St Mary Matters / Winter 2025 / Issue 29

St Mary Matters

Paul Rondel Director E paul.rondel@alexpicottrust.com

Sarah Carolan Legal Assistant

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A Rich Harvest

As bountiful autumns go, this year must have been one of the best on record. The trees in the Parish were absolutely laden with fruit, so much so that temporary hedge veg stations opened in the by-ways and back lanes to give away some of their rich harvest of apples, pears and plums.

It was a similar story at La Mare Vineyard where they established a record for both the quality and quantity of the grapes they collected in September. And it was the same for the Estate’s apple orchards which produced a bumper crop.

On the other hand, pumpkin displays outside front doors in St Mary were a bit scarce ahead of Halloween this year … although one parishioner found an eye-catching replacement which you can’t failed to have noticed – and if you did, take another look at the front cover of this magazine! And the Parish’s youngsters certainly had a high old time on Halloween night. With the Honorary Police’s Pumpkin Patrol protecting them from ghosts, goblins and other unearthly manifestations, they ended the evening with a spooky party at the Community Centre.

On the debit side there seems to have been a major outbreak of road closures this autumn with the one in St Peter being particularly awkward for anyone going to M&S or the Coop. It’s all too much for Beachcomber who is concerned about the steeply rising birth-rate being registered by the Island’s traffic cones population.

Talking about new arrivals, it’s about 25 years since the birth of the St Mary monthly lunches at the Community Centre, a remarkable achievement and one the Parish has every reason to be proud of. Elsewhere in this month’s issue we follow the wagon trail to the American frontier, well, as far as the Community Centre, where we celebrated with a fun-packed Wild West Country Fest.

And on a more poignant note, we have another wartime reminder with a new artwork marking the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Occupation Tapestry – to which parishioners were once again called on to make a contribution.

With all that, time to sign off and hope all our readers enjoy a cracking Christmas... with best wishes for the New Year.

Mike Fennell Editor

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

EDITORIAL Mike Fennell

T: 07829 800840

E: mlpfennell@googlemail.com

ADVERTISING Martyn Farley

T: 07797 743191

E: martyn@farley.je

ACCOUNTS Helen Carré

E: helen@mediamasters.je

Raising a Glass to a Record Year

It’s been an extraordinary year for the La Mare Wine Estate, the best Managing Director, Tim Crowley, can remember in the 26 years he’s been in charge.

And it’s not only the grape vines that have been breaking production records – it’s been a real bonanza year for the estate’s apple orchards - despite having fewer trees under cultivation.

“We harvested the grapes before the end of September, something we’ve never achieved in all the time I’ve been here,” said Mr Crowley. A critical factor was the warm, settled weather during flowering in June and the low rainfall this summer – although when it did rain, it happened at the right time, and helped finish off the ripening of the grapes. Unusually the grapes are showing both high acidity and high sugar levels – normally when one figure is up the other is down.

wines actually outstripped the supply and the estate ran out of red wine. This year they’ll be able to cover their stocks for an extra six months. It’s been such a good harvest the estate will be able to produce about 3,000 bottles of sparkling wine which only happens in bountiful years.

The apple harvest was also a record breaker -. the volume of apples produced was triple that of an average year, from more than 30,000 tonnes to nearly 100,000 tonnes. The big increase will provide the right impetus for La Mare’s new range of apple drinks, including a sparkling apple wine, brandies, and a new apple apéritif called Pomelier, made from a combination of casked VSOP apple brandy and Jersey cider which has already won a top award at this year’s International Cider Challenge.

Best of all it added up not only to a vastly increased number of grapes harvested, but also to a very high quality yield. The expectation is that 20,000 bottles of wine will be produced this year, double last year’s figure. In fact in 2024 demand for the La Mare’s

While the right weather is critical in deciding the quality of wine, the MD was quick to pay tribute to the team at La Mare responsible for the vineyard management led by Head Winemaker Jordi Sanvicens Moreno, and Vineyard Manager, Andrew Smith.

The head winemaker said that they’d made a conscious decision three years ago to move towards more sustainable farming, introducing disease-resistant varieties and nurturing the soil, which means La Mare’s apple orchards have achieved full Soil Association organic certification for the first time. Tim Crowley added said: “We are showing that it is possible to achieve record-breaking harvests without compromising our long-term commitment to sustainability.’ The only problem now is that we will have to wait until 2027 when this year’s production goes on sale before we can personally assess just how good a year it’s been.“

Head Winemaker, Jordi Sanvicens Moreno

Painting a Picture of the Occupation

Thirty years ago a special tapestry was created to mark the 50th anniversary of the Liberation with 12 panels of hand-embroidered pictures depicting Island life during the German Occupation. It was a community-based project with Islanders from each of Jersey’s parishes being involved in the creation of the Occupation Tapestry which is on display at the Maritime Museum.

Now that same community spirit has been invoked with Islanders being asked to colour in their own version of the tapestry on large canvasses to mark the 30th anniversary of the creation of the original. The canvasses are based on the original panels, including the one created by parishioners in St Mary, the theme of which was “Sent Overseas,” reflecting the fate of those Islanders deported during the Occupation.

In charge of the project is Jersey Heritage Outreach Curator, Melissa Rodrugues. “We have 12 different panels which represent each parish and they all tell a very interesting story of the Occupation. It's an opportunity for people to come in and learn a bit about the tapestries, the history of how they came about and they get an opportunity to paint and engage with the actual panel in their own way."

The St Mary canvas was brought to the Parish Hall where people of all ages, from youngsters to senior citizens, were invited to colour in the drawing based on the original tapestry. The work involved five sessions which was completed at the end of October and Ms Rodrigues said the St Mary sessions had been the best attended in the Island.

“It’s been a very personal project for many people,” she said, “and it’s brought the community together in a very special way. It’s a lovely way of learning about your history but also an opportunity to be creative.” Among the St Mary parishioners involved there were some who’d worked on the original tapestry. One of them was Barbara De La Haye, who contributed a single stitch to the original St Mary tapestry when it was created about 30 years ago. “I just wanted to be part of this new version. I’ll be able to say again that I’ve done my bit.”

The painted panels will go on display in the Occupation Gallery at the Maritime Museum for a fortnight after an open evening from 5-8pm on November 20th to which everyone is invited. “After the exhibition I’m hoping each parish will take ownership of its painting and put them on display in an appropriate space,” said Ms Rodrigues.

The St Mary canvas with a copy of the original tapestry above

The new St Mary canvas

On the Right Track?

St Mary can boast its fair share of model railway enthusiasts, and the Parish is also home to two one-eighth scale steam locomotives built by Howard Snowden (as featured in previous editions of St Mary Matters)

But as far as train services go, there’s been nothing in the Parish since the removal of the railway built by the Germans during the Occupation to transfer stone from Ronez Quarry for the building of their defensive fortifications on Jersey’s west coast.

Until now that is – although again only on a one-eighth scale system. A group of railway enthusiasts calling themselves the Jersey Miniature Railway company ran train services for a week during the October half-term at the La Mare wine estate. Children (with accompanying grown-us) were invited to “take a magical ride through our organic cider orchard, filled with cheeky scarecrows, pumpkins and friendly autumn magic. This mini adventure is perfect for little monsters and big kids too!”

Two open-air carriages which could seat up to 12 people were pulled by an electric locomotive (powered by large car batteries) around an 80-metre-long oval-shaped track. And it proved to be a big success. It was run as a pilot project to see whether there was any demand for the idea in Jersey – and the week in St Mary evidently proved there was such an appetite. The Jersey Miniature Railway next appearance will be a festive one. It’s been booked to run at Ransom’s Garden Centre in St Martin as a Christmas feature.

Showing Up Well

Derek and Carol Le Gresley must eat an awful lot of vegetable soup, judging by their success in the recent RJHS Autumn Show.

They won the Charles Jones Memorial Trophy in the onion and shallot classes, and they also picked up prizes with the longest runner bean - at 14 inches - the heaviest marrowat 17lb 10oz - and the heaviest onion - at 1lb 15oz!

Jim Drew also got a few firsts in the vegetable classes. And he’s no slouch when it comes to the baking arena. He had success with his Treacle Tart, and three different jellies - apple, quince and damson. His wife Sue Heppolette was very surprised to record wins with her ginger cake and pickled courgettes.

art. All the cakes are auctioned at the end of the weekend and a substantial amount was raised for the RNLI. The next RJHS Show is the Spring Show which will be held in late March.

