The Town Crier December2010

NOW DELIVERED TO ST HELIER Your parish online www.sthelier.je RESIDENTS EVERY MONTH

Get your skates on The return of the ice rink in Parade Gardens promises to make this a special St Helier Christmas inthisissue For a number of years, the magic of ice skating 6 Plans for Town Park roads 8 Parish matters has helped make the festive season special for St 13 Parish people Helier and the Island as a whole. 15 My day in St Helier 16 Christmas in St Helier So it great news that the ice rink is returning to 23 Finance Parade Gardens once more. No excuses now - get 27 Gardening column your skates on and head to St Helier for a 28 Fitness feature 31 St Helier Gazette sparkling Christmas. Page2 Page3 Welcome to the Town Crier STOP PRESS As a busy year draws towards its Domestic glass close, it’s our pleasure to bring to you the final Town Crier of 2010. It’s collections to return been quite a year for your Parish Monthly collections of household glass were magazine. After a trial launch at the replaced with communal glass bins several end of 2009, by April we were years ago in an effort to cut costs and to producing a monthly magazine that was being delivered to all homes and comply with Health & Safety requirements. businesses in St Helier. That’s more The Parish is now hoping to bring back than 19,000 addresses – collections of household glass next year. meaning more than 170,000 Communal glass bins do not suit everyone, copies in total! according to the Constable, and the Municipal Being the December edition, Services Department is looking at a way of it’s only right that we put a collecting glass in a way that is safer than the special focus this month on Christmas in St Helier. In the previous method. A full report on this and the centre pages you will find a new parish-wide recycling collections will specially expanded ‘Dates appear in the next issue of the Town Crier. For Your Diary’ section with f information on Christmas events and activities. Hopefully, it will help young and old alike enjoy the festive season in the Parish. We also hear from a rather special character in our Parish People feature – someone who only appears in St Helier at this Squirrels say thanks! time of year. Turn to page 13 to find out who this is. On the front of last month’s Town Crier we We also include the usual range of regular and special features. Look out featured the installation of a squirrel rope for more information on our cover story on page 6 and a Day in the Life of bridge so these furry parish inhabitants could retiring Coop boss Jim Hopley on page 15. Elsewher e, you will find Historic cross safely from Westmount to the Lower Park. St Helier appropriately looking into the past of the new Liber ty Wharf Although we have not observed them using it shopping centre and a welcome return for our gardening feature, Grow, on (let us know if you have), we are sure the page 27. All this and the usual r ound up of news, features and information. squirrels – and their supporters - would like to We hope to include something of interest to all St Helier’s parishioners. Let say a special thanks to the organisations and us know what you think about the Town Crier, and what you would like to see more, or less, of. So if you have a story to tell, or something to say, get individuals who helping in getting this in touch – we look forward to hearing from you. important road crossing set-up. They include To contact the editorial team, please call 811811 or email Jersey Telecom who kindly provided the poles [email protected] f on either side and their contractor Frontline who dug out the footings and erected the poles. Stop Press: Surville public art Thanks also to Fetch and Carry who generously provided the competition remains open hoist and those In a recent edition of the members of Town Crier we featured the Parish plans to extend Mont à workforce and l’Abbé’s Surville Cemetery. One of the elements in the who helped design is a fitting piece of carry out the public art to form a central installation. A great job all round! f feature of the new area. While preparation continues toward finalising the plans and starting the work, there remains an opportunity for local sculptors and artists to submit ideas for an appropriate design for this piece of art. Further information is available from Tony Andrews, Director of Parks, Gardens and The Town Crier is printed Cemeteries, on 811700 or email [email protected]. f on FSC Certified Paper Page4 The Town Crier A watching brief The last edition of the Town Crier included details of the St Helier ’s 100th public meeting. This month we explain a little more about this important Parish institution and the people who give their time to keep it operating. In Jersey, Roads Committees (Comité des Chemins) are the highway authority for Parish roads in each Parish. In accordance with the law, they oversee the maintenance of f Parish by-roads, establish boundary stones, issue alfresco licenses, examine planning applications, supervise refuse collection, carry out the bi-annual and propose new road names as required. As you can see, it’s a busy job! In St Helier, the Roads Committee is headed by the Constable and Above: The elected members of the current St Helier Roads Committee includes five elected members who serve in an honorary capacity for a following their swearing-in by the Royal Court on 9th January 2009 three year term. The Rector together with the two Procureurs du Bien Left to right: Iain MacFirbhisigh, Nigel Blake, Peter Pearce, John Wilding and (both as non-voting members) also attend. Geraint Jennings If you have any questions or concerns to raise with the Roads Committee, the contact details of its members are shown right. f Simon Crowcroft (Chair) 811821 [email protected] Nigel Blake 875339 [email protected]; Geraint Jennings 280778 [email protected]; Forward planning – and planting The Very Rev. Bob Key 720001 [email protected]; First Tower’s Le Route Es Nouaux was a hive of activity recently Iain MacFirbhisigh 725963 [email protected]; as members of the St Helier Community in Bloom Group Peter Pearce 722536 [email protected]; joined local school children in a mass bulb planting. John Wilding 872920 [email protected] As any good gardener will tell you, the best displays come from forward planning and plenty of hard work. And forward planning was certainly in evidence along Le Route es Nouaux in November as children from nearby First Tower School joined the St Helier Community in Bloom Group in planting thousands of daffodil bulbs along the roadside verges. The idea came about following another joint project in St Andrew’s Park between the Bloom Group and the school. Headmistress Di Hooper was LIMITED looking for a solution to minimise the problems caused by cars parking on the roadside verges near the school. The suggested answer was to fill these •Large Construction Projects open spaces with flowers, and so the hard work began. Firstly, the children, together with the First Tower Community Association, •Minor works raised money to buy the bulbs. The Parish agreed to help by donating the •General Refurbishment and Fit-outs first sack full. With the money collected, and the bulbs purchased, the work of planting began at the star t of November and continued through the month. The daffodils, which are expected to bloom early next spring, are of mixed varieties to ensure the best display possible. Look out for the results in the New Year. Below: Children from First Tower school proudly taking part in the bulb planting f

Contact: Deerglen (01534) 768590 e-mail [email protected] December2010 Page5 Town Park: plans to improve surrounding roads announced With work on the Millennium Town Park due to start at the end of this year, focus has turned to the roads surrounding the site in an effort to ensure easy and safe access. Detailed proposals have been set out in a special consultation document distributed around the neighbourhood of the Park, and now available for download from the Parish website (www.sthelier.je). Feedback is welcome – contact Technical and Environmental Services at the Town Hall on 811811 or e-mail [email protected]. While the Town Park itself will bring a much needed r esource for the whole community, work to improve the surrounding streets will contribute significantly to its quality and setting. Left: The proposed road changes By reducing traffic flows and speeds, the result will be safer, Top: Under the proposals, this part of Oxford quieter and cleaner streets for residents and visitors to enjoy. Road would disappear The current plans include: Above: Tunnel Street would become closed to Bath Street - a raised road table with new paving to reduce through traffic with access to premises only traffic speeds and a new crossing created in front of the park entrance. Traffic eastbound between David Place and Apsley Road and ‘one-way’ westbound will remain two-way as present. between Chevalier Road and Apsley Road. Oxford Road will become ‘one-way’ Robin Place/Tunnel Street – Robin Place and part of Tunnel Street adjacent eastbound between Common Lane and Oxford Road (north). the park will be closed to through traffic and made ‘one-way’ east to west. Other Streets – no changes planned for other streets around the park other than Rising bollards, similar to those currently seen in Old Street, to be installed access restrictions caused by the changes above. near the entrance to Jersey Gas so that access is restricted to residents, An important point to note is that although some traffic restrictions will be businesses and deliveries only. imposed and some route directions changed, everyone who has access to their Gas Place/Oxford Road – rising bollards installed adjacent the Le Seelleur properties from these streets at present will continue to do so once the works are building and to the east of Chevalier Road. Oxford Road between the two complete. Work on the Town Park is due to commence before Christmas, with existing car parks will become part of the park. Gas Place becomes ‘one-way’ the project expected to be fully completed before the end of next year. f Page6 The Town Crier Ice rink returns to Parade Gardens In last month’s Town Crier, we announced plans to bring an ice rink back to St Helier for another year. With final details agreed, it’s great to confirm the arrival of one of the most popular Christmas attractions in the Parish and Island. For some of us, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without some seasonal ice skating. Fortunately, there is no need to travel to distant places to do this – St Helier will have its own festive ice rink once again this year. To be found on the Parade Gardens, the ice-rink opens between Friday 10th of December and Sunday 9th January, from 10am to 10pm on most days. The exceptions are the first day which has a special opening time of 4pm and a r educed hours schedule on December 24th, 26th, 31st & Januar y 1st (closed on Christmas Day). For a one hour session, the ticket prices are £6 for adults and £5 for children under 12. A special family ticket is available for £18. Tickets can be purchased from the ice rink or sessions booked in advance by calling 07700 878351. Private ice skating lessons will be also available from full-time professional ice skating coach Sarah Evans, while the Ice Café will offer a full range of fresh coffees, hot chocolate, delectable festive cup cakes, paninis, hotdogs and freshly made soups. f

