Trinity Tattler / Winter 2025 / Issue 41

Tattler

School Mates

Jean-Luc Piazza Client Service Director E jean-luc.piazza@alexpicottrust.com

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.

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Welcome from the editor

‘Tis the season to be jolly...

And

there is no excuse not to be when you sit down and read all about the great things going on in our parish over the winter months.

You may notice that our regular feature of ‘Meet le Trinn’tais (or la Trinn’taise) is missing from these pages. This is because I asked quite a few people who, although very worthy to be show-cased for the good work they do in the parish, were not keen to be featured. If you know of anyone living in Trinity who has an interesting story to tell about their life, I would very much like to hear about them. I know from receiving feedback from readers that they enjoy reading about the people of the parish and I hope to continue this article in future editions.

As always, I am very grateful to the Tattler team for their interesting articles and for the many other contributors who help to make the Trinity Tattler the wonderful magazine it is – you are all very much appreciated. Sadly, one of the team, Helen, has decided to give her pen a rest for a bit but I am glad to say a new member has already agreed to step in. Look out for Diane’s article in the next edition.

Hopefully you will be able to attend one or more of the many ‘events’ listed on page 34 – there is nothing better than joining others to get into the festive mood!

Josie

NB: I have chosen the cheeky photo for the front cover for no other reason than it evokes the fab Indian Summer we have just had.

P.s. Please do get in touch and let us know if you particularly enjoyed an article in this edition or if there is a subject you would like us to cover in a future one: trinitytattler@gmail.com Also do remember that copies of this and past issues can be viewed on line on the parish website.

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Trinity Tattler is a community magazine, for you, about you and from you!

Got something you’d like to see in the next edition? Send us your ideas, articles or pictures or thoughts to: trinitytattler@gmail.com

From our Connétable

Dear Parishioners

As most of you will already know, I have decided not to seek re-election in June next year.

It has been a real honour and privilege to have served as Connétable for the last 12 years but it is now time to hand over to a successor, allowing me to spend more time with my wife Angela and the rest of the family, who have all provided unfailing support during my tenure. As I plan for my retirement, I am delighted that the community spirit in the Parish remains as strong as ever. Our finances and the Municipality are in good shape and we are very fortunate to have a great team of volunteers who offer their service to the community, which is complemented by dedicated staff here at the Parish Hall.

HONORARY

With the end of 2025 approaching fast and the winter nights drawing in we take this opportunity to remind you to adjust your driving to the weather and road conditions. Please also check over your vehicles to ensure that your tyres are in good order and the lights functioning correctly.

Should any parishioner have an interest in standing for election for the role of Connétable, the election will be on Sunday 7th June 2026. I would be delighted to hear from anyone who may be interested to find out more about the role.

In addition to the vacancy of Connétable, later this year and during 2026 several vacancies will become available in the Municipality. Details of the vacancies are shown further on in this edition. I would encourage anyone who is interested in offering their service to our Parish, to contact the Parish Office in the first instance. You will then be directed to the best person to speak with who will be able to give you more information on the particular role of interest to you.

In my own name and on behalf of the Municipality and Parish staff I wish all readers a peaceful and restful Christmas and send best wishes for 2026.

Philip

Philip Le Sueur, Connétable of Trinity

Our Officers have been issued with new waterproof hi vis jackets to assist with ensuring their safety as the afternoon light fades and the dark nights fall. They also have new torches and body worn cameras too. Having the correct kit available is vitally important and we are always assessing the operational needs of our team to enable them to be as safe as possible.

We are fortunate in that we will be ending the year with the same number of officers as we started. We have sadly bidden goodbye to some and warmly welcomed some new additions to our team.

Our Facebook page 'Trinity's Honorary Police' has seen its followers steadily grow throughout the year and we recommend that you follow us if you have Facebook, especially as it's where we are most likely to post current news, updates etc.

A surprising number of people still say they are unable to reach our Duty Centenier, only to find they have the OLD mobile number which is no longer in use. If you do one thing today, save this number 01534 680599 in your phone / address book in case you ever need it. You may not always see us, but be rest assured we are here.

Soup, Pud and Chat!

As human beings, we thrive on our connection with one another and our ability to build stronger bonds through social conversations with others. On the back of the Lent Lunches earlier in the year when the Parish Hall was filled with the hum of chatter and the smell of delicious homemade soups, Ebenezer is running four ‘Soup, Pud and Chat’ drop in sessions throughout the winter as part of its focus to meet people where they are in the community.

The first session will have already happened by the time you receive this edition of the Tattler, but there are three further sessions arranged on the following dates:

Tuesday, 16th December

Tuesday, 27th January

Tuesday, 24th February

Please do make a note of the dates and come along to the Parish Hall at any time between 12.15pm and 1.30pm – there is no need to book or reserve a place. We’ll be serving homemade soups with crusty bread, apple crumble & cream and tea or coffee. This is Ebenezer’s time to give back to the community and there will be no charge. If you wish to make a donation, collection baskets in aid of Mind Jersey will be available at the door.

We would love to see you there and promise a warm welcome, friendly companionship and hospitality during the colder and darker days of winter. When this Tattler is due to reach you, we’ll be fast approaching the season of Advent. The first Sunday of Advent on 30th November represents hope. Hope allows us to move our lives in ways that can make things better, not only for us, but for others and we would be delighted if our new Soup, Pud and Chat sessions did just this.

and we’re delighted that her role at Brighter Futures allows her to support Amy and our work at Pickles, Pickles Plus and Generations on a Friday.

Finally, in addition to our mid-week community work, we have some exciting Sunday 10.30am worship planned this Christmas. On 7th December we’ll be having our ‘Deck the Halls’ service and countdown to the lighting of our Christmas tree. The 14th December sees the return of our ever popular Pantivity (a hybrid between a Nativity and Pantomime) and the 21st is our Carol Service. It would be wonderful to see you.

We also hope that our new intake at Pickles and Pickles Plus this term provides families with supportive social connections and a sense of belonging that leads to greater happiness.

A third ‘new’ for Ebenezer is the appointment of Laura de la Cour as our part-time Youth and Community Worker from September. Laura has been part of our Pickles community for some years, attending with her son and then daughter,

Rectory From the

by Canon Geoff Houghton, Rector

Our Saviour was born into a world of geopolitics, violence, misappropriation of power, and discrimination in regard to race, gender, creed and wealth, as both shepherds and the arguably blundering wise men from the east were to discover.