And slightly more predictably another St Mary parishioner Lucinda Huelin did extremely well in the Jersey Poultry and Ornithological Society Show with a string of firsts for her caged birds and chicken classes.

The show always has a lovely atmosphere and good camaraderie and is very colourful. The children’s baking classes this year included decorated Halloween cupcakes, decorated pumpkins and floral

Halloween HULLABALOO

It was the night all manner of ghoulish apparitions roamed the streets of St Mary. Spooky skeletons rose from their graves; ghastly ghosts materialised through the walls; and wicked witches alighted from their broomsticks.

They all began their menacing search for victims. They knocked on our doors, shouting their creepy war-cry, ‘trick or treat’. But fear not. Help was at hand. The Pumpkin Patrol was alert to the danger – yes, St Mary’s Honorary Police reactivated their special ghost-detector vehicle and took to the streets.

Confronted by hordes of vampires, zombies and grim reapers, they brought their hi-tec weaponry to bear, including toffee fingers, caramel swirls and milk choc blocks. Having placated the spirits of the night, they were then rounded up in a special detention facility, which by day is known as the St Mary Community Centre. There the assorted monsters were able to give full rein to their grotesque behaviour while at the same time feasting on all manner of gruesome goodies. It was a night to savour!

The Pumpkin Patrol

Painting a Success Story

For the first time the Jersey Society of Artists held an exhibition in St Mary – and it proved to be a big success.

It was held at the new exhibition space in the former Seaside Café at Grève De Lecq and with the boost of the fine summer weather the show attracted around a hundred visitors each day. Better still from the artists’ point of view the visitors showed their appreciation by buying 22 pictures – a record for the group compared to the average sale of about nine paintings. One artist, Tom Millington, sold all his pictures on display. Not quite so lucky was St Mary artist – and assistant Parish Secretary, Annie Le Voguer -, but she’s working hard on her entries for the Society’s next show at Jersey Pearl in December. One of her works was used in the group’s calendar for next year – a picture of cows in a snowy field – and nearly 80 calendars were sold, as well as a number of greeting cards. Because the show did so well the Society has already booked the Seaside Café for the same time next year.

Snow Cows by Annie le Voguer

Market Garden Tomatoes by Ronni Proffitt

Houge Bie by Jane Wilkinson

Jerseys by Lynne Jenner

Dog by Nick Fromage Plemont by Pat Knee

Learnings From a Volatile Year

Investment management and financial planning are not one-off tasks to be ticked off to-do-lists once implemented. Strategies must continually be reviewed and refined to reflect the evolving financial landscape. As we work our way through the final quarter of 2025, now’s a good time to take stock of the year to see what learnings can be taken for 2026 and beyond.

Arguably, 2025 saw the world become a more uncertain place, both geopolitically and economically. Geopolitically, look no further than the ongoing Russia/Ukraine war and Israel’s invasion of Gaza; economically, developed countries’ high debt/low growth profiles and global trade tensions have weighed on markets. Take trade. Liberation Day was a game-changer - not the 9 May Liberation Day here in Jersey, but US President Donald Trump’s self-declared Liberation Day on 2 April, when he announced all US imports will be subject to a 10% tariff. Certain nations, including China, were hit harder. A full-blown trade war and global recession seemed likely. A sell-off in global stocks followed.

Trump’s Liberation Day, a stand-out example of how in 2025 previously regarded givens - free trade, globalisation, responsible US global leadership – could no longer be taken for granted. Elevated uncertainty became the order of the day.

Takeaway: Government bonds rose in the immediate aftermath of Liberation Day. So too, did other safe-haven assets, highlighting how diversified, multi-asset portfolios can provide protection.

In the event, a global recession was averted as the US significantly rowed back tariffs, while companies adapted by diversifying supply chains, adopting near-shoring strategies, adjusting prices, and investing more in technology. Together with renewed excitement surrounding technology stocks and artificial intelligence (AI), it wasn’t long before the ‘everything’ rally resumed. Markets from equities to gold soared.

Takeaway: The turnaround highlights the importance of staying the course. Volatile markets, geopolitical/ macroeconomic uncertainty will cause strategies to drift off course but, with insightful stewardship, they can be corrected. Withdrawing funds during a market downturn, by contrast, can derail long-held plans and be hard to recover from.

2026 and Beyond

Many of the issues that dominated sentiment in 2025 remain. Cue recently reignited trade war fears following China’s decision to impose export controls on rare earth minerals and Trump’s tit-for-tat threats to hit China with 100% tariffs. Closer to home, a year after her £40bn tax-raising budget, UK chancellor Rachel Reeves is looking to plug yet another multi-billion-pound funding gap. Against such an uncertain backdrop, expect further bouts of volatility.

As April 2025’s tariff tantrum showed, knee-jerk fund withdrawals often lead to poor results. Cutting through the noise, focusing on market fundamentals and maintaining an analytical approach to investing was the correct course of action. That’s the longterm approach we take at Quilter Cheviot when constructing and managing diversified, multi-asset portfolios. We believe this not only generates better outcomes for investors but will also position portfolios better to deal with whatever 2026, and beyond, has in store.

Investments and the income from them can go down as well as up, you may not get back what you invest.

Tim Childe Chief Executive Officer Quilter Cheviot International

www.jec.co.uk/thebigupgrade

THE CONSTABLE’S COLUMN

WDear parishioners

For a Constable. one of the most telling signs of the end of summer is the September branchage inspection.

hist some may regard it as little more than a quaint tradition, it is in fact an essential part of the Parish’s responsibility to maintain the by-roads and I am indebted to the Roads Committee and our roads inspectors for their service on the day and throughout the year. In this connection, a special thank you to Peter Le Liard who will shortly be retiring after decades of service to the parish in various roles. As for the branchage inspection itself, it was gratifying to find that few parishioners gave us cause to levy a fine.

Elsewhere in this publication there will be an update on St. Mary’s Youth and Community Centre. It would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to the retiring Chair, Tim de Gruchy, for all his hard work during his period of office. To borrow a few words from his own report attached to the 2024 Accounts, “the Management Committee and Centre Manager form a fantastic team, the relationship with Parish officials is exceptionally positive, the community spirit is vibrant, and the Centre’s financial stability has largely been restored”.

And whilst recognising the achievements of parishioners, a mention is due to past and present officers of the Silver Lily Club which in November held a special tea party to celebrate its 50th anniversary. I know what a highly valued service the club provides to its members through its regular meetings and functions, and on behalf of the Parish, I thank all past and present members involved in this successful community enterprise. Again, my congratulations and I wish you every success for the next 50 years!

Over the last year or so, we have had to contend with a series of road works in the Parish and it would appear there may be yet more to come. In essence, these relate to improved drainage (as opposed to resurfacing) on States roads, and which Infrastructure advise are essential to mitigate flooding. Work on one small section by the school was carried out over half-term and, at the time of writing, we await advice as to dates for other work.

Finally, and whilst I hope I will see many of you personally during the period leading up to Christmas, I take the opportunity of wishing you and your families a Happy Christmas and New Year.

Best wishes

David

All we need is a Chair

St Mary’s Youth and Community Centre has a new person in charge, albeit a temporary one.

After Tim De Gruchy stepped down from the chairman’s role at the centre’s AGM in late September there was no-one willing to take over the reins. In the event the Parish Constable, David Johnson, kindly offered to take over until a long-term replacement could be found - the good news is that the wait may not be a long one.

Tributes were however paid by management committee members for all Tim had done in the three years he was in charge: “We say a heartfelt thank you to Tim De Gruchy, who is stepping down after three years as our Honorary Chair. Tim’s guidance has been invaluable in helping to improve and streamline the accessibility of the Community Centre, ensuring the Centre runs smoothly today as well as in the future. Along the way, we have enjoyed many successful fundraising events, created wonderful memories, and built lasting friendships within the community. We are extremely grateful for Tim’s contribution, dedication, and the positive spirit he has brought to the Centre.”

