Star of the North / Summer 2026 / Issue 74

Photo: James Bedding, Quad Photography

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

Dear Parishioners... Edition

It’s hard to believe a year has already gone by since the fantastic parish celebrations that marked Liberation 80.

Time marches on and we must cherish those who lived through the occupation and learn from their stories. Sadly, two of the contributors to the St John’s Liberation 80 book passed away recently. Madeleine (Madge) Le Corre (née Bannier), passed away at the great age of 99, just days before Liberation Day, and the wonderful Joan Tapley (née Rondel) passed away peacefully just after Liberation Day, aged 93.

Another story in the Liberation 80 book has had a happy ending. I was delighted to learn about the escaped Soviet slave worker Bokejon Akram, known as Tom, who was protected and hidden by families in St John and St Mary during the occupation. Nothing was known of his fate once he left Jersey after Liberation until just a few weeks ago, when the BBC tracked down his family in Uzbekistan. Tom/Bokejon survived the war and went on to marry and have a daughter and grandchildren. He died in 1996, after what his family said was a long and happy life. John and Phyllis Le Breton in St Mary, who hid Tom for nearly two years, have been posthumously awarded the Order of Friendship, one of the highest state awards in Uzbekistan, for ‘their courage and compassion’ in saving Tom.

Our fabulous front cover photo of Ronez and north St John, taken by drone, has been provided by James Bedding of Quad Photography. You can check out more of his work at quadphotography.je. Ronez held its sixth annual True Grit Challenge at the quarry in April, raising money for Wetwheels, and you can read all about it in this issue.

There are also updates on the Sorel solar field, and the sewer project and roadworks.

We say farewell and thank you to the outgoing Chef de Police, Jonathan Plunkett, and meet the new Chef de Police, Andy Bisson, to find out how he plans to take the Parish honorary police force forwards.

As always, to all those that take the time to contribute to this magazine, mèrcie bein des fais! Without you there would be no magazine and your contributions are highly appreciated!

If you have a story to tell or a celebration to share, please do let me know, all ideas are welcome.

Happy reading.

Sarah Grigson Editor

you would like to contribute to

of Star of the North, please email Sarah Grigson at: editor@starofthenorth.org.je

EDITORIAL Sarah Grigson

07797 956 551

editor@starofthenorth.org.je

ADVERTISING Martyn Farley T: 07797 743191 E: martyn@farley.je

ACCOUNTS Helen Le Marquand

helenlm@mediamasters.je

Constable Words from the

There is only one place to start and that is by saying thank you to those who turned out to vote and especially to those who kindly voted for me at the recent election. I would also like to thank my wife Judy for her continued support and encouragement throughout my time in office. I will make the same promise that I have done following my previous six public elections and that is: I will do my very best.

Watching the work in the lead up to election day has been both frustrating and pleasing. Our Parish Secretary, Sue Morin, has worked tirelessly in her role as Electoral Administrator, along with parish colleagues from around the island, doing everything they could to ensure a smooth election.

What should have been a fairly simple task of creating Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) has led to significant additional work over many weeks and months, but we can all be extremely proud of the professional manner that the Polling Station was run on the day. Many volunteers assisted to make the day run as smoothly as possible, including our Honorary Police, and I also extend my thanks to them all.

We had another successful Liberation Day, albeit it was a lot quieter than our 80th celebrations. The Raising the Flag ceremony is appreciated by those who attend, and we hope that this will now become an annual fixture in our Liberation celebrations and that we can increase the amount of people who attend this moving ceremony.

It was good to see the Church and Community Fete continue to evolve, with more stalls and entertainment and the added attraction of the classic and vintage cars in the precinct. Well done and thanks to all who made the event happen.

We continue to look for volunteers in two areas. The Youth Project would benefit from a couple more committee members, meeting six times a year to support the work of our youth project and youngsters from the parish.

Our Twinning organisation is also looking for new members to participate and host families, with several new French families looking to join. We would also welcome volunteers to help with the organisation and liaison for the group. Stephen and Irene Masters have worked tirelessly in this area for many years and are stepping down for a well-deserved break.

If you are interested in getting involved with the Youth Project, Twinning or any other area of the Parish, please do get in touch for a discussion about what is involved.

I look forward to continuing my weekly “drop ins” on Wednesday evenings between 5 and 7pm. Since being elected I have held 238 of these with 1,057 people attending. If you would like to speak to me about something, I can be contacted on 07797 758086 or by email at a.jehan@gov.je If you would like to meet me outside these times that can also be arranged, either within or out of office hours.

Andy Jehan Connétable

New Deputy for St John

Businessman and charity leader

Phil Romeril was elected on his second attempt to get into the States. He previously stood as a member of the centre-right Alliance party in 2022 in St Helier North.

Mr Romeril finished second in the St John, St Lawrence and Trinity district with 2,871 votes, behind poll topper Hilary Jeune (3,020). Outgoing Sustainable Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel was third with 2,252 votes, while Channel 103 presenter Peter McLinton failed to win a seat with 1,451.

Constable Andy Jehan, who has held the post since March 2021, was re-elected unopposed. He received 1,096 votes, with 81 putting a cross next to “None of the Candidates”.

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.

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.

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, a former senior figure in the City of London and ex-leader of the Alliance party, 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 Ms Le Hegarat, all of whom held ministerial positions in the outgoing government.

There will be five new faces among the Constables. Steve Pallett makes a return after unseating Mike Jackson in St Brelade, Tina Palmer beat former Chief Minister John Le Fondré in St Lawrence and David Curtis ousted Kevin Lewis in St Saviour. The retirement of Simon Crowcroft in St Helier and Philip Le Sueur in Trinity opened the door to Inna Gardiner and Andy Howell respectively.

Our Island survey – addressing

What’s your vision for Jersey, and can politicians deliver it? What’s important? Which aspects of our unique institutions and culture should we hold onto? How important is the parish system? Are you optimistic about the future? Are you happy?

We’re asking readers to answer a few questions to provide a snapshot of Jersey today. It’ll take no more than around five minutes.

You can use the QR code to access the survey. The code will also be published on LinkedIn and Facebook on the Our Island Jersey pages. Please follow us and share the link so that we can reach as many people as possible.

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

De Putron Challenge 2026

During the second half of the Spring Term, our Year 6 pupils had the exciting opportunity to take part in the De Putron Challenge at RJA&HS. This event brings together pupils from primary schools across the island, offering them the chance to test both their knowledge and their teamwork in a highly engaging setting.

We were proudly represented by three Year 6 children who approached the challenge with confidence, enthusiasm and determination. This year’s theme, “Legacies that Last,” inspired a wide range of thoughtprovoking questions. The rounds required not only strong general knowledge, but also careful reasoning, collaboration and the ability to think under pressure. It is fair to say that many of the questions were exceptionally challenging; we suspect many of us would have struggled to answer them!

LibertyBus Route 10

The number 10 bus which runs across the north of the island, connecting parishioners with the Airport and the Enid Quenault Centre in the west and Jersey Zoo in the east, has been in action for one year already.

The cross-island route makes travel easier through the northern parishes and is a one of a kind on the island, being the only bus that operates across the island without passing Liberation Station, so it is a useful route for anyone looking to catch a quick connection east or west from St John without having to change buses in St Helier first. It

Throughout the event, our team demonstrated excellent resilience and composure. They listened carefully to one another, shared ideas and worked together to reach decisions, showing great maturity and teamwork. It was a pleasure to see them drawing on the skills we encourage every day in school: perseverance, communication and a willingness to embrace new challenges.

We were equally proud of the support shown by the rest of our Year 6 pupils. From the beginning to the end, their encouragement never wavered. The cheering was enthusiastic and heartfelt, creating an atmosphere full of positivity and school spirit. This sense of unity and belonging is something we value highly, and it was wonderful to see it so clearly on display.

The De Putron Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for children to extend their learning beyond the classroom. It encourages curiosity, builds confidence and allows pupils to engage with big ideas in a memorable way. Experiences like this help to shape the lasting “legacies” our children will carry with them as they move on to the next stage of their education.

We are incredibly proud of the three children for representing our school so well, and of all our Year 6 pupils for the encouragement and pride they showed. Together, they truly embodied the spirit of the occasion.

Well done, Team Green Beans — you did us proud!

connects the leafy, northern villages of Trinity, St John and St Mary to the vibrant south-west parishes of St Peter and St Brelade.

As with any service, in order to keep it, it is imperative that we make use of it, or we risk losing it. So, why not leave your car at home and hop on the number 10, whether to make use of the amenities in the Red Houses Area, including the Les Quennevais Sports Centre, shopping precinct and Waitrose, going to watch the rugby, visiting the new gorilla house at the zoo, or simply to pay a visit to our leafy, beautiful neighbouring parishes.

The full route and timetable is available online at libertybus.je/timetables/table/10

It must be Fête!

