One rather horrifying exhibit was a monster-sized Asian Hornets’ nest.

Among the members whose work was highlighted during the exhibition was Tim Le Gresley, a fourth-generation dairy farmer who manages a herd of 80 milking cows and 30 followers in St Mary. Tim has worked for 20 years helping look after the Trust’s land around its St Mary headquarters, The Elms, which borders the fields managed by his family at Oakdale Farm.

St Mary Matters Autumn 2026

Giant Asian Hornets’ nest

At the same time there was plenty going on outside the café with live entertainment provided by half a dozen singers and musicians over two successive August weekends. And on the beach, there was range of family activities on offer from funfairstyle games including a ‘tin-can alley’, a three-legged race and a sandcastle building competition. Its theme was “sea creatures” and there were plenty of imaginative entries featuring crabs, octopuses and seahorses.

Meanwhile the National Trust has revealed the latest state of play of its long-term plans for the Seaside Café. The Trust’s design team is preparing detailed proposals for the next stage of the development: “Shaped by the feedback we have received, including over 3,300 participants and another 300 participants in our community workshop, these plans will demonstrate our commitment to serving the interests of the local community while honouring the intentions of the public gift.”

Crumbs of Comfort?

Best Fest in the West

This edition’s View from the rectory is very brief as my hands are rather full. On July 1st a black, green and russet cockerel appeared in our garden.

What a fantastic evening we had at this year’s Wild West Fest. The event brought together parishioners, families and friends for an afternoon of great music, food, dancing and community spirit.

contacted Ivor Barette to see if it was one of his and he said he'd have to come and have a look. Then I saw a Facebook post which said a loose cockerel had been spotted in St Mary and the JSPCA had been contacted. All is well, or so I thought.

hank you to all our amazing volunteers, organisers, performers and everyone who came along and supported the event. It was wonderful to see the centre so full of life, and we’re already looking forward to doing it all again next year!

The result was six chicks hatched on August 15th, and we had to build a taller hen run to keep our birds from flapping over (and safe from Mr Cockerel!). Then I discovered our broody hen Alice (named after the ditsy verger on the Vicar of Dibley), sitting on lots of eggs. I thought great, scrambled egg for lunch, until I heard a cheep, cheep! Alice didn't want to know as we'd moved her into the new hen high security wing, so the Aga has become a twolayer incubator and chick pen. Then the next thing, a golden and rather handsome cockerel appeared, with one of our black hens who had broken out of hen high security, and what appears to be a visiting hen with similar colouring to Mr Handsome. Clearly Mr Handsome has visited before - you only have to look at the first born to know who his Dad is! (yes, we think he is a cockerel ) So, it's a brief communication as I'm having to change bedding every 12 hours and feed the babies chick crumb. Crumbs...Sunday's reading was about the Canaanite woman challenging Jesus, 'even the dogs eat the crumbs from under the table'. A lesson in not excluding the outsider, the marginalised, or anyone different to us, and for me, gives a whole new meaning to the word crumb! Every day's a school day!

Kirsty

Caption for Community Centre picture Jules Cabot (left) and Laura Hefford welcoming Ivor Barette

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ivor Barrette as the new chairman of St Mary’s Youth and Community Centre. He brings with him a wealth of parish experience and insight, and we are excited to welcome him to this new role. In the past he has consistently helped us, whether that be bringing Santa Claus to the centre on his carriage every Christmas or giving horse and cart rides to the summer event goers. His first order of business as our new chairman was donating and delivering a large bale of hay for this year's Wild West Fest! Our Christmas Fair will take place on Sunday 7th December. We’ll have all your favourite stalls plus some exciting new additions. There’ll be food and refreshments courtesy of St Mary's Pub and Dining with their mobile bar — and, of course, a visit from Santa! As always, thank you to everyone who supports the centre — whether by attending our events, volunteering, donating or simply spreading the word. Your support helps to make a big difference to our community. Autumn 2026 St Mary Matters

On Familiar Turf

Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham says meeting Islanders is what makes his job amazing. He chats to Andy Sibcy about community, parishes and pier jumping.