Some would say that not since the Second World War has it felt that so little has changed from such times. And Christ’s message of love in action, of grace and inclusion that both challenge and comfort still hit the spot. The Church should not offer easy answers presented in naïve certitude, or pretend it gets it right all the time. Rather to be a pointer to Jesus Christ, born in a humble stable, soon a refugee, a teacher, living in an occupied country, considered such a threat that he was crucified on a cross, only to rise again after three days, showing the incredible and continuing endeavour of God’s deep love for us. My late friend and mentor, Kathy Galloway of the Iona Community encourages us to ‘stop trying to believe in a God we don’t believe in – and start believing in a God who believes in us!’

The doors of your Parish Church are as usual open to all throughout the coming months, offering numerous opportunities to celebrate and engage with the Christmas season, as well as a space for reflection. There will be traditional favourites such as the candlelit Advent Carol Service on 30th November, the traditional Nine Lessons and Carols on 21st December, and of course Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, leading to the Christmas Day Nativity and Parish Communion for all. Particular favourites with the younger families and

children are the Christingle Service with oranges, candles, sweets and red ribbon - what can possibly go wrong … 9.30 am on 7th December, and following on from the fun of last year there will be another wonderful Nativity Journey set in the Rectory grounds. As has become the new normal of recent times, the main Christmas services that take place in church will also be accessible online for those unable to attend in person. The links are on the church website www. trinitychurchjersey.com . All the Christmas services at the Parish Church will also be listed on the church notice boards and the website.

Your Parish Church has a now established record of generous support of the Shelter Trust who work with some of the most marginalised and vulnerable of our Island. As in previous years I invite you to assemble a (decorated) box of simple gifts, seasonal treats, and useful items, to bring a little joy to a Shelter Trust resident (currently 110+ men and women). Bring the boxes to the Church on or before 21st December and we will deliver them for you.

May I thank you for all your kindness in the Parish and wish you and your family a most joyous Christmas.

With every blessing

Canon Geoff Houghton, Rector of Trinity

May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the obedience of Mary and Joseph, the perseverance of the Magi and the peace of the Christ child, be yours this Christmas. Amen.

Trinity Scouts at the Harvest Festival

Egypt Woods

Protecting a Precious Community Space

by Deputy Hilary Jeune

Jersey is not rich in woodland. In fact, our island has very little compared to many other places, which makes the spaces we do have all the more precious. They are not just pockets of biodiversity, but places that bring real wellbeing benefits to Islanders – from quiet walks to time in nature that supports our mental health.

But over time, the woodland has been put under pressure. Certain user groups have gone beyond enjoying the space to physically altering it – building extreme tracks, disturbing the landscape, and undermining the roots of trees. This not only weakens trees, making them unstable and dangerous in storms, but also damages the very fabric of the woodland. Bird nesting is disrupted, wildlife is pushed out, and biodiversity is lost.

If this continues, we risk losing what makes Egypt Woods so special. That is why the development of a woodland management plan is so important. The plan being developed through Jersey Trees for Life, is about finding a way forward: keeping access open to the public, while protecting and restoring the woodland for the future. A consultation process has been launched to give feedback on the draft plan.

Egypt Woods is one of these special places. It is made up of several parcels of privately owned land which, thanks to the generosity of the landowners, have been opened to Islanders on a permissive basis. This access is a privilege and a gift to the community – one we should value and protect.

The goal is simple – a woodland that is managed for the benefit of all. A space where people can continue to enjoy time in nature, while ensuring that trees, birds, and wildlife are safeguarded. A space that is enhanced, not eroded, by our presence. This will require collaboration. The community, landowners, and users of Egypt Woods all have a part to play in shaping the management plan and respecting the woodland once it is in place.

I am happy to speak to anyone who wishes to discuss this important development. Together, we can ensure that Egypt Woods remains a safe, biodiverse, and beautiful space for Islanders to enjoy. H.jeune@gov.je

Crossing the Border

Le Chemin de Quatre Pieds (see the last edition) was officially opened on Monday 29th September when the Constables of Trinity and St John met and shook hands at the granite stile on the boundary between the two parishes. The footpath connects La Grande Route de Saint Jean at Field1007 near Hautes Croix, and Rue Coutanche in Trinity, and is a valuable addition to our rural paths.

Recognition must be given to Fred Benest who has been instrumental in the opening of this path. Without his hard work and tenacity, it would not have happened and I have already heard from parents who have said that, after reading about the new path in the previous issue of the Tattler, their children can now walk safely from the bus stop at Hautes Croix, home. - Editor

A Short Musing about the Parish of Trinity Coat of Arms

By Helen

I was recently out on a gentle run, breaking myself back in after an injury had stopped me in my tracks and reduced me to walking pace. Anyway, during this sojourn through the lanes of the Parish I passed the Parish Hall and the Parish flag caught my eye. Noticing the writing on it I made a mental note to look up what it said. Now, I know there will be a good few of you who happily know what the words say and what they mean but there will also be a large number of parishioners who don’t.

Looking at the shape of it, you will see that it looks like the letter Y in the centre with a letter at each of the line ends and one at the central join. The top left is P, top right is F, the bottom is S and in the middle is D. around the outside there is more writing and between each of the letters it reads “Non Est” while on each arm of the Y shape leading to the D in the middle, it reads “Est”. But what does any of this mean?

Well, all of this is written in Latin. The P is for Pater which translates to Father. F is for Filius meaning Son while the S stands for Spiritus Sanctus which means Holy Spirit. Now things are starting to fall in to place! When we put those Latin words together, we end up with Pater, Filius, Spiritus Sanctus –Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So what does the rest of the writing on the crest mean and what does it all add up to? The D is the most important word represented, and it means God. That just leaves us with 2 things to translate. Non Est translates to is not while Est simply means is. Now that we know all of this we can easily put it together and the full translation is thus:

The Father - is not – the Son

(The Son – is not – the Father)

The Son - is not – the Holy Spirit

(The Holy Spirit – is not – the Son)

The Holy Spirit – is not – The Father

(The Father – is not – the Holy Spirit) God is the Father, God is the Son, God is the Holy Spirit

When we think of words that begin with the prefix ‘tri’ we know we are usually talking about something to do with three such as triplets, triangle, tricycle, triathlon. With our translation complete we can see, now, it leaves us with our very precious ‘tri’ prefix word Trinity. I’m sure now that you have read this, you will start to spot the parish coat of arms in many different places but one place you will definitely see it is on all of our road signs!

While writing this, it led me to think back to my school days and a hymn that we used to sing in assembly which is still frequently sung (although I prefer the more ‘modern’ tune we used to sing at school):

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty Early in the morning

Our song shall rise to Thee Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty God in three persons Blessed Trinity!