St John’s Church and Community Fête brought the precinct and church grounds to life on Bank Holiday Monday in late May, with a wonderful day of sunshine, music, dancing, food, games and community spirit.

Families and visitors of all ages enjoyed classic vehicles, children’s activities, local stalls, a vintage carousel and live entertainment throughout the day.

A huge thank you to all the volunteers, performers, sponsors, stallholders and local businesses who helped make the event such a success, and to everyone who came along and supported it.

Photo: Gary Grimshaw

Photo: Gary Grimshaw

Photo: Gary Grimshaw

Connétable Andy Jehan has a go at axe-throwing

Photo: Gary Grimshaw

Photo: Gary Grimshaw

Photo: Gary Grimshaw

Northern Sewer Network Upgrades: Investing for the Future

Residents across the northern parishes will be aware of the significant roadworks currently under way as part of the Northern Sewer Network Upgrades. These works represent one of the most important infrastructure investments being made to protect homes, businesses and the environment for decades to come.

At the heart of the project is the replacement of ageing sewer pipes that were originally installed in the mid 1970s and are now reaching the end of their design life. In total, the project will deliver approximately 2.5 kilometres of new sewer, increasing the pipe diameter from 400mm to 600mm to safely carry larger volumes of wastewater.

This upgrade is essential. When Jersey’s Bellozanne Sewage Treatment Works was first constructed in 1959, it was designed to serve a population equivalent of approximately 57,000 people. Today, Jersey’s population is closer to 105,000, and demand on the sewer network has increased accordingly. Parts of the northern network are already operating at full capacity. Without intervention, the risk of sewer flooding and environmental harm would continue to rise, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

The new sewer is being installed beneath the centre line of La Grande Route de St Jean. This is necessary because the road is already congested with existing buried services (electricity, telecommunications, water, gas and drainage) and properties on both sides of the road are connected to the sewer, meaning that each existing connection needs to be carefully transferred onto the new pipe. In places, the excavation is over four metres deep, requiring full road closures throughout the project so that the work can be carried out safely and efficiently.

As each section is completed, the working area moves on and the road behind is reopened.

Planning for this project began several years ago. The Infrastructure and Environment team has worked closely with parish roads committees, the Honorary Police, emergency services, utility companies, local stakeholders and Liberty Bus to minimise disruption wherever possible. A series of public drop in sessions were held ahead of the works to explain the plans, listen to local concerns and shape how the project would be delivered. That engagement is ongoing, with regular updates shared through parish channels and the Government of Jersey website.

To minimise overall disruption, Phases 1A and 1B of the project are being delivered concurrently. This approach reduces the total construction programme to approximately 18 months, compared with an estimated duration of up to three years if the phases had been delivered separately. Progress is being made steadily: Phase 1A has now completed approximately 555 metres of new sewer, representing 37% of that phase, while Phase 1B has completed around 478 metres, or 47%.

The sewer being installed will ultimately serve many hundreds of properties across the northern parishes from Les Fontaines in St John to Jersey Zoo, as well as supporting future housing and protecting the capacity of the Bellozanne Sewage Treatment Works. Construction is progressing section by section and remains planned to continue through to 2027. While this inevitably causes inconvenience in the short term, these upgrades are a long term investment in Jersey’s health, environment and infrastructure resilience.

We would like to thank residents and businesses sincerely for their patience and cooperation while this essential work continues.

For up to date information, including current road closures and progress updates, Islanders are encouraged to visit the Government of Jersey websitegov.je/StJohnDrainageUpgrades

In places the excavation is over four metres deep

A fresh new look at St John’s Inn

The restaurant at St John’s Inn has recently undergone a fresh new look, creating a bright, comfortable and welcoming space where guests can relax and enjoy good food in pleasant surroundings.

Alongside the refurbishment, the menu has been refreshed to offer more choice than ever, including light lunches, freshly made paninis, traditional favourites, daily specials and a popular Sunday menu. Whether it’s a leisurely lunch, a relaxed evening meal with family and friends, or a traditional Sunday outing, there is something to suit every taste.

Both regular guests and first-time visitors are warmly invited to discover the newly refreshed restaurant at St John’s Inn.

FOOD SERVICE TIMES

MONDAY CLOSED

TUESDAY TO FRIDAY

LUNCH: 12.00PM - 2:30PM

DINNER: 5:30PM - 8:30PM

SATURDAY 12.00PM - 8:30PM

SUNDAY 12.00PM - 3:30PM

Fraudsters will try to talk you into:

• Disclosing One-time passcodes

• Removing your device, to access your accounts themselves

• Sharing your PIN or passwords

Think. Report. Protect. If in doubt, contact us immediately using a trusted channel. Stay one step ahead visit ciiom.hsbc.com/fraud

Sorel Solar Farm

The solar farm at La Rue de Sorel has been in its final construction phase this Spring and the site was finally commissioned in May.

The 3.6MWp array will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 41% of St John’s homes – around 530 allelectric households.

Later this summer, the site will also welcome a flock of sheep grazing beneath the panels, continuing the land’s agricultural heritage. Sheep and solar form a strong partnership: the flock at Moulin à Vent in St Clement has thrived over the past year, helping establish a new local agricultural niche, and it is already producing Jersey lamb for island restaurants.

The sheep thrive in the panels’ shade and shelter, naturally maintaining the specially sown grasses, reducing the need for mechanical cutting. A grass and wildflower cover crop is being laid to both nourish the sheep and protect and enrich the soil.

The site is well screened by existing and newly planted dense hedgerows and has been designed to blend into its surroundings, alongside nearby man-made features such as the quarry and motocross track.

As part of the development, JE has partnered with Jersey Trees for Life to create a wild orchard within the solar site. Covering just under an acre, the orchard already supports growing biodiversity, with nearly 500 trees planted across 15 species in staggered rows to promote healthy growth and pollination. It has been a hive of activity over winter, with 75 volunteers attending the many community planting sessions led by Jersey Trees for Life.

When mature, the wild orchard will welcome islanders to harvest their own fresh fruit, while increasing woodland cover, creating essential shelter from northerly winds and sequestering carbon from the atmosphere.

More than 30 local suppliers contributed to the solar project, alongside UK experts who shared and ultimately transferred their expertise and experience into the local supply chain. Projects like this support the local economy, stimulate our construction sector and equip our workforce with valuable green skills needed to thrive in a low-carbon future.

Ground mount solar is a positive addition to Jersey’s energy mix, strengthening Jersey’s energy resilience, reducing exposure to volatile international markets (particularly in the current climate), improving long-term price stability and encouraging local investment in infrastructure. Through ground mounted solar, the island could meet up to a third of Jersey’s summer peak electricity demand, delivering a material contribution to island resilience for several months each year.

Connétable Andy Jehan touring the solar field at Sorel with JE’s James King and Steve Tanner

Joan Tapley À Bétôt

Joan Tapley began her life in St John at La Porte, a house just north of Haute Croix, the only child of Florie and Philip Rondel. She loved growing up in St John with its strong sense of community, where everyone knew each other and knew each other’s business.

She started at St John’s School in 1937, aged 4, wearing a new coat in the green school colours, made from an old coat of her mother’s which had been cut down and turned inside out.

St John’s School was well known as a good school in the 1930s and under the watchful eye of the Headmaster, Mr Journeaux, Joan was quickly picked out as a scholarship contender. Within four months of starting school, she began receiving an extra 30-minutes tutoring at lunchtime and moved up the classes rapidly, reaching the top class by the time she was eight.

The arrival of the German forces in June 1940 had an enormous impact on Joan’s childhood. The pupils at St John’s School had to learn German, taught by a Swiss lady, Miss Blochlinger and there were Germans stationed around the parish at the St John’s Hotel and Melbourne House. Finding enough food to eat became the major concern.

But the Occupation didn’t dent Joan’s ambitions; she would get up at 5am to get her homework finished each day and her hard work paid off. In 1944, she took the 11+ exam and came second in the island. She won a scholarship to Jersey College for Girls, and her name was inscribed on the scholarship honours board in the hall at St John’s where it remained until the board was removed years later.

After leaving school, Joan worked in Hill Street at local law firm Mourant, du Feu and Jeune for four years, leaving when she married Brian Tapley. Together they had two children, Nick and Liza.

Joan’s first language was Jèrriais, and she remained a fierce guardian of the language all her life. She was an active member of L’Assembliée d’Jèrriais and a keen supporter of the Jèrriais Eisteddfod where she acted as adjoint and adjudicator many times. She was also a prolific writer in her native language, contributing a huge body of work of poems, prose and plays in Jèrriais, many covering traditional aspects of Jersey’s rural heritage. Her work continues to be regularly used in the Eisteddfod today.

She taught Jèrriais at Highlands for many years, helping countless Jersey residents to learn the language and instilling great enthusiasm among her pupils. She took up teaching the language again in her 80s, taking a class of eager pupils for weekly lessons at her home for nearly a decade.

