St Mary Matters / Summer 2026 / Issue 31

St Mary Matters

Pension Plus

You may be able to get help with health costs such as dental care, eye tests and foot treatment through Pension Plus.

Funding is available if:

You've reached pension age at the time of application

Are receiving a Jersey Old Age Pension or have ‘entitled’ status

You (and your partner, if applicable) don’t pay Jersey income tax, or you only pay up to £1,000* in total tax each year

Have no more than £64,000 in household assets (excluding the value of the family home)

*Extended to more pensioners – find out if you’re eligible Eligibility criteria expanded Pension Plus Scheme

Pension Plus can help you meet the cost of:

Dental Care

£55 a year for check-ups

Up to £1,900 every 4 years for treatment

Eye Care

£55 every 2 years for eye tests

£165 every 2 years for glasses or lenses

Foot Care

£165 a year for treatment

Turning Up The Heat

The heatwave struck just as the political temperature began to rise with the election imbroglio picking up steam. Even in sleepy St Mary the electoral circus seems to have attracted decent-sized crowds to the hustings to hear what the three varieties of political animals had to say for themselves, not to mention the clowns. But when all the hot air has been vented and the dust begins to settle will anything change here in St Mary or indeed anywhere in the Island?

Politics aside, we can certainly bring down the temperature with our look at huskie trekking in the Arctic Circle – although, fair warning, the trip did generate an awful lot of unwelcome heat at one stage of the proceedings. By the same token did you hear about the Winter Olympics being held in St Mary? If the answer is ‘no’ you’ll find a report in the pages of this magazine. Talking about sport, we hear about the St Mary parishioner who has become an island pétanque champion – and her husband who is now the man in charge of the sport.

On the other side of the scale – to stretch the metaphor to breaking point - we meet a parishioner who encountered a little urn containing the nation’s most famous Ashes, during a trip to the home of English cricket. And there was certainly a lot of heat generated by what seemed like the whole of the Island’s Zimbabwean community who came to St Mary en masse to celebrate their homeland’s independence day. And, by the same token, celebrating one of our Island’s big days, we hear from the designer of the Parish’s float for this year’s Battle of Flowers, a man who has been involved with the pageant since he was four years old.

And, have you spotted the little library that has suddenly sprung up by the roadside in St Mary?

We hear from the person behind the project and its connection with the other side of the world.

And finally, did you hear about the local magazine editor (ahem, that would be yours truly) who traced the whereabouts of a painting of one of the Parish’s forebears and brought it home to St Mary? Hopefully it will be hanging in the Parish Hall before long, alongside the pictures of other Parish notables over the years.

Mike Fennell Editor

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

Fennell

Constable

Coming Home To St Mary

St Mary’s longest ever serving Constable is back in the Parish – well, at least, his portrait has returned.

The oil painting in a gilt frame is of Nicolas Arthur, a man remarkable not only for the length of his service to the Parish but who also played a part in how Devil’s Hole got its name, after the sinking of a French ship, the La Josephine, in 1851.

The ship was wrecked on the rocks off the St Mary coast. Nicolas Arthur was one of the onlookers who helped save four French sailors from drowning, for which he was later awarded a silver medal by the French Minister responsible for marine affairs and the colonies. The ship’s figurehead was recovered and a carpenter from St Peter added arms and legs to the torso, which was considered to look like the Devil, and thus the location became known as Devil’s Hole.

A year later Nicolas Arthur was elected as the Constable of St Mary and in due course became St Mary’s longest-serving Constable. Although there are some discrepancies about the

precise dates. According to the large honours board in the upstairs room at the Parish Hall, Nicolas Arthur served continuously from 1852 until

However, an entry in the Island on-line encyclopaedia, Jerripedia, suggests that he was in fact sworn in on 20 November 1852 and served for a further three terms until 1865. After a gap of nine years, he stood again in 1874 and served a further 14 years, retiring in August 1888 on health grounds – a total of about 26 years. In between, apparently, was a different man, but bizarrely with the same name, Nicolas Arthur. He died the following February aged 69.

Upon the retirement of the Nicolas Arthur we are interested in, his grateful parishioners presented him with his portrait and a silver coffee service. It is that portrait which has now found its way back to St Mary thanks to some investigative work by the editor of St Mary Matters. It had been handed down through the generations of the Arthur family, ending up at the home in St Lawrence of Bernie Arthur. There was nowhere for it to be displayed at his house and, rather than keep it hidden under the stairs, he very kindly he offered it to the Parish of St Mary.

It will now go on display alongside the only other oil painting we have of another former Constable of St Mary, Phillipe Luce. The new arrival is in good condition for its age although that is largely thanks to the modern-day Jersey artist Ian Rolls, well-known for his quirky coastal views. He is also evidently a talented art restorer and has been able to touch up some of the blemishes acquired over the years by the painting of Nicolas Arthur, as well as repair the frame which had been suffering from water damage.

Bernie Arthur

Nicolas Arthur

The Parish Hall list of Constables

The silver medal awarded to Nicolas Arthur

The Devil at Devil’s Hole today

Little Library

In the days before the internet there were things called ‘books’. They could be just as interesting and just as informative as today’s digital equivalent.

They still exist of course and if you’re at the Grève de Lecq car park on a Monday morning (10.45 - 11.15) you can still borrow one from the mobile library service. However, there is a new, rather more central, book service in St Mary, but you’d have to wander down La Rue Mahier to find it.

Not far from the Village Vets is a large, brightly decorated, wooden box labelled ‘The Story Shed’. Open the door and you’ll find a variety of books on offer – the idea being to take one that attracts your interest and replace it with one you’ve already read and would like to pass on. The brainbox behind the little library is teacher, Katie Topman. And she picked up the idea after travelling to see her sister on the other side of the world.

“These little book stalls were everywhere in New Zealand. They call them Lilliput Libraries and there is an online map showing where they all are across the country, with many others not mapped as well. I was inspired seeing these and thought what a good idea it was. Then, on our way to the start of one of hikes, we came across the ‘Wee Bookshops’ in Manapouri. This is a collection of a few small bookshops run by Ruth Shaw and her husband. “Her book ’The Bookseller at the End of the World’ was the final push I needed. It is an absolutely fantastic, rich memoir and has deservedly received worldwide recognition.

“Currently the book stall in St Mary is the only one I have up and running. As the story shed is down a green lane there’s quite a lot of foot traffic - as well as bikes, horses and tractors! The road also widens at the corner, so people can pull in safely to the left and still allow traffic to pass which works perfectly.

“I am a full-time teacher and so it took all of my Easter break to build. However, I am planning to build an additional box at the Story Shed just for children’s and teen books. I would also like to make a second Story Shed to have out East, probably at Pontac. I will try and make this over the summer holidays and post its whereabouts on my social media site: @TheStoryShed.je

“It’s going really well! I have been really overwhelmed by the support and encouragement, as well as the number of book swaps we’ve had - I now struggle to keep up with what’s been swapped for what. The kids’ shelf is extremely popular which is why I’m hoping to make a dedicated box for them. I was surprised initially by the number of murder-mystery and thriller books coming back and forth, as this is not a genre I tend to read, but evidently it’s very popular! But there is a great range of fiction and non-fiction, I do believe, something for everyone.

“2026 also marks the National Year for Reading (goallin. org.uk), with lots of great incentives all across the UK to encourage reading. As a teacher, I see the decrease in children and adults reading for pleasure. I think this is really such a shame and want a small part in bringing joy back to reading and storytelling. Whether it be fiction, non-fiction, comics, audiobooks or recipe books, there really is something for everyone.”

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Election Round Up

Election day proved a double celebration for David Johnson. Not only was he re-elected as Constable for St Mary, but polling day also marked the fourth birthday of his grandson Rupert.

David Johnson topped the poll with 406 votes beating local farmer Ivor Barette into second place on 211 votes with the other candidate, Mark Anthony Baker coming third with 256 votes. Afterwards David Johnson said he was delighted to be reelected and was looking forward to going home to celebrate with a glass of champagne after a long night waiting for the count to be completed. “My rivals fought on the basis that change was needed, but I didn’t think so, and evidently the electorate agreed with me.” Ivor Barette said it had been a good clean fight and, at the end of the day, he and his opponent were still good friends. “It’ll give me more time to spend with my horses.”

