Beyond the bricks and mortar of a new hospital, what sort of healthcare does the island need or want? Perhaps most significantly, what can it afford? The hype is all about having a five-star system, but realisation is beginning to set in that such a service is unlikely without major financial investment. Where will that money come from? It costs around £250 million to keep the department running, and the cost is sure to rise year on year. At present, that money comes from a mixture of States (83%) and private (17%) funding.

The money being spent on locums due to staff shortages is beginning to ease. A recruitment drive has seen nursing vacancies diminish. The same cannot be said of their more expensive colleagues. Behind-the-scenes angst, with bullying and the like, is now being addressed, so we are told. Yet staff absenteeism is still an issue (higher than in the UK), and this is a cause for concern, economically speaking.

A recent report from the Health Advisory Board showed that a third of all health staff absence is down to anxiety and depression, with coughs, colds and flu being top.

Maybe mental health issues are a lot higher than the data reveals. But therapy without institutional change will not have much impact. Maintaining a high staff morale is important.

There have been changes, with numbers coming in at middle and senior levels, mainly from the NHS. Empowerment of staff is the key, not micromanagement, a malaise that has affected staffing from health through to education, social services and beyond. The focus needs to be on quality, not data-driven. Get the former right and the latter falls in behind. At the moment, the opposite seems to be the case. Back in 1990, Sir John Harvey Jones, the troubleshooting guru who turned around numerous failing businesses, advised that if hospital management consult with experienced ward and theatre staff, they can surmount many internal issues.

Locum and agency staff drive £20 million Health overspend - Jersey Evening Post

Incoming managers may have the qualifications, but do they have the right skills and personalities to manage? There is a consensus that our health service, much like the NHS, is top heavy with administrators. At the time of writing the department has an executive leadership team (9); a senior leadership team (10); and forty-three heads of departments. Add to the list an advisory board and six committees and one begins to see where the health budget is leaking. Would a business/ company be as top-heavy with well-paid administrators? Elective procedures are being cut because the department cannot justify the expense. How do said administrators justify their posts over islander’s needs when there have been so many documented failings within the department? Just how much is Parkinson’s Law in play?

The advance of AI will surely influence staffing as well as the broader issue of administration, logistics and medical practice within the health department. But Health’s present IT system is not fit for purpose. An outside review of the health department gave its connectivity two-sevenths. A few years back a system was recommended but a decision was made within procurement to go for a different one, which has turned out to be an expensive white elephant. This is now being replaced.

Group Practices are run by private enterprise. The government funds around half of each visit (£50), with the shortfall paid by the client. One group practice has waived the patient fee, which poses the question of whether the client should pay at all? Perhaps the government could reduce their contribution? Maybe the cost of a visit to the GP should be means-tested. The status quo has resulted in two-thirds of all A&E visits being non-emergencies, compared to the NHS where only one-third of visits are non-emergency.

Jersey GP surgery announces free appointments - Jersey Evening Post

In the island’s Private Patient’s Service Strategy 2024–2028, it is revealed that £12.2 million was contributed by private patients in 2023. The strategy proposes to double that by 2028, encouraging more people to ‘go private’ by taking up medical insurance. Private patients will expect a faster, more exclusive service. But what about the majority that cannot afford to go private? Will we end up with more A&E examples across the health department? In the document, the Health Minister is suggesting tax breaks to boost private patient numbers, but on the other hand, he is asking for extra States capital for a reduced service. Getting the private/public balance is crucial if we are not to end up with a two-tier system like the US.

And then there is the not-so-small matter of an ageing population. At present, there is a long-term care contribution of up to 1.5%. This is intended to pay for residents needing long-term care. Unless your assets are in excess of £419,000, you will be eligible for support, but you will still have to cover your own day-to-day living costs. The government then picks up the tab, but only up to a maximum of £1,451 per week, depending on your needs. The monthly cost for nursing home care can be a lot more, so the client still has to pay the difference. Factor in that the majority of care homes are private businesses, some owned by off-island companies and equity firms. Is our hard-earned cash paying for company profits or care?

While in-house efficiencies can be made, the greatest contribution to offsetting the ever-increasing cost of health on the island is by the development of preventative health measures, designed to reduce the number of people seeking medical assistance in the first place. That figure was over £576 million in 2023! It dwarfs the reported costs of buying in locums (£28 million) or paying off contractors (£34 million) or the latest £30 million overspend.

First published in the Jersey Evening Post on 23/08/25

Community Wealth Building: Funding Health was originally published in Nine by Five Media on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The construction industry is the fourth largest employer on the island, employing around 5,300 people. The industry includes everyone from brickies to architects, plumbers to electrical engineers. As a whole, they contribute 7.2% to the island’s GVA. In terms of Community Wealth Building, construction has an economic multiplier of 1.68, meaning that for every £1 spent, £1.68 circulates back into the local economy. There are around 1400 local businesses in Jersey, 84% are small to medium enterprises that employ fewer than ten people. Of the total number of workers employed, around 15% are sourced off-island, principally seasonal workers and specialist trades where there are no suitable skills available on island.

Construction starts with the developer. They buy up the land, architects design, and then the construction work is put out to tender. All but one of the island’s developers are local. The Jersey Development Company is one, a rarity as it’s owned by the government. Its profits are fed back to the States. There is little financial leakage. In respect of Community Wealth Building, the return is not just financial (around £27million per annum), the company designs with the community in mind. From pavements and promenades to children’s play areas and other local amenities. It is a key anchor institution.

If we want a job done on the house, we get some quotes and pick the one that best suits our needs. Within the construction industry, much the same applies, it is called procurement. A job is put out to tender; firms apply and one that best meets the criteria is chosen. For smaller firms, the protocol is at best over-complicated and has led to the Public Accounts Committee recommending a simplified tendering process. It appears to be even-handed. But is it? A cursory look at the gov.je website shows few available construction jobs. Is this because the work is drying up or because contracts have been assigned without going to tender? What, on the surface, would appear commensurate with community wealth building, by employing local may, at times, be nepotism. In 2024 there were 142 procurement breaches across all the States departments (source PAC Report 2025). These remain confidential. Due diligence and open accountability would help quash any conjecture.

Like any self-employed business, trades are subject to vagaries that are often outside of their control. Despite forward planning and a healthy rainy-day fund, things can still go awry. Said business agrees a fee for a job. Planning may delay the project. In the meantime, costs of materials and wage demands rise. Even the most efficient businesses feel the strain. This is why there have been several high-profile closures in the construction industry in recent times.

Another major construction group goes bust - Jersey Evening Post

It is imperative that the island maintains a steady flow of trainees from on-island. However, the number of young people entering the profession is being eroded in a number of ways. With the cost of living being so high, families and their children are leaving the island, taking their expertise, potential or actual, along with them. Competition for new recruits is fierce, with many seeking better salaries and security in the finance industry. There is a myth that plumbers, etcetera earn more than those in finance. The call-out charge for a tradesperson is around £55 per hour. Do the maths and the yearly salary looks very inviting. But that hourly charge is not as inviting as one might think. Tradesfolk are generally self-employed, have to buy their own materials and pay other employees out of that bill. And then folk would have to get their hands dirty!