In 2022, Joan was awarded the British Empire Medal for her services to the Jèrriais language, a fitting tribute to her passion and dedication to preserving the island’s native tongue.

Joan passed away at Les Charrières nursing home in May, aged 93. She will be much missed by her students, her friends and her family.

Anyone interested in reading Joan’s poems and prose in Jèrriais can find them on Les Pages Jèrriaises at members.societejersiaise.org/geraint/jerriais.html

State of the Art Veterinary Care with Traditional Values

Liberation Celebrations

The Parish Hall hosted St John’s VIPs on the 9th of May for a special Liberation Day afternoon tea to mark 81 years since the end of the Occupation.

With nearly 60 guests in attendance, there was plenty of laughter and chat. The afternoon was completed with a community sing-a-long of wartime favourites.

Fundraising Family

April has been a busy month of fundraising for two generations of the Perree family, including the grandmother and granddaughter team of Margaret and Imogen (Immie) Perree.

Margaret celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends on April 4th at St Brelade’s Bay Hotel. She was born on April 1st, 1936, and no one believed her parents had a new baby as she came a little early and it was April Fool’s Day! Margaret had a fabulous party and requested that guests make a donation to Dementia Jersey rather than bringing gifts. She was as delighted and surprised as anyone to learn that her guests had generously donated £730 to Dementia Jersey in her name.

Soon after, Immie Perree, Margaret’s granddaughter, ran the London marathon on April 26th. Immie was offered a place in the marathon two months before the run by the Bone Cancer Research Trust and she happily accepted the challenge. The Bone Cancer Research Trust helps to support families and research with regards to bone marrow cancer and Immie ran to raise funds in memory of Beth, a twelve-year-old Jersey girl, who sadly died of the disease.

In eight short weeks Immie not only trained for the 26.2 mile run but also managed to raise £2.6k through a variety of fundraising events and generous donations from family, friends and businesses including Boxing Business and Mercury Distribution. Immie finished in a time of 3 hours and 33 minutes for the 26-mile course, in her first marathon.

Together, Margaret and Immie raised £3,330…fantastic family teamwork for two wonderful charities.

Margaret celebrating her 90th birthday

Immie with her marathon medal

Beach Sauna

Cold-water swimming has become increasingly popular in Jersey, especially since Covid, and more recently there has also been a rise in enthusiasm for the ideal companion to an icy outdoor plunge: the hot, sweat-inducing sauna.

Amazingly, the origins of the sauna stretch back 10,000 years in Finland, but whilst it was a Scandi invention, the UK and Ireland had already adopted the idea by the Bronze Age, when early sweat houses were dug into the ground. The pit floors were lined with stones which were heated by a fire and once warm, the pit was covered with wattle, thatch or peat and water was thrown on the stones to create steam.

Today, technology has moved on and electric saunas are common, although many people prefer the more traditional wood-fired saunas, which provide an authentic radiant heat and the natural scent of burning wood.

One company who has grabbed this Nordic wood-burning staple with both hands is Sandy Toes Sauna and their mobile saunas can be spotted at various bays around the island throughout the year.

Unlike a steam room or hammam which have nearly 100% humidity and run at around 50°C, the dry heat of a sauna means they can be set to much higher temperatures, often between 85-95°C.

Combining this heat with cold is a crucial part of the sauna cycle and many saunas have cold water plunge pools nearby, or a cold shower to hand. But what could be better than skipping between a hot sauna and the cold water of our beautiful island bays, getting a dose of vitamin sea for added benefit?

The combination of hot and cold therapy has many benefits, including a reduction in pain, a decrease in swelling and inflammation, improved circulation and increased energy and

alertness. And that’s not all! The heat causes the body to release endorphins to elevate mood and reduce stress, improves cardiovascular health by getting your heart pumping, relieves joint and muscle tension, helps remove toxins from the body, rejuvenates your skin, improves your immune function, promotes better sleep patterns and best of all, makes you feel relaxed and happy so you leave the beach feeling completely zen!

Sandy Toes Sauna have a permanent spot in St Brelade’s Bay, but their roving sauna hut moves around Jersey’s bays throughout the year and if you want to enjoy the soothing heat of the sauna, combined with the benefits of cooling off in your favourite parish bay, Bonne Nuit, then your luck is in as the sauna will be back on the pier in St John throughout August.

Head to www.sandytoessauna.com to book a spot in a communal sauna, which will have up to six people, or you can get a bunch of friends together to hire the sauna for a private session, in a cosy group of up to eight.

So, this summer, why not try a bit of hot-cold therapy whilst the sauna is on your doorstep, taking in the beauty of Bonne Nuit Bay as you go.

Mobile sauna locations this summer:

June Watersplash

July La Rocque

August Bonne Nuit

September St Aubin

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.

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

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

Meet the New Chef de Police

St John has a new Chef de Police, Andy Bisson. With 31 years’ experience in the States Police and more than four years as an Honorary in the Parish, Andy is ready to put his stamp on the force.

There are currently 16 members of the Honorary Police in St John. The maximum number is 19 and whilst ultimately Andy would like to fill all the places, he is keen to build the confidence and skills in the existing officers first. That has included equipping each of the Centeniers with laptops for charging misdemeanours and introducing uniforms.

“There are only four officers who were here when I joined, so we are a very new team across the board, which is a good opportunity to develop and mould people. Whilst you need stability and experience, you also need new ideas. We have a good mix of people ranging from 40 years to 70. It’s nice as a parish to have a mature team with a mature attitude because they police differently. Other parishes have their style, and I would hate to see us go down that line, for instance I don’t believe in making revenue for the parish. I think our focus should always be community first and then roads policing and support to the States Police secondary to that. We are not often required to support the States Police up here because we’re very lucky – we are a very quiet parish, and we don’t have a nighttime economy. We have three pubs which are really well run and we don’t have drunk, nasty people to deal with.”

Andy is keen for the Honorary officers to engage more with the community and be seen out and about.

“I’ve started introducing tasking sheets, so each week the duty team has to do one licensed premises check, one foot patrol, one speed check and one mobile patrol as a minimum requirement. That means every three weeks Sion will get a foot

the

get a foot patrol. In the summer, when young people are in their gardens, they will see the police walking around, have a chat with them, engage, which I think is nice. What we don’t want to do is start becoming a heavy-handed police area like some parishes. I wouldn’t want us unnecessarily policing the parish.”

As a quiet, rural parish a lot of the policing revolves around helping at community events, dealing with escaped livestock and branches or trees causing obstruction, but one issue which does concern parishioners is speeding.

“We’re doing more speed detection, not necessarily looking to prosecute people, but we want to increase awareness. We’ve met with the Constable to talk about the option of buying more speed smileys because I think they work; I’d like to see maybe five or six in the parish. We also have a mobile one and I’m encouraging officers to put it out by the church, or at Sion, and stand next to it, so anyone coming along can see the speed they are doing and the officers pointing at it. We will also now

patrol, the village will get a foot patrol,

estates behind will

New Chef de Police Andy Bisson

be logging any ‘words of advice’ given to speeding drivers with the States Police and I am encouraging other parishes to do the same. If you have already been stopped and given advice in recent months, you’ll end up at the Parish Hall as a repeat offender. It makes it a fairer, more robust system.”

Aside from general speeding, many complaints come in about people racing around the parish roads late at night.

“We’ve met with the States Police to talk about the racers in the parish. This has happened for forever and a day, but three things have changed – one is that technology has changed so that we hear about the racing more through social media. Secondly, the cars have got louder exhausts - in the past people were racing their normal cars and now they’ve all got these really loud exhausts which make it sound a lot worse. Third, the communication between cars is better. What used to happen is the racers would send a car ahead to look for the police, and they would then phone the telephone kiosk where the race was starting to say it was all clear, but if the police appeared in between, they’d get caught. Now, with mobile technology, they drive a little bit and give the all-clear and they all come haring through, then the lead car bounces to the next place, so it is much harder to catch them.

“I think the government need to make a move on this. Don’t just deal with it as dangerous driving but also as an unlicensed event, because that is what this is, they are racing on the road. I think the government needs to give the power to seize the vehicle and crush it like they do in France and Germany. What we should do is crush it and put it on a trailer on the side of the road and move it around the parishes because the biggest impact on these people is losing their vehicle; that is where all their money goes, on their cars, so that is the only way that you are going to deal with it - crush one car and you will halve the numbers of people racing. It would have to be a big operation, with loads of police to target the racers for a period of time.”

There has recently been a spate of car thefts in the island, and although none have occurred in St John yet, Andy feels it is only a matter of time as other country parishes have had cars stolen. He has these words of advice:

“People don’t generally break into cars; it is nearly always cars that are unlocked with the keys left in. If you lock your car, generally it’ll be ok. Same with houses. If you look at the break-ins that have happened in Jersey in the last few years, all of them were walk ins, when people go to the shops or out for the day and leave their house unlocked. We live in a very safe island, a brilliant place to bring up your children and I think St John is at the pinnacle of that - I genuinely believe that we are one of the safest parishes, which is great, but why leave yourself open to risk? Just lock your car, lock your house and it reduces that risk.”

