Star of the North / Winter 2025 / Issue 72

Fencing, Mowers, Tools, BBQ’s, Outdoor Furniture, Water Treatment, Toys and much more!

Learnings From a Volatile Year

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

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

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

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

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

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

2026 and Beyond

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

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

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

Tim Childe Chief Executive Officer Quilter Cheviot International

Sarah Carolan Legal Assistant

The Wills & Estates Experts

Planning for the future may feel daunting, but it is one of the most valuable steps you can take to protect your loved ones. At BCR Law LLP, we specialise in wills and estate planning, offering clear and practical advice designed to give you complete peace of mind.

A properly drafted will guarantees that your estate is distributed in line with your intentions, rather than leaving it up to standard rules that may not reflect your wishes; our estate planning team will ensure your wishes are protected and your loved ones are cared for.

For added peace of mind, you can also appoint us as your executor. We take on the practical and legal responsibilities at what is often a difficult time, managing your estate with care and professionalism, and easing the pressure on your loved ones. This gives you complete confidence that everything will be handled smoothly and exactly as you intended.

To find out more about how we can support you, contact us at enquiries@bcrlawllp.com.

Dear Parishioners...

Autumn is here, bringing smoky days, glorious sunsets and morning mists to the fields of St John.

It also brings to light some of the unsightly litter that accumulates in our hedgerows, exposed after the branchage. It’s always great to see parishioners litter-picking whilst walking the country lanes, and the more of us that get out there to keep our parish looking lovely, the better. Think about taking a bag with you when out walking the dog, or yourself, to put in any litter you spot, or if you forget, work on the ‘just take three’ principle. If we all pick up three bits of litter every time we are out and about, we can keep our hedgerows tidy.

We have a full magazine for you once more. This is the last issue in which our Deputies and Constable can address parishioners prior to next year’s elections, so we hear from each of them.

There’s a new footpath to explore in the parish, leading directly to the country lanes of Trinity. Find out where it is in our article.

Wine lovers can learn about a new business in St John, Plouf, which offers access to interesting fine wines and the odd tasting session too.

We find out more about the Parish’s Constable’s Officers, who provide so much support for our community, in our latest Meet the Team article.

We celebrate the Jersey Horse of the Year Show, a fantastic event right on our doorstep.

We learn about beekeeping with one of the island’s top apiarists and we get an update on the Asian Hornet situation in the parish.

Mèrcie bein des fais as always to all the amazing contributors to L’Étaile du Nord; there wouldn’t be a magazine without your help. It’s great to hear from anyone with a story to tell, so please do get in touch if you would like to contribute; I’d love to hear from you. My email is editor@ starofthenorth.org.je

Happy reading.

Sarah Grigson Editor

If you would like to contribute to future editions of Star of the North, please email Sarah Grigson at: editor@starofthenorth.org.je

EDITORIAL Sarah Grigson T: 07797 956 551 E: editor@starofthenorth.org.je

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

ACCOUNTS Helen Carré

helen@mediamasters.je

Constable Words from the

Welcome to the parish magazine, especially if you are reading it for the first time. Life continues to be busy both in the Parish and in the States for myself and colleagues.

The Parish recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of our Twinning with Le Teilleul and you can read about that event in the magazine. Another anniversary that is fast approaching is the 30th Anniversary of our Golden Age Club, an important group and a great way for our seniors to meet up on a monthly basis.

At the other end of the age scale our Youth Project also continues to make progress and is an important part of our parish life.

These three organisations, like so many in the parish, rely on volunteers. We are currently looking for new members and volunteers for Twinning, our Golden Age Club is always happy to welcome additional helpers, and the Youth Project will be looking for new Committee members in January. If you can help with any of these please contact the Parish Hall for further details.

Early next year we plan to hold an event at the Parish Hall on a Saturday morning to showcase the different organisations that operate within the Parish, the opportunities to participate, as well as the many ways you can contribute to our community.

Parking continues to be a challenge especially around the precinct and at school pick up and drop off. I would ask people to be considerate of others and not park in dangerous positions. We hope to finally submit our latest plans for the Memorial Garden and the very much needed additional parking shortly.

The designs will be available to view at the Parish Hall and on our social media. The delay has been about how we can fund such a significant investment in our community, without

impacting on people’s rates and there will be news on our proposed way of funding shortly.

As we move towards the festive season, I would like to thank all the volunteers who help to make St John such a special community. I would also like to thank the team at the Parish Hall for their continued efforts to serve our community.

As always, 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 I continue to be available every Wednesday at the Parish Hall with my weekly drop-in sessions between 5 and 7pm. Meetings outside these times can be arranged both within and out of office hours.

Finally on behalf of Judy and I, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2026.

Andy Jehan

Connétable

Five years on…

Sue Morin, Parish Secretary

I arrived at the Parish Hall at 9am on Tuesday, 3rd November 2020 to begin my new role as Parish Secretary, and it felt a bit like coming home.

Having spent eight years at St Peter’s Parish Hall learning the ropes, the role at St John was a natural progression.

Growing up in St John, I always took a keen interest in what was happening in the Parish, with members of my family involved in the municipality for many years. There is still a picture of my grandfather, Edmund, in the Committee Room, taken in 1947 when he was a Constable’s Officer. He finally retired in the late 1980s, having worked his way up to Procureur du Bien Public.

When I joined in 2020, COVID was still playing a big part in how the world was running, and Parish life was no different. Slowly but surely, we started to get back to some sort of normal. By the time our current Connétable arrived in April 2021, I was already very much part of the furniture.

During the last five years, we have seen many changes in the way we do things - hopefully all regarded as improvements. Most of our services are now available online, and we also offer all available payment methods. Hopefully, this gives every Parishioner the opportunity to receive the best service from the Parish for their needs.

We do, however, like to see you in person! We have extended our opening hours, so we are now open five days a week, including lunchtimes and one late evening.

I love my role in the Parish, and it could not be more varied. From the daily running of the Administration Office, assisting the Honorary Police, Rates Assessors, and Roads Committee, to joining the other Parish Secretaries at monthly meetings - or simply offering an open door to anyone who has a grievance or just wants a chat - no two days are ever the same.

Parish Assemblies, along with Parish and General Elections are also a big part of the annual calendar. These important events are guided by our laws and regulations, and part of my role is to ensure compliance. I would not, however, be able to do this without the help and support of my trusted band of helpers and, especially during Elections, the numerous Adjoints who give up their time to assist. With a general election looming, I would not feel nearly as organised if I didn’t know I could call on all of you. Thank you.

The events we hold are some of my favourites. Anyone who knows me knows that I am quite fond of a chat! Fundraising coffee mornings, Christmas lunches, and being part of the Golden Age Club Committee allows me to get involved with social activities while raising muchneeded funds for very worthy causes.

We have also marked some major events in the last five years: our late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, followed by her passing a short time later, and then the Coronation of King Charles III. Each of these occasions was commemorated appropriately with different events.

This year, we celebrated Liberation 80. As a good Jersey girl, I was determined that we would do St John and our Island proud! I hope you all agree that we achieved what we set out to do. The Liberation Supper, the Family Funday, and (my particular favourite) the Liberation 80 Exhibition were all overwhelming successes.

I can honestly say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the last five years, and I have been fortunate to be supported by a great team. Here’s to the next five!

School St John’s

Council Elections

2025

At St John’s School pupil voice is an important part of school life and this term we celebrated democracy in action with our annual School Council Elections – held once again at the St John’s Parish Hall.

The day began with a whole school assembly where we were joined by Connétable Andy Jehan and Deputy Elaine Millar, who spoke to the children about the importance of taking part in the democratic process and representing the views of others. Their words inspired the candidates and reminded everyone why elections are such an important part of community life.

Be Safe, Be Seen Road Safety Week 2025

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

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

After the assembly, pupils walked to the Parish Hall where the Connétable and his team had kindly prepared a polling station, just like those used in real parish elections. Each class had the opportunity to vote using ballot papers and a secure ballot box. This gave the children first-hand experience of how elections are run, reinforcing what they have been learning in PSHE about rights, responsibilities and fairness.

The atmosphere was one of excitement and respect as pupils carefully cast their votes in private and posted them into the ballot box. It was clear that our young voters were taking their civic duty seriously!

When the votes were counted, we were proud to announce our two newly elected School Council representatives from Year 1 through to Year 6. These pupils will now work with Mrs Day to represent the voices of their peers and help shape future projects and initiatives at St John’s School.

We are very grateful to the Connétable and the Parish Hall team for supporting us with this wonderful opportunity. Events like these help our pupils understand the value of democracy, community participation and respectful debate.

We look forward to seeing what the new School Council will achieve this year as they work to make St John’s School an even better place for everyone.

