Bailiwick Express

Jersey shelves law change to allow prisoner transfers to Guernsey Jersey has shelved plans to transfer prisoners to Guernsey to help ease pressure when its own prison is full or near capacity. In 2019, Jersey's Home Affairs Department began working on updating the island’s laws to allow inter-island prisoner transfers, which was due to be completed by the end of that year. Moving inmates between the islands for administrative purposes and to help ease populations at both La Moye prison in Jersey and Les Nicolles in Guernsey was an idea…

Jersey has shelved plans to transfer prisoners to Guernsey to help ease pressure when its own prison is full or near capacity.

ART FIX: Night of the Living Riffs Every week, Express presents a selection of exhibitions, performances, workshops, events and other historic, creative and delicious content to help islanders get their weekly dose of culture. Here’s this week’s offering… Night of the Living Riffs Five local bands are all set to take over The Sundown tonight for an evening of "monstrous riffs". The Halloween-themed event will feature 88 Bunkface, The Tide, August Gone, Without Captain, and KÄSE.

Five local bands are all set to take over The Sundown tonight for an evening of "monstrous riffs"...

Sausmarez Manor sees sustained spike in Ghost Tours For years those with an interest in the occult and the spooky have been drawn to Sausmarez Manor.  The legendary landmark in St Martin's has attracted visitors in one form or another for hundreds of years, and its spectral residents still get spotted today.  In an interview with Express looking at the Manor's haunted happenings ahead of Halloween, Peter de Sausmarez says that following a ritual performed by a professional ghost hunter, the spirits had been rather absent - but they have since returned.

There are a number of named ghosts that allegedly haunt the hallways, nursery, and former dining room at Sausmarez Manor, and you can hear all about them in our podcast with Peter de Sausmarez. 

Alderney’s Occupation story shared on the big screen Alderney's Occupation story will be played out on the big screen from today with the Mallard showing 'The Ghosts of Alderney - Hitler's Island Slaves'. Artist Piers Secunda's film, produced by Wild Dog Films, shares the stories of some of those who suffered in the island during the Occupation. The feature length documentary shares evidence of atrocities committed by Nazis in Alderney during the early 1940s.

The feature length documentary shares evidence of atrocities committed by Nazis in Alderney during the early 1940s.

It is being shown at the Mallard from today.

How to make the most of your pumpkin this Halloween Guernsey Waste has shared some spook-tacular recipes to make sure no pumpkins go to waste after Halloween. The States body says a “scary amount of waste” is produced over the spooky season and are calling on islanders to reduce waste by reusing the flesh and seeds to create comforting dishes. Waste Minimisation & Sustainability Officer Douglas Button said the best and tastiest parts of pumpkins are often thrown away.

Guernsey Waste has shared some spook-tacular recipes to make sure no pumpkins go to waste after Halloween.

Over half-a-million being spent on finance sector consultants A Deputy has questioned why local expertise hasn't been called on after a London-based management consultant was tasked with identifying growth opportunities for the financial services sector. Economic Development selected Oliver Wyman Limited, part of Marsh McLennan in September to draw up plans to grow the financial services sector over the next ten years. It will analyse how competition, regulations, skills and marketing will need to change to support the largest segment of the island’s economy.

Deputy David Goy has questioned why local expertise hasn't been called on after a London-based management consultant was tasked with identifying growth opportunities for the financial services sector.

Defunct Style Group told to pay £100k to loyal staff after collapse Two companies from one of Jersey’s oldest construction groups have been ordered to pay more than £100,000 in compensation to two long-serving employees who lost their jobs when the business collapsed this summer. The Style Group – including Style Windows, Style Homes, Style Interiors and long-standing construction firm AC Mauger – confirmed that it had ceased trading and intended to enter winding-up procedures on 14 August.

Two companies from one of Jersey’s oldest construction groups have been ordered to pay more than £100,000 in compensation to two long-serving employees who lost their jobs when the business collapsed this summer...