Ultimately, Andy’s aim is not to overhaul everything in the St John Honorary Police, but to modernise and strengthen what already works.

“Once a month we have a full team meeting and we do a training session, refreshing everyone on pocket notebooks, on parking tickets, using the radio etc. It will take six to eight months to go through everything, but once a month the team get refreshed on something. That’s where my focus is - bringing the team together and developing their skills. I want us to be out more, but I don’t really want us to change the policing style.”

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by Susan Parker

L’Office du Jèrriais is working hard around the Island to revitalise our native language. Learner numbers of all ages are increasing, and there is a quiet realisation that Jèrriais is something which makes our Island truly distinctive.

L’Assembliée d’Jèrriais (Jèrriais Assembly) celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, having been formed in 1951 to hold meetings and publish items in our native language. The group began with 27 people and membership grew over the years to almost five hundred. Around 40 people still attend regularly, and new members who are learners or supporters of Jèrriais are very welcome.

While there were still farmers who knew how to plough with a number of horses (La Grand’ Tchethue), L’Assembliée d’Jèrriais decided to film the operation for posterity. The filming took place in early May 1968. Eileen Le Sueur is pictured in the centre, and Jean Le Maiste MBE is the young man in the bowler hat. Photo credit: Jersey Evening Post

L’Assembliée d’Jèrriais held their Dîner Annuel (annual lunch) at the Ambassador Hotel in April with around 50 people enjoying a delicious meal and sharing memories of life in Jersey. A warm welcome was extended to a small delegation from l’Assemblliae d’Dgèrnésy (Guernsey Assembly) and it was lovely to hear the native language of our sister island being spoken.

Reflecting on 75 years of L’Assembliée d’Jèrriais, François Le Maistre, who has been involved since the beginning as a child, said in his toast:

“Ch’est un privilège et un honneu d’être ichîn auve vous aniet quand nou s’en va célébrer lé septante-chînquième annivèrsaithe dépis qué L’Assembliée fut fondée en 1951.

J’tais p’tchiot quand la preunmié rêunion s’fit au mais d’Novembre, et les p’tchiots né fûtent pon învités à chutte rêunion. Mais à la deuxième rêunion au mais d’Janvyi 1952, mes deux fréthes, ‘Douard et Jean, et mé, j’tions là et à toutes les rêunions pouor bein d’s années auprès. Nou sortait d’ La Fèrme à Portînfé à sept heuthes vîngt pouor être en bouôn temps pouor la rêunion à huit heuthes dans La Salle d’Agritchultuthe en Ville.

J’avions des discours, et pis des r’citâtions, d’la chant’tie, des pièches dé thiâtre et des concèrts dans des Salles Pârouaîssiales alentou d’ L’Île. J’avions du monde comme Amelia Perchard, Eileen Lé Sueux, Alice Bliampid, Gordon Lé Breton, Ben Amy, Emma Syvret et un tas d’autres et j’m’en rappelle d’un dgialogue entre Ken Vibert et Margaret dé Gruchy. Et pis, i’ y avait étout Lé Sèrvice Annuel au mais d’Avri à difféthentes Églyises et bein seux, Lé Sèrvice des Cantiques dé Noué, tchi continnue touos l’s ans.

Eune année dans les mille neuf chent nénante (1990s), j’tais lé Prédicateu à la p’tite Églyise dé St. George pouor lé Sèrvice Annuel et j’ai aîdgi étout deux’-trais fais au Sèrvice dé Noué. Mais, quand j’tions à travailli sus la fèrme, ‘Douard et mé, j’soulions chanter ensembl’ye, pûtôt « Ma Normandie » ès concèrts et pis, quand ‘Douard s’en fut en Angliétèrre, j’chantis « Ma Normandie » auve Ben Amy. Et, i’y’ avait des grandes occâsions comme la bordée qué l’ Sieur Èrthu dé La Mathe, donnit un discours à la Salle Publique dé St. Martîn entouor san travas comme Ambassadeur pouor la Grande Brétangne! La Salle ‘tait plieine et ch’tait souvent la même chose ès rêunions auve des foules dé monde, qué ch’sait chent ou chent chînquante pèrsonnes et pus.

A young boy takes time to chat with the girls during a break in filming. Photo credit: Jersey Evening Post

Even the photographer took his role seriously by dressing for the part. Photo credit: Jersey Evening Post

Mais, dans les chînquantes et souaîxantes, j’avions des milles et des milles Jèrriais tchi pâlaient lus Langue Native touos les jours. Et, i’ y’ avait bein pus d’ întéthêt dans l’Jèrriais dans chu temps-là.

Mais, i’ n’ faut pon pèrdre lé couothage, pa’ce qué nouos Maîtres et Maitrêsses du Jèrriais sont à faithe du raide bouôn travas auve des milles jannes gens touos l’s ans. I’ faut les féliciter et Colin (Ireson) étout, pa’ce qué i’ tait iun des preunmièrs à ensîngni lé Jèrriais.”

“It is a privilege and an honour to be here with you today to celebrate the 75th anniversary since the Assembly was founded in 1951.

I was a child when the first meeting took place in November, and children were not invited to this meeting. But, at the second meeting in January 1952, my two brothers, Douard and Jean, and I were there, and at all the meetings for many years that followed. We left the farm at Portinfer at 7.20pm to be on time for the 8pm meeting at the Agricultural Hall in town.

We had speeches, and then recitations, singing, drama performances and concerts in parish halls around the island. We had people like Amelia Perchard, Eileen Le Sueur, Alice Blampied, Gordon Le Breton, Ben Amy, Emma Syvret and so many others, and I remember a dialogue between Ken Vibert and Margaret de Gruchy. There was also the Annual Service in April at different churches, and of course, the Christmas Carol Service, which continues every year.

One year in the 1990s, I lead the Annual Service at little St George’s Church, and I helped a few times at the Christmas Service as well. When ’Douard and I were working on the farm, we used to sing together at the concerts, usually ‘My Normandy’, and then, when ’Douard moved to England, I sang ‘My Normandy’ with Ben Amy. There were other great occasions like the event when Sir Arthur de la Mare gave a speech at St Martin’s Public Hall about his work as British Ambassador. The hall was full and this was often the case at the meetings with so many people, 100 or 150, or even more. But this was in the 1950s and 60s when there were thousands upon thousands of Jersey people who spoke our native language every day. And there was more interest in Jèrriais in those days.

We mustn’t forget the courage of our Jèrriais teachers who are doing very good work with thousands of young people every year. We mush congratulate them, and Colin (Ireson) too, because he was one of the first to teach Jèrriais.”

L’Assembliée d’Jèrriais are looking forward to the following events, and warmly invite you to join them for:

• Lunch at Maison des Landes in St Ouen on Saturday 11th July at 12.30pm

• Rêunion Annuel (Annual General Meeting) on Saturday 19th September at 2.30pm at St Martin’s Public Hall

If you would like to come along to either of the above events, please contact Ann Marett at maretts@gmail.com or 862447

You can hear and speak Jèrriais every weekday, so please join native speakers and learners on:

MONDAYS Santander Work Café, St Helier 1.00 - 1.50pm

TUESDAYS The Adelphi Pub, St Helier 5.30 - 6.30pm

WEDNESDAYS The Village Café, St Martin 10.30 - 11.30am

THURSDAYS Jersey Museum, St Helier 10.30 - 11.30am FRIDAYS Jersey Pearl, St Ouen 10.30 - 11.30am

À la préchaine! (Until next time)

For further information about Jèrriais, please contact L’Office du Jèrriais at info@jerriais.org.je

Members of L’Assembliée d’Jèrriais in 1955

François Le Maistre at the recent Dîner Annuelle

Current members and supporters of L’Assembliée d’Jèrriais enjoying the recent Dîner Annuelle

Celebrating 70Years of Marriage

Being married for 70 years is like tending a garden that has weathered every season— sunshine, storms, and everything in between. It’s a lifetime of shared memories, quiet routines, inside jokes, and deep understanding. Few people get to celebrate such a momentous anniversary, but one couple in St John have done just that.

Ron and Joan Le Herissier met, aged 17, at Augres Youth Club, which formed an important part of their social life. They have fond memories of playing table tennis and other games, along with Treasure Hunts which were all the rage. Ron explains, “You had to go around the island in a car and get the date off a building or count the railings around a church and sometimes you had to bring objects back. On one occasion we had to bring back a pig's tail, but where do you go and find a pig’s tail of an evening? Luckily, one of the lads knew a pig farmer and we thought he perhaps could help us out. He had a new litter

those. We put him in the boot of the car and oh, the smell in that car before long! When we got back to Augres, they checked our answers but said, ‘you don’t have a pig’s tail’. ‘Oh yes,’ we said, ‘we've left it in the car.’ We got the piglet out and let it run in through the door. There were a few screams and some chaos but we were the only ones to bring a pig’s tail back!”