The Best of the Rest

Meanwhile, Helen Miles topped the Senatorial poll with 15,859 votes. She has been a leading backbencher for the past four years, chairing the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel and spearheading a review of the relationship between central government and the parishes. It is her second term as an Assembly Member, having been elected a Deputy in St Brelade in 2022.

Two new Deputies in St Mary

St Mary also has two new district Deputies – a senior financial investigator and a former surfing champion.

It was a disastrous night for Reform Jersey, whose longstanding leader, Sam Mézec, lost his seat. Despite topping the poll is his party’s St Helier heartland, he finished tenth with 9,374 votes, 2,197 votes behind ninth placed Mary Le Hegarat. Former Education Minister Rob Ward failed in his bid to become St Helier Constable, while Raluca Kovacs lost her Deputy seat in St Saviour.

First-time States Members Chris Rebindaine and Arlene Maltman respectively are joined as parish representatives by the re-elected Lucy Stephenson, a former JEP journalist. Mrs Stephenson topped the poll with 2,318 votes, with Mr Rebindaine second (2,205) and Ms Maltman third (2,046).

The parish is part of the St Mary, St Ouen and St Peter district, which lost a Deputy seat because of the return of Senators. Former district Deputies Lyndon Farnham and Ian Gorst were elected on the islandwide mandate.

Four of the nine Senatorial seats went to women, including first-time States Member Serena Kersten Guthrie, former captain of the England netball team, who finished fifth.

There will be one other first-time Member on the

Senatorial benches. Mark Boleat, founder of think tank Policy Centre Jersey and a former senior figure in the City of London, came eighth, winning a seat on his second attempt. Alan Maclean, a former Senator and minister in the governments of Terry Le Sueur and Ian Gorst, makes a return to the Assembly.

The remaining Senatorial seats went to sitting Members Ian Gorst, Lyndon Farnham, Elaine Millar, Tom Binet and Mary Le Hegarat, all of whom held ministerial positions in the outgoing government.

Our Island survey – addressing

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Thank you and we look forward to sharing the results with you in future editions.

Ivor Barette and David Johnson shake hands on what they agreed had been a good, clean fight

David Johnson delighted

Turning Back The Clock

Ian Roberts’ clock only told the correct time twice a day. That’s because it hadn’t worked properly for least 35 years, ever since he bought it at table-top sale in Luxembourg.

It didn’t work then, but he thought that, with its Art Deco style, it would look good on his mantlepiece at home. Having relocated – with his clock – to Jersey, he heard about the good work being done by the volunteers at the Jersey Repair Café and decided to see whether there was any chance the clock could be brought back to life.

He was one of many hopefuls who turned up at the St Mary Youth and Community Centre in mid-February for the return of the Repair Café to the Parish after their very successful visit the previous year. Once again there was a full team of experts on duty and they attracted a steady stream of customers who brought in a variety of objects for them to, hopefully, work their magic, and restore them to some kind of working condition.

Ian Robert’s clock was one of the family treasures that was brought to the Community Centre and Repair Café where specialist Jerry Karlin gave it the once-over. After a thorough inspection - and with a bit of cleaning of the clockwork mechanism and a drop of oil - bingo, the clock was back in business. All Ian has to do now is buy a key to wind up the clockwork mechanism – which apparently are in reasonably plentiful supply – and he can dispense with all the digital nonsense we’re saddled with these days!

Ian Roberts was just one of many satisfied customers on the day – another was five-year-old Alexander who came with his mum

and the bicycle he was given recently which unfortunately wasn’t working properly. It was making a noise and the brakes were sticking. But once in the capable hands of the Repair Café’s Jaron Le Mottee the bike was up and running smoothly in no time at all, leaving Alexander with a big smile on his face.

Unfortunately, there are always going to be items that are beyond recovery, even for the Repair Café experts. A vintage h-fi system dating back to the late 70s or early 80s proved to be a task too far for their team, but they were able to advise the owner what to do if he wanted to pursue the matter.

Jersey’s Repair Café reached a milestone last year after celebrating its 70th event in parishes around the island. Since its launch in 2022 an impressive total of more than 500 objects had been brought back to life and nearly 1,700 volunteer hours had been contributed – while at the same time preventing an awful lot of potential waste material ending up at La Collette. Their motto is “If you can carry it or wheel it you can bring it.” Add to that live music (the duo ‘Foolish Things’ performed in St Mary) and free cups of tea, it’s definitely a win-win prospect. And they’ll definitely be back next year.

Alexander

Ian Roberts Jerry Karlin

Foolish Things

Independence Day Zimbabwe-style!

They’re more than 5,000 miles away from their homeland but they sure know how to party.

It felt like the entire Zimbabwean community in Jersey had come together in St Mary to celebrate their nation’s Independence Day. And what a joyous affair it was, something the Parish has never seen before. The Community Centre was decorated with Zimbabwean flags and ballons in the national colours of green, red, yellow and black, to welcome the partygoers. The hall was absolutely packed as they danced, sang and listened to speeches. The special ingredient from their homeland was the food on offer which was very much a taste of home including the national dish, sadza, a thick, stiff porridge made from finely ground white maize meal (cornmeal) and water. It is a cornerstone of Zimbabwean cuisine, often served with meat including chicken or cow’s hooves and a peanut butter sauce and leafy, green vegetables. And there was plenty to do outside for the kids as well with bouncy castles and an ice-cream van on hand to look after the younger members of the Zimbabwean community.

Back in the day Zimbabwe was under British colonial rule and known as Rhodesia. The local population fought tirelessly for majority rule, land rights, and political freedom and on April 18, 1980, those efforts finally succeeded. The new nation of Zimbabwe was officially born. The Union Jack was lowered, and the new Zimbabwean flag was raised for the first time. The 46th anniversary celebrations in St Mary marked the first time the Zimbabwean community in Jersey was able to come together for the nation’s big day.

One of the organisers of the event, Caroline Zinyemba, was thrilled with the turnout and said they were sure to be back next year. “It’s a sell-out. There are so many Zimbabweans in Jersey, and they all seem to have come here today and they’re having such a great time.

Tyra and Zoe

St Mary Hosts Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympics in Italy proved compelling viewing for many of us – both traditional sports like the curling and the bobsleigh, but also some of the new ones, like the ski mountaineering, proved big hits. However, you may be completely unaware of another “Winter Olympics” which took place in St Mary at about the same time.

The fact that there was no snow in the Parish made no difference because the event took place inside the big hall at St Mary’s Community Centre. It was organised by a company called Youniversal Care which was set up to provide compassionate home care support in Jersey, for people with a needs stemming from a variety of conditions, including dementia, stroke, autism, and mental health issues.

The Winter Olympics idea came from one of the company’s support workers, Chloe Gray. “We jumped on it as we wanted to do something to help our learning disability community to come together,” said the company’s Managing Director Nicola King. “Louis Turmel (another care worker) took the lead with his sporty background and together we developed a wonderful day, open to all, not just those with Youniversal Care. We couldn't have asked for a better day- so much laughter, fun and a healthy amount of competitiveness.”

Among the sports involved were ice hockey (without the ‘ice’ bit!) and biathalon (without the skis or rifles – but it did involve shooting at plastic cups), as well as LD football and bowling. From the organisers’ point of view the difficult part was ensuring that each game was inclusive for the range of abilities and ages of those taking part, but Nicola believes they achieved that - so much so that the event is set to became an annual one – and there’s even talk of adding a summer Olympics to the diary.

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Lifelong Passion helping keep Jersey’s Battle of Flowers alive

As planning gathers pace for this year’s Jersey Battle of Flowers parade, we caught up with one of the driving forces behind the St Mary and St Ouen entry – designer Marcus Davies, whose involvement with Battle began when he was just four years old.

Marcus’s earliest memories of Battle date back to childhood summers spent helping in any way he could and soaking up the excitement that surrounded one of Jersey’s most iconic events. For many islanders, Battle was a summer highlight, but for Marcus it quickly became a way of life.

“As soon as the school summer holidays began, there were days and evenings spent picking marram grass along Five Mile Road without a care in the world,” he recalled. “Then Battle Eve would approach. and I’d want to stay up really late working in the old abattoir to complete the float, but instead I’d be sent home to get some rest before the parade.”

Those early memories sparked a lifelong passion that has remained with him ever since. “Over the years, Battle and the float-building process has brought me fun, along with stressful situations and plenty of sleepless nights,” he said. “But it has also given me the opportunity to work alongside many creative people, make lifelong friendships and watching people discover talents that they never knew they had – with some going on to create prize-winning pieces.”