School Assemblies

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

Moped & Motorcycle Checks

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

Motorist Engagement

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

Online Campaign

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

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

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

Candidates proudly displayed rosettes

Deputy Hilary Jeune was on hand in the Parish Hall to explain the ballot form

FROM YOUR DEPUTIES

Deputy Hilary Jeune

The latest Government of Jersey homelessness report shows that almost 60 under-25s were classified as homeless in the first quarter of 2025. For many, the causes were family breakdown, domestic abuse, or simply being unable to find an affordable home.

This is not just a statistic. It represents young people turning to charities such as JAYF, where I serve as Chair, for shelter at a time when they should be taking their first steps toward independence. Without suitable housing, the risk of long-term instability increases and opportunities in education, employment and wellbeing are undermined.

What is also becoming clear is that many young islanders are leaving Jersey altogether. High housing costs and the insecurity of not being able to secure a home are key drivers. Between 2014 and 2023, the island’s young adult population fell by about 7%, with the 20–24 age group alone shrinking by 13%, as more in that cohort emigrated.

A major concern, which I set out in my manifesto, is the lack of affordable and appropriate homes for islanders under 25. Young people face significant barriers to renting and even greater hurdles to buying their first property. If we do not address this, more will leave the Island or face the risk of homelessness.

Through my role as Chair of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel and as a States Member, I am pressing the Government to take practical steps to support young renters and first-time buyers. Policies that make housing genuinely accessible and create clear pathways to ownership will not only help stem youth homelessness but also strengthen Jersey’s future.

Young people deserve the dignity and security of a home. With the right focus, we can give them that foundation.

Deputy Andy Howell

Dear Parishioners of St John,

Ido hope you are all well. It is hard to believe that another year is almost at an end and we are already thinking about Christmas! It is even harder to believe that I have now had the privilege to serve as one of your Deputies since June 2022. The time has simply flown by, and I have been so fortunate to represent you.

Please know that I am very much around to discuss matters of concern to you. It is really helpful to hear from you and understand your views either about things that are happening in the parish, or in the wider political arena.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Sending you and your families every good wish.

Andy / 01534 861227 / 07797 888806

Deputy Elaine Millar

My inbox from St John residents has been quite quiet recently - please do get in touch or come along to one of our surgeries if you want to discuss any concerns.

Housing, of course, is something that troubles many people. I had the opportunity to visit the new homes being built for Andium at Sion in the summer, which was fascinating: the houses look good, and I learned about construction methods, soundproofing and the travel routes being made for bats!

As you are reading this, I will be working hard on preparing for our budget debate in

December. We will then be debating the Assisted Dying Law in January, which I know generates strong feelings on both sides of the discussion.

I am really pleased that the Assembly has recently passed the legislation to reinstate the office of Senator in time for next year’s election. Many of you told me you wanted this, and I hope that you will come to vote for your Senators (and Deputies and Constable!) in June. The election will be on the 7th of June, a Sunday, to see if this helps increase voter turnout.

The turnout at elections is often good in St John but less so in other parishes. Voting is a key part of our democracy, and it is important that people do take the opportunity to vote for the members that will represent them for the next four years. So, if you are not sure if your name is on the electoral role, please do check in good time!

Deputy Kirsten Morel

Events bring life to town and to the country. This summer, Battle came to town and was a huge success, bringing thousands into a floral St Helier. Children and adults were able to get up close to the wonderful, colourful mobile creations.

Just a few weeks later, 42,000 people took time to marvel at giant iridescent bubbles that appeared in IFC2 courtesy of ArtHouse Jersey and Atelier Sisu. Bubbletecture brought a sense of wonder and provided a fantastic backdrop for all sorts of activities, from ballet to yoga via DJ sets and craft workshops.

The Jersey International Air Display brought thousands to the shores of St Aubin where they were entertained by incredible flying machines both vintage and modern.

Broadcast to millions, the amazing athletes of Supertri, including two intrepid local competitors, pushed their bodies to the limit in late September’s first in a double bill of international sporting events.

Shortly after the closing sessions of the highly impressive Jersey Festival of Words, 1000 international runners joined 1500 islanders for the Standard Chartered Jersey Marathon in early October. Connecting town to country, the marathon provides a great autumnal boost to our visitor economy.

Earlier in its development but on course to grow from solid foundations, the rural Regen Festival is breathing new life into Jersey’s rural community and economy and is now being noticed by an international audience.

A sign of the health of our rural communities, the RJA&HS seasonal shows are stalwarts of the event calendar that are becoming ever more popular. This year’s autumn fair included over 1200 exhibits, the most ever and drew crowds of all ages to enjoy a taste of Jersey’s rural life.

These are just a few summer and autumn events that help to keep island life interesting whilst also appealing to visitors. There’s no doubt in my mind that they are crucial to the future of our visitor economy and I can’t wait to see what new events future years will bring.

A chance to question your Deputies

Your Parish Deputies – Andy, Elaine, Hilary and Kirsten hold regular public surgeries and would like to welcome you to come and discuss any parish or island-wide issues that you are concerned about. The last surgery prior to the elections next year will be in April. Two Deputies will attend each surgery.

If you have a burning question but can’t attend a surgery, please contact one of the Deputies directly.

Wednesday 10th December 6pm – 7.30pm

St Lawrence Parish Hall

Saturday 3rd January 11am - 12pm

Acorn Café

Thursday 22nd January 6pm – 7.30pm

Trinity Parish Hall

Saturday 7th February 11am - 12pm

Acorn Café

Wednesday 25th February 6pm – 7pm

St John’s Parish Hall

Saturday 7th March 11am - 12pm

Acorn Café

Wednesday 25th March 6pm – 7.30pm

St Lawrence Parish Hall

Saturday 4th April 11am - 12pm

Acorn Café

Andy Howell a.howell@gov.je 07797 888806

Hilary Jeune h.jeune@gov.je 07700 700995

Elaine Millar e.millar2@gov.je 07700 788988

Kirsten Morel k.morel2@gov.je 07797 753101

Taking a walk on the wild side

An ancient footpath linking St John to Trinity has been re-opened. Known as Le Chemin de Quatre Pieds, it offers walkers a chance to bypass the busy, traffic-filled Route d’Ebenezer and directly reach the country lanes in Trinity.

The entrance is located just south of the La Casa carpark on La Grande Route de St Jean and takes a direct route east to Trinity. The St John’s end of the path is hogging, running between Field 1007 and the industrial estate before reaching a granite stile built on the parish boundary. The path then passes along a field and down a grassy track before popping out onto a paved road that winds its way to join Rue Coutanche in Trinity.

The pathway has had an interesting history, having been used by two brothers in 1781 to muster with the Militia to repel the French

invasion that resulted in the Battle of Jersey. A Visite Royale three years earlier had tried to close the western half of the path, but locals refused to recognise the closure, and the Royal Court ordered the path’s official reinstatement in 1808.

Anecdotally, the late John Vasselin, who was brought up at Belle Vue Farm (now known as La Minoterie) opposite the entrance to the footpath, explained that the path had been used to carry his uncle's coffin to Ebenezer Chapel when Rue du Feugerel was impassable due to a heavy snowfall.

The path was in use up to the 1960s but became overgrown, then in 1997 a request was made to reopen it. In the intervening years the borders of the path on the St John’s side had become uncertain, but a Vue de Vicomte, an ancient remedy involving the appointment of six experts to determine the boundaries, resolved the issue in 2013.

The entrance on La Grande Route de St Jean is a stone stile (steps set into a low wall), which is not the easiest to traverse, so walkers should take care.

The path was opened officially by the Connétables of Trinity and St John, accompanied by the current St John Procureurs Julian Guegan and Trevor Tirel, and their predecessor, Stephen Hewlett.

Connétable Andy Jehan said, ‘I thank the people who have done so much to get the path open because people like Stephen Hewlett and Julian Guegan have worked tirelessly to get it done and I don't underestimate their efforts. It's fantastic and it's been worth the wait. We're now going to look at the western end to see if we can make access easier for people because I’m very concerned about the wall at that end so that’s our next piece of work.’

A grassy track leads to a winding residential road and on to Rue Coutanche

The path follows the edge of a field

Constable Andy Jehan and Constable Philip Le Sueur take a stroll on the new hogging path on the St John’s side

The entrance on La Grande Route de St Jean

Plouf!

Plouf is a new business in St John set up by Kit and Laura Tilleard. The company’s name is onomatopoeic and means a splash, or the act of dropping an ice cube into a glass of wine –Plouf!

We caught up with Kit and Laura to find out what they’re all about.

What does Plouf do?

We sell wines that we love from interesting small producers around the world.

Why did you start this venture?

We met in London, where we frequented neighbourhood restaurants and wine bars. When we moved back to Jersey, we wanted to bring the wines we loved with us, and so Plouf was born. We import small quantities of wines from lesserknown producers or lesser-known regions - there’s always an interesting story behind the wine!

Where can people source your wines?

Our wine is available to buy online at Plouf.je for islandwide delivery.

Do you do tastings and if so, where?

