Rock edition 11

CELEBRATING THE BAILIWICK OF GUERNSEY

ROCK

THE

EDITION ELEVEN

PRINTED ON ISLAND BY HERALD PRINT & PUBLISHING

CURTAIN CALL THE STYLISH SIDE OF GADOC

LAUGHING ALL THE WAY WITH DENNIS BURNS

WIN A ROMAN TIC BREAK IN JERSEY

THIS IS A F R E E M AG A Z I N E

EDITOR: JILL CHADWICK PHOTOGRAPHER: STACEY UPSON PRINTING: HERALD PRINT & PUBLISHING ADVERTISING: JONATHAN O’CONNOR PUBLISHER: JON TAYLOR

Conditions

The Rock is published by Herald Print & Publishing, Braye Road, St Sampsons, Guernsey GY2 4WX. All rights reserved. Any reproduction without permission is prohibited. The Rock Magazine contains editorial content from external contributors which does not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers.

The Rock Magazine does not accept or respond to unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. The publishers do not accept responsibility for errors in advertisements or third party offers.

PUBLISHERS: Herald Print & Publishing Guernsey Herald Limited, Braye Road, St.Sampsons, GY2 4WX T: 01481 201200 E: info@lighthouseci.com W: welovetherock.com

CELEBRATING THE BAILIWICK OF GUERNSEY

There are some people who love Christmas, while others loathe the whole gift buying, house decorating, food shopping frenzy. I most definitely fall into the first category and from late November enjoy making swags – and endless lists , and getting the house all glammed up to welcome friends and family for the holidays. But I know that for many people Christmas can seem a bit stressful!

So on your behalf, we at The Rock have got Christmas pretty much covered.

There are lots of gift ideas from fabulous beauty goodies and luxury knitwear and fashions to extravagant ski trips! We have also got into the festive spirit… Oh no you haven’t – Oh yes we have!... by talking to the king of panto, GADOC chairman Dennis Burns, and previewing this year’s Christmas offering, Snow White.

The cast also found time in their busy rehearsing schedule to model some of the latest looks in party wear for men and women at a fabulous

fashion shoot at The Duke of Richmond so there is no excuse not to be looking your festive best.

As my friends know, I am a bit OCD when it comes to decorating my house – and with a new house to play with. I can’t wait to see how my Christmas swags will look like on my new staircase and fireplaces! This year I have three so what a great excuse to head down and buy a few new trinkets!

But Alison Lythgoe of Blossom & Green has also inspired me to go outdoors in search of pinecones and holly and we share her design secrets on using fresh foliage, flowers and candles to make your home its festive best.

On behalf of the team at Rock It just leaves me to wish you a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year .

Jill Chadwick

EDITION ELEVEN

THE

ROCK

Welcome

PRINTED ON ISLAND BY HERALD PRINT & PUBLISHING

CURTAIN CALL THE STYLISH SIDE OF GADOC

LAUGHING ALL THE WAY WITH DENNIS BURNS

“I had to have a minor operation on my face, so it will be a few days before I am looking like Brad Pitt – or even his brother Cess!“ Dennis Burns

WIN A ROMAN TIC BREAK IN JERSEY

THIS IS A FREE MAG AZINE

3

Contents

EVENT OF THE SEASON SNOW WHITE

WHAT IF... SANTA CAME TO TOWN THE HISTORY MAN RETURN TO SENDER LAUGHING ALL THE WAY WITH DENNIS BURNS FIGHT FOR SIGHT WITH JULIAN JACKSON BODY ROCK EDITOR’S CHOICE/ THE BODY STRATEGIST COCKTAIL HOUR WITH ALEX FORD FANTASY DINNER PARTY WITH MICHAEL VAN DEN BOSSCHE FLORAL TWIST RECIPES FROM THE VALLEY

If you would like to promote your business in The Rock then please call Jonathan O’Connor on 07911100002

ON YOUR DOORSTEP: SKIING Contributors CLAIRE HENDY/DR JONAS HOINN/ SUSAN GLASS/DR JASON MONAGHAN/STEPHEN ROBERTS/ GEORGIA LE PAGE

The Rock is available to download at issuu.com. Simpy search for The Rock Guernsey and you can view all our previous editions.

The Rock is delivered by Delivered.gg throughout the island.

If you do not want to receive a copy please let us know at delivered@welovetherock.com

7

EVENT OF THE SEASON It’s pantomime time again – oh no it isn’t, oh yes it is! The Rock spoke to Jenny Falla, Director of GADOC who gives us a sneak preview of what we can expect from this year’s pantomime.

C

ome September every year various drama groups around the island start thinking of panto and Christmas and spend the next three months singing, leaping about, agonising over lines, building and collecting props and scenery, sorting out publicity, lighting, sound, measuring inside legs and making costumes. Says Jenny: ”It all starts, maybe eighteen months before the appointed Christmas, when the director starts to read scripts. I chose Snow White for GADOC’s production this year mainly because I enjoy working with GADOC’s very talented youngsters.” In the Doreen Moger script, the dwarves are replaced by gnomes who have a guardianship role for the forest. Doreen contended that few children would identify with dwarves who go down diamond mines these days, but they would understand ecologically friendly gnomes. Fourteen young hopefuls turned up for auditions so Jenny decided to double cast the gnomes and have Snow White and the fourteen gnomes – blue and red teams appearing on different nights!

This year, Jenny and her stage manager husband, Colin decided to have a gathering to introduce interested GADOC members to the production. It was a very busy morning of workshops: Stephen

Dixon, musical director, Miss King , choreographer, put them through their paces and Colin explained the staging of the production.

Auditions were held the following week at the end of June.

“Two GADOC committee members always sit on the audition panel along with the production team and casting is very much a group decision. There is then the heartache and joy of telling people the good or bad news.

A date was set for beginning rehearsals in September – chorus on Sundays, principals in the week and gnomes on Saturdays. The chorus are a really important part of any pantomime production.

They support and provide the background reaction, singing and dancing for the principals and need to be a mixture of ages. “ Why do they do it you may ask?

“It’s simple. They enjoy it and have a passion to bring live entertainment to family audiences.

There is something almost magical about taking a cold printed script and seeing it developed and brought to life to give enjoyment and laughter to an audience.

Snow White opens on Sunday, 22nd December with a matinee at 2p.m. and runs through until Saturday 4th January. All the company invite you to come and share the magic.

We know your world doesn’t revolve around banking!

Helpful banking, making things easier But we also know that you may need access to your money at any time of the day or night, and wherever you are. That’s why we have developed a range of apps for your smartphone or tablet, so you really can bank when it suits you, not when it suits us!

We’re making banking easier... ask us how!

Call in to any branch natwestinternational.com/helpfulbanking Like NatWest CI on Facebook Follow us on Twitter @NatWestGsy

The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited trading as NatWest (NatWest). Registered Office: P.O. Box 64, Royal Bank House, 71 Bath Street, St. Helier, Jersey JE4 8PJ. Regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission. Business. Guernsey business address: PO Box 62, Royal Bank Place, 1 Glategny Esplanade, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 4BQ. Regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission and licensed under the Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1994, as amended, the Insurance Managers and Insurance Intermediaries (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002, and the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987, as amended. NatWest is a participant in the Guernsey Banking Deposit Compensation Scheme. The scheme offers protection for ‘qualifying deposits’ up to £50,000, subject to certain limitations. The maximum total amount of compensation is capped at £100,000,000 in any 5 year period. Details are available from: Website: www.dcs.gg. Telephone: +44 (0)1481 722756. Post: P.O. Box 380, St Peter Port, GY1 3FY. Deposits made in a Guernsey Branch will not be covered by any equivalent scheme in any jurisdiction outside of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Under the scheme(s) customers are entitled to make only one claim per licensed entity regardless of the number of brands or trading names contained within that licensed entity and customers are entitled to make one claim only per licensed entity in the jurisdiction where the deposits are held. Therefore as NatWest brand is operated

by RBS International it is not licensed in its own right. A person with a deposit in NatWest and a deposit in RBS International would thus only be entitled to make one claim. Further details of these schemes are available on request. NatWest is a member of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group. The Royal Bank of Scotland plc - Registered in Scotland No 90312. Registered office: 36 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2YB. The Royal Bank of Scotland plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. The latest report and accounts are available at www.investors.rbs.com. NatWest places funds with other parts of its Group and thus its financial standing is linked to the Group. Depositors may wish to form their own view on the financial standing of NatWest and the Group based on publicly available information. The latest report and accounts are available at www.natwestinternational.com/financial-results. Calls may be recorded. Network charges may apply.

CURTAIN CALL Oh yes they can!

The cast of GADOC’s pantomine were only too pleased to help out with our festive fashion shoot so we styled Stephanie, Rihanna, Charlotte, Dave, Rhys and Duncan in clothes from Escape, Miss Nob, Creasey’s Menswear and jewellery kindly provided

by Catherine Best.

PHOTOGRAPHY: STACEY UPSON HAIR: LAUREN BRANSFORD AND MANDY SMITH FROM DIVERSE MAKEUP: KATIE OSOKA

THANKS TO THE DUKE OF RICHMOND HOTEL

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Stephanie, wears Rene Lazard copper gold lace dress, price £445.00 Rosso fur Tippett, price £115 Hoss Intropia Gold leaf evening bag, price £125.00 All from Escape

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Stephanie wears, Long red Bernshaw dress

by Zamira £350.00 White faux fur jacket bky Kate Cooper £ 99.00 Available from Miss Nob

Black/blue dress, lovely swingy semi swirly skirt, sparkly buckle £250.00 by Joseph Ribkoff From Miss Nob

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Gerry Weber Betty Barclay Apanage Bernshaw Joseph Ribkoff Taifun Oui Luisa Cerano Frank Lyman

LADIES’ INTERNATIONAL FASHION

Established 1974 Lower Pollet, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1WL Telephone: 01481 721800

Gant gold sequin skirt, price £110.00 Magaschoni black jacket with gold sequin collar, price £397.00 Wilbur and Gussie gold evening bag,price £ 235.00 All from Escape

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GANT UK MERCY DELTA MONIKA VARGA CRUMPET CASHMERE CASH - CA GREENSTONE COATS ROSSO MAGASCHONI CASHMERE LEXINGTON RENE LEZARD LILLY + LIONEL SCARVES WILBUR + GUSSIE BAGS HOSS IN TROPIA

escape 2 HIGH STREET

ST PETER PORT TEL: 714455

GUERNSEY

Festive Fun at the Duke of Richmond Christmas Fa

yre Menu

Boxi

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To get yo u in the fe stive spirit is availab , our Chri le from 29 stmas Fay th Novembe Lunch £19 re Menu r – 23rd D .95 per pe ecember. rson. Dinn including er £24.95 Amuse Bo per perso uche.

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Enjo y frien a wond d e Serv s on Bo rful lun ch w e x d ing in th An e Le Day. £3 ith fam igh il opa Bo t at x rd B 5.00 pe y and ar a r £19 ing D the r nd R perso a a . n. esta Fir 50 pe y, wit ces is uran st r h t. ace r pers our just t he 3 o sta rts n. Ba Cours ticke at 8 r op eD t e inn on .00 er pm ns at fo 7.0 .

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nch Box ing D ay H orse Rac ing E venin g

For reservations please call 726221 or email hpinto@dukeofrichmond.com or visit www.dukeofrichmond.com

ar and Re

staurant.

Rihanna wears: Frank Lyman Black shift party dress, gold purple, black sequin block band £208.00. From Miss Nob. Rhys wears: Blue Velvet jacket with Black Design and Satin Lapels by Gagliardi £235.00 Dress Trouser £45.00 Black party shirt

by Olymp £49.99 Tie £14.99 Dave wears: Slim-fit navy suit by Gibson £175.00 Round collar blue sripe Gibson shirt £52.99 Tie £14.99 All from Creasey’s

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Charlotte wears: Back/gold sequin biker jacket - Oui £156.00 Black vest – Gerry Weber £20.00 Oui Black faux leather skirt, gold zip pockets £116.00 Bernshaw Agnella dress, black lace body, nude underlay £212.00 All from Miss Nob

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Bernshaw Agnella dress, black lace body, nude underlay ÂŁ212.00 All from Miss Nob

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Red peplum dress ‘Rochelle’ by Bernshaw, lace sleeves £325.00. From Miss Nob.

Katie Osoka Mobile Beauty and Make Up. Tel. 07781192353 Web. www.katieosoka.co.uk I used airbase airbrush foundations and Mac cosmetics. I’m also available for beauty treatments included shellac and gelish.

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Rosso navy velvet dress with brown leather bow belt, price £322.00 Wilbur and Gussie navy silk evening bag, price £135.00 From Escape

Duncan wears Black Waffle Weave Shawl collar jacket by Gagliardi £305.00 Dress trouser £45.00 White spot party shirt by Ollymp £49.99 Black Silk bowtie £15.99 from Creasey’s Menswear

PHOTOGRAPHY: STACEY UPSON

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Rihanna wears: Hoss Intropia gold dress, price ÂŁ235.00 Wilbur and Gussie gold clutch bag, price ÂŁ245.00 Both from Escape

22

Hoss Intropia black skirt with red and gold beading, price £267.00 Hoss Intropia black bead shirt, price £ 210.00 From Escape

Taifun cream chiffon blouse, back beaded collar £ 74.00 Black textured trousers, Oui, rose design £119.00 Betty Barclay Faux leather black zip jacket £127.00 All from Miss Nob

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Dave wears: Black Velvet jacket by Gagliardi £195.00 Dress trouser £45.00 Dress shirt £35.00 Black Velvet bowtie £12.99

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Dave wears: Slim-fit navy suit by Gibson £175.00 Round collar blue sripe Gibson shirt £52.99 Tie £14.99 from Creasey’s Menswear

Our thanks to some of the cast members of Snow White Our star studded cast of models: Stephanie Andrijasevic – the Wicked Queen Eldread Rihanna King – Choreography and principal of the Dance Academy Charlotte Cosnett – The Wishing Well Fairy Dave HyettLester the Jester Duncan Gallienne – Wizard Black Heart Rhys Ashcroft – WOT !

Rhys wears: Black Donegal Tweed jacket

by Carl Gross £205.00 Charcoal waistcoat by Carl Gross £89.00 Navy Trouser £29.99 Blue Check shirt £45.00 by Profomo from Creasey’s Menswear

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BODY TALK

Christmas Family Portrait Sessions.

Stacey is taking Bookings for that extra special gift this Christmas.

Sessions held on location; at your home or in studio and during late Thursday shopping and weekends. Only £35 plus receive 10% off Prints and Frames.

Makeover Portfolio Shoots Three changes Six retouched images Themed and Styled £199 Professional make over Extra images retouched for £20

14 Le Bordage, St Peter Port contact Stacey on 07781 461603 or visit Stacey Upson Photography on Facebook

FAMILY PORTRAITS

MILY FA

A CH ER I

IFT FOR Y OU R

G D E SH

Sessions on location at your home or in the studio during late night Thursday Xmas shopping ONLY

ÂŁ35

Weddings

Portraiture

Events

Corporate

“I joined my parents who were on holiday and staying near the old E and G at St Sampson’s and when they left, I stayed on as the landlord offered me some summer work to help him out in the bar” 28

LAUGHING ALL THE WAY Jill Chadwick has an audience with Dennis Burns

D

ennis Burns turns up with a face wreathed in smiles but he is selfconscious about a plaster covering a small wound on his face. As ever he is the ardent professional – and worried that he may be needed for a close up, and while not a vain man, Dennis is not too keen to be photographed looking anything other than stage ready.

“I had to have a minor operation on my face, so it will be a few days before I am looking like Brad Pitt – or even his brother Cess!“ he quips with that craggy smile and a series of quirky stories that have won over audiences for nearly five decades.”

His is a life packed full of music, drama and fun and Dennis is arguably one of the island’s best loved entertainers . After 50 years on countless stages singing, dancing, acting and delivering slick standup routines, his passion for performing is still as strong as when he started out in his first band.

While he is a much loved member of the community, a stalwart St Peter’s resident who admits to not liking to be out of his parish unless absolutely necessary, and more than able to put on the best ‘out west’ Guernsey accent, Dennis is not a local by birth.

He came to Guernsey on holiday in 1964 after a band he was playing in folded, and he says, he never went away again.

“I joined my parents who were on

holiday and staying near the old E and G at St Sampson’s and when they left, I stayed on as the landlord offered me some summer work to help him out in the bar.

I was between bands and jobs and I was offered a job and somewhere to stay and thought, why not have a working holiday?

By October my parents told me to start looking at properties here as they had decided to come to Guernsey to run a guest house, so l never went back.”

Dennis quickly became a part of the music scene and he recalls that back in those days there was a lot of work to be had for musicians and singers as most hotels had a resident band.

“I was working with many well-known performers including Cyril Glover at the Hermitage and playing in bands like The Other Four and The King Bees.

Then I began doing stand-up - in fact I think I invented it because when I went in everyone stood up and left! But seriously, I did enjoy comedy and found myself invited to do a Max Miller spot in Joyce Cook’s GADOC 1985 production of ‘Happy as a Sandbag.’

It started a long and highly successful association with the group.

“At the time I don’t think I had seen a GADOC play but I loved it. I just felt it amazing that they took all the strain.

