theA lderney Press Issue 314300 5th June - 19th June 2020 £1.50 Shock over articles published in Guernsey CEO’s wife castigates

is not sold on Alderney but is well read on its home island and a number of government Guernsey States deputies contacted the Alderney representatives to express their STATES MEMBERS have reacted angri- surprise that she had placed her views ly after the wife of Alderney States’ CEO before the Guernsey public. sent a critical report about the island gov- Catherine Staite, who has undertaken ernment to the Guernsey Press for publi- governance reviews of two Guernsey cation instead of sharing her thoughts committees, had not been commissioned with them or the Alderney population. by Alderney States to review island gov- The articles, published on Wednesday ernance. and yesterday, gave her views on what is She said she found it “utterly astonish- wrong with Alderney’s government and ing” that the States has 10 elected mem- included claims that States members did bers for a population of 2,000 and put the not all conform to acceptable standards “cost of democracy” at £220,000 a year, of behaviour. which equates to £107 per person com- The print edition of the Guernsey Press pared with £30 in Guernsey. She did not Prof. Catherine Staite include reference to her husband’s six- figure salary as chief executive or other administration costs. Global challenge reaches home stretch She concluded that the structures of gov- ernment in Alderney were not fit for pur- pose, were top–heavy and very expensive to run. On the effectiveness of States systems of government, she considered the number of committees, sub-committees and working groups, resulting in about 130 meetings a year, was “entirely dispropor- tionate to the scale and scope of govern- ment.” She said “Each committee generates a lot of paperwork and eats up a huge amount of time, without producing much in the way of measurable impact.” Engagement with the public was outdat- ed and ineffective. The most controversial part of her piece identifying problems, concerned behav- iour of members, and after listing the qualities needed, she stated “Not all members conform consistently to high standards of behaviour, which are essen- This year’s Coast Race went global because of Covid-19, with entrants running and tial to good government.” No specifics otherwise exerting themselves during May near their homes. Participants from as far were mentioned, but in her second arti- away at Australia and New Zealand took part and over £2,700 was raised. The event cle, dealing with possible improvements reached the home stretch, quite literally, on Wednesday when cheques for £938 each to the system of government she wrote were presented to Beth Chapman for St. Anne’s School playground, Roland Gauvain “Alderney is a small community and we for AWT and Kate Orton for AAWS at arm’s and sticks length to be socially distant. See page 17 Continued on page 2 Alderney Chamber Music Festival launches online Concert Series 5 7 Alderney will soon have it’s very own se- concerts and musical ries of classical music evenings - through talks into Alderney 3 the online meeting app Zoom. homes. So many of our 10 11 ACMF@Home hopes to keep music alive wonderful ACMF Art- 8 9 in Alderney, even during lockdown. ists from around the 6 ACMF Artistic Directors Louisa and Samu- world are looking for- 4 12 el Staples write: ‘We are devastated to have ward to taking part and 1 2 13 to cancel this years festival. ACMF is the we hope that you will highlight of our year and our friends and be able to join us’. colleagues who all love Alderney are in- ACMF@Home will credibly disappointed not to be coming to take place on Fridays at play for you. We miss Alderney terribly, 6pm beginning with a Louisa and Samuel Staples but we are confident that both the island solo violin evening live from and the festival will be back stronger than Berlin with Louisa on the 12th of June. Do make sure you have the free meeting ever. In the meantime, we are excited to Entry is completely free, simply email al- app Zoom downloaded on your computer, share ACMF@Home with you, a new [email protected] tablet or smartphone. If you are having any online series that will bring thirty minute to claim your E-ticket and personal invite. problems downloading Zoom, please email us and we can help.

Continued from front page can make our own judgements about the behaviour exhibited in our government. We know who is abusive, who tries to bully people, who uses their role to feed Just a bit of fun . . . How observant are you when out walking? their ego, who is manipulative or tells Can you identify where these places are? lies or supports the interests of their The arrows give you a clue. The answers will be in issue 315 friends against those of the whole com- munity. We also know who is hard- working, truthful and sober.” er, er, you can only apply by post or by Guernsey residents they are currently being Change to the structures of government Not SMART enough going to the Island Hall with your docu- reviewed as part of SMART Guernsey. would require technical, legal and moral These days you can do almost anything ments. “The review will identify opportunities to support from the UK Government and online, from ordering a pizza to paying bills These include printed photographs. While further enhance and expand the services as these can be made at one island shop, they the States of Guernsey, she wrote. It or renewing your TV licence. well as making them available to a wider can be home printed IF to a professional number of users including access for Alder- would also require the involvement of But if you live on Alderney you can’t re- new a driving licence online. standard, which is not so easy. ney residents.” She added that guidelines islanders in mature and sensible discus- Anyone with a Guernsey postcode can re- A spokesperson for Driver and Vehicle on driving licence photos have recently sions. new and send a digital photo using any of Licensing apologises and explains that been updated. Three options for change suggested were: four file formats, but if your code is GY9, while online services are only available to * trimming the existing States, by abol- ishing its plethora of committees, to refo- cus on its key tasks – the strategic leader- ship of core local services. *choose a much simpler model of gov- ernment, with an elected president, who chairs a small committee and represents NOONE & ASSOCIATES us effectively and constructively in Guernsey. *have a much closer relationship with FOR ALL YOUR Guernsey, not as the ‘13th parish’ [there ACCOUNTANCY, are currently 10—Ed.] but as an integrat- TAXATION, ed part of a Bailiwick government. “We PAYROLL, IT would still need local political leadership AND OTHER BUSINESS and management of services but we REQUIREMENTS would be part of a family, not a distant relative,” she wrote. Please contact Stepping into the political arena, she Brendan Noone urged people to “Vote wisely in Decem- Chartered Management Accountant ber”. Member of the Society of Trust and “We do not need lots of election manifes- Estate Practitioners

tos. They have proved largely worthless Telephone: +44 (0) 1481 823869 in the past. We just need evidence that Mobile: +44 (0) 7911 723238 the candidates are committed to improv- Email: [email protected] ing things, will act with integrity and in Website: www.accounts.gg the interests of the whole island.”

2 [email protected] [email protected] 19 No wider ed out there was garden space and parking available and offered to move the develop- Quay FM awarded Further efforts by the owners of Burhou View ment 1m from his boundary wall if that Marina presentation well received in Petit Val Lane to obtain permission to have would be preferred. The committee approved £5,000 by a wider balcony constructed on the north ele- the plan subject to that change being made. 12 Friday An Alderney Marina moved back onto the vation have been rejected by BDCC. HIGH TIDES: 1141 2357 agenda of the States yesterday (Thursday) Enterprise Trust With permission granted for a balcony 1.5m LOW TIDES: 0551 1803 when all States Members and seven civil AY Enterprise Trust, the new charity set up wide, the owners applied in August to in- Amendments agreed servants met to receive an online presenta- crease the width to 2.75m. In August, a fur- Amendments to plans for four apartments at to assist in the revitalisation of the island’s 5 Friday 13 Saturday tion from two leading members of a consor- economy and reviving its entrepreneurial ther application was rejected on grounds that the site of the former Mouriaux Garage, in- tium who were the States preferred bidders it would cause overlooking of neighbouring volving a flat roof instead of tiled over slight- HIGH TIDES: 0623 1847 HIGH TIDE: 1238 spirit, has made its first two grants. LOW TIDES: 0036 1259 LOW TIDES: 0642 1859 in 2013. property, and another refusal was issued on a ly enlarged garages, were approved by the QUAY-FM is to receive a capital injection Gordon Owen, a former chief executive of majority vote of members at last month’s BDCC at their May meeting. of £5,000 for a continuity project aimed at Cable and Wireless and architect Derek committee meeting. 