December2010

Page8 The Town Crier Parish matters A round-up of news from around the Parish Highways, byways and buildings The program of roads work was interrupted in November by the unexpected appearance of a large hole near the junction of Grove Street and Duhamel Place. It led to an intense period of activity as Parish workers not only set about repairing the damage but also tried to ensure the Left: Problems caused cause of the subsidence was remedied. Fortunately, the by mysterious hole in unforeseen effort is not expected to seriously affect plans Grove Street to complete the current major works on the pavements of Above: Pavement Cleveland Road and Lewis Street by early in the New Year. renewal work Parks, gardens, cemeteries and open spaces continues in Lewis Understandably, getting ready for Christmas has taken a Street considerable amount of recent effort by the Parks and Below: Parish children Gardens team. While Transport and Technical Services may lay flowers on the be responsible for much of the festive lighting in the main graves of servicemen town streets and Royal Square, the Parish puts up many of in St Helier’s the lights seen on lampposts and around the Parade. cemeteries Making sure everything is in working order is a laborious task, but vital if St Helier is to look its best during the festiv e season. While the work of the cemeteries department goes on quietly, around Remembrance Day special attention is given to the graves of those who died while in the armed forces. This year, children from Parish schools took part by laying flowers on the graves of servicemen in St Helier’s cemeteries from the First and Second World Wars. Events & activities Remembrance Sunday and the Poppy Appeal dominated Parish events and activities for the early part of last month. In addition to the customary proceedings centred on the Cenotaph was the animated Roll of Honour on display in the window of De Gruchy’s Department Store. Feedback and comments suggest it was well received by the public – hopefully next year a sponsor can be found to allow a much larger display. Later in the month, a wonderful performance by the La Ronde Concert Band lit up the Assembly Hall with a repertoire of old and new tunes. Looking forward into December, a dramatisation of the Right: Parish Charles Dickens classic tale ‘A Christmas Carol’ is due to be children lay performed on the 9th and 10th of D ecember. Tickets are flowers on the available from the Town Hall. graves of For details on all forthcoming events, visit the Events servicemen in St Helier’s Section of the Parish website at f www.sthelier.je/event cemeteries Locksmiths Services We’ve Moved! For all lock and security fittings, door and window security systems, key cutting, home and office safes and fire boxes, and a wide range of ironmongery and door and window furniture. Free parking, helpful staff and easy access, why go anywhere else? Call the lock and security experts on 502555 or why not come and visit us at our new store at the Rue des Pres Trading Estate, St Saviours. We look forward to seeing you. (Turn in to Rue des Pres Trading Estate, drive through the first cross roads and we are on the right).

December2010

Page11 Historic St. Helier Seawall, slaughterhouse, steam and soft furnishings In the latest of our series, local author and historian as follows: “On Geraint Jennings examines the somewhat gruesome story Albert Pier will be noticed an effective behind the buildings of the new Liber ty Wharf shopping building, the Cattle complex. Depot and In the 1880s witnessed the c onstruction of a number of Slaughterhouses, landmark public buildings: the new central market, the States Chamber and built by the States the new abattoir buildings. The market and the States Chamber have long at a cost of about been admired, and now the long-running campaign to adapt the old £5,000, and abattoir buildings to new and appropriate functions has led to the opened in August, refurbishment of this long neglected example our built heritage. With M&S, 1889. The Pasty Presto, Costa Coffee, Hotel Chocolat and other businesses opening in Slaughterhouses the development, commercial life returns to what had been comprise ten an important space in Saint Helier's economic life since the 1830s when this compartments, area was reclaimed from the sea. in each of which When the Esplanade was created fourteen from 1829, the new seawall ran along animals can be killed the front but turned south-east just and hoisted.” Each of before Conway Street. This left a the ten compartments triangular piece of land forming a of the new abattoir corner where the former railway was used by a single terminus building now stands. On this butcher and had its site was built a new cattle market t o own sliding iron gate - replace the one that had operated on still a distinctive the foreshore and, across a narrow feature today. lane, a row of slaughterhouses along Changes occurred at the inner face of the seawall. No trace the beginning of the remains of the cattle market, but the 20th century with the layout still reflects the history, as the construction of the new railway terminus building. Faced with diagonally-slanting lane leading into competition from newfangled motor buses, however, the the site is the old lane and Exquisite is replaced trains with rail-cars. The winter rail service was abandoned in now occupying part of the original 1932 and, following a fire at the Saint Aubin terminus in 1936, the rail line row of slaughterhouses. Behind this was sold to the States in 1937. row can be seen part of the sloping The Occupation saw some changes: the Germans installed manual seawall, now very much landlocked. winches in the slaughterhouses to replace outmoded block and tackle, A new range of slaughterhouses was and a casemate was constructed to secure the Esplanade. After the added and by 1867 the complex of Liberation, the increasing prosperity of the Island, fuelled by the heyday of buildings formed two triangular tourism, was not reflected in raised standards in the abattoir. It is shapes either side of the old lane, with storage interesting to wonder how many of those visiting the Jersey Tourism office yards for bulk goods to the west. The cattle market was already the subject in the old railway terminus realised what conditions were like for animals of criticism - it was too small to hold cattle shows - and it was demolished within the walls only a few metres away. to make way for the widening of the By the 1970s the deterioration of the abattoir had become a scandal. As the Esplanade and the construction of the JEP reported in October 1974, the roof was rotten and rain Jersey Railway in 1869-1870. The poured in through rooflights with missing panes. northern ends of the old seawall and of Slaughtering methods and technology had failed to keep the original range of slaughterhouses pace with the times. There were allegations that animals were demolished at the same time. awaiting slaughter were not kept separate from the Although imports of foreign cattle had slaughtering area and that members of the public c ould been banned in 1789 and the Jersey see slaughtering taking place. Butchery experts from the cow was being developed as a pure United Kingdom described conditions as "primitive and dairy breed, live cattle continued to be medieval". At least there was one small consolation in that, imported for meat - hence the at that time, Guernsey's slaughterhouse was described as inscription "Bétail étranger" (foreign probably being in a worse condition. livestock or cattle) that can still be r ead Finally, the abattoir operation moved out to a purpose- on the perimeter wall. Regulations built facility at La Collette in 1981, leaving buildings dating stated that imported cattle had to go straight from the ship to the back as far as the 1830s and the fine civic façades of the 1880s t o a long slaughterhouse. It was convenient for the slaughter to be carried out in search for suitable re-use. And the remnants of the old seawall, still proximity to the quayside where the cattle were unloaded for their last landlocked, faced another shift in the tides of time. short trip after a lengthy sea voyage. Top: Contrast of old and new at Liberty Wharf In 1887 the slaughtering of animals was, except for slaughter for private Top middle: The original lane at the heart of the abattoir complex now consumption, restricted to the public slaughterhouses and, since the the main corridor of the shopping centre existing abattoir was not large enough to cope with the increased demand, Middle and bottom above: Some of the original slaughterhouse features there were complaints from butchers. New buildings were therefore have been retained – iron doors and rings for tying up animals planned. The Jersey Times and British Press wrote it up in its visitors' guide Right above: The developers have gone to great lengths to ensure a f sympathetic conversion