You didn’t have to think about your own material or costumes or anything else. You turned up, went on stage and someone put a light on you. I got involved and stayed

involved and did my first pantomime in 1994. It’s fair to say that since then I have done a lot!”

And he has certainly made his mark on the festive panto scene – and has been a stalwart too with GADOC’s Easter musical and drama productions.

“This year they are performing Snow White and I was the dame when they previously put this on 10 years ago. My wife was Wizardora and Dave Hyett, who is also in this year’s production, was in it too. GADOC really is like family and everyone who gets involved has a great time.”

His family are playing a big part in Snow White this year, with his daughter Stephanie, and grandchildren Joe,8, and Emily, 12, also included in the panto cast. “ I have been very busy with Midsummer Night’s Dream - I was Bottom, and at Easter I will be directing Oliver so there is always something on the go. We have more than 400 members in the club and we do seven major productions a year including the One Act Play Festival which can include up to 15 plays. Our summer season has two to three productions and we have our October production ahead of the pantomime, so year round we are busy.

I am the chairman of GADOC too, and have been for the past three years but that at all changes in April when I have to stand down. But for 15 of the last 17 years I have been on their committee. I may be

29

Dennis pictured with David Hyett and Sheryl Kennedy

stepping down next year, but I won’t be going far!”

But even though Dennis won’t be up on stage this Christmas he will still be involved with the panto.

“If I am not taking part then you will find me playing guitar or bass in the pit….I can’t keep away!”

He chats happily about his many stage experiences but finds it impossible to single out his favourite career highlights. “ I always say that my favourite production is the one I am working on at that time, but at present I am really enjoying my music and I have just finished a summer season with The Great American Song book at The Farmhouse.

“We do jazz with vocals and put on a wide range of shows – The Rat Pack,

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An Evening with Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Ray Charles and From Bennett to Buble. The thing is after 10 minutes I think the audience realised I wasn’t Michael Buble though!”

“But it’s a fun night and people can have a chilled out dinner and enjoy a live musical performance to round off the night – and not have your ear drums blown out as it is a gentle sound.”

So Christmas and New Year promise to be a busy time in the Burns household – he will swap his seat in the pit, for centre stage at The Farmhouse to see in the New Year with his band and UK jazz singer Maggie Reeday, who is a regular at Ronnie Scotts.

“We are also performing a special jazz brunch on New Year’s Day. I never

get tired of singing and performing and doubt I ever will and it’s great that the whole family is now in on the act and are having a ball too. Seeing my daughter and her children up on that stage this Christmas will make me feel very very proud ends.”

We know your world doesn’t revolve around banking!

Helpful banking, making things easier We know that it isn’t always convenient to pop in to your local branch.

That’s why we have developed a range of mobile banking apps for your smartphone or tablet. Now you can bank when it suits you, not when it suits us. Mobile banking – wherever you are and whenever you need it, just ask us for details.

We’re making banking easier... ask us how!

Call in to any branch natwestinternational.com/helpfulbanking Like NatWest CI on Facebook Follow us on Twitter @NatWestGsy

The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited trading as NatWest (NatWest). Registered Office: P.O. Box 64, Royal Bank House, 71 Bath Street, St. Helier, Jersey JE4 8PJ. Regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission. Business. Guernsey business address: PO Box 62, Royal Bank Place, 1 Glategny Esplanade, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 4BQ. Regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission and licensed under the Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1994, as amended, the Insurance Managers and Insurance Intermediaries (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002, and the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987, as amended. NatWest is a participant in the Guernsey Banking Deposit Compensation Scheme. The scheme offers protection for ‘qualifying deposits’ up to £50,000, subject to certain limitations. The maximum total amount of compensation is capped at £100,000,000 in any 5 year period. Details are available from: Website: www.dcs.gg. Telephone: +44 (0)1481 722756. Post: P.O. Box 380, St Peter Port, GY1 3FY. Deposits made in a Guernsey Branch will not be covered by any equivalent scheme in any jurisdiction outside of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Under the scheme(s) customers are entitled to make only one claim per licensed entity regardless of the number of brands or trading names contained within that licensed entity and customers are entitled to make one claim only per licensed entity in the jurisdiction where the deposits are held. Therefore as NatWest brand is operated

by RBS International it is not licensed in its own right. A person with a deposit in NatWest and a deposit in RBS International would thus only be entitled to make one claim. Further details of these schemes are available on request. NatWest is a member of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group. The Royal Bank of Scotland plc - Registered in Scotland No 90312. Registered office: 36 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2YB. The Royal Bank of Scotland plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. The latest report and accounts are available at www.investors.rbs.com. NatWest places funds with other parts of its Group and thus its financial standing is linked to the Group. Depositors may wish to form their own view on the financial standing of NatWest and the Group based on publicly available information. The latest report and accounts are available at www.natwestinternational.com/financial-results. Calls may be recorded. Network charges may apply

Lamora Pointelle Beret £21.66, Lamora Pointelle scarf £32.50

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THE ESSENTIAL LUXURY

S

cots are fiercely patriotic and proud of their heritage. They are also extremely well travelled so it won’t surprise you to know that 11% of us Guernsey folk are Scots. Our relationship with the Tartan clans goes so much deeper than a wee dram on Burns Night or an attempt at a Sean Connery impersonation.

Scotland has intrinsic links to the Island such as Guernsey’s Own 201 Squadron, which was based at RAF Kinloss before being dispanded in 2012. History tells us Mary Queen of Scots very much liked Guernsey’s embroidered silks and insisted on a pair of Guernsey stockings with which

to go to her execution. Our trade in wool and knitting with Scotland goes back to medieval times and is still alive today in the shape of the Brooksbank family and their Mohair Sock Company.

Matthew Brooksbank, his family and Mohair Sock Company are based at their home in St Peter’s but over the years he has built a business that ships fine textiles throughout the world. “We are a Guernsey family business with Yorkshire and Scottish roots and a passion for creating the finest blends of textiles. Due to our ever increasing range of products we now also work with Lamora, a blend of

fine merino and rabbit wool, cashmere and lambswool.”

Using the best materials possible The Mohair Sock Company has attracted orders from as far afield as South Africa and China. They offer fashions for women and men, home essentials such as rugs and throws, accessories and a host of other luxurious, affordable items.

The Rock select our favourites from the 2013/14 Mohair Sock Company range and hope a Guernsey business, promoting hand crafted textiles inspired by Scotland will be on your wish list this Christmas.

Matthew Brooksbank, his family and Mohair Sock “ Company are based at their home in St Peters but over the years he has built a business that ships fine textiles throughout the world

”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STACEY UPSON

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Lambswool Tartan ‘Grant modern’ scarf £14.96.

Men’s Cashmere slipover £132.49

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Men’s 21 Gauge Cashmere V neck sweater £162.49. Available in Light Grey, Mid Grey, Moss, Navy, Poppy and Silk Purple.

Men’s Zip Turtle Neck Lamora Jumper in Dark Medium Dyed £140.83.

What is Mohair, and where does it come from?

Mohair is the long, lustrous and strong hair which comes from the Angora goat. The original wild Angora goats are believed to have originated in the Himalayan mountains of Tibet and then to have migrated to the Angora region of Turkey (the area close to modern Ankara). The word ‘mohair’ is derived from the old Arabic word mukhaya meaning ‘cloth of bright goats’ hair’.

About 150 years ago a small shipment of these fine creatures were sent to South Africa to be used as initial breeding stock.

These goats were the origin of what became (and still is) the largest single area of mohair production in the World, which is centred within a 300km radius of Port Elizabeth.

Men’s Lamora Cable and Rib Round Neck Jumper £107.50

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Mens Lamora V Neck Sweater ÂŁ79.16

Visit our website: www.mohairsockco.com call us on 266451 to see out products at first hand and take advantage of our 20% discount off website prices.

Ribbed Cashmere Beanie £35.42, Jersey Knit Cashmere Scarf £60.79

Plain Cashmere Stole £162.49

Ribbed Cashmere Beanie £35.42,Ribbed Knit Cashmere Scarf £74.58 Ladies Cashmere Gloves £18.29

Mohair Shooting Socks £18.29

Children’s Cushion Soled Socks £8.29

Mohair Comfort Socks £7.92

Stripy Cool Socks £7.46 Pure Lambswool Baby Blanket £24.58 Herringbone Throw £79.16

M&S Collection Coat £95, M&S Collection Dress £39.50, Bag £39.50, Shoe £19.50

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Cow Rug £182.49

Snow Jacquard Throw £66.25

Lambswool Tartan Rugs £74.58 each

Herringbone Throw £79.16

BODYROCK: AH FRANCIS EXPRESS LASHES

A full set of lashes in 30 minutes which will last up to two weeks

If you’re considering a mini makeover in time for Christmas then Rachel at the Day Salon has just the thing for you. SemiPermanent Eyelash extensions look and feel natural and are individually applied to each natural eyelash to create a thicker, longer appearance. They are made from a synthetic material, are waterproof and do not damage the natural lashes.

Eyelash extensions are suitable for almost everybody as you can have a natural looking set for daily wear or a thicker more glamorous set for evening wear and special occasions.

Save time on your beauty routine, wake up looking effortlessly glamorous and with no panda eyes!

The AH Francis express lashes are flutterly gorgeous in 30 minutes.

A new technique and a great way to introduce you to semi-permanent lashes.

Perfect for the party season.

Clients must have a patch test for the glue at least 24 hours prior to the treatment.

Clients must come in with no mascara on Lashes are placed on top of the client’s lashes and built up to give volume and length You can have a natural look or a more dramatic look

To book your express lashes call the Day Salon on 727191

£50.00 a treatment which includes a removal after 2 weeks Aftercare

Avoid any oily based products Do not pick the lashes off or rub your eyes Do not comb the lashes Avoid water or heat treatments for 24hrs after the treatment Do not put mascara on the lashes

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Why buy online

when you can buy locally for less?

We take the full VAT off UK prices for Clarins and Elemis retail products with no postage charges.

So whether your Christmas shopping or buying for yourself it is worth shopping at The Day Salon.

Our added bonus We are giving a complimentary Elemis or Clarins product away with every £50 spent on The Day Salon Gift Vouchers or Elemis Christmas Gift Sets from now until 24 December 2013.

Perfect Pampering Gift Treat a loved one (or yourself ) this Christmas with our Perfect Pampering Treatment using a combination of two of the most popular skin brands available on the market – Clarins products in your treatment and an Elemis gift. For just £70 you will receive a Perfect Pampering Gift Voucher entitling you to a back, neck and shoulder massage using Clarins Relax Oil followed by a hydrating facial and scalp massage, and a special Elemis Gift to take home worth £24.

Find us at: www.facebook.com/TheDaySalon and like us or join our emailing list to receive information about our promotions, new products and sometimes last minute half price offers.

T: 01481 727191 – E: thedaysalon@cwgsy.net – Collings Road, St Peter Port, GY1 1FJ Brands and specialised treatments include: 3D Lashes, CACI Ultimate, Clarins, Crystal Clear, Crysalis Universal Contour Wrap, Hopi Ear Candling, Electrolysis, Elemis, Eyelash Perming, Fake Bake, Gelish, Hollywood and Brazilian Waxing using hot wax, Hot Stone Massage, Kooky Nails, Lava Shells, Pregnancy Treatments, Pure Fiji, Shellac, SpaRitual, Threading and Yumi Lashes.

Loyalty Points: For every £10.00 you spend at the salon you will receive a loyalty point. Collect 10 points and receive 10% off your next treatment.

BODYROCK GIFT IDEAS

FROM ACTIVE BEAUTY

Stuck for great ideas for those luxury gifts and stocking fillers! Don’t worry.

Active Beauty has it covered! Their ranges of sophisticated and beautifully packaged gifts will appeal to all those who enjoy a luxurious beauty treat.

This Christmas Active Beauty is your one-stop-shop for festive gifts and beauty needs, so treat yourself, or someone you love, to the perfect gift this Christmas.

The brands are luxurious, indulgent and the ideal present for that special person in your life.

The store boasts some of the best brands in the world of beauty, including L’Occitane, Orla Kiely, Miller & Harris, Caudalie, GHD, Glamglow & Comfort Zone.

And the news keeps getting better as the store offers late night opening throughout December and with the added bonus of free gift wrapping.

Head to Active Beauty to solve all those gift problems , let them do the hard work and you take the credit.

Butter London nail varnish-£10.83

Trio Cremes Main s Caudalie- £10.00

lm ba lip ol .45 ntr co a £7 ate gic im lo Cl rma De

Mini beauty elixir Caudalie- £9.20

STOCKING FILLERS

Jessica mini phenomen oil- £7.45 Hair repair mini trio Moroccan oil- £18.65

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INDULGENCE

GHD hair dryer-£99

GHD ranging from £80-£95

Comfort Zone tranquillity bath oil- £53.00

Moroccan oil set- ranging from £39.35 to £52.00

Voyage de Hermes EDT 35ml- £60

Miller Harris noix de tuberouse gift set- £62.00

in association with

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GIFTS FOR HER Bright eye mud treatment £34.60

Guinot – Masque Essential £20.63

Kerastate Elixir set- £44.50

Caudalie divine ca

ndle- £18.45

Comfort Zone maxi kit inc. gentle cleansing milk and everyday tonic- £27.00

Almond Supple skin oil L’Occaitane- £26.66

GIFTS FOR HIM Man Space face cream comfort zone-£43.00

L’Occitan gift set- £23.20

Dermologica daily clean scrub- £20.67

L’Occitan pour homme- £32.50

Terres D’Hermes deodorant spray-£22.00

Shu Uemera shape paste- £19.50

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: Editor’s choiRce ATEGIST

THE BODY ST

Comfort Zones’ LBD Cellulite Busting Treatment.

Treatment time 75 mins.

Available from Active Beauty.

OVER the years I have read about and experimented with various products and treatments which promise to zap and firm up dimpled thighs, hips and bums, but finally here is a wow factor regime which in one single visit did deliver amazing results.

Active Beauty Therapist Georgia Le Page

“Your skin will be exfoliated with an enzyme-based exfoliator for a deeper scrub and then a body strategist remodeller is applied.

This fast acting product will initially make your skin feel very warm, it then cools relatively quickly and the skin will feel ice cold - a surefire way to bust the cellulite”

Within hours of the treatment, the promise that ‘unsightly cellulite cells would be zapped away’ seemed to have worked. I felt toned and smoothed – and the hour spent lying in a calm, quiet room, luxuriating in the scents and sensation of beautiful gels, was a bonus too.

It was a rare chance to chill out – and emerge feeling less stressed and more streamlined!

This amazing treatment is specifically designed for the imperfections of cellulite and body toning. Georgia from Active Beauty on Smith Street is delighted to be able to offer the treatment along with a Special Offer for Rock readers (3 treatments for the price of 2 – only £170) to give you a boost just in time for Christmas and New Year. Alternatively you can have 1 treatment for £70 – the treatment lasts 70 minutes in total.

Georgia says: “Your skin will be exfoliated with an enzyme-based exfoliator for a deeper scrub and then a body strategist remodeller is applied. This fast acting product will initially make your skin feel very warm, it then cools relatively quickly and the skin will feel ice cold - a sure-fire way to bust the cellulite! The ingredients are very active so you will feel the immediate effects of these products. A course of this treatment is fantastic in the run up to Christmas to improve circulation, tone and remodel the body contour- all to ensure your ‘Little Black Dress’ fits perfectly!

It’s a great treatment if you want to feel super smooth and sleek for the Christmas party season – and also ideal for the New Year if you have a sunshine holiday booked and want to reveal smooth, cellulite-free thighs.

We really think you are going to love this treatment so we would like to offer you 3 for the price of 2 as a Special Xmas Gift. The total cost will be £140.”

I can confirm that the whole experience is rather soothing and cooling – at first. Georgia made the whole process a relaxing treat but there is no doubt that her warning that “you will feel a bit cold – and then hot and tingly” is an accurate one.

The active ingredients are certainly active! The gel is massaged into your thighs, abdomen and hips with the cold sensation suddenly becoming quite warm, then fizzing hot! You are then left on a wonderful heated bed to relax and let the active ingredients get to work - wrapped up in a cling film type cocoon!

Following this, you will have a cool shower, with Georgia then applying some cooling, firming creams and gently rubbing them into your skin.

Georgia did warn that your skin will ‘prickle’ for a while afterwards. I did feel as though I had been mildly sunburnt which shows the strength of the active ingredients - BUT the redness and the heat subside within two hours and you are certainly left with firmer, smoother skin.

Georgia says: “At present we are offering 3 treatments for the price of 2. This course will give you great results. This is one of our new and exciting treatments which is a must for those who need a body boost to take them confidently into the party season.”

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EDITOR’S CHOICE treat And an extra

And for an extra treat here are Georgia’s Christmas Essential Treatments to keep you looking gorgeous through the party season! These can be done in between the Xmas shopping as they only take 40 minutes!

HD Brow - £35 – “A unique treatment for the ultimate well-groomed, high definition eyebrows!”

£30 “For a gorgeous natural-looking glow” We also asked Georgia to name her Top 3 Luxurious Treatments – these are ones to put onto your Wish List!

