Channel Islands Live: 21 Decemberpublished at 08:04 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for the Channel Islands
Read MoreSummary
Islands try to shake off 'tax haven' tag
Increase in fly-tipping reports in Jersey
Winds of force seven expected across the islands
Barry Brehaut: 'Take global warming seriously'
Updates on Thursday 20 December 2018
Channel Islands Live: 21 Decemberpublished at 08:04 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
Christmas Lottery draw: Top prize just short of £1mpublished at 17:52 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
The draws takes place at about 18:20 with the numbers published on the States of Jersey, external and States of Guernsey, external websites later.
The top prize stands at £977,184 with more than 80 other prizes up for grabs.
Funds from the Christmas Lottery are shared between the Association of Guernsey Charities and the Association of Jersey Charities.
Aurigny: Gatwick flights diverted to Southamptonpublished at 17:38 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
Rob England
BBC News Online"Widespread disruption" is expected on Friday at Guernsey Airport after ongoing issues at Gatwick Airport.
An Aurigny spokeswoman said the decision had been made to send some flights due for Gatwick to Southampton instead.
Gatwick's runway has been shut since Wednesday night, as drones have been repeatedly flying over the airfield.
About 110,000 passengers on 760 flights were due to fly on Thursday, and officials say disruption could last "several days".
The first three Aurigny flights due to go to Gatwick on Friday will be diverted to Southampton, according to the company.
Quote MessageWe are issuing customers returning to the island with new flight details and would advise people to check-in online to avoid delays in Southampton as resources are tight at the airport."
Aurigny
St Helier by-election calledpublished at 17:36 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
Freddie Miller
BBC Jersey political reporterA by-election has been called in St Helier following the death of a politician.
Deputy Richard Rondel, from St Helier's district three and four, passed away in November.
Image source, States of JerseyApplicants have been asked to register an interest at the town hall on 29 January.
If more than one person is nominated for the vacant seat, parishioners will go to the polls on 27 February.
A new States Assembly was voted in earlier this year.
Gatwick drone issue cancels Jersey flightspublished at 17:20 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
Rob England
BBC News OnlineAll EasyJet and BA flights have been cancelled to Jersey after drones were flown over Gatwick Airport.
However, Ports of Jersey said the British Airways flight from Gatwick at 20:30 may still go ahead.
Gatwick's runway has been shut since Wednesday night as devices were repeatedly flown over the airfield.
The disruption has left tens of thousands of passengers grounded, or diverted to other airports.
Passengers whose flights have been cancelled have been asked not to come to the airport but instead contact their airline for alternative travel arrangements.
Blue Islands has scheduled extra flights from the island to Southampton tomorrow, departing at 09:00 from Jersey, arriving at 09:50.
The return journey departs at 10:20, arriving at 11:10.
Weather: Wet night with strong windspublished at 16:58 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
It will quickly turn cloudy on Thursday evening, with rain spreading from the South West, leading to a wet night.
Towards dawn, skies will start to clear from the West.
Expect fresh to strong South Westerly winds.
Minimum Temperature: 6C (43F).
Jerseyman describes 'chaos' at airport after diversionpublished at 16:55 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
BBC Wales NewsA man trying to fly to Jersey via Gatwick has described "chaos" as his flight was diverted to Cardiff.
John Pugsley, 62, was attempting to fly home from Fuerteventura, but missed his connecting flight at Gatwick as a result of the diversion.
Tens of thousands of passengers have been disrupted by drones flying over the airport, one of the UK's busiest.
Image source, Getty Images"Flybe don't fly from Cardiff to Jersey on Thursdays so I have to wait until tomorrow morning," he said.
"It was chaos at the arrivals hall. There were four or five flights all landing at the same time with just two members of airport staff trying to sort taxis and hotels for hundreds of people."
Gatwick's runway has been shut since Wednesday night, as devices have been repeatedly flying over the airfield.
Sussex Police said it was not terror-related but a "deliberate act" of disruption, using "industrial specification" drones.
More on this story:
'Disorientated' birds found dead in townpublished at 16:54 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
Bird experts say offices lights at night might be attracting woodcocks to built up areas of St Helier.
Read More'Worst time of year' for Gatwick closure to happenpublished at 16:17 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
Hayley Westcott
BBC News OnlineThe Director of Civil Aviation (DCA) for Jersey and Guernsey said the impact of Gatwick's closure will last for days.
Tens of thousands of passengers have been disrupted by drones flying over one of the UK's busiest airports.
There have been a number of sightings of the unmanned aircraft, but police still haven't found those responsible.
The Civil Aviation Authority says passengers who no longer wish to fly can apply for refunds - but not compensation, as it considers the situation to be an "extraordinary circumstance".
Meanwhile, the islands' DCA, Dominic Lazarus, says it's the "worst time of year" for this to happen...
Media caption, Gatwick's runway has been shut since Wednesday night
Aurigny-Gatwick flights continue to operate at Southamptonpublished at 16:12 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
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End of twitter postHotel manager makes gingerbread village for customerspublished at 15:55 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
BBC Radio GuernseyCustomers staying at a hotel in a Guernsey will have a tasty treat to tuck into this Christmas.
The manager of the Jerbourg Hotel spent a month creating a fully edible gingerbread village - complete with a unicorn made out of frosting.
Franzis Froehlich said most customers enjoy having a look but are often are "too nervous to take a bite".