n his election manifesto, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham highlighted the importance of supporting Islanders at every stage of their lives to build a strong and balanced community. He wasn’t the only candidate to put community at the heart of his pitch in June. Whatever the political hue, enabling the young, families and older Islanders to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives must be government’s greatest goal. But even if that was a given, it doesn’t necessarily follow that the sum of those parts would be a connected community. Sewing the strands together requires something else. Senator Farnham suggests that much of it happens organically, through the interwoven networks of sport, family, volunteering, charities, community groups and other

organisations that bring people together and are so strong in Jersey, the things that hyperlocal parish magazines showcase and celebrate. Community is also fostered, he adds, by a very special and distinct set of Jersey institutions – the 12 parishes. Whether around the Council of Ministers table or out and about across the Island, the Chief Minister’s political success is founded, at least in part, on his energy for engaging with people with different backgrounds and perspectives to find common ground. It’s the same energy which builds community, a valuing of the many different contributions people make. It couldn’t really be any other way. There’s no insulating Westminster bubble or long train ride back to your constituency. As soon as you walk out of the States building, you’re in the thick of it – accessible to the people you represent who won’t wait until the next election to hold you accountable. “In my role as a States Member and Chief Minister, I am always surrounded by people, working with people, socialising with people. I meet hundreds of people every month and that's what makes my job so exciting and different,” he says. “Whether I’m walking the dog in the morning or attending meetings, I am constantly in contact with Jersey’s diverse community.” Currently chair of Age Concern Jersey, he is a long-time champion of the Battle of Flowers (a former chairman and president of the BoF Association), a sports fan who has competed as a triathlete and played football for St Helier

St Mary Matters Autumn 2026

27 panel assessing the current parish system chaired by nowSenator Helen Miles published its findings. While the parishes remained vital to the health and identity of the Island, it found, they needed some modernisation. It also concluded, among other things and in some quarters, that their relationship with central government relied too heavily on informal goodwill rather than formalised frameworks, there needed to be greater transparency and more consistency in matters such as the issuing of firearms licences. The new president of the Constables Committee and father of the parish in St John, Andy Jehan, is a reformer who wants to see the review panel's recommendations adopted. He has warned that a failure to act will render parishes irrelevant, precipitating an existential crisis. and St Paul’s, jogger, pier jumper and a proud father and grandfather. All these touch points with people of very different experiences of Jersey, he says, help him better understand the community he leads. “I'm also a big supporter of the parish system,” he adds. But just what those ancient institutions should look like, how they fit into a 21st century island, is currently an issue of intense debate. Shortly before the election, a review

Quick Fire

What sort of Islander are you? Sea swim or spa day? “Definitely sea swim.” Bacon roll or lobster lunch? “A bacon roll in St Ouen’s Bay.” Sunrise or sunset? “Sunrise. I’m an early starter.” Crocs or Birkenstocks? “Definitely Birkenstocks.” 20 miles per hour - too fast or too slow? “It depends. You should drive at a speed that is safe for the road. I think we’ve got it about right.” Favourite place to walk the dog? “I'm going to say St Ouen's Bay.” Favourite beach? St Ouen’s. Sands Slip.” Favourite place for a jog? “Val de la Mare reservoir, two laps. Sometimes, if I'm feeling fit, three, but more often than not, since I've been Chief Minister, just one.” Favourite parish? “Do you know what, I haven't got one. Honestly, I don't have a favourite parish. My favourite parish is Jersey.”

Senator Farnham is a little less stark in his assessment, but broadly echoes the same sentiments. “I think the parish system works pretty well,” he says. “When I gave evidence to the panel, my view was that it might need a bit of fine tuning, but we don't want to change it too much. I think it’s a case of sensible evolution rather than wholesale change. We don't want to change the character of our unique parish system. We can allow it to evolve, keeping our values, in a way that the parishes themselves support.”

Our Island Survey Providing a snapshot of the Island and our 12 ancient parishes today. The results so far: • Condition of the roads and protection of the environment the most important parish issues • 78% of respondents say the parish system is very important or quite important • 66% say their parish community is strong or quite strong • 65% say parishes have an important part to play in the Island’s future

But what do you think? We’re asking readers to answer a few questions about Island and parish issues. It’ll take no more than around five minutes. You can use the QR code to access the survey. The code will also be published on LinkedIn and Facebook on the Our Island Jersey pages. Please follow us and share the link so that we can reach as many people as possible.

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Autumn 2026 St Mary Matters

One Hump or Two The more than balmy weather - which has left doommongers braying about global warming and nonbelievers grateful for a delightful summer – has led our esteemed government to come up with some splendid, if slightly bizarre ideas which I fear will have consequences for the Parish. You can blame heat-stroke.