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Town matters Town Centre Manager Richard Mackenzie brings us up to date with monthly events and activities around the streets of St Helier. Well, it has finally happened. After literally years of expectation - and a lot of frustration - Liberty Wharf opened its doors to the public in November, and it’s great to see what a stunning job has been done. It must have been quite a challenge to retain the architectural integrity of the buildings while creating an exciting and modern shopping experience. Well done to all involved. If you haven’t visited yet, I heartily recommend you take a look as soon as possible. In another old part of town, less grandiose but equally welcome developments are taking place. A crêperie has opened in French Lane – and is being run by a native of France fully trained in the art of making the finest crêpes and galettes. It’s a real pleasure to see these dishes returning to St Helier and in a place resonant with Above: The French tradition. animated Roll of Efforts are continuing to provide animation in the different parts of Honour in De the town and it is a real pleasure to see the ice rink coming back to Gruchy’s window Parade Gardens, which will be a boost to the traders operating in Left: The the area. We are also hoping to get the large chess set back into Constable Wests Centre, to find suitable market stalls for Colomberie, and to anticipates his provide a flea market in Place d’Avranches. first French Lane Lastly a quick note on the animated Roll of Honour display ed in De galette Gruchy’s window during Remembrance fortnight. I think it was a great success - it was truly heartening to see the reaction of people who had submitted their photos and were able to see them on the display. If you have a photograph you could add to the Roll please send them to me so we can insert them for next year. Finally, have a lovely Christmas, but spare have a thought for those who will be working all the extra hours to assist you with your Christmas shopping. That’s it for now. Great shopping! f

Parishpeople sometimes hard to get the sleigh round the tight corners! As this is the Christmas edition of the 3. What do you like Town Crier we thought it only right to least about life in St get the views of someone with a special Helier? connection to the festive season. With Too many flats with not enough parking. Can the telephone to the North Pole busy, make it very difficult find the Parish’s own Santa Claus (also somewhere to leave the known as Roads Committee member sleigh! and longstanding supporter of the 4. When not working Parish, Nigel Blake) stepped in to give as Santa, how do his views on life in St Helier. you like to relax? Well given my role at 1. What is special about coming to St Helier at Christmas, I do like uniforms, so one pastime is being a member of the Christmas time? 1781 Jersey Militia. Then there’s taking part in the Battle of Flowers (I must It’s the opportunity to bring a lot of happiness to the like crowds). And of course, nothing beats spending quality time with my people – especially the children. When I used to drive my lovely wife. (You didn’t know Santa was married did you?) sleigh down King Street (we had to leave the reindeers in 5. If you had five minutes to spare in St Helier where would Howard Davis Park), it was such a pleasure to see you spend it? everyone’s smiling faces. Despite it being closed when I make m y annual visit in December, 2. What do you like most about life in St Helier? is the place to be. Just think, without its solid walls and Much as I enjoy the excitement of coming into town, I doughty garrison, everything could have ended up very different actually like the Parish’s quiet country lanes best. It’s easy following Baron De Rullecourt’s invasion in 1781. St Helier could well be to forget that not far from the hustle and bustle of town is speaking French today! plenty of peaceful countryside. The only problem is that it’s Above: Nigel Blake as Santa Claus in King Street f Ad ICE RING Page15 My Day in St Helier Get to know St The Chief Executive of the Channel Island Co-operative Society, Jim Hopley, is Helier’s history - on retiring in January after 32 years with the business. As one of the better know ‘corporate faces’ around St Helier, we caught up with him to find out a the If you are little more about his current day-to-day work and his plans for the future. interested in Originally from Plymouth, Jim was head-hunted to discovering the island in the late 70s and has stayed here ever more about since. ‘Coming to the island was like coming home for the me,’ he says. ‘It’s a lovely place, and when I arrived I fascinating very quickly decided this was the place for me, and history of our that I wanted to stay.’ Parish, there is Jim is responsible for leading the team of over 1,000 no better way Co-op employees across both Jersey and Guernsey. ‘A than on foot. It lot of people don’t realise just how diverse the Co-op also helps to be is,’ says Jim. ‘We pride ourselves on the fact that we in the company are a local company that offers a huge range of of Blue Badge services, from our food stores and Homemaker shop, guide Arthur to travel agents, pharmacies and funeral services. Lamy, who can ‘It’s fair to say the Co-op is part of life for thousands of explain in detail people in Jersey, ‘ says Jim, ‘And I think we’ve earned how St Helier the right to be very much a part of the community.’ Throwing himself into island grew from a small life including a ten year stint as an Honorary Policeman, and being part of the fishing settlement local community is what Jim enjoys most about his work. ‘People keep asking me to the bustling multi-cultural place it is today. what I’ve enjoyed the most over the years and I can honestly say it’s been Arthur is leading a series of walks around St working with the people - our team, our customers and the community. Retail is Helier in December entitled ‘A History and all about people, and I’ve been very lucky to have worked with some fantastic Celebration.’ Running until the 17th of December, individuals over the years,’ says Jim. ‘There’s no such thing as a typical day for me they start every Friday in Liberation Square at because my work varies immensely, but I love that about the job. I get enormous 10am and run for around three hours. satisfaction from meeting new people. One day I can be at an official meeting The price is £10 per person. f with the Chief Minister in the morning, and then in the afternoon I’ll be giving a talk about fair-trade foods to kids in a local primary school, sat on the floor with my tie off, and I absolutely love it! He adds, ‘The Island’s been good to me over the years and I hope in some way I have contributed back and been good to the Island in return.’ There can be no doubt of the financial c ontribution the Co-op has made to the Island over the years. Along with his ‘fantastic and dedicated’ team, Jim has donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to numerous local charities and good causes. ‘I think in life you get back what you give. It’s important to give something back, especially in a small community like Jersey.’ However, Jim is quick to point out that it is the Co-op staff that come up with most of the ideas and enthusiasm for fund raising. And even Jim himself has been on the receiving end of his employee’s kindness. Ad Body Rox ‘Unfortunately my wife had a debilitating neurological disease called Huntingtons, and when she died last year the team were ever so good to me. About 20 people volunteered to join me on the Itex walk, and they organised a ‘dress down day’ at work to raise money for the local Huntingtons Disease Association. Being able to make such a huge difference to a cause so close to my heart was really special.’ Despite the fact that he’s retiring in the New Year, Jim says he’s never been busier. His plans for retirement include taking part in the Itex walk again both in Jersey and Guernsey, and completing a gruelling five day trek across the volcanoes and glaciers of Iceland with a group of friends and colleagues to raise more money for charity. ‘I keep saying to people if I’m winding down now, I wouldn’t like to be busy again! With a diary so full of adventure for the coming year, it’s hard to imagine Jim will have time to miss anything about his job. ‘I would have liked to have been involved in the scrap that we’re going to have with Waitrose over the next 12 months,’ he laughs. ‘Seriously though, the thing I’ll miss most is being the champion and representative for such a great organisation. But, I’m not too worried. I’ve got other crusades to fight!’ f Page16 The Town Crier A Parish Christmas: dates for your diary St Helier is the place to be this Christmas – whatever your particular preferences are for celebrating the festive season. With so much going on, we thought it might be useful to expand the usual ‘Dates for Your Diary’ section to ensure everyone can get the most out of their Parish Christmas Upcoming Dates for your Diary See the Parish website at www.sthelier.je for further details Parish Meetings and Events Fêtes, Fairs and Festivals and Entertainment Wednesday 5.30pm Funchal Twinning Town Hall Contact Simon Crowcroft 1st December Committee Meeting on 811821 Jersey’s traditional Fête dé Noué Festival runs from the 2nd to the 12th of December with many of the Wednesday 7.30pm Nomination Meeting for Town Hall See www.sthelier.je for events focused on St Helier. 1st December Election for Constable latest information On Thursday 2nd December join the students from the Jersey Academy of Music as they turn Sunday 12.30am Senior Citizen Christmas Town Hall Admission by ticket only December into De’Samba by snaking through the streets to the 5th December Lunch infectious Latin rhythms of Helix. Starts at 5.30pm at West Centre before making its way to the Weighbridge. Free of Tuesday 7pm Battle of Flowers Meeting Town Hall charge to take part. 7th December Visit the Spirit of Christmas Market between Thursday 2nd and Sunday 12th December. As well as music and entertainment, their will be handmade presents, Christmas Wednesday 8pm La Ronde Concert Band Town Hall Free entry – retiring decorations and scrummy things to eat among the goods on 8th December collection in aid of sale at Weighbridge Place throughout the 11 days of the Cheshire Homes Festival. Open from 12pm to 8pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 8pm Saturdays, and 10am to 5pm on Sundays. Sunday 12.30am Senior Citizen Christmas Town Hall Admission by ticket only is holding a Christmas Discovery Day at the 12th Lunch Museum on Saturday 4th December. Create your own Christmas December cards and gifts and have a go at decorating Christmas cookies and cakes. Look out for Father Christmas! 10am to 4pm - £8 for adults , Wednesday 9.30am Roads Committee Meeting Town Hall Open to the public. See £4.50 for children. 15th www.sthelier.je for details Experience shopping with a difference by coming into Town on December Sunday Trading Days – the 5th and 12th of December between 11am to 5pm. Wednesday 7.30am Town Hall Agenda available from Whether your preference is jazz, big band or pop, from Thursday 15th the Town Hall or via the 2nd until Saturday 11th of December, ‘The Box’ hosts free live December website not less than entertainment at the Weighbridge. For a full programme and times five days before see the ‘Christmas in Jersey’ section of www.jersey.com. Continental shopping comes to St Helier between Thursday Friday 1pm St Helier Music Society Town Hall Featuring Lara Agnes 9th and Sunday 12th of December with the visit of a Norman 17th and Music in Action Szabo on Harp and French market - Lé Marchi Nouormand’. Located in the Royal December Lunchtime Recital Naomi Rive on Flute Square and open 11am to 8pm on Thursday, 10am to 8pm on Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets from Town Hall Join hundreds of islanders at the Christmas Carol Concert Under £6 adults / £3 children The Stars on Thursday 9th December in Weighbridge Place. Song sheets available between 6pm and 6.45pm. 12.30am Senior Citizen Christmas Town Hall Admission by ticket only Sunday Enjoy the classic Charles Dickens tale ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the 19th Lunch Town Hall on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th December. Curtain December up at 7.30pm with tickets available at the Town Hall - £20 for adults and £12 for students and children. The show will raise Thursday 6pm St Helier Community in Town Hall Contact Tony Andrews funds for the Jersey Cheshire Home. 29th Bloom Meeting on 811700 How about Christmas at the Movies! Jersey Arts Centre is screening December festive classics like The Polar Express, Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life, together with hot chocolate and other festive refreshments in the café. From 11am on Saturday 11th and December2010 Sunday 12th of December, films start every two hours with the Page17