6 Saturday 14 Sunday keeping the station broadcasting in the Elliott, presented amended plans which HIGH TIDES: 0710 1931 HIGH TIDES: 0059 1342 event of future disasters and civil emergen- Job done LOW TIDES: 0738 2002 Annexe plan rejected LOW TIDES: 0123 1344 were similar to their 2012 proposal for a cies. Two retrospective planning applications will marina at Toulouse Rock at the eastern end Trustee Nigel Roberts said “We recognise An application to build an annexe in the lower come before the BDCC. 15 Monday of Braye Bay under The Arsenal. the exceptional work done by station man- garden of 7 Butes Lane has been turned down 7 Sunday Mrs Fiona Guthrie Gow of Fleet House, 10 HIGH TIDES: 0206 1446 Only one States member currently serving ager and the volunteers who have shown by BDCC. The applicants were P. Concanen HIGH TIDES: 0756 2013 LOW TIDES: 0839 2109 Braye Road, is seeking a retrospective appli- LOW TIDES: 0209 1427 was also on the States at that time — Louis what the true value of the station is to our and W. Dupont. The committee held that the cation for part demolition of wall and reten- Jean — so dossiers of information are to be community these last three months. But site, which runs down to La Vallee, was in the tion at lower height. prepared for all those present. Green Infrastructure Zone where policy did complex technical equipment has a finite Mr and Mrs Staffin, Starfish, Butes Lane, has 8 Monday Tuesday The proposal is for a 400 berth marina with- not permit the erection of new residential 16 lifespan, and the station remains vulnerable put forward a retrospective application to HIGH TIDES: 0840 2054 HIGH TIDES: 0311 1544 in two moles providing protection from the in the unlikely event of an extended island- units. LOW TIDES: 0253 1506 LOW TIDES: 0939 2212 remove trees on the bank south of new dwell- waves. There would also be on-land devel- wide power loss. We hope our support will To be replaced ing. opment and negotiations are planned with hopefully in a couple of weeks.” help to address this.” Sarah Shaw, 23 Victoria Street. Install flue to 9 Tuesday 17 Wednesday the owners of The Arsenal about possible He added that the developers hoped that a Director and station manager ‘Dougal’ Planning officer Cynthia Roberts has been rear of ground floor as part of fitting out for HIGH TIDES: 0923 2136 HIGH TIDES: 0407 1635 development there. Plans to build houses on start on construction, using local trades, can Bohan said “Everyone at the station is ex- given permission to remove a diseased apple PJ’s Pantry. LOW TIDES: 0336 1551 LOW TIDES: 1033 2306 the scramble site have been dropped follow- be made next year and the work would tremely grateful for the support. This is a tree at the Vallee Garden Allotments provided Jeffrey Hill, 3 Mare Jean Bott. Replace rear ing opposition and the designation of that progress in stages with some moorings tremendous boost, not just for the QUAY it is replaced by another fruit tree in the next gate (onto Hauteville) in increased height land as a green zone. becoming available as soon as the northern FM family, but for the entire island.” planting season. portal. 10 Wednesday 18 Thursday The project is likely to cost in excess of mole has been constructed. The second grant is to AY News, a new Douglas Craig, Bon Ami, 16 Le Banquage. HIGH TIDES: 1006 2218 HIGH TIDES: 0457 1721 £20m and Graham McKinley, who arranged Pictured here is the 2012 proposal which LOW TIDES: 0420 1632 LOW TIDES: 1122 2354 news business just started by Emma Pinch, States member’s plan Extend garage and re-roof existing garage. and chaired the meeting, said that it was has now been amended. a former editor of the Alderney Journal, BDCC member Alex Snowdon stood down Representations for any of the above applica- hope that a partnership could be forged be- Construction of a marina has been suggest- and a contributor to Channel TV news from the committee meeting when his own tions to be made by 26th June. 11 Thursday 19 Friday tween the States and the developers. ed several times over the last 30 or 40 years broadcasts. She aims to become a news application for a two-storey extension to Bel Email: [email protected] or telephone He said “The presentation was very well but it appears that now, in the wake of HIGH TIDES: 1051 2304 HIGH TIDES: 0542 1802 agency for Alderney news, offering a more Air, La Trigale, was considered by his col- 820031 for more information. LOW TIDES: 0504 1715 LOW TIDE: 1206 received. There will now be another meet- Covid-19 and the need to rebuild the econ- in-depth look at life on the island and offer- leagues. Speaking to the application, he point- ing, involving the Chamber of Commerce, omy, the project has gained momentum and ing its output to both local and national sailing club and other interested parties, support. print and other media. J WALKER Dr. Jonathan Cooper bows out

Following a week of speculation around the Jenny and Francesca, and practice nurse services committee, thanked him for his General Building island, Dr. Jonathan Cooper, the island’s Katie “who assists me not only in the IMC many years of service to the community. long-serving GP who founded the IMC, but also with my lumps and bumps clinic at He said “He has saved lives and brought Painting & Decorating yesterday issued a statement welcoming the the MMH”, and practice manager Tracy for happiness to many, and to say that we are two new doctors to the practice and saying all her support and help. all extremely grateful is almost an under- Plumbing & Heating “The time is right for me to step back … He added “I wish Doctors Sally, Julie and statement. We will miss him, but quite Contracts Undertaken and enjoy more time with my family and Simon the very best for the future and hope understand his wish to take some leave and Revised Impôt Opening Hours sailing.” to be working with them again.” spend more time with his family. There is Dr. Cooper has been an Earlier, the IMC had issued a statement no doubt that he will be back in Alderney th Alderney GP for 25 explaining that over the past five years the from time to time, either in his house, on From Monday June 8 Tel:823063 years and in recent IMC has been heavily reliant on locum his boat, or even back with IMC. We look times has acted in a doctors (including Dr Cooper and Dr Ste- forward to seeing him again.” the Impôt will be open Mobile: 07781 119353 semi-retired capacity. vens) to support the resident doctor. Dr. Stevens is currently off-island, in lock- to all users at the following times:- He said “I will of “During this time, the IMC have been ac- down in Warminster, Wiltshire. He con- course miss all my tively searching for two more resident doc- firmed to the Alder- patients some of whom tors to join the practice and become part of ney Press that his WINDOW CLEANING I have looked after the community on Alderney. With the arri- work with the IMC Monday – Friday 08.00 – 14.00 since they were babies val of Dr Julie Hunt and Dr Simon Hamil- had been as a locum High reach pure water system and are now parents ton this year, to work alongside Dr Sally, and said that if the Saturdays 09.00 – 13.00 themselves. I am very the IMC has now achieved the aim and practice needed him Traditional cleaning proud to have overseen there is no longer a requirement or need to in future he would be Gutters/Fascias/Soffits the move to the modern, fit-for- purpose use locum doctors at present. happy to serve. He building that now houses the IMC and to “Dr Cooper opted to work in a semi-retired has been working on Works to improve the facility Pressure Washing Interior windows have served my community. capacity several years ago but due to the Alderney on and off “A huge thank you must go to Dr Sally Covid-19 Pandemic has worked longer since 2016 and has are continuing and the hours Full professional service who has done an excellent job in instigating than he would normally at the IMC in the bought a house on will be revised once the new formats and procedures that now past three months. We are enormously the island. Call: Darren Braby on have to be followed and with her as Clini- grateful to Dr Cooper for going above and He said “I love the island and see myself these are complete. cal Director I am sure the practice is in beyond recently and really hope he will living there for several months a year.” He 07911 754 763 good hands.” enjoy his well earnt rest.” is particularly keen on maintaining in- or email: [email protected] He thanked “the hard-working and caring Responding to Dr. Cooper’s statement, volvement with the archaeological digs. reception team”, Jackie, Gill, Michelle, Graham McKinley, chairman of the general

18 [email protected] [email protected] 3 committee refused per- Planners’ refusal mission on the grounds Last known Covid-19 case recovers — but search goes on that it contravened the The long-awaited news that the last mild, they must come forward to be test- back to a skeleton service, those arriving planning policy for land saddens French in the agricultural zone. known case of Covid-19 in the Bailiwick ed. Please don’t think you don’t want to from outside the Bailiwick have had to M. Gerard feels ag- had finally recovered, came on Wednes- adversely influence our results. We know self-isolate for 14 days. owner of ‘farmhouse’ grieved. He told the Al- day of last week — more than 11 weeks we will get more positives and that is a Analysis of the data on Covid-19 cases derney Press that when after the detection of the first case on good thing. If we know about them we shows that the number that were connect- A Frenchman with a passion for Alderney he first applied for reno- March 9th. But the Director of Public can track and trace and contain them to ed with travel peaked around March 30th and an ambition to bring back into use a vation works the property Health has warned that she expects fur- protect the rest of the community.” and declined steeply a few days later. former farmhouse that had been left as a was not in the agricultural ther cases to be found as the testing pro- Deputy Heidi Soulsby, President of the These cases amounted to 19 per cent of roofless, burnt-out ruin since the war, has zone but it had since been gramme is extended. Committee for Health and Social Care the 252 cases identified. expressed dismay at a decision not to allow changed. “They argue him to complete the renovation to provide a that no new dwelling can By the time the last “active” case had praised the community support for the Twenty-three per cent of cases were home. been closed the Bailiwick had gone 27 measures taken in the lockdown to limit among care home staff and 19 per cent be accepted in that zone Pouteaux Farmhouse, left as a burnt-out Francois Gerard, who is a part-time