or starters, the desert-like conditions on exposed headlands and unprotected fields in the Parish will pave the way for Bedouin style encampments. They’ll be decorated in a traditional style taken from the 1950 interior design magazine depicting flock wallpaper and matching carpets with the ladies wearing Jersey bonnets and aprons of a variety that previously were sold at Hamons. Meanwhile the gentleman in the sweltering heat will be attired in flannels and braces with either a cap or knotted handkerchief to add to the authenticity of the event. Transport from the airport or the docks will be provided by the eco-friendly camels which both are inexpensive to run and can produce fertiliser for the rice paddies which will be built on the slopes of the valleys in the island. With regard to the grain harvest it is hoped that the rice puddings of yore do not make a reappearance in this world. Anyone old enough to remember the good old days will be only too well aware of how rice puddings were ruined both at school and in the home, mostly through over cooking which produced a stodge that could be used as very effective wallpaper paste. Returning to the mode of transport, the one-hump camels will be for solo travellers and the two-hump version will be reserved for couples. They’ll be followed by the luggage trains, where the wagons would be towed by oxen to give that extra nuance to the whole experience. The mounting and dismounting of these ungainly creatures can be a somewhat awkward affair, so everyone should be delighted by the fact that an apparatus

St Mary Matters Autumn 2026

generously supplied by the State will lower you gently on to the beast. If, of course, the said creature is frightened and bolts as a consequence, the upside is that one should arrive at your destination in record time. “Bon voyage” as they say in St Ouen. The camels can also be utilized for shopping expeditions to local supermarkets and a variety of camel friendly emporiums in the metropolis (located just south of the elephant rides). Sand racing could take on a new look, no longer the roaring noise of the high-performance cars and motorcycles, having been replaced by the calmful plodding of the ships of the desert as they hoof it across the beaches at low tide. The extra bonus is that licences are being issued to some entrepreneurial individuals to establish camel farms which could prove to be the next agriculture break that the island needs to help both farming and tourism. News has just been leaked that the ordinary farmland will be used to grow tropical vegetables and fruit without the necessity of building greenhouses or tunnels. Water storage tanks will keep the crops growing, the “tanks” being in the form of lakes and dams which will be created and can also be used for recreational purposes. The first question you will be asking is doubtless over where the money coming from. Well, lets us see what projects could possibly be handed over to private individuals or companies – Fort Regent, for instance could be converted into a Jersey eastern style market with camel rides being offered to the “wonders” of St Martin and Grouville. This would be about as exotic and exciting as it gets as far as the mature natives of St Ouen are concerned. The other suggestion for the fort was to turn it into a five-star hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant, casino and helicopter landing pad. To those amongst us with long memories this would sound familiar. “After the Lord Mayor’s Show cometh the dung cart”, as the old saying goes. So when the heatwave is over and the winter season is upon us with howling gales and lashing rain all these ideas will still be being discussed and mulled over. And then everything will be shelved for further consideration.

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Autumn 2026 St Mary Matters

30 With summer now behind us, I hope you were able to enjoy the weather even though it was at times hotter than one might have wished. For those households with young people taking public exams, I can only hope that the results matched up to expectations. For those who will have started at a new school or college, I hope the change was anxiety-free and that you have now settled into your new routine.

T H E C O N S TA B L E ’ S C O LU M N

Dear Parishioners The elections are behind us and I can only begin by congratulating parishioners for ensuring that St Mary once again had the highest turnout of all the Parishes/Districts in terms of percentage of voters.

thank those of you who kindly voted me in for a further term. As advised previously, it is a privilege to act as your Constable, and I look forward to working with you over the next 4 years. I welcome Arlene Maltman and Chris Rebindaine as our new Deputies to sit alongside Lucy Stephenson. My congratulations to them all and my commiserations to the losing candidates in what was a strong field. Changes in the electoral procedure created a great deal of additional work on the part of Parish Hall staff and one consequence was that our Parish Assembly to approve the accounts and determine rates for the current year was rather late. However, once presented, the annual accounts showed that, overall, the expenses were within budget estimates leading to a surplus and I am indebted to the Parish Hall staff and the Procureurs for achieving this in the current financial climate. Aside from approval of last year’s accounts, the main purpose of the Rates Assembly is to approve the estimates for the current year and determine the level of rates. The Assembly approved the recommendation of the Accounts Committee to hold them at the current rate. One action of the Rates Assembly is to vote an amount towards charitable organisations. Apart from donations to regular users of the Community Centre (Scouts, Brownies and Kids Club), it was decided this year that decisions as to the balance should be taken by a committee made up of the Constable and Procureurs after taking account of requests by parishioners. Aat a later date, we will therefore be inviting parishioners to submit those requests. On a separate point, there is a small amount which is available to the Constable to meet cases of hardship in the Parish and, if anyone is aware of situations where this might be applied, do please contact me on a confidential basis. Still on accounting matters, one recurring item is the amount payable towards the maintenance of the ‘Rectorat estate’ and, elsewhere in this publication, you will find an announcement that the Rectorat is reviewing all property comprising its estate as a preliminary to presenting possible options for consideration by the Parish Assembly. At the time of writing, the States is in recess and, with no new propositions being allowed in the pre-election period beginning late March, I cannot help but note the disruption to government in an election year. That said, I can confirm that the Constables at least have not been idle during the summer! Towards the end of the last Assembly, a Review Panel produced a report on the relationship between the government and the parishes. The Comite des Connetables has been considering its response. It is to be hoped that this will lead to overall improvements in the parish system and to parishes having greater relevance to government.