While many islanders only see the finished floats on parade day, Marcus explained that the work begins almost as soon as one Battle ends. “As the petals begin to fall from one exhibit, ideas are already taking shape for the next year. Then comes months of planning, fundraising and creating the next entry.”

Design concepts need to be developed, materials sourced, structures built and thousands of flowers prepared before the

final flowering process can begin. It is a major commitment that relies heavily on volunteers giving up evenings and weekends throughout the spring and summer.

Marcus believes Battle has always held a special place in island life and remains an important part of Jersey’s heritage. “In the glory days of Battle, at the height of the tourism boom, it really was the highlight event of the summer and something very special to Jersey. It seemed to involve almost everyone.” He hopes younger generations will continue to get involved and help preserve the event for years to come.

When asked to choose his favourite float design, Marcus admitted it was difficult to pick just one.

“Zanzibar, Aquaria or Wonderland – it’s too hard to choose.” And his favourite moment? “When the completed exhibit pulls out of the shed on the morning of the parade.”

Despite winning Best Design, Best Set Piece and Best Costume awards more than any other exhibitor, Marcus remains focused on the teamwork behind every successful float. “It requires a loyal team of people whose support I’m extremely grateful for to help make my vision a reality.”

If you would like to get involved with this year’s St Mary and St Ouen entry, whether through volunteering, sponsorship or donations, visit the team’s Facebook and Instagram pages to find out more or call Paul Pinel on 07700 712124

Marcus Davies

DOG DAYS

In The Icy Wilderness

Charity begins … well in the case of St Mary parishioner, Philippa Le Mottee, somewhere a long way from home … in the Arctic Circle.

It’s not the obvious way to celebrate a milestone birthday, but the challenge she undertook also provided an opportunity to do something important for a cause for which she had every reason to go the extra mile. She was determined to help the charity which had provided so much support for her family.

“Parkinson’s Jersey has been a huge support to me and my family, and I wanted to give something back to them. I never knew very much about them until my dad was diagnosed with the condition and, throughout, they’ve been there for us. I wanted to do something for them, but I wanted it to be something different, something that would really push me. I looked at various charity challenges and husky sledding grabbed my attention. It seemed a bit alternative.”

Phillipa’s story really starts at Heathrow Airport. There she met nine people she’d never seen before but they all had a common goal - doing something positive for Parkinson’s. Together they all boarded a plane to Kiruna in the far north of Sweden. “It was cold. Very cold,” said Philippa. We set of for what was to become the base of our adventure. It was in the middle of nowhere. But we did have a bonus. On the first night we saw the Northern Lights for the first time.”

The next day the volunteer team were taken to the Dog Sled Centre, to pick up their kit and most important of all to meet the four-legged friends who were to become their closest companions for the duration of their challenge. In Philippa’s case her five dog crew included huskies called Wilma, Bamm Bamm, Rama, River and Pinot. They all had very different personalities –Rama loved running through deep snow, Pinot just liked plenty of cuddles.

One of the first things the visitors had to do was learn how to build their dogs sleeping quarters each night – basically scooping out a hole in the snow and filling it with straw. And they were shown how to look after their dogs, particularly how to rub cream into their paw pads to prevent sores. They also practiced how to drive a team of huskies, including how to fall off their sleds – and how to get back on them again. Dog sledding is no easy ride.

Philippa and her companions then faced a 240-kilometre slog across the snow and ice without any creature comforts. They were required to be able to erect their own tents, cook for themselves and carry out all the camping duties. Usually, they stayed in basic wooden cabins called Kata, drilling for water in the ice, building fires, and facing temperatures that could drop

Northern Lights

The Parkinsons volunteers

to well below zero. They did have a small support team with them including two guides and three people driving skidoos (snowmobiles) carrying much of their equipment, spare clothes and their food – including soup, porridge and Swedish bread. Moose stew was a favourite with the group, although not with Philippa – she’s a vegetarian.

Day One and disaster struck. A propane gas cylinder being carried on one of the skidoos exploded. A fireball erupted. Noone was hurt but several of the travellers’ bags were destroyed, including one of Philippa’s holdalls, containing cash and her credit cards. Worst of all her passport was burnt to a crisp

leading to a bureaucratic nightmare to obtain a replacement. She only received her emergency travel document the night before she was due to fly home.

That incident aside, they made their way across the wilderness, over frozen lakes and through deep snow. They saw some amazing sights, and it was a matter of considerable regret when they completed the final leg and said a sad farewell to the huskies. “At times they terrified me, kept me on my toes, given me the most amazing experience and looked after me all in equal measure. In one week, I’ve come to learn their personalities, and they have a special place in my heart.”

Philippa’s final night was spent in the Ice Hotel. It’s rebuilt each year in the village of Jukkasjärvi with rooms carved out of the snow and ice. There are 120 rooms in total, divided into about 55 "cold rooms" and the rest of them are "warm rooms." Not too surprisingly, Philippa and her companions were looking forward to a hot shower and opted for the warm rooms.

The charity work didn’t end with the huskie expedition. Philippa organised a charity raffle in May with a top prize of four tickets to watch Peter Kay in Manchester, and there will be more fund-raisers during the year. To date Philippa has raised £6,250 – exceeding her £5,000 target, but she would be pleased for donations to be made via the Parkinson’s Facebook page or her Just Giving page. “Every donation, no matter what the size, makes a real difference to the support they can provide,” she said.

Fireball

Back home with family dog, Otto

Education by Stimulation

On a glorious springtime Saturday, the Jersey Trees for Life team – including a bumble bee, a ladybird, an owl and a squirrel – was in St Saviour’s Woodland for the first of its two annual children’s events, April Adventure.

Along with its autumnal equivalent, this event has proved extremely popular in recent years as parents seek ways to encourage their youngsters to engage directly with nature – something that’s become imperative in an age of technological oversaturation and a rapidly warming planet.

If nature engagement was the aim, it was certainly fulfilled. Around 140 children attended the two 90-minute sessions, each offering a host of nature-themed activities including sapling repotting, coaster art, a tree quiz and the obligatory scavenger hunt, complete with sweet incentives. All for a fiver too.

It was wonderful to see families playing together in the woodland. It was also safe to conclude that dads enjoy building dens as much as their kids do.

Although sometimes overlooked in the maelstrom of activity, education is a core part of the charity’s raison d’être. As today’s children will supersede us, it’s vital to ensure they’re engaged with nature, understanding the symbiotic relationship we share and its fundamental importance to our existence.

Jersey Trees for Life thanks everyone who contributed to the event’s success, from those who bought tickets to all the volunteers that made it happen. Thanks also go to the Parish of St Saviour for providing facilities and Honorary Police. These events really are a fantastic way to bring community together.

BaCk oN ThE AvEnUe

It’s free. Bring your own chairs, relax and settle down for the day and night parades!*

After a year away, we are delighted to return to Victoria Avenueplace where we feel the Battle of Flowers truly belongs. Following the tremendous success of the scaled down parade through Town in 2025, and after listening carefully to public feedback, we have made a number of important changes for this year’s event — not least the decision to keep both the Day and Night Parades completely free.

By returning the event to Victoria Avenue and extending the arena from Rue de Galet to Lower Park, we can safely and comfortably accommodate even larger crowds, while also providing float builders with the space needed to create the large-scale, imaginative exhibits for which the Battle of Flowers is renowned.

The Day Parade will travel from west to east, while the Night Parade will travel in the opposite direction, from east to west. The events will be single-pass parades along the southern carriageway of Victoria Avenue.

This format o ers spectators a fantastic opportunity to enjoy an immersive Battle of Flowers experience along the entire route, from Lower Park to Rue de Galet.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs and settle in along either side of the parade route to enjoy the 29 spectacular floats, marching bands, and entertainers up close with pre-parade performances and live music all completely free of charge along with a wide range of food and drink outlets.

The Night Parade, taking place the following evening, will feature all floats fully illuminated, accompanied once again by bands and entertainers, this time travelling westward from the Lower Park.

Beginning at 8:45pm, spectators can look forward to a spectacular display of lights and entertainment, culminating in a breathtaking finale, details to be confirmed.

*Subject to the Baili ’s Permission

Day Parade Fri 14th Aug

Arena opens at 13:00, with pre-parade entertainment, food and drink available on the laybys between Lower Park and Rue de Galet.

Parade starts at 15:00, single pass from Rue de Galet to Lower Park, where floats will park up for viewing.