The introduction of the living wage has significantly compromised the apprenticeship scheme. The wage differential between young recruits and established staff has narrowed, putting a financial burden on smaller firms that they cannot afford. Many work on small profit margins and so they are having to shelve their apprentices. Bear in mind that small companies lose an apprentice for one day a week to college and work time from an experienced employee charged with mentoring. This is leading to a shortfall across all the trades, pushing up prices as a result. Around 2% of the construction workforce are apprentices and that number has fallen by around 9% in the last year, according to a recent FOI.

It has been well publicised that the facilities for construction trainees at Highlands is not fit for purpose, with leaky buildings and out-of-date equipment (At the time of writing fifty-three essential jobs have been identified, with forty-eight of them being priority one and two). But encouraging students to seek a career in construction starts long before they reach the age of sixteen and sit their GCSE’s.

There has long been an imbalance within mainstream education, with academics taking preference over vocational.

There are signs that the emphasis is beginning to shift, with a push towards STEM subjects (Science and Tech included with English and Maths) and DEC (design, engineering, and construction). However, progress 8 and its insistence on prioritising a Maths/English bias is still education policy. So to the inequality of resources, favouring the academic (cheaper to have just books rather than expensive construction equipment), not withstanding the lack of teachers in DEC subjects. Manchester with its M-Bacc has grasped this nettle and is putting in the resources, but Jersey’s education department is some way behind the curve. It has a big decision to make. Facilitating DEC subjects is not cheap. At the very least, it needs to match fund the capital given to the technical with that supplied to the academic both pre and post sixteen.

Can Jersey sustain its construction industry without investment? There are always going to be smaller jobs but, post hospital construction, what next? Fort Regent? A wind farm off Corbiere? The apparent demand for housing may help, but we are only nine by five. Do we cover the whole island in concrete? Conflicting pressures are tacit. Where does the balance lie?

This article first appeared in the Jersey Evening Post on 02/08/2025

Community Wealth Building: Jersey’s Construction Industry was originally published in Nine by Five Media on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

In 2022, a local journalist rang around all the election candidates and asked them, “What is a woman?” This classic ‘gotcha’ moment gave him plenty of fodder for his column, as most candidates were caught off guard and struggled to say anything coherent. One candidate described to me how they were amid domestic chores, dealing with the background noise of family life at dinner time as they tried to pivot their minds to form a cogent response. Their verbatim responses were duly reported. Three years later, on May 17th, 2025, he reminded his readers of that moment and shared his position when he described safeguarding guidance for some of the most vulnerable children in our community as ‘anti-science gender ideology claptrap’. This moment forms part of a broader cultural fixation on defining womanhood that has become a lightning rod in contemporary discourse.

While this question is posed with philosophical gravity, as if the answer might unlock fundamental truths about human existence, we are asking the wrong question entirely. Instead of “What is a woman?” we should ask: “How have definitions of womanhood been used throughout history, and what can this teach us about current debates?

Throughout history, the moment people have drawn rigid lines around what constitutes a “real” woman, those boundaries have become tools of control and oppression. This pattern repeats across centuries with striking consistency.

A History of Oppression

The witch trials of the 15th to 18th centuries offer a chilling example. In Jersey, the witch trial capital of Europe, over 80% of those accused were women who fell outside prescribed roles. Healers like Jeanne Le Vesconte, midwives, and independent women found themselves particularly vulnerable during times of societal stress, such as crop failure or plague. The trials, conducted by juries of 24 men requiring a 5/6ths majority, were shaped by social pressures and fear as much as evidence.

These women were not random victims; they were systematic targets. The healers and wise women who held knowledge outside male-dominated institutions were rebranded as dangerous. The definition of “good woman” became increasingly narrow, encompassing only those who remained silent, submissive, and dependent.

In the 19th century, the medical establishment insisted that women’s biology rendered them unfit for higher education. The “woman” they defined was inherently weak, prone to hysteria, her reproductive organs dictating her intellectual capacity. This was not science; it was categorisation in the service of exclusion.

When women like Dr. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson broke barriers in medicine, they faced extraordinary challenges. Anderson qualified as a physician in 1865 after overcoming significant obstacles, including having to study privately and pass the Society of Apothecaries’ examination, since medical schools were closed to women at the time.

Similarly, the Victorian era’s ‘cult of true womanhood’ (also known as the ‘cult of domesticity’) created an impossible standard of purity, piety, domesticity, and submissiveness. Women who failed to meet these criteria, whether through economic necessity, personal choice, or simple human complexity, were labelled as ‘fallen’ or ‘unfeminine.’ Note: working-class women, women of colour, and enslaved women were excluded. As Sojourner Truth said in 1851, “Ain’t I a woman?” The categorisation served not to honour women, but to control.

The suffragettes faced similar definitional violence. Anti-suffrage propaganda depicted voting women as mannish and unnatural, abandoning their “true” feminine nature. Cartoons showed women in trousers with cigarettes, children abandoned; visual arguments that “real” women didn’t seek political power.

The message was clear: step outside our definition, and you cease to be a woman at all.

Fast-forward to the 1960s, when women entering the workforce were told they were neglecting their “natural” role as mothers and homemakers. The rigid categorisation of womanhood as fundamentally domestic became a tool to shame women back into prescribed boundaries.

Betty Friedan’s “The Feminine Mystique” was not just critiquing suburban malaise — it was dismantling the prison of narrow definitions.

Defining a Woman in Today’s World

Today’s gender debates follow these historical patterns with uncomfortable precision. The insistence on rigid biological definitions echoes past obsessions with “natural” feminine roles and the fear of women who don’t conform to prescribed boundaries.

Serena Williams Has the Perfect Response for People Who Call Her 'Manly'

Concerns about competitive sports, for instance, reflect questions about safety and fairness that deserve calm, measured, thoughtful consideration. The challenge lies in distinguishing between legitimate concerns that can be addressed through dialogue and evidence, and rhetoric that seeks to exclude and marginalise.

The current intensity of this debate has not emerged in a vacuum. Analysis shows that UK national newspapers dramatically increased coverage of trans people after 2018, three and a half times more articles than in 2012. As reported in the Media Storm podcast, trans people were described in connection with conflict or aggression 586 times in 2018, compared to eight times in 2012.

This coverage pattern is significant because it influences public perception. If you are angered by this article or by me stating I am a ‘trans ally’, but previously you cheered on Nadia Almada, a transgender woman who won Big Brother UK in 2004 with 74% of the public vote, would you consider that you might have been a victim of negative media influence that has fuelled a frenzy, shifting perceptions and fostered hostility, even in those who once cheered for Nadia’s historic victory as the show’s first trans winner.

While UK media attention focuses intensely on gender debates, the most recent Jersey Opinion and Lifestyle Survey (2024) reveals that people are most concerned about the cost of living. This disparity between media attention and public priorities is stark.

This represents a fundamental misallocation of energy, directing attention away from systemic issues affecting women: economic inequality, caring responsibilities, and workplace discrimination, toward battles that primarily serve to exclude a tiny minority who simply want to exist and participate in community life.

Gender variance is not a modern phenomenon. Throughout history, many cultures have recognised and celebrated diversity in gender identity and expression.

Indigenous North American communities honoured Two-Spirit individuals, people who embody both masculine and feminine traits. The Hijra community in South Asia has been acknowledged for centuries, often holding spiritual and cultural significance. Even in European history, figures like Lili Elbe, one of the first recorded recipients of gender-affirming surgery in the 1930s, demonstrate that trans women have always existed.