St Mary Matters Autumn 2026

Best wishes

David

Roxanne at the ready We are pleased introduce our newest recruit, Roxanne Le Voguer, who was sworn in at the Royal Court in late July.

t is pleasing to see that we can bring in younger members of our Parish to join us. Roxanne holds a full-time job and will combine this successfully with her Honorary duties in the evenings and at weekends. She joins a small but vital team of volunteers that have served the island for hundreds of years and which is the envy of many communities outside of Jersey. If you are aged between 20 and 69 and would like to help by being part of the Honorary Police, do contact us and we can arrange for you to chat to a Centenier to discuss the role further.

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Autumn 2026 St Mary Matters

This Girl Can by Samantha de Gruchy

Women’s and girls’ rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in recent years. With 2.7 million players globally, women and girls now make up 25% of the rugby playing population. Many put this down to the hugely successful Women’s World Cup held in England in 2025, which England won. And Jersey is no different - 20 years ago a group of young women said, “We want to play rugby” and, since their first training session 20 years ago this November, they have! The Jersey Women’s and Girls’ game has gone from strength to strength. Those original women are still part of the rugby family as coaches and managers, while new talent is part of the ever-growing Women’s team at Jersey Rugby Club who play in a UK league, Jersey Touch Rugby who competed at the European cup this summer, the newly formed walking rugby team and, most importantly, the Jersey Girls Rugby Squad who are part of the Minis and Juniors section.

We’ve got second generation players, university representatives, county players and an England U20 player, as well as those who just want to have fun, run about, find their inner strength, build their skills and make life-long friends. It’s these skills and friendships that keep girls getting up on rainy Sunday mornings to come to training and travel to play rugby. Now is the perfect time to give rugby a go, if it’s been an age since you threw a rugby ball around, or if you’ve never touched a rugby ball in your life, it doesn’t matter! If you are in school Years 7-13, we’d love to see you at our Girls Rugby Open Day on Sunday 11th October 2026 at 10.30am at St Peter’s Rugby Club or head to www.jerseyrfc.rfu.club, make an enquiry and they’ll point you in the right direction.

St Mary Matters Autumn 2026

photos: PoppWphotography

It’s not just players, the club has women as coaches, trainers, physios, committee members and volunteers - if you want to make a difference and join a community, the rugby family is a tough one to beat. We hope to see you there!

St Mary

Household recycling collection 2026 This guide explains how to use the St Mary household recycling collection. A collection planner is included so you know when your recycling will be collected. Every home in St Mary receives a recycling collection, in addition to the existing rubbish and glass collections. Recycling collections will be on the same day as your glass collection.

Glass and Recycling Collections 2026 For the month of September

Glass & Recycling

Thursday 10 Sep 2026

For the month of October

Glass & Recycling

Thursday 08 Oct 2026

For the month of November

Glass & Recycling

Thursday 12 Nov 2026

For the month of December

Glass & Recycling

Thursday 10 Dec 2026

All refuse, recycling and glass out before 5am please

For more information, visit gov.je/recycling For collection enquiries, contact GermBusters Ltd. Tel (01534) 869918 | Email info@germbusters.je

Recycling in Jersey MythBusters Myth

All recycling collected in Jersey just gets burned in the Energy Recovery Facility.

FAct !

Items sent for recycling through Parish and Government of Jersey collections are not incinerated . Only contaminated materials are diverted for energy recovery.

Myth

Recycling and general refuse are collected by the same truck, and get mixed together.

FAct !

Some collections rounds use the same type of vehicle , but the loads are kept separate to ensure proper recycling.

Myth

You don’t need to rinse out food containers or bottles before recycling.

FAct !

Dirty items can contaminate the whole collection, making them unrecyclable . Always rinse before recycling!

Myth

You should leave metal lids on jars and bottles.

FAct !

Metal lids and tops should be removed and placed with your household metal recycling.

Myth

Glass can go in general waste or energy recovery.

FAct !

Glass can damage the Energy Recovery Facility , leading to costly repairs. It must be recycled properly.

Myth

Plastic bottle tops can’t be recycled.

FAct !

Plastic bottle tops can be recycled, so don’t throw them away!