Meanwhile the work continues... new benches have been added to the outside space. They were bought from the aMazing Maze's closing-down sale: “a big thank you to Nathan Baudains Recovery for getting them safely delivered and installed – they’re already being put to great use.” And the Centre’s boiler has been upgraded to ensure it meets modern standards, keeping the building warm, efficient, and ready for the winter months ahead. The management team said they were delighted with the turnout for the Wild West Country Fest in early September and were looking forward to one of the highlights of the year, the Christmas Fayre, with the visit of Santa Claus on December 7th – which will be followed the next evening by another visit from Father Christmas, this time on the Round Table sleigh.

David Johnson takes temporary charge

Peter le Liard

Tim de Gruchy

They’ll be back!

A Lunch Date to Remember

One of St Mary’s mostly unsung institutions is coming up to its silver anniversary. Nobody’s quite sure when exactly because there’s no record of the precise date the first one took place. What is certain though is that the monthly Saturday afternoon luncheons at the Community Centre have been going strong ever since and that hundreds, if not thousands, of people will have every reason to be grateful.

They were born out of the efforts to raise the money to pay for the Youth and Community Centre to be built in the first place. One of the big fund-raisers was the monthly Saturday morning French market. As well as raising money they became important social events for everybody who worked at the market, whether they be like Alan Le Breton, making regular trips to France to bring back French produce, the stallholders, the parishioners who cooked the crèpes and Jersey Wonders, and many others.

Their efforts helped see the project achieve its aim with the opening of the Community Centre. As big an achievement as undoubtedly that was, it left a bit of a hole in the lives of all those hard-working volunteers. That led Jeanne Le Brun, wife of the then Parish Constable, Ken Le Brun, to come up with a brilliant idea – they decided to keep up with the social side of their work by using the new facility to hold meetings based round a monthly lunch.

“We started because there was really nothing much going on in the parish as regards social events, after the French markets ended. They were such good times, and the markets were so popular. People came from all over the Island to pick up French produce,” said Jeanne. “The idea of having regular lunches so we could all meet up was really well received.”

The lunches started in a small way with most of the food being prepared in Jeanne’s kitchen at home. “I did most of the cooking. We kept it fairly simple with two soup options, open sandwiches and something like Jersey Bean Crock or quiches plus a choice of dessert made by the other girls. We would set it all up on the Friday evening. It was great fun, but it was hard work. We even did a special Jersey menu on one occasion with conger soup, Bean Crock and Bourdelot for pudding (apples in puff pastry).

“We charged £3 a head initially, but Mazel Le Ruez said they were too cheap, so we went up to £5. It was so much fun, but it

Welcome to the Parish lunches

Marguerite Roualt

The French market fund-raisers

became very busy. At one point we had to put tables at the top of the stairs, there were so many people coming. In the end it became too much like hard work. To be honest there were too many people coming from outside the parish. So, I decided to give up and Cynthia Cotillard took over.”

Cynthia Cotillard kept the show going until 2017, but when she decided to give it up, it looked like there was no-one repared to take it over. However, it was at that point when one of her “waitresses”, Marguerite Roualt said she’d give it a go, despite not having any catering experience. “I was going to do it for six months, despite never having done anything like that before,” said Marguerite. “I spoke to Clare Cloarec and she said she’d give me a hand. She was very good at organizing things and we decide on the menus together. We’ve looked after the lunches ever since, though we did have a break because of Covid.”

Today Marguerite and her team which relies on the assistance of family members including her sisters, plus son and daughter as well as husband Martin who helps with the deliveries, as well as other volunteers like the Dorey sisters – “they’re brilliant,” said Marguerite. “We’ve managed to peg the price at £10-a-head and although we’ve lost a few of our older customers we’re managing to pick up new people in their 50s and 60s. We’re now preparing for our final lunch of the year which is always the last Saturday in November and it’s the one menu we don’t need to think about. It’ll be turkey with all the trimmings. Everyone enjoys that.”

Ken Le Brun

Jeanne Le Brun

Lunch for two! David Hanniston with Honey

Urban Legends

Urban trees have become something of a cause célèbre recently, with good reason. While we’ve long known about their benefits, the idea is now gaining wider traction.

There’s no shortage of excellent reasons for this, of course, including the twin drivers of shade and cooling; indeed, most of us have experienced the heat-retaining properties of concrete and metal that can make urban life unbearable, especially further south.

Boosting urban tree cover is a relatively simple way to improve life for millions, with statistics firmly backing this up. It’s beyond doubt that urban tree cover lowers maximum temperatures, reducing heat-related deaths. In fact, a 2023 study in The Lancet posited that 30% canopy cover in Europe could have prevented almost 40% of deaths during extreme heatwaves.

Spending time around trees provides a wide range of health benefits, notably improving air quality, lowering blood pressure, boosting immunity and reducing the prevalence of heat-related health issues. It also reduces stress and anxiety, improves mood and can even benefit cognitive function.

In 2021, Dutch urban forestry expert Dr. Cecil Konijindijk devised a new rule of thumb for urban planning. Seeking a mantra to “enhance urban greenery, biodiversity, climate adaptation and public health”, he coined 3+30+300:

• At least three mature trees visible from every home, school and workplace.

• Minimum 30% tree canopy cover in every neighbourhood.

• Residents live 300 metres (max.) from nearest high-quality green space.

While the numbers clearly have an arbitrary element to them, the criteria do not. Tree visibility, canopy cover and access are all integral to optimal neighbourhood life.

How does St Helier fare? Let’s not forget how many of us head there daily, after all. According to Global Forest Watch, it has 4.17% cover – a very low figure compared to UK cities like London and Birmingham (18-19%) or even the least green US cities like Denver (9.6%) and Phoenix (8.5%).

While it’d be wrong to compare like-for-like with these metropolises, it’s still a fascinating metric that strongly suggests we could be a lot greener. You can’t plant trees anywhere, however, making it vital to protect what we have.

For example, the felling of 33 mature trees at St Joseph’s Care Home was successfully blocked but, at the time of writing, is under appeal. These are the only trees visible to many of the residents, providing colour, wildlife and seasonal variation in a way only nature can.

Surprisingly few trees are protected locally and there’s certainly a strong case for more tree protection. Architects can also make a huge difference by integrating existing trees into design.

It’s not going to get any cooler, so it’s time to up our urban tree game.

Beautiful magnolia tree at St Joseph’s

Three trees outside St John’s Ambulance add leafy greenery to Midvale Road

A stunning old tree in La Motte Street

Percentage of tree cover by parish according to Global Forest Watch, 2020

Jersey Village Vets 10th Anniversary

“At

the heart of the Community” is a phrase that can be banded about without substance but here at Jersey Village Vets, it’s more ethos than phrase.

As Jersey Village Vets enters its eleventh year, having previously traded as Allen Rushton-Taylor Vets since 1976, our mission to be at the heart of the outlying Parishes, goes from strength to strength.

Most of our team know most of our clients, and more often than not, a chat and a catch up proceeds an appointment.

We throw ourselves into community projects and strive to help our communities where we can. To us at Jersey Village Vets, our clients are our friends and as the world and peoples lives become more insular and isolated, it’s important to us to maintain that human interaction when we can. We consciously locate our five, well equipped branches and expert teams, in the country Parishes and always aim to support those parishioners and communities we serve. That’s not to say we distract from our core value of providing your pets with the best possible care and compassion, using the most up to date methods and state of the art equipment. We just like to go that one step further and really be at the heart of the community.

Cowboy Carryon

How to describe St Mary? A country parish? A western parish? Well, one day in early September, St Mary became a Country and

It was the day that the wild west came to town: gun-toting cowboys and pink stetson-clad ladies thronged Main Street (or Rue du Pont, as it sometimes known), youngsters panned for gold and went bull-riding, rodeo-style; and one and all found themselves feasting at a hog roast, followed by line-dancing in the saloon bar. The only thing missing was the drifting tumbleweed!

The Parish had been transformed into a rootin’ tootin’ wild west theme park thanks to the team at the St Mary Community Centre and a host of volunteers. They put on what was billed as “The Wild West Country Fest”, an extravaganza of all things associated with the American frontier in the last thirty years of the nineteenth century. As one of the organisers put it, “who knew there were so many closet cowboys and girls in St Mary?”