Ron and Joan got married on Easter Monday in 1956 at St Lawrence Church and had a reception afterwards for 80 people at West Park Pavillion. “We still have the receipts – it was one shilling and nine pence per person. We also had three taxis from Curwood’s which cost seven pounds – you wouldn’t get far on seven pounds today!”

For their honeymoon, Ron and Joan stayed with friends just outside Stourbridge near Birmingham. Ron recalls that they were stitched up as when he and his new bride leant towards each other to kiss goodnight, it turned out they were on two single beds, both on casters, and the beds slipped away from each other. They employed some strong twine to tie the beds together the following night!

Ron and Joan have two children, Sue and Kevin, who each in turn have two children and now they have two great granddaughters and a great grandson as well.

So, what's the secret to a long and happy marriage? Joan explains how the peace is kept, “I row, but Ron doesn’t answer. It’s very frustrating, but it’s over quicker that way!” Ron has his own theory, “Share everything, even the cooking.”

Keeping active with shared hobbies is also key and whilst tending their beloved garden is getting harder now that they are in their nineties, Ron and Joan keep active at L’Assemblié d’Jèrriais, the Golden Age Club and bowling for the parish team.

Reaching seventy years together isn’t just remarkable—it’s a living legacy of devotion that few are lucky enough to experience. Happy Anniversary Ron and Joan!

Ron and Joan at their wedding in 1956

Competition

We set a challenge in the last issue of the parish magazine, for 10–18-yearolds to submit a picture, photo, poem or short story about something or someone in St John.

The results are in! Well done to all the entrants for their amazing work and to our competition winner, 15-year-old Nat Winchester who will receive a Waterstone’s gift voucher for £75!

Bonne Nuit

By Emma Winchester, aged 10

There is nothing better on a hot summer’s day, Than going down to Bonne Nuit Bay.

There is something special about the seaPaddle boarding, swimming or even eating a Thai curry.

The boats sway left, the boats sway right, As I jump into the water, I disappear from the light.

There are some little red huts that you can hide behind, Play hide and seek or count them, I am sure there are nine.

To the water’s edge you will see the rocks and fishermen coming back for their tea. And if you look a little further you will find a shaded tree with a perfect swing for you and me.

Bonne Nuit Sailors

By Jakob Pluijmaekers, aged 12

The sea wakes up at dawn with a sunrise, Silver threads of light weave across restless waters, Waves crash down like booming drums, Each echo, carrying tales of ships long ago. Of sailors who laughed, Who sang, Who wept, Who dreamed.

Seagulls fly above, Their wings slicing the morning air, While the tide carries memories along sandy shores. Driftwood dances in the foam.

‘Spilling colour onto the Parish Hall.’ By Dylan Grigson, aged 11

St John’s Church. By Nat Winchester, aged 15

A St John Sunset. By William Cookson, aged 12

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.

Jersey Farmers Markets, Le Tacheron Farm, Rue de Dielament, Trinity JE3 5HX.

St John Household recycling collection 2026

This guide explains how to use the St John household recycling collection. A collection planner is included so you know when your recycling will be collected. Every home in St John 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 Thurs 02 Jul 2026 Fri 03 Jul 2026 For the month of August

& Recycling Thurs 06 Aug 2026 Fri 07 Aug 2026

For the month of September Glass & Recycling Thurs 03 Sep 2026 Fri 04 Sep 2026

For the month of October

& Recycling Thurs 01 Oct 2026 Fri 02 Oct 2026

For the month of November Glass & Recycling Thurs 05 Nov 2026 Fri 06 Nov 2026

For the month of December Glass & Recycling Thurs 03 Dec 2026 Fri 04 Dec 2026

For more information, visit gov.je/recycling

For collection enquiries, contact Municipal Services (St Helier) Tel: (01534) 811708 | Email: municipalservices@sthelier.je Monday refuse collections Recycling collected first Thursday each month. Tuesday refuse collections. Recycling collected first Friday each month. All refuse, recycling and glass out before 5am please. For the month of June Glass & Recycling Thurs 04 Jun 2026 Fri 05 Jun 2026 For the month of July

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!

ST JOHN YOUTH PROJECT

Weekly Sessions

Tuesday Juniors (Yrs 5&6) 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Wednesday Seniors (Yr 9+) 6:30pm - 9:00pm

Friday Inters (Yrs 7&8) 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Hello from St John’s Youth Project!

Here is a snippet of what we have been up to so far this year:

Easter high ropes trip

Over the Easter holidays our Juniors took part in the high ropes activities at Crabbe. They all pushed themselves out of their comfort zones and demonstrated great teamwork skills!

Youth Club sessions

Our club sessions have included lots of arts and crafts activities including an egg decorating competition, making air-dry clay models, slime and much more. The young people have also been enjoying the lighter evenings in the skate park and playing games out on the field.

Keep up to date with Youth Project news

We have a Parent Email List where Georgia sends out important updates or news regarding the youth project and club sessions, if you would like to be added to this list please email georgialebrocq@jys.je with your name and your child’s name.

Would you be interested in joining our committee?

We are seeking volunteers to join our committee to support the running of our youth project. We are particularly looking for a secretary but also general committee members. Meetings are held once a term for 90 minutes. If you are interested, please contact Georgia using the details below.

Georgia Le Brocq Lead Youth Worker georgialebrocq@jys.je // 07797795890

Mermaids at Bonne Nuit

The Bonne Nuit Babes have been at it again!

This year a tribe of mermaids are taking over the bay, made from vibrant coloured yarn. The artwork has been created by Jayne Luce and Debby Picot through crochet and knitting. The mermaids hope to raise money for a local charity, soon to be nominated, so keep your eyes peeled for the details and collection box and, if the mermaids of Bonne Nuit bring you joy, please do make a donation this summer.

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

Accidental The

By Jessica Coleman, aka ‘Stressy Jessy’

Bucket List

A whopping 18 years ago I wrote a series of articles for this magazine under the strapline ‘Stressy Jessy Escapes’. The pieces were that classic coming-of-age vibe.

Finding my independence, leaving Jersey, and reporting back on my first taste of travelling the world. It was a magic, selfish time of pure free-spiritedness that stoked the fire which burns to this day for my love of travel.

Over the last two decades (gulp… how?!) I have travelled to 24 countries across five continents. I’ve experienced a huge range of cultures, met people from all kinds of backgrounds and beliefs, and tried many varieties of questionable-food-on-sticks at local markets.

But today my feet are firmly rooted back on our island. I’ve bought a home, fallen in love, and had two children of my own. My hands are full. My heart is full. And my time is…well, full.

How do you appease that freedom-seeking, adventurous spirit when you’ve also got a mortgage, a full-time job, a husband, and two kids under four?!

A wobbly, grey winter turned into a promise to force myself to get outside into the elements every day to fight the blues. ‘Just give it a go’, I thought. Soon I realised I loved walking in nature (even in the rain!). This turned into finding trails that I never knew existed, and also, finding confidence to walk some of our island’s cliff paths on my own. The ‘just give it a go’ energy was really propelling me out of my comfort zone, out of my house in the rain, into new things I hadn’t tried before… and I was loving it.

Soon I found myself thinking, ‘what else might I love now, that I don’t know yet?’ So, I made a list. The Accidental Bucket List.

It included doing an art exhibition, trying a jiujitsu class, recording a podcast, having a go at skateboarding, signing up to a surf camp, learning tarot cards and writing up a business plan I’ve been sitting on for two years. I mean, it is a pretty vast list.

Now here we are in June, and I’ve already achieved some things that are actually fairly adventurous, even for a 35-year-old mum who’s had her feet on Jersey soil for quite a few years.

As I scribble this in my notebook, I am about to go to a skateboarding lesson. Because who knows if that might be something I love? And if it isn’t…well, I gave it a go!

When I next write, what else will I have ticked off the list? What will I learn? Will I have broken any bones?!

If you had to make an Accidental Bucket List, what would be on yours? If you committed to trying one new thing this month, what would it be? What would happen if you decided to ‘just give it a go’?

Wetwheels Challenge True Grit 2026

In April, the 6th annual True Grit Wetwheels Challenge made a powerful impact at the rugged and stunning Ronez Quarry on the parish’s north coast, raising £14,000 for Wetwheels Jersey.

Atotal of 365 participants, aged from 8 to 70, took part in the challenge, tackling an exciting and demanding obstacle course set against the dramatic backdrop of the quarry and its towering machinery. From climbing walls and sandy crawls to muddy scrambles and a host of other obstacles, the course delivered adventure at every turn while raising vital funds for the charity.