resi- but I have proved that it days without any new cases. the spread of the virus and stressed ‘test, were care home residents. The number of ruin at the end of the war, has a new roof, dent, has spent thousands on restoring the was an existing windows and been made structurally An efficient operation to trace and test trace and quarantine’ policy remained. cases arising from contact with known structure of the former Pouteaux Farm, (dwelling),” he said, add- sound, but the owner cannot fit out the contacts of possible victims, and testing, “As we transition through the phases to cases amounted to 27 per cent while just Barrack Masters Lane, and had spoken of ing he had provided the committee with interior for use as a dwelling. among others, of all people referred to exit from lockdown, this proactive testing 12 per cent were from unknown commu- his passion for the history of the site at a numerous supporting letters. the Princess Elizabeth Hospital by GPs, in our community is key to managing the nity sources. meeting of the BDCC in March. He want- He will now discuss the matter with his It is accepted that the structure has since saw more and more negative test results. virus and protecting islanders,” she add- The wave of cases has resulted in 13 ed, he said, to reinstate the barn/farmhouse, architect to consider whether to bring an been well restored. Announcing the news, Dr. Nicola Brink, ed. deaths certified as being caused by Covid stonework, orchard and market garden for appeal to the court or wait for the next He said “I spent too much on this project the production of vegetables. Director of Public Health said “This is It was just a week after the first case of -19 and there were three further deaths Land Use Plan inquiry, probably in three — more than (the cost of) buying an exist- And he submitted evidence that the build- great news for the Bailiwick and is testa- the virus was detected that all non- where it was presumed Covid-19 was years’ time, to seek an amendment. “With ing property, but I was so enthusiastic to ing was lived in by the Pouteaux family in no guarantees, it is not a nice perspective,” give back life to this property. I thought the ment to how well the community have essential travel to or from the Bailiwick responsible although not confirmed by 1924. A photograph of the family at the he said. States would be happy, also.” worked with us to manage the impact of ceased and, as the flight schedule was cut testing. property was provided plus a photo taken in “I thought doing projects was easier than in He and his wife have owned a house on the virus in the Bailiwick.” 1945 by which time the building had be- France but in fact it’s harder,” he added. “I Alderney for 12 years but that one only has More than 4,600 tests have been carried come a ruin. am very sad.” a very small garden and he was excited at out with the results being swiftly estab- The planning committee were concerned Francois, a retired French doctor, and his the prospect of being able to use the land at lished following the installation of spe- that the site is in an agricultural zone and, if wife Claire first came across the building in Pouteaux Farm to grow vegetables. He said cial equipment early in the outbreak. agricultural use of the land ended, a house 2008 and purchased the 4½ acre site in “I would like to live there part-time but Dr. Brink announced that testing would on the site would conflict with planning 2015. He was granted permission to carry later full-time, but I am not very sure now.” policy as set out in the Land Use Plan. At continue. “We must not be complacent,” out works to use the building as a tractor Over the years he had seen a number of their March meeting they deferred the ap- shed and storeroom. During the works, interesting projects put forward on the is- she said. “An extended testing pro- plication in order to seek legal advice. artifacts were found that related to its earli- land, but, he observed, they never came to gramme is now in place to search out When it returned at the May meeting the er use as a residence. fruition. cases of COVID-19 in those who may be asymptomatic.” The initial focus had been to test health care workers but the programme will be Alderney Coast Race – Goes Worldwide expanded to cover other groups in the community. “Islanders should be pre- Over £2,700.00 has been raised this year! It will be split pared for this expanded testing pro- This chart published by the Director of Public Health in Guernsey shows the growth equally between each of this year’s selected charities/causes; gramme to identify positive cases,” she and fall of active case numbers for each of the categories of established origins. Par- St Anne’s School playground equipment, Alderney Animal went on. “This is a good thing as it ticularly noticeable is the grey line for cases transport-related cases, which peaked by Welfare Society and the Alderney Wildlife Trust. We worked means we are identifying asymptomatic the end of March and then fell away steeply. The brown line is for cases among con- around our options with the limitations that Covid-19 had put cases and contact tracing quickly to avoid tacts of known cases, the blue line relates to care home staff and the green to care on us, but we never imagined how successful this year’s Coast Race would have been as a virtual event. When it the virus spreading more widely. home residents. The lowest peak (orange) relates to cases for which the community source was unknown. comes to fundraising in Alderney, people are so supportive “If anyone has any symptoms, however and this time, along with the rest of the world really have smashed it by raising such a fantastic amount of money and all for on island charities/causes. ACR has seen entrants from Sark, Guernsey, UK, Belgium, Australia and New Zealand. With it being our first year as organisers and being unsure of exactly how many medals we would need we thought the 180 medals we had in stock would have been plenty to see us through but we thankfully ordered more about a month previ- ously – these literally arrived on the day that the other medals Plumbing - Heating - Lead Work ran out – big thanks to Nick Laughton for stopping the panic! We have lots of new ideas which we would like to introduce We offer a full Plumbing Service. for the future of the Coast Race – keep an eye out on our Fa- cebook page for updates! Next years event is scheduled to Fully OFTEC Registered. Boiler Installation and take place on the usual last bank holiday of May. We will be Servicing. Under floor Heating. Solar Heating. looking into including the virtual coast race somehow next Conventional and Pressurised Systems. year – we’ve had some fantastic feedback! Alderney Coast Lead Work a Speciality. Race would like to acknowledge the sponsorship received from the States of Alderney and the M.E. Cheape Trust – Phone C & S Plumbing on 07781 101967 without this, the event couldn’t happen – thank you! We are or Boiler break down on 07781 111773 really chuffed with the outcome this year – with so much support it really has made organising the event so worthwhile. Available from all good Mechanical outlets Big thanks from us. Mimi House and Becky Wiggins.

4 [email protected] [email protected] 17 Dear Editor, — As a child I used to go As you work your way down the scale you down and fish on the Commercial Quay, Letters to the Editor find institutions that lack the power and Chez set to re-open as La Ville in August the company set up by Bruno Kay- when it had the old German extension. Us- wealth of those above, but which are more Mouat whom he has helped with the ing our limpets for bait we walked around councils were competent to handle. competent to work across sectors and poli- The former Adventurer’s Rest Hotel, become the club’s home and that visiting Little Garage and with manning the The subsidiarity principle came from Ro- the lorries picking up cargo from the boats. cy domains. Issues of cross-policy compli- which, as The Chez years ago was the teams will stay there once Alderney start Spike Islander. man Catholic thinking on social justice. It ance are best resolved at the middle range A fishing competition was held on it and centre of social life on the island, is set to playing fixtures in the UK. Subject to obtaining a licence, Pommier families and visitors alike streamed marked the transition from a Common Mar- of scales. There’s a Goldilocks factor at re-open at the beginning of August fol- Mr. Saunt is also planning to re-open the Renewables will be the fourth company down. The under-stage was good shelter in ket to the European Union. It’s so im- work here; the nation-state is too large, the lowing an announcement by the Libera- separate bar between the hotel and the on the island growing and/or processing bad weather and the public have enjoyed portant that, when future historians write village council too small; the regional level tion Group that a sale Farm Shop as the Chez Bar and the target our amenity for hundreds of years. Until about the 2008 crash, or Brexit, or the is just right. hemp for its non-addictive oil. has been agreed with a date for that is New Year’s Eve. now. emergence of political extremism in Eu- Alderney is right at the bottom. It has so He explained that while the hotel needed Blocked off and defaced to look more like a rope, or Covid-19, they will have to discuss little wealth and power that Aurigny Air local buyer. modern day Lager Sylt, the quay has be- subsidiarity. Services and Channel Seaways actually The purchaser is entre- little more than a good clean, the bar re- come a restricted area. The public and visi- The call for the UK to ‘take back control’ have the whip hand. As global economies preneur Roger Saunt, quires some repair work to the floor and Grievous harm charge tors are deprived of the Grandfathers’ Right was a powerful re-assertion of that princi- slip into their post-Covid crash we’ll have who came to the island roof. of access to the