Take up of tickets for the event was fairly slow to begin with but there was a late rush, helped by the fine weather on the day, to the extent that the occasion was a virtual sell-out. Proceedings began on the savannah alongside the old schoolhouse where straw bales supplied by Jonathan Le Maistre provided themed seating alongside tables made from stacks of wooden pallets. Classic Catering supplied the hog-roast which, accompanied by applesauce and stuffing, was decidedly mouth-watering. And there was plenty of alternative chow on offer at the chuckwagon along with cow-juice for the kids. The outdoor fun and games were accompanied by country music from the delightful Ellie-Mai Martin.

Customary greetings were replaced by “Howdy Pardner” and there were plenty of “Yee-haws” and other Americanisms. Meanwhile the youngsters entertained themselves panning for gold. Apparently, many of them hit paydirt – who knows, St Mary may be on the edge of a gold rush, Klondyke-style? Another big draw was a rodeo feature - a bucking bull which was tried out by everyone from tiny toddlers to adults who should have known better. Luckily the ‘bull’ was hornless!

As dusk fell the folks retired to the saloon where a right old hootenanny took place with Step 55 setting the scene with thanks due to Karl and Fraser for leading the line dancing and Ann calling the shots for the barn dancing. Having danced themselves to the state of exhaustion, there was then a chance for the ‘young’ Americans to relax with Sam and Ollie of Riverwild playing their country music. As they used to say in the wild west – apparently – ‘we sure had us a hog-killin’ time!’

What Was but

THERE have been many histories written about the German occupation of the Channel Islands. The islands were the only British soil to be occupied by the Germans thus giving much to write about. This series of articles is not intended to be just another history of that time but an example of “What if…?”.

…in September 1942 an advertisement appeared in the Islands’ newspapers announcing that, at Adolf Hitler’s command, British-born men and their families were to be deported to Germany.

Could the unjustified deportation of non-combatant civilians to an unknown fate have been the trigger for an insurrection?

In Jersey, despite his colonel’s rank, Friedrich Knackfuss has not seen action since 1918 and the prospect of having to deploy armed force to quell civilian disorder is not one he wishes to contemplate. However, he has rarely seen Coutanche so angry at the notice and was acutely embarrassed when the usually urbane Bailiff accused him of a monstrous breach of faith.

The Islands’ Befehlshaber (commander in chief) in Guernsey, Generalmajor Erich Müller has been unhelpful. “You’re dealing with unarmed civilians, Friedrich, for God’s sake!”

It is understood that Admiral Friedrich Hüffmeier, commander-in-chief of the German forces in the Channel Islands, in April 1945 and despite Germany’s defeat being inevitable, stated to Jersey’s Bailiff Alexander Coutanche that ‘you and I will be eating grass before I surrender’. Even if that’s a myth, it makes a good title.

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

Compiled by Peter Tabb

What if…

“All routes to the harbour will be lined by armed troops,” Oberst Knackfuss announces. “Any attempt at disorder must be dealt with immediately. There must be no shooting. Unruly demonstrators must be detained, that’s all…”

The deportation notices are duly served and, to Knackfuss’s dismay, on 14 September, noisy crowds line the principal routes to the harbour to watch the deportees board the steamer La France for St Malo. And before the vessel sails with almost 300 detainees, the crowd will have grown to nearly five thousand.

On Pier Road is a gathering of almost two hundred young people who, since they are well away from the route of the deportees, are watched by only a handful of soldiers whose rifles are slung over their shoulders. In the crowd teenager Marguerite Mière begins to sing ‘There’ll always be an England’. Her song is taken up by the crowd with enthusiasm.

No-one knows who it is who throws the first stone but clearly many of the youngsters have filled their pockets with pebbles and pieces of brick. A stone strikes the helmet of a German soldier standing guard on the roadway below. Before the Germans can react, a hail of missiles falls down on them, knocking several from their feet. A soldier, Schütze Küpfler, unslings his rifle, intending to fire a warning shot above the heads of the throng, many of whom are his own age. However, Küpfer panics and pulls the trigger. The heavy Mauser K98k, its muzzle actually pointing downwards, fires. The bullet hits the road and ricochets into the crowd, hitting sixteen years old Daphne Le Bailly in the thigh. She falls to the ground screaming.

The crowd howls its fury but faced with alarmed soldiers holds back.

However, in the crowd one youngster draws back a catapult which is powerful enough, when firing a ball bearing, to kill a rabbit at 15 yards. Schütze Küpfer advances towards the crowd, his action entirely humanitarian since he is horrified to have shot someone, even by accident.

Although the picture is captioned “Star” – the Guernsey morning paper – the advertisement is identical to one that appeared in The Evening Post on the same date

but What If…

Daphne Le Bailly is lying on the road, moaning. As Küpfer bends over her, he is struck by a ball bearing fired just a few feet away. The bearing penetrates his skull above his eye and embeds itself in the soft tissue of his brain. In agony, Schütze Küpfer stumbles and falls. His colleagues cannot believe what they see. Despite the heavy Mausers the Germans are overwhelmed and punched and kicked to the ground in a frenzy of blows that their thick uniforms and helmets are helpless to deflect. Too late the crowd realises what is happening and suddenly they break and run, scattering in all directions, leaving four blood-soaked bodies lying in the roadway and a still moaning Daphne Le Bailly whose flesh wound is bleeding freely.

More armed Germans arrive on the scene. What they are unprepared for is four German soldiers and a teenage girl lying in the road, all bleeding profusely.

All the injured are bundled into vehicles and rushed to the General Hospital. Schütze Küpfer is pronounced dead on arrival. Daphne Le Bailly is treated alongside the injured soldiers.

La France sails for St Malo that evening with 280 deportees.

Oberst Friedrich Knackfuss is outraged. Schütze Küpfer was killed by a ball bearing probably fired by a catapult found in a gutter at the scene. Bailiff Coutanche is summoned and receives a severe dressing down and threatened with dire consequences.

“But we are talking about a crowd of almost two hundred youngsters,” Coutanche protests. “How will we ever find out who fired that ball bearing?”

“You must, Mr Bailiff,” Knackfuss replies. “Behlshaber, Generalmajor Müller, is most insistent and demands 20 hostages whose lives will be forfeit if the perpetrator is not forthcoming within seven days. I suggest that you publicise this action in The Evening Post.”

“If the perpetrator is found, what will happen to him?”

Although Bailiff Coutanche has a sickening apprehension of the perpetrator’s fate.

“That will be decided by the Militärgericht,” Knackfuss replies coldly. “We are not barbarians, Mr Bailiff.”

Following the rounding up of 20 hostages and publicity in The Evening Post, the morning before the German ultimatum expires, Mrs Edith Le Messurier appears at the Town Hall with her fifteenyear-old daughter Eunice and asks to see the Connétable. In the presence of Connétable Cuming and his Chef de Police, a tearful Eunice Le Messurier admits that it was she who fired the deadly ball bearing with her brother’s catapult.

PART 2

At 6.00 pm the hostages are freed and Mrs Le Messurier and her daughter are undergoing interrogation at the Feldkommandantur. Bailiff Coutanche insists the girl be legally represented but Knackfuss refuses. “This is entirely a military matter, Mr Bailiff.”

Within a matter of weeks Mrs Le Messurier and her daughter, have been transported to France, their sentences and ultimate fate unknown. Despite Bailiff Coutanche’s persistent enquiries and protests, he is unable to discover their fate.

They would be swept up by the notorious Nacht und Nebel (Night and Fog) decree of December 1941 whereby prisoners became property of the German state and could be made to disappear, usually to a death camp.

The foregoing is fiction, but could this have happened?

“What Was but What If” will be published next spring.

Friedrich Knackfuss

Carrying Hope into Christmas

In October of this year, Jersey Police’s Chief Officer, Robin Smith, and I had the honour of carrying the Baton of Hope through the streets of St Helier — a national symbol for suicide awareness and mental health support.

We were surrounded by many people on a journey, united in compassion and courage; a deeply moving experience. It reminded me that behind every door in our parishes there are stories which we don’t always see — of quiet strength, silent struggles, and the small acts of kindness that keep people going.

As we approach Christmas, that message feels more important than ever. For many, this is a season of light, laughter, and reunion. For others, it can be a time of loneliness, financial strain, grief, or emotional exhaustion. The pressure to appear “merry and bright” can weigh heavily on those who are finding life difficult.