We host wine tasting events at various venues around Jersey - keep an eye on our website and social media for any upcoming events. We also host private and corporate tastings, which are tailored to suit the customer - perfect for team building, birthdays, parties or just a get-together with friends. Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss an event with us.

What should people look for in wines?

Firstly, look for what you like, that’s the most important thing. But if you really want to get the most out of a bottle, get your nose in there and start thinking about the fruits you’re picking up. What are they? Are they ripe? Are they cooked? Is it all fruit? Do you get some pepper, a bit of vanilla? Once you start looking for these things you’ll start delving into how it’s made, who’s made it and why. From there you’ll be at the start of your journey around the world’s wine regions from the comfort of your own chair.

Where are you sourcing your wines from and what makes them special?

We find our wines from all sorts of places, but our favourites are the ones we find on our travels where we get speak to the fascinating characters behind the grapes. Being such a short journey away, we’ve inevitably ended up with a rather wide selection of French wines, but we always have plenty from across Europe, South Africa and England too. What unites them all though is the interesting story behind the wine - it’s either an unusual variety or winemaking style from a well-known region, or a well-known variety from somewhere you might not expect.

What’s your wine of the week?

Chateau Yvonne, Saumur Champigny ‘La Folie’, 2022 - £23

We love Chateau Yvonne’s ‘La Folie’ at the moment. It’s a wonderful Cabernet Franc from just down the road in Saumur-Champigny. All crunchy red fruits and graphite notes, perfect for autumnal drinking. Exactly what you’d expect from a winemaker like the trailblazing Matthieu Vallée.

Laura and Kit Tilleard

Meet the new Great British Chef now at L' Auberge du Nord

Chef Andy Scollick is a Northern Irish culinary talent renowned for his inventive approach to modern Irish cuisine.

Born and raised in Bangor, County Down, Andy began his culinary journey there at The Salty Dog Hotel and Bistro, progressing from commis chef to chef de partie under the mentorship of Tim Brunton. Following Tim's move to The Boat House in Bangor, Andy joined him as sous chef, eventually stepping into the role of head chef in 2019.

In 2021, Andy gained national recognition as one of four chefs representing Northern Ireland on the BBC's Great British Menu.

After a successful tenure at The Boat House, Andy relocated to Jersey in 2023. He currently serves as the head chef at L' Auberge du Nord in St John, where he continues to craft dishes inspired by the island's local produce.

Known for his dedication to innovation and local sourcing, Chef Andy Scollick remains a prominent figure in the culinary scene, continually pushing the boundaries of Irish cuisine.

Jersey Village Vets 10th Anniversary

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

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

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

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

Our Head Chef Andy Scollick looks forward to serving up his culinary delights for you to enjoy.

Andy was recently a finalist on the Great British Menu viewed on BBC1.

We also cater for functions including weddings, birthday parties, wakes, christenings, etc...

Our General Manager Steve can discuss our offerings with you on 01534 861697

Thank you for visiting and we hope you enjoy your meal.

Major Works Planned

By Constable Andy Jehan

There have long been calls to increase the number of homes on mains drains and mains water. One of my predecessors here in St John earned himself the title of “Minister for Drains” amongst colleagues in the States Assembly, due to his persistent questioning of when things would improve.

We are now seeing progress. In the last twelve months we have seen the Sewage Treatment Works at Bonne Nuit replaced with a rising main. What this means is that sewage is now pumped to Bellozanne, rather than being treated and released into the sea in the bay.

I am delighted that the Government have agreed to further invest significantly in upgrading the sewer network around the Island, and particularly in investment for the north of the island.

The main sewer running from Haute Croix carries sewage from St John in the west and Trinity in the east, with a number of pumping stations used to pump from outlying areas.

Initially, the work will see an increase in the size of the main sewer pipes from 400mm to 600mm, more than doubling the capacity from Sion to the Bellozanne Sewage Treatment works. Further work is then planned to extend the new larger pipes as far as Haute Croix.

Importantly, the new pipes will be capable of handling more than double the existing volumes and ensure that a significant number of additional homes can be connected in the future, both existing properties and new builds.

The works to achieve this are significant, and it will regrettably but inevitably involve traffic disruptions on the Grande Route de St Jean for lengthy periods. The team have looked at the potential to go through fields to reduce disruption and will do so where this is possible at the southern end of the scheme.

In parts the trench will have to be 4.5 metres deep (15 feet), and 2.5 metres wide. The works will often be in the middle of the road due to other mains services in the highway. This includes an electrical main power cable that brings electricity to the north of the island and, due to the risk of working around this cable, this part of the digging will have to be done by hand.

Works will be carried out by two contractors working simultaneously, to shorten the disruption period as much as possible.

Clear diversion signs and road closure signs will be in place, and access to premises and businesses will be retained throughout the works. It is essential that we all follow the signs so as not to hamper the works and to ensure the safety of everyone.

A shuttle bus will be implemented at times when the No 5 bus isn’t able to access the main road and details of this will be published regularly by Liberty bus.

We will update the Parish social media throughout the project and there is also a website that will contain regular updates and answers to questions – www.gov.je/NorthernSewerUpgrades

Map of the schedule of works for the Mains Drains

The new sewer pipes being laid more than double the capacity of the old pipes

Meet the Team

Constable’s Officers

The Honorary Police have played an essential role in Jersey since at least the 15th century, helping to maintain law and order and providing community support. Each parish elects centeniers, vingteniers and constable's officers for a term of three years, being sworn in by the Royal Court.

As unpaid volunteers, the honorary officers have to balance their duties with their jobs. Duties can include road and speed checks, attending traffic accidents and providing assistance at local and island-wide events. They can also provide help and advice in minor situations where a formal investigation by the States Police may not be required.

Training is an essential part of the role to ensure the officers are able to carry out their duties including a basic foundation course and first aid.

Honorary Police officers are on duty for one week at a time, usually every three or four weeks depending upon the roster within the parish, and are on call 24 hours a day during that period. Honorary Police officers are elected to serve the parish but in certain circumstances may assist or operate outside the parish.

In this latest article in our Meet the Team series, we get to know the ten Constable’s Officers in St John.

Richard “Richie” Markham

Originally from Barnsley, South Yorkshire— where straight talk and strong brews are practically a birthright—I took the scenic route through Ireland before settling in Jersey in 2007. With over 20 years’ post-grad experience as a Senior Architectural Technologist, I now work for the Government of Jersey as a Regulations Standards Officer (Building)—or, in plain English, the person who checks your extension won’t fall over. In May 2024, after years of chasing the mythical beast known as “affordable housing,” my wife, son and I finally wrangled a home in the parish we’d always dreamed of. I subsequently joined the St John Honorary Police in September 2024 to give something back to the parish and community that had welcomed us. Whether I’m reviewing building plans or patrolling the lanes of St John, I bring a mix of technical precision, community pride, and just enough Yorkshire grit and stubbornness to get the job done—usually armed with a clipboard, smile and a reliably bad joke.

Tim Clarke

I’ve lived in the parish of St John since the late 1990s. I’ve always felt a strong connection to the parish and decided to join the Honorary Police because, quite honestly, I love where I live and wanted to give something back. The idea of helping my parish, getting to know more people, and learning a few useful - and sometimes surprising - skills really appealed to me.

What l've found is that being part of the Honorary Police is a great way to feel more connected to the community. It's not all road checks and directing traffic (although there's a bit of that); it's also about being a friendly, helpful presence and supporting parish events. No two days are the same, and there's always something new to learn. If you're thinking about it - go for it. You'll be surprised how rewarding it is!

Gary Grimshaw

Having spent most of my professional life working in the media, I have had many interactions with the Honorary Police over the years. I always found them helpful and professional, but, like many people, I never gave much thought to the full extent of their work. That changed when I became a member of the Honorary Police myself.

This new role has given me a far deeper insight into the breadth and importance of their responsibilities. Their work extends well beyond attending incidents. It includes road safety checks, assisting with parish fêtes, supporting island-wide events, and maintaining law and order in a voluntary capacity.

I have now seen first-hand the dedication and commitment required, with many officers giving up evenings, weekends, and family time to serve their parish.This experience has given me a renewed respect for the Honorary Police and the quiet but vital contribution they make to our community.

Mickael Gicquel

Hey there! I’m Mickael Gicquel. With a little encouragement from my wife and friends, I made the choice to become a Constable’s Officer almost three years back. I quickly found out that St John has its own set of quirks, especially when

it comes to rounding up local cows that like to stir up trouble. But honestly, these are the things that make St John so special. When I’m not working, my three boys keep me busy for most of the day. At 36, I recently decided to get into motorcycling, which has definitely boosted my cool dad status!

Andy Jennett

I was sworn in as a Constable’s Officer on Friday the 27th of September 2024. I joined because I wanted to help our parish and although I was a bit nervous at first, after some basic training including how to use a breathalyser and a great Saturday of practical training at Parks and Gardens, not to mention helping out at the Liberation Celebrations, I wish I had joined earlier! We have a brilliant group off Honorary Police Officers in St John.