Quay, at a worrying time of ple. It even united the left and right wings to cope with higher taxes, hyperinflation, two years ago and is It will also have sound-proofing installed A 23-year-old man has been remanded to many disappointing and puzzling decisions of British politics. Jeremy Corbyn and Bo- devaluation, geo-political and environmen- also setting up another and two sets of front doors so that it can appear in the Ordinary Court in Guernsey in Alderney. ris Johnson were both attracted by Brexit. tal crises, broken supply-chains, … etc. business. be used for live music without causing a on July 8th charged with causing grievous bodily harm to a minor on March 8th. No What is going wrong here? Have we States The EU had become incapable of resisting With planetary life-support systems in per- The hotel will be re- nuisance. plea was taken when Dean John Smith of members lost the will and strength to chal- the power of multinationals and financial il, poor little Alderney is in deep, deep, Mr. Saunt, who has not been in the ac- named La Ville Hotel and will be aiming 52 Le Banquage, appeared in Alderney institutions. The subsidiarity principle was doodoo. lenge measures now imposed on us all? at a 3-star offering with bar, restaurant commodation business previously, was Court yesterday (Thursday) . being undermined and there seemed to be People have turned up on Alderney, liked NICK WINDER and 20 en-suite bedrooms. He is current- introduced to the hotel while looking for On the basis of documents filed with the the place, and decided to change it, with the nothing anyone could do. ly dealing with a licence applications and accommodation for six employees of his court the Jurats decided there was a case to authority to do just that. OK; let’s consider subsidiarity in practice. Sir, — An article in the Guernsey Press by th th plans to recruit a management team of other business, Pommier Renewables. answer and that the matter should be trans- I am not one to write each week and com- The 18 and 19 century Empires were Catherine Staite outlined the costs of our manager, deputy and chef. This will be importing hemp for pro- ferred to the Guernsey court because of defined in terms of the territories they con- plain but the list is now endless. I can’t not local political set up, and noted the costs He says the restaurant will serve “non- cessing to obtain cannabis oil for medici- the limitation on the sentencing power of trolled. That changed in the later relative to those in Guernsey. I found this complain. pretentious” food, similar to Weth- nal purposes. He was previously CEO of the Alderney Court. Mr. Smith was re- 20th century as sectorial empires emerged analysis both interesting and revelatory. Many of these issues were not from States erspoons “but better executed.” Cloris, a Jersey-based company growing leased on bail conditional upon him not Members’ decisions, but we do have the that controlled great blocks of economic Can we please now have a similar cost/ making unsupervised contact with the per- A rugby player with the recently-formed cannabis for medicinal use in Colombia. responsibility to make corrections. activity. These included the financial sec- benefit analysis in relation to our bureau- son named in the charge. Alderney team, he believes the hotel may Pommier Renewables is separate from Ambulance chaos, quay closure and the tor, transport, petrochemicals, pharmaceuti- crats? lack of adequate sea transport come to cals, the weapons industry and agriculture. HILARY BENTLEY mind. These sectorial empires are bigger and STATES MEETING, May 13th We do seem to have lost control, and it’s more powerful than nation-states, which Sundowners, Picaterre worrying for us all. Things happening in need treaty-blocs and alliances to push PS: How much do the States Newsletters cost? Have they not served their purpose Owing to pressure on space, this article was held over from our last edition. housekeeping”. He explained the process the island are taking the “Alderney” out of back. Sometimes that’s not enough. When whereby such legislation had to be brought Alderney. Can we get a grip to maintain the the financial sector collapsed in 2008, for (assuming there was one)? before the States of Alderney in order that island ethos that we all love. example, politicians decided they were ‘too SMs prevented from having they be “not annulled”. The quay needs re-opening, the ambulance big to fail’ and nationalised their losses. Dear Editor—Interesting article in issue 313 from Mr McKinley. He certainly paints These covered an extensive list of headings proposal needs to be reviewed. There was a sort of poker-game being their say on regulations and subject matters, and he drew attention While I am writing, I would like to pay played, which the banks won. a picture of George Pope as a saint (also a spy for the British). to the speed at which the CCA had to work tribute to Dr. Jonathan Cooper who has Supra-national polities have to deal with Two States members wanting to debate circumstances prevailing, when Mr. Tate This is not quite what was written about in order to bring in the regulations. saved many lives over the years, my own sectorial empires, and so become sectorial- issues around the lockdown regulations intervened to stop him. Asked to restrict his him in the book ‘The Alderney Story 1939 Consolidated by the CCA in 150 pages on on two occasions. He is loved by many and ised too. The institutions that manage wars, imposed by the Civil Contingencies remarks to Alderney, Mr. Roberts resumed - 1949’ compiled by Michael Packe and April 16th, they were brought to the States deserves an MBE for his service to the is- or deal with the petrochemical industry, or Authority in Guernsey were thwarted in his speech only to be interrupted again Maurice Dreyfus. And most probably one of Guernsey shortly after. He added that land over the past 25 years.. manage the money supply do not adminis- their efforts by the President, William Tate, while mentioning restrictions on travel. He the reasons Alderney does not honour or they were published on the Guernsey law STEVE ROBERTS ter healthcare, or public services or envi- at the States’ first remote assembly held on was told he was straying from the celebrate the May 16th Liberation. officers’ website. ronmental degradation. This creates prob- May 13th. proposition. CAROLE NEILL Dear Editor, — When I stood for election lems of cross-policy compliance. Laws and With all members joining the meeting via He managed to refer to States members Screening, assessment and powers to detain friends told me to stop waffling about big regulations imposed by one set of institu- iPads and computers from their homes, having formed a group to advise on local geo-political issues like climate change, tions undermine laws enacted by another. Kevin Gentle and Steve Roberts both needs, which he said was a good step premises, gatherings and the movement of Brexit, and the collapse of confidence in sought to make points about controls in the forward and provided a touch of democracy political systems. “Voters don’t want to islands and elsewhere but were repeatedly before being halted again. cal and health professionals, including the know about that, they want you to talk interrupted by Mr. Tate who said they were Alex Snowdon, who seconded the motion modification of legislation relating to men- about TRP and Aurigny.” They were right, straying from what was on the billet. “not to annul” the legislation, was himself tal health and pharmaceutical supervision too; I didn’t come close to winning. But I States members were being asked to go cut short by the President when seeking to think I was also right to stick to my guns. along with emergency legislation praise the work of Gavin St. Pier, chairman deceased. You can’t plan for Alderney if you don’t introduced for the whole of the Bailiwick of the CCA, and Heidi Soulsby, President States members voted unanimously not to know how the world works. by the States of Guernsey as directed by the of Guernsey’s health and social care annul as they also did on the next item of Let me start with Brexit. Civil Contingency Authority. In legalese, committee, but when he regained the floor business which was a further set of EU constitutional law transfers executive the proposal was “not to annul” the he did manage to say that he had every regulations, one of which enabled their responsibility to the lowest level competent legislation. confidence in the CCA and, in particular, meeting to take place remotely. to do the job. Margaret Thatcher came Mr. Tate told Mr. Gentle that the decision Dr. Nicola Brink, the MOH. “I would be grateful if you did not annul home from Maastricht delighted with this for States members was a simple “yes or Replying, James Dent, chairman of the them because if you did we would all now ‘Subsidiarity Principle’. Nation states no” and discussion of what had been done policy and finance committee, said there have to abandon this meeting and go would retain their sovereignty and Europe- in other countries was not relevant. were ways and means for bespoke home,” he said, then adding “Mr. President, an laws would only apply when internation- Next, Mr. Roberts opened his remarks by arrangements being made for Alderney. I have temporarily fogotten we are all at al co-operation was needed. It was brilliant! saying “You will probably stop me as The regulations did not preclude them but home.” The subsidiarity principle works down- well.” He managed to say that the islands they would need the support of the CCA. A third set of regulations were noted. These wards too. Nation states should not manage of the Bailiwick were different and Earlier, introducing the billet item, Mr. had all been superceded or amended by the affairs that regions, or cities, or village Peter Doyle on the left and George Pope on the right. regulations needed to be tailored to suit the Dent described it as “a piece of regulations they had just accepted.