Trinity coat of arms on the Parish Hall sign

Trinity coat of arms on the parish truck

Trinity Parish Gates incorporate the Holy Trinity

Trinity Flag flies high at the Parish Hall

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!

A word from your

Deputies

Deputy Andy Howell

I do 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 be able to represent you all.

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.

01534 861227 / 07797 888806 / A.howell@gov.je

Deputy Hilary Jeune

Over the past few months, I’ve been focused on leading Scrutiny’s work on reforms to Jersey’s Residential Tenancy Law. It’s been a complex and technical debate and one that Scrutiny spent a long time understanding in detail. Scrutiny made a number of amendments to the Housing Minister's proposal, all of which were supported by the assembly, resulting in a fairer law, where tenants are better protected, and landlords now have clearer rules to work with. This was a good example of how Scrutiny works: by listening, challenging, and improving, we’ve delivered a tenancy law that will serve Jersey better.

Looking ahead, my big focus in the coming months will be Budget 2026, as well as amendments to the animal welfare law, the Food Law, and proposed changes to the planning and building law.

Hilary, H.jeune@gov.je

Deputy Elaine Millar

My inbox from Trinity residents has been quite quiet recently, although I know that there are things that concern everyone –principally the roads! Hopefully the recent spate of roadworks that caused disruption over the summer are at an end and we await the outcome of the consultation about the traffic calming at the school. Please do get in touch or come along to one of our surgeries if you want to discuss any concerns.

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, of course, 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 out to vote for your senators (and deputies and constable!) in June. The election will be on 7 June, a Sunday, to see if this helps increase voter turnout. The turnout at elections is often good in Trinity 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.

E.Millar@gov.je

Deputy surgeries are held regularly details are on the parish website and available at the parish hall. www.parishoftrinity.je Tel. 865345

Deputies Surgery Dates

WEDNESDAY 10th December 2025

SATURDAY 3rd January 2026

THURSDAY 22nd January 2026

SATURDAY 7th February 2026

WEDNESDAY 25th February 2026

SATURDAY 7th March 2026

WEDNESDAY 25th March 2026

SATURDAY 4th April 2026

St. Lawrence Parish Hall 6pm - 7:30pm

Acorn Café 11am - 12pm

Trinity Parish Hall 6pm - 7:30pm

Acorn Café 11am - 12pm

St. John Parish Hall 6pm - 7pm

Acorn Café 11am - 12pm

St. Lawrence Parish Hall 6pm - 7:30pm

Acorn Café 11am - 12pm

A bumper Harvest Celebration at Trinity School!

The children at Trinity school were once again full of excitement for their annual Harvest celebration at the end of September. This year, it was decided to hold it in the school hall to allow everyone to come together for the celebration, with the early years children joining in at the end, bringing their food donations and singing along to the all-time favourite songs.

Rpeople in Jersey who are not as lucky as us and who are living in some levels of poverty. The Shelter Trust is a kind charity who can help these people, and everyone’s donations will make a real difference.

This charity was established over 30 years ago, running 8 different sites where people can go and have a bed for the night if they are homeless as well as making sure that no one goes hungry. All the songs we sing at Harvest time have a meaning; the harvest of love tells us about how there are people who don’t have any food and that are hungry – the Shelter Trust helps people by providing food and shelter.

everend Houghton and members of The Shelter Trust came to join in with the songs, the prayers and to hear each class’s presentation. The headteacher, Mrs McMahon, led the assembly and then Year 5 shared their Harvest thanks and their Harvest hand wreaths, Year 3 sang an action song, ‘Turn, turn’, Year 1 shared their lovely harvest art work, Year 4 recited their poem, Year 2 read a harvest prayer that they had written and Year 6 presented the information they had researched about the charity ‘The Shelter Trust’.

Every year, the children and staff donate cans and packets of food to the charity, and it was important that the children know why we do this. Here is some of the information that Ronan, Isaura, Ella and Evelyn wrote to raise awareness.

‘The Shelter Trust is a charity that helps people in Jersey that are homeless, need a place to sleep or who are vulnerable in some way. We live in a wealthy, safe island however there are

The trust provides food, support and advice for around 125 people every night in Jersey. It is not just the care at night, they also provide support during the day such as counselling, helping people become independent, supporting with money

Year 2 with their Harvest donations for The Shelter Trust.

Harvest artwork by Year 1

Harvest wreaths created by Year 5.

difficulties, health issues, offering shower facilities, and have an open-door policy where people can come in for a cup of tea and a chat.

The Shelter Trust is the leading charity for the support of the homeless in Jersey. Last year, the Shelter Trust helped over 500 different individuals; they support people from age 16 years to 74 years, and last year they provided over one hundred thousand meals to people in need! Ways that you could help are by donating food such as our collection as well as looking at the Wishlist they have on their website which will go to supporting those in need. We thank everyone for their donations and for supporting such an important charity in our island.’

Trinity PTA

As I write this article, we have just had our AGM and I am delighted that our wonderful committee are continuing to stand this year. A huge thank you to all those members who have given their time and support to the PTA in the past.

We have an exciting term ahead with autumn favourites such as our school disco and pumpkin competition plus some festive activities and fundraising around Christmas.

Whilst we enjoy all the fun events that we run for the children, I want to take the opportunity to remind you about our second-hand uniform provision. This was a significant project last year as we moved uniform storage into a new shed on the school grounds. We take uniform donations, sort it, bag it, label it and store it in boxes so that we can then run organised uniform sales on a monthly basis.

It’s a great way for school uniform to be affordable for parents, is environmentally sustainable and raises much needed funds for the PTA too. Many thanks to all those who help with this great initiative. Sales are held on the first Friday of every month from 2.30-3.00 p.m. in the school playground so if you need an item of uniform or would like to donate something please come along.

A Harvest prayer written by Year 2

All the children in the school came together for the Harvest celebration.

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.

Christmas is Coming

By the time this Tattler edition is out, you probably won’t need reminding that Christmas is almost upon us. Whilst writing this in September, some people are busy making preparations. Word has it that there is a public house in town which already has a Christmas tree installed to welcome its patrons.

Mike and Sarah Greenwood at Woodside Farmshop are looking forward to the great atmosphere in their shop during the festive season and to helping people choose their perfect tree — once decorated it will almost certainly by common consensus, be decided the best one they had ever had. And one is spoiled for choice - six sizes will be available, from 4 feet up to 10 feet, as well as smaller ones with roots “fir potted” if you prefer.