Marie Vibert

working with my new colleagues over the next three years and hope that maybe I will be able to pass on some of my skill set to others whilst no doubt learning from them also. I hope to serve a parish which has given my family and I so much over the 30 years I have lived here.

Fabrice Le Luyer

I’ve been lucky enough to spend most of my life living in St John, a beautiful, safe, and friendly parish that I’m proud to call home. Wanting to give something back, I joined the St John’s Honorary Police in 2019 as a way to support our community and help preserve the quality of life we all value so much.

When I’m not on duty, I’m a husband to my gorgeous wife, Chantelle, and father to our adorable little girl, Sapphire. I love spending time with family and friends and if I’m lucky enough to have some free time, you’ll usually find me cycling or hiking.

I am one of the most recent recruits, joining in August this year. I’ve lived in St John for 12 years and really value the strong community identity and spirit that we have. Now that school runs, homework, and being a free taxi service are (almost) behind me, I have more time for myself, and I wanted to use some of it to serve our community. I work for Government in a role that is very much about helping the public, and our employees, to understand and move through change, and improving customer and colleague experiences. Out of work, I am partial to home ‘projects’, from restoring furniture to building a brick wall in my garden!

Bricks not being great conversationalists, I’m looking forward to meeting many more of the people living in our parish, and to being a part of a great team! Being an Honorary Police Officer does bring some significant responsibility which I am very conscious of. It’s early days for me and I have lots of training ahead of me, but I am looking forward to serving and supporting our parishioners and islanders in the months and years ahead.

Peter “Pat” Patterson

Having served in the armed forces for nine years followed by 26 years in the States Police (paid police for those older readers), I believed I had served more than enough years in some type of uniformed service. How wrong was I! I was approached by both the Connétable and a Centenier who shall remain nameless, in the latter part of 2024. I was eventually cajoled into signing up to be a Constable’s Officer and was sworn in at the Royal Court on the 22nd of August this year. I still have to complete a number of compulsory training and competency courses set by the Attorney General, so as yet, I haven't been unleashed on the parish. I am looking forward to

Cardin Pasturel

In 2014 I returned to St John having lived elsewhere in the island for the previous 10 years. In addition to running a busy chiropractic clinic at The Little Grove, I am one of the four co-founders of The Jersey Tea Company based at Warwick Farm where we cultivate and process organic, handcrafted loose leaf tea. I firmly believe in building a thriving parish community and to that end I joined the Honorary Police to support the parish that has offered so much to us as a family. Being part of the team that assists with local events and being entrusted to help maintain the parish is very rewarding.

Janet Egglishaw

One May evening I offered to help put up bunting in the village for Liberation Day. My designated assistant or vice versa, was Andy Jehan. He later asked me if I would consider joining the Honorary Police and I said I would think about it.

During the next few months, I was asked several times and my response was still, “I will think about it”.

Eventually one summer evening, there was a knock at my door and Centenier Andy Bisson was standing there with an application. His words were, “stop thinking about it and just act!”

The rest is history as I joined. I’m happy to try and help the Parish community and my fellow Officers have been a big support. I enjoy my time with the team, and I am proud to be a part of the Parish.

TO BE POSTING

WHEN DOES YOUR BUSY PERIOD START?

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

HOW ARE YOU ?

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

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

WILL YOU BE DELIVERING TO ?

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

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

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

TOP TIPS FOR MAIL

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

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

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

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

Scan to find out more

Help to prevent flooding:

Dos and don’t

s

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

DO

Check and clean your drains and gutters

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

Maintain watercourses

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

DON’ T

Don’t leave branchage debris on roads

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

Help with road gullies

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

Drive carefully through flooded areas

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

Don’t rush to report flooded gullies

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

KEEPING THE ISLAND RUNNING

What Was but

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Compiled by Peter Tabb

What if…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

but What If…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PART 2

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

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

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

The foregoing is fiction, but could this have happened?

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

Friedrich Knackfuss

A Hive of industry

Deep in St John, there’s a buzz in the air. We all know that bees are vital to the pollination of plants and crops and in Jersey there are dozens of beekeepers ranging from those with a single hive, to large beekeepers with dozens of hives. St John resident Francois Le Luyer has been keeping European black bees for more than 45 years, all stemming from a gift.

‘Igot into beekeeping through one of my uncles who kept bees. I’d not long been married, and he just turned up with a box of bees one day and said, ‘where are we going to put these?’ And that was that.’

It might have started with one hive, but like lots of hobbies, it grew with time. When Francois’s uncle passed away in 2002, he already had around 30 hives. He then inherited his uncle’s hives, doubling the number.

Each hive can contain between 15,00080,000 bees and Francois is one of the largest beekeepers in Jersey. He keeps hives all over the island, from St Clement and St Martin in the east to St Peter in the west and St Lawrence, Trinity and St John in the centre.

‘You get different flavours and colours of honey based on the location of the hives and the flowers they are accessing. You can get some very light honey, and I’ve even had some black honey which I think was from chestnut. You can also get some with a green tint to it. The tastes vary greatly from different parts of the island.’

Francois begins taking off the honey from his hives in July. ‘It’s about a month’s hard work extracting and jarring the honey. I start early to make sure that the bees have got time to make enough stores to survive the winter. You can’t just take everything and then give them sugar; it’s very important that they have some of their own honey in store. The hives diminish a lot in winter, going down to about 15,000 bees per hive and they’ll survive throughout the whole winter on their stores.’

To extract the honey, Francois lifts the heavy supers out of the hives and places them on a special covered board. This allows any bees within to leave the frames but not re-enter. ‘I leave the supers until about three quarters of an hour before dark and there might be three or four bees left, but that will be it – they’ve all come out and gone back to the hive before nightfall.’

The bees are not always keen to let their honey go, and if the colony is a little hostile, a bit of smoke can help calm them. ‘The smoke makes the bees think there’s a fire, so they gorge themselves on honey. Once their stomachs are full, they’re not looking to fight you, they’re not so aggressive.’

Honeybees preserve the honey by capping it in wax cells in the honeycomb within the supers. These cells have to be uncapped by scraping the wax off with a knife, then the frames are put into an extraction tank that uses centrifugal force to spin the honey out of the cells. The honey is then passed through a double filter before being poured into jars for sale.

It sounds fairly simple, if time-consuming, but there are increased challenges to beekeeping today which were not an issue in the past. Since the late 1990s, European bees have been affected by an external parasite, the varroa mite. The mites originally infected Asian honeybees, but have migrated here, resulting in disastrous infestations of European honeybees. If left untreated, they can kill off whole colonies.

Pesticides sprayed on the fields can also affect the bees. ‘When farmers first plant the potatoes, they come a couple of days later to spray the field to stop the weeds growing and that can impact the bees, because they lick water in the fields. It was a big problem ten or fifteen years ago and hives were getting wiped out. But farmers aren’t using so much weed killer now.’

It's not just spray on the fields that can impact the bees though. ‘I had some hives in St Clement. I had taken the honey off and the bees were fine, really strong. Then the woman whose land the hives were on called me in a panic. The bees were all crawling around like they were drunk and falling off the board and lying dead outside the hive. It turned out that less than a quarter of

a mile away, a man had bees in his chimney and had called in pest control. They put in poison to kill the bees but didn’t cap the chimney and my bees were flying there to get the honey left behind. It killed off three of my hives.’

Of course, the latest danger to bees on the island are Asian hornets which are increasing in number year on year.

But despite the challenges, Francois really enjoys keeping bees. ‘I love it – I’m out all the time, all round the island tending to them. There are about 50 or 60 beekeepers over here. Some might have only one hive, but that’s great.’

The bees don’t always stay with their hives. Occasionally Francois receives a call to go and deal with a swarm of bees in unexpected places. Swarms occur when a strong, established hive divides into two or more smaller colonies and the bees look for a location for their new hive.

If you see a flying swarm of bees, the advice is to stay back or get indoors and close the windows. The bees will usually then move away or settle on a wall, roof, branch or bush, or sometimes in more unusual places!

A settled swarm often hangs in a teardrop shape, and whilst some bees will fly to and from the swarm, generally, if undisturbed they should be quiet and not pose a risk. That’s a good time to call in Francois or someone else from the Jersey Beekeeper’s Association to move them.

‘I had one a few years ago down at Sion, right by the bus stop in a tree. The bus driver phoned me up and I went to go and get it – they were very calm, so it was no problem. Of course, sometimes they’re 40 foot up a tree and you can’t get them.’

So, does Francois eat honey all day long? ‘Ironically, I’m diabetic so I’m not allowed to eat any! I only have it on my birthday as a special treat!’

You can buy Francois Le Luyer Pure Jersey Honey at La Mare vineyard, St John’s shop, Woodside, Gorey Fruit and Veg, Rozel Stores and the Spice Shop in town.