The acceptance or rejection of gender variance has often depended more on political and social circumstances than on any inherent threat posed by gender-nonconforming people themselves.

Interestingly, many British institutions, when left to operate without external pressure, have quietly adopted an inclusive approach. The Women’s Institute, that bastion of traditional British womanhood, states clearly that “transgender women are welcome to join the WI and to participate in any WI activities in the same way as any other woman.”

As Melissa Green, CEO of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes, explained in 2023: “Being part of the WI is about the experience of being a woman, and that is a combination of both biology and lived experience… For us, transgender women are women, and we want to share and celebrate their experience with them.”

This isn’t radical activism, it’s practical compassion from an organisation that understands women’s experiences in their full complexity.

The most progressive moments in women’s history have come not from reinforcing definitions but from expanding them. The New Woman of the 1890s, the flappers of the 1920s, and the Rosie the Riveters of the 1940s all challenged existing categories of womanhood by living beyond them. They did not ask permission to redefine what a woman could be; they became it.

Rather than abstract debates about definitions, we need concrete approaches that address concerns while fostering inclusion:

1. Evidence-Based Policies: Develop guidelines based on research and lived experience rather than fear or ideology.
2. Inclusive Safeguarding: Implement protection measures that ensure the safety of all members of our island community.
3. Thoughtful Sports Policies: Address competitive fairness and safety concerns through sport-specific, evidence-based approaches.
4. Community Dialogue: Foster conversations that bring people together rather than driving us apart.
5. Focus on Real Barriers: Direct energy toward addressing the systemic issues that limit women’s equality.

The path forward requires courage: the courage to stop asking “What is a woman?” and start asking “How can we create a world where everyone can flourish regardless of how they embody their gender?”

Today’s debates, despite claims to fight for women’s rights, risk recreating the very structures that feminism has spent centuries dismantling.

The greatest threat to women has never been trans women; it has always been those who would define us into submission.

The historical pattern is clear: rigid definitions of womanhood have consistently served to limit rather than liberate women.

True liberation lies not in refining our definitions but in recognising their limitations. Instead of building walls around womanhood, we must build bridges - bridges that connect us across differences, bridges that support rather than exclude, bridges that recognise the full spectrum of human experience.

The question is not “What is a woman?” The question is: “How can we create a world where people, in all our wonderful diversity, can thrive?”

That’s a question worth answering together.

Definition as Oppression: How Society Still Tries to Control Women Through Defining Them was originally published in Nine by Five Media on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

On the face of it, Jersey’s finance industry is the epitome of Community Wealth Building. As a key anchor institution, it is the largest employer on the island. The JFSC estimated that Finance staff spend £1 million a day supporting a wide range of local businesses, from eateries to hair salons and from retail to house maintenance. It sponsors many local events from charities to arts and culture to planting trees to help the environment.

From its humble beginnings in the 1960’s, finance in Jersey has mushroomed into an international giant. The December 2024 quarterly report by Jersey Finance, showed that there were 34, 523 companies registered, dealing an eye-watering £616 billion.

But there is a darker side to the finance industry. Its very success has created obstacles in respect of community wealth building. At around a £68,000 salary average plus bonuses, it crowds out all competition when it comes to employment, subsequent buying power, and contributes significantly to the island’s inflated cost of living. This creates staffing shortages in key areas such as education, health, and social care, forcing the government to pay premium rates for locums to fill the gaps. This, in turn, eats into available monies for infrastructure projects.

Without the income from finance, would the government’s administration command the second-highest average salaries on the island (£63k), along with being the second-highest employer?

With higher-than-average disposable income, we all end up having to pay a premium on everything from childcare and construction and from retail to restaurants. The island’s RPI in April was 2.3% but to get a measure of the true inflation rate compare our price index with the UK, which is over 20% and/or the average house price which is twice as much as the UK. Mortgage rates on Jersey are 1% higher than the UK (many employees working in Finance get preferential mortgage rates). These inflated prices cannot just be due to the cost of the ferry from Portsmouth to Elizabeth Harbour.

Jersey’s wellbeing is heavily dependent on the finance industry. But what if Jersey falls to the ‘coal-mining curse’? Like the American Rust belt, like the Aberdeen oil fields Whole communities built around a single industry. When that industry collapses due to global economic change, everything goes down with it. Ghost towns replace what was once a vibrant community.

We are told that the chances of the finance industry collapsing are thin but the possibility of it uprooting and moving elsewhere is less certain. In 1970 with tourism accounting for around 55% of GDP, it seemed invincible. We all know what happened next. Its gradual decline is a cautionary tale.

“It may be said that the development of Jersey as a financial centre has brought benefits to the island and is a valuable diversification of an economy rooted to tourism” (G.C. Powell, Economic Survey of Jersey. 1970)

What next for Jersey?

The finance industry’s GVA shows a gradual percentage fall in the last ten years. The anchor of zero-ten that denies the island half of the tax owing is changing to 15%, for some. Yes, the government will get a windfall but with little to keep the financial institutions in situ and with the debilitating cost of living, here on Jersey, what is to stop them moving to a more favourable jurisdiction? The advent of AI is predicted to shrink the workforce considerably. Outsourcing and remote working are nibbling at its edges. Middle Eastern countries are looking to diversify their portfolios and are attracting major investment from the finance industry. The effect of a company’s profits may not be affected but the impact on Jersey via taxation and local services will be considerable.

We are told that the island needs to diversify its economy. How can it do that if it does not have the workforce with the necessary skills? Neither it seems is there a will from government to do so. Those in control, seem content to pay allegiance to the cash cow that is finance, hoping something will ‘turn up’ eventually.

Finance sponsors arts and culture events, sports, as well as aiding hospitality. Could it do more? Should it more? Most of the financial companies are not Jersey companies, so why should they reinvest more of their hard-earned profits on island? Yet some do. HSBC has handed over, £300,000 to the Bule Marine Foundation. An international NGO that is supporting the development of Jersey’s marine park. The government-controlled Jersey Community Foundation acts to match philanthropists with local causes. It has already passed on £2.6 million in donations. There are many small to medium infrastructure and societal challenges that would benefit from reinvestment by the finance sector.

· Refurbishing empty homes for the homeless

· More nurseries to reduce pressure on existing stock.

· Specialised hospital equipment to reduce waiting times.

· A one-stop shopping website for local businesses.

· Inclusion units in all schools

· Development of post-sixteen technical education

· Completion of interlinked, on-island cycle/walking network

· Farmers markets & craft fayres

There have been attempts in the past to establish a credit union on the island. Credit Unions are small, local, banking enterprises that give competitive rates of interest to both investors and. The small businesses. Across Europe, local banks are very popular. Here, in Jersey, they are anathema to the finance Industry. Local outlets are being closed along with the availability of ready cash.

These are important projects that our government would like to carry out but does not have the financial resources to instigate. All would contribute to the local economy, creating jobs and supporting the island.

I will leave the last word to Mr Powell in his 1970 economic survey of the island:

“The island as a whole, as well as the financial community, stands to gain from the continued development of Jersey as a responsible, thriving, and profitable finance centre, providing the benefits of the individual banks and financial institutions are properly reflected in the benefits derived by the rest of the island. States policy in this sector should be directed towards achieving this balance.”