last one starting at 7pm. Admission is free, but tickets must be obtained in advance – call 700444. On Sunday 12th December, wrap up warm to see one of the highlights of La Fête dé Noué, the Spectacular Christmas Battle of Flowers Parade, a colourful procession of floodlit floats covered in twinkling lights. St Helier’s Battle of Flowers Association, fresh from their triumphant return to Battle this summer, will be entering a float. From Maritime House the Parade heads east along La Route de Liberation, around Liberation Square and finishes along the Esplanade, adjacent to The Esplanade car park. Between 5.20pm and 6:45pm. On Sunday 19th December you can enjoy the Jersey Symphony Orchestra in a Russian Christmas at Fort Regent. The concert begins at 8pm with ticket prices starting at £10 available from the booking office on 449827. Finally, don’t forget that on Sunday 26th December the 12 churches Boxing Day Cavalcade will be flagged off by the Constable at 10 am from the Castle Street end of Esplanade. Santa For our younger readers (and those still young at heart), Santa will be making a number of appearances in the Parish during December. For a one-to-one meeting, visit the Powerhouse Retail Park on Saturday 4th, 11th and 18th of December between 9am and 8pm. If you want to see him on his sleigh, Santa is in the Island bet ween Saturday 4th and Thursday 9th December. He plans to visit various locations across St Helier in that time, but he does have a busy schedule. For details of it see the ‘Christmas in Jersey’ section of www.jersey.com.

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all your balloons & party goods at Magictouch % from 10 18th Oct - end Nov 2010 WOW off has now MagicTouch 11 Caledonia Place, joined St Helier, Jersey, JE2 3NG Telephone number 01534 766845 E-mail: [email protected] Page18 The Town Crier Taking a bathe Ongoing work by Vic Geary to create an electronic database of burials in St Helier’s cemeteries has uncovered a good number of bygone notables and characters among the graves. In this latest article, Vic tells another tragic story behind a forgotten grave in Green Street Cemetery.

Tucked away in a secluded part of Green Street the ‘Peoples Park’, whilst walking Cemetery and almost lost under a canopy of around the Clarke’s shipyard saw trees can be found the grave of Reverend Reverend Heale and his wife, strolling Edward Heale. His memorial has been standing towards Mr Grandins’ bathing Above: St for 140 years and the inscription, as with many machines. The Reverend collected a Helier’s All others, is eroded and almost illegible. But his towel from Mr Grandin and made his Saints Church Left: Reverend story is a fascinating and ultimately tragic one. way towards the sea. Sometime later, Heale’s Around 1846 Edward Heale and his family left the Reverend was heard telling people forgotten grave their home town of Plymouth and made the nearby, “It’s been 30 years since I last in Green Street voyage to Jersey as ‘Incumbent of All Saint’s bathed”. Thomas Scammel went on to Cemetery School’. He resided at 5 Portland Terrace with say he had seen Reverend Heale swimming but expressed a wish to bathe. He suggested he his wife Eliza and children Ellen, Annie Louisa, he suddenly disappeared. Subsequently, the should go to Jewell’s Hotel and take a warm Edward and George. By 1861, they had moved alarm was raised and soon after Reverend Heale bath and was surprised when he heard that his to 10 Parade Place and John Heale had become was found close to shore submerged in four feet father had gone to St Aubin’s Bay. The Attorney Chaplain of All Saint’s Church, built during 1835 of water. Onlookers quickly carried him ashore General commented that he considered the on the site of the former Strangers Cemetery to but the Reverend was found to have no pulse cause may have been due to an apoplectic serve the growing population of St Helier. and had died. Others witnesses commented stroke that stifled his respiration and actions, On 23rd June 1870 Reverend Heale they had seen a head bobbing up and do wn in and Doctor Le Grosstated said that in his unexpectedly died. His unforeseen passing at the water like a cork but no sight of the lower opinion Reverend Heale had drowned, the age of 52 years, and circumstances half of his body. although an attack of faintness might have surrounding the fatality, must have shocked the At first it was thought the Reverend had contributed. Church congregation who would have been suffered from Apoplexy (a form of stroke) but at Unfortunately, during this period many medical saddened by the sudden loss of their M inister. the inquest, Reverend Heale’s son said that his diagnoses and conclusions were assumptions Extracts from a press report of the 24th June father had been unwell owing to his hard work and the true cause leading up to Reverend 1870 explains that Thomas Scammel, keeper of with Church activities, and at around 1.30pm, Edward Heale death will never be known. PITCHER & LE QUESNE LTD (Inc G E Croad) FUNERAL DIRECTORS Serving the Island for over 100 years At a time of bereavement you need care, sensitivity and professionalism.When you call us, quiet words and guidance from our experienced staff are here to help you. SPECIALISTS IN WORLDWIDE REPATRIATION AND PREARRANGED FUNERAL PLANS.

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December2010 Page19 Taking tea with JCG Occupation legacy Year 11 students at the If you are looking for a Christmas gift with local relevance Jersey School for Girls one idea may be a new DVD written and presented by served up a tea party for John Nettles in which he examines the emotional and visitors from St Helier's social impact of the German occupation. three residential homes John Nettles is a name well known in the Island. As the ‘Jersey recently. The work was Detective’ Jim Bergerac in the 1980s and early 1990s he f ormed a part of the 'enrichment' strong and lasting bond that persists to this day. But John’s links to syllabus and the girls the Island certainly go further, and his great interest in the enjoyed cooking the cakes Occupation has led recently to a TV series and DVD examining its as well as serving their emotional and social impact on the . guests in the school hall. The three-part Other students provided documentary was musical entertainment, and originally broadcast by everyone involved enjoyed Sky in June this year to the chance to listen to mark the 70th some of the life stories of St anniversary of the Helier's elderly parishioners Occupation. It covers the from St Ewold's, Maison de whole of the Channel Ville, and St Helier House Islands and features remarkable interviews with many who lived through that dark period. The DVD, which is being produced by local company Channel Island Publishing, is available in all major outlets priced £14.95. Right: John Nettles visits the Town Hall f

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Constable’s Comment Running on the information superhighway The recent BBC backed campaign encouraging people to try the Internet for the first time showed that even the most sceptical of technophobes are finding it hard to resist the lure of the so-called information superhighway. We asked St Helier based broadband provider Newtel to tell us more about what is on offer now and what is coming in the future.