1) Comfort Zone’s De-Stress back, neck, shoulder and scalp massage with Tranquility Hot Oil £45 2) Guinot’s Hydradermie Age Logic Facial £65 3) Jessica Deluxe Pedicure with foot mask and hot booties - £45 To book in with Naomi or Georgia at Active Beauty Smith Street, call today on 721221.

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Shellac The Power Polish “The original power polish lasts for 2 weeks!”

Only £35

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ASK AMELIA The Rock has a new resident beauty columnist and she’s here to help YOU! Through this column Amelia plans to answer your beauty questions - whether it be trying to copy one of your favourite celebrity’s looks, dealing with wild, unruly hair or specific skin complaints...

“I am here to answer your queries and offer recommendations to help you look and feel great!

On the subject of winter, I have written a few pointers to help you deal with skin complaints often associated with the change in season. In addition to writing this column, I am also the in-house beauty expert at Active Beauty on Smith Street - a one-stop shop for high end, luxurious beauty products! I love working in hair and beauty and am always giving advice to friends and family about which products to use and new upand-coming trends.

Anyway, I would LOVE to hear from you whatever your questions and will select a couple to feature in the next issue.”

To get in touch, you can email on: askamelia@activebeautysalon. co.uk

IA EMAIL AMEL n.co.uk vebeautysalo ti c a @ a li e m a ask

You can also pop in to see me at Active Beauty in Smith Street anytime if you want more hands on advice, or want to chat through anything beauty related.

Winter proof your skin

WINTER PROOF YOUR SKIN Comfort Zone’s ‘Skin defender’ is an advanced daily response to cutaneous stress caused by environmental aggressions. This deeply nourishing face cream will not only lock in the moisture but will also filter UVA rays and protect the skin from premature aging. £47.00 for 50ml.

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During the winter, skin is stripped of its natural moisture by wind, central heating and low humidity. Even people who don’t normally have dry skin can struggle to maintain a healthy glow throughout the colder months.

My top recommendation to keep you radiant and glowing for this festive period…

Dermalogica’s ‘Intensive moisture mask’ - This fantastic moisture mask, containing Vitamin E and Evening Primrose Oil, will restore skin’s softness and suppleness and give it a weekly hydration boost . It is also great for premature ageing helping to alleviate fine lines. £32.10 for 75ml.

FACE

Switch to a richer face cream – see my current two top products.

BODY

Moisturising is key

ADVERTISE WITH

THE ROCK L’Occitane’s ‘Shea ultra-rich body cream’ is great for all the family. It intensely nourishes and protects the skin for 24 hours. Enriched with linseed marshmallow, sweet almond, honey and apricot oil it has a smooth texture which absorbs without leaving a greasy film. The perfect way to keep you cocooned from the harsh winter months! £24.16 for 200ml

HANDS

Time to go French

Our French skin care brand Caudalie has an amazing hand and nail cream, rich in antioxidant grape polyphenols, avocado and shea butter. This cream nourishes and repairs hands and has 98% natural ingredients. £10.00 for 75ml

Please note that all the products recommended are available in store at Active Beauty in Smith Street. The prices are duty free and we also offer free gift wrapping!

Struggling with Christmas present ideas?

Pop in and see me at Active Beauty Smith Street and I can help recommend some fantastic products and will even get them nicely wrapped for you – one less job!

8000 COPIES DISTRIBUTED ISLAND WIDE

4000 EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING PRINTED IN GUERNSEY CALL JONATHAN ON 201200 49

We appeal to all ages, hence the name, and I realise that it is “ more than simply having someone walk out of the salon looking incredible. With financial restraints being tighter than ever you have to deliver a look and a style that will still be looking good two to three months hence. There is no point giving someone a haircut which they can’t manage themselves or that needs recutting in three or four weeks’ time. I want clients to leave here with something they can wear everyday James Bransford

”

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A DIVERSE 10 YEARS C e l e b ra t i n g a d e c a d e o f s u c c e s s a t D i ve rs e H a i d re s s i n g

It’s been a busy decade for James Bransford of Diverse Hair Salon who celebrates 10 years in business - and three years in his vibrant Fountain Street salon.

“I started out on the Bridge under the James Bransford banner, but when I moved here exactly seven years later, I decided to rename the business Diverse to reflect my ever growing customer base, which is a very Diverse one!”

James says that the business is a family affair as his wife Lauren, a former HR professional, is now working alongside him on a part time basis while juggling the demands of three young children.

“Lauren is just about to qualify as a hair stylist having undergone an intensive training programme as well as enjoying hands on training here with me in the salon. I realised that with a young family it was important that she join me, and Lauren now shares my passion for the industry.”

On the 15th September James notched up 10 years as a leading Guernsey hairdressing professional and he says, he has learned a lot about himself, and his clientele along the way.

“I have three passions in my life. My family, Chelsea FC – and my business. Hairdressing is as exciting to me now as it ever was and I have learned what is important to clients and what to do to set Diverse apart from other salons.”

“We appeal to all ages, hence the name of the

salon, and I realise that it is more than simply having someone walk out of the salon looking incredible.

With financial restraints being tighter than ever you have to deliver a look and a style that will still be looking good two to three months hence. There is no point giving someone a haircut which they can’t manage themselves or that needs re-cutting in three or four weeks’ time. I want clients to leave here with something they can wear everyday. And our clients go out looking amazing.

James prides himself on being the salon that brought Moroccan Oil to the island.

“A customer gave me some to try and I realised how great it was, sourced a supply and decided to stock it – now everybody uses it.”

He says he is constantly in London checking out new procedures and styles and enjoys being at the front line of these new fashion trends.

“But to us it’s also about the whole salon experience and we have worked hard at creating an environment which encourages you to take your time and chill out. We have a news channel, free WiFi and the provision of iPads – and wine and beer and on special occasions, the offer of champagne.”

Even the chairs you sit in to have your hair washed are cutting edge.

“The relaxation process begins when you walk in the door and then you experience the massage chair

Petal-Stained Lips

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as you have your hair washed. We certainly don’t like rushing our clients in and out of hte door, we are not a high volume quick turn over operation. We like our customers to relax and enjoy their experience – and we provide them with a wide choice of opening hours to accommodate even the busiest individual.”

Diverse opens six days a week from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and James has been known to open the salon on a Sunday by special arrangement. At times, James and Mandy have kicked off their day at 7am to accommodate their clients who are really pushed for ‘available’ time.

“We are a client based business and we go out of our way to ensure we are open when our customers need us to be”, he says.

James and Lauren have three young children, Huxley who is two, Theo who is three and Jessica who is five and a half, so Lauren coming into the business was a natural progression to fit their busy working life around family life.

“I always wanted to bring Lauren into the salon and she has worked very hard to train up and become a member of the team”, says James.

Lauren enjoys colour work and is an expert at intricate plaiting and up do’s but she says she is also hands on with the back office administration and marketing areas too.

“It’s very much a family business and we have enjoyed seeing it grow over the years. Learning a new profession has been challenging for me but there are particular areas I really enjoy such as hair up and styling which I get to practice on Jessica when we have a quiet moment at home!”, she explains.

James is delighted that his team has just increased with their newest arrival, Philip Jacimovic.

“Philip is an art director who is a senior hair professional who will bring a wealth of experience and creativity and is great addition to the team.”

Says James: ”we are able to offer lots

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Diverse opens six days a week from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and James has been known to open the salon on a Sunday by special arrangement. At times, James and Mandy have kicked off their day at 7am to accommodate their clients who are really pushed for ‘available’ time.

Diverse Hairdressing is stockists of Moroccanoil, Fudge and ghd product and offer wedding packages and are also available for party hair.

James and Lauren Bransford

Philip Jacimovic

Lauren Bransford

Mandy Smith

WIN WIN WIN! A PAIR OF PINK ghd’s Simply tells us who is the latest person to join the team at Diverse? email editor@ welovetherock.com

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of innovation with each stylist being specialists in different areas of hair styling ranging from classic suts and colours to the latest high fashion trends for ladies and gentlemen. We also offer permanent straightening, afro/Caribbean and Asian hair styling. We use Wella colours alongside our Moroccan Oil and Fudge product range, as the condition of hair is as vital as the cut. “

The salon specialises in detoxing and clarifying shampoos to counter any hard water build up. “We are always happy to give a free consultation and go the extra mile to give new and existing clients the best salon experience. We have a large and loyal clientele but we are always happy to welcome new clients and give them a fresh new look – and the best salon experience.

Meet the team James Bransford, who has worked in top London salons in Mayfair, Belgravia and Knightsbridge heads up a team of highly qualified professionals who provide a diverse mix of talents for men and women, teenagers and young children. During his 20 years’ working in the industry, James has retrained with the biggest names and honed his skills to become an expert in colour correction work and strong classic cutting techniques that hold their shape, a particular favourite with his loyal clientele.

Creative Stylist and manager – Mandy Smith, has been part of the team for three years. Mandy has an incredibly loyal clientele and over 30 years’ experience ranging from classic shampoo and setting to modern day hair up and colouring and cutting techniques.

Art director – Philip Jacimovic – the newest member of the Diverse team has 12 years of experience in mens high

Ricardo works his magic

We use Wella colours alongside our Moroccan Oil and Fudge product range, as the condition of hair is as vital as the cut.

fashion barbaring techniques as well as the latest trends in ladies cutting and styling. Many of his years experience has been spent training and working in London and he is looking forward to bringing his experience and expertise to Diverse.

Lauren Bransford, graduate stylist and marketing director is involved in the company administration side of things whilst also working in the salon assisting the team with colouring, styling and building her own portfolio of clients.

Apprentice stylists James de Garis and Sophie Guilbert are studying at the College of Further Education and help support the team in day to day tasks in the salon as well as learning the key hairdressing skills.

DIVERSE HAIRDRESSING, 12 Fountain Street, St Peter Port, GY1 1DA

TEL: 01481 720006 or 07839 120006

and find us on Facebook

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Making you beautiful is all in a day’s work for aesthetics practitioner Debbie Smethurst of the Guernsey Laser and Aesthetic Clinic, who has been working in the cosmetic beauty field for 13 years.

Debbie is passionate about how easy and affordable it is for women to look as attractive as they can and she says there are now even more ways to make sure you grow old disgracefully!

�

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BEAUTIFUL YOU Don’t misunderstand me, there is nothing wrong if someone “ wants to age gracefully. But in today’s world aesthetics has come a long way and women have so many more life choices. They are now able to remain looking youthful for longer – and why not

”

“Today there are so many products and procedures on the market to ensure that women can look as good and youthful on the outside as they feel on the inside.

Ageing is no longer anything to be concerned about. Women these days are much more energetic and vibrant, so that they are increasingly searching for ways to enhance their looks. This gives them more confidence and self esteem because, if you feel you look good on the outside you will feel good in yourself on the inside,” explains Debbie.

“Don’t misunderstand me,” she says,” there is nothing wrong if someone wants to age gracefully. But in today’s world aesthetics has come a long way and women have so many more life choices. They are now able to remain looking youthful for longer – and why not!”

Debbie is now very excited about the prospect of being able to offer the services of a renowned plastic surgeon, Mr Mohammad Taberansari, who is based in Budapest, but who will now be offering local consultations on a monthly basis.

There are some ladies who would prefer their treatments carried out in the UK and Raj Ragoowansi also attends the clinic for those ladies wishing to take this service.

We have many satisfied patients and testimonials are available.

Says Debbie: Mohammad works from a clinic which has one of the longest established private cosmetic surgery wards in Hungary and it is located in one of Budapest’s major hospitals. He works with a hand-picked team that offers a very high standard of care and who ensure you embark on a procedure tailored to your

particular needs with confidence and trust.

And importantly, the prices are extremely affordable so it puts plastic surgery at the reach of a greater number of women who simply want to look their best. We aim for a naturally refreshed look and so often friends and family are not completely sure why someone, is suddenly looking so naturally fabulous!

Debbie is keen to talk about a new ground breaking facial threading procedure which is now taking the world of aesthetics by storm.

“It is an amazing treatment which does give incredible results and our new specialist is one of the top practitioners.”

Debbie has trained in all manner of aesthetic procedures but she particularly enjoys creating younger fresher faces using Sculptra fillers, which promises to allow you to see your younger self looking back at you in the mirror. She also likes to finish the process by applying semi-permanent make up to the eyebrows which enhances the overall appearance “I work across the whole range of treatments – skin rejuvenation like Carboxy , said to be the biggest break through since Botox - which oxygenates skin and stimulates the production of collagen.

Dermal fillers like Sculptra, Juvederm, Voluma and Restylane, chemical skin peels, IPL photo rejuvenation, thread veins, plasma rich protein, and the Dermaroller microneedling procedures etc.”

“We also specialise in hair removal, cellulite removal and stretch mark improvement and I am also trained in medical tattooing for areola reconstruction for women who have undergone mastectomies and

reconstruction surgery.”

Debbie has a nursing background but transferred across to the aesthetics industry in 2001 when she joined the team at Maureen Gilanders. She started in the industry working with dermal fillers and hair removal procedures and immediately realised the potential of what could be achieved in the field of aesthetics.

“Back in those days we were fixated on treating the nasal labia folds (line alongside our noses) then we realised those lines were caused by loss of volume in the upper face. Now we know so much more and relatively quickly and easily can give you back a more natural look and fresher complexion. Facial rejuvenation is such an exciting field and there are some amazing procedures to suit all needs. But I would say the biggest seller and probably the most popular treatment is Sculptra. This is an amazing product which does turn back the years. It’s also important to say too that most women are looking younger for one person – themselves!”

Over the thirteen years Debbie has been a practitioner she has kept up to date with all the latest techniques, new technology and regulations. She continually attends conferences and workshops to ensure she is at the forefront of the industry and able to provide her clientele with the best the aesthetics industry has to offer. Debbie is a member of the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses.

“There is no doubt that today’s 54 is 40.

You feel young so you want to look young, which is where I come in and do the rest!”

Why not call in for a consultation?

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Guernsey Laser and Aesthetics Clinic (GLAC) is based on the belief that their customers’ needs are of the utmost importance. Their entire team is committed to meeting those needs. As a result, a high percentage of GLAC’s business is from repeat customers and referrals. With this is mind, they offer the opportunity for their customers to book a consultation with one of their preferred Plastic Surgeons. Both GLAC’s Plastic Surgeons come to the Island on a very regular basis. There is a small fee for an appointment which is paid at the time of booking The two surgeons are highly regarded in their specialised field with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Debbie, is also Nurse Co-Ordinator - in Plastic Surgery and referrals, who can advise on treatments and procedures, however an appointment will still be required with one of the surgeons prior to any commitment to undertake any kind of surgical intervention in all circumstances.

To book an appointment, please call and speak with Debbie in the first instance and then she can arrange for a suitable convenient time to meet...

Mohammad T. Jaberansari MD PhD MRCS General Medical Council Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh Hungarian Medical Chamber Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon

Debbie says there is nothing wrong with growing old gracefully but if you would like a more youthful appearance then Guernsey Laser and Aesthetics Clinic cosmetic surgeon may be just the tonic you need. Debbie is now very excited about the prospect of being able to offer the services of a renowned plastic surgeon, Mr Mohammad T. Jaberansari, who is based in Budapest, but who will now be offering local consultations on a monthly basis.

For further information and details of a full range of cosmetic procedures and products please call Debbie for a consultation and advice.

01481 714949 A member of the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses UK

www.glac-ci.com 60

Dr Jaberansari graduated in 1995. He then secured a scholarship for a PhD degree after which he returned to the UK where he had grown up as a young boy. He concluded most of his surgical training at various NHS hospitals in United Kingdom before returning to Hungary to further his training in plastic surgery. He is also the most active academically with a number of international publications to his name. He is a full member of both GMC and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. We count on Dr Jaberansari’s international experience to ensure all our patients receive high quality medical services in par if not above that in their home countries.

Please call Debbie for a consultation and advice.

Tel: 714949

CERTIFICATE IN OFFSHORE BANKING PRACTICE With BPP Guernsey

From February 2014, BPP will be offering a new entry level banking qualification, the Certificate in Offshore Banking Practice (CiOBP). This new qualification will be suitable for those working or aspiring to work in the Banking sector

ARE YOU WORKING OR CONSIDERING WORKING IN OFFSHORE BANKING? ATTENDING A BPP EVENT IS THE PERFECT WAY TO DISCOVER MORE

Join BPP and the Chartered Banker Institute for the launch event at BPP, The Mallard, Forest, between 5pm and 6pm on Thursday 28th November.

To reserve a place at the launch event please contact BPP’s customer services team on 266176 or email guernseyinfo@bpp.com If you are unable to attend and wish to receive further information then please call 266176 or email guernseyinfo@bpp.com

YOUR AMBITION REALISED BPP.COM/GUERNSEY

Awarded by the Chartered Banker Institute, it will give students a well rounded knowledge of key areas relevant to the Offshore banking industry

Provides students with a springboard into higher level qualifications offered by the Chartered Banker Institute and ultimately, the designation of Chartered Banker

Whilst studying for the CiOBP you will also enjoy membership of the Institute, the UK’s professional body for the banking sector.

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FLORALTWIST Alison Lythgoe is the woman behind Blossom and Green the innovative floristry business with a twist. She gives The Rock her vision of a very floral festive Christmas.

“I’ve always been interested in interior design and renovating homes. I’m a bit of a magpie often bringing an eclectic mix together of antique and charity shop finds teamed with treasures from flea markets in France. They all bring inspiration to what I use to create my designs.