With strong backing from sponsors, volunteers, and the local community, the event drew enthusiastic support from both participants and spectators.

Wetwheels COO, Dina Rogan, described the event as very much a “fun run” rather than a serious race. With a different course each year and no official timings for most participants, the focus remains on teamwork, enjoyment, and achievement. Trophies were awarded across a range of categories, celebrating both performance and fundraising efforts.

2026 WINNERS

• School Trophy: St John’s School

• Quarry Elite Male: Ross Middleditch

• Quarry Elite Female: Hollie McVittie

• Corporate Cup: Ogier

boating, enabling people of all abilities to experience the freedom of the sea. Wetwheels’ COO, Dina Rogan, emphasised the wider impact of the event:

“The funds raised will directly support the future of Wetwheels Jersey and ensure the organisation can continue to expand its reach and impact by offering barrier-free boating to local charities, schools and community groups free of charge. This year is a particularly exciting year for the charity as we have a new boat on order, due to be delivered at the start of 2027, to replace the existing boat which was purchased in 2013. We would like to thank all the sponsors of True Grit for making the event come to life.”

• Highest Fundraiser (Youth): Hamish McCullough

• Highest Fundraiser (Adult): Pia Robins

Participants could choose from a variety of course options to suit all ages and abilities. Adult solo runners or teams of three took on either 26 or 16 obstacles, with no time pressure—just pure adventure. Younger participants were also well catered for, with two dedicated courses: Youth Short (Year 4+) and Youth Long (Year 6+).

New for 2026 was the Quarry Elite category, designed for more competitive runners who raced against the clock to be the first male and female across the finish line. A new Family Team category was also introduced, giving families the chance to take on 16 obstacles together in a day defined by grit, teamwork, and shared achievement.

Wetwheels Jersey has earned widespread recognition for breaking down barriers to

Kirsten du Heaume, Managing Director at Ronez, said: “The Wetwheels True Grit event is a fantastic opportunity for Ronez to offer a truly unique experience to our community. Wetwheels is an amazing charity, and we love supporting the wonderful work they do on their boat. To be able to do this while showcasing our business and the talents of our team is brilliant. It really is an event that brings everyone together—you can see it on the day: lots of cheering and big smiles, especially at the finish line.”

True Grit is an annual charity event, with Ronez staff designing a new course each year, ensuring returning participants always face a fresh challenge.

Next year’s event will take place on Sunday 25th April 2027.

Something for everyone

Tel: 01534 491910

6 great concepts to choose from...

Tel: 01534 491242

tidal view dining at its best

Perfect for: fun-filled evenings, luxurious lunches, romantic moments, authentic local history & stunning sea views overlooking St Aubin’s.

Location: st aubin’s village

Mont du Boulavard, St Aubin, Price: £££ www.voyagertides.je

côte d’azur spirit. jersey soul

Perfect for: generous plates, sunshine flavours, and that familiar brasserie comfort, elevated just enough to feel quietly chic.

Location: st aubin’s bay

Le Mont Felard, St Lawrence

Price: ££ www.azure.je

quality comfort food by the beach

Perfect for: delicious local seafood, juicy British meats wholesome vegetarian & vegan meals in a relaxed no fuss beachfront setting right by the sea.

Location: st brelade’s bay

La Route de la Baie, St Brelade

Price: ££ www.labrise.je

cocktails, curiosities & more!

Perfect for: curious cocktails, classy coupes de Champagne, cake filled afternoons, outstanding sea views and the history of Mr J.W. Chapman.

Location: st aubin’s village

Mont du Boulavard, St Aubin, Price: ££ www.voyagertides.je

rosé, spritzes & long afternoons

Perfect for: sunny cocktail sessions, intimate evening catchups, delicious snacks, afternoon teas & live music in a relaxed yet classy sea view setting.

Location: st aubin’s bay

Le Mont Felard, St Lawrence

Price: ££ www.azure.je

beachside coffee, cake & cocktails!

Perfect for: beachfront coffee’s, home-made cakes, fresh juices & shakes, tasty snacks, epic beachfront cocktails and craft local brews overlooking the ocean.

Location: st brelade’s bay

La Route de la Baie, St Brelade Price: ££ www.labrise.je

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.

How did we do?

At the Government of Jersey, hearing about people’s experiences using our services is one of the ways we learn about what’s working, as well as where we need to improve. Let us know what went well and what we could do better Your feedback is important to us. gov.je/feedback feedback@gov.je 01534 444444

Tell us in person or send to: Feedback, PO

DEREK WARWICK HONDA THE COMPLETE MOTORING PACKAGE

Explore a range of fantastic Honda self-charging hybrids with up to 700 miles per tank!

Discover a huge selection of quality used cars and vans, all with a minimum 2 year warranty! Or let us source your dream

by Sarah Vivian

Carers Support Programme

Are you an unpaid carer or volunteer? St John Ambulance offer a FREE Carers Support Programme for family members or friends caring for someone in the community.

Most carers have very little or no experience prior to becoming a carer and find looking after someone a huge responsibility. Carers often describe experiencing feelings of loneliness, isolation, stress and exhaustion. This free programme is available to any adult caring for a family member, neighbour or friend in an unpaid capacity, whether for several hours a week or, in many cases, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our trainers, within the four-session Carers‘ Support Programme, will endeavour to provide you with some knowledge and skills in an informal atmosphere, to assist you with your caring role. The course covers the difficulties carers may have, resources and services available on island, nutrition, pressure area care, reducing the risk of infection, dementia, safety in the home, long term care, carers benefits, social worker assessments and first aid training.

Most importantly, you will meet people in a similar situation and be able to share your experiences in a safe environment that aims to support you. We will also provide answers to any queries you may have, or we can suggest further contacts.

The course, which runs at least three times a year, is for unpaid carers, not for the professional care worker (note: if you are receiving carers’ allowance, you are still regarded as unpaid).

We also welcome people from the voluntary sector and professionals that may be recommending to carers to attend in the future.

The course is held at St John Ambulance, St Martin's Training Hall and parking is available. Please contact 735611 or countyhq@sja.je for further details. The dates of the next course are November 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th from 10am to 1pm

Carers Group

Attendees of the Carers‘ Support Programme will be invited to join our carers group, where we meet monthly to listen to an outside speaker on a relevant subject or we have an event or activity where the carers can relax, have fun and connect with each other. You can also join our Facebook group at Jersey Carers Forum where you can gain further knowledge and awareness of related subjects.

Farewell to Jonathan Plunkett, Chef de Police

The beginning of Spring saw the end of an era as the St John’s Chef de Police, Jonathan Plunkett, retired after more than 20 years of service to the Parish.

Jonathan, or Lord Louth to use his correct title, has been a very familiar face in and around the parish for many years. First elected as a Constable’s Officer in June 2005, he soon moved up the ranks, being elected as a Centenier in November 2007. He took over as our Chef de Police in October 2011, serving under five Constables.

A special retirement cake

Jonathan spent many long hours in the office, quietly going about his business, preparing paperwork for enquiries and Court appearances. He represented the Parish at the monthly Chef de Police meetings and has also been the Chair of the St John honorary police meetings for the last five years. He has always been happy to help parishioners and supported old and new officers alike.

Retirement will allow Jonathan to spend more time with his camera taking new pictures and archiving old ones, as well as spending more time on his motorbike both on island and touring around France.

We thank him for his long years of service and wish him well in his retirement.

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.

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

Utensil Kitchen The Game

The history of how we eat is fascinating. If asked, I could bore you to death about the history of the biscuit, or who was the real Mrs Beeton, and the difference between risotto and paella as national dishes of neighbouring countries gives much food for thought (pardon the pun). We all eat three times a day and how our food is made, and how we eat it, is such an interesting tale of evolution.

On the same theme, ‘always have the right utensil’ is a useful maxim for life. From the simple teaspoon to the snazzy Thermomix, the utensils we use in the kitchen all have a part to play and they are the centrepiece in this edition’s party game. The ‘Kitchen Utensil Game’ is a classic, ready to be whipped out at any party. It’s great when played by a group of six or more, and it goes a little something like this…

One player picks a kitchen utensil to act out in front of the group, using no noises, just actions. The first person who guesses it correctly jumps up and joins the actor to play round two. Between them, the two players choose another kitchen utensil to act out together in front of the group. Whoever gets it correct first jumps up and joins the acting group, and so on and so on until nearly everyone is in the group, except for the last guesser or guessers. Note, the more actors in the group the more daring you can be!

You can make a little practise run around a quiet corner before the performance, which can be helpful as the group gets larger. From the very easy choice of a pair of scissors acted by one person, to a group of eleven people very athletically acting out a pasta rolling machine, which appeared in one of our previous games, the kitchen worktop is your oyster.