16 [email protected] [email protected] 5 We should formulate a press and publicity and an established demand for this kind of campaign, first in Guernsey, Jersey, the UK tourism. What Alderney has to offer is al- Wildlife notes RARE GIANT VULTURE and France, and then broaden the cam- ready in place, totally accessible and with- paign, targeting visitors via international out comparison. If developed and managed Go peat-free for wildlife media. We would need to choose interest- properly, it will be a welcome lifeline for Far from here, in the upland moors of Lanca- HOVERS OVER ISLAND ing and knowledgeable spokespeople able our struggling tourist industry, our town shire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire, fires are blazing. Some of these fires are huge, fueled THE SIGHT of a huge vulture hovering to handle TV and radio interviews on the traders, our pubs and our exchequer. subject. in part by the driest May on record, combined above you is one of those experiences This island has so much to offer that is with antisocial behaviour like littering and the you can never forget, writes David Nash. All this would fuel public interest and lead interesting and unique, and it would be nice use of barbecues. It often takes days at a time The Alderney Bird Observatory (ABO) to free editorial in the countries affected by, to think that the dreadful events that caused for firefighters to get the flames under control or interested in, Alderney’s wartime past. the people of Alderney and many others so warden John Horton photographed a and even then, the earth can smoulder for Photographs John Horton Collaborating and advertising with histori- much heartache, pain and disruption, could, weeks. However, completely unknowingly, bearded vulture known as a Lammergeier cal societies and organisations that repre- in some small way, give our island a little people here in Alderney may have contributed after being tipped off by ABO board sent communities with a stake in Alder- help, and a brighter future … eighty or so to some of these fires… Upland habitats, in member Neil Harvey who managed to ney’s WW2 history would be essential. years on. particular peat moors, are some of the most get some pictures himself while out Here are a few other ideas: Unfortunately, there is a major hurdle in degraded of all the UK’s precious wildlife walking. * Encouraging visitors from Guernsey front of us before we embark on this or any habitats. Peatlands should be boggy wetlands with a unique composition of species includ- In a big report in the ‘Guernsey Press’ new initiative. How do we get our visitors through Bruno’s Spike Islander service, ing the golden plover, short-eared owl and this week John said that it was the second and/or other licensed transport. here? curlew, cottontail grass, sphagnum moss, sighting by the assistant ABO warden * Setting up French-speaking guided day Aurigny would have to change their tune mountain hare and large heath butterflies. that made him rush to the garden of the trips to Alderney using Manche Iles Ex- dramatically, and wholeheartedly take part The acidic, wetted soils mean plant matter lighthouse where he lives with his cam- press from Dielette, who would welcome in this enterprise. If not, we should insist does not degrade as with other soils, but has era and the bird then came into view. the additional business. Then, promoting that they stand back and let Alderney find built up for millions of years – forming peat, “Harried by a crow that it utterly ig- an air service that suits Alderney’s needs sometimes several meters thick. This process and selling the tours from that end; later locks up billions of tonnes of carbon in addi- — one that does the job for us without the nored” John described how it half-circled looking at a second service by sea or air tion to creating a special home for wildlife. the lighthouse and headed south west charter locally from Cherbourg, or utilising hindrance and political interference that has These wild habitats have become severely over the sea towards France. After the its existing daily rail link through France to brought the island’s economy to its knees. degraded by drainage, extraction of peat and first report, John had sent Neil’s photo to Paris. bad farming practices. Drainage is often done fellow experts and they had confirmed it * Targeting day, three and seven-night to make the land available for grouse shooting as a juvenile Lammergeier which was a and sheep farming. Increased nutrients from packages with optional add-ons, working heavy use of fertilisers and erosion from fre- first for the Channel Islands and only the with local hotels and businesses. Attempted murder quent ploughing alters the delicate balance of second ever recorded in the British Isles. poisoned by cattle, sheep and goat farm- would be self-regulating and any private- * Linking in with existing tourism to the acidity in the uplands. Peat is extracted for use Its home is probably in the Spanish or ers because after the spread of mad-cow ly-kept goats would, as now, be kept iso- WW2 sites of Northern France. denied in our gardens - which is where we all come French Pyrenees and contact with the disease across the European community, lated and under control. A few goats on An Alderney man has denied attempting to in. If you do one simple thing for British wild- We are fortunate that invaluable documen- life this summer, check where your compost Vulture Conservation Foundation in these carrion-eating birds were denied the cliffs might expose more rabbits in tation is already in existence for nearly murder his wife. Robin Dupont (56) of 2B Switzerland said this particular young carcasses which had to be incinerated. the forest of brambles and ferns and at- Clos des Mouriaux, is accused of attempt- comes from. Ask your gardener or garden every bunker and gun emplacement on centre and if they can’t guarantee peat free two year old ‘loner’ had been spotted at Perhaps, in an effort to attract more rap- tract more raptors to our shores. If the Alderney. This has involved years of work, ing to murder Christine Dupont at their home on February 19th. then don’t buy compost from them. Check various locations in France in mid-May tors, we ought to release a small herd of vulture picture attracted 75,000 ‘hits’ on for which we can largely thank Trevor what any plants have been grown in too, there before ending up in Normandy on May wild goats here on Alderney to clear ABO Facebook and Twitter account, in Davenport, Colin Partridge and others, He first appeared in court in Guernsey on is no benefit to planting with peat in terms of 18. John Described the experience as away some of the vast areas of brambles the ‘new normal’ of life in Alderney, who, with their vast knowledge on the sub- February 21st and was remanded in custo- plant growth or health. Just asking the ques- dy. He was remanded again when he made “extraordinary” and having lived in An- that have closed down great tracts of the sightings like this could bring a lot more ject, would be invaluable to help and sup- tion sends a message and if the demand isn’t port the project. an appearance in the Guernsey Magistrates there for peat products, extraction becomes dalucia in Southern Spain for some years open land and cliff paths so walkers and visiting ‘Twitchers’ from our sister is- Court on March 16th and again on May lands and help boost the economy and The Alderney Wildlife Trust, which under unviable. Uplands can, and are being, restored I can vouch for that fact. Having sat in ramblers can explore more of the island? 13th. by removing drainage channels and banning awe of watching groups of griffon vul- Objectors say that with 400 dogs on Al- hospitality sector which is in shreds. the leadership of Roland Gauvain, has The case was then referred to the Royal brought a new kind of visitor to the island – extraction in sensitive areas but the protection tures hovering effortlessly riding the derney, owners who allow their dogs off John Horton the ABO warden is also the Court where on Thursday of last week his must be tightened and consumer demand has have also played a big role. This project thermal air currents in the foothills of the lead to roam are unable to collect the Island bird recorder. If you see anything not guilty plea was entered and the hearing to change. This would lock in the carbon peat- would do well to model itself on the Alder- adjourned until June 18th. lands store, slowing climate change, and also Serrania de Ronda and Gragzalema na- faeces in rough ground and there are par- unusual please forward your wild bird ney Wildlife Trust in a number of ways. tional parks it is unforgettable. Vultures asitic worms in these that can infect sightings and a photo if possible to him at Christine was initially taken to the Mignot play an important role in natural flood man- Getting started will not be easy but, once agement. can have a nine-foot wing-span and goats’ brains. Goats are prolific breeders [email protected] or phone him Memorial Hospital before being transferred the ball starts rolling, the demand will in- to the Princess Elizabeth Hospital in Guern- It’s incredibly simple but if we all did this one if left to their own devices and with no on 07815 5499191. weigh eight kilos. The species is making crease by word of mouth alone. sey. On February 27th a police spokesman thing it would be a huge step towards protect- predators on the island, a wild population a come-back after being persecuted and It is a fact that there is worldwide interest said she had been discharged from hospital. ing these iconic upland areas for the future.

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6 [email protected] [email protected] 15 This article has been written by RAY PARKIN, who came to Alderney from Jersey upon acquiring the then Grand Hotel 60 years ago, and has played significant roles in numerous aspects of island life over the At last! An event we can all enjoy decades. He is a former States member and chairman of the Tourism, Harbours and Airport, Agriculture ALL those days when islanders and Planning committees, was awarded life membership of the golf club in recognition of providing vital have not been able to go anywhere funds at a critical time, and is president of both the tennis and cricket clubs. He has also been a pilot, have probably been spent tending the garden — or some of them, at writer and playwright, best known in recent times for his writing of “An Island Story” staged by the theatre least. So it would be a shame if, group for the 70th anniversary of the Homecoming. after all that TLC, the fruits of that labour go without sharing the joy of a lovely corner of Alderney with others. This week a call went out to resi- Getting our history to work for us dents to open their gardens to the public for a day or more during this ALL OF US who are lucky enough to live year’s Bloomin’ Alderney Week, Now … and then: This plaque on this beautiful island are aware of Alder- which goes ahead as planned from remembering the hundreds who ney’s grim wartime past, and although it is Monday, June 22nd to Sunday, 28th. died at the SS Camp Sylt was well documented, there is much that has Organiser Donald Hughes would erected in 2008 but now like to hear from everyone happy to been withheld from us that we can only appears as neglected as the rest open their gate to islanders — and leave to the imagination. What we do know of the site. possibly some visitors from Guern- does not make for pleasant reading, and sey. you only have to take the dog for a walk to Gardens do not have to be large or see that the construction of Nazi fortifica- show-stoppers. If there is plenty of tions around Alderney involved massive colour or something of particular human input. interest, then there islanders will be Although there is a lot we don’t know, it is happy to take a stroll around. The festival has been a popular fea- a fact that thousands of young men