Fruit Beds and Blankets When Jean Vautier was a youngster, August was the month associated with thunderstorms. And when the heavens opened the rain came pelting down. It was always so wet, people chose to go on holiday in August to get way from the downpours.

hings are certainly different this year. All the strawberries in Jean’s garden died long before they matured. Her runner beans have done a runner. They went straight to seed. However, whether you made the most of the summer heatwave or not, be prepared for what may well follow … as Jean explains: “What a hot summer we are having. I am 95 years old and I have never known such heat in Jersey. No rain whatsoever, and heatwave after heatwave. I have never been so hot. All the fruit is ripening at least six weeks earlier than usual My Bramley apple tree is just about ready to pick right now – and I usually do the job in October. I started picking blackberries at the end of June – whereas I normally pick them in September. It is now the end of July, and the crop is almost finished. The jam is made and has been put away for winter. I remember another hot year when my brother and I were evacuated to Ixworth in West Sussex during the Second World War. I must have been about nine. My brother developed Scarlet Fever. They took him away to an isolation hospital and I wasn’t allowed to go to school for six weeks. The person I was billeted with went fruit picking in the summer and I had to go with her. We used to pick blackcurrants. I remember being so hot out in the fields that I spent a lot of time in the shade underneath the bushes. I did all my picking from underneath the bushes and I used to fill my basket long before the adults did. The quarantine ended just as the school holidays started and I went home to London to stay with my parents. I didn’t like it at all, being at home while all the bombing was going on. I returned to the peace and quiet at Ixworth at the end of August, ready to go back to school. Every day, after school, I went blackberrying That would have been in September so the blackberries this year are definitely very early. Though the lack of rain hasn’t done the crop any good at all, even though I’ve watered the bushes in my garden in St Mary. A word of warning. By my reckoning, after we have a very hot summer, what usually follows is a very cold winter. Be prepared! My mother always told me that if you are cold in bed at night, you need to put more blankets underneath you to help you keep warm at night – not on top of you. I tried this out again when I was cold in bed last year – and it works! Now, all of you have spare blankets lying around on shelves or in cupboards from the days before duvets. Well, put a blanket or two over your mattress cover and under your bottom sheet. A single blanket laid flat will cover a king-sized bed. No blanket? A car rug will do. Now when you get into bed you will notice the difference straight away. The bed will feel cosy. The heat of your body will warm the blanket and that in turn will keep you warm all night. Try it. You will be amazed at the difference a blanket underneath you will make.“ Autumn 2026 St Mary Matters

COMMON MYTHS ABOUT DIABETES MYTH

FACT

PEOPLE WITH DIABETES CAN’T EAT SUGAR AT ALL.

PEOPLE WITH DIABETES CAN ENJOY SUGAR IN MODERATION AS PART OF A BALANCED DIET.

MYTH

ONLY OVERWEIGHT PEOPLE GET DIABETES.

MYTH

TYPE 1 DIABETES IS THE ‘MILD’ KIND.

Changing your diet & regular exercise can help you manage type 2 diabetes. Speak to your doctor or healthcare provider for a check up. diabetesjersey.com

FACT PEOPLE OF ALL BODY TYPES CAN DEVELOP BOTH TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 DIABETES.

FACT

TYPE 1 DIABETES IS A SERIOUS LIFELONG CONDITION REQUIRING DAILY INSULIN.

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18/08/2026

14:39

Come Join the Band! Jersey Family History Society The Jersey Scout Band is a marching youth band that performs at many public events across the Island throughout the year.

Most Jersey families can usually name their grandparents but their knowledge often stops right there!

he Channel Islands Family History Society is now known as the Jersey Family History Society. Since its formation in October 1978, members have created copies of registers, 19th century Census records and much, much more! This extensive collection is open to public access at Jersey Archive.

e are always looking for new members aged eight and above. You do not need to be a Scout or have any musical experience, as tuition is provided by our instructors. Instruments available include drums, cymbals, bell lyres and trumpets. Uniforms, instruments and lessons are all provided for a small subscription each term.

A new website enables members to access an enormous quantity of information on-line, with links to many other useful websites including Jersey Archives: www.jerseyfamilyhistory.org You will be surprised at just how much there is at your fingertips! The band regularly travels off-Island and hopes to attend the Guernsey Battle of Flowers in 2027. In previous years we have performed in Guernsey, on numerous occasions in France, twice at Disneyland Paris and once at Windsor Castle. Our band is all about teamwork and friendship. Here is what some of our members say: Arlo (8): “I really like it because I get to be part of a group and get better at playing the drums. I am really looking forward to my first real march.” Monthly meetings are usually held at The Members Room at the Société Jersiaise, 7 Pier Road in St Helier, with talks held on the last Monday evening each month from October to June, and other venues chosen in July and September, often outdoors, enabling the discovery of various aspects of local interest. Descendants of Jersey families world-wide are able to join our indoor meetings using ‘Zoom’. Membership enables you to explore the website more deeply and to enjoy a reduced subscription for access to details from Jersey Archives. Quarterly Journals are published - the large volume of articles and other information can also be accessed on-line. Why not join this friendly local society? Help is offered to open a door to the past, to solve those mysteries, and put leaves on your family tree! Come to one of our meetings and find out more. St Mary Matters Autumn 2026

