TOWN CRIER THE OFFICIAL PARISH OF ST HELIER MAGAZINE September 2020 In partnership with the FIRST TOWER PARK REMOVED FROM HOSPITAL SHORT LIST First Tower residents will have gov.je), seeking a States’ decision been relieved to learn that the to protect the Park, in which he Government has removed their argued that the Government has TOWN CRIERpark from the new hospital displayed ‘a breath-taking lack of short list, although there was a understanding of the importance THE OFFICIAL PARISH OF ST HELIERwidespread MAview thatGAZINE there was of public green space in urban no real prospect of its being communities.’ Evidence of the built on, not least because of the ongoing importance of First Tower presence of a Neolithic dolmen (aka St Andrew’s) Park can be seen at its heart. The Constable of in the fact that the Parish has been St Helier lodged a ‘proposition’ asked to increase the pétanque or private member’s bill, in the area to the west of the Park, and States’ Assembly (P. 92/2020 consultation on this project will be on the website, statesassembly. held this month. WELCOME Welcome to the September issue of the Helier. Many Parish activities are back to St Helier Town Crier, the fourth to be normal now, although socially distanced, produced in partnership with the Jersey and any meetings which are held are Evening Post. As well as the usual news organised to conform to Government and information parishioners expect to guidelines. Everyone who works for the find in their monthly magazine, we have Parish in a paid or unpaid capacity is included insideTO a feature on a selectionWN pleased to be involved in Parish life after CRIER of the varied uses to which our People’s the summer break, and the Parish is Park has been put in recent years, while doing all it can to maintain the vibrancy the Constable’sTHE Comment, OFFICIAL once again, as wellPARISH as the safety of our OF town as STwe HELIER MAGAZINE highlights the importance of St Helier’s seek to attract businesses and shoppers green spaces for the quality of life of in to St Helier. We wish all our readers a residents and everyone who uses St safe and enjoyable Autumn. TOWN CRIER THE OFFICIAL PARISH OF ST HELIER MAGAZINE HAVRE DES PAS IMPROVEMENT GROUP MEETINGS TO RE-START After a prolonged gap due to the pandemic, the monthly meetings of residents and business owners in the Havre des Pas area are set to start again at their usual regular time of 6pm on the first Thursday of each month, beginning on 1st October. The Parish is enormously grateful to the Ommaroo Hotel for making its downstairs bar area available for these meetings, which allow anyone with an interest in the future of this important part of the Parish to share their views and to quiz our officials from the Parish and the Government of Jersey. The meetings are chaired by Deputy Russell Labey, and there is a mailing list which you can join by contacting him at Deputy Russell Labey at r.labey@ gov.je / 481083; that way you will receive the paperwork for meetings and other useful information about the area. TOWN HALL: PO Box 50, St Helier, Jersey, JE4 8PA Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday Phone: 01534 811811 Email: [email protected] www.sthelier.je 02 | | SEPTEMBER 2020 The official opening of Val André was followed in the French style by giving the children a present of a piece of the ribbon as a keepsake. The late Deputy Richard Rondel can be seen on the left, and Tony Andrews, former Director of Parks & Gardens, in the background CONSTABLE’S COMMENT HOW GREEN IS OUR VALLEY? St Helier parkland is once again under threat. it removed. I remain confident that People’s When the Parish took the decision to allow Park will not be built on, precisely because it is the JEC substation, a vital piece of public the ‘people’s’ park’. I have been contacted by infrastructure, to be built in Westmount Park, numerous individuals and organisations, not it was comforted by the fact that the Parish only in St Helier but from the Island as a whole, was given a woodland area at the western who rely on this important area of open space end of the park which is three times the protected by its woodland escarpment, and I size of the land lost. Val André was formally believe that public opposition to the possibility opened in July 2017, in the presence of that the hospital be built here will only groups including the Parish’s Community in grow. The Overdale option, however, could Bloom Group, the West of Town Community well impact on St Helier’s green spaces; in Association and Haute Vallée School. If the particular, Westmount Woods and Val André new hospital goes up at Overdale, will that (to say nothing of the potential impact on the precious green