Mike explained that his trees are a Nordmann Premium Fir, a type of spruce grown as a sustainable crop in the UK, which is the most popular variety due to its dark green colour, symmetrical shape, needle retention and strong branches - making it ideal for all members of the family to decorate.

One thing to bear in mind, should you plant a rooted specimen in the garden, the species ‘Abies Nordmanniana’ is the tallest European native tree and that some in the Western Caucasus Reserve near the Black Sea have been reported to grow to over 250 feet tall.

If you wish, you can coincide choosing your tree whilst enjoying complimentary wine tasting, canapés and mince pies on Saturday 29th November from 12.30 to 3.30pm. Just remember that the stock of about 500 trees is likely to be sold out well before Christmas Eve, the choice therefore diminishes the closer you get to Christmas.

Mike will also arrange delivery free of charge Island wide. This offer is wise to consider. Sarah was once helping a customer to load one of the taller trees through the tail gate into his car. The request “to give it one last resulted in the stump breaking through the windscreen! Happily, the customer returned to buy a tree the following year.

Bringing greenery into the home at Christmas is a longstanding tradition. Since medieval times holly and ivy have carried Christian symbolism, holly’s red berries symbolising the blood Jesus shed on the cross and ivy, eternal life as the plant remains forever green. Hence traditional wreaths are placed on the graves of loved ones at Christmas and also hung on front doors. Making one’s own wreath is a rewarding thing to do and the Northern Parishes have taken up Trinity Battle of Flowers Association’s popular fundraising wreath making fun events at the parish hall (see the article in this edition for more information). Should you not have the time or inclination to make your own, then Liz and Louisa at the flower stall at Woodside Farm Shop are happy to help and will also make bespoke wreaths to your design should you so wish.

Another traditional green plant which might adorn the home at Christmas is, of course, mistletoe. Strangely, mistletoe does not seem to thrive in Jersey, unlike in France. Despite the efforts of the writer over several years, not one berry carefully placed in the bark of an apple or a poplar tree has propagated, nor is there evidence of mistletoe growing locally anywhere to be seen. Unsurprisingly, the French market shortly before Christmas provides a reliable supply. However, given modern sensibilities, perhaps hanging bunches of mistletoe in likely places is no longer either fashionable or desirable. Maybe the tradition has always been a hazard, as Rowan Carrick’s children’s rhyme

“My cheeks are all slimy with her saliva, Why did they have to invite Aunt Jemima?”

Happy Christmas one and all!

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

Winter Warmer

Once again, the Parish are contributing to the Shelter Trust’s annual soup kitchen, being held in December 2025. Jamie Rowntree, Executive Chef at Durrell has created this special recipe (which was served at this year’s Liberation Supper) and will oversee the preparation and cooking in the Parish Hall.

Preparing for last year’s entry

Easy Sweet Potato & Red Lentil Soup (Makes 4 servings)

• 3 large peeled and diced sweet potato.

• 1 cup red lentils

• 1 tin coconut milk

• Veg stock paste or cubes

• Water

• Half a table spoon paprika powder

• Salt & white pepper to taste

Method

• Mix veg stock with a little hot water.

• In a large pot, add the veg stock mix and potato.

• Add water until sweet potato is almost covered.

• Add paprika.

• Bring to the boil then simmer until potato is soft.

• Add the coconut milk and blend until very smooth.

• Check consistency of liquid, it must not be too thin or too thick, add more water if necessary.

• Add the red lentils and simmer until they are soft.

• Add salt and white pepper to taste. Enjoy

Jersey

As we wrap up another fun-filled term, here’s a look at what each section has been up to and a few exciting things coming up!

SQUIRRELS

Our Squirrels are now at full capacity and have been very busy. They recently enjoyed a visit to Waitrose in Vallée des Vaux to learn about Fairtrade. Next up, they are heading to the library to discover how to look after books.

BEAVERS

Beavers are focusing on health and fitness this term. They’ll be learning how to look after themselves by eating healthy foods, cleaning their teeth properly, and keeping active. A camp is also on the horizon – we’ll share more about that in the next edition.

CUBS

Cubs have been learning all about energy – how much we use at home, what can be recycled, and how recycling makes a difference. They are also working on conservation and will soon be heading to the zoo for a very special sleepover to learn about the endangered species cared for by Durrell.

SCOUTS

Scouts have been working hard on health and fitness. Over the past six weeks they have pushed themselves with bleep tests, star jumps, burpees, and press-ups, and we’ve seen huge improvements. Our older Scouts are currently out on their expedition to find all the dolmens on the island – we’ll share photos in the next edition.

GROUP NEWS

Our young people had an amazing trip to the Isle of Wight in the summer. Visiting a PGL Centre, #369 scouts had an amazing time. As a group, we are looking forward to some special events, including the hamper delivery to Les Maison Cabot in December, the Harvest Festival at Holy Trinity Church, and the Remembrance Service. As always, it’s a full and exciting programme at the 6th Jersey Scouts.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!

We are looking for new volunteers to join our team. If you have time to give and want to give back to your community, please get in touch at glv6th@scouts.org.je. Your support will make a real difference.

Urban Legends

Urban

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Minimum 30% tree canopy cover in every neighbourhood.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beautiful magnolia tree at St Joseph’s

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

A stunning old tree in La Motte Street

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

Trinity Household recycling collection 2026

This guide explains how to use the Trinity household recycling collection. A collection planner is included so you know when your recycling will be collected. Every home in Trinity 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

Commercial Glass Collected as normal

Thursday 25 Dec 2025 Recycling Collected Saturday 27 Dec 2025

Friday 26 Dec 2025 Recycling Collected Saturday 27 Dec 2025

Friday 26 Dec 2025

New Year Week 2025 / 2026

Commercial Refuse Collected Saturday 27 Dec 2025

Monday 29 Dec 2025 Refuse Collected as normal

Tuesday 30 Dec 2025 Refuse Collected as normal

Tuesday 30 Dec 2025

Friday 02 Jan 2026

Commercial Glass Collected as normal

Commercial Refuse Collected 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 Thu 22/01/2026 Fri 23/01/2026

Glass & Recycling Thu 26/02/2026 Fri 27/02/2026

Glass & Recycling Thu 26/03/2026 Fri 27/03/2026

Glass & Recycling Thu 23/04/2026 Fri 24/04/2026

Glass & Recycling Thu 28/05/2026 Fri 29/05/2026

Glass & Recycling Thu 25/06/2026 Fri 26/06/2026

Glass & Recycling Thu 23/07/2026 Fri 24/07/2026

Glass & Recycling Thu 27/08/2026 Fri 28/08/2026

Glass & Recycling Thu 24/09/2026 Fri 25/09/2026

Glass & Recycling Thu 22/10/2026 Fri 23/10/2026

Glass & Recycling Thu 26/11/2026 Fri 27/11/2026

Glass & Recycling Wed 23/12/2026 Thu 24/12/2026

All refuse, recycling and glass out before 5am please

For more information, visit gov.je/recycling

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

Recycling in Jersey MythBusters

Myth

FAct !