Diary Dates

DECEMBER 4TH

St Mary senior citizens’ Christmas Luncheon, 12.3pm0 at the Prince of Wales

DECEMBER 6TH

Citizen Advice Roadshow at the Parish Hall

DECEMBER 7TH

Christmas Fayre at the St Mary Youth and Community Centre

DECEMBER 8TH

Round Table Santa Claus visit to the St Mary Community Centre

DECEMBER 12TH

St Mary Garden Railway ‘Winter Wonderland’ open day, 3pm-8pm

DECEMBER 13TH

St Mary Garden Railway ‘Winter Wonderland’ open day, 12pm – 8pm

Carrying the Baton of Hope was not just a moment of ceremony for me; it was a promise. A promise to listen, to look out for one another, and to help keep conversations about mental health alive — especially when the world around us seems most festive. So, this Christmas, I would like to gently encourage everyone in St Mary to check in on each other. A text message, a doorstep chat, a quick call to a neighbour — these small gestures can make a huge difference. You never know the impact of letting someone know that they are not alone.

With this in mind, please do not forget to look after yourselve too! Avoid burnout and piling too much pressure upon yourself. In policing, we often talk about “putting your own oxygen mask on first,” remembering that you cannot pour from an empty cup. Please take time to rest, breathe, and do something that brings you peace. Whether it’s a walk in nature, time with loved ones, or simply sitting quietly with a cup of tea — give yourself permission to slow down.

If you or someone you know is struggling, there are people ready to listen. The Samaritans can be reached free at 116 123, day or night. Locally, you can reach out to your GP, support services, or even just someone you trust. Please never forget that your emergency services are available 24/7, 365 days of the year, including the Emergency Department and the St Helier police station.

Reaching out isn’t weakness - it’s one of the bravest things you can do. Carrying the Baton of Hope reminded me that hope isn’t just something we hold; it’s something we share. Let’s carry that spirit into our homes, our streets, and our hearts, this Christmas. Wishing you peace, strength, and kindness - both given and received - this festive season.

PC Joe Richardson

St Mary Community Police Officer

MARCH 14TH

Jersey Repair Café at St Mary Community Centre, 9.30am-1pm

CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS

PILATES CLASSES

Every Tuesday night at the Parish Hall with Libby from 6.15-7.15pm & Friday afternoon at 1.30-2.30 with Andy.

SCOTTISH DANCING

Thursday evenings 7.30-9.30 at the Parish Hall with Brenda.

YOGA

Sunday morning 9.45-10.45 in the Parish Hall with Tina.

MEDITATION

Wednesday 6.30 -7.30 Group meditation with Debbie Jones.

ST MARY PETANQUE CLUB

Meets Mondays at 10am & Saturdays at 2pm outside the Youth & Community Centre.

20TH ST MARY BROWNIES

Wednesdays 6-7.30pm at Bethlehem Chapel.

20TH ST MARY GUIDES

Thursdays 7-9pm at Bethlehem Chapel.

ST MARY RAINBOWS (pre-Brownie)

Thursdays 6-7pm at St Mary’s Parish Hall.

6TH JERSEY SCOUT GROUP

Beavers. Cubs and Scouts, every Wednesday 5.30/6.30/7.30pm.

Scan to find out more

Help to prevent flooding:

Dos and don’t s

As the wetter weather approaches and autumn draws in, we kindly ask Islanders to take simple steps to help prevent flooding. By working together, we can reduce the risks to our roads, homes, and environment.

DO

Check and clean your drains and gutters

Ensure your gutters and surface water drains are free of debris, particularly after heavy rain.

Maintain watercourses

If a stream or watercourse runs through your property, keep it clear to ensure the free flow of water and prevent upstream flooding.

DON’ T

Don’t leave branchage debris on roads

After completing branchage or bank maintenance, ensure any cuttings are fully cleared from the road. Leaves, twigs, and branches can block drainage systems.

Help with road gullies

If you notice a road gully covered with leaves or debris, and wet weather is on the way, please clear it to help water drain properly.

Drive carefully through flooded areas

If flooding occurs, slow down when driving through these areas to avoid making the flooding worse or splashing pedestrians.

Don’t rush to report flooded gullies

After heavy rainfall, give gullies time to handle the excess water. Flooding during heavy rain does not always mean a blockage; it often just takes time to drain.

KEEPING

Don’t Worry About the Decorations

View from the Rectory Christmas Services at St Mary’s Church

The Rector was away on a well-deserved break at the time this edition of the Parish magazines was compiled, but as it’s the Christmas issue we thought it appropriate to repeat the wise words the Rev Kirsty included in a previous edition of St Mary Matters.

If I decorate my house perfectly with tartan bows, stings of twinkling lights and shiny baubles, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of mince pies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtimes, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

Will we have a white Christmas at St Mary?

If I work at the food bank, sing carols in the nursing homes and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the tree with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of Christmas parties and sing in the church choir, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t shout at the children to get out of the way but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22ND

4:00pm Carols by Candlelight a

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24TH

12:00pm Bellringing begins at (closed overnight)..

4:00pm The Crib Service

10:00pm Midnight in Bethlehem

In between services there will be bells, mulled wine and mince pies

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25TH

8:30am BCP Holy Communion

10:00am Family Eucharist

4:00pm Bellringing until

Bethlehem at Christmas

Christmas is fast approaching and at Bethlehem we are looking forward to welcoming parishioners to a number of family friendly services in December.

SUNDAY 21ST DECEMBER

10.30am Carol Service, led by Rev Peter Goodhall

WEDNESDAY 24TH DECEMBER

4.30pm Christingle Service. This will be a short, family-friendly service.

THURSDAY 25TH DECEMBER

10.30am Christmas Day. We will join our friends in the Bay at Bethesda Methodist Church for this special service.

SUNDAY 28TH DECEMBER

10.30am Circuit service at Bethlehem led by Rev Peter Goodhall

FILM NIGHTS 2026

Our film nights in 2026 will be on 10th January, 14th February, 14th March and 11th April. Films tba. Please contact Dianne Huddlestone for more information. For more information on Bethlehem events visit our website: www.bethlehem.org.je

Christingle at Bethlehem

ONE DIABETES DIAGNOSIS EVERY DAY IN JERSEY

In almost all of its publicity, and even at the foot of many of the letter written from Diabetes Jersey will use the phrase that “every day one more person in Jersey acquires diabetes”. This is statistically accurate since the number each year is circa 400, i.e. around one every day.

Why does this happen?

Diabetes is all about sugar in the blood and occurs when the body becomes incapable of controlling how much sugar our blood is prepared to accept. Fortunately for most of us, our pancreas produces the hormone insulin which automatically regulates glucose levels in our blood.

Just what stimulates the pancreas in some people either to stop abruptly producing insulin or to slow down its production is not known. Therefore, there is no way we can prevent it. No-one has yet invented a vaccine and Type 1 diabetes (where the pancreas stops producing insulin completely) can strike children as young as two or three years old.

While there is no early detection of Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 can be detected with a simple blood test and if detected early enough, can be managed, and even reversed.

Today managing Type 1 diabetes with insulin injections is commonplace.

Type 2 diabetes, which occurs as the pancreas progressively produces less insulin, while not actually preventable, can be managed and diminished, either by diet or medication and particularly by the way in which we live.

What we consume can have a significant impact. If we knowingly adopt a lifestyle to which our body objects – putting on weight is the most obvious objection – then achieving well-being becomes more difficult. Sugar exists in almost everything we consume, e.g., fructose in fruit, lactose in dairy products and glucose generally.

However your lifestyle leading you down a path to Type 2 diabetes , is the very last thing you want.

Many elements of our adult lifestyle can increase the risk of acquiring Type 2 diabetes, e.g., being overweight, not exercising, drinking to excess and smoking. What’s more, already having diabetes in the family also increases that risk.

In Jersey around 4,500 people have diabetes of which around ten per cent are Type 1.

Flu and COVID-19 continue to pose a risk to thousands of Islanders who have lower levels of protection.

Vaccination is an important part of building your defences. Particularly if you are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 and the flu.

If you’re 65 and over, or pregnant, or living with certain health conditions you’re eligible for a flu vaccine.