Taking the wax off the super Honey is extracted by centrifugal force

An Unprecedented Year for

Asian Hornets

By Alastair Christie, Senior Scientific Officer – Invasive Species

If

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

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

In the parish of St John, you have not been immune to this upsurge in Asian hornets with 32 nests found already in the parish, versus a total of 13 in the whole of 2024. For those who are not comfortable with buzzy, stingy things these numbers may be a concern, and indeed more people have been stung by Asian hornets this year than any other. The main risk is of nest disturbance rather than an individual foraging hornet, with gardeners the largest group at risk as they strim and hedge-cut.

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

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

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

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

www.gov.je/asianhornet

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

Large Asian hornet nest, damaged by early winter weather

Map of nests found in St John and surrounds in 2025

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.

Few books have eaten their way into the hearts of more children than “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”. Written by Eric Carle, the book was first published in 1969 and has since sold over 60 million copies and been translated into more than 80 different languages – and now Jèrriais is one of those languages.

The book launch event at the zoo was attended by around 150 children and parents, where they enjoyed craft activities, dramatic book readings and received a free copy of the book.

The fun, energetic drama production brought the excitement of live theatre to young learners at 19 primary schools around the Island this term and was enjoyed by over 2,500 children. An audio recording of the story can be found at www.jerriais.org.je and additional copies of the book are available to purchase online at jerriais.sumupstore.com

If you are interested in embarking on your own Jèrriais learning journey, you can access a free subscription to the uTalk app:

1. Go to www.jerriais.org.je then click the English menu drop down, and select Learn

2. Scroll down and select Adult Learning, then Learning Resources

Every year since the publication of J’allons à la chasse à l’ourse (We’re Going on a Bear Hunt) in 2018, the Jèrriais Teaching Service has translated a well-known children’s book which has been gifted to children starting school in Reception, including La P’tite Gruffalinne (The Gruffalo’s Child) in 2020 and D’vinnâle dé Marmoûset (Monkey Puzzle) in 2022.

This year, it is the turn of La Carpéleuse Hardi Affanmée (The Very Hungry Caterpillar) which is being given to 1,000 children throughout the Island to encourage young readers and their families to explore Jersey’s native language.

To celebrate the publication of La Carpéleuse Hardi Affanmée, the Jèrriais Teaching Service held a launch event at Jersey Zoo and staged a number of duallanguage performances in Jèrriais and English, in partnership with Flair Entertainment and kindly supported by Le Don Balleine Incorporated Association, as part of the Jersey Festival of Words 2025 Schools Programme.

3. Under Online Apps, please complete the very short registration form under the uTalk logo with your name and email address

4. You will be taken to a special uTalk page to create an account using the same email address and a new password. You should receive a verification email to complete set up

5. Download the free uTalk app onto your phone, tablet or laptop

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

Photos courtesy of Peter Mourant, Jersey Festival of Words

LEFT: Tama Coxshall (left) and Jemima Horn (right) reading the story in Jèrriais and English at the launch event at Jersey Zoo

André (caterpillar), Sam (narrator) and Rachael (butterfly) from Flair Entertainment brought the story to life

Jersey Horse of the Year Show

A thunder of hooves, the pitter patter of dog paws, deafening applause and plenty of laughter. Those were the sounds emanating from the western reaches of the parish over three weekends in September as the Jersey Horse of the Year Show took place at Home Farm.

Held every two years, JHOYS is not just for competitive horse riders, it’s an inclusive, fun, community event that delighted all who watched. The weekends were split into dressage, showjumping and showing, with the youngest rider aged just two years old, all the way up to septuagenarians.

JHOYS is the brainchild of Karen Barrette, who owns Home Farm with her husband Trevor. She explained, “I’ve competed at Horse of the Year Show in the UK and I wanted to bring that magic here, because not everybody can afford to go and it’s really special when you’re growing up to do these things. JHOYS is not just a horse show, we want to make it a magical show, where people go back with memories. We want the kids to love it.”

To bring that magic, Karen feels she has found the wining formula, having introduced a fun dog show to kick off the

event and bringing in a highly entertaining Hobby Horse Grand National on the closing day for those without horses to participate in. With small jumps and a weaving course, the hobby-horse riders, both young and old, were unforgettable as they galloped to glory.

“We try and be all-inclusive as much as we can; it’s all about having fun. The hobby horse race is particularly competitive! Then, with the showjumping, where the horses were jumping over the wall, you could have cut the atmosphere with a knife or heard a pin drop. It’s nice that people can come and be a part of it all who are not horsey. It’s a day’s entertainment.”

The championship was on the final Sunday evening, and all the stewards wore evening dress to bring some extra sparkle to the event. HOYS in the UK always ends with a poem, ‘Ode to the Horse’ and this year Karen introduced the same tradition at JHOYS. “It’s the most beautiful poem; it always makes me cry. I brought out one of my old horses who’s got the longest mane in the world, then we turned all the lights off and just put on coloured lights and we let him go in the arena whilst the poem was being read. He was galloping around, bucking, with his mane going everywhere, it was brilliant. He just went free rein and people loved it!”

Organising JHOYS is a passion project for Karen and her committee. “The team are just incredible and work like you wouldn’t believe. We also have lots of helpers on the outside of the committee who come and assist. It’s a big community who just pull together. It’s exhausting but seeing people so happy and so involved means everything we have done has paid off –we did what we set out to do, to make people smile.”

Hobby Horse Grand National

Community and inclusivity are Karen’s watchwords. “I love St John! When the Constable put a bus stop outside the entrance, I was so touched that he thought it was important enough to bring the parish in. We have a great parish, so supportive, and JHOYS is a lovely event; it’s something different for the community to enjoy. We had people coming up on the bus who weren’t horsey at all, just heard it on the radio. We had loads of families.”

Home Farm as a venue is in use all year round. Karen started Home Farm Equestrian to help provide an encouraging space for riders to train through the winter months. “When I lived in the UK, I would compete in the summer and then bring my novice horses out through the winter and take them to indoor events to get some miles on the clock, so they were ready to do the season. When I moved to Jersey, you had the summer events, but everything stopped by October. With our indoor arena I wanted to try and keep people going, so we have jumping and dressage clinics and do our winter league for children with smaller shows and competitions.”

Home Farm Equestrian began during Covid to provide a small grass roots club to help less confident riders. Karen put out a message on Facebook to see if anyone was interested. “I thought I’d get about twenty people wanting to do it but straight away I had more than that

and it grew and grew. Now we have over 250 members! Jersey needed it because riding here was a little bit elitist and we didn’t need that; we just need one community.

Ode to the Horse

“Our whole ethos here is that everybody gets scared, everybody loses their confidence, but we’re here to get you through it. I get really emotional about it - I’m so invested in all our members because I’ve seen them being so terrified they wouldn’t walk in the school to jumping fences, and it’s just really rewarding.”

By Ronald Duncan

Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride, friendship without envy or beauty without vanity? Here, where grace is laced with muscle, and strength by gentleness confined. He serves without servility; he has fought without enmity. There is nothing so powerful, nothing less violent, there is nothing so quick, nothing more patient. England’s past has been borne on his back. All our history is his industry; we are his heirs; he our inheritance.

© Ronald Duncan Estate.

And it’s not just Home Farm Equestrian using the facility; Karen is keen to provide a space that all animal lovers can enjoy. Dingo Dog Agility provide dog training at Home Farm throughout the year, and the pony club also train there in the winter.

“I wasn’t born here but I’m so passionate about Jersey, it’s a really special island. If we all work together to support our farming community and our equine community, because after all, we all just love animals whether cows, dogs or horses, then it just works.”

And JHOYS was certainly a huge success this year. “It was our best one yet, the atmosphere was phenomenal. Everybody got behind all the competitors, cheering and willing people to do well. We work really hard at it, but we are really proud of it.”

Karen Barrette in her finery still had to scoop the poop!

You could hear a pin drop as showjumpers attempted the wall

A fun dog show opened the event

Celebrations Brightly 100 Years

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

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

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

Saying Goodbye After 46 Years

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

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

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

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

For more information contact Wendy@brightly.je

RBC flying flags for Brightly in 2025

Allision le Blancq – retiring after 46 years

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.