One month to go… With a month to go until 2024 tax returns have to be filed, help is being offered to the thousands of people who still need to do theirs. 19,385 people have already submitted theirs, with 81% completed online at my.gov.gg, but around 40,000 are expected suggesting only half have been filed so far. The rest need to be done by the end of Sunday 30 November.

With a month to go until 2024 tax returns have to be filed, help is being offered to the thousands of people who still need to do theirs.

Call for support as hospices nationally face challenges Les Bourgs Hospice says “the community’s support has never been more important” as a UK report reveals hospices in England are facing significant financial challenges. The UK’s National Audit Office found that two thirds of independent adult hospices in England have spent more than they raised in 2023 and 2024. But many in England operate with both charitable donations and NHS funding, while Les Bourgs in Guernsey is entirely funded by the community without regular support from the States.

Les Bourgs Hospice says “the community’s support has never been more important” as a UK report reveals hospices in England are facing significant financial challenges.

Watchdog begins audit into effectiveness of Fire Service A review into the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service has been launched in a bid to assess whether the island receives an "efficient, effective and economic service". Comptroller and Auditor General Lynn Pamment confirmed the audit was underway, focusing on whether the Fire Service was successfully realising the aims laid out in its Community Risk Management Plan. The plan identifies four key headings – prevention, protection, response and resilience – under the over-arching aim of providing "a trusted and effective service, central to our Island's resilience".

A review into the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service has been launched in a bid to assess whether the island receives an "efficient, effective and economic service"...

High School student to represent Guernsey in the House of Commons 14-year-old Cole Foad has been selected to represent Guernsey's young people when he speaks at the UK Youth Parliament Sitting next week. Guernsey and the other Crown Dependencies are being represented for the third year running and Cole is the youngest chosen to speak on the island's behalf so far. He's also the first student from a States school to be asked to speak.

14-year-old Cole Foad has been selected to represent Guernsey's young people when he speaks at the UK Youth Parliament Sitting next week.

Review of Manche Illes Express season before any taxpayer subsidy next year The Government will review the impact of this summer’s Manche Iles Express sailings before deciding to commit any taxpayer money to next year’s schedule. This time last year, the governments of Jersey, Guernsey, and Sark collectively agreed to subsidise the France-Channel Islands passenger-only fast ferry for the next 12 months. A request for financial support came from the Departmental Council of La Manche in Normandy in response to increased operating costs, which it said put the viability of the service at risk.

The Government will review the impact of this summer’s Manche Iles Express sailings before deciding to commit any taxpayer money to next year’s schedule...

Art Fix with Guernsey Arts  Dive into the world of art with our weekly art fix! The Global Collection Festival 2025 The Global Collection Festival 2025 is here! This new 3-day festival started yesterday, Thursday 30 October, and will be running until Saturday 1 November… So you still have plenty of time to immerse yourself in the music! Here to inspire and excite, The Global Collection Festival offers the audience a journey of discovering new and amazing artists.

Dive into the world of art with our weekly art fix!

Sure rebrands and pledges 5G rollout Sure Guernsey has rebranded to Sure by Beyon as it sets out its commitment to develop “world-class” connectivity for the island through a 5G network. It has entered a strategic partnership with Ericsson, following the near-completion of its fibre rollout to all households and the acquisition of Airtel in the Channel Islands. The company has said it will invest £48m to build a standalone 5G network years ahead of UK operators which will increase coverage and capacity by a third.

Sure Guernsey has rebranded to Sure by Beyon as it sets out its commitment to develop “world-class” connectivity for the island through a 5G network.

Camp des Rêves Glamping receives its prestigious Royal award Camp des Rêves has been awarded its King’s Award for Enterprise. A presentation was held at Government House earlier this week where the glamping site owners and their team received their sustainability development award. Guernsey’s Lieutenant-Governor, Lieutenant General Sir Richard Cripwell, commented: "I was delighted to present this Award to Danny and Jane Barnes, who richly deserve this very special accolade.

The Guernsey glamp-site received the Award in the Sustainable Development category, one of only 27 businesses across the UK to receive this recommendation.