If you’re aged 75 and over, or living in a care home for older adults, or immunosuppressed, you’re eligible for both a COVID-19 and flu vaccine.

Book your appointment today:

Contact your doctor’s surgery. For more information or to check you’re eligible visit gov.je/wintervaccines

The Importance of Flu and COVID-19 Vaccinations

As winter arrives, it’s crucial to think about keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe from illness. Two viruses that pose a risk to Islanders during winter are influenza and COVID-19. By increasing our defences through vaccination, our bodies are more able to fight off these viruses.

Why Vaccination is Crucial

Both flu and COVID-19 can be serious for many Islanders. According to Professor Peter Bradley, Director of Public Health and Medical Officer for Health, “Most people who get COVID-19 or flu experience mild illness, but some can develop severe disease.” This includes older people, young children, and those with conditions where the immune system may not be as strong, like heart or lung disease.

“The more people who are vaccinated, the less these viruses circulate, giving better protection for people with weaker immune systems and ensuring the health system can continue to function.” explains Prof. Bradley.

What’s in the Vaccines, and How Do They Work?

Both vaccines help the immune system build defences. They contain weakened proteins from the virus, allowing the immune system to develop a response without exposing us to the full virus. This means that if we do encounter the virus, our bodies are better prepared to fight it off quickly, helping us avoid serious illness. Over time, viruses mutate and our immunity wanes which is why booster doses are necessary. While not all vaccines prevent infection, they do significantly reduce the severity of the illness and risk of long-term complications.

Vaccine Safety

Vaccine safety is a common concern for some, especially given the speed at which COVID-19 vaccines were developed. Prof. Bradley emphasises, “COVID-19 vaccines went through the same rigorous testing as other vaccines but was done at speed thanks to advancements in technology. These vaccines have been administered to hundreds of millions of people, with their safety closely monitored.”

When Islanders choose to be vaccinated, the entire community is protected.

Professor Peter Bradley Director of Public Health

Side effects are usually limited to some soreness or redness at the injection site. “Serious side effects are rare and are much less common than the complications from the illnesses themselves.”

Prof. Bradley stresses.

Understanding Vaccine Fatigue

With regular COVID-19 boosters and other vaccines being offered over the last few years, some may feel exhausted by the idea of another. Prof. Bradley urges us to consider the broader picture: “These are serious diseases, and the viruses causing them are constantly changing. By getting vaccinated, you are not only protecting yourself but also those around you. Someone infected with flu could infect another four people.”

Defending Our Island Community

High vaccination rates in Jersey have helped us avoid outbreaks of illnesses seen in other places like measles. Prof. Bradley notes, “When Islanders choose to be vaccinated, the entire community is protected.”

“If you’re unsure about getting a flu or COVID-19 vaccine, a simple first step is to check your eligibility on gov.je or consult your GP. In most cases, they will reassure you that vaccination is safe and highly beneficial.”

It’s Never Too Late

The Royal Society for Public Health emphasises that it’s never too late to get vaccinated. Even if you’ve missed previous doses, it is still beneficial to protect yourself going forward.

Take a proactive step to defend your health and the wellbeing of your loved ones this winter. Getting vaccinated means fewer days spent ill and more time enjoying the season.

Contact your GP or visit gov.je/wintervaccines for more information.

Asian Hornets An Unprecedented Year for

By Alastair Christie, Senior Scientific Officer – Invasive Species

If

you are one of those who has encountered Asian hornets this year, then you are not alone. To say that the year has been unprecedented is somewhat of an understatement.

The number of queens reported in the spring, with the majority trapped by volunteers in official traps, was at record levels, nearly five times any previous year. Since the spring there have been several thousand reports of worker hornets across the island and the numbers of nests so far in 2025 is more than double that of the whole of 2024 already, standing at 539 at the time of writing in early October versus 262 nests in 2024.

In the parish of St Mary, you have not been immune to this upsurge in Asian hornets. For those who are not comfortable with buzzy, stingy things these numbers may be a concern, and indeed more people have been stung by Asian hornets this year than any other. The main risk is of nest disturbance rather than an individual foraging hornet, with gardeners the largest group at risk as they strim and hedge-cut.

Beekeepers will also be particularly concerned as the predominant portion of the diet of Asian hornets is honeybees. This year beekeepers have found their hives under great pressure and have had to deploy various protection measures to limit the detrimental effects of the Asian hornets. Apart from carrying off dismembered honeybees to feed to their developing larvae, the hornets cause honeybee colonies to go into ‘foraging paralysis’, when they stop doing what bees are supposed to be doing: gathering nectar and pollen and generally being busy bees. The result is weaker honeybee colonies that are at greater risk of dying out during the winter. Fortunately, beekeepers can help their bees along with various devices and management techniques, but with the best strategy being to find the Asian hornet nest causing the issue and have it destroyed.

For the future, we have to accept that Asian hornets are here to stay, but is the huge level of work to control them sustainable? The logistical issues of dealing with so many reports, processing them efficiently and destroying any nests have been extreme. Many of the numerous nests are in difficult locations requiring specialist equipment and skills to deal with them and sometimes occasional road closures and marshalling of the public needed also.

As the season draws to a close, and we can begin the process of reflecting on this year and what it means for the future, the public of Jersey can still play their part. Reports of Asian hornets should be reported to asianhornet@gov.je.

If you spot any nests in the trees, now that the leaves have fallen, please do report that as it may be a nest that we were not aware of. Please also consider whether you can help in the springtime by monitoring a trap. The more queens that we can trap, then the fewer nests we should have later. For further information see

www.gov.je/asianhornet

Asian hornet showing the yellow legs and yellow/orange band on the lower abdomen

Large Asian hornet nest, damaged by early winter weather

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.

Christmas and New Year Schedules for Refuse and Commercial Collections

Christmas Week 2025

Tuesday 23 Dec 2025

Commercial Glass Collected as normal

Wednesday 24 Dec 2025 Refuse Collected as normal

Friday 26 Dec 2025

New Year Week 2025 / 2026

Tuesday 30 Dec 2025

Commercial Refuse Collected on Saturday 27 Dec 2025

Commercial Glass Collected as normal

Wednesday 31 Dec 2025 Refuse Collected as normal

Friday 02 Jan 2026

Commercial Refuse Collected on Saturday 03 Jan 2026

Glass and Recycling Collections 2026

For the month of January

For the month of February

For the month of March

For the month of April

For the month of May

For the month of June

For the month of July

For the month of August

For the month of September

For the month of October

For the month of November

For the month of December

Glass & Recycling Thursday 08 Jan 2026

Glass & Recycling Thursday 12 Feb 2026

Glass & Recycling Thursday 12 Mar 2026

Glass & Recycling Thursday 09 Apr 2026

Glass & Recycling Thursday 14 May 2026

Glass & Recycling Thursday 11 Jun 2026

Glass & Recycling Thursday 09 Jul 2026

Glass & Recycling Thursday 13 Aug 2026

Glass & Recycling Thursday 10 Sep 2026

Glass & Recycling Thursday 08 Oct 2026

Glass & Recycling Thursday 12 Nov 2026

Glass & Recycling Thursday 10 Dec 2026

For collection enquiries, contact GermBusters Ltd. Tel (01534) 869918 | Email info@germbusters.je All refuse, recycling and glass out before 5am please

For more information, visit gov.je/recycling

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!

Are Cones Being Cloned?

As the heavy grey clouds barge through the small patches of blue sky and deposit their heavy load on the garden and the wind strips the trees of the now redundant leaves, the thoughts of late autumn and winter prey on the mind. Time seems to rush at an everincreasing speed as we hurtle towards the end of another year.

The joys of Christmas are already upon us as the town is decorated with seasonal lights (which started in October) and the shops are selling festive goods – as they have been doing so for months. One of the main problems these days is getting to the metropolis and finding a suitable place to park and not having to walk miles with heavy

in operation some time ago but the main problem with that was that many of the elderly, especially women, were suspicious. Were these strangers offering to

in various areas of the island. A warning has been issued that approaching any of these blue, yellow or red varieties or trying to squash them with a motor vehicle is known to attract blue bottles and other officially uniformed pests. Have no fear, our brave leaders are going to repatriate these creatures to their homelands on a ‘one in ten out’ policy not dissimilar to the strategy used for capital

On the matter of repatriation, the old saying of the said vessel and in which direction it is heading as many of the countries to which ship may be bound, already have their own problems with the said interlopers. The expenses will of course be funded by arrogating funds reserved for the more elderly and retired cones.