I love this game as no props are needed, it can be played indoors or out, with big groups or small and you can find a role for all ages, although amongst those of a certain age or a particularly competitive spirit, sometimes a little stretching would be wise!

So, as you prepare you next meal, empty the dishwasher or have a good clean out of the kitchen cupboards, let your imagination fire up and use it as inspiration for the party game of the summer. And don’t forget you don’t stop playing because you get old, you get old because you stop playing!

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

St John FC: End-of-Season Review

By Nigel Perree and Corey Bisson

First Team

St John signed off their league campaign with real momentum, putting together an unbeaten run that stretched back to the start of January. The statement result came in a thrilling 5-3 win over Sporting Academics - up to that point perfect in the league - inspired by a Daniel Stevens hat-trick.

The cup run gave the season its headline as for the second year running St John marched all the way to the Tradesmen’s Trophy final - only to suffer late heartbreak again. A youthful, high-energy Trinity side edged an extra-time classic 5-3 at Springfield Stadium, despite St John finding the net through Mailen Hughes, Noah Trench and Daniel Stevens.

Much of that late-season surge can be traced back to one key winter move. January saw Noah Trench arrive from St Clement’s first team after a long-term injury had disrupted his early-season plans, and he made an immediate impact in the parish colours. Trench’s pace and relentless running resulted in eight goals and five assists in nine appearances. Not to be outdone, Stevens finished as the club’s top scorer overall, racking up nine goals and nine assists in just 13 games.

By the final whistle of the campaign, St John had claimed 3rd place on 20 points from 12 games - a clear step forward in a division ultimately dominated by the top two. Rozel Rovers lifted the title with 32 points, while Sporting Academics followed on 28.

Reserves

The Reserves produced one of their strongest campaigns in recent seasons, finishing joint 3rd in Championship 2. Across 12 fixtures they picked up five wins and a draw to end on 16 points - a return that reflected a side growing in confidence as the season wore on.

They also reached the Dog Club Challenge Cup semi-final and came within minutes of a famous scalp before St Ouen’s C snatched a late winner to take it 2-1. Individually, Christian De Oliveira was the standout, registering nine goals and six assists in just eight appearances. Perhaps most encouraging of all was the spread of contributions across the squad, with 17 different goalscorers over the course of the campaign.

Corey Bisson steps down as First Team manager

After three years as First Team manager, Corey Bisson has decided to step down at the end of the season.

Following a chance meeting at L’Auberge during Covid and inspired by glorious sunshine and the accompanying refreshing beverages, it was decided that we would set up a new St John C Team, comprised of many of the Junior players that I had coached at Under 12 & 14. The group wanted to return to the club and create a new team as a group of friends together, and Corey agreed to manage the new team.

After a very successful season the C Team became the St John Reserves and Corey stepped up to become First Team manager. With a strong squad behind him, St John led the Championship all season in 2024 -2025 only to lose the final match of the season away to St Ouen. This last season saw us finish third, but the lads made it to Springfield and made a good showing there despite a close loss to Trinity.

Corey has had five well-run seasons at the helm of a St John’s team and during his tenure there have been some amazing results. He has been a committed club member and an inspiration to all. We would like to thank Corey for his time as manager and are certain he will remain a valuable member of the Club in any capacity he chooses.

Thank you Corey – a job well done.

from the past Snippets

Rough Justice

With elections just behind us, it’s worth mentioning that it isn’t a good idea to get on the wrong side of the Connétable, as one couple found out in St John in 1787.

Punishments in the past could be harsh. Before the 1680s, criminals and political prisoners were held at Gorey Castle and brought into town for their court case; whilst waiting for their turn in court, they would be put in an iron cage in the Royal Square. It was the job of the Halbediers to make the arduous journey accompanying the prisoners from Gorey to St Helier and, to avoid that hassle, they helped pay for a new prison to be built at the edge of town at Charing Cross.

The Jersey Prison, or House of Correction, straddled the road where the Santander Café and toad statue now stand, with a narrow, six-foot tunnel in the middle to allow people, horses and carts to pass through and enter St Helier from the west of the island.

The prison was built to hold 'drunkards, vagabonds, swearers, obstreperous servants and unruly children', among others!

Meanwhile, some punishments were carried out publicly in the market place (now the Royal Square) including the strangling and burning of two witches in 1648. Wrong doers would also be placed in pillories in the market place where they would be jeered at and pelted with oyster shells, rocks and rotten vegetables by passers-by.

But one St John couple endured a different cruel and unusual punishment. In 1787, Margaret Tome and David Brouard were sentenced by the Royal Court to be publicly whipped by the hangman from the courthouse door in the market all the way to the prison in Charing Cross. David Brouard then had his right ear cut off and it was nailed to the prison door! The couple were banished from the island forever and all their goods and property were confiscated.

So, what was their heinous crime? They had made unsubstantiated claims against the Honorary Police in St John! They had called the police about a robbery and after the Honorary officers had searched their home, the couple said a box with 48 guineas in was missing. They appeared reluctant to make an official complaint, but they told their neighbours about the apparent theft and word got back to the Connétable who promptly took them to court for slander. Now that’s what I call rough justice!

In-spired

Local historian, Reverend George Balleine (1873-1966) noted in an article the extraordinary craze that St John’s officials seemed to have had for carving their initials on their church.

He references the initials J L B carved over the blocked up ancient priest’s door along with the date 1622 (possibly John Le Bailly, for the Le Baillys were an important family in the parish at that period), Thomas Lempriere’s name on the southwest gable, the initials of two churchwardens carved over the south door, the initials of two others round a window, and two more who outdid the rest by placing theirs on the church spire for all the world to see.

Perhaps Philip Barrette spotted these last initials on his way up the steeple in 1921… Clearly a very spry 62-year-old, Mr Barrette is pictured here, having climbed the spire with just the help of a rope, all to remove a large bramble which was inconveniently growing out of the top ledge of the St John’s Church steeple!

Mr Barrette scaled the church steeple

The old prison at Charring Cross

The Pigsties of St John

St John is a rural parish with a long history of farming and the traditional farmhouses that dot our landscape are full of the character that help give the island its distinctive sense of identity. Of all the outbuildings on the farms, some of the most unique parts are the pigsties, and one islander, Jane Aubin, is currently writing a book on Jersey Pigsties and Pig Rearing. Here, she delves into the pigsties of St John.

Iwas surprised to discover that it has been five years since, standing in the St John’s Parish Hall, I made a presentation about my research into Jersey pigsties to St John’s WI. I remember being asked interesting questions and hearing about participants’ childhood recollections of growing up on family farms.

There are so many stories to tell, some of which I have gathered through interviews with those with long memories. One such interview was with Clifford Laisney, who spoke to me in 2021 about his childhood at Le Marinel Farm on Les Chenolles. He was born in 1926, so was a teenager during the Occupation. He was one of five children, and his jobs were to milk and feed the cows and care for the pigs.

The pigs were fed twice a day. They had an outside Bamber boiler (a modern contraption for the time) which consisted of a metal container on a stand, underneath which they would light a wood or coal fire early in the morning. For two hours it boiled a hundredweight of reject Royal potatoes, known as midsenough pig food for several days. Swedes, mangels and turnips were also grown as animal feed and he recalled that if the pigs were making a noise, they used to throw them crushed mangels to amuse them for half an hour.

Before the days of refrigeration, any pigs killed to feed the family were butchered and placed in a salting crock. At Le Marinel they used a crock the size and shape of a beer barrel.

I also came across a delightfully written booklet, A Jersey Childhood, by Doris Carter, who grew up at Le Pont in St John. In the early years of the 20th century, her father would go to town in his neighbour’s horse drawn van to purchase a small pig for about £1 at the cattle market auction in Minden Place (now Minden Place car park). ‘From the moment it arrived in its new home – a very clean sty with fresh straw – it was cosseted by my grandmother, and no member of the family received more attention, especially as regards diet.’

Alongside the stories, documenting pigsties, standing and demolished, has formed the core of my research – they come in many shapes and sizes. There are those tucked away in deep valleys, such as London House in Mourier Valley. Others are sited on steeply sloping land such as Les Charrières above Bonne Nuit Bay. Most are built of granite or a mixture of granite and brick, whilst others, more rarely, are exclusively of brick, such as La Chasse near Sion.

To date, I have over 750 pigsty records but if you own one that I have yet to visit, I would be delighted to hear from you on email at janeaubinhr@gmail.com or by telephone at 07797834216

La Chasse. A rare example of a brick-built pigsty with double arched lintels on rear shelters, slate roof and decorative use of standard and burnt bricks to produce contrasting colours.

Beau Vard. Pigs loose in the farmyard, August 1963. The farm buildings were redeveloped and the pigsties demolished. Photo provided by Enid Gautier.

Maitland. This granite pigsty consists of 3 sties. The ironmongery on the front shows where the doors would have been. Note the carefully arched granite lintels on the rear shelters.