were ture of summer on the brought to Alderney and forced to work as island for a number of slaves. Many were worked to death in the years and this time there process by the occupying German forces, will be an added element constructing the mass of bunkers and forti- as some of the gardens fications around the island as a highly con- will be videoed so that centrated part of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall. car tracks which extend through its centre fascinating, unique history. A history in they can be viewed from which our entire local population lost their A few years back, I attended a ceremony at to the long-abandoned and derelict VOR afar online by at Vis- homes, their possessions and their home- itAlderney’s website and Sylt, the concentration camp on the south station. The garden of Ann and Malcolm Bosher land to the Nazis, and who on their return social media pages for Some onlookers may regard Sylt and the of the island that was run by the SS and five years later had to face a long, hard is beautifully kept, with lawn and col- those unable to get here. was, reputedly, the most brutal of the plaque as a neglected reminder of past struggle to rebuild their lives and the ourful beds on one side of the house and Gardeners who would camps on Alderney. The ceremony was events that we in Alderney are fully aware healthy, caring community that exists here a greenhouse and large vegetable plot like to open their gardens organised as part of a visit by families of of but would like to forget. But Sylt’s histo- today. (with a large hydrangea) on the other. are asked to email their former prisoners at the camp. The daughter ry will never go away. It needs to be Above: one of two large cordyline Our States should take control and form a preferred opening times acknowledged and remembered. of one prisoner spoke on behalf of her fa- small, carefully-managed organisation de- palms. Right: Californian poppies (before Thursday, 18th June) to tour- ther, who was too old to travel. Listening to Public interest in what took place in war- voted to historical and WW2 tourism. Lo- thrive at Clos de Mouriaux. her father’s experience at Sylt left me and time Alderney is being regularly reawak- [email protected] or cal guides should be fully trained with ac- call 822333. Alternative- many others in a state of revulsion and sad- ened, and a number of TV programmes and curate historical knowledge of Alderney ness. Income from ly, call Donald Hughes on sensational articles in national newspapers and have the linguistic ability and audio 823769. His story told of an ongoing orgy of beat- are beginning to create an image problem equipment to handle pre-booked inclusive gambling declines As in previous years, ings and ill-treatment of innocent young for the island. With no formal States posi- trips to Alderney from anywhere in the The Alderney Gambling Commission, gardens will be open at various times Simply go to www.visitalderney.com/see- men, who were systematically starved, tion on the matter, and an understandable world. The scheme will not suit everyone’s throughout the week and a schedule will be do/events/bloomin-alderney/. taste on the island but, managed well, it whose profits provide the bulk of the tortured, humiliated and made to suffer all reluctance to give permission to allow the funding for capital works on the island, available on-line from Friday, 19th June. press and others to delve further, the UK could not only be a great help to our dimin- manner of horrendous deaths, all because suffered a big drop in earnings in 2019, it of their religious or political beliefs. The media and others have begun to comment ishing tourist numbers, but provide a much- is disclosed in their annual report just on there being a good relationship between fact that the murderers who inflicted these unfavourably on the island’s attitude to the needed boost to our hotels, guest houses, restaurants, pubs and shops, many of whom published. COMMENT politicians and the head of the civil service, terrible crimes were never brought to jus- subject, perhaps giving the impression that her husband. are in imminent danger of going out of tice, but allowed to return to their homes we are trying to hide Alderney’s wartime Income, at £4.6m, was down by 17.1 Whether intended or not, I think the ordinary business. On the front page of this edition we report on after the war to resume normal lives in the history from the public. peer cent on the previous year, mainly man or woman in the street will take her final If the island goes ahead with this project it due to fewer gambling businesses being two articles written by Catherine Staite, wife comments as referring to the current States. interest of “the bigger picture” - whatever States Member Graham McKinley has ex- must not be a free-for-all. It needs to be of Alderney’s CEO Andrew Muter, criticising “Alderney is a small community and we can that was - defies all understanding. pressed his views in the Alderney Press and licensed by the commission. The number managed by our tourist office and organ- the system of government and advocating make our own judgements about the behav- on Quay FM, and I would like to expand on fell from 53 in 2018 to just 33, which The whole thing left me with the feeling ised from its beginning, sensitively and change. iour exhibited in our government,” she writes, them. My view is that this island must now included six new licences. “We” could do this or that to change things, that it would be an affront to the memory of carefully, to make sure the tours offer fac- continuing “We know who is abusive, who bite the bullet and open its doors to visitors While income fell, expenditure rose by she writes — a bit forward for someone who, those young men if they were forgotten and tual information, are of high quality, inter- tries to bully people, who uses their role to from around the world, inviting everyone to regardless of her experience as Emeritus Pro- their stories never told. esting, and are good value for money. 4.5 per cent to £2.6m, of which £1.8m feed their ego, who is manipulative or tells see the extraordinary lengths that Nazi Ger- was for staff costs. fessor with the Institute of Local Government lies or supports the interests of their friends I revisited Sylt a few days ago with my son. Alderney’s WW2 and historic tours would many went to make Alderney what is al- Lord Faulkner of Worcester, the commis- Studies with the University of Birmingham, against those of the whole community. We Its crumbling gates stand lonely and over- be unique in a large, existing world market has only been on the island for two years, and most certainly “the most fortified island in sion’s chairman, said that despite the also know who is hard-working, truthful and grown. Attached is a faded, barely-readable offering organised tours to former theatres won’t have her first opportunity to vote at an the world”. We should introduce our own decline in licensees and income, the reg- sober.” plaque that was organised by the victims’ WW2 and historical guided tours. of war, such as the WW1 poppy fields and election for States members until next No- I think she owes everyone an apology, not the landing beaches of Normandy. They ulator is still optimistic for the future. vember — and only then if she is still on the families, giving a short description of the We will be letting the world know that we least for choosing to take her concerns to would appeal to both special interest tour- “Whilst 2019 was not without its chal- island. camp’s history. Beyond the gates the con- are not “Adolph Island” — as it was recent- Guernsey, where many people do not count ists and to the average visitor. They would lenges we look forward, and not back, to Yet she feels entitled to publicly criticise and themselves as allies of Alderney, instead of crete foundations of the camp buildings are ly described in a documentary — but a tiny, also offer a new side to Alderney’s already to urge changes to our system of government, raising them on-island. still there on either side, hidden in dense beautiful, peaceful island in the English playing our part in this developing indus- brilliantly diverse tourism appeal. the success of which depends to a large extent Peter Annereau, Associate Editor undergrowth, and there are deep, well-used Channel with a proud community and a try,” he said. 14 [email protected] [email protected] 7 Former ambulance chief officer ‘astounded’ reform Charity group concerned for villagers in Tanzania Supporters of the Tumaini kets, churches as its neighbour- The former chief ambulance officer who Fund on Alderney are anx- ing countries did. Instead, the was sacked following a critical report on proposals were not considered the service has written to States Members iously following news bulle- President called the people to saying she is “astounded” that proposals vice operated by a new AAS Ltd at im basis by the fire brigade. tins about the Covid-19 situa- attend church and pray against she had put forward for reorganising the £133,818 a year, the cost of a States-run The option also envisages a move away tion in Tanzania amid con- the virus.” emergency service had not been included in service at £77,250, and the cost of a com- from user payment for the service by sub- flicting reports. A few days Those in remote villages cannot options to be considered by the States next bined fire and ambulance service at scription to costs being levied to the States after the US Embassy report- reach hospitals or even a dispen- £136,550. The budget for the existing fire budget and paid through the property tax. week. ed hospitals were being over- service is £62,400. One issue not resolved is the transfer of the sary and Dr. Wilson said that Mel Walden, who had served with the Al- whelmed by cases, the gov- over the 17 years she has been derney Ambulance for 28 years and whose The proposal is that the combined service assets of the former AAS service. The billet would operate with a pool of 16 volunteers paper says it is assumed there would be an ernment has claimed that visiting, she has never seen any dismissal resulted in a walk-out by all the there had been a sharp decline hospital with a ventilator. crew, had set out proposals for a service led by a manager and a deputy. Some vol- opportunity to transfer the asses but the in the number of people af- operated with new directors to the majority unteers would cover both fire and ambu- mechanism “is to be determined and will As well as fund-raising, the Tu- of States members in December, shortly lance and others would specialise in one or require legal advice.” fected. maini group on Alderney, organ- after the walk-out. She understood that the the other. A clinical support officer would The Articles of Association of AAS Ltd While large gatherings are ised by Kate Hilditch continues politicians supported her proposals and she be employed to work with the team for six stipulate that, upon dissolution, the assets banned and schools closed, to knit numerous blankets for was asked to submit a business plan which, months to help manage the transition from shall be applied to charitable purposes on churches have remained open despatch to the villagers. the service currently being run on an inter- Alderney. she says, she subsequently did. and President John Magufuli Suspending a can of water from a simple frame is all that Kate can be contacted at But at the May meeting of the policy and told an applauding congrega- is needed to create a “tippy tap” to facilitate hygienic [email protected]. finance committee, members were present- tion “God had answered your hand-washing with soap. ed with a report which made no reference annual grant from Guernsey which current- ly stands at around £1.9m. prayers”. to Mel Walden’s proposals which would New Alderney Dr. Susan Wilson, who runs the Guern- Continued from page 9 have included the involvement of the Medi- James Dent, Chairman