First printed in the Jersey Evening Post 17/06/2025

Community Wealth Building: Jersey’s Finance Industry was originally published in Nine by Five Media on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

“Liberation Day stands as a testament to the courage of past generations and a commitment to preserving the lessons learned. As Jersey continues to evolve, marking this occasion — now a National Day — ensures that its history remains an integral part of the island’s future, celebrating the enduring spirit of our people and the unwavering pursuit of freedom and justice. The modern annual celebration centres around unity and educating younger generations on the importance of democracy, peace, and human rights.”

These are the rousing words of Deputy Malcolm Ferey, posted on social media, in anticipation of the 80th anniversary of our liberation from German occupation.

I don’t wish to single the Deputy out unfairly, plenty of his colleagues will no doubt be equally as deserving of scrutiny when it comes to public announcements in the build-up to May 9th, but his sentiments did cause me to reflect.

The Deputy seems to have adopted a social media policy of sharing his thoughts before ignoring all query or response. So, Dear Reader, since he’s too busy to engage with the public, I invite you to ponder them with me here, instead.

The German occupation of Jersey remains a defining chapter in the island’s story. Traces of the Atlantic Wall still mark our coastline, with around 300 German-built structures quietly reminding us of a difficult past.

Liberation isn’t just a historical date — it’s woven into everyday life. From the bus service named after liberty to the landmarks that carry the name — Liberation Square, Liberation House, Liberation Station, Liberty Wharf — it’s clear how deeply the island values its freedom. And of course, I’d be remiss not to mention Liberation Ale, if only to keep fellow columnist Lindsay Ash from writing in a strongly worded letter of complaint.

Every year on May 9th we mark Liberation Day — a chance to remember the hardships of the past and celebrate the return of freedom. It’s a day for reflection, but also for coming together as a community to honour those who lived through the occupation. Remembering what was endured, and what was regained, continues to be a meaningful part of who we are as an island.

But let’s indulge in a little thought experiment. What if the occupation hadn’t ended after five years? What if it had dragged on, not for a few more months, but decades — perhaps still continuing today? Picture it: in their quest for “Lebensraum”, the Germans decided to settle their people here permanently.

What would that have meant for Jersey? It would’ve likely seen terrified islanders being violently removed from their homes, farms, and land, forced out at gunpoint. Many driven into exile, forbidden to return. Many more finding themselves scattered around the island in makeshift refugee camps, with remaining survivors herded into a tiny fenced off coastal enclave.

What if, 80 years later, the occupation had become so entrenched it had morphed into an apartheid system, with the German population living under a different set of laws, enjoying all the rights we take for granted today, with the local population treated as second-class citizens?

Islanders would face the constant threat of indefinite detention, locked up without charge, trial, or even access to a lawyer. If they were ever tried, it wouldn’t be in a civilian court, they would face a military tribunal with a 99% conviction rate. Kids as young as 12 could be dragged through this brutal system — the only children in the world to face such treatment.

Let’s push this dystopian picture further. Perhaps the German authorities would go on to build giant walls to secure their settlements from the locals they had displaced. Arming the settlers while turning a blind eye as these new occupants ransacked local homes and schools, aiming to seize more land for themselves.

Imagine that the occupying forces started routinely bombing the refugees they’d fenced off in that tiny coastal enclave — or ‘mowing the lawn’, as it would become commonly known in military parlance, — making sure to periodically cut off the flow of building supplies and medical aid.

They’d blockade the island’s sea and airspace too, controlling everything that entered and left, any fisherman daring to venture outside prescribed zones becoming targets for the navy.

Mistreatment by the occupying forces would inevitably become a routine part of daily life. Locals who managed to find work, and children on their way to school, would endure long, dehumanising journeys through endless checkpoints each day — that is, if those checkpoints weren’t suddenly closed without warning. And those children? They might not even make it to school, should an occupying soldier decide, without reason, to end their lives on a whim.

I’m sure the analogy is clear. This description, bleak as it is, is but a taste of what the Palestinian people have endured for decades under Israeli rule. Yet despite our own history of foreign occupation, which might be expected to inspire empathy and solidarity with those experiencing similar injustices, our States Assembly has had remarkably little to say over the years when it comes to what is seen as the longest — and therefore most entrenched and institutionalized — belligerent occupation in modern history.

And as we all know, the horrors unfolding in Gaza right now are on a scale that makes everything I’ve written so far seem trivial. The sheer brutality and cruelty are staggering. The Israeli government is now blocking all humanitarian aid, leaving a population that was already struggling for survival in the grip of what is clearly an ongoing genocide. Tens of thousands of children have been slaughtered, hospitals reduced to rubble, entire cities virtually wiped off the map.

So, what does all this mean for us here in Jersey? Well, the idea that we can single-handedly change events thousands of miles away is as realistic as Netanyahu suddenly seeing Palestinian kids as human. But does that mean we just sit on our hands and ignore these monstrous violations of human dignity?

We’re often told to stay out of foreign policy — that it’s the UK’s business, not ours. But that line is just a convenient excuse for inaction. In 2003, Jersey’s States Assembly took a principled stand against the invasion of Iraq — a move that was far from popular in Westminster at the time. And yet, in the years since, that decision has been vindicated. Speaking out, even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular, matters. Silence doesn’t make us neutral -it makes us complicit.

In any case, this argument misses the point. Calling for the freedom of Palestinians isn’t some radical woke stance, or a call to deviate from the UK. It’s a call for basic human decency and for the enforcement of international law.

In July of last year, the International Court of Justice made a landmark ruling: Reaffirming that Israel’s occupation of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem is unlawful under international law. The Court affirmed that these occupied Palestinian territories form a single political unit, and Israel’s actions since 1967 — including its settlement expansion and ongoing attempts at annexation — are illegal.

The advisory ruling was clear: all states are under an obligation not to recognise this illegal situation and to avoid providing any support that would sustain or perpetuate the occupation. Israel is held responsible for the damage caused by its occupation and was ordered to make full reparations to the Palestinian people.

The Court also underscored Israel’s obligation to cease practices that violate fundamental human rights and international law, including apartheid and racial segregation.

It should really go without saying that these are rulings we can and should be declaring our full agreement with and commitment to.

Liberation Day should be about more than just looking back. We rightfully honour the sacrifices of those who fought for our freedom, who lived through those five years of hardship. But it should also be a reminder that we have a unique position and responsibility to stand up for those who are suffering that same fate today.

Deputy Ferey says Liberation Day celebrates our “unwavering pursuit of freedom and justice”. It’s about time we lived up to that laudable claim.

As for his declaration that Liberation Day presents an opportunity for “educating younger generations on the importance of democracy, peace, and human rights”, reality shows we’re in need of the complete opposite. Polling consistently demonstrates its consistently younger generations who are outraged by the appalling crimes committed by Israel and want to see justice in the world.

Deputy Ian Gorst, during his failed attempt to become Chief Minister in January 2024, said:

“There is no role for Jersey in this decade and at this time, that involves us hiding away and trying to ignore what is happening around us, even if that is what some might prefer”

I wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment. And yet when it comes to the ongoing occupation of Palestine, Deputies Gorst and Ferey, along with many of their colleagues, remain shamefully silent.