Ocean (11): “We meet new people and play our instruments loudly.” Grace (13): “I got to learn a new instrument that you don’t normally get to learn.” Blake (11): “There is nothing I don’t like about being in the band.” Hope (14): “I love the camaraderie. It is good to perform in public and show off our skills.” Andrew, Lead Drummer: “Being part of a team is great. Many people use the skills they learn with the band on their CV for their first job.” We practise on Thursday evenings during term time from 6.30pm to 8.30 pm at the Kenneth Faucon Memorial Hall, Rue des Prés, St Saviour (opposite Waitrose). For more information, email mickmarett@gmail.com or call Mick on 07797 724998.

Bethlehem Methodist Church Remembrance Sunday All Together Worship services are held on the last We join with the parish Church for this special service of Sunday of each month and are café-style family Remembrance on November 8th. friendly services. Tea and coffee are served from 10.15 to 10.45, when the service starts. Suitable for all Christingle Service At 4.30pm on Christmas Eve our ever-popular Christingle ages and all are welcome. Film nights are held regularly during the winter

months, starting with a meal at 6pm followed by the film at 7.30pm. Please contact Dianne Huddlestone (483917 or diannehuddlestone@gmail.com) if you would like to come for the meal. The next two film nights will be held on Saturday 10th October and Saturday 14th November.

service to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is a short, family friendly service. There will be a for The Children’s Society

12 hour Prayer Day Our annual Prayer Day will be on Saturday 3rd October from 8am to 8pm. Please pop in for a few minutes, (or a few hours!) to see the various prayer stations set up around the Church.

Marathon Day On Sunday 4th October we gather outside the church from 9.30am onwards to cheer on the marathon runners passing by. Please join us to add your support. We then have a short service in the church from 11.00am.

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Autumn 2026 St Mary Matters

Little Library The Shoebox Shuffle for Little Ones If you remember the story in the last edition of St Mary Matters about a mini-library that suddenly appeared on La Rue Mahier ,,, well, it’s had a baby!

he ‘Story Shed’ was inspired by New Zealand’s “Lilliput Libraries” offering a selection of books to passers-by. All they had to do was replace whichever book took their fancy with one of their own which they’d like to pass on. Now a second book shed has sprung up, this time dedicated to children’s literature. The same principle applies, swap one of your old books for something you’d like to take home to read.

On the Right Track St Mary’s model railway supremo has been nominated as the Volunteer fundraiser of the Year for the Pride of Jersey Awards.

ver recent years Curtis Stanier has opened his garden to the public on a series of open days to see his remarkable garden railway set-up in action, the most recent of which was in August. It raised £2,004.50 for Royals RFC. Altogether the garden railway events have raised around £25,000 for local charities. The next event will be the Christmas open day.

It’s that time of year to start thinking about others less fortunate than ourselves in eastern Europe by filling a shoebox with personal items that would suit children up to the age of 15. It’s in aid of the annual Rotary de la Manche Christmas Shoebox Appeal.

ussell Turner is the shoebox coordinator for St Mary: “Every year, generous parishioners help bring a little joy to children in need in Eastern Europe through the scheme. St Mary has always been wonderfully supportive of this magnificent cause, and we're hoping to make this year's collection our best yet.

“If you would like to take part I will provide you with an empty Rotary shoebox (£2 each) along with simple instructions on how to fill it. You can choose whether your box is for a boy or a girl, and select an age group: baby, 4-7, 8-11, 12-15. Once your shoebox is filled, simply leave it at St Mary Parish Hall and I will arrange to pick it up and take it to the main collection point. The deadline for delivery of boxes to the Parish Hall is Friday 16th October.” The priority items for putting in the shoebox include toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap and face cloths or sponges; woollen hats, scarves and gloves; stationery items like notepads, pens, pencils and crayons; plus, any other educational or fun items you can think of. Other suggested ideas include small soft and educational toys; games, balls, skipping ropes, playing cards, combs or hairbrushes, playing cards and paperback books. Items definitely not required however, include food, sweets or any liquids; anything that needs batteries; medicines; sharp items or anything with political or religious themes. You can phone Russell on 07797 749980 or contact him via email: russellturnerrotary@icloud.com

St Mary Matters Autumn 2026

The Jersey Norman Story Following the opening of the Bayeux Tapestry in London recently to sellout numbers of visitors, the local publication, “The Jersey Norman Story 1,000 years/ L’Histouaithe Nouormande dé Jèrri 1,000 ans” by Jean Treleven and Geraint Jennings has, due to popular appeal, gone into a second edition.

uthor Jean Treleven said: “It is wonderful to see the growing interest in both our Norman story and our Jerriais language. I look forward to the publication of a French – Norman version in the near future and sharing this with our Norman neighbours and French speaking visitors to Jersey.” Meanwhile Jean and Geraint are presenting the story to a capacity audience at the Jersey Festival of Words.