LOOKING BACK: “Magnificent engineering feat” opens in St Saviour Mobile phones are commonplace these days and having a landline is becoming more unusual – but 70 years ago, Jersey was putting the final touches to a system to support islanders having a telephone in their home. On 27 October 1955, the new Eastern Telephone Exchange was opened in Rue de la Hambye, St Saviour, to take over from smaller telephone exchanges in Gorey and at Five Oaks.

Mobile phones are commonplace these days and having a landline is becoming more unusual – but 70 years ago, Jersey was putting the final touches to a system to support islanders having a telephone in their home...

Public awareness campaign launched amid calls for therapist oversight A new campaign encouraging islanders to check a therapist’s credentials before seeking support for their mental health has been welcomed as a "valuable first step" in improving public protection and awareness within Jersey’s unregulated counselling sector. It comes after politicians voted against plans to make the registration of counsellors a legal requirement earlier this year. Deputy Tom Coles, who lodged the proposition…

A new campaign encouraging islanders to check a therapist’s credentials before seeking support for their mental health has been welcomed as a "valuable first step" in improving public protection and awareness within Jersey’s unregulated counselling sector...

Sea Cadets question future after funding slashed A charity that trains hundreds of young islanders in maritime and leadership skills has warned it may be left without a fit-for-purpose home after the government slashed funding for its permanent base by more than two-thirds. Jersey’s Sea Cadets – the largest group of its kind in the UK and Commonwealth, with more than 200 members – spoke out following the government’s decision to cut their long-promised funding from £4.9 million to £1.6 million.

A charity that trains hundreds of young islanders in maritime and leadership skills has warned it may be left without a fit-for-purpose home after the government slashed funding for its permanent base by more than two-thirds...

Jersey shelves law change to allow prisoner transfers to Guernsey Jersey has shelved plans to transfer prisoners to Guernsey to help ease pressure when La Moye is full or near capacity. In 2019, the Home Affairs Department began working on updating the island’s laws to allow inter-island prisoner transfers, which was due to be completed by the end of that year. Moving inmates between the islands for administrative purposes and to help ease populations at both La Moye and Les Nicolles in Guernsey was an idea…

Jersey has shelved plans to transfer prisoners to Guernsey to help ease pressure when La Moye is full or near capacity...

Victims bravery commended as teen rapist jailed The young victims of a teenage rapist have been commended for their bravery after he was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. Benjamin Robilliard is now 20 but he was just 18 when he raped a 12-year-old girl, and 16 when he indecently assaulted a 13-year-old girl. He was first arrested in March 2024 after a family member contacted police regarding his "concerning behaviour towards an underage girl".

The young victims of a teenage rapist have been commended for their bravery after he was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison.

“Government has a habit of not quite matching with the business environment” The government's plan to offer families 15 hours of free nursery care clashes with the realities of Jersey’s job market where most part-time workers clock closer to 20 hours a week... according to the Economic Development Minister. If the proposed three-year Budget is approved by the States Assembly in December, the universal provision would provide 15 hours of free care for all two and three-year-olds each week, including childminding.

The government's plan to offer families 15 hours of free nursery care clashes with the realities of Jersey’s job market where most part-time workers clock closer to 20 hours a week... according to the Economic Development Minister...

Vaping warning after repeated evacuations of Government HQ Civil servants have been warned that vaping inside the Government’s Union Street headquarters could result in "disciplinary action" – after smoke detectors in the toilets triggered seven evacuations since the building opened in December. A request for information made by Express under the Freedom of Information Law revealed there have been nine evacuations at the building in total, including one mandatory fire drill and eight false alarms.

Civil servants have been warned that vaping inside the Government’s Union Street headquarters could result in "disciplinary action" – after smoke detectors in the toilets triggered seven evacuations since the building opened in December...

Former Education minister gets leading school governance role Former Deputy and Education Minister Robert Sillars will return to public service to head up the new school governance board overseeing the States’ secondary schools. Mr Sillars will chair the Secondary Schools Partnership Cluster which includes Les Varendes, Les Beaucamps, and St Sampson’s high schools and the Sixth Form Centre.  He was selected for the role by the Education, Sport, and Culture Committee which has successfully steered plans to set up new management arrangements for local schools through the States in the past few months.