Christmas and New Year Schedules for Refuse and Commercial Collections

Christmas Week 2025

Monday 22 Dec 2025 Refuse Collected as normal

Tuesday 23 Dec 2025 Refuse Collected as normal

Tuesday 23 Dec 2025

Friday 26 Dec 2025

Commercial Glass Collected as normal

Commercial Refuse Collected on Saturday 27 Dec 2025

New Year Week 2025 / 2026

Monday 29 Dec 2025 Refuse Collected as normal

Tuesday 30 Dec 2025 Refuse Collected as normal

Tuesday 30 Dec 2025 Commercial Glass Collected as normal

Thursday 01 Jan 2026 Recycling Collected on Friday 02 Jan 2026

Friday 02 Jan 2026 Recycling Collected on Saturday 03 Jan 2026

Friday 02 Jan 2026

Commercial Refuse Collected on Saturday 03 Jan 2026

Glass and Recycling Collections 2026

For the month of January

For the month of February

For the month of March

For the month of April

For the month of May

For the month of June

For the month of July

For the month of August

For the month of September

For the month of October

For the month of November

For the month of December

Glass & Recycling Fri 02 Jan 2026 Sat 03 Jan 2026

Glass & Recycling Thurs 05 Feb 2026 Fri 06 Feb 2026

Glass & Recycling Thurs 05 Mar 2026 Fri 06 Mar 2026

Glass & Recycling Thurs 02 Apr 2026 Fri 03 Apr 2026

Glass & Recycling Thurs 07 May 2026 Fri 08 May 2026

Glass & Recycling Thurs 04 Jun 2026 Fri 05 Jun 2026

Glass & Recycling Thurs 02 Jul 2026 Fri 03 Jul 2026

Glass & Recycling Thurs 06 Aug 2026 Fri 07 Aug 2026

Glass & Recycling Thurs 03 Sep 2026 Fri 04 Sep 2026

Glass & Recycling Thurs 01 Oct 2026 Fri 02 Oct 2026

Glass & Recycling Thurs 05 Nov 2026 Fri 06 Nov 2026

Glass & Recycling Thurs 03 Dec 2026 Fri 04 Dec 2026

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 more information, visit gov.je/recycling

For collection enquiries, contact GermBusters Ltd. Tel (01534) 869918 | Email info@germbusters.je

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.

Myth

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

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

Urban Legends

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Minimum 30% tree canopy cover in every neighbourhood.

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

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

How does St Helier fare? Let’s not forget how many of us head there daily, after all. According to Global Forest Watch, it has 4.17% cover – a very low figure compared to UK cities like London and Birmingham (18-19%) or even the least green US cities like Denver (9.6%) and Phoenix (8.5%). Even here in rural St John the figure is only 6.08%.

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

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

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

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

Beautiful magnolia tree at St Joseph’s

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

A stunning old tree in La Motte Street

Lighting Up Our Community with Solar Energy

With energy costs rising and long-term electricity plans for Jersey still evolving, many Islanders are starting to ask: how can we create more certainty for ourselves and our families? For an increasing number of local households, the answer is solar energy, a simple, reliable way to take control of energy use while contributing to a stronger, more resilient community.

WHY SOLAR, WHY NOW?

Jersey has long benefited from superior energy security through a stable connection to the French electricity grid. Whether we continue with imports at the same level or eventually benefit from the potential offshore wind farms in our coastal waters 10+ years from now, many people are looking for ways to become more selfsufficient. Solar is emerging as THE most practical option.

More than just long-term savings, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems allow you to generate your own electricity and take part in Jersey’s future energy system by producing clean power at home and reducing reliance on imported energy.

REAL FAMILIES, REAL RESULTS

Take the Vardon family. In 2022, they installed solar panels on their home. Within a year, they cut their energy usage by 27 percent and saved around £1,000 on their electricity bills. This year, they expanded their system and are on their way to near energy independence.

Or the Lewis family, who shared: “We have had our panels up for nine months. Our electricity bill for the last three months was £62. The same period last year? £432.” That is the kind of impact solar can have.

A SMARTER, STRONGER COMMUNITY

Solar is not just about reducing bills; it is about building something bigger. Smart technology now makes it easy to monitor and manage energy use, and parishioners can play a key role in shaping a cleaner, more resilient energy system.

Across the island, SunWorks has installed over 15,000 panels on more than 600 homes. These families are part of a growing movement, one that supports independence, local innovation, and practical solutions to everyday challenges.

NO NEED TO WAIT

You do not need to be wealthy or technical to benefit from solar. Systems start from around £7,000 and are tailored carefully to your roof size and energy needs. Panels work well even on cloudy days, and thanks to Jersey’s rainfall, they are mostly self-cleaning. Maintenance is minimal, and most systems pay for themselves within 8 to 12 years - and after that, it’s all savings.

Interesting facts about solar from SunWorks

• You can export electricity to Jersey Electricity at 9.4 pence per unit

• Solar panels can last up to 25-30 years with warranties of 20+ years

• Panels work effectively in Jersey’s mixed climate, even on cloudy days

• Solar panels can help preserve your roof and increase home value

• Solar offers strong financial returns and long-term peace of mind

• SunWorks carries out roof repairs, reroofing and insulation

• Systems are expandable — add panels, batteries, EV chargers, and more

• Interest-free finance options with SunWorks make solar more accessible than ever

It’s time to start thinking about your renewable future. Reclaim your energy independence, reduce your bills, and help light up our community — one rooftop at a time.

Celebrating 40 Years of Twinning St John & Le Teilleul

Twenty-seven parishioners headed to Le Teilleul in September for a special weekend celebrating 40 years of friendship between the French community and St John.

Arriving in Le Teilleul in the afternoon, everyone went off with their host families for a late lunch and a quick visit to a local site of interest. The group then reformed at 6pm for the unveiling of a special plaque to commemorate the 40th anniversary of our Twinning. Mounted on a stone next to the local school, the plaque was revealed by Maire of Le Teilleul Véronique Künkel and Connétable Andy Jehan. Despite the torrential rain that accompanied the ceremony, spirits were not dampened!

Our “twinning” story officially began on the 18th of May 1985, thanks to the initiative of Jean Bizet, then Mayor of Le Teilleul, and Connétable John Le Sueur. Four decades later, the two municipalities continue to maintain a warm and faithful connection.

After the plaque ceremony, a Vin d’Honneur was attended by around 60 people. Maire Véronique Künkel expressed her gratitude to Christine Seigneul, the long-time president of their twinning association, acknowledging her hard work in forging such a strong link with Jersey. She then welcomed the arrival of new families in the association, proof that the momentum continues.

Connétable Andy Jehan addressed the gathering in French (thanking Google Translate for its help). He emphasized the deep values of the partnership and paid tribute to the friendships that have lasted in some cases since the beginning 40 years ago. Finally, he thanked everyone who has contributed to the Twinning’s continued success with special thanks going to

Stephen and Irenne Masters, the President and Secretary of the St John Twinning committee, who are both stepping down having organised the Twinning for many years.

The group then moved to the local sports centre for dinner and entertainment. With around 120 people in attendance, there is clearly still great interest in building on the past 40 years of Twinning. Several French families have expressed an interest in joining in the future and we are now looking for St John families to host them during next September’s Twinning event in Jersey.

After a wonderful dinner, the evening’s entertainment began with karaoke with many willing volunteers (and some less willing) participating. This was followed by a band who entertained everyone late into the night.

Sunday was spent with the host families with the group departing after lunch on what was once again a very enjoyable experience.

If you are interested in getting involved in Twinning, please contact the Parish Hall. We are also looking for people to get involved in the organisation of future Twinning events as we look forward to the next forty years.

Girlguiding in St John

St John's Brownies have spaces for 7- and 8-year-olds to join us for fun, adventure and laughter on a Wednesday night. Young girls can explore their creative side, get out into the great outdoors, learn how to look after themselves, others and the world we live in.

3rd South Rainbows are also moving to St John's next term. The unit is welcoming girls in reception and year 1 to join us at St John's school on Wednesdays from 5.15 - 6.15pm. Rainbows will laugh, sing and make a happy mess (and help clear it up!) as they choose their way through our programme of activities. Girls will have plenty of magic moments: they might become a time traveller, an animal tracker, a pop singer, a stargazer; it’s a wonderful world of adventure just for them.

To register for either unit, scan the QR code, go to www.girlguiding.org.uk/ information-for-parents/register-a-child/ or visit the Girlguiding Jersey website.

St John Parish Noticeboard

Dog Licences

Dog Licences can be renewed between the 1st and 31st of January 2026 online at doglicences.je. The cost of a licence is £10 per dog for one year. Failure to renew by the 31st of January will result in a fee of £20 per dog being charged.

As a reminder, you do not need to purchase a licence if your dog is under 6 months old, or a guide dog kept and used solely by a blind person or a deaf person.

In 2025, 340 licences covering 448 dogs were issued by the Parish of St John. Woof!

Dates for your Festive Diary

Tuesday 25th November

Christmas Bingo at the Parish Hall – this is a very popular event and is on a ‘first come first served’ basis.

Wednesday 26th November Golden Age 30th Anniversary AGM.

Wednesday 10th December

Santa is coming to St John! Open to all, Santa and his elves will be visiting the Parish Hall courtesy of the Round Table. Bring your children to speak with him. Keep an eye on social media for the timings.

Wednesday 3rd December

The final Parish Assembly of the year to elect new officers including Constable’s Officers and a Rates Assessor. The Connétable will invite the Assembly to enjoy a festive drink at the close of the meeting.

Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch

The Senior Citizens Christmas lunch will be held on Thursday the 4th of December at the Hotel Ambassadeur at 12.30pm. Transport will be available from the Parish Hall and from Sion Village. Please call the Parish Hall on 861999 to reserve your place.

Parish Hall Christmas Opening

Wednesday 24th December closes at 1pm

Monday 29th December 10am – 2pm

Tuesday 30th December 10am – 2pm

Wednesday 31st December 10am – 2pm

Friday 2nd January 2026 Closed

Monday 5th January Reopens at 9am

MacMillan Coffee Morning

We are delighted to confirm that we raised £958 at our annual coffee morning in aid of MacMillan Jersey. We had a variety of delicious cakes, a sweepstake and a raffle which was made up of prizes kindly donated by local businesses and parishioners.

It was fabulous to see the hall full of chat, with lots of people coming together for this very worthy cause. Thank you to everyone who supported us.

Annual Rates Return

The Annual Rates Returns will be sent out on or before the 15th of January 2026. The paper version should be completed, signed and returned within 15 days of the date received. Alternatively, they can now be completed online via the Parish of St John website, www.stjohn.je

Help Decorate the Parish Christmas Tree

Once again, Muriel’s baubles are going on sale! Help raise money for the Joint Christmas Appeal and Mencap and donate £5 for a bauble. Just put your money in an envelope along with your name and phone number, and either hand it in to the office at the Parish Hall or pop it in the Parish Hall letterbox, and you might win a prize. The draw will take place just before Christmas. Last year more than £1000 was raised – let’s see if we can make the tree even brighter this year and top that!

Muriel’s Baubles on the Parish Christmas tree

with Evolution Eye Care Advanced Vision Correction

Specialist-led laser and lens treatments now established in Jersey

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

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

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

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

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

Genuine Advice, Not Sales

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

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

Modern Technology and Trusted Standards

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

Established Expertise, Local Convenience

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

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

1st Floor

Little Grove Clinic

Rue de Haut

St Lawrence JE3 1JZ

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

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

Over

www.jec.co.uk/thebigupgrade

Jersey Kart Club

“It's not just about racing itself," says 11-year-old Theo, "it's more that everyone around here is so friendly. It has a brilliant atmosphere, and it’s just really nice." Eight-year-old Jacob agrees, “it's really fun and you also have a whole bunch of fun making new friends," and as an afterthought he adds, "you also get the chance to race other people." With as much passion as his cohorts, 8-yearold William pithily sums up with his own observation that, "I really enjoy it. It’s basically the sport I do on a Sunday since I joined." These comments from our young drivers epitomise for us, the whole of the Jersey Kart & Motor Club ethos.

The overarching principle that guides all the activities of the Kart Club is ‘Race and Respect’. Put simply, we actively promote sportsmanship where participating fairly and respecting both opponents and the rules is key.

The Club runs a variety of kart classes for competitors as young as six-years-old and we always welcome members new and old to come join in the fun at ‘The Loop’. We also offer catering facilities and free admission for spectators – making the event a good day out for any motorsport enthusiast!

The Jersey Kart & Motor Club was originally founded in 1960 and raced at Belle Vue in St Brelade until 1994 and for many years now has raced at the Loop Road opposite La Fontaine on the North Coast, using engines of up to 125cc. We operate under the rules of Motorsport UK, the official governing body for four-wheel motorsport, which is responsible for setting and enforcing the rules that ensure safety and fairness for the sport. The Jersey Kart Club are also integral members of the Jersey Sports Council and thereby benefit from all the help of Jersey Sport whilst reciprocating that kindness by giving mutual assistance to the triathletes and young cyclists of the Island.

We are mindful of our neighbours, and our race dates are arranged in conjunction with the Motocross riders at Sorel Point in order to mitigate the sound disturbance in the area. We limit our event programmes to sixteen days or less each year, avoiding special days like Mother’s Day and Liberation Day out of courtesy to the parish. We also act as good neighbours by leaving the Loop Road headland in a better condition than when we arrive by litter sweeping and keeping the area neat and tidy through regular work parties. We have in the past worked alongside Ronez Quarry to plant many trees in the adjoining hedgerows together with the local charity Jersey Trees for Life and hope to enter into similar programmes in the future.

If you have a child who is interested in Karting, we run a training scheme called “KIKS - Kids In Karts”. This scheme is run by Motorsport UK qualified ARKS Examiners and is currently open to youngsters between the ages of 6 to 16 years of age.

If you are interested in enrolling your child, please contact the Club to discuss what is involved and we suggest you visit us at the track during a race day to ask questions of the drivers and officials and get a taste of what we do.

Photos: Oliver Kidman

Bonne Nuit Sewer Network Upgrades

November 2025 to September 2026

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

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

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

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

Book your appointment today:

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

The Importance of Flu and COVID-19 Vaccinations

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

Why Vaccination is Crucial

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

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

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

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

Vaccine Safety

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

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

Professor Peter Bradley Director of Public Health

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

Prof. Bradley stresses.

Understanding Vaccine Fatigue

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

Defending Our Island Community

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

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

It’s Never Too Late

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

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

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

Turn Back Time

I hosted a party the other day. It was an 80’s party. As well as the usual double denim, neon and mullet wigs, we played a few games.

Whenever anyone mentions a decade-theme party, we all love harking back to the pop stars we loved, chocolate bars that were the right size, cartoons that we watched and how much better things were in the good old days.

This nostalgia goes for games too, and it dawned on me that we have a whole new source of games to try for Party HQ. The favourite game of the evening was ‘Blankety Blank’. A game that has crossed decades with various hosts over the years, but as we look towards the festive season and games for all the family, spanning different generations and groups, this game really works. If you haven’t seen it before, here’s the version that we used.

You need a compère, paper and pens for the teams, a whiteboard and pen, or chalkboard for each of the contestants, and a smidge of wit. Then away we go! I recommend having at least three teams plus two ‘contestants’ to come to the front.

The compère prepares 10 or so sentences to read out, making sure there’s a ‘blank’ in each. The contestants fill in the ‘blank’ and write it on their board, keeping it a secret. To win points all the teams have to do is guess the ‘blanks’ that the contestants have written. If they do that then they score a point. First to five points wins!

Remember it’s about guessing what the contestants have written rather than making your own team and others laugh. And you will laugh, as inevitably the answers can get a bit controversial or fruity as people settle in, especially if you are devious when writing the questions.

Here’s one with a Christmas/St John lilt, to get you started:

‘Mr Rondel was walking along Les Chenolles when he saw a beautiful Jersey cow standing in her field. As it was winter, the farmer had protected her against the cold, but instead of a cow blanket she had a ‘BLANK’ on instead.’

Answers on a postcard…

Wishing you all a Happy, fun-filled Christmas and New Year from Party HQ.

ONE DIABETES DIAGNOSIS EVERY DAY IN JERSEY

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

Why does this happen?

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

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

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

Today managing Type 1 diabetes with insulin injections is commonplace.

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

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

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

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

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

St Vincent de Paul Society Food Bank

The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) is a lay Catholic international organisation serving the poor, which aspires to bring about a more just and compassionate society.

SVP Jersey has been operating for over 100 years and is the largest food bank in the island. Its beneficiaries are the low income, unemployed, sick and disadvantaged, currently helping 1600 individuals across 500 households.

With around twenty volunteers, the food bank is open on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings to cater for those who drop in, but there is also a ‘Click and Collect’ service for those unable to attend the sessions. Assistance is also available for organisations such as Mind Jersey, whose clients find it hard to cope with the waiting room experience.

Funding is mainly from individuals and organisations, and assistance has also been received from The Jersey Community Foundation. Due to high publicity in recent years concerning poverty and low incomes in the island,

SVP have been fortunate to receive some substantial donations, as well as numerous smaller individual donations.

Food collection bins are in the back of all Catholic Churches in the island and at various offices and retail outlets. However, it’s necessary to purchase the vast majority of the food and hygiene products, and this is funded by all financial donations received.

SVP continues to spread the message more widely throughout the island, especially through schools. During Advent and Lent FCJ Primary School and Beaulieu Convent School have weekly collections to provide special extras for Christmas and Easter.

By Pat Guegan

SVP continues to streamline their service and explore ways to reach those whose need is greatest.

Northern Parishes Battle of Flowers Association

One of the Northern Parishes' main fundraisers to meet the cost of its Battle of Flowers floats is the very popular Christmas wreath-making workshops. This year, these will be taking place at Trinity Parish Hall on the 30th of November and the 1st, 4th and 5th of December, all starting at 7.30pm.

There will be expert, step-by-step guidance from Beverley Barette and everything will be provided to make your own personalised wreath including foliage, ribbon and accessories. A beautiful result is guaranteed which you can hang on your front door and wow your neighbours, or you can create it as a special gift for a family member or friend.

The workshops are a great opportunity to have fun whether you come on your own or with a group of friends, and to get you in

the festive mood, mince pies, mulled wine, tea and coffee, will all be provided.