This led to my other life time passion - creating a beautiful garden, using my favourites being tumbling blowsy roses, hydrangeas, honeysuckle, wild flowers, and now to running my own floristry business.

I started working in the trade seven years ago and quickly realised that this was the career for me. I felt I wanted to pursue my own direction and so started Blossom and Green in January 2013. Throughout the spring and summer I worked from a vinery in St. Martin where I had lots of space and a cooler . I found I was very busy throughout the wedding season mostly picking up work through word of mouth, the good old Guernsey grapevine! The next logical step was to find a shop, after much searching for a suitable property, I settled on the lovely

shop in Trinity Square.

I’m offering the full florist service, weddings, funerals, corporate events and weekly arrangements, private house dressing for day to day and special occasions, plus lovely bespoke bouquets for birthdays, anniversaries, new babies or just because....

I try to buy flowers that are a bit different from the usual, I like wild flowers, herbs, scented blooms, twigs and interesting foliage. I also like to use local seasonal flowers whenever possible and have good links with a long established grower.

Have a Blossom and Green Christmas Lovely Christmas decorations for inside and outside the home.

Wreaths really come into their own at this time of the year – both for the front door and as table arrangements with a hurricane lamp in the centre.

Garlands of winter foliage and berries for the stairs also look amazing on mantlepieces Use Winter white flowers or classic reds and

greens as hand ties or pretty arrangements in vases and baskets. Candles are a must too.

This year I’ll be going for a natural, nostalgic feel, letting the flowers do the talking rather than dressing up with lots of bling .

Christmas flowers that I really like to use include amaryllis, hyacinths for the amazing scent, ilex berries, big heads of white chrysanthemums, blowsy roses, red tulips and hydrangeas (my personal favs). Foliage is fabulous for Christmas, and mix in with different Christmas spruces, pine, eucalyptus, rose hips, ivy berries and long trailing stems.

Also I like to use yew, shiny camellia, pussy willow and not forgetting holly.” open 0800 | 1745 blossom&green | trinity square | st peter port 01481727509 | 07781464544 blossomandgreen@gmail.com www.blossomandgreenflowers.com

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HOME NEWS

It’s time to start getting ready for Christmas and what better way to welcome the festivities than with B&Q’s new Christmas decorations

15m Multi-Function Clear Rope Light £30

MAINS HOLLY ROPE LIGHT SILHOUETTE £70

Santa’s Key £2 and Reindeer with Bow £3

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RedWhite Baubles £2.00 each

Noel Bauble £1.50 Vintage baubles £2.50

Keep the home fires burning with B&Q. Ask instore for details

Electric fire Royale Standard Wall-hung Gas Fire £949

Smeg Retro Flueless Gas Fire White £699

Smeg Classic Fire £599

Wall Hung Electric Fire with Remote Control £999

Hamlet solid fuel stove £599.00

Glam up your interior for the party season with these

Tresco herringbone tassle edge thro..£24.98

Delmiro Ruffle Satin Cushion in Silver £12.98

Melito Feather Ball Shade £24.98

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HOMENEWSEXTRA: FROM NEW ENGLAND TO GUERNSEY Created in 1997 by husband and wife team Tommy & Kristina Lindhe, the Stockholm based Lexington company is the authority on classic New England inspired style. Taking its name from the small Massachusetts town steeped in historical significance, the brand stemmed from Kristina Lindhe’s extensive knowledge and love of New England architecture. This went on to inspire the luxury lifestyle collection that brought this crisp, classic elegance to the world.

Every carefully designed new collection follows this part of the world’s tradition of superior craftsmanship whilst building on endless inspiration from the area. Lexington believe that eternally fresh New England style is readily adopted and enjoyed throughout the world, not just in America. This is proved by the increasing popularity of the brand which is sold in over nine hundred stores across four continents and is now exclusively available in Guernsey from Creasey’s Home Store.

el. tow y r r y te 8 eav rom £ h d n. F t an sof cotto n o d t Unique Arts & Crafts sham with the be ing Lex g com classic flag with logo. Lexington 0 60 Company embroidery at bottom and overlap closure at back. Inner cushion not included. £55.00

Check Cashmere Wool Throw £275.00

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Lexington Soft Furnishings

The most generous frequent flyer scheme ever!

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The arts

THEPROFESSIONAL DILETTANTE Mr Stephen Roberts The Professional Dilettante realises that It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas (Perry Como 1951)

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t’s coming up to that time of year again when Art and Commerce collide with sometimes horrifying results. I am of course referring to the phenomenom known as the “Christmas Song”. Music was my first love, sang John Miles, but I find that it is a love can be sorely tested at this time of year, especially when your internal head radio gets taken over by an annoying festive earworm.

Last year, The Performing Rights Society for Music (PRS) released a list of Top 50 Christmas Songs. The list was compiled using data from radio plays in the UK only for the two years 2010 -2012. At the top of the list is the Pogues’ Fairytale of New York.

Call me old-fashioned, but with its sweary drunken bitterness I’m not a big fan. “Happy Christmas your arse/I pray God it’s our last” indeed. But hey, what do I know!

Back in the Good Old Days, Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon and Yoko Ono reached No.4 in 1972, which I think signalled the start of the Golden Age of Crimbo Songs. In the following year, Slade deliberately released Merry Xmas Everybody in time to get to No.1 for December 25th.

Not far behind them were Wizzard at No.4 with I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day and Elton John at No.24 with Step Into Christmas.

Before this, my earliest memory of appreciating Yuletide music was repeatedly playing an old 78 of a tune

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called Troika (Sleigh Ride) on my parents’ old radiogram. As Prokofiev’s jaunty tune crackled out of the speaker, I imagined the sleigh crossing a wintry landscape, most likely accompanied by a few Cossack horsemen. Sadly one day the music died when I somehow managed to sit on the record between plays and being a brittle 78, it snapped clean in two.

For years I managed to blot out the punishment I received for this unwitting act of vandalism until 1975 when Greg Lake used the same music in his song I Believe In Father Christmas. Well that was it – it went straight in at no 1 in my Xmas chart!

Listen carefully though, it’s not all tinsel and glitter - under the sweet sound of sleigh bells lurk some cynical observations about being promised stuff that didn’t come true, and being sold a Silent Night.

Late in the 70s the shine truly went off Yuletide music when I spent one Christmas filling shelves in a local store where the festive atmosphere was augmented by a selection of Xmas songs on an endless loop.

Hearing Mary’s Boy Child by Boney M for the 900th time would see my goodwill to all men (and women and children) draining away. There were only so many times I could scurry out the back to hide away in the store, and I’d return only to find that the purveyors of Daddy Cool and Rasputin had been replaced by Elvis doing Blue Christmas or Showaddywaddy belting out Hey Mister Christmas.

On reflection, this was entirely my fault

for failing to secure one of those coveted student holiday jobs as a strapper for the Post Office...

Have I mentioned Stop The Cavalry yet?

What’s your favourite Crimble song?

Maybe it’s the Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas? (1984) with its meteorological inaccuracies about snow in Africa, or perhaps you are partial to Mistletoe and Wine (1988) or Saviour’s Day (1990) by Sir Cliff Richard?

What about Wonderful Christmastime (1979) by Sir Paul McCartney or Merry Christmas Everyone (1985) by Shakin’ Stevens?

Whatever your favourite, even if it’s Nellie The Elephant by the Toy Dolls, I wish you a fine Festive Season, and if you do see me in the pub singing along to Fairytale of New York, please get me into a taxi home, pronto!

Christmas Killjoy In 1647 Thomas Cromwell declared Christmas celebrations illegal, this was reversed by Charles II in 1660, paving the way for Slade and Wizzard to assail the charts some 300 years later.

Best Seller The 2009 Guinness Book of Records lists Bing Crosby’s White Christmas as the best-selling single of all time.

The Professional Dilettante’s Top 5 Christmas Songs (PRS placing in brackets) 1 (24) I Believe In Father Christmas (Greg Lake) 2 (29) Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt) 3 (9) I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day (Wizzard) 4 (41) Power Of Love (Frankie Goes to Hollywood) 5 (-) Silver Bells (Bing Crosby)

10 Christmas song ingredients (in no particular order) Sleigh Bells Holly Robin Xmas Tree Mistletoe Bells Snow Feasting Reindeer Santa

PRS top 5 December 2012 1 Fairytale of New York The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl 1987 2 All I Want For Christmas Is You Mariah Carey 1994 3 Do They Know It’s Christmas? Band Aid 1984 4 Last Christmas Wham! 1984 5 Santa Claus is Coming to Town Harry Reser 1934

Merry Christmas, Mr Presley Elvis recorded 2 Christmas albums, Elvis’ Christmas Album in 1957 and Elvis sings The Wonderful World of Christmas in 1971.

Irving Berlin was not impressed with the inclusion of his White Christmas declaring Elvis’ version a “profane parody of his cherished yuletide standard”.

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TOP OFF CHRISTMAS WITH THE ORIGINAL & BEST The unbeatable taste of fresh Golden Guernsey Cream

www.guernseydairy.com GUERNSEY DAIRY FULL PAGE (ROCK).indd 1

12/11/2013 14:45

James Harvey has arrived in Guernsey at the Fermain Valley Hotel via the Montagu Arms at Beaulieu and ‘Hotel of the Year’ Gravetye Manor. Unflustered, James kindly provided The Rock with two seasonal recipes from his new A La Carte menu to warm the soul this winter.

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ecently taking up the challenge and responsibility of Head Chef at the Fermain Valley Hotel, including overseeing The Rock Garden and The Venue kitchens, you could argue that James has a lot on his plate.

Originally from Deal on the Kent coast, his love of seaside towns is evident and continually inspires his menus.

James has honed his skills in a variety of country hotels, most recently working in the kitchens of The Felbridge, a 4* hotel in East Grinstead and holder of 2 rosettes.

He has thoroughly fallen in love with the island and built up a good rapport with the local fishmongers and farmers from where he sources much of the local produce, ensuring that during every meal the flavours of Guernsey are brought to the James and his team here at Fermain Valley Hotel look forward to welcoming you soon.

THE REAL DEAL AT THE VALLEY

To celebrate his new À La Carte menu, James is offering all diners who choose a course from this menu, a glass of wine on the house to complement their meal.

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Recipes from The Valley Restaurant

Loin of Lamb, Braised Shoulder Beignet, Onions, Soya Beans & Wilted Gem Lettuce Serves 4

For the Lamb:

600g Lamb Loin Vegetable Oil For the Onion Purée: 1 Large Onion 50g Butter For the Lamb Shoulder Beignet ½ Shallot - Finely Diced ½ Carrot - Finely Diced 1 ½ Leaves Gelatine 100ml Lamb Stock 60g Braised Lamb Shoulder – Shredded 1 Egg 100g Flour 200g Breadcrumbs Seasoning For the Glazed Onion: 100ml Madeira 50g Butter 20 Silverskin Onions To Garnish: 40 Soya Beans 2 Baby Gem Lettuces To serve:

Spoon the puree onto one side of the plate and lay the lamb on top Place the lettuce next to the lamb with one beignet Sprinkle the soya beans and Silverskin Onions (separate from the Madeira sauce) around the plate Finally, drizzle the sauce over the dish.

Alternatively, serve it in a separate jug

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* Dice the large onion and melt 50g butter in a saucepan. Add the onion and cook on a low to medium heat until soft making sure not to colour the onions Blitz to a purée in a blender and set aside. * Sweat the carrot and shallots in vegetable oil for 1 – 2 minutes then remove from the heat. Soak gelatine in cold water and remove from the water once soft. Bring the lamb stock to the boil and add the gelatine.

Whisk well to ensure that the gelatine melts completely, reduce by a ¼ and set to the side * In a mixing bowl, add the shredded lamb shoulder, the carrot and shallot * Add the lamb stock and mix well. Season to taste and allow the mix to chill for 1 hour. Remove from the fridge and roll into 15g -18g balls * Whisk the egg in a bowl; put the flour and breadcrumbs in separate trays * Dip the little beignets into the flour and dust them off, then dip into the egg mixture and coat in the breadcrumbs. Set them aside * Cut the loin into 150g portions and season well. Sear in a hot pan with a drizzle of oil, colouring all sides of the meat * Peel and blanch the Silverskin Onions for 3 minutes * Flame the Madeira in a frying pan, add 50g of butter and emulsify. * Add the Silverskin Onions and reduce the liquid until the onions are caramelised. Deep fry the beignets until golden brown or bring a medium pot of oil (3/4 full) up to 180℃degrees just before serving. Quickly wilt the Baby Gem Lettuce in a pan

Recipes from The Valley Restaurant

Whipped Sweet Potato, Fort Grey Blue Cheese & Toasted Brioche Serves 4

Ingredients: 2 Sweet Potatoes Maldon Sea Salt 100g Guernsey Unsalted Butter 12 Chopped Pecans 7 Roughly Chopped Guernsey Cherry Tomatoes 50ml of Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil 100g Fort Grey* Blue Cheese 4 Slices of Toasted Brioche Celery Leaf to Garnish * Supplied by Torteval Cheese * Peel the sweet potatoes and dice them roughly * Drizzle some Rapeseed oil, salt and black pepper and put in the oven to roast at 180℃degrees for about 12 to 15 minutes * When nicely coloured, take the potatoes straight out of the oven and using a food processor, blitz the sweet potato and add the butter until smooth. * Garnish the sweet potatoes with cherry tomatoes, fort grey, chopped pecans and celery leaf. Finally drizzle with olive oil.

Enjoy a festive 3 course lunch (£24) or dinner (£29) with mulled wine and mince pies throughout December

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FOODNEWS: Heston from Waitrose unveil latest must-have table accessory for Christmas 2013

You’d be forgiven for thinking this latest creation from Heston and Waitrose is the latest it-bag with a twist. This year you can dress your table to impress with the Heston from Waitrose Strawberry and Lychee Frozen Gateau, the pièce de résistance for your Christmas table. This dessert boasts a unique quilted effect, which will appeal to foodies and fashionistas alike.

This dessert not only looks good but it tastes amazing too. The Heston from Waitrose Strawberry and Lychee Gateau is a fragrant, flavourful dessert created from layers of lychee mousse, strawberry and lemon confit, rose water mousse, white chocolate and nut feuilletine, almond sponge, alpine strawberries, Charlotte sponge and lychee liqueur. To create such a stylish finish, the dessert is ‘flocked’ using a spray gun to finely mist over the striking red chocolate coating.

What’s more, not only will this dessert

play centre stage on Christmas tables across the country but on Wednesday 13th November it will showcase alongside Heston in Waitrose’s TV advertising campaign, building on Waitrose ‘The story of giving’ theme.

The setting for this advert will be ‘‘The story of giving a party to remember’, focusing on Heston from Waitrose’ new range of party food and frozen desserts.

Heston Blumenthal, says, “This is a real showpiece dessert, with lots of lovely flavour and texture contrasts hidden beneath its beautiful red flocked chocolate coating.”

Emma Oswin, Waitrose buyer, says. “We like to offer our customers something special and never more so than when it comes to Christmas.

This unique dessert will add the wow factor to Christmas dining this year. The attention to detail in the flavours and the way this dessert looks is like nothing else on supermarket shelves.”

The Heston from Waitrose Strawberry and Lychee Frozen Gateau will cost £12.99.

Party food and canapes have become an integral part of your festive entertaining and The Rock took great pleasure in sampling the finest around.

Waitrose Party 12 chilli chicken blinis Chicken patties with sweet chilli sauce between mini blini pancakes. Made with chicken from carefully selected British farmers. £5.99

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Waitrose red Thai pork lollipops 12 mildly spiced pork balls seasoned with fresh coriander and finished with sesame seeds.

Made with pork from British pigs, outdoor bred then housed in airy barns. £5.99

Heston from Waitrose prawn cocktail mousse shots.

Prawns in mini pots topped with marie rose sauce and a dusting of tomato powder. £6.99

AUNTY MILLY’S CHRISTMAS CAKE RECIPE A LIFETIME ago while I was a trainee reporter I wrote about my Aunty Milly’s tried and tested and much loved family recipe for a New Zealand Christmas cake.

She brought the recipe back from New Zealand while visiting relations there and she often baked it for a variety of family gatherings and celebrations.

All those years ago while I was working at the Guernsey Press we published her ‘one saucepan no fuss’ cake and for years we had requests that the recipe be trotted out because not only is it a beautifully moist cake – but it takes hardly any time to prepare.

Aunty Milly was a bit of a legend. She was not only my favourite Aunty - but everyone who met her fell in love with her warmth and kindness and her inability to find fault with anyone.

She was always happy and smiling, always singing, and her dinner table was often filled with various waifs and strays who she insisted on feeding for the sheer enjoyment of watching people enjoy her food. She was a fabulous cook and would arrive with baskets filled with cakes and casseroles and I recall her kitchen larder was full of amazing ingredients and the kitchen always wafted with smells of her home baking efforts.

But she was a very shy woman and hated the limelight.

Getting her to agree to share her recipe and make public the fact that it was hers, was a triumph, though she did get very upset one year when I got the ingredients a bit wrong and had people glugging in 14 fl oz of brandy instead of four!