Arena closes at 18:00

Moonlight Parade Sat 15th Aug

Arena opens at 18:30, again with pre-parade entertainment, food and drink.

At sunset (approx. 21:20), the parade starts from Lower Park, all floats illuminated, and travels to Rue de Galet. This will be followed by a finale shortly after 22:00 –details yet to be confirmed.

Arena closes at 23:00.

A message from the Battle Organisers

We are committed to making the Battle of Flowers a free community event from now on and to make sure it is accessible to all.

We are very grateful for the grant funding we have already received.

However, trying to find the final £40,000 in the current financial climate has proven more than a little challenging, so in order to be able to put on the show that Islanders have come to expect, we are asking for your support.

Please help us out, anything you can give will be gratefully received – thank you.

If you want to keep Battle free, please donate what you can at www.battle.je/fundraising

Howzat!

Lord’s is as important to cricket as Wembley is to football, Twickenham to rugby and Silverstone to motor-racing. It’s the home of cricket. Thomas Lord opened his first cricket ground in Islington in 1787. There have been several moves since then before what we know as Lords today opened in the 1814. The first test match – between England and Australia – took place thirty years later.

Among the ground’s iconic features are the Father Time weathervane and the Long Room which has been described in Wisden, the cricketing almanac, “as the most evocative four walls in world cricket." It features paintings of famous cricket scenes as well as portraits of the game’s most eminent players. Cricketers walk through the Long Room on their way from the dressing room to the pitch.

Lord's is also the home of the MCC Museum, which is the oldest sports museum in the world. It contains the world's most celebrated collection of cricketing memorabilia, including The Ashes urn. It’s every cricketer’s dream to play at the ground. It’s also every umpire’s dream to officiate at the legendary venue. And it’s a dream that has become a reality for a St Mary resident, Robin Stockton.

His love of cricket goes back to 1961when his father took him to see the Australians playing Glamorgan in Cardiff. After his family moved to Shrewsbury, he played cricket at school and was also selected to play for Shropshire U15s and U18s. It wasn’t until Robin moved to Jersey in 1975 that he first tried his hand – and his index finger – in the umpire’s coat. “I was soon taking school teams at Victoria College and this was my first opportunity to do some umpiring. I played for the OV’s at the weekend and due to a general shortage of umpires, players, including me, often did ten over stints standing in the middle.

“My first full adult game came in 1990 when I was asked to umpire Victoria College’s game against a touring MCC side. I sensed my playing career was coming to an end and I decided to undertake a course that would allow me to qualify as an umpire. Other courses followed and I was soon umpiring most weekends.

“2005 was the year that my umpiring was taken to a new level. Jersey became an Affiliate Member of the ICC and membership also opened up the opportunity for local umpires to be appointed to European cricket tournaments. My first one was in Holland in 2007 and in the following years I also officiated in tournaments in Belgium, Italy, Jersey, the Isle of Man, Scotland and Spain.

“The 2026 season will probably be my last as an umpire and I was thrilled to be asked to go to Lords to umpire the MCC v Jersey matches in April this year. Jersey had never played a game at Lords, so I was really excited to be part of what was an

Lord’s cricket ground

Robin Stockton

historic occasion. I had been to Lords for seminars during my time on the European umpires’ panel, but we were never allowed onto the outfield and parts of the pavilion were also out of bounds.

“So, to not only get the chance to walk through the Long Room and go into the dressing rooms was very emotional when I considered the great names of those who had trod this way before me. Then to finally lead the two teams out to the middle for the first of the two games and see my name on the electronic scoreboard was something I will always remember.

The MCC won the first game, but Jersey took the honours in the second, scoring a winning boundary off the penultimate ball of the match. The games were relatively easy to officiate, and I only had to raise my finger once – and that was for a Jersey batter! However, just as for the Jersey players, the whole experience was one that we will never forget.”

Silver Sale

It was the silver lining which hasn’t really been of benefit to anyone in St Mary, but now a decision has been made to sell off the church’s collection of ancient silverware.

An Ecclesiastical Assembly was held in mid-April at the Parish Hall to make a final decision on what to do with the half dozen or so antique items after efforts to trace the families of the original owners of the collection proved fruitless.

The silverware was originally housed in the vaults of the HSBC bank, but the facility was withdrawn and recently it’s been kept under a parishioner’s bed – there being no suitable safe available in the Parish. There are about half a dozen pieces, including two very old drinking bowls (called mazers), a Victorian flagon and a wine cup. Although an estimate by Bonhams, the auctioneers, originally suggested they could be worth a small fortune, the Assembly was told the whole collection would probably only fetch about £16,000, with some of them items only worth their weight in silver.

The situation had been brought to the attention of the Rectorat, a body that governs ecclesiastical maters in the Parish, consisting of the Rector, the two churchwardens, the Procureurs and the Constable, which meets four times a year. A decision to sell the silver followed, but that needed to be ratified by the Ecclesiastical Assembly. The meeting approved the sale of the collection unanimously. Although final endorsement rests with the Ecclesiastical Court.

Once that’s received, there’s still a decision to be made on how to dispose of the silverware. The Ecclesiastical Assembly discussed whether it should be sent to the UK for sale at auction, but the mood of the meeting seemed to be in favour of using local auctioneers, especially now that their auctions allow internet bids from far and wide. With any luck rather than the silver collection being hidden away out of sight and out of mind there will be a very handy windfall for St Mary’s Church.

What Was but What If…

PART 4

Compiled by Peter Tabb

Extracted from We

Shall Eat Grass

A compendium of myths, mysteries and minutiae of the only German Occupation of British Soil.

On Monday 7 May, prime minister Winston Churchill announced on the BBC radio the unconditional surrender of all German forces and ended his announcement with

When the Royal Navy destroyers HMS Bulldog and Beagle arrived off Guernsey at 14.00 hrs (Double British Summer Time) on 8 May with a party under the joint command of Rear-Admiral G.C. Stuart DSO DSC and Brigadier A.E. Snow OBE and expecting an unconditional German surrender, Kapitänleutnant Armin Zimmermann, representing the Channel Islands commander-in-chief Vizeadmiral zur

See Friedrich Hüffmeier (conveyed to the rendezvous by a battered and rusting minesweeper and who gave the Nazi salute when boarding Bulldog), advised that he was empowered only to discuss terms for an armistice that would commence at 00.01 hrs the following day, not sign any unconditional surrender. What’s more, the proximity of the two British warships was a ‘provocative act’ and they would be fired upon if they did not go away.

Zimmerman was detained for an hour while Admiral Stuart and Brigadier Snow contacted GOC Southern Command in Plymouth for instructions and after Zimmerman had disembarked, Bulldog’s captain, a grizzled commander who’d spent much of the war escorting trans-Atlantic convoys, exclaimed, ‘To hell with that. These beggars have surrendered…’ and with both the Admiral and Brigadier compliant, ordered his vessel and Beagle to heave to.

the words “…and our dear Channel Islands are also to be freed today.” This last was greeted with cheers and applause in the Royal Square since Bailiff Alexander Coutanche, tipped off about Churchill’s broadcast had arranged for loudspeakers to be set up around the square. At the fringe of the cheering crowd stood several German soldiers, ignoring what, in any other circumstance, would have been a crowd that needed dispersing.

We all know that in fact it was almost two more days before the German forces formally surrendered but what if…

At 16.45 precisely, a 12 inch shell screamed over Bulldog and splashed into the sea 50 yards ahead of the destroyer. Thirty seconds later a similar eruption took place 50 yards astern.

‘The mad beggars!’ the captain shouted. ‘Sound “Action Stations”. His First Lieutenant pressed the large red button, commenting drily, ‘They’re bracketing us…’ as similar eruptions took place ahead and astern of Beagle. ‘They’s got a four gun 12-inch battery inland and they’re radar guided…’ He recalled the notes he had browsed before sailing. The notes gave precise details of the ordinance in place on both islands compiled by RAF reconnaissance and that the Mirus 12-inch battery was manned by officers and men of the Kriegsmarine. ‘Any single shot can sink us…”

‘Guns!’ The Gunnery Officer was fastening his helmet. ‘Prepare to open fire…’ He leaned over the speaking tube to the wheelhouse below. “Ring Full ahead and start zigzagging. Flags, call Beagle and tell him to hop it…”

“Fire on what, sir?’ The First Lieutenant questioned. ‘The battery is inland. We have no idea where it is nor even what’s actually facing us on the coast since these are all protected by bunkers…” He pointed to the coast where bunkers and towers were evident. He didn’t add quite what the effect of their 4.7-inch guns would be and in the coastal area there would be civilians. Wryly he thought of Nelson’s instruction that ships should never take on land-based batteries.