The Jersey Norman Story 1,000 years/ L’Histouaithe Nouormande dé Jèrri 1,000 ans The publication explains the background to Jersey’s Norman links along with evidence of Norman heritage that is retained in the island today. “When the Normandy Region made the decision to celebrate 1,000 years of Norman heritage for the Millennium of the birth of William the Conqueror, Jersey just had to be involved as our loyalty to the Dukes of Normandy stretched from 933 to 1259, continued with the Kings of England and elements of that strong Norman heritage have continued to the present day. “It is bilingual, in both Jèrriais and English, a testament to the strong link with Jersey’s Norman past represented by the Island’s Norman language. It gives students and others the opportunity to discover some of the rich heritage contained within that language as well as discover the Norman story,” said the author.

‘The Jersey Norman Story 1,000 years/ L’Histouaithe Nouormande dé Jèrri 1,000 ans,’ Price £9.95 is currently available from:

• The Maison de la Normandie et de la Manche • The Société Jersiaise bookshop • The Museum Bookshop • The Harbour Gallery. St Mary Matters Autumn 2026

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SUPPLIED CONTENT

UPDATE www.gov.je/Leisure/Library

Mathieu Alexandre and the Arrival of Print in Jersey The introduction of printing to Jersey in 1784 was one of the most significant cultural developments in the Island’s history.

t the centre of this story stands Mathieu Alexandre, whose brief but influential career as a printer produced Jersey’s first magazine, first newspaper, and first locally printed book, while also drawing him into one of the Island’s earliest controversies over press freedoms. Born in 1754 at Les Ormes, St Brelade, Alexandre lived during a period when the rapidly increasing volume of printed material was transforming political and cultural life throughout Europe and beyond. Newspapers, pamphlets, and journals became the principal means through which ideas of the Enlightenment circulated and shaped public opinion. While printing presses had proliferated across Britain, Jersey remained dependent on word of mouth for the dissemination of news and political information. Alexandre’s decision to establish a local press coincided with a turbulent period in Island politics. The long-running struggle between the supporters of Lieutenant-Bailiff Charles Lemprière and the reforming party led by Jean Dumaresq had created deep divisions. By the early 1780s, the reformist party, known as the Magots, recognised that a printing press could provide a powerful means of influencing opinion beyond the States Chamber. Backed financially by leading Magots, Alexandre travelled to England to learn the printing trade before returning to Jersey with a press and type. In October 1784 he produced Le Magasin de

The frontispiece of King David playing the harp from the Book of Psalms, which was printed in Jersey in 1786.

The frontispiece from the first edition of Le Magasin de l'Ile de Jersey, depicting an allegorical image of the spirit of printing presenting the printing press to an allegorical representation of Jersey.

The title page from the Liturgy, the first book to be printed in Jersey, published in 1785.

The title page from the first edition of Le Magasin de l'Ile de Jersey.

l’Île de Jersey, the Island’s first monthly magazine. Its frontispiece, designed by Jersey-born artist Philippe Jean, presented printing as an instrument of enlightenment and progress. Its contents, however, were unapologetically partisan, disseminating Magot political ideas. The publication’s downfall came in 1785 when Alexandre printed a satirical allegory describing the corruption of rulers of the fictional island of “Yeseri”. The piece was a thinly disguised attack on prominent Jersey figures whose identities were immediately recognisable. Criminal libel proceedings followed, initiated by Thomas Pipon and William Charles Lemprière. The legal battle dragged on for years, raising important questions about the limits of political criticism and MOBILE LIBRARY the role of juries in libel cases. Despite these difficulties, Alexandre’s press remained active. In 1785 he printed a French-language liturgy for use in the Anglican Church, the first book published in Jersey. This was followed a year later by a book of Psalms, which included the first music to be printed in the Island. Also in 1786, he launched the Gazette de l’Île de Jersey, generally regarded as Jersey’s first newspaper, which became an influential voice in local politics. It provided the reform movement with a platform to shape public debate. Alexandre’s direct involvement in printing appears to have ended by 1788. Thereafter he devoted himself to public duties and the management of a substantial family inheritance until his death in 1808. His significance, however, far exceeded the brevity of his printing career. Alexandre fundamentally altered the Jersey’s political and cultural landscape, laying the foundations for a publishing tradition that continues to this day.