But Aunty Milly’s recipe has been adopted by lots of people over this years and in my new role as Editor of Rock Magazine, I thought it was only fitting that I dig into my family recipe book and dig out Aunty Milly’s annual favourite.

Over the years it has been used for festive cakes but with it’s also a fitting wedding or christening cake recipe too. It is the most delicious rich fruit cake you will ever taste and it stays beautifully moist for weeks and weeks.

Though sadly we lost our beloved Aunty Milly several years ago we often speak of her and her sense of fun and ability to light up a room.

She will be happy I know that this year – after not having made the cake for several Christmasses – I will be creating it for my family. So prepare yourself for one of the best and easiest fruit cakes ever.

Remember that you only need to use a single saucepan. The fruit and butter and sugar is boiled together in the pan and, once the mixture is completely cooled, all the dry ingredients and beaten eggs are added later. There is no beating necessary and once you have made your Christmas cake this way I suspect you will want to cut out and keep the recipe to use for years to come.

INGREDIENTS 6 oz/170g Guernsey butter 4oz 110g dark brown or castor sugar 2x 500g packs of mixed dried fruit 1 cup of water 3 large eggs, beaten 10oz 285g self-raising flour 1 tsp cinnamon 1tsp mixed spice Half a tsp nutmeg OPTIONAL 20z/55g cherries 2oz/55g ground almonds 1 desp black treacle (this will give you a darker cake) 4 fl oz brandy Method Put the Guernsey butter, sugar and fruit in a large saucepan with 1 cup of water. Bring gently to the boil – about five minutes , until all the sugar and butter has dissolved. Leave to cool.

Then add the eggs and dried ingredients and half of the brandy.

Give the mixture a good mix and put mix into a greased, lined, eight inch cake tin.

Cook for one and a half hours at gas mark 2 300deg F or 150 deg C. Then turn down to gas mark 1 275 deg F or 140 deg C for another two hours. At the end of the cooking time test the cake by using a steel skewer which should slide out of the cake smoothly with no residue.

Leave the cake to cool for 15 minutes then turn out onto a wire cooling stand.

Turn cake upside down then pick all over with a skewer and spoon over the remaining half of the brandy.

Then wrap the cake in greaseproof paper or foil and put in an airtight tin. Then finish with marzipan and royal icing.

If you wish to use it as a pudding alternative, leave the cake without icing or marzipan and serve with a generous helping of Guernsey cream.

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LET THE MAGIc BEGIN This could well be your tastiest Christmas ever. Marks & Spencer have a veritable feast of foods to choose from this season. The Rock asked our local M&S Foodhall what we should be looking out for instore.

Turkey Roulade £25.00 Serves: 4 to 6. Flattened turkey breast, layered with leaf spinach and a pork, mushroom and Parmesan stuffing, rolled and wrapped in thin and crispy smoked bacon and sprinkled with black pepper and bay leaves

12 Prawn Christmas Selections £6.00

Collection Golden Snowflake Cake£17.00

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Call M&S on 01481 738200 or email support@yourmarksandspencer.gg - www.yourmarksandspencers.gg

Collection Ale & Stout Caramels £5.00

Belgian Chocolate & Orange Layered Gateau £10.00

Hot Chocolate Vodka £13.99

Collection Enchanted Forest Cake £20.00

Mulled Wine Scottish Smoked Salmon £9.00

Collection Ultimate Mini Mince Pie Selection

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I started in catering at just “ 14 in a local pub in Devon. I just loved everything about working in the hospitality industry.

I got the bug

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SAM’S STORY Entrepreneurs come in all shapes and sizes but one thing that is generally accepted is the drive to succeed on their own terms starts early in life. That’s certainly the case for Guernsey’s Sam Jarrold. At just 23 Sam opened The Townhouse night spot dishing up quality music with “now” DJs and packing the venue every weekend. At 27 Sam opened The Hook in June this year fulfilling a lifelong dream to own his own restaurant.

Here Sam discusses what brought him to this moment and why The Hook is working hard to provide Guernsey with a firstclass dining experience that’s different from the norm.

What makes someone an entrepreneur?

I don’t think entrepreneurs are made I think they are born that way. I started in catering at just 14 in a local pub in Devon. I just loved everything about working in the hospitality industry. I got the bug. I moved to Guernsey when I was 15 with my family and did A levels at the Grammar School.

Even then I wanted to get involved and I worked at Christie’s glass collecting. Don’t tell anyone but I worked behind the bar when I was 17 and eventually I worked the bar and the restaurant.

What’s the right career path for someone eager to work in hospitality?

I don’t think I am the best judge of that or whether there is one way. I went to Brighton to do hospitality and event management course but I realised after a year that I really just wanted

to be working and getting experience. I came back to Guernsey and managed the Boathouse before returning to the Christie’s fold as brasserie manager. A hugely rewarding stint running the successful Bar Ciao came next before I worked in bars and restaurants in Verbier, Switzerland for three ski seasons.

Why The Townhouse?

I have always thought Guernsey lacked something in the nightlife here. I wanted to focus on nurturing really good local DJs and bringing over real talent playing music that is right now. I wanted to do this in a bar that was like a really excellent party; serving good drinks in a relaxed atmosphere without pretention but with class. I think we got it right because it is four years on and we still pull a crowd.

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“

We have a sushi bar downstairs and a seafood and steak restaurant upstairs. Sushi is a passion of mine and I knew Guernsey people would love it too. We’re focussed on the quality of the product and the beautiful presentation. This is no conveyor belt with cheap eats. We are keenly priced but the focus is on the quality of the produce above all else. Upstairs it is all about good fish and good meat. It is simple and delicious, unfussy and all the talent is in cooking everything to perfection

”

Why The Hook?

We have some excellent restaurants in Guernsey - world class. I just felt there was a gap in the market and I’d been looking for some time for the right space to create something unique to the island.

It needed to be central, able to offer space for different styles of cuisine and do it all in a beautiful place with high quality décor and fresh produce that’s second to none.

Guernsey didn’t have a sushi bar and I knew it could work. The seafood and steak concept upstairs is nothing new particularly but we wanted to give it a fresh approach; a more modern take on the food and the décor. Essentially we are all about good fresh food, cooked well without being stuffy. Guernsey is blessed with the best seafood in the world (and I’ve eaten it all over the world and nothing holds a candle to Guernsey’s fish). The Hook is a place you can come for a celebration, a quiet date night or for business. Upstairs our menu reflects our passion for seafood and we vary it often.

So you are a Japanese restaurant yes?

No. We are not a Japanese restaurant.

We have a sushi bar downstairs and a seafood and steak restaurant upstairs.

Sushi is a passion of mine and I knew Guernsey people would love it too. We’re focussed on the quality of the product and the beautiful presentation. This is no conveyor belt with cheap eats. We are keenly priced but the focus is on the quality of the produce above all else. Upstairs it is all about good fish and good meat. It is simple and delicious, unfussy and all the talent is in cooking everything to perfection.

We also have top-class, take away sushi boxes for sale at lunchtime and we’ll even deliver to offices ordering over £50.

So how is business?

Business is great. Guernsey people are very discerning about where they eat and why and they will quickly let you know if they are unhappy. The feedback has been very positive and we have many customers coming back time and again. We believe that the quality of our produce, our aim to vary the menu often and the ambience

in both the main restaurant and the sushi bar will continue to keep The Hook’s loyal following.

Would you do anything differently if you did it again?

I would possibly take more time to be young - work less and travel more. I started on a serious career path very early and I think I could probably have played in the snow for a few more years but ambition is ambition and I don’t think I would have been satisfied until I got started in business.

Aspirations for the future?

We have plans to build a dedicated event space on the top floor at The Hook.

We’ve hosted a few private parties in the sushi bar. Demand is strong for an elegant space which doesn’t try too hard. We want to create a relaxed atmosphere that will double as a cool bar when not being privately used. That’s the next big project but I am always thinking so who knows what we might create in the future. It’s very exciting.

APPETISERS Soup of the day Served with crusty bread

£4.50

Spinach, Ricotta and Sun-Dried Tomato Spring Rolls (V) With our homemade Wasabi mayonnaise

£5.50

Pan fried Scallops With Parma ham and roasted red pepper

£9.00

Pan fried Red Mullet With a citrus salsa

£7.50

Wakame Salad with Local Crab Edible Japanese seaweed with a Sesame and Soy dressing

£8.00

The Hook Sea Bass, Mackerel and Scallop Ceviche Thin slices of fish in citrus juices, chilli and coriander

£8.00

Fillet of Beef Carpaccio With Tozazu onions and a truffle Aioli

£8.50

Moules Marinière Served with crusty bread

£6.50

Thai Style Moules Fresh mussels, cooked in a Thai green sauce with coconut milk

£6.50

Grilled local Mackerel Served with a mango, chilli and coriander salsa

£7.00

Crisp fried Calamari With Szechuan peppercorn and chilli dipping sauce

£5.50

THE FISH

THE STEAK

Patois and Vodka Battered £12.00 Fish and Chips With Triple Cooked Chips, Minted Mushy Peas and homemade Tartar sauce Sea Bass fillet en papillote with £17.00 Thai spices and dipping sauce Cooked with lemongrass, lime leaf, ginger, garlic and chilli and served with jasmine rice Pan-roasted fillet of Brill £17.00 with tapenade Served with olives, new potatoes and fennel Moules Mariniere or Thai Style Served with Straw Fries

£11.50

Grilled or Baked Local Lobster Cooked with garlic, lemon or chilli & lime butter and served with straw fries or new potatoes Whole Lobster Market Price Half Lobster Market Price Pan fried Skate wing with £14.00 lemon & caper butter Served with sautéed new potatoes The Hook Fish Platter £22.50PP The chef’s selection of the finest local fish served with a variety of sauces, new potatoes and salad.

Aberdeen 15 day aged steaks: Fillet 8 oz Fillet 10 oz Rib Eye 8 oz Rib Eye 10 oz Sirloin 8 oz Sirloin 10 oz 55 Day Aged D-Rump 8 oz D-Rump 10 oz

£22.50 £25.00 £18.50 £21.00 £18.50 £21.00 £21.00 £23.00

Served with straw fries or triple cooked chips and your choice of sauce from: Bone Marrow Jus, Peppercorn Sauce, Bearnaise or Anchovy Hollandaise Chateaubriand for two 18 oz Served with two sides and two sauces of your choice

£55.00

Other main courses Pan Roasted Lemon and £13.00 Thyme Chicken Breast Served with café de Paris butter, herb pomme purée and asparagus Tomato, Mushroom and Herb Arancini (V) Risotto rice balls sat on a bed of mushroom mash with a basil foam and sauce vierge

£10.00

We also have a selection of salads and sides to accompany your meal

C h r i st m a s pa rt y b o o k i n g s b e i n g ta k e n n o w

s u s h i b a r , s ea f o o d & st ea k r e sta u r a n t T e l : 0 1 4 9 8 1 70 1 373 @TheHookGuernsey

thehookguernsey

Monday - Saturday lunch and dinner info@thehook.gg www.thehook.gg North Plantation St Peter Port GY1 2LQ

- ON THE ROCKS -

YOUR COCKTAIL FOR LIFE In ‘Your Cocktail For Life’, Jill Chadwick talks to our most respected residents about which ingredients make their life a rewarding experience, while challenging the Duke of Richmond’s own resident mixologist, Orlando, to dream up a fund raising cocktail that reflects their unique character. The cocktail will feature on the Leopard Bar menu for a month and will help raise money for various charities.

Alex Ford is the Managing Director of Sarnia Estate Agents and the Vice Chairman of The Lord Taverners Guernsey, he took up our invitation to enjoy a cocktail and talk about why he enjoys a heady mix of working hard – and gearing up to take over as chairman of Lord Taverners!.

As Managing Director of Sarnia, Alex is responsible for overseeing one of the island’s fastedt growing estate agencies. He says that the company continues to provide unparalleled levels of professionalism, property sales and client satisfaction and reports his busiest and most successful year sincehe and the team took over in 2009.

Looking to 2014 Alex is hoping to take over from Toni Clayton as The Chairman of The Lord Taverners Guernsey Region and continue the great work the charity does for Local disadvantaged and disabled children.

What three ingredients have guided you through life?

Determination - from a young age my parents always said if you are determined than nothing will hold you back.

Try to learn something from everyone you meet. You will never know everything, you are always learning. You will be surprised on just what you can learn if you take the time to listen and absorb.

And most importantly Team Work- that is what we have based Sarnia around.

People you trust to give their most and you can rely on to provide the best service possible.

Your favourite part of the island?

Got to be the beaches, my wife and I make use of them all year round as we have a German Shepherd and he loves the beaches. Especially on a windy crisp day.

What was the last book you read?

As a recently married man it was The Five Languages of Love. Our minister said that

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it would make my married life a lot easier so it was a no brainer lol I was left speechless in admiration when I met?

This is a hard one as there are so many people I look up to. Through life and especially the Taverners I have been so privileged to spend time with some very successful people and there generosity not just financially, but also their time, to the charity and the children is what I admire the most.

If i could change one aspect of my role it would be?

At Sarnia well that would be simple. To somehow get the states and developers to create more affordable housing for first time buyers. I have ideas and I want to see if they will work.

Through the Taverners it would be to help disadvantage and disabled children more. No matter what you do to help there is always more that can be done. So ‘changing’ or helping them have a better

more enjoyable life is key for me.

Growing up in Guernsey has meant?

That I have been very privileged. I think we can take this beautiful island for granted, we can go on holidays and fall in love with places but I’m pretty sure that Guernsey is one of the best places in the world to grow up!

And finally, best piece of advise to pass on?

Believe in yourself, try it, you may be surprised at what you are capable of, just rewards inevitably follow’. I have followed that advice for forty years without regret.

Also - learn to ‘Listen’. We were given two ears but one mouth, so listen twice as much as you speak.

Alex’s Cocktail....

HAVANA SPECIAL Havana 7 year old rum Crème de cacao dark Top up with soda Serve in a martini glass

Orlando says

It’s always a pleasure to create our regular charity cocktail and as Alex is a fan of rum based cocktails but is not too keen on fruit juices - I kept it very simple.

The Havana Special is sharp yet leaves a warm glow, and I am pleased that it hit the spot for Alex!

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MICHAEL VAN DEN BOSSCHE Michael Van den Bossche is a Consultant General Surgeon with a special interest in Laparoscopic Surgery. He joined The Medical Specialist Group in 2000.

Michael completed his undergraduate medical training at the Catholic University Leuven in Belgium. He trained as a General Surgeon at the same University and completed his specialist surgical training in 1995.

Mr Van den Bossche is a Fellow of the International College of Surgeons and Royal College of Surgeons. He is also a member of the Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons, British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society, European Association of Endoscopic Surgery, American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons and the International Federation of Surgery for Obesity.

His appointment to the MSG has led to a considerable expansion in the numbers and types of laparoscopic procedures that can be performed in Guernsey. His sub-speciality interests are Laparoscopic or minimal invasive surgery, upper gastrointestinal and colorectal surgery and weight loss surgery.

His interests away from work include clay pigeon shooting, squash, travelling and spending time with his family

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FANTASY DINNER PARTY Born and raised in Belgium, MSG surgeon Michael Van den Bossche has a strong command of the French language – and the Provence region of France is his favourite holiday destination, providing the location for an annual family reunion, with relatives arriving from various countries.

Setting: A warm evening in August at a quiet secluded Provencal mass or bastide somewhere in the National Park of the Luberon. An acceptable alternative would be the sea-side restaurant of Hotel Eden Roc in Cap d’Antibes with a magnificent view over the Mediterranean.

Dinner: A selection of Provencal specialities accompanied by local wines.

I would definitely go for the Steak Diane prepared by the Chef of Eden Roc (the best I have eaten in my life).

Guests: My guests are a mixture from the present & past and from the worlds of sports, movies & surgery.

My first guest would be Eddy Merckx, who was born in Belgium and is arguably the best cyclist ever (and I bet Bradley Wiggins would agree with that accolade).

Cycling is my favourite hobby and this is what I do every summer when I go on holiday to the Provence.

Eddy’s nickname was “the cannibal” and he won every big race, including the Tour de France (five times), the Vuelta and the Giro d’Italia.

Eddy retired from professional cycling at the age of 32 and became a very successful businessman, producing his own range of bicycles.

My second guest would be the late South African surgeon,

Christian Barnard. He is renowned for performing the first ever successful heart transplantation in humans.

As a young boy he was a true inspiration for me and it is probably because of him that I wanted to become a surgeon.

Christian was not only an exceptional surgeon but also a bit of a hedonist (in that he really did enjoy the trappings of fame).

My third guest would be the French actress Michele Mercier. She was admired in the 60s & 70s for her role of Angelique in a series of romantic cloak & dagger films set in the time of Louis XIV. Michele was a truly stunning beauty who stirred the imagination of most young boys!

My fourth guest would be Bob Marley. He is one of the greatest musicians ever, but sadly died in 1982 at the young age of 37 years.

His reggae music has defined several generations and is still powerful and lively.

Bob was a complex human being and it would be nice to hear the story of his life from the man himself.

My fifth and final guest would be Raquel Welch, the American actress who will always be remembered for her appearance in a doe-skin bikini in One Million Years B.C. Raquel had roles in many more movies and had a big career in television. She won

several awards including a Golden Globe and even today at the age of 73, she is still as beautiful and stylish as ever.