Running St Helier is a team effort and this December edition of the The Internet is an indispensable element of many parishioners’ lives Town Crier gives me the chance to recognise all of the work the – young and old alike. But Broadband, which is the service used to Parish staff and the municipality do to make the Parish a great provide most people’s connection to the World Wide Web, is really only in its infancy. Currently, the speed with which you can upload place to live and work in. The elected officers of the Parish – the and download information is limited by the technology used to Procureurs du Bien Public, the Honorary Police, the Roads provide it. And while 2Mb to 8Mb services are adequate now, the Committee, the Rates Assessors, the Accounts Committee, and the development of High Definition entertainment-on-demand services Roads Inspectors have contributed an enormous amount of time going forward will drive the need for far higher speeds. But this is not necessarily the future - in some parts of the world, consumers and effort to improving the life of the Parish, while the Social are already enjoying speeds of up to 100Mb, with the promise of Team, the Battle of Flowers Association and the Twinning faster to come. Committees have brought lots of events to fruition during the year. How will this revolution come about? Key is the roll-out of fibre optic cables, which have a far higher capacity than the current copper The eleven States Members representing St Helier have worked wires used today. This is likely to start soon for newly built really well together this year, especially when we stood shoulder properties, while those with existing connections may have to wait a to shoulder in a Trinity field to make a point about not building on while. Jersey Telecom, the local network provider, intends to the site of the Millennium Town Park. The Procureurs and I meet complete roll-out by 2016. Hopefully St Helier, given its dense population, will see its homes among the first t o convert. with the Parish Deputies each month to discuss issues affecting Currently, Newtel’s services in St Helier encompass the supply of residents and businesses, and our Deputies now have an office in Cable TV, low price phone calls via Broadband Talk and combined the Town Hall to facilitate team working. mobile-fixed packages. To find out more about these and f As the war years recede the effort of remembrance seems to the future of Broadband contact them on 506400. increase – this year the Parish marked the bombing of St Helier on 28 June 1940 for the first time in years, played a full part in the Catholic Church welcomes Liberation commemorations, arranged a tour of the Normandy new appointments cemeteries and landing beaches for the veterans association, as well as marking older acts of courage and sacrifice, the Battle of St Thomas’ Catholic Church In an additional appointment, Father Jan Swiatek was appointed by the Jersey and the death of St Helier himself in the ann ual pilgrimage. recently welcomed Father James McAuley as its new Polish Catholic Mission in London to The biggest new contribution to the life of our parish this year has work as the Priest for the Island’s Assistant Priest. Father been St Helier’s return to Battle. Starting off our Miss St Helier, Polish community. As a keen cyclist James, who comes from Sarah Watson, winning the accolade of Miss Battle, we went on to he is already enjoying taking to the Northern Ireland, was an Island’s roads whenever duties allow. take part in the carnival for the first time in eight years and won accountant in Reading His other sporting interest is skiing – three awards. Battle produces community involvement like before leaving to train for unfortunately a pastime Jersey nothing else can, old and young took part, especially members of seven years at the English struggles to fulfil! In partnership our residential homes and day nurseries, and Deputy de Sousa did with the Polish Consul, he hopes College in Rome. He was that a Polish Saturday School can be a great job in chairing the association ordained in July this year. As established after Christmas in St So a big thank you to everyone who has worked to improve our well as his normal pastoral Thomas’ Hall. The aim of this Parish, and best wishes from Angela and me to each and every work, Father James has venture would be to sustain the taken on the role of Chaplain Polish culture and religious Parishioner. Happy Christmas to you, and a very peaceful New traditions through teaching history, Year! to FCJ Primary School and f geography and religious education. Jersey Hospice Care. f Page22 The Town Crier Mindful of the role and importance of the Island’s ès cabathets et ès conmèrces tout longer these days. For our l'mais d'Dézembre, et au mais ancestors it was different. Before own linguistic inheritance, each edition of d'Novembre étout. Ch'n'est buses and cars, many country folk the Town Crier will contain a regular column d'aut' eune longue veil'ye, never came into Town at all, unless ch'est eune longue fête qu'la at Christmas. Travelling to market in Jèrriais by St Helier’s own Maître-Pêtre Fête dé Noué. Noué n'arrive was a special trip. They used to d'aut' au picot. stay up to celebrate La Longue des Pages Jèrriaises and member of the Tout coumme i' faut espéther Veil'ye (the custom apparently Roads Committee, Geraint Jennings. qu'la saîson s'sa bouonne et lasted up until the First World War). qu'nou s'en va bein boutitchi On the 23rd December they'd pouor souôt'nîn les conmèrces d'la gather for an evening of fun and les vaituthes, y'avait bein d'gens d'la Ville. Il est d'mêtchi d'affliotchi ès Les pithots campangne tchi né v'naient boutiques, car autrément nou s'sa work. The women would finish off janmais en Ville, sénon à Noué. dans l'dou d'pithot. their knitting, stockings and jerseys et les picots Ch'tait eune touônnée spéciale qué and so on, and embroidery and À la Saint Miché les pithots et à viagi au marchi. Nou soulait vilyi à other goods. There'd be games and Noué les picots. Ch'est chein qu'lé la Longue Veil'ye - eune Geese and songs and they'd be chattering like vièr diton nos dit. Et au temps pâssé couôteunme tchi duthit jusqu'à la geese. And then on Christmas Eve nou mangeait s'lon les saîsons. Preunmié Dgèrre Mondiale, à chein turkeys the goods would be brought into Achteu nou n'a pon grand sens du tch'i' pathaît. Ch'tait eune séthée Geese at Michaelmas and turkeys Town to market and they'd buy touônnement d'l'année et nou peut d'fête et d'travas l'23 d'Dézembre. at Christmas, according to the old provisions for the year ahead. And fricoter coumme nou veurt sans Les femmes soulaient ouvrer et traditon. And seasonal fare was the for many people that would be r'garder si ch'est Avri ou Dézembre. ag'ver des cauches, des corsets et norm in the past, although their yearly trip into Town. Dgieu mèrcie qu'i' y'a acouo eune tout l'restant d'l'ouvrage, et d'la nowadays as the months go by we Nowadays it's constant back-and- dêfouithie d'nos Rouoyales. Quand brod'die et d'aut' choses à vendre. can eat what we want without forth. And great effort is made to nou r'garde des vièrs photos du Y'avait des gammes, et d'la get people into the shops, the bars marchi auve d's ênormes êtalages bothering whether it's April or chant'tie, et d'la caqu'téthie December. Thank goodness that and the businesses all through dé picots à Noué, nou comprend coumme touos les pithots du December, and November too. The coumme tchi qu'lé conmèrce a mathais. Épis la Sèrvelle dé Noué there's still a digging season for changi. Ch'est en tchi au jour Jersey Royals. When we look at old Longue Veil'ye has turned into a nou v'nait en Ville au marchi vendre lengthy holiday season - which is d'aniet ché s'sait pus à co les pizzas sa marchandise et acater dé tchi photos of the market with massive à la Saint Miché et du pain nân' pouor l'année. Et pouor bein des displays of turkeys at Christmas, we no turkey. auve un curry à Noué. gens ch'tait la seule fais qu'nou can see how trade has changed. So we're hoping for a successful Et la saîson d'Noué est bein pus v'nait en Ville. These days there's a likelihood of commercial season with support longue au jour d'aniet, v'là tch'est Au jour d'aniet ch'est du va-et-veint pizzas at Michaelmas and naan for Town traders. Because if people eune difféthence d'auve les fêtes dé tréjous. Et nou fait tout pouor bread and curry at Christmas. don't flock through the doors, nos anchêtres. D'vant les beusses et attriotchi du monde ès boutiques, The Christmas season lasts much their goose may be cooked. f You want it all. You just don’t want to pay for it all. No problem.