What if Jersey’s Occupation Never Ended? What if it dragged on, not for months, but decades? was originally published in Nine by Five Media on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Housing was a major issue at the last election, it’ll be front and centre at the next one, and let’s be honest — it’ll still be hanging around like the smell of damp carpet at the one after that. Jersey’s housing crisis is less a glitch, more like a built-in feature. Fixing it will take years — years we’ll likely spend listening to politicians solemnly agree that something must be done. So long as what’s done is delayed until we’ve performed six reviews and doesn’t significantly change too much.

For more and more islanders, owning a house is as realistic a prospect as flying a unicorn to the moon. If you’re single, earning an average wage, and don’t have the luxury of ‘the bank of mum and dad’ to prop you up, even scraping together a deposit can feel impossible. The problem with housing in Jersey isn’t just that it’s unaffordable — it’s that it feels like someone’s actively designing it to make you feel like you’ve failed at life.

Thankfully, Jersey now has a Housing Minister who has actually read the room, realised it’s full of people in housing stress, and is trying to achieve a little more than pin hopeful letters on the doors of empty properties like his hapless predecessor. Following hot on the heels of the First Step Scheme — a government backed shared equity scheme helping first time buyers on to the properly ladder, now on its 4th tranche of funding — Deputy Mezec has set his sights on overhauling the islands tenancy laws that currently resemble a game of Monopoly, but all the landlords start with three hotels and tenants get sent directly to court if they mention mould.

The existing law allows landlords to raise rent whenever they like, giving as little notice as they like, by however much they like. Tenants have no right to appeal.

In a periodic tenancy, if a tenant has concerns with the health and safety standards of their home and chooses to lodge a complaint, the landlord can give them three months’ notice to leave. Tenants have no right to appeal.

In a fixed term tenancy, if a tenant finds themselves in a situation where they urgently need to find somewhere cheaper to live but there is remaining time on the contract, the landlord can refuse to allow them to leave, or charge them an extortionate fee in exchange. Tenants have no right to appeal.

The relationship between landlord and tenant is by its very nature imbalanced. One party is providing an essential service for profit. The other just needs a roof over their head and is hoping not to be turfed out for asking if the shower curtain can be replaced. This is not a meeting of equals. When the rules are then skewed to place even more power in the hands of the landlord, it’s clear that this is a situation ripe for exploitation.

Literally anyone can become a landlord, there are no checks to ensure they’re of suitable character to become an essential service provider. This is a situation where rules are therefore essential, yet ours are shockingly lax. Deputy Mezec wants to change that. He’s proposed a new law to drag Jersey’s tenancy rules into the era of basic human dignity.

If his plans are adopted, landlords will be able to increase rents once a year, with a two month notice period. Most landlords do this anyway.

Rent increases will be limited to inflation, or 5%, whichever is lower, with exceptions allowed if there is genuine reason to increase rent further. Importantly, tenants will finally have the ability to challenge rent increases if they appear extortionate or unjustifiable, with a Rent Tribunal ruling on such cases.

‘Revenge evictions’ — where tenants are kicked out after raising complaints — would be banned. Tenancies will eventually convert into periodic tenancies, with no fixed end date. This removes the uncertainty that arises each time a tenancy comes up for renewal, with landlords now having to cite a reason for why they are ending a tenancy.

All of the legitimate reasons for this are of course still catered for. Wanting to sell up, needing refurbishment, moving a carer in, or of course if the tenant isn’t abiding by the terms of the lease. You know, the reasons that make sense, not “I didn’t like how they looked at me when I said I wouldn’t fix the heating.”

Landlords will not be stuck with troublesome tenants.

Importantly, though, tenants will no longer be quite as vulnerable to the whims of a landlord, who currently are able to kick someone out on the street for any reason they choose and then increase the rent by 15% when they look for someone new.

It’ll probably come as no surprise to you that some of those who do very well out of the status quo aren’t very keen on having their control diluted with such pesky rules.

Guy Morris, Chair of the Jersey Landlords Association, would prefer that the government provide “guidance”, rather than legislation. Guidance of course being so much easier to ignore.

Deputy — and landlord — Philip Bailhache, went further:

“The Minister’s amendments are ideologically driven by a conviction that the private rental sector is inherently undesirable.”

The obvious irony of course is that it is in fact he who is ideologically driven by the belief that landlords, by virtue of their status as the owner of the property, should therefore wield almost limitless power over their tenant. The Deputy — and landlord — has decided to introduce amendments to the new law, seeking to get rid of caps on rent increases, the Rent Tribunal altogether, limits on evictions, and limits on periodic tenancies.

Former Bailiff slams rental reform plans as "ideologically driven" - Bailiwick Express News Jersey

In short, lets keep things exactly the way they are, ad infinitum. Where landlords can make money with as little red tape as possible and don’t have to pander to the irritating needs of those seeking a home to live in.

The Deputy — and landlord — voiced concerns in a recent interview that these measures will see an exodus of landlords from the market. As if Jersey’s landlords are a species of exotic bird that’ll vanish at the first sign of fairness.

“The Minister does not appear to be concerned that these measures are likely to drive some landlords out of the market, thereby creating an even greater shortage of rental property than currently exists and driving up rents.”

Deputy Bailhache is an intelligent man who speaks in the Assembly with clarity and precision. So I find it difficult to believe he isn’t aware of just how flimsy an argument this is.

The proposed law will only adversely affect bad landlords. If a landlord wants to sell their property because they’ll now have to give a good reason to evict someone, we should welcome their departure. The fewer bad landlords we have, the better it is for everyone, for it should be said that the vast majority of landlords are decent, reasonable people. The problem is that the system currently does nothing to rein in the worst ones.

Presenting this as an inevitable prelude to fewer rental properties and higher rents is purposefully disingenuous. If a landlord decides to sell, the property doesn’t then vanish into thin air. It remains here in Jersey.

It may then be purchased by another landlord, maintaining the number of rentals available. The buyer may look to move in themselves, kick-starting a chain reaction whereby a first-time buyer who was previously renting may then get their foot on the property ladder. Again, the number of rentals required remains static.

The Deputy — and landlord — will be aware of these equally plausible outcomes, yet he only presents the one that coincidentally encourages the outcome that can potentially benefit him personally.

The idea that this proposed law is a gateway drug for the eventual eradication of all landlords is for the birds. Housing is an essential human need and currently we have a system whereby a lot of power is placed in the hands of random people who’ve had to do nothing to prove their suitability for such a role in our island. Yes, properties must now be licensed under the Public Health and Safety Regulations, but tenants have absolutely no way of knowing if they’re getting a ‘good’ landlord, or otherwise. While landlords, typically through their agent, will demand references to assure them a prospective tenant is reliable, no such arrangement exists in reverse.

Fair rules that protect both sides — but especially the more vulnerable party — are long overdue.

Bringing Balance and Clarity to Jersey’s Property Rental Market was originally published in Nine by Five Media on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

If Jersey had discovered oil off Corbiere back in the sixties we would have invested in it. We now have an opportunity to maximise the economic potential of the latest energy source, wind. The proposal is for a wind farm that will produce over three gigawatts of electricity. The money from this would help stimulate economic growth and diversity for many years. But there is a catch. The plan, if there is a plan, is to pay the two to three billion pounds required via private investment and send the electricity to France for storage and distribution. Money will come to the island via taxation and ground rent.

In energy terms, Jersey is almost totally dependent on imports, to the tune of around 97%. Whilst our electricity is slightly cheaper than the UK and Europe, we are reliant on France for almost all of it. In the present geo-political turmoil, it would be prudent to seek control of our own energy. Maybe the Channel Islands could work together to fund this (don’t laugh!).