“Belay that order,” the captain snapped. As ever his First Lieutenant, a “Wavy Navy” officer who had been a lawyer before the war, was right. What the hell could they fire upon?

Bulldog surged ahead, heading out to sea with Beagle in her wake as eruptions occurred just where they had been hove to just moments before.

HMS Beagle British Destroyer

‘Their guns have a range of more than 20 miles…” the First Lieutenant commented to the Gunnery Officer who was literally twitching his thumbs..

‘Good God…’

‘Let’s hope so. We might be meeting Him soon…”

Another 12-inch shell exploded in the destroyer’s wake, shaking the entire vessel. Bulldog leaned into a sharp turn as the slim vessel zigzagged. Beagle was heading away from her consort, also zigzagging wildly, opening the gap between them. Suddenly Beagle’s bridge structure dissolved in a fiery blast, so violent that it rolled the ship onto her beam ends.

‘Good God, Beagle’s bought it!’ as another 12-inch shell landed on the stricken destroyer literally blowing the vessel apart. For a moment or two the bow and stern remained above the surface before sinking in a welter of smoke, oil fuel and loose deck fittings.

Despite the risk, the captain ordered Bulldog to circle the widening circle of fuel and wreckage. ‘She’s gone with everyone in her…” the Gunnery Officer muttered as Bulldog heeled into a tight turn. ‘Keep an eye out for survivors,’ the captain barked into the Tannoy. “And let’s hope those beggars don’t go for the double!’

But there were no survivors. Beagle, Bulldog’s sister B-Class destroyer and regular companion on convoys, had been destroyed by a single very accurate salvo.

‘Resume zigzagging. Let’s get out of here. Those beggars will pay for this.”

Bulldog headed out to sea eventually heaving to near the western end of the Minquiers reef where the Roches-

Douvres lighthouse had stood until being destroyed by the Germans in 1944.

‘What do we do now, sir?’ the Gunnery Officer asked. ‘We stand down, that’s what and await instructions.’

They had remained hove to for almost half an hour when a Telegraphist appeared with a message from the GOC Southern Command advising that the new German Führer, Grossadmiral-zur-See Karl Doenitz had given the order to all the German forces to surrender and they were all complying, including the CinC of the German forces in the Channel Islands.

The Captain rang down to the wheelhouse. ‘Set a course to take us back to Guernsey.’ He turned to the officers on the bridge. ‘I’d like to see the madman who opened fire on us and sank Beagle brought aboard in bloody chains…’

Once again the foregoing is a work of fiction although Bulldog and Beagle did retire out of range when so suggested by Kapitänleutnant Zimmerman. It did not happen but could it have done.

“We Shall Eat Grass” will be published later this year.

Adm Huffmeier being escorted from his Guernsey headquarters to HMS Faulkener

Liberation Day

The 81st Liberation Day was celebrated in St Mary this year in a variety of different ways.

There was the traditional afternoon tea at the Parish Hall which was, as always, well attended by the VIP guests. The event was also marked at the La Mare wines estate which was aimed at families and especially those with young children – on offer were soft play and garden games, as well as a new attraction – tractor rides. Meanwhile at the St Mary Community Centre, NatureBase hosted a special Liberation Day community session, welcoming more than 130 people to celebrate together. There were lots of games and other activities and despite the uncertain weather forecast, the sun shone throughout the day producing a great atmosphere.

Lots Going On

It’s been a busy few months at St Mary’s Youth and Community Centre, with a variety of events bringing people together from across the parish and wider island community … and there’s lots more to come. Laura Hefford reports:

We are so grateful for the continued support from parishioners, volunteers, local organisations and everyone who joins us at our events. The Centre was honoured to host the hustings in the run-up to the elections for the new States assembly. The first event was the hustings featuring the candidates for the Parish Constable and we were pleased to see a full house. Our hardworking volunteers even managed to find room for extra chairs without interrupting proceedings!

We were also pleased to be able to support the Zimbabwean community in Jersey as they came together to celebrate their homeland’s Independence Day. The event was a colourful celebration of culture, unity and friendship, bringing people together from across the island.

Other events have included the annual Antiques Fair, which attracted many visitors and created a lovely social atmosphere within the Centre. And the St Mary's Youth Project ‘Easter Bingo evening’, was another huge success being the biggest to date, raising an amazing £1,700! Thank you to everyone who attended, donated prizes, volunteered or supported the evening in any way.

And coming soon … following the success of last year’s event, the Centre will be bringing back the Wild West Country Fest on Saturday 11th July from 5.00pm – 10.00pm — and this year promises to be even bigger and better! The Centre will once again be transformed into a lively Wild West celebration, packed with music, dancing, laughter and plenty of community spirit. Whether you came along last year or are joining us for the first time, this is set to be one of the highlights of the summer calendar in St Mary.

Your entry ticket includes a delicious hog roast supper (with vegetarian options available), fantastic live country music from Rick Jones and other performers, energetic line dancing sessions with Step52, and unlimited turns on the ever-popular bucking bronco for those brave enough to give it a go! Tickets are available from the Youth and Community Centre.

Whether you’re looking to protect wealth, grow your investments or prepare for life’s important events, the support of an expert can help you make the most of your money.

Drop in, say hello, and find out more about how we work, the services we provide and how we support islanders every day.

Confirmed Dates

Saturday 4th July at St John &

Saturday 8th August at St Martin

Timings: 11am - 1pm

Where we’ll be:

• St John – Saturday 4th July, 11am–1pm

• St Martin – Saturday 8th August, 11am–1pm

• Grouville – August

• St Clement – September

• St Saviour – October

• St Helier – November

• St Lawrence – December

Beachcomber Plus Ça Change...

As the sun beats down upon the island and the temperature rises steadily, the political heat has been soaring.

Doubtless those who are elected are, as their manifestos so proudly proclaim, going to change things for the better. The old maxim of “you can you tell when a politician is lying when his/her lips start moving” comes to mind.

It is amazing that, in the run-up to an election, the sitting members of the States together with their rivals, clutching at the hope of a lucrative job, demean to speak to those whom they ignore for the period of the elected term. However, no doubt by the time that this is printed and our well-regarded reader has perused the various and indeed “informative articles,” the aftershock of the results of our Parish and island elections will be but a sad memory- or possibly, for some, a cause of jubilation.

On the point of the ambitions expressed by most of the individuals standing, these are very comparable to those proposed to us by the last set of elected persons - which beggars the question, what on earth have the previous sitting members achieved especially when working out the financial problems we find ourselves in. Knowing all that has gone before and getting a true picture of the machinations of the workings of the legislative is paramount to the improvements needed for the people of the island and indeed more importantly the individual parishes; it would be undeniably wrong to see more centralisation of power and interference in parochial life.

Regarding the constable elections one can only hope whomsoever the successful candidate can ignite and instil the community spirit within the citizens and retain as much of a traditional Jersey way of life within the confines of the modern age.

There are many medical problems that have occurred, mostly with the reversal of the obligatory lobotomy operation for those sitting members who are not re-elected, this procedure being undertaken on entering the States (only qualification required). The

other is the cost of a project that as yet not had a foundation laid or a contract signed reference construction, and just as a side concern whatever happened to the Spanish contract for widening the road up to Westmount?

On the very controversial subject of capital projects and even those of a lesser importance the profligacy of the State in certain instances is eye watering and, as is customary with the administration, nobody would appear to be accountable. Two pieces of recent folly that are widely remarked upon are the “improvement” of Broad Street and the very expensive bus stop on the Esplanade some two hundred yards from the bus station. On the former mentioned, the street does not appear to be any the different save for the obvious lack of traffic and the loss of parking for the disabled.

The other contentious problem is The Fort and the amount of money estimated at one hundred and twenty million that has been proposed. On this point a fort is normally built on an inaccessible site situated on a promontory with an overview of the land it is protecting. However, the proposals for the so-called improvements include an open-air café/restaurant on the top of the fort. As, the prevailing wind is westerly, the political assumption is that this is an easy way to remove the froth from your coffee of beer! This project should have been handed over to private enterprise in the first instance, rather than becoming a loss maker for the taxpayer.