The cost per person is just £45. If you are interested, please contact the secretary, Anita Allchin at anita.allchin@gmail.com or by telephone on 725998 or 07797717452, letting her know your preferred date.

This year, we hope there will be a town Christmas parade so we can join in with our small float. In addition, we also hope to repeat last year's tour of Le Grand Clos and Les Maisons Cabots at Trinity and hopefully to also undertake a tour around St John's Village.

Plans have yet to be finalised for the 2026 summer parades and their location - the town centre or Victoria Avenue, but one aspect that will be repeated is free admittance for all who want to come and watch. We are also looking for design ideas for our junior float. If you have an idea you would like to submit, please forward it to our secretary for consideration.

NEWS Pews

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ from the

By Reverend Beverley Sproats

It’s been a busy few months at St John’s Church. Alongside our special services, we’ve continued with our regular gatherings too. It’s such a blessing to share these moments of faith and friendship.

Services continue every Sunday at 9.30am with Holy Communion in Church and on Facebook livestream, and the church is open during the day for anyone who would like to pop in for a moment of quiet or private prayer. To keep up to date with our latest services, events and courses, do visit our Church Facebook page.

Celebrations of Faith

In July we celebrated the wedding of Nick & Poppy and the wedding blessing of Josh & Maddie; both were wonderful moments of promise and prayer. Looking ahead, we’ll gather for a Baptism Celebration service in November for children baptised in recent years.

Generosity in Action

Our Harvest Thanksgiving brought a fantastic response with tins and packets of food for Grace Trust Jersey, and Christmas Shoeboxes for Mustard Seed Jersey, sharing hope with those in need in Romania and Ukraine. We were glad to welcome Rose Hélie to share how shoeboxes and donations provide bread, fuel and support.

Our Gift Day 2025 raised a total of £13,573.71 (including reclaimed tax). Thank you for your generous partnership in mission and ministry.

Worship & Community

The Parklife Choir from Grace Trust led us in joyful worship and coffee and cake gave space for good conversations. Coffee mornings, craft mornings, and home groups have restarted for autumn. They’re great places to explore faith, pray, and connect.

Nature, Play and Community

What a day! St John’s Church partnered with Nature Base to host a Community Pop-Up Play Session, supported by a generous £500 grant from JT Community Giving (@JTSocial). The church grounds came alive with over 50 children and 50 adults joining in – from blackberry playdough and tie-dye bunting to worm hunts, hammocks, swings and bubbles under the trees. The event created a safe, welcoming space where families, grandparents and children of all ages could connect, play and relax together. Feedback was glowing and it was a wonderful reminder of how nature, creativity and community belong together. We're looking forward to running more sessions in the future; follow St John's Parish Church and Nature Base on Instagram to stay up to date.

Little Oaks Sunday Club meets on the first Sunday of every month, usually at 9.30am; a fun time of stories, crafts, and songs as children explore faith together.

Home Group meets every other week to watch The Chosen, a mini-series about the life of Jesus, and to share discussion, prayer, and friendship.

Craft Group meets on the last Saturday of each month, 10am–12 noon, for creativity and companionship. Bring along your knitting, stitching, or any craft you enjoy!

Coffee & Croissant Mornings - join us on the third Tuesday of each month, 10–11.30 am, for good coffee, fresh pastries, and friendly chat — everyone’s welcome!

Our bellringers have been faithfully practising, and new ringers are very welcome to try a practice night.

Harvest Thanksgiving with Rose Hélie and our Christmas Shoeboxes for Mustard Seed Jersey

Nick & Poppy

Josh & Maddie

Huge thanks to our welcomers, readers, intercessors, tech team, flower arrangers and cleaners; your quiet service makes church happen. We continue to keep St John’s a safe place for all; thank you to everyone completing training/DBS this term.

Bev, Kathy and Terina also enjoyed volunteering at Life Expo, serving alongside the wider church in Jersey.

To support St John’s, scan the Giving QR, and follow us on Facebook & Instagram for updates and photos.

Buildings Update

The roof works encountered hidden issues with gully timbers and needed heritage permissions. With approval now in place, carpenters and roofers are back on site and new leadwork will soon be laid. Thank you for your patience as we care for our beautiful church. The next steps are being explored including interior redecoration and lighting once the roof works are complete.

Harvest Supper & Cabaret

This year’s Harvest Supper & Cabaret sold out very quickly! It featured the Northern Lights (brilliantly directed by Brian Woods) and other performers.

Looking Ahead

Nativity

9.30am, Sunday 30th November.

This is an all-age nativity so everyone can dress up. We also hope to have some animals!

Advent Service of Remembrance

4.30pm, Sunday 30th November

To remember before God loved ones who have died.

St John’s Group of Churches Candlelit Carol Service

4.30pm, Sunday 14th December.

Christmas Eve

3.30pm and 5.00pm Christingle services

7.30pm Holy Communion

Christmas Day

10.30am Celebration service.

Return of the three kings

9.30am, Sunday 4th January

And chalking the door for Epiphany.

Plough Sunday

9.30am, Sunday 11th January

With the blessing of the plough and the milk churn.

We will also have a Come and See service in the New Year – keep an eye on Facebook for the date.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

John Newton (1725-1807)

The residents at Cheval Roc have their favourite hymns, but their top favourite is Amazing Grace. We thought you might like to read the fascinating history of the hymn, should you not be familiar with it.

A violent storm at sea was the turning point in John Newton’s life. Motherless at six, he was sent to sea on his 11th birthday, and he soon became a teenage rebel. He was press-ganged into the navy and flogged for desertion. John Newton became involved with the African slave trade and came close to starvation whilst living in extreme poverty in Sierra Leone. However, in March 1748, at the age of 21, he was on board a cargo ship which was fighting for its life against heavy seas and rough weather. Worn out with pumping water and almost frozen, he called out for God’s mercy at the height of the storm and was amazed to be saved from almost certain death.

John Newton’s life had many twists and turns: eventually he renounced his involvement with slave trading and at 39 years old he became a Minister in the church. He persuaded the young William Wilberforce to stay in politics and joined him in the fight to abolish the slave trade.

Blessings, Heather Woods and the Team.

The Cheval Roc team

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

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

What is Social Value – and why does it matter?

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

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

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

Social value in action – Jersey Demolition Contractors

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

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

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

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

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

Constructing Your Success

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

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

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

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

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

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

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SHINGLES

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

Those aged 50+ with a weakened immune system

Those turning 60 this year

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

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

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

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

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

Parish Diary

DECEMBER

1st Muriel’s Baubles available from Parish Hall

2nd St John WI – Christmas Dinner La Moye Golf Club

3rd Parish Assembly

4th Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch

8th Cake & Cabaret - Parish Hall

14th St John Group of Churches - Candlelit Carol Service in the Parish Church at 4:30

16th Church “coffee & croissants” 10 – 11:30am

24th Christmas Eve Christingle Service in Church, 3:30pm & 5pm

24th Christmas Eve Communion Service 7:30pm

25th Christmas Day Celebration Service 10:30

28th There will be no Sunday services in Church

JANUARY

4th 9:30 Epiphany and Chalking the door at Church with Little oaks Sunday club

11th 9:30am Plough Service in Church

13th St John WI – Speaker - Peter Le Rossignol

15th Annual Rates Returns sent out

20th Church “coffee & croissants” 10 – 11:30am

27th Muriel’s Bingo Parish Hall

28th Golden Age – Parish Hall 2:30

FEBRUARY

10th St John WI – Therapy dogs - Ro Cox & friends

17th Church “coffee & croissants” 10 – 11:30am

24th Muriel’s bingo Parish Hall

25th Golden Age – Parish Hall 2:30pm

CHURCH & PARISH EVENTS

Little Oaks Sunday Club

2nd Nov, 4th Jan & 1st Feb at 9.30am meet in Church

Anything Goes Craft Group

29th Nov, (None in December) 31st Jan & 28th Feb all meet in the church vestry 10am-12.

Pétanque Club

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

MOBILE LIBRARY

Parish precinct Mondays 11:15 to 12:15

MONDAY, TUESDAY & FRIDAY 9:00am to 4:00pm WEDNESDAY 9:00am to 7:00pm THURS 9:00am to 1:00pm

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, Trevor Tirel Rector

Rev. Beverley Sproats

Deputies

Andy Howell, Hilary Jeune, Elaine Millar, Kirsten Morel

Centeniers

Lord Louth, Andrew Bisson Christopher Rudd, David Morris

Parish Secretary

Sue Morin Sue.Morin@stjohn.je

Assistant Parish Secretary

Sandra Coutanche

Sandra.coutanche@stjohn.je

Administrator

Kieranne Grimshaw Kieranne.grimshaw@stjohn.je

St Helier Town Hall

St Brelade Parish Hall

St Clement Parish Hall

St Ouen Parish Hall

Trinity Parish Hall

St Saviour Parish Hall

St Martin Public Hall

10am-12pm

Throughout