2,000 Gatwick passengers sent to Cardiffpublished at 15:41 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
Several flights are diverted to Cardiff after Gatwick Airport was shut down by drones flying overhead.
Read MoreReminder to drone users after Gatwick 'chaos'published at 13:50 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
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End of twitter postGatwick's runway has been shut since Wednesday night, when two devices were seen flying over the perimeter fence.
The airport said at about 12:00 GMT on Thursday a drone had been spotted "in the last hour" and the runway would not open "until it was safe to do so".
About 110,000 passengers on 760 flights were due to fly on Thursday. Disruption could last "several days".
Media caption, Massive queues at Gatwick Airport
New celebrants to be sworn in to conduct weddingspublished at 13:32 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
Hayley Westcott
BBC News OnlineFourteen new celebrants will be sworn in at the Royal Court on Friday - giving them authority to conduct wedding ceremonies at any non-religious licensed venue in Jersey.
The celebrants will offer a brand new service for islanders, following an amendment to the law governing marriage in the island on 1 July 2018.
Previously, only staff employed by the Office of the Superintendent Registrar and religious officials have been authorised to conduct wedding ceremonies.
The decision to create these new roles was made following public consultation and to allow the public to choose their own wedding celebrant.
The celebrants were recruited based on a number of criteria, including:
- Understanding and appreciation of the solemn and dignified legal process of getting married
- Diversity - giving couples a range of celebrants to choose from to suit their wedding style and preferences
- Relevant experience, such as public speaking
- Commitment to the role of Authorised Civil Celebrant
Image source, States of JerseyQuote MessageI am delighted to welcome our new civil celebrants and wish them all the very best in their new appointment. I am particularly pleased to be able to offer the general public a diverse range of celebrants from different backgrounds and walks of life to solemnise local weddings.
Claire Follain, Superintendent Registrar, States of Jersey
Increase in fly-tipping reports in Jerseypublished at 13:01 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
Hayley Westcott
BBC News OnlineThere's been an increase in the number of fly-tipping reports around Jersey this year, according to the States.
In 2018, there have been 159 fly-tipping reports to the environmental protection department compared to 105 last year.
The majority of fly-tipped items have been household goods such as furniture and mattresses.
The worst month for fly-tipping was April with 27 reports.
Islanders are being encouraged to continue to report fly-tipping incidents through Love Jersey, an app and website that allows people to pass on information to States’ departments.
Quote MessageIdentifying fly-tippers and obtaining sufficient evidence is difficult and time-consuming; that’s why we encourage those who witness fly-tippers in action to record details of what they see and let us know. Fortunately Jersey doesn’t currently have the same scale of fly-tipping incidents as the UK and we’d like to not only keep it that way but to keep Jersey’s streets and countryside clean and free from dumped rubbish.
Richard Runacres, Waste and Water Management and Regulation Officer
Louis Jean will 'do all he can' to help new repspublished at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
BBC Radio GuernseyOutgoing Alderney Representative Louis Jean says he will do all he can to assist the island's two new representatives in the States of Guernsey.
Alex Snowdon and Steve Roberts will commence their roles in the New Year, after Graham McKinley and Louis Jean were voted out.
Mr Jean says he bears no grudges at all - and will do all he can to help them...
Man arrested after assault on woman in St Helierpublished at 12:13 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
Hayley Westcott
BBC News OnlineA man was arrested for grave and criminal assault after a woman was assaulted in Jersey, police have said.
It happened on Stopford Road - near to Temple Stores - in St Helier on 16 December between 16:45 and 17:10.
Officers said there was an argument between a 34-year-old man and a woman in her late 20s.
During the assault, it's believed another woman got involved before both women ran into some flats on Stopford Road.
The man followed and was banging on the door, officers added.
The assaulted woman did not require hospital treatment.
The man was also found to be in breach of a restraining order and appeared in magistrate's court on Tuesday. He was remanded in custody.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 612 612.
Image source, GoogleImage caption, The assault happened on Stopford Road - near to Temple Stores - in St Helier on 16 December
Fifth man appears in court on rape chargespublished at 11:30 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
Rob England
BBC News OnlineA fifth man has appeared in court charged with raping a woman.
Jersey Magistrates Court heard the alleged assault happened at La Rue des Platons, Trinity, on Sunday.
Alexandru Dobrin, 18, from Trinity, was charged on Wednesday.
Assistant Magistrate Peter Harris committed the case to the Royal Court.
The man was remanded in custody with four other men accused of the same crime.
All five are expected to appear again on 2 January 2019, before the case is heard in the Royal Court on 30 January.
Flights between Guernsey and London Gatwick cancelledpublished at 10:56 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
Millicent Cooke
BBC News OnlineFlights between Guernsey and Gatwick have been cancelled after drones were seen flying over the airfield in the UK capital.
Tens of thousands of passengers at the UK's second busiest airport are experiencing flight disruption.
Gatwick's runway remains closed after two of the devices were seen nearby.
Flights are unable to take off or land and Gatwick said 110,000 passengers on 760 flights were due to use the airport on Thursday.
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End of twitter postThe grammar police?published at 09:47 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2018
BBC Radio GuernseyGuernsey's Grammar School has been discussed as a possible site for the future relocation of the island's police force.
The President of Economic Development confirmed the option was being considered by the States.
Deputy Charles Parkinson says the former Castel and King Edward VII hospital sites are the favoured ones for a future university, rather than for the emergency services.