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December2010 Page23

Parish organisations, committees andassociations Top class visit For some years, Haut Vallée School pupils studying French have The Parish supports a number of closely developed pen pal relationships with their counterparts in affiliated organisations and associations. For Avranches, the Normandy town twinned with St Helier. This year, anyone interested in becoming involved in they got the chance to meet up with their pals on a t wo-night these groups, a brief overview and contact stay in France. They kindly agreed to let us know what went on details are shown below. and how much they enjoyed the experience. Georgia McCarthy – Year 9 St Helier in Bloom My Year 9 top set French class have had a pen pal in St Helier ’s twin town of St Helier in Bloom is a year round environmental Avranches for two years now. We send presents, letters and cards and we also improvement campaign, part of which is organised by the stay in contact with some of them on social net working sites. It is a great way St Helier Community in Bloom Group. This is a group of to get used to the French language and meeting great people that you can enthusiastic volunteers, who support the Parish by interact and practise that language with. It is a great way to learn for Jersey and instigating and encouraging community initiatives. Avranches students that want to take the French/English language further and Meets on the last Thursday each month at 6pm at the improve. Town Hall. Contact Tony Andrews on 811700 or email Tania Gomes – Year 9 [email protected]. In Avranches, we went to the ‘Formule 1’ hotel. We stayed there for two nights and we had a lot of fun. The activities were amazing. First, we went shopping, St Helier’s Honorary Police we went past many shops and got lost. Then we met the students. We got to be The Honorary Police form an integral part of the Parish of in one of their lessons and I got t o be in a geography lesson (Wow! how St Helier. They work closely with the Constable of St interesting!). After that we went back to the hotel, the next day we went round Helier, the States Police and the Parishioners, and looking at the sights in Avranches. consequently provide a service that is unique to the Georgia McCarthy – Year 9 British Isles. When we arrived at the school, we were split into groups. One group were the Further information about the work of the Honorary Year 7s that stayed at the school and got to know their pen pals a bit more, it Police is at www.sthelier.je was the first time they were face to face. The second group went to the park to Contact Simon Crowcroft on 811821 or email play a game of football, and the third group went to do some shopping! (I was [email protected]. in the shopping group!) Morgan Gilson – Year 9 Our class has also been to the town centre with our pen pals and found it very St Helier – Avranches interesting. They gave us a quiz to do in groups about the town and its’ history. Jumelage We also went souvenir hunting and bought lots of lovely gifts. We Dedicated to facilitating and encouraging the visited a great restaurant with development of relationships between the Parish and provided us all with great food too France through a twinning association with the French which we all enjoyed. town of Avranches Georgia McCarthy – Year 9 Contact Annabelle Bishop on 07797 762008 or email After our meal we went back to the [email protected] hostel, made sure everything was packed for our journey in the St Helier – Bad Wurzach morning and we went to bed. The next day we got an early coach Partnerschaft journey and headed home on the A chance meeting on Liberation Day in 2002 led to the boat. The sea was not as rocky this twining of St Helier with Bad Wurzach, the southern time which was great! German town in which many Islanders were interned Morgan Gilson – Year 9 during the Second World War. Since that time the Coming to Avranches is definitely helping us to communicate more in French Partnerschaft Committee has developed cultural links and use the skills we have learnt and also with the letters. Our class are always between the two through visits and exchanges of grateful to go and to get an opportunity to go and socialise with the French information community. Contact Angela Trigg on 483675 / 07797 795911 or Above: Out and about in the town email [email protected] or visit the website: Below: Haut Vallée pupils outside the Marie in Avranches f sthelierbadwurzachpartnerschaft.com St Helier – Funchal Geminação The Committee’s role is to develop relationships between the Parish and the capital of Madeira, Funchal, through activities celebrating the Portuguese language, music and national days Contact Simon Crowcroft on 811821 or email [email protected]. f Page24 The Town Crier Finance in the St Helier Community By Lucy Braithwaite, Jersey Finance

Behind the scenes in the finance industry a great deal of hard work goes into community projects, charitable initiatives and environmental programmes. Here is a selection of recent and forthcoming projects in St Helier. VCP success in inaugural Beach Soccer Schools Cup Around 100 spectators attended the Beach Soccer Schools Cup final in St. Aubin’s Bay in September, when Victoria College Prep narrowly overcame a determined Janvrin Above: VCP and Janvrin School battle it out in St. Aubin’s Bay School 6-5. Below: KPMG prepare to go to work at Cheshire Homes Launched in May this year, the Beach Soccer Development Programme was sponsored by Deutsche Bank and saw a total of 200 local primary school pupils take part throughout the summer. Weekly coaching sessions were held for pupils and were organised by Will Partington of the Beach Soccer Jersey Association KPMG making a difference Hundreds of KPMG employees headed out of the office recently to take part in this year’s Make a Difference Day (MADD). Jersey employees helped out at Jersey Cheshire Homes, stripping, sanding and repainting the corridors, as well as descending on the Animal Shelter to paint the cattery. Volunteers also pulled on their gardening gloves to support the Jersey Trees for Life Hedgerow Campaign, which works to restore and protect Jersey’s hedgerows and farmland trees for the benefit of the Island’s biodiversity. Others spent an afternoon with Jersey Hospice clearing and sorting donations at the Beau Pre Shop in St Ouen. HSBC support Green Travel Day In September, HSBC joined forces with the States of Jersey and Eco-Active to organise a Green Travel Day, encouraging Islanders to find more environmentally friendly ways of travelling to and from work for the day. An event held in the Royal Square was extremely successful, with a number of commuters passing through on their way to work to show their support and find out how they could ‘Travel Smarter, Live Better’. Jersey Finance is a non-profit organisation formed in 2001 to represent and promote Jersey as an international finance centre of excellence. For more information about the work of the finance industry in the community, visit www.jerseyfinance.je/community.

f December2010 Above: A bicycle made for two Page25

The French connection: Joyeux Noel! Aurélie Leroy, manager of St Helier based Maison De Normandie, keeps us up to date with events and developments happening just over the Channel in France. Décembre est le mois propice pour offrir des cadeaux et des friandises! Toutes les saveurs et les odeurs extérieures de grillé, que ce soit les pralines ou même les gaufres, ne peuvent pas venir jusqu’à Jersey donc la seule solution est d’aller en profiter en France sur un marché de Noël typique ! Le plus beau d’entre eux est sans aucun doute celui de Caen où des chalets sont disposés en centre ville pour cette flavours and smells of hot food or grilled nuts or even occasion, dans lesquels artisans et cuisiniers se mêlent waffles cooked outside cannot reach Jersey so why not go pour faire des démonstrations ou des affaires. Quoi de to France and enjoy an authentic French Christmas mieux que cette merveilleuse période de l’année où l’on market! I guess the most beautiful one must be in Caen peut traverser les rues de la ville en écoutant les chants de where chalets are set up in the middle of town where Noël, en passant à travers les chalets et rencontrant par craft workers and cooks can exhibit, demonstrate and hasard le Père Noël ? Tous les marchés de Noël en France sell their products. When you go through town, listen to commencent environ début décembre pour se terminer la Christmas carols, walk through the chalets, meet Father veille de Noël. Vous ne savez pas encore quoi offrir à votre Christmas, what else do you need to be in the spirit of famille pour Noel ? Le mieux est d’aller sur place et profiter this beautiful time of year? All Christmas markets in du grand choix de produits qui s’offre à vous, vous ne serez France start around the beginning of December to end on Top: Caen Christmas market pas déçus ! Une liste des marchés de Noël en Normandie Christmas Eve. You do not have any idea of what to buy for Above: Maison de est disponible à la Maison de Normandie. your family at Christmas yet? Well there is plenty of choice in Normandie in St Helier those types of markets! Come and have a look, we will not let December is a month of presents and goodies! All the you down! A list of Christmas markets in Normandy is f m Pillow Memory Foa s from £39.00