of Alderney’s Poli- cal Director of the UK-based Emergency cy & Finance Committee, said: “When the sey-based charity helping the people of wise. While in UK only around eight per Doctors Medical Services Ltd, Dr. Aaron Property Tax new Property Tax is introduced, it is im- the Kagera region of Tanzania, says that cent of houses are self-built, in many Pennell, who had been a director and advi- portant that the States of Alderney raises it has not been possible for the govern- European countries the proportion is 50 sor to the Alderney Ambulance. moves to income equivalent to the combined level of ment to roll out widespread testing. per cent or more. Occupier’s Rates and TRP currently col- Three options were put: to establish a new “The feeling is that the cities are affected He hopes his house will be ready for lected from Alderney properties. company with volunteers and subscriptions but rural areas have not been badly hit as market in August. along the lines of the old AAS; starting a the next stage “Although the new tax has required a con- yet,” she said. The planning committee liked the design, States of Alderney Ambulance Service; or The following is a Press Release from the siderable amount of civil service time and effort, it remains on track but we must be For six weeks the charity’s workers have but what about others? Workmate Ali combining an ambulance service with the States of Alderney: been teaching social workers about the States-run fire brigade. The officer’s rec- mindful that unforeseen circumstances in commented “People certainly say it is Legislation allowing Alderney to take con- WHO guidelines on the prevention of ommendation was the amalgamation with trol of its own property taxation from next these challenging times could affect the different; so many people are only used timing.” transmission of the virus and the subse- the fire brigade and this was accepted by January has been agreed by Guernsey’s to houses that are rectangular.” Simon States members as the proposal to be debat- States of Deliberation. The Alderney Prop- The States of Alderney will also be taking quent management of cases. The infor- added “It has created a lot of interest; over responsibility from the States of ed in the full States next Wednesday. erty Tax (Enabling Provisions) Law 2020 mation filters down to families through a more of it positive than otherwise.” Guernsey for setting rates of fuel duty and In her letter to States members, Mrs. Wal- now goes to the States of Alderney for network of parish workers. Simon says the steeply sloping roof, fac- document duty and retaining the proceeds den says the billet report contains inaccura- adoption. To facilitate the washing of hands with ing south, is ideal for fitting solar panels cies and raises concerns, and she is asking The new single tax combines Taxation on from these. Between them, these two taxes soap, they have demonstrated how to set raise approximately £750,000. A communi- and an array could see the house becom- for the matter to be deferred so that the Real Property (TRP), collected by Guern- up tippy-taps. These are simple devices. proposals put forward with Dr. Pennell’s cations plan setting out the implications for ing 90 per cent self-sufficient for electric- sey with a grant returned to Alderney every A container of five-litre can with a small ity. support can be examined and the options year, and the Occupier’s Rate which is col- property owners and residents will be rolled independently reviewed. out in the near future. hole near the cap is filled with water and With large windows in the gable end, lected locally. Many property owners won’t tipped with a stick and rope tied through She is asking for a meeting with States see any significant change in the overall future owners can also look forward to a hole in the cap. As only the soap is members to give an opportunity to provide amount they pay and will instead receive enjoying the afternoon and evening sun- additional information “as others have been one bill instead of two. touched with the hands, the device is shine. given,” she writes. Tenants in rented accommodation will no Almost four times very hygienic. And one other thing: They will never “Even if our proposal is not accepted, it is longer receive a bill for Occupier’s Rate as have to hire someone with a ladder to paramount that you have full and accurate it will be collected from landlords who can over the limit clear leaves from the guttering. They can figures and information regarding what reach private arrangements with their ten- The driver of a vehicle which collided with A delivery of soap to enable the Tan- constitutes a robust service, compliant with bend down and clear leaves themselves ants. a parked vehicle in Braye Road on March zanian villagers to observe WHO from the stone-filled trough at ground accepted modern standards, which Alder- Current arrangements for discounts and 2nd was subsequently found to have almost ney requires,” she writes. “The single op- guidelines on hand-washing to help level. zero-rating of particular classes of property, four times the legal limit of alcohol in her tion proposed on the Billet does not fulfil prevent the transmission of Covid-19. such as social housing and charities, are blood, Alderney Court was told yesterday the relevant criteria and the financial fig- expected to continue. (Thursday). ures are, quite honestly, fanciful. The money goes toward the cost of all local Dr. Wilson said “We have taught the No news is bad news “AAS operated a safe, efficient and cost- Charlotte Ellis (41) of 9 Queen Elizabeth II principles of social-isolation for families services provided by the States of Alderney Street, pleaded guilty to driving with excess Newspaper readers on Alderney have effective service, with no clinical or other such as refuse collection and disposal, affected by the virus and the responsibil- alcohol and the case was adjourned until complaints.” She alleges that the failure of street sweeping, the harbour and maintain- ity of the communities to provide food been going to shops more in hope than July 2nd for preparation of a social enquiry this service was down to the Chairman and ing green spaces. for them and help on their farms. expectation for the past week, only to find report. Deputy Chair and the interference of the The States will have the power to raise or “We have taught the need for the com- the shelves bare. Up to Wednesday the States CEO, “not the crew or the system lower the levy in future years to meet pro- Advocate McVeigh, prosecuting, said that UK papers had failed to be sent over from that we worked under.” the defendant had been trapped in her vehi- munities to continue supporting their jected budgets. Pastors in the absence of the church col- Guernsey by Aurigny for seven consecu- The combined States-run service proposed The move, first proposed in the 2016 Re- cle after the collision and the emergency lections which usually support them.” tive days. would not include non-emergency patient view of the Financial Relationship, hands services had to attend. A blood test re- One shopkeeper said that if only one pas- transport which the AAS undertook, so she Communication between social workers more power to Alderney to govern itself vealed she had 318mg of alcohol in her senger is being carried in the Dornier questions the cost comparison quoted in the blood. The legal limit is 80mg. and the parish teams have been strength- and determine priorities and funding in freight can only be carried within the des- billet. respect of its own local services. It will also Jurats imposed an interim driving disquali- ened by the provision of mobile phones. ignated passenger areas and mail takes The billet proposal puts the cost of a ser- eliminate Alderney’s dependency on an fication and agreed to her bail continuing. She added “The government is trying its best, but did not close the borders, mar- precedence over newspapers. 8 [email protected] [email protected] 13 ‘Land in a cow pat and you get a free drop’ Simon’s house is a ‘first’ in British Isles The course took Golf Illustrated This A-frame house, being built by Si- writer Kevin Payne by surprise when mon Benfield is strikingly different from he came over from the UK in 1982. anything else on the island, but it could “At only 3½ miles by 1½, one would well become a more common sight think that Alderney wouldn’t be big around the world in future years. enough for a tennis court, let alone a It is a kit house, manufactured in Estonia golf course — but nine holes there and its designer, Indrek Kuldkepp, are — and quite a test of golf, too!” founder and CEO of Avrame, reckons he wrote. “In an island with almost two people can put it together in as little as many war-time bunkers are sand- as two and a half weeks. filled ones, it is indeed a surprise to Simon is taking longer. Employed as a find such a well designed set up.” builder by James Walker, he’s only Describing the closing hole as working on this project in the evenings “superb” he said the 406 yard (now and at weekends, helped by Ali Sugden. 420) yard par four “is every inch a Hosting Jersey for a trophy match. Simon’s decision to build the house tough par five when the wind is lands. Alderney was no longer the odd Alderney Golf Club had been open for springs in part from a win he had in the blowing dead against.” man out but suddenly found itself a play- one year when a sports writer for the “Open the box” lottery at the Campania. On the seventh, attempts to go for a er in Channel Island affairs — and Victo- Boston Globe in America tried his hand He won £9,000 and wondered what ‘big hit’,” he went on “have to be ria Street was suddenly full of people we at the course. would be the best use of the money. weighed against the embarrassment didn’t know. Bud Collins described the course as a “Interest rates are rubbish and I had some of hooking into the back gardens of I was very involved with Alderney Crick- harsh test of human patience, enough to other savings so I started looking on the the only houses that adjoin the et Club and we suddenly had a waiting drive you to drink, he wrote, after com- internet to see if there was any type of course.” list of teams who wanted to come to the menting that the “uncommonly long- housing that I could afford,” he said. Mr. Payne noted that one of the island. It was the same with golf, and lived islanders” were well practised in He landed upon the site of a new compa- teething problems with the new later tennis, but Alderney itself was the the pastime (drinking, that is). ny in Estonia that was advertising kits of course was that cows wandered main beneficiary. The main structure completed, Simon is making best use of the fine weather to make Describing the course as a “pellet- A-frame dwellings, ranging from small across it. The club made a local rule For our newly-formed golf club things progress on boundary walls and landscaping. popping monster”, he mused that once summer homes that could be located in stating that players could have a free were not so good. The course was open around the course was guaranteed to countryside settings, to this one, which is (without penalty) drop away from but not nearly ready. The fairways were panels and win- produce trauma. “Even Lee Trevino … at the top end. A-frame houses are partic- any cow pats. like narrow tracks going through the jun- dows, in two 20ft would bite his caddy and melt down his ularly popular in Scandanavia and Cana- The feature was summed up with the gle you spent most of your time looking shipping containers. for your ball. To keen golfers it was not clubs if he got into the blackberry bram- da where people like to have a second They arrived in headline “Get away from it all in bles that line the second fairway!” every one’s cup of tea, even with the home in an isolated spot beside a lake or January last year Alderney”. The fairways, he went on, are as narrow annual subscription set