After dinner, Bob Marley and his Wailers would play music to start a party that would last until morning. Of course, it wouldn’t be perfect without my wife, my friends and my family there – but what a night to remember!

As a young “ boy he was a true

inspiration for me and it is probably because of him that I wanted to become a surgeon

”

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WHAT IF...

You may not know this, and please don’t let on to too many people beyond these shores, but Santa Claus literally has come to Town, St Peter Port to be precise, and it’s all because his official residence in Lapland is undergoing its centennial refurbishment just now!

We at The Rock can reveal that Father Christmas, the jolly chap in red with elves and reindeer in tow, has relocated to Guernsey on a temporary basis for one Christmas season only. Although the grand old man wants to keep his exact location under wraps, he is happy enough to let us know he has relocated here in the run up to his and our children’s big day.

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So this Christmas Eve all Santa’s locally based little fans will have got an even better reason to look up into the skies to watch out for Santa heading off on his sleigh, pulled by his faithful reindeer, who incidentally are loving their new meadow home hidden down some secluded valley on the south coast cliffs.

Santa, so we understand, has snapped up a rather splendid open market mansion manor house, which he had heard about via the Internet after one of his gnomes Googled a local estate agency or three – and whoosh, within minutes he had become the island’s latest, most famous and most prestigious seasonal worker.

As soon as word started to get around on the local property lettings grapevine the possible ramifications had begun to be realised. The folk at VisitGuernsey heard about it very early on and could hardly wait to capitalise on Santa’s choice of base for Christmas 2013. They were just about to remarket the island as the ultimate winter location and dreaming of blowing Jersey’s Fete de Noue festival out of the water when the reality set in.

With the prospect of thousands, possibly millions, of Santa fans flocking in from all over the world in order to catch a glimpse of the man in red, those responsible for stoking our visitor economy were forced to

accept that it would be just too much for little old Guernsey to cope with.

A crisis meeting was held involving the whole of the States Policy Council.

Our sources tell us Kevin Stewart, the Commerce and Employment Minister, was gung ho about the possibilities of a Santa sized boost to the holiday season. He implored his fellow senior politicians to give his department an early Christmas prezzie in the shape of a boost to its marketing budget but his colleagues urged a more cautious approach.

The Public Services Minister Deputy Paul Luxon agreed that with the new airport runway the island could cope with all the

extra flights but warned it could not cope with the Jumbo 747s and Airbuses that would be needed to bring all the extra passengers here in time from all corners of the world.

Housing Minister Deputy Dave Jones questioned the likely strain on Guernsey’s accommodation infrastructure, even for a very short period, while the Health and Social Services Minister, Deputy mark Dorey, said his department would be forced to issue a public ‘elf’ warning.

Home Minister Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq said the local police would be stretched to provide adequate policing to stop Santa’s Guernsey gaff being overrun by hordes of

under 7s – even allowing for the use of the new anti riot Land Rover.

The Treasury Minister, Deputy Gavin St Pier, weighed in on the side of the party poopers as well, saying there was simply not enough money at the bottom of the States’ Christmas stocking to fund Guernsey’s transformation into one big winter wonderland.

When the Chief Minister Deputy Peter Harwood added his voice to the doubters it was clear that Santa’s whereabouts would have to stay largely under wraps.

In order to keep the Policy Council happy and to show it is a responsible magazine, The Rock agreed to ask its readers to keep

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the news within the Bailiwick when they read our exclusive interview below. And that means not even telling our cousins in Jersey who can keep their Fete de Noue because we have something far, far better.

Santa – the Interview

Father Christman admits that leaving his North Pole home was a bit of a wrench …..but, once he viewed the mansion which came complete with a pool, a staff annexe and a workshop for his helpers, he decided the time was right to move to the Channel Islands. He has plans to buy a neighbouring field, he says, so then Rudolf and the rest of gang are only a sleigh ride away.

“I have been lucky of late that nobody seems to have noticed me whizzing across the skies late at night to feed the reindeer, though the elves do the morning feed. I am a bit busy at the moment but November is the time when the factory really gets going…..and so far we are coping but we may have to seek a bit of extra help next month.

“I am also very excited about turning on the lights in Town. Each year I arrive on the lifeboat, which I really enjoy, and the crew say even though I am now a resident, I can still do this trip. So it will be lovely to head to the Town Church and flick the switch, knowing that it won’t be such a long trip back home that night.”

Living in Guernsey he says, is magical, though he does admit to missing the snow.

“They tell me that the island sometimes gets a light dusting after Christmas, so we are all hoping this will happen, and the reindeer in particular will be pleased to have a run through it!

So why did Santa decide to move to Guernsey?

“The cold weather in the North Pole has finally made my rheumatism flare up and makes all that climbing down the chimney

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breasts a bit tricky. Guernsey with its mild climate and friendly folk, hit the mark. Plus over the years I have so enjoyed swooping over those South Cliffs and West Coast beaches, and wondered how they would look in the sunshine! This year I sent a few of my helpers to have a little holiday and they came back saying that while I would obviously miss living at The North Pole, the island was an ideal place for us all.”

In recent weeks Santa has been very busy in his workshop and he has been out to see where he can make a few short cuts by buying in some of this new must have toys and computer games.

In an exclusive interview with Rock, he reveals that he has had to follow the trend for high Tec toys, though he says, he is limiting the time the elves can spend playing on their PlayStations.

“They are not used to computer games, but they have to have some fun as it is hard work at this time of the year.”

“I have told them all that if they work really hard and get everything packed and ready for Christmas Eve I will take everyone to see Snow white, the GADOC Christmas panto.

I love a pantomime and Snow White is one of my favourites. The star, Maisie Foote,is a little girl I have known for many years and she has always been very good so leaving her presents has been a real joy!

The seven gnomes in the show are friend of ours too. Rudolf is sulking as he can’t come….but he has been a bit of a naughty boy this year – again!

I have a real list of wonderful things I aim to do this Christmas in my new island home.

Of course there is the winter wonderland open night at Bachmanns I can promise you nobody will recognise me that night so if you see an old man with a long white beard don’t assume that it is me! Father Christmas is magical you know!

I will be doing a little bit of late night shopping myself…and Rock are kindly

printing out all my letters for you children, another plus about living in Guernsey, everyone has been so very friendly.

My new house is rather beautiful is I say so myself.

I did pop down to B and Q for a bit of paint and some new cushions for the sleigh…..and wow, there were so many beautiful decorations that I couldn’t help but buy a few new gold baubles for the tree we put up in our workshop. There are some lovely trees in my new garden that were crying out for lights, so I couldn’t resist buying a few new boxes of beautiful twinkling icicles – and a couple of lit up reindeer to keep Rudolf and his friends happy too.”

I have also invested in a rather wonderful new sleigh bed from a very friendly shop in Le Pollet…the chap there said it was a big seller, and I love it. it’s a must that when I get home from delivering my toy on Christmas morning I can snuggle up for a very long sleep – but I will be up in time for Boxing Day – and that date with Snow White.

Christmas, all wrapped up.

Buy any cooker or range this Christmas and we’ll give you Energy Centre vouchers to the value of up to £100 for a cooker, and up to £150 for a range to spend on other pressies! You can also benefit from two years interest free credit.* Visit us today at The Energy Centre, call 700907 or visit www.gsygas.com *Subject to terms and conditions

LOVELY TO MEET YOU Bluchip has been voted the best and most loved car dealership in the British Isles, a fantastic accolade that came on the heels of also being named the second best company in Guernsey. But it’s not a surprise for the many customers who know that this is the place where you can get the exact car you want at the best possible price.

The company is the brainchild of proprietor Jamie Lowe who launched his organisation in 1999.

“We started out just importing vehicles from Japan but now we mainly source vehicles direct from the UK. We are able to import any vehicle for customers and we also have a well-established commercial vehicle operation.”

Bluchip has an additional outlet at L’Islet giving the chance to showcase even more vehicle, though the main business is still centred at the Southside on the Bridge.

“In addition to the amazing high end sports car ranges, 4x4’s and luxury cars, we can also import disabled vehicles which are difficult to obtain locally.”

The company prides itself on proving a friendly and professional service.

“Sally Wakeford is often the first point of call and helps keeps things running smoothly – and between us, if you have a vehicle you particularly want, we have the ability to source it and import it swiftly and safety at delivered at a competitive price.”

It says it all that many of Bluchip’s business is from customers who come back – or who recommend Jamie to their friends and families.

“We simply do what we promise to do which is why I think we have made such an impact and been voted a car dealership you can trust.”

“We started out just importing vehicles from Japan but now we mainly source vehicles direct from the UK. We are able to import any vehicle for customers and we also have a well-established commercial vehicle operation”

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The Story of the KA, the snow and Christmas!

I rarely write about motoring, but finding Jamie Lowe from Bluchip among our sponsored editorials inspired me to share my own Bluchip success story.

I fell in love with a beautiful convertible KA one summer and as Christmas approached I decided that I would buy one for my daughter for Christmas – for us to share of course!

But it was just the week before Santa was due, there was snow all over the South of England, and I asked Bluchip for a black KA – preferably with white leather interior!

While Jamie was upbeat and said he thought he could pull it off, we had to admit it was going to be a close call.

But he called up with just a couple of days to go with good news.

Jamie had the car checked out by his guys in the UK, it was freighted over, valeted and serviced and on Christmas Eve the beautiful black KA was delivered to my mother’s house to be hidden overnight– complete with a red ribbon!

You can imagine how shocked and delighted my daughter was on Christmas Day when we went to pick up grandma, and there on the driveway was as shiny black KA resplendent with its shiny Christmas ribbon!

Bluchip is a car dealer you can trust, who go the extra mile – and get the deal done against all the odds – and the snow!

Voted the BEST, most LOVED Car Dealer in the British Isles 2012 ! www.thebestofguernsey.co.uk

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HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

The Chateau des Tielles is a Nursing and Residential home which prides itself on creating a family environment allowing residents personal space but supported by caring staff that provide a high standard of care.

Owned and managed by Peter and Shirley Adam who are both qualified nurses, Chateau des Tielles is looking forward to a lively and fun festive holiday period.

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More than 50 per cent of our care support staff “ have NVQ level 3 qualifications and all are motivated to provide the best care to our residents ”

The Chateau des Tielles is a Nursing and Residential home which prides itself on creating a family environment allowing residents personal space but supported by caring staff that provide a high standard of care.

Owned and Managed by Peter Adam and Shirley Adam who are both qualified nurses, Chateau des Tielles is looking forward to a lively and fun festive holiday period.

“We like to make sure that everyone has a great time with lots of activities, with singers, a brass quartet and entertainers coming in to us, a carol service and lots of planned outings including our annual dinner at La Grande Mare”, says Peter.

“We also enjoy decorating our home so it has a real festive atmosphere and it’s important to us and our residents that families get involved too.”

Christmas Day is a particularly special time with stockings being delivered by Father Christmas and a present opening fest around the tree at 11am for residents and their families to enjoy?

“We also encourage our residents to go out – and we have a mini bus and a specially ramped vehicle which can be used by us – but which can also be booked out by families who wish to use them.”

There are currently 23 residents at the home, including two married couples who enjoy comfortable en-suite facilities , two assisted bathrooms, a shower and wet rooms which can accommodate wheelchair residents.

“Making the home comfortable and welcoming is important to us as is respecting a person’s personal space and dignity, as well as recognising the levels of care they need. All of our staff are highly qualified and strive to make sure that everyone is cared for at the highest possible standard.”

The home has recently employed a full time residents coordinator to provide

activities to groups and on a one on one basis where required.

The nursing team is led by Shirley Adam, matron of the home, supported by her deputy Ann Ferguson and nursing sisters Karen Jephcott, Anna Drabot, Sue Adam and Julie Payne.

Says Peter: “More than 50 per cent of our care support staff have NVQ level 3 qualifications and all are motivated to provide the best care to our residents.

Whilst we are not a dementia facility, and are not a secure facility, we are able to take care of people with mild memory loss. Our staff are trained in areas of care including dementia and palliative.”

In Spring and summer time, the home is also keen for residents to enjoy the beautifully designed gardens – though even at this time of the year the grounds are tastefully illuminated.

“I worked with Heather Bisson and the guys from Ace of Spades and between us we have created some beautiful areas to sit and relax – including our sensory gardens of which we are very proud of. We have two summer houses, residents and their families also like to enjoy on sunny afternoons. Peter Goubert and Jamie Vaudin of P and C Builders carried out the new build and upgrade of the existing facility to a very high standard.

All of the staff deliver hands on care and daily the staff are happy to provide manicures and socialise with residents – and a hairdresser visits on a regular basis to keep the women and gents looking their best. Food plays a big part in the home and the daily menu is always filled with tantalising dishes.

“We like to take advantage of local fish and produce and if residents fancy lobster, brill, bass or turbot then we are more than happy to provide it. Our menus are presented on a monthly rotation – and we are known for our lovely home baked cakes used for the popular afternoon teas.”

“We encourage our residents to have a pre-lunch sherry if they feel like one and some of our residents enjoy their favourite “tipple” with their meal.

It seems as though the ethos of great surroundings and care is a successful one as the home is about to celebrate a second 100th birthday celebration.

“We had one of our residents receive their telegram from the Queen earlier this year and we have another resident all set to enjoy his 100th birthday party with a buffet reception in our conservatory.”

“The home is a lively place with music and activity, but above all our residents are given individualised care delivered in a respectful and comfortable environment.”

Our philosophy, very much, is that Chateau des Tielles is a “Home from Home”!

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A PRESCRIPTION FOR SUCCESS ”

The pharmacy at La Grande Rue lies at the heart of St Martin’s village, plays an important part in the life of the community, and following a recent refurbishment is a spacious one stop shop for all the family’s health and beauty needs.

Pharmacist and store owner Niall Kealy took over the pharmacy a year ago and decided to build upon the reputation and the excellent central location of the business by giving the interior an upgrade to allow easier shopping – and a wider choice of products.

Says Niall: “The pharmacy has been in St Martin’s for nearly 125 years and when Robin Herbert, the previous owner, decided to retire I realised this was a real opportunity for me”, says Niall. He has a background in hospital and community healthcare and was delighted that the team he inherited at the pharmacy shares his passion for providing a professional and friendly service.

“Our longest serving member of staff has been here for 30 years and Wendy Le Prevost, our dispenser, has worked here for 12 years, joining us from Lloyds Chemist in the Pollet where she worked alongside Barry

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“ ” 102

Paige for seven years, so we are an experienced team.”

Niall explains that this is perhaps the busiest time of the year for his staff –both due to winter ailments – and the pre-Christmas rush.

“It’s flu season and we do have a constant stream of customers seeking our help and advice about colds and flu symptoms and other health conditions they are worried by. We have two new treatment rooms so there is always somewhere to give private advice and care when necessary. But we have a very wide range of medicine which does not have to be prescribed and the range keeps growing with additions of new health and vitamin products as well as mainstream hair and beauty ranges.”

With Christmas just on the horizon the store also boasts a wealth of fabulous gifts for all the family at great prices.

The pharmacy is also the only place to offer the Lipotrim Pharmacy weight loss programme which was launched at the end of May this year.

“This provides the complete range of meal replacements and you have to come in to be weighed each week and talk over any problems or concerns and keep you motivated to continue. This is a very effective assisted weight loss programme which works very well and comes just in time to get into that little black dress for the Christmas party season.”

Best of all the pharmacy has a policy for being open when people need urgent medical supplies and apart from Christmas Day the store is always on hand to help.

“We appreciate that we are at the heart of the parish – although we have customers seek us out from all over the island as we enjoy a central location. I like to think that we have built up a great reputation as a one stop for beauty and health products and the best and friendliest family friendly health advises into the bargain.”

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The pharmacy has “ been in St Martin’s for decades and when Robin Herbert, the previous owner, decided to retire I realised this was a real opportunity for me

”

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ON YOUR DOORSTEP in association with

Blue Islands

The ski resort of SamoĂŤns

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ON YOUR DOORSTEP France has in recent times formed a reputation for being an expensive destination for skiers in but The Rock discovers there’s more to the French piste than meets the eye. France has more options for skiers and snowboarders than any other country in the world and it’s literally ‘On your doorstep’ if you take advantage of Blue Islands .

Claire Hendy reports. We select three destinations that offer world class skiing for all but won’t leave you feeling frozen out by the price. We also have a great package catered for those seeking some Swiss seclusion.

C

ould Samoëns be the near-perfect resort for Guernsey skiers? Its close to home, reminiscent of Val d’Isère and Trois Vallées but without the heightened cost of accommodation and overwhelming Brit invasion and is a breath of fresh mountain air.

The French proudly describe it as one of their monuments historiques, that just happens to be attached to a great ski area. An hour by car from Geneva, this ancient village is part of the Grand Massif ski domain and is connected to high-altitude, snowsure Flaine. Consisting of five resorts, Flaine, Samoëns, Morillon, Sixt and Les Carroz, the Grand Massif offers 265km of piste; 80 per cent of the slopes are north facing, so hold the snow well, and the majority of the clientele is French.

The centre of Samoëns is traffic free, and has a beautiful square dominated by a magnificent lime tree. For the self-caterer, the main street is a delight, full of gourmet shops offering mountain ham, local cheese and mouthwatering pâtisserie. Every Wednesday there is a wonderful market selling local produce.