We are advised that Jersey does not have the infrastructure capable of processing and storing the electrical energy produced, but the island requires only a fraction of the capacity of the proposed wind farm. Surely, investing in the resources for this, is feasible? Factoring in other renewable energy sources such as solar would reduce that number and with more efficiencies this figure could be pared down further. All States buildings: schools, hospital etc could/should be solar driven.

Jersey government to seek lease on seabed for wind farm - Jersey Evening Post

Community wealth building involves not just large anchor institutions such as finance and government but also the smaller businesses and, of course, the general public. Energy consumption is a significant contributor to our high cost of living. If we can reduce our usage then, our energy bills will be cheaper. Appliances that require heat and transport are the two main users of energy that we pay for. Power management is key.

Insulating your home reduces demand and costs. Simple additions such as draught excluders, carpets and curtains help. Most homes now have loft insulation and double glazing which reduce heat loss considerably. Cavity wall insulation is fitted as standard in new builds but possibly not in older houses. Lifestyle, how we cook (air fryers?), how we wash and dry clothes. The ambient temperature of our home. The type of transport we use and frequency. They all contribute to our energy bills. For those with a little more capital heat pumps and solar panels are an option. Look at how many homes and businesses leave lights on when they are not needed. There are smart apps that can control this.

A few years ago, the States conducted an arial heat survey of the island, to highlight which buildings were ‘leaking’ most heat energy. With modern, drone technology this could easily be repeated to highlight and target where energy is being lost. By 2026, it will be compulsory for all properties that are put up for sale to have an energy performance survey. You can get a grant for this. But why not subsidise this for all properties? It is claimed that Energy provided via a heat pump is around a third of the cost for gas. The government is offering up to £9000 to facilitate the change.

The States is a major shareholder of Jersey Electricity (62%). It can influence how much we pay for our electricity. Both Jersey Electricity and our government have a duty to the island public as well as to shareholders. Is what we pay at present a fair balance? For example, JE provides a return of 9.1p per unit fed back from solar panels. This compares with 27p per unit in the UK (source OfGem).

St Clement solar farm switched on - Jersey Evening Post

If the island is looking to create what, for some, is a blot on the horizon, then surely, we must demand more than a tax windfall and nominal ground rent as a return. The island needs to be significantly more energy resilient. But what would it do with a sudden surge in power? It could, at the very least, bring down energy prices and with it the basic cost of living. It could be the catalyst for transition, from health to wealth and from teaching to transport.

Getting people to part with the old and embrace the new will, arguably, be more challenging than building a 1GW wind farm. There are over 130,000 vehicles on the island at the moment, a sign of how popular this mode of transport is. You can argue the case for being more health conscious but let us be frank, most of us are just lazy and want to get from A to B in the quickest, most comfortable, way we can.

Who but the evangelical enjoy a soaking or freezing whilst waiting for a bus that invariably turns up full?

EV’s are beyond the financial reach of most islanders but they are getting cheaper, so we are told. Ever thought about E-scooters? Yes, it makes sense to have these on a nine by five island, but we do not all live where we can charge them up. China has developed points that will charge a vehicle as quickly as filling up a car with petrol. Great, but that infrastructure needs to be built.

And for those unable to buy an EV. The buses arrive on time, but their frequency is an issue. Even at fifteen-minute intervals, many customers are left stranded at peak times. If public transport is to be an option, the buses need to be more frequent, like the tube trains in London. With all the extra income public transport could be free!

And what of those that wish to walk or cycle? Our network is still incomplete and compromised by traffic, electric or otherwise. No government has yet created an island wide cycle network. It is doable. What of the last government’s agreed system of ‘designated’ roads?

We could have cheap electricity within ten years, but the government needs to get real as to the challenges that lie ahead.

First Printed in the Jersey Evening Post 22/04/2025

Community Wealth Building: Jersey’s Energy Security was originally published in Nine by Five Media on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. We are surrounded by the stuff but it costs an arm and a leg to make it potable. Queen’s Valley reservoir is at risk from a rat infestation, Val de la Mar is threatened with forever chemical pollution. Changing weather patterns have seen our water supply rise and fall. Just how resilient is the island in respect of water? All us must play our part in preserving this vital resource.

The stink from rotting sea lettuce along St Aubin’s Bay is a warning that we should not get too close to the toxic gases it exudes. It is a sensory reminder of the high nitrate levels found in our water. So high that even our ‘clean’ drinking water contains a higher than recommended level of nitrates. It directly impacts the local economy. But who is actively working to resolve this problem?

Outside of mains water, there are around 2800 homes that use private water supplies, for drinking, washing etc. These wells and boreholes access water that has seeped through the ground. Their treatment is variable. Few, if any, receive the same quality of water as that provided by the mains.

To provide mains water to all would be a significant capital project. A recent question to the environment minister revealed that it would cost around £36 million to lay the 90km of piping and that those with private water supplies would have to stump up any connection costs. We are informed that Jersey Water’s policy is to undertake connections ‘when funding is available’ and that connections ‘deliver the best economic outcomes for the company, its customers and the island’. The quote is telling. Is this not same MO as the UK water companies, putting profit before people?

Whilst some may point the finger at Jersey Water for dragging its heels, you must bear in mind that The States is a major shareholder, owning 62% of the company. Before they were ousted, the previous government were laying the foundations to ensure that Jersey Water took more responsibility. The proposal was to sequester some of the profits into laying the pipework. Householders with private water supplies are back to square one. Maybe supplying them with RO units would help in the interim?

Is there a cost-benefit to what amounts to around 5% of the population? Private water supplies are the ‘canary in the coal mine’!

Absence affects the wellbeing of any economy. Ours is no different. Keeping Islanders healthy is essential. The government are seeking to promote prevention as a key strategy in keeping us fit. They are asking us to; eat more healthily, exercise more and to cut down on drinking alcohol and smoking. But when health impinges on perceived profit, they are not so forthcoming.

An example of this obfuscation, is the case of PFAs and other agro-chemicals that are detrimental to islanders’ health. The drawn out affair of PFAs in the ground water around the airport is well documented, and yet to be resolved but the issue is one that is being played out across most of the island, not just St Ouen’s. We are told that these, potentially life threatening, ‘forever chemicals’ are in lots of everyday products. We cannot avoid them. It is a fait accompli. Or is it? The EU are actively seeking to ban the production of PTFE. We could just avoid these products but because their PFAs locked into solids and not ingested, their absorption into the body is less likely.

Bloodletting recommended for Jersey residents after PFAS contamination

A draft government document (PFA scientific advisory panel) indicates that skin absorption of PFAs is around 1.4%. Ingestion absorption is between 66–100% and inhalation, via the soft lining of the lungs, is 100%. When such chemicals are dispersed as a fine spray, as they are when crop spraying, they are inhaled and absorbed through the lung lining directly into the blood stream. People who use their own private water supply and live in the countryside are doubly at risk.

There are at least four identified PFAs; Fluozinam, Fluopyram and Trifloxystrobin are fungicides. Flufenacet is a herbicide. These are used regularly on the land to grow crops, principally potatoes. So, as you cycle, walk or drive around the island your risk of contamination by PFAs increases. A representative from the farmer’s union is quoted as saying they are trying to ‘phase out these products as quickly as we can’. How long is a piece of string? Regenerative farming uses no such chemicals.