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

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

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

FAct !

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

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

FAct !

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

Myth You should leave metal lids on jars and bottles

FAct !

Myth Glass can go in general waste orenergy recovery.

FAct !

Myth

FAct !

Metal lids and tops should be removed and placed with your household metal recycling. Glass can damage the Energy Recovery Facility , leading to costly repairs. It must be recycled properly.

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

Worth a Second Chance

by Jennifer Bridge

Jersey Repair Café was delighted to visit Trinity Parish Hall for its latest event, part of our aim to visit every parish during a two-year cycle. From the moment we collected the key, we received an exceptionally warm welcome.

Volunteer repairers were eager to see what intriguing items would appear for repair –from cassette players and torn clothes to faulty toasters, secateurs, and even an ancient telescope. It was a pleasure to meet Josie, editor of the Trinity Tattler, whose broken lamp was repaired on the spot – shining a little brighter by the end of the session.

The Repair Café movement is rooted in the belief that keeping items in use, cutting waste, and sharing practical skills helps build stronger communities. At Trinity, the hall quickly filled with the sound of conversation, laughter, and

live music. As cakes were sliced and mugs of tea poured, volunteer fixers not only brought wellloved belongings back to life but also offered advice to help owners care for them in the future. Every repair carried a story – of resourcefulness, collaboration, and the simple joy of mending rather than discarding.

By the end of the morning, new friendships had formed, repairers had exchanged techniques, and several household treasures had been spared a trip to La Collette. The event was about much more than repairs; it celebrated sustainability, resilience, and shared pride in our island’s ingenuity.

The Jersey Repair Café team thanks Trinity Parish Hall and everyone who joined us. We look forward to returning soon – with more tools, more tea, and more repairs.

Note from Editor: Taking my lamp to the Repair Café was a most enjoyable experience. Everyone was friendly and keen to help. Jennifer helped to ensure everything was run efficiently and there was a nice ambience in the hall. Now that my lamp is fixed I shall think twice before taking another broken item to the dump and keep it to take to the next Repair Café instead.

Josie

On the mend The sign outside

Josie with her broken lamp

The Festive Spirit

What makes a good local during the winter months? Great food? A buzzing atmosphere? A roaring fire? Warming drinks?

Well, our local, the Trinity Arms, has all of the above, and more, in abundance! Not needing any excuse to go to the pub (!!) I popped in and had a chat with the manageress, Carolina to find out what preparations were underway for the festive season.

Karolina has worked at the Trinity Arms for the last 16 years and many of the friendly staff have also been there some time. The talented head chef, Tomas, has worked for the Liberation Group for over ten years and his expertise in the kitchen is clearly a winner with all who come to eat at the pub.

I started by asking Karolina about what will be on offer on the menu? Apart from the traditional roast turkey and all the trimmings there will be a huge array of mouthwatering dishes to tempt you. Baked fillet of cod with slow roasted fennel for instance or butternut squash carpaccio with smoked chilli jam followed by sticky figgy pudding or winter spiced rice pudding. The Christmas Day menu has so many choices that you might have to stay all day to try them all. The festive party menu will be available from mid-November or if you prefer, you might want to try a festive afternoon tea for a change. Karolina said that of all the different dishes available the turkey pie is the firm favourite every year.

There has been a Christmas display on the table near the door since the beginning of September but the rest of the decorations will go up in mid-November. The pub is closed early one Sunday evening and all the staff have a party whilst decorating both the main area and the pergola outside. Now a permanent feature, the pergola is hugely popular with customers. Extra heating has been added to ensure everyone is kept warm during the winter nights and the lights and decorations in there will add a wonderful atmosphere to any event.

Talking of events, Karolina and her staff like to hold special themed nights such as the Halloween party, now in its third year. Children can melt marshmallows in the fire pit and watch a film out in the pergola. Happy hour drinks around the fire pit will be on offer to tempt people once they have done their late-night Christmas shopping in town and more film nights are being planned.

Karolina says the most favourite part of her job is seeing people coming together enjoying each other’s company over a drink or a delicious meal. Because of the play area outside, the pub is very popular with families and even dogs are catered for with a menu especially for them. Bookings for the festive season are filling up fast so make sure you get yours in, to avoid disappointment.

Trinity NEWS

As always, members have enjoyed an interesting and varied programme of events since last writing.

Philip Johnson came and told us about growing Jersey Cabbage sticks. He and his wife Jackie started growing cabbage sticks over thirty years ago, as they were keen to keep the tradition of making the Jersey walking sticks going. Philip explained that the growing cycle takes three years from start to finish. Once they are cut and dried, he sizes them, Jackie sands them down and he then finishes them off at both ends and places a crest near or on the top. Country File visited Jersey in 2010 and included them in their programme but these days they just make a few sticks for special presents and retirements

Nineteen Trinity W.I. members enjoyed afternoon tea at Ransoms for our August Summer outing. There was so much delicious food to eat that several members asked for boxes to take home which the restaurant willingly supplied.

Another guest speaker, Brian Stuttard recounted his work with Jersey Overseas Aid focusing mainly on his work in Peru. In 2003 after an earthquake, a working party was needed and as he was already planning a world tour which included Ecuador, he asked for a team to join him. They worked in an orphanage for fifty deaf children who needed vital health care and accommodation which the nuns could not afford. One of the team, who spoke perfect South American, interpreted for them and through contacts in Jersey the money and medicines were obtained. One of the most moving memories Brian has had was when the children danced for them as a thank you.

Trinity W.I. members also meet together for monthly breakfasts and lunches and weekly walks. The Federation also provides other activities for members island wide to join in.

Sheila Le Var and Daphne Le Herissier trying out cabbage walking sticks

Summer outing lunch at Ransoms

TrinityMinis Trinity Youth Club

Polished boots, muddy kits and referee whistles, the 2025/2026 has kicked off and is already in full swing.

