Summary

  • Updates from Monday 30 April until Friday 4 May 2018

Live Reporting

  1. Jersey charity wants dedicated 'Civil Society Minister'

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    A charity is calling for Jersey to have a minister responsible for the island's voluntary and community organisations.

    The Jersey Community Partnership (JCP), which is an independent and non-profit organisation led by members of the business community, wants a Civil Society Minister in the States.

    Charity tin

    In a survey, the charity found there were more than 500 voluntary or community groups in the island, generating more than £80m a year.

    It also found more than 11,000 people volunteer their time.

    In terms of building trust, a spokesperson for the JCP said Jersey is decades behind other jurisdictions - with the island's charities regulation law only coming into force this year.

  2. Widow has reservations over assisted dying in Guernsey

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    A Guernsey resident who accompanied her husband to the Swiss clinic Dignitas said she has reservations about the attempt to legalise assisted dying in the island

    Christine Smedley's husband Peter suffered from motor neurone disease and - aged 71 - decided he no longer wished to live.

    Mrs Smedley says she supports the concept of assisted dying but questions the way in which it's being presented for the States to debate.

    There are so many legal issues which are incredibly complicated which even Britain is having difficulty dealing with, so I think we're rather ill-advised to start trying to spend 18 months trying to sort this out. I think it would be much better if we waited until Britain did it, and then there was a precedent and we could take from that instead of wasting a lot of States' time.

    Christine Smedley

  3. Guernsey's Liberation Day schedule released

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    The schedule for Guernsey's Liberation Day on 9 May has been released.

    There is the usual mix of new events and old traditions:

    • Meet the Film Star, 10:00 - 13:00 at Guernsey Airport: "Fresh from 'landing' a starring role in the new movie, 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society', a stunning Dakota C47 Sky Train will be visiting Guernsey for a special one-off debut"
    • The Homefront Marquee, 12:15 - 17:00 at Crown Pier: "For those wanting to steep themselves in the nostalgic sounds of the 1940s, a special treat for the 2018 Liberation Celebrations will be a performance by Revival UK of their unique production The Songs That Won The War that will be interspersed with the unmissable big band swing sounds of the Glen Miller Sound of The Elastic Band."
    • Festiva's Liberation Spring Prom, 19:00 St James: "Welcome everyone to a night of quite unashamedly patriotic music with Blake’s ‘Jerusalem’, Elgar’s ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ and ‘Rule Britannia’ floating through the doors of Guernsey’s premier concert and celebration venue, which marks its bicentenary in 2018."
    Liberation Day parade

  4. Weekend call-outs for marine ambulance

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    In a busy weekend for St John, Guernsey's marine ambulance was dispatched to Herm on Friday to treat a man with an arm injury.

    The team was alerted just after 18:00, and arrived back in Guernsey with the patient an hour later.

    Having initially been treated by first aid in Herm, the man later went to the A&E at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

    The Flying Christine was also called to Sark on Saturday as a man needed medical treatment.

    An ambulance crew travelled on the Flying Christine just after 18:00 to assess the patient, who was then taken back to Guernsey and transported straight to A&E.

    Flying Christine IIISt John

  5. Ville Baudu has a 15mph limit this week

    BBC Radio Guernsey

    The Ville Baudu, in the Vale, Guernsey, will be "partially obstructed" from tomorrow morning at 09:00 whilst scaffolding is put up at a property in the road.

    Traffic will be able to pass in both directions, but there will be a temporary speed limit of 15mph.

    These changes will last until Friday.

  6. Staffing levels 'affecting Jersey tourism'

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    There are fears that Jersey's hotels and restaurants may not be able to serve their customers properly because of a lack of staff.

    Figures show there are more than 200 vacancies in the island's accommodation and catering industries.

    Jersey

    Keith Beecham from Visit Jersey says the vacancies will have an impact on how businesses deal with guests.

    He wants the States to allow more workers to come here to take jobs - because Jersey is expecting an increase in visitors this year.

  8. First ever Over 50s Muratti to take place this year

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    Do your football dreams feel like a thing of the past?

    Have you hung up your shin pads for good?

    Well dust off those football boots from 1994 and get ready for the first ever Over 50s Muratti.

    Jon Welsh and Steve Martin from the Jersey team

    Jon Welsh and Steve Martin from the Jersey team

    The game will be taking place at Springfield in Jersey on 11 May, with the proceeds going to Guernsey and Jersey Cheshire Homes.

    It kicks off at 18:30!

  9. Mixed start for Jersey in Malaysia

    Jersey begin their World Cricket League Division Four campaign with a win and a loss in Malaysia.