During November and December 25% x call in to our ela ... Call us on 888975 Longueville Road R showrooms with this or visit magazine to pick up with one of our www.technicare-jersey.com your Royal or Kingsize Memory Foam Pillows electric adjustable at these Designed for your comfort Special prices beds or Memory Electric reclining chairs and sofas to match Memory Foam Pillows Single or double beds Royal £39.00 Pocket sprung or memory foam mattresses .00 Foam pillows Massage options Kingsize £49 Page26 The Town Crier Reminder: don’t Personal injury claims forget to collect your In this latest of our series, Advocate Christina Hall, Partner of local law firm Viberts, Christmas vouchers considers the implications of a personal injury caused through the negligence of This year David Kirch is generously others and the options for pursuing a claim. offering £100 vouchers once more to all Jersey residents aged 70 The term ‘personal injury’ and over. You have until the 5th of covers a broad range of injury and accident types – December to call into the Town Hall from whiplash sustained in a with proof of age and address to car accident, to a psychiatric collect yours. f illness caused by bullying in the workplace, to cerebral palsy caused through Pic missing medical negligence. A personal injury can be physical or psychological, and can have long or short- term effects. By making a personal injury claim, you could recover compensation for the pain and suffering the injury or illness has caused you and any financial loss you may have incurred as a result. You may have Viberts offer a range of funding options. For incurred medical expenses securing example, if you have no income and / or no treatment for your injury or illness. Making legal expenses insurance we can find the right a personal injury claim can help to recoup funding option for you, to help you pursue those expenses. You may have been absent your claim. Just because you have made a full from work and lost income or promotion as recovery does not mean you have no claim. It a result of your injury or illness. Making a will be smaller, that’s all. Dealing with the personal injury claim can help to recoup consequences of an injury or illness can be your lost income. Making a claim can also hard. You may be suffering from pain, receiving Musical youth be a step towards preventing the injury medical treatment, experiencing the side A reminder that the Jersey Youth happening to somebody else. For example, effects of medication, and in financial difficult y. Service, which is based in St a claim made following exposure to a The last thing you will want to do is grapple with the demands of a personal injur y claim. Helier’s La Motte Street, is a dangerous system of work may result in the offering acoustic mic evenings system of work being changed, thus The Viberts personal injury team runs a free reducing the chance of the accident personal injury clinic each month, where you throughout December. It also happening in the future. can come along without an appointment and hires out music equipment, When it comes to making a claim, discuss your concerns in confidence with a including guitars, amplifiers, remember that you can still claim even if member of the team who will help you with mixing decks and PAs, plus the your claim, if you have one. Alternatively, you the injury may have been caused partially use of facilities. through your own fault. You may also have can make an appointment to meet with one of an insurance policy which provides legal our advisors. Please contact us on 632235 to For more information contact expenses insurance, so you can investigate arrange an appointment or to find out when Senior Youth Worker Ivor Richards and pursue a claim. the next clinic will take place. f on 729081 / 07700 350731 f Page27 Grow Angela Parr-Burhnam of the St Helier Community in Bloom Group serves up another round of seasonal tips and advice for St Helier’s green-fingered residents. Now that autumn is well and truly here, most plants are entering their winter resting phase and growth will be slower so water and feed only sparingly. Protect plants with polythene or fleece if frost is forecast. If you have not yet planted up your spring flowers, try polyanthus or double daisies which grow about 20cm tall. Wallflowers make a beautiful scented display but they are tall – at least 30cm. Winter is the perfect time to plan your garden for the next year. Part of the fun of gardening is Above: Just having a balcony is no reason not to not knowing what will work or create a rewarding garden not. Firstly, look at your growing Left: A beautiful display of polyanthus space. Does it get any sun? If so, when? Not all plants like to sit in ferns and vines. These need extra care by hot sunshine all day so plan your regular misting and they will look happier plot accordingly. Most seed as a result. Bring autumn planted bulbs packets and plants have growing into a warm room now and they should be instructions and you are halfway in flower by Christmas. to success if you give your plants You can still be growing some herbs on the conditions they like best. For your windowsill throughout the winter. Beg instance, heathers in their wide a rooted sprig of mint or oregano and pot range of pinks and purples are up keeping them on a sunny windowsill. perfect for pots as they don’t December is the best time to plant lilies of need much feeding or watering all types. Pot into just moist three parts although must be grown in sun loam, one part sand and one part and in ericaceous (acidic) compost. They will keep their flowers leafmould. Keep cool and bring into a warm room once the buds over winter although the colours fade. What can you grow on a appear then enjoy the beautiful blooms which should appear north facing balcony? Ferns like cool, moist, shady areas, so would just six weeks after planting. be ideal. Finally, clear your growing space now and clean empty pots by Houseplants should now have received their last feed until the washing them in diluted washing-up liquid. This will prevent spring. Water them only if they look very dry – just dip your finger damping off fungus from destroying seedlings grown next year. in the compost and if it feels damp, don’t water. If you are new to Why not get together with a friend or neighbour to share the growing houseplants and feel confused about what to grow, they costs of buying bags of compost and seeds next year? It’s also basically fall into two types – desert, needing dry conditions and good to share advice as well as a bit of competition. Have a good forest, needing moist conditions. Desert types are cacti and Christmas and enjoy your growing! lithops (stone plant). Forest plants are bromeliads, spider plants, f Page28 The Town Crier Focus on fitness of a fitness instructor is to help you find out exactly what it is that With Christmas looming, it’s easy to let thoughts of health gives you that get up and go. and well-being slip from our minds. But there is no need to wait In order to achieve general health benefits, adults should carry until the New Year for a focus on fitness, as instructor Nikki out a total of at least thirty minutes a day of at least moderate intensity activity, on a minimum of five days of the week. In Zachariou explains. 2009, 55% of adults in Jersey did not meet this r ecommended Sadly, many people really do want to improve their fitness levels, level. Now, that can sound pretty intimidating to someone who but, with the best will in the w orld, if you go about it in the wrong hasn’t found that crucial exercise plan that gives them that fire in way you’ll end up disillusioned, guilty and not achieving the results their belly. But it really is possible, and once you’ve discovered you hoped for. How many of us have, or know someone who has the type of exercise that suits you and your personality, then spent a fortune on a gym you’ll be up and running (well, not literally running, membership and then unless that’s your thing, but you get the idea). not use it? Senior Health Promotion Officer, Martin Knight recently The number one reason said ‘Supporting more people to be physically active is for this is that people Pic missing essential. Too many adults are not meeting the choose fitness regimes recommended exercise levels so are not benefiting that they just don’t from the protective nature of exercise.’ enjoy. If you don’t have There are plenty of little ways you can improve your fun whilst exercising, it general level of fitness, such as taking the stairs instead becomes a chore - then of the lift, walking to work rather than driving or taking you miss a session, feel the bus, and little things like this really do have a guilty and the scenario spirals onwards. So, if you recognise that positive effect. But when it comes to taking your levels of fitness this has happened to you, then the first thing you need to do is to up that little bit more, there really is something out there that is STOP! Cancel any expensive membership you don’t use, and look right for you. So before you sign up for that next fitness craze, into finding something you absolutely love doing. just hold fire for a moment and make sure that it’s something It doesn’t matter what type of fitness programme you take up, as that you honestly want to do, because if you don’t love it, you long as it is something which fills y ou with enthusiasm and you won’t do it. The most important thing to remember is that look forward to each and every session. People who go running, keeping fit should be fun. play sport or go dancing do it because they enjo y that activity and Nikki Zachariou is a qualified fitness and danc e instructor. For the health and fitness benefits are a great secondary bonus! There more free health, fitness and well- being tips please visit are so many different fitness choices out there, and part of the job wwwuberedgedance.com and sign up to the free mailing list. f Dog owners: Don’t forget to clean up f A reminder and plea for all of St Helier’s dog owners to clean up their animals. Using the slogan ‘When your dog has done its business … do yours’, the Parish are intending to remind owners of the consequences of failing to clean up - a visit to court and a fine of up to £500. Lets all help keep the Parish a clean and healthy place.