Former Deputy and Education Minister Robert Sillars will return to public service to head up the new school governance board overseeing the States’ secondary schools.

Planning department recommend Strive hotel plans are refused The Planning Department is recommending that an application to build a 179-room hotel at Strive in St Peter is refused when a group of politicians decide whether it should be passed or not next week. Next Thursday, the Planning Committee is due to decide whether a hotel – which would be six-storeys or 22.1m at its highest – together with a conference centre, spa and swimming pool – should receive permission or not.

The Planning Department is recommending that an application to build a 179-room hotel at Strive in St Peter is refused when a group of politicians decide whether it should be passed or not next week...

Accessibility upgrades at Beau Séjour Beau Sejours changing facilities have seen a “major refurbishment”, as the Leisure Centre upgrades its long standing partnership with charity Guernsey Disability Swimming.  The upgrades so far include a new state-of-the-art ceiling hoist, with a movable, hygienic changing bench in the accessible changing room. ​The shower and changing room have been completely rebuilt, and now feature contrasting wall colours to help visually impaired swimmers, and other enhanced safety supports have been installed such as a fold-out shower seat. 

​The shower and changing room have been completely rebuilt, and now feature contrasting wall colours to help visually impaired swimmers, and other enhanced safety supports have been installed such as a fold-out shower seat. 

Strong standing in St Martin’s ahead of parish elections St Martin’s Constables have hailed the 'highest ever' number of people standing for election as parishes across the island prepare for the polls. Seven people are standing for three open positions on St Martin's Douzaine after a concerted effort by the current cohort to encourage more parishioners to stand for election. Senior Constable Dave Beausire, who is standing for re-election, said it was the highest number of people standing in the past three decades.

All ten parishes will go to the polls to elect representatives in November.

Over 500 pieces of evidence shared via new secure digital evidence app The ongoing trial of a new secure digital evidence platform that allows victims and witnesses to store legally admissible material and share it directly with officers is showing early signs of "encouraging" success, the chief of police has said. States of Jersey Police Chief Robin Smith explained that the Kulpa app, developed by Jersey-based firm Kulpa Platforms and supported by Digital Jersey, had so far received "good" feedback from officers.

The ongoing trial of a new secure digital evidence platform that allows victims and witnesses to store legally admissible material and share it directly with officers is showing early signs of "encouraging" success, the chief of police has said...

Some saved, but 83 post boxes to close Guernsey Post has confirmed it is closing tens of post boxes across the island as it tries to maintain services as fewer letters and cards are sent by mail. The island-wide network of post boxes will be reduced from 142 to 59 following GPL's recent public consultation. The utility said closing 83 post boxes will ensure services remain "efficient, sustainable and fit for the future".

Guernsey Post has confirmed it is closing tens of post boxes across the island as it tries to maintain services as fewer letters and cards are sent by mail.

Drew reflects on 2,000-mile mental health charity mission Drew Jonkmans has been reflecting on his achievements after running and cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats and back. The 26-year-old Guernsey man completed his challenge last Friday, for Project Endure - his own 2,000-mile trek across the British Isles over 33 days to raise money and awareness for two mental health charities. Bigmoose, provides free, immediate mental-health counselling to those in need, and the BecomingX Foundation helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds realise their potential.

To keep him going throughout this challenge, Mr Jonkmans consumed multiple rice cakes, fairy cakes, M&Ms, and Jaffa Cakes as well as pasta and energy bars and gels.

No vegetables were consumed during the 33 days revealed Mr Jonkmans.

Guernsey based Trick or Treat map attracts thousands across the UK An online Trick or Treat map started in Guernsey last year, has taken the UK by storm, with more than 50,000 homes now listed on its website.  Established and built by Michelle Pearce-Burke ahead of Halloween last year, it offered just 300 homes to trick or treaters. However it quickly gained in popularity locally, with user number multiplying before spreading to Cardiff…

An online Trick or Treat map started in Guernsey last year, has taken the UK by storm, with more than 50,000 homes nationally now listed on its website.