Jane Aubin

from the

NEWS Pews

By Reverend Beverley Sproats

Since the last magazine, church life at St John’s has carried on through Lent and Easter in a steady rhythm of worship, service and community.

We moved from the Good Friday prayer walk, in wind and rain, into Easter morning joy, with colour across the church provided by the decorated cross, Easter flowers, and Easter bunting, to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Alongside this, we shared some joyful Church family moments; Caspian was baptised, and Jill and Michael were married.

Children have been very much part of things too, from Rev. Beverley visiting the school and the school Easter service in church, to Mothering Sunday, where Brownies and Rainbows helped welcome people as they arrived.

Our Lent lunches once again brought people together in a simple way. We are grateful for the support of local businesses and everyone who helped make them happen, including St John’s WI, who hosted one of the lunches. Together we raised £1,500 for Christian Aid and the life of St John’s Church.

Week by week, the regular rhythm of worship continues, with Holy Communion and Morning Worship gathering people to worship God. Alongside this, home groups and Lent courses have offered space to explore faith, including The Chosen and our Desert Pause series.

Much of church life also happens quietly in the background. Brian and the sound desk team keep everything running on Sundays, our bellringers recently marked a good win as a

team, and the silver processional cross has also been carefully restored and is back in use.

Work on the church building continues. The roof repairs have now been completed, and the scaffolding is being moved on as attention turns to the clock, the windows, and other ongoing maintenance across the church.

We are also thankful for the Easter eggs provided by the Trinity Co-Op, and for our ongoing nursing home ministry at Cheval Roc, where praise and worship is shared with the residents, along with simple creativity.

Looking ahead

On 12th July we hold our Gift Day.

On 19th July we gather for Sea Sunday at Bonne Nuit at 10.30am

On 9th August we will hold a Beach Service at 10.30am, which will include a baptism. Further outdoor worship sessions with Naturebase are also planned.

Alongside these, the regular life of the church continues: coffee and croissants, Little Oaks Sunday Club, craft mornings, men’s breakfast, ladies’ brunch, bellringing, and all the steady life of the church week by week.

Baptism of Caspian

The wedding of Jill and Michael Restored silver processional cross

The decorated Easter Cross

Lent Lunch was popular

Ringing the Bells

On Saturday 18 April the Parish of St John was full of the sound of bells as we hosted the Inter Channel Islands Ringing Day and annual EightBell Striking Competition.

Around 30 bell ringers came together from Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney, making it a real inter island occasion. We were also joined by two judges who travelled over from Wales to support the competition and share their experience, which was very much appreciated.

Three bands took part in the competition itself. Each band rang the same “test piece”, with the aim of ringing it as evenly and steadily as possible, which is harder than it sounds, and very much a team effort. The standard was high across all three bands, and Jersey was pleased to be judged the winners on the day.

Catholic Women’s League

The Catholic Women’s League started their 2026 fundraising with a home-made cake sale and an Easter Hamper Raffle.

Once again, this proved very popular and we plan to purchase book tokens to donate to “Every Child Our Future”, which they will distribute so that children can purchase books of their own. The charity supports school children with their reading skills by sending volunteers into primary schools and they also hold out of school sessions at the town library.

Coming up, we are looking forward to welcoming Susie Richardson, CEO of Jersey Cares, to speak to us about her new role. We continue to support the Anglican and Methodist Churches by hosting the Lenten Lunches in St Martin and our share of the fundraising this year is being donated to Friends of the Holy Land.

We look forward to continuing our programme of fundraising and social activities and there will be two opportunities to join gatherings in England where we can meet up with members of other Sections.

We continue to seek new members and all enquiries are welcome. Please contact Pat Guegan on 07797724054 or by email at gueganfamily@gmail.com

But the weekend was about far more than competition. There was plenty of other ringing, time to catch up with friends from across the islands, and, naturally, lots of socialising and eating along the way. These events are a reminder of how sociable bell ringing is, and how easily it brings people together of all ages, abilities and walks of life.

We would like to say a big thank you to the local community for their patience and support, as the bells were rung for around seven hours during the day. An event on this scale only happens once every couple of years, so it was a very special occasion for everyone involved.

The next ringing day and inter island competition will be a six bell event in Guernsey this September, and at least one band from St John's will be travelling across to Guernsey to take part.

Bell ringing is a fun, friendly and inclusive hobby, suitable for all ages. Our current members range from 13 to 89, and new ringers are always welcome. No musical experience is needed. If you’re curious and would like to have a go, please come along on a Tuesday evening from 7.30pm, or most Sunday mornings — you’ll be very welcome.

I write these thoughts today enjoying time in our garden with the lovely perfume of the spring flowers accompanied by birdsong!

Our Cheval Roc service format each month always starts with words of welcome and introduction as we individually give out our names to the residents present. Next, before singing our first hymn, we all join together by turning to the back of our specially designed hymn books to locate the words of the Lord's Prayer. This serves to remind us all, whatever Faith or maybe none, that this very special prayer that Jesus himself gave us unites us and sets the scene for our time together.

Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever, Amen.

Blessings, Heather Woods and the Team.

The Easter Hamper Raffle was popular

Parish Diary

JULY

12th Parish Church Gift Day 9:30am Service

14th St John WI - Speaker: Jason Wise, “Everest”

19th Sea Sunday Service at Bonne Nuit pier 10:30pm

19th Moto-X training at Sorel Point

21st Church “coffee & croissants” 10pm – 11:30am

22nd Parish Rates Assembly

28th Northern Parishes B.of F. - Bingo - Parish Hall

29th Golden Age – Afternoon tea, leave P.Hall 2:30pm

AUGUST

2nd Moto-X Event at Sorel Point

9th 10:30pm Beach Service at Bonne Nuit Bay with the Baptism of Charlotte 11th St John WI – Summer Outing

16th Moto-X Event at Sorel Point

18th Church “coffee & croissants” 10pm – 11:30am

25th Northern Parishes B.of F. - Bingo - Parish Hall

26th Golden Age – Parish Hall 2:30pm

SEPTEMBER

4th 2nd Visit du Branchage

5th Motor-X at Sorel Point (Steven Jeanne Memorial) 8th St John WI - Mary Walledge, Green Room Club

WI - all ladies welcome to join – see useful contacts

Church Events check Facebook page www.facebook.com/stjohnschurchje

CHURCH & PARISH EVENTS

Little Oaks Sunday Club

5th July, 2nd August & 6th September meet in Church at 9:30am

Anything Goes Craft Group

27th June, 25th July & 29th August all meet in the church vestry 10am-12pm.

Pétanque Club

Every Monday, meet in the carpark behind L’Auberge du Nord. All welcome

MOBILE LIBRARY

Parish precinct Mondays 11:30am to 12:15pm

PARISH

Useful Contacts

Bell Ringing Justin Read 888484

Bingo Muriel Poisson 863184

Bonne Nuit Boat Owners Neil Cotillard 07797 797834

Brownies Donna Tupper 865728

Caesarean Bell Ringers Diane Nelson 481898

Church Rectory 861677 / beverleysproats@gmail.com

Football Club Nigel Perrée 865113

Friends of Bonne Nuit Peter Pearce 07797 782694 / bonnenuitfriends@gmail.com

Golden Age Club Richard Dupré 866880

Magazine Parish Contacts & Diary 866880

Netball Club Becky Duncan/Paige Brandie 07797790093 / stjohnsnetball@hotmail.com

Pétanque Club Ron Le Herissier 07797822229

Recreation Centre Caretaker centrecaretaker@gmail.com

School 861692

Shooting Club Peter Quimby 07797 775568

Skateboard Association Sophie 07700 862188

Twinning Association Stephen Masters 862880

Woman’s Institute - ALL WELCOME

Terina Le Couillard 07797 741281 / tlecouilliard@yahoo.co.uk

United Reformed Church Mike Ruskin 482366

Youth Project St John’s Rec. Georgia le Brocq 07797 795890 / georgialebrocq@jys.je

Parish Administration

Connétable

Mr Andy Jehan andy.jehan@stjohn.je

M: 07797 758086

H: 864916

Twitter: @AndyJehan

Procureurs du Bien Publique

Julian Guegan, John Rondel Rector

Rev. Beverley Sproats

Deputies

Hilary Jeune, Kirsten Morel, Phil Romeril

Duty Centenier 866560

Centeniers

Andrew Bisson, Christopher Rudd, David Morris, Sharnie Oliver

Parish Secretary Sue Morin Sue.Morin@stjohn.je

Assistant Parish Secretary

Sandra Coutanche

Sandra.coutanche@stjohn.je

Administrator

Kieranne Grimshaw Kieranne.grimshaw@stjohn.je

MONDAY, TUESDAY & FRIDAY 9:00am to 4:00pm

WEDNESDAY 9:00am to 7:00pm THURS 9:00am to 1:00pm

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)

HETAS ETAS