The voting public should be aware of the problems and indeed be informed of the intentions of candidates, read, discuss and arrive at a conclusion on all the media prepared and delivered to the public on these occasions and then vote. The island will only be as worthy and economically viable as our leadership dictates and the voice of the people should not be adjusted to supplement a minority of individuals who have unelected power.

MYTH

COMMON MYTHS ABOUT DIABETES

DIABETES IS CAUSED BY EATING TOO MUCH SUGAR

TYPE 1 DIABETES IS THE ‘MILD’ KIND.

FACT

TYPE 1 DIABETES IS AN AUTO IMMUNE CONDITION (NOT CAUSED BY DIET).

TYPE 2 DIABETES IS INFLUENCED BY MULTIPLE FACTORS LIKE GENETICS AND LIFESTYLE.

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.

The work of the Jersey Care Commission is expanding. Chief Inspector Becky Sherrington answers key questions about what these changes mean for Islanders

EXPANSION OF REGULATED CARE SERVICES IN JERSEY

What is changing in the regulation of care services in Jersey, and what does this expansion mean?

Following changes to the Regulation of Care (Jersey) Law 2014, our remit has expanded to include the regulation of hospital services, ambulance services and Government-provided mental health services. Certain laser clinics will also be inspected under the updated Law.

This means these services will be subject to independent regulation against a Single Assessment Framework, a set of clearly defined standards that outline how care services should be provided. The changes reflect a commitment to ensuring Islander’s receive health and social care services that are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

What’s the purpose of independent regulation, and how does it help improve care?

Independent regulation helps provide Islanders with assurance about the quality, safety and effectiveness of health and social care services, while supporting continual improvement in care quality. We help achieve this by setting clear, evidence-based standards and assessing services fairly, proportionately and transparently through inspections and ongoing oversight.

What services are included in the expanded regulation, and what is not?

The expanded Regulation of Care (Jersey) Law 2014 includes the independent regulation of hospital services, ambulance services, Government provided mental health services and certain laser clinics.

Ambulance services provided by charitable organisations, including St John Ambulance Jersey and Normandy Rescue, also fall within the updated Law. Private mental health services are not included. Decisions about which services are regulated are made through the legislative process and voted on by the States Assembly. The Commission’s role is to apply the Law as enacted.

What

happens next, and when will inspections begin?

Following the amendments to the Regulation of Care (Jersey) Law in November 2025, the Law was enacted on 6 April 2026. Newly regulated services now have until 6 October 2026 to register with us.

We’re preparing to carry out our first onsite inspection with a blend of local and external inspectors in 2027.

How will hospital services be inspected?

Hospital services won’t be inspected all at once. Because of the size and complexity of the hospital, inspections will be introduced in a phased, proportionate way, focusing on defined service areas or “blocks” over time, including medicine, surgery, outpatients, women and children’s services and mental health. This approach will also help protect patient safety and minimise disruption to patients, staff and day-to-day clinical activity.

Who

carries out inspections? Will specialist expertise be used?

Inspections are carried out by our experienced team of Regulation Officers, who have a wide range of professional experience from across health and social care, including frontline care, clinical, leadership and management roles. To inspect the hospital, ambulance and mental health services, specialist knowledge will also be required, so inspections will also be supported by external senior clinical advisers and subject matter experts, including specialists from other regulators such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC), professional bodies including the Royal College of Psychiatrists and other relevant organisations.

What happens during an inspection?

During an inspection, a range of evidence is gathered from different sources. The voice of service users and their families or carers is an important part of how we continually improve services, alongside the views of staff, leaders, on-site observations and the review of records and systems.

At the end of the inspection, initial feedback is shared with service leaders before an inspection report is produced setting out findings, including both good practice and areas for improvement. All inspection reports are published on the Jersey Care Commission website.

What happens after an inspection?

After each inspection, we publish an inspection report on our website. We don’t use ratings or judgement scores. Instead, reports provide clear, evidence-based findings that support transparency, accountability and continual improvement. The reports identify what is going well and areas of good practice as well as areas for improvement. Reports clearly set out, if required, the actions needed and timescales for improvement, with progress monitored through ongoing oversight.

For more information visit carecommission.je

Becky Sherrington Jersey Care Commission Chief Inspector

Jersey Farmers Markets at Le Tacheron Farm, Trinity

Something Jersey’s been missing is here and it’s worth the trip to Trinity.

Jersey Farmers Markets runs every other Saturday at Le Tacheron Farm from 10am to 2pm through to the end of September, with the next market on Saturday, 11 July

Browse fresh fruit and vegetables, locally caught seafood, cut flowers, honey, free-range eggs, meat, pastries, and freshly baked bread. Stay for the coffee and hot food made by a different chef from whatever’s seasonal and available on the day. There’s live music, farm animals to meet, loads of parking and no particular reason to rush home. Children will love it too. The farm’s rare breed animals, from pygmy goats and baby lambs to donkeys and working horses, have a way of stopping people in their tracks.

The setting is no coincidence. Le Tacheron, whose name means ‘team’ in Jèrriais, is one of Jersey’s most distinctive working farms. Growing a range of cereals including spelt, barley, rye, and oats, milling its own flour on site, and baking its own bread, it’s a place that takes field-to-fork seriously. Around it, a

rotating cast of bakers, farmers, fishers, butchers and artisan producers sets up every other Saturday, alongside the Huddle Van, a mobile education hub hosting talks and workshops on food, health and growing. “We want to inspire and encourage others to see themselves as an important part of agriculture and this community,” says Charles Le Maistre. That spirit of open invitation is exactly what this market is built on.

Behind the market is a simple principle: local producers deserve a direct route to their community, where they keep their profits and build their businesses with genuine support behind them. This is about making Jersey’s incredible producers more visible, and rebuilding food resilience on the island in a way that lasts beyond a single season.

Those living in St Martin’s, Maufant, or Victoria Village are encouraged to walk or cycle. As a thank you, anyone arriving on foot or by bike will receive a free Jersey Wonder.

The event is proudly sponsored by Butterfield.

Follow @jerseyfarmersmarkets on Facebook and Instagram for more details.

Every other Saturday 10:00am–2:00pm

Free entry & on-site parking

What3words: baggage.factories.pecans. Bus routes: Route 3, 21, 23 and 33.

Farmers Markets, Le Tacheron Farm, Rue de Dielament, Trinity JE3

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

Recycling in Jersey MythBusters

Myth

FAct !

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

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 !

Myth Glass can go in general waste orenergy recovery.

FAct !

FAct !

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

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

Myth Plastic bottle tops can’t be recycled.

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

Katrina’s The Champ

The Island’s new women’s pétanque champion is from St Mary. Katrina Rondel won the title after winning all six of her matches in the annual competition organised by the JPA, the Jersey Pétanque Association.

She’d actually finished the job before her final game with no-one else able to catch her points total, a remarkable achievement. What made the day extra special was that the trophy was presented to her by her husband, Trevor, who happens to be the chairman of the JPA having been elected at the organisation’s AGM, held in St Mary Parish Hall in late February. He’s no slouch at the game either, having come fourth in the men’s singles held at the same time at the Jersey Pétanque Club in St Brelade. The couple only took up the sport a four years ago after moving to the Parish and learning how to play the game on the St Mary Pétanque Club terrain outside the Youth and Community Centre.

Bethlehem Diary

All Together Worship services are held on the last Sunday of each month and are café-style, family friendly services.

Tea and coffee are served from 10.15 to 10.45, when the service starts. Suitable for all ages and all are welcome. Future dates are as follows: May 41st, July 26th, August 30th, October 25th and November 29th.

We hold regular film nights during the winter months, starting with a meal at 6pm. followed by the film at 7.30 pm. Please contact Dianne Huddlestone (483917 or diannehuddlestone@ gmail.com) if you would like to come for the meal. We don’t charge for the meal but have a collection for a local charity. This season we have raised over £1350. Our next film nights will be on October 10th followed by November 14th.

Our next 12 hours of prayer will be held on Saturday, October 3rd. The church will be open from 8am until 8pm and all are welcome to come and spend as much or as little time as you like. It is a quiet, peaceful space where you can take some muchneeded time away from the cares of daily life and spend time with God. Come along and pray for your parish!

Keeping Up The Pace

Members of St Marys Youth Club have not taken their foot off the gas going into 2026.