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Jersey Sea Cadets: Aubin (Starts at 2.15pm) Parish clubs and groups Fort Regent Contact Pat Elston 746994 Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings First Tower & Millbrook WI: This section of the Crier is devoted to the Contact [email protected] or visit 2nd Wednesday of each month at the St many voluntary clubs and groups run http://units.ms-sc.org/jersey/Default Andrew’s Church Hall at 7.30pm Bingo: Springfield Sports Stadium throughout St Helier. If you would like to Mobile library Wednesday evenings promote your organisation or a planned George V Cottage Homes – Mondays, special event, or just to include contact Contact Mrs Sandy Le Monnier on 872708 Women’s Institute 9.30-9.45am details, please telephone 811811 or email There are four meetings in St Helier as follows: Clos du Paradis – Wednesdays, 11.30am-12pm [email protected] St Helier Sirens WI: B&Q, Queen’s Road – Wednesdays, 12.05-1pm 1st Thursday of each month at the Old M agistrate’s Clubs & groups contacts Court at the Town Hall Rainbows, Brownies & Girl Guides: Contact Sue Bone on 636977 / 07797 831473 Not Getting All Saints Church Hall, The Parade La Pouquelaye WI: 2nd Wednesday of each month, temporarily meeting Your Crier? Thursday and Friday evenings We want make sure every home and business in Contact Daphne on 07797 719225 at the St Helier Municipal Services Depot on La Beavers, Cubs and Scouts: Grande Route de St Jean St Helier receives its copy of the Town Crier. If you Salvation Army Hall, Minden Place Contact Sheila Laugeard on 734600 / 07797 775483 live in St Helier, or operate a business there, and Monday and Wednesday evenings West Park WI: are not receiving your monthly copy, let us know Contact Matthew Evans on 07797 741002 or 1st Tuesday of each month at the meeting r oom at and we will arrange for its delivery. email: [email protected] the King George V Homes on La Grande Route de St Send your name and address to [email protected], or call 811811 and ask Classified for Customer Services. f contact Jersey Road & The Town Crier Published by the Parish of St Helier In Driveway Repairs association with MediaMasters For all tarmac needs, from Pot PO Box 133, St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands. Free Legal Review Clinic JE4 9QX holes to complete driveways. Tel: (01534) 866956 Family law, employment law, E-mail: [email protected] Editorial Parish of St Helier - property, litigation & wills •Supply and lay kerbs and Editor Ian Ronayne garden edgings Tel: (01534) 811821 Other - Martyn Farley 2nd Tuesday of each month at •Supply and lay slabs, bricks and Tel: (01534) 866956 Pirouet House, Union Street, St, Helier paving stones Advertising Nikki Zachariou Tel. 632205 for an appointment •Supply and lay cobbles Tel: (01534) 866956 Copyright notice •Decking 2010© Parish of St Helier . •Property and garden maintenance The entire content of this newsletter is protected by copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this magazine may be undertaken reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written consent of the copyright owner. Reprint Details Reprints of articles can be obtained by contacting the publishers. Disclaimer Whilst the Parish of St Helier and contributors to The Town Crier have provided the information contained in it in good Animals' Shelter Calendar2011 faith, they accept no responsibility, financial or otherwise, for any action taken by any other party as a result of the Now available from Jersey Road & Driveway Repairs Limited information provided. Independent and appropriate advice 2, Brock Villas should always be sought on such matters. The views expressed JSPCA Animals’ Shelter La Route de Saint-Aubin, St. Helier, Jersey JE2 3LN written in this magazine are those of the authors and do not 89 St Saviours Road necessarily represent the views of the Parish of St Helier or MediaMasters. The Parish of St Helier and MediaMasters accept £6 per calendar Tel: 724331 01534 733 130 no responsibility for errors or omissions that may occur. Page30 The Town Crier

PARISH NOTICES Roads Committee Meeting Parish Assembly

A meeting of the St Helier Roads Committee will take place on Wednesday 15th An assembly of the Principals and Electors of the Parish of December 2010 at 9.30am at the Town Hall to consider various matters relating to St Helier will be held at the Town Hall on Wednesday 15th roads and buildings in St Helier. December 2010 at 7.00pm to consider Parish business. The agenda will be published no less than five days before Members of the public are invited to attend part ‘A’ of the agenda. the meeting and will be available from the Town Hall or the The full agenda will be published no less than five days before the meeting and will be Parish Website at www.sthelier.je. available from the Town Hall or the Parish Website at www.sthelier.je. Parishioners are asked to arrive in good time to check their A S Crowcroft entitlement to vote, i.e. electors of the Parish, ratepayers Connétable and nominated Town Hall A S Crowcroft 230th Commemoration Connétable Saturday 8th January Town Hall The Parish is organising the annual event to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Jersey. GENERAL A guided walk from St Ouen’s Church to Town via St Lawrence’s Church will trace the Learn to speak German route taken by soldiers in 1781 and conclude in the Royal Square with a re-enactment Classes in the German language begin in the by the 1781 Jersey Militia. A lunch at the Town Hall will follow. New Year at the Town Hall between 8 and 8.50 Contact the Town Hall on 811811 for more information am, beginning on January 19th. SITUATIONS VACANT Lessons are free of charge to members of the St Helier Municipality (any Parish committee or Honorary Police association) or cost £3 per lesson payable in The Parish of St Helier has a number of vacancies for Honorary Police Officers. advance. The first course will last for ten weeks (no lesson during half term week) and will have a Interest in these voluntary positions is welcomed from men and women maximum of ten students on a first come, first between the ages of 20 and 69 who are resident in St Helier. served basis. Contact the Constable on 811821 or email [email protected] Contact the Town Hall on 811811 for more information or a confidential chat. for more information. TOWN HALL AND PARISH OF ST HELIER CONTACTS GENERAL Connétable: Simon Crowcroft Town Hall Opening Hours St Helier Deputies Tel: 811821 08.45 – 16.30 (Monday & Friday) No 1 District Room Hire Fax: 619146 09.00 – 16.30 (Tuesday) Deputy Judy Martin Tel: 780641 The Town Hall has a number of Email: [email protected] 08.30 – 16.30 (Wednesday & Thursday) Email: [email protected] Town Hall Parish Meetings Deputy Paul Le Claire Tel: 632856 rooms available for hourly or PO Box 50, St Helier Notices of Parish meeting are published on our website, Email: [email protected] daily hire: Jersey, JE4 8PA www.sthelier.je, in the Town Crier and the Deputy Trevor Pitman Tel: 863436 Assembly Room: Email: [email protected] Procureurs & Parish Management Board Other Parish Contacts Capacity up to 300 people , Clive Barton Residents Parking: Stephen Laugée No 2 District Tel: 880088 Email: [email protected] Tel: 811826 Email: [email protected] Deputy Shona Pitman Tel: 630714 The Old Magistrates Court: Procureur du Bien Public, Patrick Freeley Customer Services Manager: Angela Goguelin Email: [email protected] Capacity 80 people Tel: 724398 Email: [email protected] Tel: 811870 Email: [email protected] Deputy Geoff Southern Tel: 728231 Le Capelain Gallery: Director, Finance: Andrew Pemberton Email: [email protected] Parish Depot: Tel: 811708 Capacity 40 people Tel: 811829 Email: [email protected] Centenier’s Nightline: Tel: 875706 Deputy Debbie de Sousa Tel: 632817 Director, Parks, Gardens & Open Spaces: Email: [email protected] Committee Room 1: Anthony Andrews Duty Centenier: Tel: 07797 748540 Tel: 811700 Email: [email protected] Registrar: Tel: 811088 No 3 District Capacity 8-12 people Director, Human Resources: Martin Roberts Parish Nurseries & Homes Deputy Ben Fox Tel: 873625 Committee Room 2: Tel: 811824 Email: [email protected] Avranche & Westmount Nurseries: Val Payne Email: [email protected] Director, Municipal Services: Debra D'Orleans Tel: 811718 Email: [email protected] Deputy Jackie Hilton Tel: 731690 Capacity 4-6 people Email: [email protected] Tel: 811703 Email: [email protected] St Helier House: Jaqueline Jolley For bookings or more Director, Technical & Engineering: Peter Noble Tel: 811715 Email: [email protected] Deputy Mike Higgins Tel: 873956 Tel: 811840 Email: [email protected] St Ewolds: Ann Mclean Email: [email protected] information contact 811823 or Tel: 811716 Email: [email protected] Deputy Andrew Green Tel: 483356 email Email: [email protected] Maison de Ville: Jules Broad [email protected]. Tel: 878308 Email: [email protected] December2010