The major problem with the cones is they multiply at an alarming rate and are very fond of slowing the flow of traffic together with warning road

to health and safety leaflets on the dangers of conker fights and the risks involved in crossing roads without looking – the kind of threat that used to be dealt with by an apparently redundant process called ‘common sense’.

such as hot cross buns and iced fruit our roads. It’s the time of year for “lets dig up the roads and upset everyone.” However, there is a glimmer of hope amongst all this frustration. Durrell, of the zoo fame, are proud to announce that their breeding colony of “cones” has been a huge success. On the other hand, there have been rather disturbing rumours that some of these creatures escaped from Trinity and have now taken up residence

Good news is on its way next year however when the populace of our fair isle will go to the polls and elect a new bunch of people for the Big House in the Royal Square. However, before the pencils put a cross in the box on the ballot paper, huge rallies will be organised by our popular politicians which could attract crowds of more than ten people which in turn put great strain on both the paid and honorary systems.

Who will stand and who will rid us of these turbulent

where we accumulate not profligate funds producing very little but at a great cost.

The clone ranger

Celebrations Brightly 100 Years

Brightly, formerly Brig-y-Don Children’s Convalescent and Holiday Home, has been celebrating a 100 years of supporting children in Jersey with events ranging from planted flower displays in the Howard Davis and The Lower Park courtesy of the Parish of St Helier; flying of the Brightly flags all over the island and the publication of an original book launched at St Clement’s Primary School and given to children in Years 1 and 2 islandwide.

Two special events were held, one at Brig-y-Don House for people with a connection to the home, the other at Government House in June where many memories were shared and old friendships renewed.

The centenary will end with the planting of a time capsule at Brig-yDon House to be opened in another 100 years.

Saying Goodbye After 46 Years

The centenary year will see the retirement of its longest serving member of staff Allison le Blancq after 46 years.

“My 46-year journey with Brig-y-Don Children’s Charity began in 1979 with a one-year role in the playgroup. The wonderful staff showed me what it was to be part of a caring, fun, supportive team who looked after and advocated for the children, unable to be with their families, with such compassion that I am still with the charity.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to all the staff and Board members I have worked with over the years. It has been a privilege to work for such an invaluable charity,” she said.

Brightly wishes to thank all its donors large or small for the support given to the charity and looks forward to the next 100 years!

For more information contact Wendy@brightly.je

Be Safe, Be Seen Road Safety Week 2025

This November saw Jersey once again take part in Brake’s annual Road Safety Week. The theme for 2025 was ‘Be Safe, Be Seen’, reminding all of us of the importance of visibility when travelling in the darker winter months.

The Infrastructure and Environment Department, together with Driver and Vehicle Standards (DVS) and the States of Jersey Police (SoJP), delivered a programme of events and activities under the framework of Building a Safer Community. The focus was staying safe in low-light conditions, whether walking, cycling, riding a moped, or driving.

School Assemblies

Key Stage 2 pupils across the island took part in special ‘Be Safe Be Seen’ assemblies and each child received a reflective slap band to encourage safer journeys.

Moped & Motorcycle Checks

For Year 12 riders, DVS offered free safety inspections of mopeds and motorcycles. These checks focused on ensuring lights and indicators were working properly, and advice was given on maintenance and replacing bulbs.

Motorist Engagement

To reach drivers, SoJP carried out night-time vehicle light checks supported by the Comité des Chefs de Police.

Online Campaign

Alongside these activities, the Jersey Road Safety Hub (www. jerseyroadsafety.je) was updated with new guidance and refreshed its ‘Be Safe Be Seen’ information.

By working together – schools, young riders, motorists and the wider community – we can all play a part in reducing risks on our roads this winter.

So, as the evenings draw in, remember the simple rule: If you’re out and about – Be Safe, Be Seen

RBC flying flags for Brightly in 2025

Allision le Blancq – retiring after 46 years

It’s Raining Again

With autumn well and truly upon us, the heavens opened again, and, as usual, La Verte Rue flooded quite quickly.

This time a team from Infrastructure and Environment arrived on scene at the same time as us and were able to bring the correct machinery to bear without any delay. For safety reasons we closed the road while this drain and three others were cleared. These drains normally get blocked with fallen leaves, but this time there had been a considerable buildup of silt since last winter and all of the gulleys had to be cleared. ,e have been in recent discussions with the department and, on this occasion, the danger points had been road swept in advance, so the disruption was kept to a minimum.

Your Honorary Police

different demands on their respective Honorary Police forces and we are fortunate that St Mary is one of the quieter parishes. We sense that a lot of good will come out of the Parish Review and that the Honorary Police will be much better placed to help parishioners and the community going forward.

Once the initial (normally weekends) training has been completed, the demands on our time are not onerous; our officers are rarely asked to contribute more than a few hours a month. For those seeking a slightly more active role, our neighbouring parishes are only too pleased to receive assistance when required. If you would like to have a quick chat over tea or coffee to explore things further, please do not hesitate to call into the Parish Hall or telephone 482700 to arrange. We are available most of the time.

Communications

You may be aware that Deputy Helen Miles is carrying out a “Parish Review” to work out how the parishes and the government can best work together to serve the Island’s population. The role of the Honorary Police forms a crucial part of this review, and we have given our collective input into the process. The parishes place

Jersey Telecomm have been experiencing issues during their updates from 3G to 4G and then 5G. This has significantly disrupted our personal phones and more importantly our Honorary Police duty phone; we are sorry if you have been unable to get through to the Duty Centenier during this time, but we have been working with JT since the summer to get the problem sorted. We are told that problems may persist until the end of November but we are hopeful that things will improve before then.

driving with a Honda

The Coop Signs Off

The Parish’s only shop has had a facelift and is now trading under the Rubis umbrella.

The initial announcement that the Coop was pulling out of St Mary was met with dismay as parishioners reacted before realising that both the grocery shop and filling station were to stay, but under new management. There was also concern for the people who worked in the store but Rubis, the company taking over the premises, was able to confirm noone would be losing their jobs: “We’re also pleased to confirm that all colleagues have been either retained by ourselves or offered new roles,” said a spokesperson. “You will still see many familiar friendly faces ready to welcome you, as we continue the tradition of a parish pump and local shop at the heart of the community.” The revamped outlet has been up and running since early October. The shop’s shelves don’t seem quite as crammed as under the previous ownership and petrol prices are higher, though drivers can get a 4p a litre reduction if they sign up for a Rubis card. The company has promised more updates in the near future.

Having a Ball

The Jersey Pétanque Association held its Veterans Triples event in St Mary in October and a local couple narrowly missed out on the top prize.

Trevor and Katrina Holden, along with partner Ken Vibert, won all their matches in the qualifying round and then cruised through the semi-final, only to just fall short in the final. Overall, however, the pair have enjoyed an extremely successful year on the Island’s pétanque terrains with Katrina winning the Island firing competition played at St Mary with the highest points total recorded on the trophy. The only major disappointment came in September for Katrina. Having been selected to represent the Island in the Inter Insular against Guernsey, the match had to be called off because of disruption to the ferry sailing schedule.

Hoop Hoop for St Mary!

St Mary have completed their best ever season in the Inter-Parish Croquet competition.

Overall the Parish pair of Richard Sowerby and Jim Drew recorded just two defeats and one draw, winning all their other games. Unfortunately defeat to St Martin in the final game - who hadn’t won a match all season up until then - cost them second place in the table. Among the St Mary successes however was a win against St Clement, the eventual winners of the tournament…– although they actually tied with St Helier but took the title on the result of the head-to-head matches between them. However the Richard Sowerby Cup will have to wait another year before hopefully it is presented to its donor!

If you are at all interested in having a go at this fascinating game, the Croquet Club meets from April to the middle of October, generally on Tuesday and Friday afternoons and evenings. This is of course all weather dependent. Please contact the club through their Facebook page or contact Ricbard Sowerby or Sue Heppolette via the Parish Hall.