The Jersey potato industry exported fifty million tons in the 1990’s. In 2024 that had fallen to twenty million tons. The potato industry is responsible for around 80% of all farming exports from the island which provides around 0.6% of GVA. Why the drop in sales? Have Jersey Royals lost their flavour, or have consumer tastes changed over the years? When does the cost to islanders’ health outweigh shrinking economic benefit?

Glyphosate, is a herbicide found in some weedkillers. It is used, on island, under licence, which is an indication of its toxicity. Glyphosate is on sale front and centre at most supermarkets and garden centres on the island. It is also the reason some fields appear orange at this time of year. It has been banned in many countries and is due to be banned in the UK at the end of this year. There was a move to have products containing Glyphosate banned back in 2019, which failed. It is a chemical that, once more, the authorities assure us is safe within certain boundaries. Our own government no longer uses glyphosate to kill ‘weeds’ that pop up in unwanted places. They use a safer vinegar/lemon juice solution. So why sanction its use elsewhere on the island?

The United Nations states that everyone has a right to “safe drinking water”. It is a right that most view as a third world issue, not on an island awash with capital. In this basic aspect of human need, is our government failing in its duty? We expect our anchor institutions to support the island’s community without caveats. They are there to serve and to protect.

Taken from Jersey Evening Post article 01/05/2025

Community Wealth Building: Jersey Water was originally published in Nine by Five Media on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Gorey Harbour, with its postcard-perfect views, holds immense historical, cultural, economic and tourism significance. Overlooked by Mont Orgueil Castle, this iconic site is a defining image of Jersey. Its history reflects the resilience of islanders, having played a crucial role in Jersey’s development and defence. Today, it remains a cherished part of the island’s landscape.

On a sunny day, with daffodils in bloom or boats bobbing on shimmering waters, the harbour’s beauty is undeniable. Yet, beyond this charm, parts of the area appear neglected, despite efforts by private homeowners and businesses who have heavily invested in maintaining their properties. While these locals work hard to keep the port vibrant, their influence stops at the extent of their curtilage.

Matthew Jones, Director of the Moorings Hotel and restaurant explained, “We have invested considerably in The Moorings Hotel, and we would love to see similar investment from all stakeholders in a joined-up approach. I think we have an opportunity now to have a world class visitor attraction in Mont Orgueil with its home being brought into the 21st Century. Think Mont St Michel, think any port in Brittany, where there are no longer any cars or at least no constant moving traffic.”

He proposes a solution that would “close the pier to all vehicles except the emergency services, fishers, boat owners, & residents who could all have permits and 24-hour access.” He also suggests that “pier-side restaurants could extend their terraces in the summer months to the other side of the road with an electric shuttle bus between the Longbeach and the Pier”. While his views may not find universal approval, what is important is that this is someone invested in the Port who is willing to be part of the conversation and part of the solution.

Matthew Jones endorses the idea of “having a joined-up approach with one-person co-ordinating progress” and describes it as “a fantastic idea and one that we as a business on the pier will be following very closely and assisting with wherever we can.”

Pier resident Julia Lloyd-Hughes takes a different but complimentary approach noting that the pier is “situated under the magnificent Mont Orgueil” and “provides Jersey’s USP (unique selling point) for tourism and is used from postcards to TV commercials and even on the London Underground.” She has written a letter signed by a number of pier residents to the various governmental and non-governmental stakeholders expressing the view that

“residents are expected to maintain under the strict planning guidelines the listed façades of their houses but somehow nothing is done about the ugly road markings, street signage, ugly bins and lack of pretty fairy lights which happily swing on other bays that are much less photographed.”

She continues on behalf of the residents, “We would love to be consulted on decisions regarding the Pier and the beach in front of us and we would happily work together with Ports & Harbours and the Parish.”

A variety of organisations – Ports of Jersey, Property Holdings, Jersey Heritage, Infrastructure, Andium, and to a lesser extent the Parish of St. Martin – are responsible for different parts of the port, creating a fragmented approach to management. This has resulted in an inconsistent mishmash of railings, street furniture, lamp posts, bins, and signage from various eras signalling their age and provenance. It perfectly illustrates a public realm lacking investment, pride, co-ordination and above all care.

Beyond cosmetic issues, there is a pressing need for a Conservation Area Designation which has been on the cards for over 30 years. A character appraisal would help to ensure any new structures complement the harbour’s historic surroundings, while strengthening connections between the port and Mont Orgueil Castle.

Ports of Jersey is working on a five-year strategic business plan for the pier in collaboration with the Gorey Boat Owners Association. Harbour Master Bill Sadler outlined the main objectives, including efforts to “increase visitor traffic through additional visitor moorings” and develop “new deep-water moorings” by 2025. Ports of Jersey will also “explore seasonal pontoon solutions and improved visitor facilities, integrating these changes with the usage of the pier’s end.” However, the end of the pier faces serious structural issues, with repairs planned after the current season. Bill Sadler acknowledged, “Finding an engineering solution has been challenging.” Ports of Jersey has allocated £2.5m in its capital plan over this year and next to address these problems and has engaged the firm Hartigans due to their “good understanding of these historic structures.”

The pier was not designed to support modern vehicles, having been originally built for horse and cart. “The piers are semi-porous, prone to voids,” Sadler explained. Over time, additional structures, such as the landing stage and passenger building, were added “without much thought for the existing structure.”

Larger vessels have further strained the landing stage, with Storm Ciaran exacerbating the damage. He confirmed, “The plan is to carry out structural repairs after this season, likely involving the removal of the landing stage and the building beyond the restaurant.” He added that before work begins, further assessments are needed. “Ports of Jersey are currently seeking planning permission for intrusive investigatory work to better inform these plans.”

While Ports of Jersey is actively addressing concerns within its jurisdiction, a broader approach is required. The challenge lies in balancing the harbour’s historical, cultural, and economic significance while addressing modern needs. Many stakeholders have interests in the port, yet none possess sole authority – or the necessary funding – to spearhead holistic improvements.

The port needs a champion to unify these efforts. A comprehensive master plan should consider the port as a whole, addressing both conservation and development needs. This plan should include a design statement ensuring cohesion in street furniture, lighting, and signage. Such an exercise was undertaken by Ports of Jersey for its masterplan for St Helier. I would be somewhat perplexed if Gorey were not considered worthy of such an approach.

Photo: a mishmash of signage

Key to progress is bringing all stakeholders to the table for an open and constructive dialogue. A Port Custodians Charter could provide a guiding framework, setting shared objectives and responsibilities. A summit at Mont Orgueil Castle, could be chaired by the Connétable of St Martin, as leader of the Parish or the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development (whose portfolio includes Ports, Culture, Heritage and Visit Jersey), and facilitated by experts in strategy and consensus-building. This could serve as a launching point for a coordinated effort.

We need to envision the port’s future above and beyond resolving the fragmented infrastructure ownership and operation. By way of example, three promenade shelters are maintained by Jersey Property Holdings, while Ports of Jersey is responsible for the shelter in front of the Dolphin pub. The sea wall, walkway, and pumping station are under Infrastructure’s remit, whereas the road and wall on the pier fall under Ports of Jersey’s responsibility. The castle floodlight enclosures belong to Property Holdings, while different styles of lampposts are maintained by either Ports of Jersey or Infrastructure. The gardens along the promenade are overseen by Infrastructure, yet a floral display opposite the Dolphin pub falls under the Parish of St. Martin. Infrastructure and Ports of Jersey each provide bins (some side by side), emptied by their respective organisations. Public toilets and the flat above them belong to Andium Homes, with the operational agreement lying with Infrastructure.