Our sessions have been super busy and very well attended! At the same time the young helpers and workers have been busy fundraising for both club and local charities. The Seniors again took part in the swim marathon this year which was, as always, a great success. They swam alongside teams from fellow youth projects at St Peter and St Brelade.

The annual Easter Bingo fundraiser was our biggest and best yet! The staff and young worker team put a lot of time and effort into putting it together. The community event saw more than a hundred people attend. From club members, parents, families and friends to members of our local community, we appreciate the support once again. The event this year helped raise £1,600 which has gone towards new young helper and worker uniforms, providing a strong since of pride and identity. The money will also be used to help subsidise our residential outings coming up over the summer term at Crabbé and St Aubin’s Fort.

The Inters recently had a great time bowling at the newly refurbished Tamba Bowl! No matter where young people are at in their lives, the pressures or experiences, youth workers are there to listen and support them. Recently this has been in the form of support to our Senior’s group who are in the midst of their GCSE and A- Level exams. Monday night sessions have provided a much-needed chance to switch off, relax and recover.

BOOKMARKS

The Jersey Norman Story 1,000 Years

Price £9.95 / By Jean Treleven and Geraint Jennings

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.

A new publication; The Jersey Norman Story 1,000 years/ L’Histouaithe Nouormande dé Jèrri 1,000 ans by local historian Jean Treleven and Geraint Jennings gives the background to our Norman links along with evidence of Norman heritage that is retained in the island today.

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.

Available from:

• The Maison de la Normandie et de la Manche

• The Société Jersiaise bookshop

• The Museum Bookshop

• The Harbour Gallery.

£9.99 / By Robyn Conway

This Autumn, we are excited to be publishing a brand new Jèrriais children’s nursery rhyme book entitled Rînmes Rêjouis.

Following the success of the Jèrriais translations of Lé Gruffalo, D’vinnâle dé Marmoûset (Monkey Puzzle), La Maîson Crêpie et Squouîzie (A Squash and a Squeeze) and La Carpéleuse Hardi Affanmée (The Very Hungry Caterpillar), this beautifully illustrated original book is designed to encourage parents and carers to explore Jersey’s native language with younger children.

A History of Shooting in Jersey

Price £10 / By

David Dorgan

This is the story of the sport of shooting in Jersey.

Jersey’s shooting origins began with the need to defend the island and the creation of the Jersey Militia in 1337. The Militia were involved from bows to rifle shooting.

The book begins with the Militia Years from 1337 to 1860. In 1861 and civilian shooting begins. The ranges are covered, together with over ninty names of shooting clubs and associations. The Occupation stopped shooting in 1940.

The next section is devoted to clubs from all areas of shooting from 1945 up to 2026 covering their history, locations and ranges.

Jersey-made guns and gun makers together with some recent gun retailers and an outline of the Firearms Laws from 1879 to the present showing the low nunber of crimes and offences committed, together with some of the strictest firearms regulations anywhere in the world. The Island’s unique honorary sytem of licensing when compared with the UK, is almost world beating in its effectiveness.

There is a listing of Jersey Government Gold and Silver Medal winners from 1863 to1913 with placing names.

Available from:

• Amazon.co.uk, £10.00 ISBN 9781036960834

• The Société Jersiaise

• The book shop in the Central Market

The book launch event will take place as part of the Jersey Festival of Words.

Date: Sunday 20th September

Time: 10am-12pm

Where: Jersey Zoo

Age: Suitable for 0-6 year olds

Please join members of the Jèrriais Teaching Service for themed art and craft activities, facepainting and group singing of nursery rhymes in English and Jèrriais. These activities are free of charge, but normal Zoo admission fees apply. A free copy of the book will be gifted to every family attending.

Captain Bryan 1877

Pets On The Loose

Guinea pigs originated in South America but by the time they came to this country they were domestic animals – which is why it came as a bit of a surprise to find no less than seven of the tiny creatures wandering around in the wild on common land near Devil’s Hole. The JSPCA were alerted and managed to pick up three of them in the morning before returning in the afternoon to catch the remaining four guinea pigs.

I nitially the Animal Shelter said they didn’t know where the animals had come from but put out an alert, asking islanders

with any information to give them a call as they would like to find the owner as soon as possible. Unfortunately there was no helpful response, but Katie Kay from the JSPCA said subsequently: “This wasn’t the first time we’ve come across stray domestic animals in the wild.

“From our perspective, it’s really important for people to be aware that if they have a pet that they don’t want anymore, that they can bring their animal into us. The

JSPCA will never judge people for not being able to meet their animals’ needs anymore. We haven’t found anyone to claim those guinea-pigs so we have no idea how they got there or why they were put there. We are really pleased that they came to us eventually and that we were able to look after them, but it would have been even better, if somebody didn’t want them, if they could have come to us in the first instance.”

At the time of writing all seven of the guinea pigs are alive and well, and they will eventually be put up, hopefully, for adoption in a new home. The delay is caused by the need for them to undergo health checks and similar formalities.

The JSPCA rescue team

Shrouded In Mystery

One of the longest-running debates within the Christian community involves a 14-foot-long linen cloth called the Shroud of Turin.

It bears the very feint sepia-toned image of a crucified man, traditionally believed by some to be that of Jesus Christ. The big question has always been, is it the cloth that wrapped his crucified body, or is it simply a medieval forgery? At a Lenten service this year churchgoers in St Mary had an opportunity to hear – and see - some of the evidence.

A BAFTA award winning film maker called David Rolfe has made it his mission to spread the word that the Shroud of Turin is genuine. During his first visit to Jersey, he came to St Mary with a full-sized replica of the cloth and put it on display on one side of the nave for the benefit of parishioners attending the Sunday morning Lent service. He spoke of his long-standing fascination with the shroud, which had led him on a journey of discovery both factually and spiritually. He was able to point out significant markings on the replica shroud, backed by scientific analysis from a small piece of the original.

The documented history of the shroud dates back to 1354, when it began to be exhibited in a church in Lirey, a village in northcentral France. In 1389 the shroud was denounced as a forgery by the Bishop of Troyes. Nearly 200 years later it was moved to Turin where it has been kept in the purpose-built Chapel of the Holy Shroud ever since. In 1988, radiocarbon dating by three independent laboratories established that the shroud dates back to the Middle Ages, between 1260 and 1390. However, David Rolfe believes the tests weren’t done properly.

Despite being a self-confessed atheist, he was offered the idea of making a film about the Shroud of Turin. As a result of his production, ‘Shroud of Turin the material evidence,’ in 2008, he convinced himself the shroud was genuine and found himself going to church. He says his faith only grew stronger in the months that followed. One of the film’s backers put up a million dollars for anyone who could create a replica of the shroud – a challenge that hasn’t been met.

Laying out the replica shroud

David Rolfe with the Rector

Trying out the replica shroud for size

The original shroud

The face of Jesus?

Doctored image of the original shroud

A QUIET INVASION!

(And

it’s not just from Asian Hornets)

We are under attack! Not from our neighbours, but from a quieter, more insidious invasive threat: non native plants, animals, and even pathogens such as viruses and fungi.

These invasions often go unnoticed at first, yet their effects can be far reaching—damaging our environment, disrupting our economy, and even affecting public health and our society. When a non native species spreads and causes harm, it is classified as an invasive non native species (INNS).

The pathways by which these species arrive are varied, but human activity is a key factor. Through global trade and travel, we have become highly effective at moving organisms around the world. Sometimes introductions are deliberate, such as ornamental plants or exotic pets. More often, however, they are accidental, with species hitchhiking as stowaways on freight, as a contaminant on imported goods or even escaping from captivity.

In Jersey, responsibility for protecting the island from INNS lies with the Biosecurity Team within Natural Environment, often working closely with other departments, including Regulation, the States Vets, and Customs and Excise, as well as with landowners, volunteer groups, the public, and neighbouring jurisdictions. This work is ongoing, dynamic, and collaborative, focused on identifying threats and managing those that pose the greatest risks—both now and in the future.

Some examples of INNS that are under active management in Jersey are the Asian or yellow legged hornet (Vespa velutina), Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica), purple dew plant (Disphyma crassifolium), sour fig (Carpobrotus edulis), and the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa). Others, not yet established but considered likely threats, include the coypu (Myocastor coypus), the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), and the rose ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri), amongst many others.

With so many species that could pose a threat there has been a structured process of risk assessment. This began with compiling lists of INNS already present and those likely to arrive in the future. Given the similarities between the islands’ environments and shared risks, collaboration with colleagues in the Bailiwick of Guernsey has been both practical and valuable, contributing to the concept of a “Biosecure Bailiwick.”