Trinity minis and juniors are back in training and have already played their first few games. After a dryish summer, September rain has turned Riley field dark green and every Sunday morning it is busy with activity. A new season means new equipment, and with money raised from last season, together with updated subscriptions, the club has invested in a fresh batch of footballs of all sizes, for all ages.

Coaches have been busy over the summer plotting drills, formations and set pieces and there is a great level of energy about the new season. Emphasising team work, skills and fitness, the players of all ages have been practising for matches to be played over the course of the next 9 months.

Work continues on the proposed development of the new clubhouse which will help the club improve its facilities and ability to host future tournaments and all-weather training facilities. Fund raising events will ‘kick off’ shortly which will hopefully help bring in some much-needed cash to the club. Trinity Football Club is looking for a new sponsor so if you can help with this or any other support we would love to hear from you.

www.trinityfootballclub.com/minis-teams

Here is some of what we have been up to over the summer!

BIG WATER FIGHTS!

COMMUNITY SPORTS

Archery, Golf, Zorbs

SUMMER DROP IN

Shell Painting, Clay modelling, 40/40 Championships

Our young volunteers are currently busy organising the upcoming “Yoscars”. A young person award evening to celebrate all the amazing work they do! We look forward to rewarding their commitment to our youth club and the community with some well-deserved recognition.

Trinity Youth Club offer a wide range of activities such as sports, arts & crafts, music, and much more – all in a safe, supportive environment. Whether you're into sports, games, or just hanging out, there's something here for you!

Tuesdays 7 - 9pm Seniors – Year 9+

Thursdays 6:30 - 8:30pm Juniors – Years 5&6 Fridays 7 - 9pm Inters – Years 7&8

So, if you’re looking for a place to make new friends, discover your passions, and have a blast, please don’t hesitate to contact Jamie Gray – jamiegray@jys.je

Winter at Trinity Manor Estate

This year has been an exceptionally good year for Acorns at Trinity Manor so called a Mast year, which occurs every 3-5 years, when certain tree species produce an unusually large crop of fruit and nuts. The gardeners have been collecting Acorns from the estate to contribute to Acorn Enterprises – Annual Acorn Appeal.

Amongst the varied selection of specimen trees that we have here at Trinity Manor, there are some that really come into their own in the wintertime. For example, Myrtle communis looks spectacular in the winter sunshine which highlights its cinnamon bark, Betula pendula (silver birch), and the majestic Quercus suber (Cork Oak).

Trees that came down in storm Ciaran were used to construct a natural feature in the Bosque. This structure creates a natural habitat, a home and a food supply for wildlife and it has been used by busy bees this year.

A less structured habitat pile is created with broken branches and twigs, perfect for hibernating hedgehogs.

Winter jobs in the more formal gardens on the estate include planting 100’s of spring bulbs, along with bare rooted wallflowers. In November this year, we will be planting 15 different varieties of Tulipa in tones of Peach, Apricot, Pink and Purple to create an analogous colour harmony, and hopefully producing a warm sunset effect. We prefer to plant tulips as late as possible as planting into the cold ground gives better results.

Another very important winter job is making sure that we have our seed order in on time, so that we get the varieties of herbaceous perennial seeds we need to sow in early Spring in order to successfully create our planting schemes for the year.

Enjoy the season!

Jane Fraser

Head Gardener at Trinity Manor.

Betula pendula Myrtle communis

Quercus suber

Tony and Luis – two of our gardeners at Trinity Manor

Analogous Colour Harmony

PARISH Gallery

John Moulin eyeing up the cakes

Some of the poppies ready for the display

Trinity parish hall placed second in the Island Garden competition for the best decorated parish hall

John Richardson pulling the first pint at the Trinity Arms in December 1979 (Photo courtesy of the JEP)

Trinity Scouts enjoying the tractor ride after the Harvest Festival

And this lovely pair, Anne Pryke and Jill Keogh

Phil & Fred Benest walking Le Chemin de Quatre Pieds

...in the nature garden

Andy Jehan & Phil Le Sueur walk together on Le Chemin de Quatre Pieds

Child's play ...

Three DiaryDates One in Club

With winter fast approaching and the weather changing we tend to see a slight decrease in our attendance numbers with members preferring to stay home in the warm and dry.

We do continue with our scheduled activities for those brave enough to venture out and look forward to welcoming SwingStyle to our 6th November meeting and to holding our annual Christmas lunch on 6th December. For this year’s lunch we are heading to the Sommerville Hotel as our much-loved usual place, La Place has closed its restaurant doors. We are excited by the menu offered to us by the Sommerville and to the change of location - we will be sure to let Santa know that we will be at a different location!

The Committee will be meeting shortly to set the diary for 2026. If you are a member who would like to see something in particular scheduled or are someone who believes could offer us an interesting 45 minutes of your time as a guest speaker, then please do get in touch by either contacting our Chairperson, Angela Le Sueur on 864198 or by emailing our Social events Co-ordinator, Karen at Karen.shatford@ parishoftrinity.je

The Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the 3 in 1 Club during 2025. Without it we wouldn't be able to run our monthly club –which we know means so much to our members. We also thank all of our members for their continued participation, without whom there would not be a 3 in 1 Club.

Wishing everyone health & happiness over the winter months.

Sunday 30th November

6pm Trinity Church

Advent Candlelit Carol Service

Sunday 7th December

9.30am Trinity Church

Children’s Christingle Service

Sunday 7th December 10.30am Ebenezer Deck the Halls' Service

Sunday 7th December

5pm Parish Hall

Christmas Lights switch on with special guest arriving

Sunday 14th December 10.30am Ebenezer Pantivity

Thursday 18th December 6pm Meet at Parish Hall Nativity Journey at the Rectory

Sunday 21st December

10.30am Ebenezer Carol Service

Sunday 21st December

6pm Trinity Church Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Wednesday 24th December 11.30pm Trinity Church Midnight Mass

Thursday Christmas Day 10.30pm Trinity Church Nativity & Holt Communion Service

Sunday 4th January ‘26 10.30am Ebenezer

Covenant Service & Festival of Light & Water

Sunday 11th January ‘26

11am Trinity Church Plough Sunday Service

Northern Battle of Flowers Christmas Wreath Making also being held at the Parish Hall on 30th November & 1st, 4th & 5th December – contact Anita allchin@ gmail.com. A night time parade through the village is also planned – see details on social media

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

www.jec.co.uk/thebigupgrade

La Rue de la Croix Au Maitre

JERSEY ZOO launches plastics project

Sensational Celebration in honour of Gerald Durrell

On Saturday 27 September, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust hosted its much-anticipated Founder’s Ball and raised a phenomenal £251,061 on the evening.