TIMETABLE MONDAY 10:00 - 10:30 St Ouen's Parish Hall 10:45 - 11:15 Greve de Lecq 11:30 - 12:15 St John’s Parish Hall

TUESDAY 09:30 - 11:00 Holme Grown 11:15 - 12:45 Gorey Common Carpark 14:45 - 15:30 Jersey Zoo 15:45 - 16:30 Maufant

WEDNESDAY 09:30 - 11:00 Langtry Gardens 11:15 - 12:45 St Martin's Village Green 14:30 - 15:30 Le Rocquier School

Ducking Out for the Day There was a happy ending to the tale of the duck that went missing in search of a puddle during one of the heatwaves.

he duck was found and looked after by a parishioner - apparently “it was very tame and is happy to eat out of one’s hand.” An appeal for its owner went out on social media. And it was successful: “This is our duck. Her name is Darling. She does like to roam but comes home in the evenings.”

Yoga Sessions

Double Success Congratulations to two St Mary Petanque Club doubles teams on their recent successes.

Hazel Queree and Darren Le Brun

azel Queree and Darren Le Brun were the winners of our local club’s annual doubles competition, beating Rob and Tanya Aubert in the final, while Mike Fennell and Vic Le Riche won this year’s Jersey doubles competition at Jersey Petanque Club.

Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India, but now you can get involved in St Mary. The sessions take place all year-round at St Mary's School - either outside on the playing field in good weather or in the newly renovated hall, if they need to take place indoors.

The teacher is Mel Rabet: “On Sundays at 10am we have a "Wake up the Body for the Day" session and on Monday evenings at 6:15pm a "Relax and Unwind After Work" class. Both are traditional classes with a strong focus on calming the mind as well as improving strength, flexibility and balance in the body (though I would suggest an evening class to begin with if you're newer to yoga).” Evening classes are an hour long and cost £13 to drop in (or £110 for ten sessions/class credits). Morning classes are 75 minutes long and cost £14 (or £120 for ten sessions/class credits).

Mike Fennell and Vic Le Riche

Autumn 2026 St Mary Matters

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STEP UNDERGROUND INTO JERSEY'S WARTIME HISTORY Experience a powerful, atmospheric journey through a World War II underground tunnel complex featuring original artefacts, photographs and an authentic wartime structure.

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Autumn 2026 St Mary Matters

Still Life

TRADES & SERVICES IN YOUR PARISH

Did you notice this old chap waiting patiently near the church bus stop in St Mary?

e kept turning up and then disappearing but never caught a bus. However, if you walked up close to him you may have noticed the poster nearby advertising ArtHouse Jersey’s open studios event which took place in August.

Great reads in a cool place 01534 743044

19 The Quay, Commercial Buildings, St Helier

theharbourgalleryjersey

www.theharbourgalleryjersey.com

Parish Information

Shopmobility

PARISH HALL T: 482700 Mon – Fri 9.am to 1.pm

PARISH OFFICIALS CONNÉTABLE David Johnson 07797 770 950 d.johnson@gov.je

SERVING DISABLED PEOPLE SINCE 2005

Mobility scooters, wheelchairs, rollators and more, available for hire from Sand Street Car Park. FREE Parking at Sand Street included! office@shopmobility.org.je

T: 739672 www.shopmobility.org.je “Delivery available for rentals longer than 24 hours.” St Mary Matters Autumn 2026

Shopmobility, charity no. 70

PROCUREURS DE BIEN PUBLIQUE Cynthia Cotillard, Auberon Ashbrooke CENTENIERS Chris Bunt, Glynn Bower, Jim Drew, Sallie Redman DUTY CENTENIER 07797 712 972 RECTOR Rev Kirsty Friend VINGTENIERS (Sud) Annette Johnson (Nord) Sue Heppolette CONSTABLE’S OFFICERS John Alcock, Claire Harrington, Roxanne Le Voguer PARISH SECRETARY Peter Routier

ASSISTANT SECRETARY Annie Le Voguer ROADS COMMITTEE Alan Moullin Peter Le Liard Trevor Le Sage ROADS INSPECTORS Ivor Barette Jeremy Holmes Peter Munns Nathan Beddoe RATES COMMITTEE Alan Moullin Adrian de Gruchy Trevor Le Sage CARETAKER Guy le Guyader Jason Langlois CHURCH WARDENS Frank Wood Ann Watson