Each of the species were assessed based on factors such as its potential rate of spread, ecological and economic impact, and the pathways by which it might be introduced. For high risk species, the next step was to determine whether management is feasible and where it is, strategies are developed, ranging from eradication to long term control, often in partnership with relevant stakeholders. For species not yet present, there are contingency plans focus on prevention, early detection, monitoring, and rapid response.

The public plays a vital role in this effort. You can help by responsibly managing non native plants and animals, such as disposing of garden waste correctly or ensuring unwanted pets are not released into the wild. Staying alert and reporting suspicious sightings is equally important. If you notice a species of concern, you can contact the Biosecurity Team at invasives@ gov.je providing a photograph and location details.

By working together, Jersey can reduce the risks posed by invasive non native species and help protect the island’s unique natural environment.

By Alastair Christie BSc

(Senior Scientific Officer – Invasive Species, Asian Hornet & Japanese Knotweed Coordinator)

Ring-necked Parakeet (photo: Carole Devillers)

Coypu (photo: Non-Native Species Secretariat)

Asian Hornet (photo: Alastair Christie)

Asian Tiger mosquito (photo: Alastair Christie)

Sour fig (photo: Alastair Christie)

Read to the Beat with Jersey Library’s Summer Reading Challenge

This summer, Jersey Library is inviting children across the Island to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge, with this year’s lively theme Read to the Beat.

The Summer Reading Challenge is a free, annual initiative that runs throughout the school holidays, encouraging primary school children to enjoy reading for pleasure over the break. The 2026 theme celebrates the connection between stories, music and rhythm, adding a fun, creative twist to the challenge.

Children can sign up from Saturday 27th June at Jersey Library, Communicare Library or on the Mobile Library. Every kind of reading counts especially those inspired by music, sound and performance, including picture books, audiobooks, ebooks, graphic novels and music scores. Incentives are given along the way including a swim pass from Aquasplash and on completion of the 6th book, children are presented with a medal and a certificate.

MOBILE LIBRARY 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

Children under four are encouraged to join the mini challenge, sharing stories with others and getting stickers and a certificate upon completion.

During the holidays, Jersey Library will host activities and events linked to the challenge, including best-selling author Gareth P Jones, Martyn Cast from Jenca Music School, Jo Logue from Jo’s Painted Pebbles and other craft activities.

The Summer Reading Challenge not only supports literacy but also promotes wellbeing, confidence and creativity. However your child enjoys reading – quietly or with plenty of rhythm – this summer is the perfect time to Read to the Beat.

John Ogilby's Aesop's Fables: An exhibition at Jersey Library

Step into the world of Aesop’s Fables as they were imagined in the seventeenth century.

Featuring illustrations from books in Jersey Library’s special collections, the exhibition reveals how these familiar animal tales were used to explore moral and social questions during a time of political uncertainty and change.

Although Aesop’s Fables originated in Ancient Greece, their ongoing appeal for writers and artists lies in their adaptability. By using animals to reflect human behaviour,

the stories address timeless themes such as power, ambition, deception and wisdom. In seventeenth century England, this indirect approach to storytelling made the fable a particularly powerful art form. At a time when speaking openly about politics and those in power could be risky, animals could safely act out moral dilemmas, allowing readers to interpret the message for themselves.

The exhibition also explores how illustrations shaped the interpretation of these stories. Full-page illustrations set the fables in detailed landscapes, reflecting a new fascination with the natural world. Far from being merely decorative, these illustrations were intended to help guide readers' make the right moral choices.

The exhibition is on display in the Jersey Library Second Floor Gallery until the end of September.

Escorts To A Princess

The prestige job for St Mary’s Honorary Police in recent months was the ensuring the safe transit of HRH Princess Anne through the Parish on her way to Jersey Zoo to open the new gorilla house and on her return to the airport.

“We worked in close cooperation with the States of Jersey Police, assisting the convoy at various junctions and some narrower sections of our roads, said Chef de Police, Chris Bunt.

“Meanwhile we must renew our appeal for new recruits. We are low in numbers, and this affects the amount of support we can offer to you, the Parish. Every parish has similar issues, but we would like to think we are better placed in that respect because we are a much quieter parish than most. We do have a new Centenier in Sally Redman however. She has replaced John Alcock who has already served almost 18 years. John is staying on as a Constable’s Officer.

Model Village

“We also held a successful road check operation in conjunction with DVS and assisted by members of the SOJP Community Team. A small number of vehicles were referred to DVS for remedial work and temporarily removed from the road where required.

“The number of drivers who had failed to ensure that they had a valid windscreen insurance disc on display is rising again. Some of the causes are endemic, i.e. where there is a delay in the insurer issuing the disc, but most instances are caused to forgetfulness or a lack of awareness. We are pleased to report that all cases were resolved without recourse to fines or a referral to the Magistrates Court.

“Finally, you may have noticed a new speed sign at the Rectory. This sign has replaced an older sign which has been in operation for 14 years. First indications are that this new sign is effective in lowering speeds overall and we are hopeful that this will continue.

Once again, please feel free to pick up the phone (Parish Hall on 482700) to arrange a chat with one of us to discover what is involved in becoming an Honorary officer.”

The team behind the St Mary garden railway venture are looking to branch out – with a plan to create a model village.

It’s described as being a fictional world with miniature towns, working railways and handcrafted landscapes that grow a little every season: “The kind of place where you spot something new each visit, and where every adult remembers what it felt like to be small.”

The proposed site is in St John, just over the border from St Mary, but accessible from across the island. The developers

say they’re currently working through the planning process and will share more details once they have approval. But they say for now: “We're planning local pricing, seasonal passes, and school visits. This is somewhere families can come back to again and again, not just somewhere to take visitors once.”

Meanwhile, back in St Mary, the next Garden Railway open day will be held on June 6th. Tickets have to booked in advance. The latest open day will be raising funds for Jersey Rescue Dogs.

Sporting Chance

St Mary Youth Club support worker Mollie Perrett was one of the nominees for the Jersey Sports Council’s ‘Sports Person of the Year’ award this year.

At the same time the Jersey Archery Island Games team were nominated for’ Sports Team of the Year’. In the event, at the awards ceremony, the individual prize went to world junior swimming champion Filip Nowacki and the archery team also missed out. Currently ranked 6th in UK Junior Archery, Mollie did however have the consolation after becoming Jersey Archery Club’s indoor champion in the female class of the Recurve bow discipline, held at the St John Leisure Centre in mid-March. Now the outdoor season beckons.

John and Sally Redman on the steps of the Royal Court

Let’s Get Quizzical

The St Mary quiz night held upstairs int the Community Centre was another success, both socially and in so far as it raised a total more than £1300 for Church funds.

Adozen teams pitted their wits against each other with Tom and Kate’s team winning for a second time. The support team managed to whip up enough cottage pies to keep all the contestants well-fed.

Elephant In The Room

Did you spot it? This year’s St Mary-based April Fool joke.

t was published online in the photo above, suggesting that the elephant slide from the Elephant Park in St Brelade had somehow made its way to the green outside the St Mary Community Centre – presumably airlifted by a Jumbo jet!

Parish Information

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

PARISH OFFICIALS

CONNÉTABLE

David Johnson 07797 770 950 d.johnson@gov.je

PROCUREURS DE BIEN PUBLIQUE

David Munns, Cynthia Cotillard

CENTENIERS

Chris Bunt, John Alcock, Glynn Bower, Jim Drew

DUTY CENTENIER 07797 712 972

RECTOR

Rev Kirsty Allan

VINGTENIERS

(Sud) Annette Johnson (Nord) Sue Heppolette

CONSTABLE’S OFFICERS

Stacey Powys, Sally Redman, Claire Harrington, Joan Enriques

PARISH SECRETARY

Peter Routier

ASSISTANT SECRETARY

Annie Le Voguer

ROADS COMMITTEE

Alan Moullin, Peter Le Liard

Trevor Le Sage

ROADS INSPECTORS (Sud)

Ivor Barrette

Jeremy Holmes (Nord)

Emile Drean

Adrian De Gruchy

RATES COMMITTEE

Robin Stockton

Shirley de Gruchy

Martin Stodart

Les Stanton

Cynthia Cotillard

CARETAKER

Guy le Guyader

Jason Langlois

CHURCH WARDENS

Frank Wood

Ann Watson