The ball was hosted in memory of inspirational and pioneering conservationist Gerald Durrell and was the latest event in the Trust’s GD100 celebrations, marking the year in which Durrell would have celebrated his 100th birthday. Taking place at the Royal Jersey Showground, the venue was completely transformed, taking the 320 guests on a whirlwind tour and celebration of Durrell’s life.

On arrival, guests were invited into a pop-up library, where Dr Lee Durrell signed copies of Gerald Durrell’s famous books The evening also featured a sensational performance by world renowned singer, songwriter, actress and television personality Lulu, featuring legendary musical collaborations from her amazing 60-year career. The evening also included performances from luxury events entertainment group Swan Band, magician Infiniti as well as local acts Retro Gramophone and Hayley Wray Aerial.

Most importantly though, the evening raised vital funds for Jersey Zoo, to help it thrive for many years to come. As well as a Silent Auction that went live a few weeks ahead of the ball, there was also a live auction on the evening, hosted by television presenter and antiques and art expert, Natasha Raskin Sharpe. The live auction featured lots such as exclusive naming rights for some of the dens in the new state of the art gorilla house at Jersey Zoo, as well as exclusive hire of the whole zoo site for the day.

Quality Street tubs to sunglasses. DVD covers to pot plants.

Bottle tops to bowls.

They all have one thing in common, and that is that one form of plastic is going to be recycled into another, here in the parish, all to provide work and training for Islanders who have a disability or long-term health condition.

Acorn is now appealing to the public to support the venture by providing the raw materials for the project that will get under way in earnest in the new year. Acorn Training & Development Co-ordinator Martin Jeanne has been instrumental in getting the project off the ground. ‘In 2024 we started working on a Future-Fit model to see where we could make improvements and be more sustainable,’ he said. ‘We identified the need to reuse more plastics from around our own site, repurposing it into a new form, which has a use and can be sold, to generate further income.

‘Thanks to sponsorship from Butterfield Charitable Trust, we have invested in three new machines and several moulds. It will provide a variety of opportunities for clients helping sort plastic into different colours, washing the plastic and melting it into various shapes.’

Acorn is appealing to the public to donate clean plastic bottle tops and chocolate tubs (Quality Street, Roses, Celebrations and Roses are all appropriate). Collection points are at Acorn and its café, and schools and community groups are encouraged to get involved.

For further information, check Acorn Enterprises on Facebook.

FACTBOX

• Only 9% of all plastic produced is recycled.

• Every minute of every day, a truckload of plastic is dumped into the ocean.

• 73% of beach litter worldwide is plastic.

• One million plastic bottles are bought every minute.

• Almost every piece of plastic ever made still exists today.

ATD Co-ordinator Martin Jeanne with some prototype flowerpots made from recycled plastic

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

Trinity Petanque Trinity Bowls Club

When the Trinity pétanque team was first set up, it was a matter of make do and mend as the original members were expected to learn the rules as they played. Now, with over ten years of experience at playing, we are pleased to pass on our knowledge. Recently, for example, we gave a group of wellbehaved Trinity cub scouts, all smartly dressed in full uniform, some tuition.

Trinity was one of Jersey’s eight parishes twinned with Normandy that took part in the Jeux InterJumelages pétanque competition at Grouville. To their delight they emerged the winners with Grouville the runners up. Besides being presented with the cup, which is proudly displayed in the Parish Hall, the team members each won a gold medal. One team member, Alan Dunford recalls that there was much cheering when the results were given at the evening dinner as these had not been announced beforehand.

As part of the French Festival in July, an Inter Parish pétanque competition was held at the Weighbridge terrain. The competition involved teams of triples playing four timed one-hour games each. It was an extremely hot day and the refreshments, including French cidre, proved very tempting! All parishes contributed cakes and savouries and these were much appreciated.

Trinity put in a great performance winning two of their four games against St Helier and St Ouen. The other games against St Lawrence and St Brelade, ended up tied after the hour which resulted in one extra end being played. Unfortunately, Trinity just failed to win on both of these occasions. At the end of the afternoon the winning trophy was presented to St. Brelade by Deputy Montfort Tadier, St. Lawrence came second and Trinity took seventh place overall.

Throughout September club members have taken part in a new competition devised by our Secretary, Norman Cabot.

Members were drawn into teams of three and matches between the teams consisted of a singles and then a doubles game with each team leader deciding who would play in which format. At the end of the tournament there was a tie for first place but the better shot difference was clearly held by the team led by Angela Otterwell. Her fellow team members were Carol Bisson and Denis Pallot. The members of the winning team will be the first ever recipients of the Phil Smith Memorial Trophy kindly donated by Barry le Brun in memory of a popular club member who passed away earlier this year.

Following a suggestion by the Chairman, the Committee agreed to have a plaque placed on the display board standing in the Queen’s Canopy Wood in the Glebe Field adjacent to the Parish Hall (see photo) in memory of all previous club members.

As we move into Autumn and Winter we begin our usual range of friendly competitions for singles, pairs and triples. Club members are also preparing for the popular coffee morning with all the usual stalls to be held in the Parish Hall and looking forward to our Christmas Draw night when we will enjoy an evening of friendship, food, music and fun quizzes.

We have recently been delighted to welcome several new members to the club but we are always pleased to see more people come and join us. For further information please contact the Chairman, Alan Otterwell 07797 766969 or the Secretary, Norman Cabot 01534 861413

Two of the Pairs teams in the new competition

The Plaque to Past Members

Alan Dunford

Phil & Angela

ONE DIABETES DIAGNOSIS EVERY DAY IN JERSEY

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

Why does this happen?

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

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

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

Today managing Type 1 diabetes with insulin injections is commonplace.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book your appointment today:

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

The Importance of Flu and COVID-19 Vaccinations

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

Why Vaccination is Crucial

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

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

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

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

Vaccine Safety

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

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

Professor Peter Bradley Director of Public Health

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

Prof. Bradley stresses.

Understanding Vaccine Fatigue

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

Defending Our Island Community

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

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

It’s Never Too Late

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

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

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

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.

Route 10 Keeps Islanders Moving From Zoo to Coast

Since its launch on the 27th of May LibertyBus’s new Route 10 cross-island service has seen encouraging levels of use, with passenger numbers growing week on week.

Over the first eight weeks of operation (26 May – 14 July), Route 10 averaged at around 70 passengers per week. To allow more people to use the service the operating times were extended mid-July and we have seen a 108% increase in the busiest week.