Despite today’s challenges, history shows that Gorey Harbour has faced – and overcome – similar difficulties. As early as 1617, a commissioner remarked, “The harbour is not good.” By 1685, Dumaresq described it as an “old and decayed pier.” In 1802, the pier had disappeared entirely, as depicted in paintings by J.T. Serre and Tobias Young from that era.

The 19th century saw transformative changes, with the States of Jersey investing £16,000 (equivalent to £1.6m – £1.9m today) to rebuild the pier between 1815 and 1817. By 1810, Gorey had become the hub of Jersey’s oyster fishery, with over 150 visiting boats. Hotels, chandlers, and houses followed, and the Jersey Eastern Railway extended its line to the pier in 1890 to link with ferry services to France. Over time, however, Gorey’s commercial role diminished as larger ships required more advanced port facilities.

Today, Gorey’s importance remains, not only as a tourist destination but as a vital part of Jersey’s identity. Securing its future requires collaboration between government and non-governmental organisations to develop a cohesive strategy that revitalises the harbour area while preserving its heritage.

Bringing stakeholders together through structured discussions would allow for a reassessment of responsibilities and exploration of cost-effective, innovative solutions. A unified vision as opposed to a silo mentality will ensure efficient use of resources, while modernising infrastructure, harmonising aesthetics, and enhancing visitor experiences.

A Port Summit at Mont Orgueil Castle with the objective of creating a Port Custodians’ Charter – led by key stakeholders – could serve as the catalyst for meaningful change as long as delivery underpins the process by fostering a balanced approach that respects history while embracing necessary improvements, Gorey Harbour can continue to thrive as a treasured landmark for generations to come.

This article was first published in the Jersey Evening Post on 24.03.25

Gorey Harbour: Preserving Its heritage, shaping Its future was originally published in Nine by Five Media on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Visitors to the island are met with a monoculture. Rows of adverts for financial services or high-rise monoliths overshadowing eye-catching sculptures. A metaphor for the island’s present cultural struggle. Parish halls walls are festooned with portraits of the great and good. Seen one seen them all! Where are the works of local school children, of local artists? St Helier should be our cultural capital. Its architecture looks more industrial than imaginative at the moment. Hettich’s newly refurbished art-deco shopfront and the central market are swallowed beneath a sea of scaffolding and empty shops. Like an aging clown, Fort Regent sits sadly overlooking the town, a crumbling relic of bygone days. But with a little artistic licence Jersey’s artistic culture could be thrust to the fore.

How do we recognise Jersey’s culture? Across the world, cultures are defined by their traditions, their language, and their customs, expressed principally through their art, music, dance, and theatre etcetera. So where does Jersey lie, culturally? It has a Breton heritage, the remnants of which remain in the form of Jèrriais but there a few customs and traditions. Are we now multi-cultural or are we ‘quintessentially British’ as Wikipedia describes us, whatever that means?

We do not laud our artistic icons enough. The Pre-Raphaelite, John Millais, surrealists Claude Cahun and Suzanne Malherbe? Gerald Durrell and Lily Langtry are internationally renowned and would enhance our cultural reputation but, apart from Jersey Zoo, there is little recognition of their existence, on island. Our cultural heritage should not be confined to a museum.

If Jersey is serious about wanting to raise its profile with respect to ‘the arts’ it must make what it has already more overt. There is much to be proud of, but it needs to be better showcased and more frequent. From the Battle of Flowers to the Corn Riots and from Jersey Festival of Words to Jersey Chamber Orchestra. Our island is not a blank canvas awaiting creative brush strokes, it is more like an unfinished masterpiece. We have the fixtures, what is needed are the fittings.

Jersey has got talent! But all too often it is limited to small venues and even smaller audiences. Larger venues are thin on the ground. We have the Opera House and the Jersey Arts Centre. What is missing are regular, reliable venues where people can immerse themselves in their favourite art. How do tourists find out ‘what’s on’?

In respect of community wealth building, it is important that each venue plays its part in promoting local ‘arts’ other than the one it is there to showcase. Art exhibitions could have live local musicians playing; local music venues could include poets and/or comedy acts. Combinations to stimulate the creative juices. The Harbour Gallery is splendid example of how this can be achieved.

But can the island sustain a vibrant Arts culture? What economic value does it bring?

The Website, ‘Pathways into Music’, provides a ten-step sequence to stardom. Few islanders have climbed the ladder to worldwide recognition (stage eight by the way) and those that do, tend to leave. Most of us never get beyond stage three, serious amateurs, but there those that do make a living from their artistic talents. They may not be best selling authors, but they write professionally. They may not be fine artists, but they run their own business. They may not be awarding winning musicians, but they are gainfully employed. These smaller, often individually run enterprises, are contributors to the island’s wealth, both financial and cultural, and to its wellbeing. In education, art subjects are sometimes cast as ‘Mickey-Mouse’, yet in the UK, ‘The Art’s contributed around £126 billion in 2022 and employed around 2.4 million people. Mickey Mouse is a billion-dollar company. On-island The Arts are intrinsic to hospitality and tourism and are the creative source of many small to medium businesses, the backbone of our economy. The States are investing around £12.5 million in the arts this year.

Finding your way in ‘The Arts’ is fraught with challenges. You must have a modicum of talent but then you have to put in the hard yards. This is where a wider island infrastructure would help, providing a range of venues for budding artists to gain exposure. Haute Valleé has almost a third of its pupils studying a musical instrument. Jersey Academy of Music Student and teacher Orchestra is another example of The Arts training a new generation. Jersey Youth Arts works with over two hundred pupils every week, in theatre, music, art and dance, including broadcasting and sound engineering. Many of its ex-pupils are employed across the world with the Arts industry, and all for £1 a session! They now have links with France and the UK, showcasing Jersey’s artistic integrity. There is a burgeoning of professional support, post eighteen, to aid career development, although much of this is private.

Musical opportunities are often reduced to a side-show, an accompaniment to selling copious amounts of alcohol. The gig economy plays its part, but it should not be an end in itself. Without sounding snobbish, if we are to emphasise our artistic culture there is need for something more discerning. The folk nights at Hamptonne are a splendid example of how to enhance Jersey culture without the need for booze, or even a PA! Neither is it high brow.

To become an internationally recognised, creative island, renowned for its culture, Jersey will have to provide a more immersive experience, standing on the shoulders of its heritage giants. How about Opera at Mount Orgueil or the Central Market as our very own Covent Garden? Buskers and street performers along King Street. Art and photography in the empty shops. Less adverts at the airport and more artwork promoting venues for incomers to visit. Along La Route de Port Elizabeth a guard of honour of eye-catching sculptures. Something less Brutalist and more Bauhaus. And what of Fort Regent? An ideal setting for a cultural exhibition centre, alive with art, dance, theatre, music and more.

First published in the Jersey Evening Post on 15/03/25

Community Wealth Building: Jersey Arts & Culture was originally published in Nine by Five Media on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.