There is also a handful of gorgeous Savoyard

interior designer shops offering Alpine bric-abrac: old skis, retro skiing photographs, antler lamps, “polar bear” skin rugs, and pretty china decorated with hearts. It’s enough to make you want to buy a chalet on the spot.

And then there’s the famous botanical garden, the only one of its kind in the Alps, created in 1906 and with more than 5,000 plants. Alas, if you’re there in the thick of ski season it might be hibernating under a thick blanket of snow.

We rented a self-catering chalet we found on the Internet.

The longest ski run in Samoëns is the 14km Les Cascades (blue) from Grandes Platières (2,480m) to Sixt via the lovely Lac de Gers refuge. For the beginner and intermediate the skiing is ideal, and there’s more than enough to satisfy the expert, including the Gers bowl, with an 800m-drop of untracked skiing.

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roz Les Car

Short breaks to Les Carroz, Grand Massif, direct by air to Geneva with Blue Islands Les Carroz is only 1 hour from Geneva. At 265 kms this huge ski area rivals Val d’Isere and Tignes in size but is significantly less expensive and there really is something for everyone including: Best value-for-money ski pass in France (more piste per Euro!) •when everywhere else is shut Les Carroz is open! •Les Carroz has a superb range of piste ability •Les Carroz has superb tree skiing •Les Carroz in particular has some fantastic off piste •Les Carroz has tandem parapente flights from the top of the Coin Coin (spectacular views) Guernseyski.com can offer 7 nights from £779 ! This includes flights with Blue Islands, transfers to the resort and half board accommodation with wine in Chalet Bry or Chalet Cyclamen. ( eat out on Wednesday, chef’s night off ) You will leave Guernsey at 09.25, or Jersey at 11.00, arriving at 14.10 flying Blue Islands to Geneva (Skis and snowboards go free with Blue islands!)

We have shown Sunday departures, but Monday ,Wednesday and Friday departures are also available, as are 3 and 5 night breaks, please visit guernseyski.com to find out more.

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s Les Arc

La Plagne/Les Arcs, France Now linked by the Vanoise Express double-decker cable car to form the Paradiski area, which has some 300 miles of pistes and 144 lifts. Each resort on its own has enough terrain to keep a keen intermediate amused for a week Altitude: 1600m, 1800m, 1950m, 2000m Location: Bourg Saint-Maurice train station is 16km away and Chambery is the nearest airport. Les Arcs is a resort that features five villages, all with a different atmosphere ideal for different holidays.

Activities: Snow-shoeing, husky dog sledging, paragliding Après-ski: Regular live music and a great selection of restaurants.

Package: • Les Arcs - Half Board All-Inclusive • Hotel La Cachette • 7 Nights From only £869 per person * This hotel is in a fantastic position, close to Les Arcs centre and offering direct access to the slopes. The hotel’s half board offer includes soft drinks, beers and some spirits in the bar, which is open from 2pm until 10pm. Ski to and from the hotel doorstep!

Fitness room and sauna, panoramic restaurant with sunny terrace, bar and free WiFi. There are clubs available for children between 4 and 12 years old.

Quoted price is based on 2 adults sharing a standard room on half board all-inclusive, travelling with Blue Islands to Chambery Airport, with return transfers.

Call Bontour on 01534 496687 for further information.

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Courchevel

The number one designer ski destination in France but that does not mean designer price tag. With access to over 600km of perfect pistes shared with the Meribel and Val Thorens valleys, Courchevel 1850 is ideal for skiers of all standards. The ski resort has it all, skiing out on the easy, perfectly groomed pistes, leisurely skiiers can potter across to 1650 and enjoy lunch in style and sunshine. Stronger and more adventurous skiers may head for the infamous couloirs at the top of the Saulire cable car or the powder fields of Mont Vallon. Many will want to try the end to end the tour to the Maurienne Valley and back, which, with the new efficient lift system, is perfectly possible in a day without rushing. True, the skiing is fantastic, but there

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are plenty of other activities on offer too. Ice skating, bowling, snowshoeing, Altitude: 1650-1850 m Location: Moutiers train station is 25km away and Chambery is the nearest airport Courchevel 1650 offers fantastic views of the picturesque villages and forests, with Courchevel 1850 being synonymous with luxury and quality. Courchevel is part of the 3 Vallées, one of the world’s largest ski areas, offering hundreds of kilometres of beautifully groomed pistes, park areas for the serious skiers and boarders, and lots of small villages in which to relax. As much gourmet and glitz as you can handle

FIRE & ICE At Moriond, Courcheval you’ll find this luxurious retreat, situated in Hotel Portetta. Clothed in furs and surrounded by open log burning fires, this outdoor space is the perfect place to take stock of your Courchevel experience and relax. Open from 11am-until it gets too cold (about 8pm).

Pack

age Residence Les Chalets du Forum 7 Nights From only £646 per person Ideal for families and large groups, Premium Residence Les Chalets du Forum is located in a central position, close to the Courchevel slopes and the centre of Courchevel 1850.

• Pre-bookable services: breakfast, shopping delivery service, ski pass and equipment • 7 Nights selfcatering in a 4 bedroom apartment for 10/12 people * Quoted price is based on 5 adults sharing, travelling with Blue Islands to Chambery Airport on 26th January 2013. Transfers are included. Dates are available all winter.

Call Bontour on 01534 496687 for more details

Le Ku-de-ta In Courcheval 1850, this restaurant is somewhat of a chameleon: up-market eatery by day, party destination by night. People come for the ‘food with a view’ in the afternoon, before the place starts to get lively. Because of this, Ku-de-ta has become a popular hang-out for those looking for an all-round après-ski experience - in their own words, “When temperatures plummet at the end of the day, crowds flock here, while concerts and DJs pump up the volume.” That pretty much sums this place up – it’s where the majority of revellers will end up after a great night!

Fly to Chambery, from £109 Chambery is perfectly located for ski travel to the Alps, giving access to 150 resorts within just two hours of the airport. This includes the popular Meribel, Val Thorens, Tignes, Courcheval, Chamonix, Val d’Isere, Les Arcs and La Plagne.

The direct flights coupled with no charges for ski equipment, means Blue Islands are offering the smart way to book ski travel this Winter.

Flights from Jersey are direct, flights from Guernsey connect via Jersey.

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Mürren Club UK Mürren, in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland for those seeking a quieter ski experience.

You can’t fail to be struck by Mürren’s beauty and tranquillity. Paths and narrow lanes weave between little wooden chalets and a handful of bigger hotel buildings – all normally blanketed by snow. The views from the village and from the Schilthorn are magnificent. The grandeur of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau across the valley as you descend the slopes is outstanding.

Mürren is attractive for a quiet family holiday, not least because of the relaxed, safe and snowy village, and the free facilities. There is a nursery slope with a rope tow. Children as young as three can now have lessons.

ON YOUR DOORSTEP in association with

Blue Islands

The Hotel Jungfrau is situated next to the ski school with its own exercise area for children and offers direct access to slopes around the car-free village of Mürren. South-facing rooms have balconies and offer superb mountain views. All you hear at night are the sounds of the nearby waterfalls and creeks. There is a large sunny terrace, a restaurant offering Swiss and international cuisine, a small hotel bar, a library and a cosy lounge with a fireplace.

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Packag

e

You can have 5 nights or 7 nights half board accommodation with 4 course evening meals, and four or six full days of skiing, walking, snowshoeing or whatever you desire!

Guernseyski.com package: Return flights direct to Zurich or Geneva with Blue Islands. Train and cable car transfers to resort. Five nights half board accommodation in the Hotel Jungfrau The cost of this trip is from £815 for 5 nights, £899 for 6 nights and £995 for 7 nights, and places are limited, so please email info@weekendskitrips.com to check hotel and flight availability for your selected dates. Depart on Tuesday or Thursday To Zurich, or Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday to Geneva, all with Blue Islands.

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Somerville Hotel, St Aubin

The Somerville Hotel in St Brelade, Jersey is nestled on the hillside overlooking the yachting harbour and village of St Aubin and is one of the finest country house luxury hotels in the island.

The hotel is well known for its warm welcome and excellent reputation. The Somerville is also the only JQA gold four star hotel on the Island, it is little wonder that so many visitors who take their holiday in Jersey return to our hotel for a

luxury break or holiday year after year.

At the Somerville Hotel you’ll find 59 elegantly furnished, charming rooms all with the modern conveniences to make your holiday accommodation comfortable and restful including complimentary WiFi throughout the property.

Tides restaurant at the Somerville was recently awarded a Gold Highly Commended Taste Accreditation by

Quality in Tourism and offers breathtaking views across the harbour.

St Aubin is just a stone’s throw from St Helier, the capital of Jersey, with restaurants and vibrant harbourside bars, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect setting for a relaxing luxury break in Jersey.

Simply tell us which Parish Somerville Hotel is in and you could be our winner email us at editor@welovetherock.com with your answer

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A ROMANTIC BREAK AT THE SOMERVILLE HOTEL

JERSEY

Overnight stay is subject to availability and is based on two people sharing a twin or double Sea View room including breakfast the following morning.

Prize expires on 31st March 2013 excluding Christmas, New Year and Valentines periods. Three course dinner does not include drinks. Any extras to be paid for directly at the hotel before departure.

Flights are for 2 people to travel on the same flights Flights are subject to availability within certain fare classes.

Flights do not including School holidays and Public Bank Holidays Original voucher must be submitted in exchange for e-tickets Validity date will not be extended under any circumstances

The Somerville Hotel and Aurginy have teamed up to give you the chance to win return flights to Jersey for two people along with an overnight stay in a Sea View room at the Somerville Hotel including three course dinner and full English breakfast the following morning.

Business

I am proud to celebrate this milestone as it represents our resilience in an ever changing and competitive market.

Matt Litten, Managing Director.

25 YEARS IN THE MAKING A quarter century of providing tailored fiduciary solutions to private clients and institutions across the globe was celebrated in style by Collas Crill Trust Ltd at the Pavilion recently, with a pinkthemed evening to thank their clients and intermediaries for their fantastic support over the last twenty five years.

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The company has gone from strength to strength since it was first formed in 1986 to support the clients of its parent law firm, Collas Crill, having established itself as an innovative and service driven trust company. It has garnered several accolades in recent years, notably being the only independent trust company to be a finalist in the “Trust Company of the Year” category at the 2013 Wealth Briefing European Private Client Awards and also shortlisted for the 2014 “Guernsey Trust Company of the Year” Citywealth International Financial Centre Awards.

“I am proud to celebrate this milestone as it represents our resilience in an ever changing and competitive market,” said Matt Litten, Managing Director.

“I think this achievement is a testament to our independence, our ability to offer bespoke fiduciary structures and most importantly, the excellent service levels we provide to our clients, supported by the stability of our talented and dedicated staff.

We are also fortunate that we have

the advantage of being able to draw on first-class legal advice from our parent law firm, Collas Crill, across all areas of offshore law - including the establishment of newer structures such as Guernsey Foundations, uses for Guernsey Image Rights, and navigating the ever-changing legal and regulatory challenges in today’s environment.”

Looking forward, Collas Crill Trust will continue to promote its services to high-net worth clients and their advisers locally and worldwide, who seek bespoke solutions for succession planning and asset protection.

In particular, the company has experienced an increased focus on family governance issues, to ensure wealth is successfully transitioned between generations, as well as interest in establishing structures to hold less conventional asset classes such as intellectual property and artwork, and will strive to build on its reputation for excellence to serve both new and existing clients for the next twenty five years!

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Business

Collas Crill Trust is a leading provider of trust and corporate solutions to private clients and institutions. Our highly experienced trust professionals are focused on providing bespoke solutions to clients. The management of private wealth is the core of our business. We provide high quality services for the preservation, enhancement and ultimate disposition of wealth for present and future generations

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Because accidents can happen anytime, can’t they Barney!

Helpful banking, making things easier We know these things happen. So, if your NatWest debit card is lost or stolen, you can still get emergency cash at our ATMs. You can withdraw from £20 to £300 of your money if you’re an Online or telephone banking customer, or up to £40 if you’re not, provided sufficient funds are available in your account. Just pop in to any branch and ask for details.

We’re making banking easier... ask us how!

Call in to any branch natwestinternational.com/helpfulbanking Like NatWest CI on Facebook Follow us on Twitter @NatWestGsy

The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited trading as NatWest (NatWest). Registered Office: P.O. Box 64, Royal Bank House, 71 Bath Street, St. Helier, Jersey JE4 8PJ. Regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission. Guernsey business address: PO Box 62, Royal Bank Place, 1 Glategny Esplanade, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 4BQ. Regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission and licensed under the Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1994, as amended, the Insurance Managers and Insurance Intermediaries (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002, and the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987, as amended. NatWest is a participant in the Guernsey Banking Deposit Compensation Scheme. The scheme offers protection for ‘qualifying deposits’ up to £50,000, subject to certain limitations. The maximum total amount of compensation is capped at £100,000,000 in any 5 year period. Details are available from: Website: www.dcs.gg. Telephone: +44 (0)1481 722756. Post: P.O. Box 380, St Peter Port, GY1 3FY. Deposits made in a Guernsey Branch will not be covered by any equivalent scheme in any jurisdiction outside of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Under the scheme(s) customers are entitled to make only one claim per licensed entity regardless of the number of brands or trading names contained within that licensed entity and customers are entitled to make one claim only per licensed entity in the jurisdiction where the deposits are held. Therefore as NatWest brand is operated by RBS International it is not licensed in its own right. A person with a deposit in NatWest and a deposit in RBS International would thus only be entitled to make one claim. Further details of these schemes are available on request. NatWest is a member of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group. The Royal Bank of Scotland plc - Registered in Scotland No 90312. Registered office: 36 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2YB. The Royal Bank of Scotland plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. The latest report and accounts are available at www.investors.rbs.com. NatWest places funds with other parts of its Group and thus its financial standing is linked to the Group. Depositors may wish to form their own view on the financial standing of NatWest and the Group based on publicly available information. The latest report and accounts are available at www.natwestinternational.com/financial-results. Calls may be recorded.

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NIGHTRIDERS A new and unique charity event organised by Healthspan saw 300 sponsored night riders cover nearly 10,000 miles in total, cycling in the dark, on decorated and well lit bikes, raising funds for ‘Fight for Sight’.

A staggering £7,000 has been raised to date and the organisers are still counting!

Julian Jackson, ‘Fight for Sight’s’ Director of Development and Marketing said: “I really enjoyed getting involved with Healthspan’s NightRide. This is the first major event held for Fight for Sight in the Channel Islands and I was delighted to be able to attend. The cyclists not only got into the spirit of the event but raised vital funds for pioneering research to prevent sight loss and treat eye disease. This is a wonderful illustration of Healthspan’s continued commitment to help us make sight loss a thing of the past. We are very grateful to everyone and hope this is the start of many events to come.”

“It was brilliant to see so many participants, practically close on over whelming with so many eager cyclists arriving together to register,” added Sophia Catton, Healthspan’s event leader.

The competition prize winners in the four ‘best of bike’ categories were the bumble bees for the best fancy dressed cyclists; the best lit bike went to Batman and Robin; the best decorated went to the Halloween Themed Bike; and the most unusual went to Adventure Cycles

for their 6 man bike. Prizes sponsored by Ian Browns, Millards, Adventure Cycles and Cycle World were awarded to the winners on the night. The most money raised by a corporate team is still being finalised for the GBG Rosebowl award.

Rollo de Sausmarez, Chairman of GBG commented: “ We were bowled over by the turn-out to our event, which like the Guernsey Bicycle Group had something for everyone- from “lycra clad racers” to “shopping bike potterers”. The 300 participants not only raised money for charity, they exemplified the fun and camaraderie that people enjoy every time they get on their bikes.”

Healthspan’s Corporate Relations Manager added: “Our thanks go to everyone involved in the evening that helped make it fun, atmospheric and memorable, along with the participants, in particular all the volunteers and helpers.”

The support of Guernsey Police, Guernsey Water, the Civil Protection Team, Vistas Café, GBG, the Guernsey Velo Club and many more all contributed to the success of the event and the tremendous fund raising achieved for ‘Fight for Sight’.

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FIGHT FOR SIGHT A rare genetic disease robbed Julian Jackson of his sight four years ago, but he has come back fighting and refuses to compromise on living his life to the full. Julian now works with the Fight For Sight organisation to help raise funds for vital research projects and he talked to Rock Editor Jill Chadwick about why he believes that one day he may see again.

Julian Jackson sits in the library of the Fermain Valley Hotel looking dapper in a red cashmere sweater, loafer and stylish jeans.

“I may not be able to see what I am wearing but I do love colour so I always insist on knowing what I have on,” he says.

A meeting with Julian is memorable for all the right reasons. He is fun and dynamic, full of humour and adamant that he has no reason to feel cheated or sorry for himself.

He also has great compassion for people who have lost their sight, or are losing their sight, but don’t find themselves as well supported as he is.

Julian lost his sight aged 47, because of Retinitis Pigmentosa, a progressive congenital retinal disease. He enjoys new challenges, and before he went blind his life was all about being focused and travelling around making his companies work in the best way possible. He uses those same skills and, to him, being blind is almost incidental.