The busiest period came in mid-August, when the summer holidays and tourist season brought even more passengers on board. This seasonal surge highlights how route 10 is not only a useful service for residents who live close to its operating routes, but also visitors exploring the island.

Beyond the summer peak, Route 10 has quickly built a base of regular bus users relying on it for healthcare, fitness, shopping and easier access to other beautiful parts of the island.

Residents have welcomed the direct link to the Airport, Red Houses and Enid Quenault Health Centre from the northern parts of the island, saving them having to get two buses and a significantly extended journey.

The timetable for the Route 10 remains the same in the coming winter months. LibertyBus will continue to monitor and review the routes performance, hoping that the increasing awareness about the route will continue to grow its regular ridership.

The route is operating for a trial until the end of May 2026, and any necessary changes will be made following the trial period.

La Rue de Douet du Rue, St Lawrence, JE3 1GY

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

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

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

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

. 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 Trinity and surrounds in 2025

Celebrations Brightly 100 Years

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

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

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

Saying Goodbye After 46 Years

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

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

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

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

For more information contact Wendy@brightly.je

Be Safe, Be Seen Road Safety Week 2025

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

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

School Assemblies

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

Moped & Motorcycle Checks

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

Motorist Engagement

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

Online Campaign

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

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

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

RBC flying flags for Brightly in 2025

Allision le Blancq – retiring after 46 years

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

Trinity Parish Calendar 2026

An ideal Christmas gift for family and friends, including those who live away and those in other parishes!

PRICE £8, AVAILABLE FROM Woodside Farm Shop, The Parish Hall, The RJA&HS office at the Royal Jersey Showground.

Each month highlights the stunning rural and coastal scenery of the parish through the seasons and includes useful parish information, contact details and dates of events for each month.

A donation from the sale proceeds will be made to the Northern Parishes' Battle of Flowers Association and go towards the cost of its junior and senior floats for the summer and Christmas parades.

The association brings together the communities of Trinity, St John and St Martin and their friends for everything from monthly social and fund raising events to the construction and decoration of the floats.

A ordable driving with a Honda

Honda

Honda

Battleof Flowers Association

One of the Northern Parishes' main fund raisers 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 November 30 and December 1st, 4th and 5th, all starting at 7.30pm. There will be expert, stepby-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 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 or coffee, will all be provided.

The cost per person is just £45. If you are interested, please contact the secretary, Anita Allchin on email anita.allchin@gmail.com or telephone 725998 or 07797 717452 letting her know your preferred date.

Groundwork in Trinity

As mentioned in the previous edition, Regen Gathering 2025 was held at Le Tâcheron Farm at the beginning of September. With nearly 1,000 participants, Regen is an annual gathering that celebrates the best of Jersey food and farming, while showing how rural communities can become beacons of innovation, hope and prosperity in the modern world.

NThis year, there will hopefully be a town Christmas parade. We would plan to take our small float and in addition, we also hope to repeat last year's tour of Le Grand Clos and Les Maison Cabot and possibly 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.

ow in its third year, this free event aims to inspire islanders and organisations to recognise farmers and rural enterprises as central to Jersey’s future economy, health, longevity and resilience. It also highlights the challenges farmers and suppliers face in the production and distribution of food, ensuring that sustainability, biodiversity, profitability and longterm health remain at the core of business decisions for the future. Better Farming means Better Food was uppermost in everyone’s mind.

The message is clear: now is the time to step forward—whether by supporting local initiatives or by starting something new.

Live demonstrations, lively discussions and thought-provoking presentations meant that attendees had plenty to consider. Tractor rides and stalls also gave people the chance to move around the farm, meeting up with old friends and making new ones.

The weather was hot and sunny, which also brought to the fore discussions about the challenges farmers face due to climate change. Adapting to the climate crisis by farming more regeneratively is more important now than ever, and raising public awareness of how vital our food system is to both health and the environment plays a huge part in this.

If you did not attend Regen Gathering 2025, be sure to make a note in your diary for next year: 11th and 12th September 2026.

Some of the beautiful wreaths made at last year's workshops

Step by step guidance will be given by Beverley Barette

Everything is provided including foliage

Trinity Tuning!

Did you know that Jersey has a new piano tuner and he lives right here in Trinity?

Mapstone Piano Services was established earlier this year and has already worked on a wide variety of different pianos across the island, from hotels to churches, schools, a care home, private homes and even the beautiful antique Steinway piano at Samares Manor.

in the Municipality of Trinity 2025/2026

As mentioned in Phil’s piece on page 5, there are several positions within the municipality coming up in the next few months.

Tim Mapstone, who lives at Le Grand Clos with his wife, Helen, completed his Diploma in Piano Tuning and Repair at the Piano Tuning Academy in Newport, South Wales under the tutelage of Robert King, an extremely talented and experienced piano technician and tutor. Tim has also been a professional musician for over 30 years, the last 17 of which he has spent living in Jersey and playing guitar and bass guitar in various bands, so his face might be familiar if you enjoy live music!

Tim offers a range of services to keep your piano working at its best, including piano tuning pitch raising, restoration, repair and French polishing. Having spent most of his life tuning guitar strings, Tim has a well-trained ear for accurate pitch and tonal quality, as well as an excellent musical knowledge. Ideally acoustic pianos should be tuned every 6-12 months to keep them in optimum condition. However, if a piano is new or has been moved, you may need to get it tuned more regularly. As there hasn’t been a locally based piano tuner for a while, Tim has been doing a lot of repair and restoration recently alongside the tunings!

For further information, visit Mapstone Piano Service’s website mps.je where you can also find contact details.

If any one of the vacancies listed below are of interest to you, please contact the office at the parish hall –865345 or parishhall@parishoftrinity.je

DECEMBER 2025

Rates Assessor 1 Post

FEBRUARY 2026

Vingtenier 1 Post

Constable’s Officer 1 Post

MARCH 2026

Procureur 1 Post Centenier 1 Post

JUNE 2026

Connétable 1 Post Deputies 3 Posts (Constituency of St John, St Lawrence & Trinity)

AUGUST 2026

Vingtenier 1 Post

Constable’s Officer 1 Post

DECEMBER 2026

Centenier 1 Post

Rates Assessor 2 Post

Roads Committee Member 3 Post

Roads Inspector 10 Post

In addition to the above two vacancies for Constable’s Officer, there are currently an additional four vacancies. Election dates for all vacancies will be published in the online gazette and on the Parish website www.parishoftrinity.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