Richard Sowerby (left) and Jim Drew in action

with Evolution Eye Care Advanced Vision Correction

Specialist-led laser and lens treatments now established in Jersey

Islanders seeking freedom from glasses or contact lenses can now access expert vision correction closer to home. Led by renowned refractive surgeon Mr Mike Tappin, Evolution Eye Care’s Vision Correction Service has become an established part of its regular clinic schedule throughout 2025.

Patients considering treatment are assessed in Jersey directly by Mr Tappin – the same surgeon who would perform their procedure.

Mr Tappin is a leading surgeon with over 30 years’ experience in refractive surgery. He conducts clinics in Jersey, and operates at Prema, a state-of-the-art surgical facility in Portsmouth operated by Laser Vision UK. Prema is conveniently located just 20 minutes from Southampton airport, with three modern hotels next door if accommodation is required.

“Our goal is to make the vision correction process as seamless and reassuring as possible for Jersey patients,” said Mr Tappin. “By combining consultations onisland with surgery at Prema, patients on our collaborative pathway receive the convenience of local care, with the safety and reassurance of a leading UK surgical environment.”

“It’s important that patients meet the surgeon who will perform their procedure,” added Mr Anish Shah, co-founder of Evolution Eye Care. “That continuity builds trust and ensures decisions are always made in the patient’s best interests.”

Genuine Advice, Not Sales

Some refractive clinics offer free consultations. This can create pressure to convert enquiries into surgery, just to cover costs. At Evolution Eye Care, a £99 vision correction consultation fee reflects a commitment to transparency, allowing the clinic to provide honest, impartial guidance –even if the best recommendation is not to proceed with surgery.

“Charging a modest consultation fee allows us to offer genuine advice rather than sales-driven opinions,” said Mr Shah. “Our patients receive clarity, not persuasion.”

Modern Technology and Trusted Standards

Prema is equipped with modern, regularly serviced laser and surgical equipment, maintained to the rigorous standards required by the UK Care Quality Commission (CQC). This ensures every procedure is performed with the precision, safety, and reliability expected of the UK’s top ophthalmic centres.

Established Expertise, Local Convenience

Jersey patients are already benefiting from this trusted and convenient pathway, exploring laser vision correction or lens replacement surgery with world-class expertise and modern technology – all coordinated through Jersey’s largest private eye clinic.

For more information or to book a consultation, visit www.evolution.je/book email info@evolution.je, or call 01534 835400

1st Floor

Little Grove Clinic

Rue de Haut

St Lawrence JE3 1JZ

Mr Mike Tappin, Consultant Ophthalmic, Corneal and Laser Refractive Surgeon

Procedures are carried out at the purposebuilt, state-of-the-art Prema clinic

Delivering more than Healthcare –the Social Value of the new Acute Hospital

In my previous quarterly updates on the progress of the New Healthcare Facilities Programme (NHFP), I have focused on key developments and milestones. However, this Programme is about more than just bricks and mortar – it is about creating lasting benefits for Jersey that extend well beyond the enhanced healthcare services enabled by the new buildings and infrastructure.

What is Social Value – and why does it matter?

I confess, Social Value is not something that meant a lot to me as a phrase before I started working as a Minister. Here, it refers refers to the broader positive impact a project can have on society beyond its core purpose. These are all part of a business case for a project that tries to communicate not just the cost of a project, but also the benefits, including Social Value. For the NHFP, this means making sure that every pound invested not only delivers new healthcare infrastructure, but also supports jobs, skills development, community wellbeing, and environmental sustainability, locally and also globally.

Social value is considered in every procurement across the Programme, ensuring that benefits are measurable and meaningful. Contractual commitments will deliver long-lasting improvements for Jersey – during construction and into the future. This is a Government of Jersey requirement for all procurements and the NHF Programme is taking it very seriously.

The Programme has committed to 19 areas for Social Value that are aligned with Jersey’s Common Strategic Policy and the Future Jersey vision, as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Social value in action – Jersey Demolition Contractors

Much of the social value activity will be confirmed once a Main Works Delivery Partner has been appointed, however meaningful social value is already being achieved through contracts already awarded. For example, social value was fully embraced by Jersey Demolition Contractors (JDC) during the demolition of more than 20 buildings and associated structures at Overdale. Amongst other social value, JDC added:

• more than 200 hours volunteering towards biodiversity at Overdale, including planting and replacing hedgerows that were damaged by Storm Ciarán

• sub-contracted work as part of the demolition project to at least 10 local companies

• provided more than 300 hours of training and development as part of the Overdale demolition contract, enhancing the knowledge and skills of the existing workforce

In addition, JDC donated more than £13,000 worth of demolition waste from the site, including timber to local charities to support the circular economy.

Constructing Your Success

The Constructing Your Success education outreach programme, which ran in October 2024, was designed to inspire young people to explore careers inconstruction and the built environment. Delivered as a partnership between the NHFP team and Skills Jersey, the initiative aimed to build students’ confidence, skills, and awareness of the wide range of careers available within the sector.

During the programme, the team hosted a week of sessions tailored for students in Years 7 to 11. A total of 12 sessions were delivered, supported by 19 volunteers – including the NHFP team and professionals from contractors working on the NHFP – who collectively contributed 136 hours of their time. The programme included creative engineering challenges, project management tasks, and insights into roles such as quantity surveying, architecture, and electrical engineering.

Feedback from the week was overwhelmingly positive. Of the 23 students who attended, 91% reported feeling inspired to pursue a career in construction by the end of

• employed six people facing barriers or challenges to employment to work on site.

it is a long-term commitment. The Programme’s approach includes monthly monitoring, quarterly reviews, and annual reporting with all parties involved in the Programme (including professional advisors) to ensure that objectives are met, and lessons are learned.

This structured and robust approach ensures that social value is delivered consistently and meaningfully throughout the life of the Programme. As described here, it’s not just the Programme’s contractors who contribute towards the social value initiatives, but the Government of Jersey Programme team, too.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SHINGLES

This year more Islanders are eligible for their shingles vaccination than ever before:

Those aged 50+ with a weakened immune system

Those turning 60 this year

Those aged 68 to 79 who have not previously been vaccinated for shingles

Anyone who's had chickenpox in the past may still go on to develop shingles.

Vaccination provides strong protection from shingles and reduces your chances of getting serious problems if you do get shingles.

Shingles can be very painful and is most common in people aged 60+.

Contact your doctor’s surgery to book an appointment today.

TO BE POSTING

WHEN DOES YOUR BUSY PERIOD START?

This starts from Black Friday in November, and we’re still very busy until mid-January with returns. Our Posties, Counter Colleagues and Customer Care team work incredibly hard at this time of year delivering parcels (in all weather) and answering queries to help islanders send to loved ones across the world.

HOW ARE YOU ?

We see an increase in items of around 30% – our team deliver up to 65,000 items daily! We’ve recruited extra team members to help us, and our Post Offices at Broad Street and Rue des Pres will extend their opening hours to help customers. We’ve delivered a handy guide to every household with everything you need to know about posting over Christmas.

It’s the busiest time of year at Jersey Post. Julie Thomas, Chief Operating Officer tells us how the team is preparing to deliver for our island community this Christmas.

WILL YOU BE DELIVERING TO ?

Absolutely! Seeing the handwritten envelopes from excited children, many decorated with glitter and stickers, is a highlight for us every year! We receive around 1,500 a year, which our Posties deliver to Santa in the North Pole. Children can post these free of charge in any Post Box around the island. It’s very important to include your address so Santa can reply, and we need to receive these by 12th December to get them to Santa in time. JERSEYPOST.COM/CHRISTMAS

We’d like to wish all our customers a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

And say a huge thank you to our teams, who work so hard to serve our community.

TOP TIPS FOR MAIL

• Beat the rush - post as early as you can before the last posting dates!

• Pre-pay VAT on goods going to the UK to speed up delivery.

• Buy your postage online – simply print your label and then drop your item at your nearest Post Office.

• Sign-up for SecureDrop – your letters and parcels (including signed-for items) will be delivered to your property, even when you’re not at home!

St Helier Town Hall

St Brelade Parish Hall

St Clement Parish Hall

St Ouen Parish Hall

Trinity Parish Hall

St Saviour Parish Hall

St Martin Public Hall

10am-12pm

Throughout

Parish Information

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

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 PARISH HALL T: 482700 Mon