“Please be clear that I don’t do the job I do because I am blind. The blind part is

Aden Clark and Charlie Crowder

almost incidental but it does give me a greater understanding of the problems – and of the urgent need to recognise the importance of funding research.”

Says Julian: “I feel lucky to have a great family and be able to do something I enjoy, but I talk to so many people who are not in such a good place as I am, being blind can make you so very isolated.”

But he is also adamant that the message has to go out there that a lot more money needs to be raised and spent on research projects.

“For every six potentially ground breaking research projects put forward to us, we can only fund one. Who knows which will be the one that one day may lead to blind people having a chance at having their sight restored – or procedures which can prevent sight loss in the first place.”

Director of Development and Marketing for ‘Fight for Sight’ Julian lost his sight over a three week period and his life changed forever. A successful businessman, he had just sold on his company and was looking for a new direction when his sight just went.

He grew up knowing that one day he would lose his sight but it did not make the event any less traumatic or devastating.

But he chose to deal with it as he did with his former business life, with strength, good humour and a will to make things better for everyone.

“I had not heard of Fight for Sight. But I did a charity tandem ride and received a generous donation from someone and felt compelled to thank the person who had made it,” he says.

The benefactor turned out to be the woman behind the Fight for Sight organisation and by a twist of fate, Julian found his new role and the challenge he had been seeking.

“I am simply a blind person who happens to work for an organisation working toward funding vital research for people who have lost or are losing sight. It is not because I am blind that I do what I do, but I do have a reason to be passionate about it.

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What drives me is the hope that one day I will get my sight back – I make no secret of that, and what frustrates me is that at our current level of fund raising can only support one of every six exciting new potential research projects which come to us. There are some incredible people out there with amazing ideas and research programmes which potentially can achieve so much, but raising awareness is vital too and that is why I was do delighted to be invited to to be invited to Guernsey by Healthspan to get involved in the NightRide in aid of Fight for Sight ” Julian is an extraordinary man, charismatic and focused and determined to do his best for others. At no time does he show the least sign of feeling self-pity at finding his life so curtailed – because quite simply, it is not . “I am independent; I work in London most of the week and travel home at weekends. But I feel so lucky to enjoy so much support from my wife, my friends and my family because so many blind people live in isolation and so very many of them remain single which is sad.

I do talk to a lot of blind people and they feel very alone and lonely. There are lots of issues about being blind or having limited sight, but finding a job and keeping a job is perhaps one of the biggest.”

“Fight for Sight is the only national leading eye research charity and it is desperate to do so much more than it can fund at present, so most days you will find Julian at conferences or schools talking about the organisation and trying to raise awareness and generate funds.”

Julian says that 50% of sight loss in the UK is currently avoidable and the funds raised by ‘Fight for Sight’ go towards preventing avoidable sight loss and also address conditions for which there is currently no treatment or cure.

“There are some pretty amazing statistics I would like you to get out there. Nearly 2 million people in the UK are living with sight loss, approximately one in 30 people and that figure is set to double in the next 40 years. Every day around 100 people

across the UK start to lose their sight which can impact on all aspects of life and every five seconds someone goes blind somewhere in the world. Research is so vital…were it not for research then laser surgery would not have happened.”

Fight for Sight is the main charity funding pioneering research to prevent sight loss and treat eye disease and is currently researching over 40 eye conditions, funding £8million of research in 27 universities in the UK. But he makes it clear that there is so much more that could be done.

“Do you know that so many eye problems can be avoided if you seek help early enough? Early diagnosis, or preventative treatments are available for so many potential problems – people are just not aware of it.”

“We all go to the dentist – but so many of us fail to have regular eye check-ups.

Losing a tooth won’t make you blind but people tend to put more store in their dental health than their eye health which if you think about it makes no sense at all.”

I am a driven individual, I like to think I am a caring person – but what drives me is the thought that one day I may get my sight back, it may happen and I keep the hope that it will. Fight For Sight is a fantastic charity with so much potential to do so much for others and I am not going to let up until we get the message out there that with a little more effort, we can do so much more.”

Events like this first Night Ride means a lot to us, “I really enjoyed getting involved with Healthspan’s NightRide. This is the first major event held for Fight for Sight in the Channel Islands and I was delighted to be able to attend. The cyclists not only got into the spirit of the event but raised vital funds for pioneering research to prevent sight loss and treat eye disease. This is a wonderful illustration of Healthspan’s continued commitment to help us make sight loss a thing of the past. We are very grateful to everyone and hope this is the start of many events to come.”

ROCKFACE: NEWS WORTHY Copyright: Martin Parr / Magnum Photos

Great Pink Bake off raises ÂŁ2000 for charity Notre Dame School took to the cake tins to help raise money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Together with the finest chefs in Guernsey, the school auctioned cakes and raised over ÂŁ2,000 for the cause. The pupils tempted many of us to part with cash for their endeavours. A truly remarkable achievement and one that demonstrates community and creativity is thriving at Notre Dame School. A big thankyou should also go out to those restaurants and hotels who created some incredible cakes for the auction.

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Glee concert proceeds for Le Rondin Guernsey Oakleigh Post House £450,000 commemorate Raymon Evison£ Guernsey Post has announced the release of a special stamp issue which celebrates the achievements of Raymond Evison OBE, VMH, a world-renowned authority, breeder and grower of clematis cultivars, who this year was awarded his 25th Gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show (stamp issue date 13 November 2013).

Guernsey Post’s 25 Years of Gold issue features five of the clematis that Raymond Evison exhibited at the highly successful 2013 Chelsea Flower Show. The clematis depicted on the stamps comprise the Anna Louise, a free flowering plant with large violet purple flowers which has been featured on gold medal exhibits at Chelsea many times in the past; the Chelsea; the Giselle, a stunning multi-flowering clematis with six-pointed dusky purple/pink sepals; the Samaritan Jo, a stunning multi-coloured flowering plant; and The Countess of Wessex, a delightful white flower which was launched at the 2012 Flower Show by HRH The Countess of Wessex. Completing the set is clematis Edda, a compact plant which is to be launched at the 2014 Chelsea Flower Show.

A great Christmas tradition returns this year with Christmas with the Glees once again promising to provide a memorable evening of festive music.

The concert is the highlight of the choir’s year and considered by many as ’the start of Christmas’.

Musical Director Fiona Le Tissier explains that the proceeds from the concert will go to the Garden of Remembrance at Le Rondin School, made all the more special as four members of the school’s staff now sing with the choir.

“The Christmas concert is always a sell-out, and we have been practicing each week since the end of the summer so we are hoping to raise as much as we can for Le Rondin”, says Fiona, The garden is on target to be finished by next summer following an extensive and on-going fund raising effort and support from Lagan Construction.

“This area was under used so we decided to create a garden of reflection. Unfortunately some of the children who come to Le Rondin have a shorter life expectancy and so the garden will be used as a place where we can remember them and also provide pupils with a quiet place to enjoy an outside area to learn in”, said head teacher Paula Sullivan.

The garden is the last community project being undertaken by the Lagan Construction Group before they leave the island. The company has donated time and resources to clear the area.

“Le Rondin has been one of our neighbours over the last few years and we know how much the children have enjoyed seeing the tractors and machinery being used in and around the airport.

When we were asked to help the school clear and prepare the ground we had no hesitation in saying yes”, said Kieran McIlhatton from the Lagan group.

We hope the work will provide the school with a unique place which will be enjoyed by the pupils, staff and parents for many years to come”, he added.

Mrs Sullivan said it was fantastic to see the work finally start, but that it would not have been possible without the help and support of so many people.

“Funds raised in memory of Callum Eborall, who was a pupil at Le Rondin, have been used to buy a water feature, Aid Reaching Children has provided us with a fantastic seating area from money raised by the Santa Fun Run, Lovell Ozanne has given their time to design and project manage the project and we have used the money from the Guernsey Press and Moonpig Cash4Schools initiative to cover additional costs,” she said.

“We have also had local contractors offering to help with things like plumbing and electrics – the support has really been overwhelming. Seeing the work underway has been a real boost and we are all looking forward to seeing it finished”.

Planting of the new garden will be undertaken in the spring and a pebbled area has been included the plans which allows anyone connected with the school to have a chance to write the name of a loved on a stone.

The concert will mark the end of a busy year of fund raising from, such diverse mix of the community.

Says Fiona: “the audience can expect a sparkling array of music from the exultant ‘Joy to the World’ to the wistful ‘Twas the Night before Christmas’. The full programme will include pieces reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas.

There will also be guest recitals by two young and hugely talented performers - cellist, Chiara Beebe and dramatist, Pierce Rogan, both wellknown to Guernsey audiences who will provide a dynamic contrast to the choir.

Says Fiona,”Glee’s new accompanist Dan Madden will be playing an organ solo by Buxtehude, and the audience will need to come with vocal chords finely tuned to join in with traditional carols.

“St James makes the perfect setting for this annual feast of musical magic so why not join the Guernsey Glees Singers at this year’s Glees Christmas Concert, and let Christmas begin!”

The concert takes place on Sunday 8th December at 7:30pm. For tickets call the box office on 711361.

If you would like to find out more about the garden project and the work still to be carried out please contact Mrs Sullivan on 268300

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ROCKFACE: NEWS WORTHY 4 times female British Chess Champion Jovanka Houska, International Master and Women’s Grandmaster was in the island recently taking part in the Intertrust Guernsey International Chess Festival at the Peninsular Hotel.Jonathan O’Connor caught up with Jovanka during a break in play.

How and why did you get into chess, was there a moment where you decided to do this professionally?

In my family, chess is somewhat of a tradition, my father plays chess and he in turn learnt it from his father and so it continued!

During university, I won the European Under 20 Girls Championship and this kick-started the idea that I could maybe play chess as a career. I tried it out a year after finishing university and it spiralled into 10 years! It’s a hard but potentially emotionally rewarding lifestyle.

Whats the day job? Obviously competing in tournaments around the world takes up a lot of your time How do you combine work/family life and chess?

These days, I think of myself as a chess teacher. I love helping young children reach their international aspirations; it gives me a lot of pleasure when they put into practice my ideas and my little chess rules!

As to playing chess tournaments, sometimes my calendar will be completely crazy with events and then a few months will pass when I have nothing and I stay home and teach chess over the internet. I am very lucky I have a sympathetic husband who understands what is required.

Can you tell us your greatest win to da te – where when and why!

In terms of chess games, I am very proud of my game versus the Indian Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran – it was my first victory against an extremely strong chess player. It wasn’t a case of luck – I felt that I outwitted him too J However in terms of tournaments, winning the European Girls, well that was a childhood dream come true.

Why would you advocate chess as something young people should look to when the world revolves around high tech gadgets/playthings?

Chess is a great game and I am not actually a big fan of board games! Chess

has many benefits for young children it teaches resourcefulness, planning and the ability to think ahead. Many parents have used it to help their over-active children to sit down and concentrate and it works! For those who are interested in technology – there are several ways chess has combined itself with technology – you can play chess online, watch chess online and also get beaten by a chess computer!

Why do so few women make it into the higher levels of the game?

I think the issue can be classified as a problem with numbers. Very few women play and it can be quite daunting for girls and women to enter into an environment that is almost without exception predominantly male. I also think that women and girls naturally enjoy the social element – they don’t get this normally. It’s a topic that’s I am quite passionate about helping girls getting into and staying into the game.

What keeps you focused?

Believing that I can be better.

A little bit about Guernsey – do you ever get time to explore here?

Unfortunately I haven’t explored so much – its quite hard when to fit in sightseeing when you’re playing chess. But I fell in love with Guernsey pretty much from the moment I stepped out of the airport.

I definitely plan to come in the summer.

At the time of going to print Jovanka is ranked # 2 in a table of top British Female players, and 59th in the World.

VOLUNTEER

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The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited trading as NatWest (NatWest). Registered Office: P.O. Box 64, Royal Bank House, 71 Bath Street, St. Helier, Jersey JE4 8PJ. Regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission. Guernsey business address: PO Box 62, Royal Bank Place, 1 Glategny Esplanade, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 4BQ. Regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission and licensed under the Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1994, as amended, the Insurance Managers and Insurance Intermediaries (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002, and the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987, as amended. NatWest is a participant in the Guernsey Banking Deposit Compensation Scheme. The scheme offers protection for ‘qualifying deposits’ up to £50,000, subject to certain limitations. The maximum total amount of compensation is capped at £100,000,000 in any 5 year period. Details are available from: Website: www.dcs.gg. Telephone: +44 (0)1481 722756. Post: P.O. Box 380, St Peter Port, GY1 3FY. Deposits made in a Guernsey Branch will not be covered by any equivalent scheme in any jurisdiction outside of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Under the scheme(s) customers are entitled to make only one claim per licensed entity regardless of the number of brands or trading names contained within that licensed entity and customers are entitled to make one claim only per licensed entity in the jurisdiction where the deposits are held. Therefore as NatWest brand is operated by RBS International it is not licensed in its own right. A person with a deposit in NatWest and a deposit in RBS International would thus only be entitled to make one claim. Further details of these schemes are available on request. NatWest is a member of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group. The Royal Bank of Scotland plc - Registered in Scotland No 90312. Registered office: 36 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2YB. The Royal Bank of Scotland plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. The latest report and accounts are available at www.investors.rbs.com. NatWest places funds with other parts of its Group and thus its financial standing is linked to the Group. Depositors may wish to form their own view on the financial standing of NatWest and the Group based on publicly available information. The latest report and accounts areavailable at www.natwestinternational.com/financial-results. Calls may be recorded.

Culture

There are many curious objects lurking in the stores of Guernsey Museums. Some, such as the enormous whale rib-bone, actually came from Guernsey. Others such as a stuffed Orang-Utan quite clearly did not, and arrived here due to Guernseymen travelling the world over as sailors, soldiers, diplomats and merchants. One object I hunted out soon after starting work at the Museum was the ‘shrunken head’, which I had heard rumour of but never seen.

It was stored in a glass and wooden box, covered in a velvet cloth allegedly because women were not allowed to see it.

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THE HISTORY MAN

“

T

RETURN TO SENDER

by Dr Jason Monaghan

here are many curious objects lurking in the stores of Guernsey Museums. Some, such as the enormous whale rib-bone, actually came from Guernsey. Others such as a stuffed Orang-Utan quite clearly did not, and arrived here due to Guernseymen travelling the world over as sailors, soldiers, diplomats and merchants. One object I hunted out soon after starting work at the Museum was the ‘shrunken head’, which I had heard rumour of but never seen. It was stored in a glass and wooden box, covered in a velvet cloth allegedly because women were not allowed to see it.

Contrary to rumour it was not ‘shrunken’, but was full-size, mummified and very well preserved. It was the complete head of a Maori warrior, with extensive swirling tattoos all over his chin, cheeks, nose and forehead. At the same time it was both a beautiful work of art and a rather gruesome souvenir of the days of the British Empire.

The Maori call such tattooed heads ‘Toi moko’ and regard them as sacred objects. The heads of great warriors and chiefs would be preserved by a tribe, and brought out on significant occasions. By contrast, the heads of enemies would be taken as trophies and mocked to take their power away. European collectors took a fancy to Toi moko and started buying them, or exchanging for muskets which allowed a tribe to gain an edge over their neighbours. To meet demand,

”

men would be specifically killed for their head, or worse, kidnapped then tattooed and killed. Finally the Governor of New Zealand banned the trade in 1831, but around 600 Toi moko were shipped away from their homeland before it was stamped out. We had no evidence how ours arrived here, but a local collector probably bought it from one of his contacts across the world.

We learned that the National Museum of New Zealand was actively searching for Toi moko and repatriating them. Maoris wish to be buried in their ancestral soil, so find it distressing to think these heads are on the far side of the world. The finest examples, such as ours, would have been from their important leaders – its rather as if Saumarez’ and Brock’s heads were on show in some foreign museum.

The actual display of a Toi moko is also considered offensive – which is why there is no photograph of ours with this article.

So it was a fairly easy decision to contact New Zealand and let them know we were amenable to the Toi moko going home. The actual repatriation ceremony was very moving and has been well covered in the media.

People have asked whether this sets precedent for sending more objects back to the place they came from, but the Toi moko was a special case in many ways. First it was part of a man, barely 200 years old, so there was a good ethical case for it to be returned to his descendants. Second, human remains

cannot be ‘owned’, and can be illegal to sell, so the object had no monetary value. Third, if we had put it on display at Candie we would have caused offence to the Maoris, with all the attendant damage to relations and bad publicity. Fourth, we had very little information about how it came to be here, which reduced its relevance as part of Guernsey’s history.

We do not expect a rush of requests for objects to be returned. British museum collections have been built up over several hundred years due to the work of scientists, explorers, archaeologists and collectors. Objects have been bought in bazaars, found in digs, trapped in forests and picked up on battlefields. In Guernsey we hold items from all over the world, including Chinese jars, Sudanese swords, exotic birds and shwabati figures from Egyptian tombs. Most of these objects were fairly common in their land of origin and some indeed were made specifically to sell to Europeans, but it could now be illegal to buy some of our specimens of endangered species.

Although not ‘local’ these objects tell the story of where Guernsey people have travelled and what they have collected.

In our large ‘ethnographic’ and natural history collections, the Museum still offers islanders a glimpse of other cultures, other times and other parts of the world.

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The rock Sept 2013.indd 1

16/9/13 10:46 am