    Read More

  11. Tonga's Kolo'ofa'i leaves Jersey Reds

    Jersey Reds' Tonga international back-row Uili Kolo'ofa'i is leaving the Championship the club after three seasons.

    Read More

  12. GDA chief to leave on 10th anniversary

    Twitter

    The Executive Director of the Guernsey Disability Alliance, Karen Blanchford, is leaving her role on the 10th anniversary of the charity's foundation.

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  13. Baroness Grey Thompson: GDA funding issues 'frustrating'

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    The Guernsey Disability Alliance turns 10 years old today.

    To celebrate, it's launching a new funding model to try to raise more money.

    The charity's patron, Paralympic legend Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, said the achievement's of the GDA over the past decade had "inspired" her, but added funding was still an issue, and it needed the support of the public.

    I am totally inspired by the abilities and achievements of the Guernsey Disability Alliance. However, in common with many third sector organisations, the GDA is facing funding issues and these couldn’t come at a more challenging or frustrating time. Having suffered delays, there is now real momentum in the States of Guernsey’s Disability and Inclusion Strategy and it’s vital that disabled people, through the work of the alliance, continue to be consulted and actively involved.

    Baroness Grey-Thompson, Patron, Guernsey Disability Alliance

    Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson

  14. Jersey begin with victory in Malaysia

    Brent Pilnick
    BBC Sport

    Jersey began their World Cricket League Division Four tournament with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Vanuatu in Malaysia.

    Ben StevensICC/Gallo Images

    Ben Stevens starred as he took four wickets for just 12 runs as the Channel Islanders skittled out their opponents for just 104 in 36 overs.

    In reply Jersey reached their target in just 31.1 overs with Nat Watkins making 36 and Nick Ferraby 28 not out on his international debut for the island.

  15. St Paul's win historic fifth successive title

    Brent Pilnick
    BBC Sport

    St Paul's have won a historic fifth successive Jersey Premiership title after beating nearest rivals St Peter 2-1.

    Joe Kilshaw and Jack Boyle's goals earned the title for the reigning Channel Island champions after Luke Campbell had given the western parish side an early lead.

    The win means St Paul's have an unassailable six point lead at the top of the division and will represent Jersey in the Upton next month.

    Jersey PremiershipJersey Football Combination

  16. Freshly-squeezed oil spill training

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    An oil spill training exercise is taking place in Guernsey today.

    The drill will take place until 12:30 on the North Pier of the Bridge, and involves the simulation of a fuel spill using crates of oranges.

    Oranges

    Oil containment booms will be deployed into the harbour and around a tanker to contain the "spill" before the oranges are collected up.

    The exercise is being undertaken by Guernsey Electricity, Guernsey Harbours and Whitaker Tankers - it wont impact the normal use of the pier.

  17. Lieutenant-Governor offers congratulations to royals

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    Guernsey's Lieutenant-Governor has offered "heartfelt congratulations" to the royal family after the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's third child.

    Louis Arthur Charles, who is fifth in line to the throne, was born last week.

    On behalf of everyone in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder wished the family "good health and happiness" in the years ahead.

    The Lieutenant-Governor, the Bailiff of Guernsey, the Chief Minister of Guernsey, the President of the States of Alderney, the Seigneur of Sark and the people of the Bailiwick of Guernsey with humble duty offer to Your Royal Highnesses our joy and heartfelt congratulations on the birth of your third child, Prince Louis Arthur Charles. We wish you and your family good health and happiness in the years ahead.

    His Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir Ian Corder, Guernsey's Lieutenant-Governor

    The royal babyPA

  18. Late tax returns causes 'significant logistical issues'

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    Jersey's tax office is asking islanders to submit their tax returns well before the deadline, as the department struggles to cope with the volume of post.

    Of the 64,000 returns due this year, more than 40,000 are still outstanding.

    As anyone can imagine, physically receiving this volume of post in a week creates significant logistical issues. Aside from Jersey Post, there are very few, if any, local businesses that have to process such a volume of post.

    Richard Summersgill, Comptroller of Taxes

  19. Jersey youth choir through to national finals

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    A choir from Jersey has made it through to the finals of a national singing competition.

    The Musical Originals Singers are competing for Junior Young Choir of the Year, which you can watch on Songs of Praise.

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  20. Majority of tax returns not returned

    BBC Radio Jersey

    With less than a month to go before the deadline, more than 60% of tax returns still haven't been filed in Jersey.

    More than a third of tax returns were filed in the final week last year, while 4,000 people missed the deadline altogether.

    According to the Taxes Office, the earlier you get your return filed, the sooner you can expect your completed assessment.

    The first 30,000 returns submitted should be processed by July.