space be taken back? The ink homes of nearby residents). is scarcely dry on the agreement. We must continue the fight to protect our People’s Park was withdrawn by the former green spaces: People’s Park, Westmount Minister of Health & Social Services from Woods, Val André. The Government is hoping the original short list of sites for the new to push its latest hospital plans through our hospital just moments before my proposition, States Assembly before Christmas in order P.3/2016, seeking its removal was debated. to take our land, using compulsory purchase The new Government put it back on again last if necessary, by autumn next year. I am year before my amendment to P.5/2019 had determined to stop this from happening. To the west of Westmount Park, Val André is a haven for wildlife to be enjoyed by parishioners SEPTEMBER 2020 | | 03 WELCOME TO TOWN Despite the pandemic having placed years of local experience as head unimaginable pressures on our high chef, and decided to open his own street, businesses have become restaurant at the start of the year. inspired with their flexibility and how Burgers, succulent espetadas, steaks they have adjusted to the many and moules are available, as well as challenges and demands. We have tasty vegan and vegetarian options seen a number of new businesses - something for everyone. They also opening up: do takeaways. JERSEY OAK JUNCTION JUICE Is now located in the former Troy’s Has just opened up at the corner of building on the corner of Seaton Place Broad Street and New Cut, offering and Seale Street. While maintaining a great selection of smoothies, fresh an online retail presence, carefully juices, Cooper’s Coffee and Bean selected furniture, home accessories around the World treats, as well as and bespoke crafted items need to be natural fruit popsicles. seen, and at times touched, to be truly appreciated. Free face-to-face design K-Earth is situated in Conway Street, consultations are also available for and is an extension of K–Hair, offering bespoke products, with parking right a wide range of natural eco sustainable outside the showroom. products for personal well-being and the home. STAKS JERSEY Opened a month ago and is a new THE RABBIT HOLE family-run restaurant located in Can be found on Market Street - a café Colomberie, offering classic dishes with a mouth-watering menu, Wi-Fi, and fresh local favourites with ‘staks’ and a brilliant vibe. You can also take of flavour. Chef Martin has over 14 your own alcohol. More new stores are in the pipeline so keep an eye on the town centre. FOOD AND POP-UP RETAIL, INCLUDING STREET FOOD THURSDAYS, TO THE END OF SEPTEMBER: • COCORICO, Charing Cross: Thursday 17th • AREPERA LA TRICOLOR, Weighbridge: Thursday 17th & 24th • R&R STREETFOOD, Weighbridge: Thursday 17th & Thursday 24th • SHEILA BIRCH PHOTOGRAPHY, Halkett Street: Friday 18th • SHELTER TRUST TINATHON, West’s Centre: Friday 18th • JERSEY CUPCAKES, Brook Street: Friday 18th, Saturday 19th, Thursday 24th & Friday 25th • VARIETY – THE CHILDREN’S CHARITY OF JERSEY, Charing Cross: Friday 18th; Halkett Street: Saturday 19th & Friday 25th; Brook Street: Saturday 26th • MOLLIES CUPCAKES, Charing Cross: Thursday 24th • EYECAN, Halkett Street & Charing Cross: Saturday 26th UPDATE FROM THE JERSEY TOURIST GUIDES ASSOCIATION The historical walks in and around the town, it officially became St Paul’s Centre in 1995. sponsored by the Parish of St Helier, so There is another little shortcut opposite the well-attended and popular last year with Crapaud statue at Charing Cross – although Islanders and visitors alike, have obviously private property, you can still walk through had to be cancelled for the time being and view the new granite work and retention due to the pandemic. Blue Badge Guide, of the original warehouses. And have you Tom Bunting, highlights some of St Helier’s seen the ‘le Huquet door’ at the Broad history for us: Street entrance? ‘Huquet’ is Jèrriais for ‘a Many will, of course, remember the little door within a door’, rather like the smaller shortcut on Queen Street between the doors hinged inside the huge doors at jeweller’s and Collins Office Supplies, which Elizabeth Castle – the larger doors would of used to be where HSBC is now. Many of course be large enough to let armies and these little private shortcuts we take for transport through, whereas the smaller door granted – the main walking route from the was for single entry – basically, the human back of de Gruchy’s to Don Street being equivalent of a cat flap! closed some evenings giving a clue that it’s Seaton Lane is a lovely example of an old private; similarly, the route from Romeril’s via cobbled lane, and there appears to be St Paul’s Gate to Don Street.