at only £5. There surrounded by forest. and Simon made and winding as the beguiling cobbled were few takers. The location of Simon’s house is a field good progress on lanes of St. Anne. “The course seems Continued There was no clubhouse and for the first off Le Petit Val, earmarked for 12 prop- the assembly, hav- like a giant hair-shirt with occasional two years my brother Gary, himself a erties. So far Simon’s plot is the only one ing first excavated Golf Club Ltd and it was that company buttons that are the greens. keen golfer, provided clubhouse facilities being developed. rising ground to that would actually own the club. (I later at the Links, a bar and restaurant next to “Here is rough with a death grip, hold- The design of the 1,300 sq ft house met keep the ridge as became chairman.) George was a good the old Essex Hotel behind the present ing the ball as surely as W. C. Fields with unanimous approval when Simon’s low as possible and choice, he had already proved his ability clubhouse. clutched a Martini glass. You may pry plan came before BDCC in November to get things done and was the first chair- I remember George Baron ringing me up. and investigate and beat at this growth completed footings 2018 and, having checked the company man of the Alderney Chamber of Com- “Ray the club is broke and we need mon- for hours, but it will never surrender a featuring three par- out, he placed his order. merce and at the heart of lots of new pro- ey to finish the course or it is going to ball. If the rough doesn’t gobble a ball allel strips. flooring are yet to be done. jects that would prove good for Alder- Unlike many homes today that are put fold. I need £500 each from the directors forever, one of the goats may. Par is The main structure was up in three Simon plans to sell the property, which ney, including the founding of the Alder- together from large insulated factory- for which they will get life member- counted in balls, not strokes, and any- months and the roof was felted when the he sees as being a four-bedder, with one ney Sailing Club. built panels, the Avrame kits consist of ships”. I and the late Jackie Main, a great body who can make the nine holes in 18 wettest winter on record put paid to pro- bedroom on the ground floor, plus an With George Baron it was no use just individual pieces, the large timber supporter of everything worthwhile in balls is several under and playing fantas- gress for six months. open plan kitchen and living room featur- agreeing with him. If you supported his lengths all cut to size, including all the Alderney — a good friend and a fellow tically.” The plastic-coated steel roof panels are ing west-facing doors onto a patio, and ideas, and wanted them to go ahead, he joints. “You don’t even need a hand- non-golfer — had to get a bank loans to A couple of dozen got Bud through his now on and Velux windows fitted to three more bedrooms upstairs. However, expected you to prove it by “putting your come up with the money. I am still a life saw,” said Simon. maximise light in the two-storey build- money where your mouth is” which is round he described as “a magnificent the lay-out is flexible and purchasers may member but have played infrequently It all came, together with the roofing ing. Interior partitions, staircase and final how I became a very early subscriber of expedition despite the frustration”. prefer to have three bedrooms and a west and, usually very badly (My golf partner After enjoying the fare offered by Sybil the sailing club!. would constantly shout at me -facing first floor I was chairman of States Tourism in McQueen, he was told by Ray Parkin lounge. “Concentrate, Ray Concentrate”. My “With such lobster, cheap liquor and How the work progressed those days and owned and ran Grand answer was always: “How can anyone What Simon has Hotel, the island’s largest. I was certain now golf, I’m afraid none of us is much done is known as concentrate hitting the ball with views interested in leaving or knowing what’s golf would be a great step forward in like this!”) Sweat Equity, going on out there in the world (Vietnam, bringing an influx of new settlers and So what have we ended up with? — a where someone atomic jitters, etc).” visiting golfers to the island, particularly little treasure of a golf course and, like uses their own la- He concluded his article with mention of as our new Alderney-based airline, Au- Alderney itself, it has its ups and downs. bour to build a rigny, was finding its feet and developing The course? It’s a bit quirky but is well a ‘bottomless’ German bunker in the home for much less new routes and business. laid-out and maintained, with lots of rough waiting to swallow anybody not as money than it Within six months of starting, Aurigny room, fabulous views and plenty of fresh alert as a Green Beret. It “wouldn’t be would cost other- changed the complete social structure of air”. What more do you want? cricket” to cover it or put up a warning the Channel Islands in sport, business sign. He was told by John Crawford “We I am very proud of my association with Continued on page 13 and social interaction between the is- the club. lose a lot of members in that bunker.” 12 [email protected] [email protected] 9 Celebrations delayed as golf club reaches its MEMBERS of Alderney Golf Club have been looking forward to June 10th for a considerable time — to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the club’s opening. The 50th anniversary course is open and looking fine, players are out daily, enjoying rounds in the sun, but the clubhouse remains out of bounds as the 19th because of the coronavirus pandemic and celebration plans have had to be postponed until the island reaches to “the new normal”. But, at least, the story of the founding of the course can be told and nostalgia evoked.

The founder of the club was Jacko Jackson whose daughter Penny Cater writes: In 1965 my father, Jacko, moved from Nigeria where he worked for 17 years and retired to Alderney. He always said that "he was so happy there that he wanted to give something back". He approached George Baron, permission was given by the States and land allocated for a nine hole golf course. The Army Watch the birdie! Social distancing helped to clear the fairways and a retired was not in the vocabulary of this pilot The seats in remembrance professional gardener laid the greens using startling players at the 2nd tee. of Jacko Jackson provide a spirit level. My father and some of his an unbeatable viewpoint. like-minded friends worked tirelessly to Later the Club house was erected and my available on the shelf behind Riduna’s get the course ready for use. On 10th June mother, Beryl, did her bit by running the serving counter. Fortunately for my father, Bob, and I, the 1970 the Lieutenant Governor was due to bar. After Jacko's death in 1997 a bench those who contributed finance and deliv- Ray Parkin, who 50 years ago was already the new course and clubhouse should be was erected in a prominent position near golf course had commenced its first year fly over and officiate at the opening of the ered the opportunity. It is reported the de- running the Grand Hotel on Alderney, sighted and the fact that its chosen location the 1st green and 15th tee in his memory of play. I count myself fortunate to enjoy writes about his memories of the days was on Common Land drew a few objec- golf course but fog came down and he was velopment committee spent less than they giving the chance for weary golfers to rest the company of the many characters who originally budgeted for the course when the founding of Aurigny triggered tions, but they were quickly overruled. unable to attend - not an unusual event! and admire the view. played, and many more who socialized at (designed by Frank Pennick, amateur golf economic growth which included the crea- I am not sure who was the first to get the Teddy Odoire, the Queen's Representative As we celebrate this 50th anniversary I the club. On 10th June we will remember champion and international golf course tion of the golf club. ball actually rolling and there was no end in Alderney (a title now defunct) stepped know that my father would be very the official opening. A celebration is architect) the cost per hole working out at From the word go, the news that Alderney of enthusiasts prepared to help to get the in and carried out the ceremony. He teed pleased that the Club has been so success- planned to occur when social gatherings £724 12s 6d. I wonder how far that would was planning to have a new golf club at- project off the ground. But it was Jacko off the first ball which went straight into ful. A fitting tribute to a man who loved are permitted so we may pay justice to the go today. tracted a lot of interest on the island. With Jackson who kept it in the limelight and the car park! Not a very auspicious start his golf and wanted to leave behind a club moment. Many happy returns Alderney Golf Club. the advent of Aurigny Alderney was de- pushed it forward. He certainly had the but the Club went from strength to that golfers who come after him can also From available records, it is reported that It is open to all, to play and socialize, it veloping socially and was looking more to expertise, the contacts and the drive to get strength, in my father's time boasting in enjoy as well as a thank you to the island Alderney Golf Club was given immediate brings joy to many, and with all your sup- the outside world than ever before. things moving and everyone involved was excess of 500 members, both members and which he loved and where he spent so support with some 500 members, estimat- port we look forward to the next 50 years. There were lots of suggestions as to where confident that Alderney was going to get social members. many happy years. ed to be 25% of the island population. an excellent golf course. Former club captain Soon after the Golf Club was built, lasting James Bardwell, manager of the Midland and treasurer Mark relationships were fostered with Guernsey Bank, was Secretary of the company and Smith writes: and Jersey golf clubs, pro-am matches he saved the club thousands of pounds My family became were held, Alderney Club Captains were when he “co-opted” the help of the 30th resident in Alderney elected Captain of the Channel Island Golf Signals Regiment who were doing another in the Spring of 1970, Alliance. The course grew in maturity, 9 job on the island. He got them to take joining my maternal tees expanded to 18. Alderney Golf down the level of the whole of the second grandparents who Course is rated one of the top 100 gems in fairway by about three feet with their had made Alderney the British Isles. heavy earth-moving tractors in order to their home in 1964. The founders first combined in 1966 to give players sight of the green from the We had visited Al- plan and establish a golf course, part of a second tee. He gave them 12 cases of beer derney to enjoy holi- regeneration plan to raise Alderney’s to help the job along and he and I split the days, when I fondly economy from the devastation of war, and cost. recall telephone calls to build a sustainable social tapestry that I remember Bob Smith and John Crawford arranged via the ex- combine to make Alderney unique, a safe being very active at that time but I believe change, milk deliv- haven for many generations. Today Alder- it was George Baron, the island’s largest ered to pails at the ney faces new challenges owing to the building contractor and who later became door; and, a sense of pandemic. We can learn from past experi- States President, who formed the Alderney achievement buying ences, and harness selfless contribution as Encouraging juniors has always been important. This group are pictured with Ron Who can name these players and their caddies? the last tin of fruit made by the Golf Club’s founders and Smallwood, Jacko Jackson and John Crawford. Continued on the next page

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