The rock magazine edition 12

THE

ROCK C E L E B R AT I N G T H E B A I L I W I C K O F G U E R N S E Y

THE

PRINTED IN GUERNSEY BY HERALD PRINT & PUBLISHING

HEALTH ISSUE

THE

MILK RU

IS BACKN

DIET, EXCERCISE AND INDULGE IN MADONNA’S BEAUTY REGIMES

ALSO INSIDE: PLAYING AWAY: With Guernsey Rugby

CONQUERED: Guerns take Kili

FANTASY DINNER: With Dr Sue Wilson

T H I S IS A FR EE MAGAZINE

FAC E B O O K . C O M / T H E R OCKMAGAZINE

MORE HOT WATER THAN EVER, NOW FOR LESS THAN EVER. YOU SAVE £600.

Get a brand new, energy efficient gas boiler for just £27 a month†. That’s £600 less than our normal price and you’ll also get 5 years to pay, interest free†.

For details call 724811 or visit The Energy Centre.

†Subject to survey and status, conditions apply. Monthly cost is based on average cost of replacing a gas combi boiler for a Vaillant Ecotec Pro 28 condensing gas combi boiler plus fitting (based on Guernsey Gas estimated installation cost) spread over 5 years interest free credit, once initial deposit has been paid and £600 discount applied.

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: 201200

THE

ROCK C E L E B R AT I N G T H E B A I L I W I C K O F G U E R N S E Y

Welcome How is 2014 shaping up for you?

Most of us start out with great intentions to make a few changes to our health, job or relationships but life often, and understandably, gets in the way!

But in this, our first Rock issue of the year, we have come up with a few things to encourage you to think about getting fitter and healthier – and looking the best you can!

I have to admit to feeling a bit smug because finally after threatening to do so for months, I have signed up for a series of power yoga sessions with a much needed detox routine thrown in and, so far so good. My head is clearer my mood brighter and the early morning start means that I am getting so much more done at work – and at home!

The programme has been devised

by Caroline Wickham a local yoga teacher who has travelled the world to learn the best and most effective practices to help balance body and mind. In this issue we talk to Caroline about her new venture – and find out how yoga can change your life.

And not happy with simply exploring

the gentler route to keep fit we also popped along to meet the team at the new Tri Fitness Factory and discovered their plans for taking local fitness to another level.

And to round off what is a real health and fitness offering we caught up with the GIAAC and the Hash guys who were behind the early Half Marathon events to find out why the Milk Run is making a welcome come back.

I ran the Half Marathon way back in the 1980’s so I fear my running days are over – but it was great to meet up with Barry Marley and former Dairy Manager, George Sauvage who had some fond memories of the Milk Run – and is delighted to see the company back as sponsors.

This Rock also includes our usual mix of fashion, lifestyle, beauty and community and on behalf of all the team at The Rock I want to wish you a Happy New Year and thank you for continuing to support us.

Jill Chadwick Editor

THE

PRINTED IN GUERNSEY BY HERALD PRINT & PUBLISHING

HEALTH ISSUE

THE MIL RUN IS K BACK

DIET, EXCERCISE AND INDULGE IN MADONNA’S BEAUTY REGIMES

ALSO INSIDE: PLAYING AWAY: With Guernsey Rugby

CONQUERED:

GUERNS TAKE KILI

FANTASY DINNER: With Dr Sue Wilson

THIS IS A FREE MAGAZINE

FACEBOOK.COM/THER OCKMAGAZINE

“The tofu cheese tastes surprisingly like tofu, yet combined with quinoa it has an odd granularity. I am supposed to finish the diet with a tofu scramble, but I can’t do it. I have a Chicken Kiev instead!“ Dieting like Madonna.

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Molly struggled to keep her resolution...

Helpful banking, making things easier But then, at Molly’s age, it probably doesn’t matter! However, for the ‘grown ups’, managing your finances has never been more important. That’s why we offer free Personal Reviews, and they could really help you make 2014 a year to remember!

Just ask any member of staff, and we’ll do the rest!

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.

Contents EVENT OF THE SEASON GUERNSEY EISTEDDFOD THE HISTORY MAN WHAT HAPPENED TO ASTERIX? DIETING LIKE MADONNA TIME TO GO NEW AUTISM GUERNSEY THE EASY ROUTE TO BEAUTY WITH BELLA SPA FANTASY DINNER PARTY WITH DR SUE WILSON MBE OFF THE ROCK DESTINATION SOUTHAMPTON MAKE MINE A PINT THE RETURN OF THE MILK RUN

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

PLAYING AWAY WITH THE GUERNSEY RUGBY ACADEMY DINING OUT AT VILLAGE EAST NEW LOOKS FOR YOUR HOME WITH M&S

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

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EVENT

OF THE SEASON

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GUERNSEY EISTEDDFOD The Guernsey Eisteddfod is the cultural highlight of the season and it attracts islanders from all ages and backgrounds. Year on year they impress with a wide spectrum of talents and abilities from choral singing and photography to arts and crafts.

T

he word “Eisteddfod” - from the welsh word eistedd (to sit) and fod (to be) actually means ‘session’.

Started in 1176 in Wales, Lord Rhys held a grand gathering at his castle and invited artists from all over the country to perform.

A chair at the Lord’s table was awarded to the best poet and musician. By the 19th century the Eisteddfod had developed into a fully-fledged folk festival on a large scale with competitions in music, poetry, drama and the arts.

An inaugural meeting with regard to the formation of the Guernsey Eisteddfod was held on 29th November 1921, was presided over by the Bailiff, Sir Edward Ozanne, and the following extracts are taken from the Minutes of that meeting: Reverend Frederick J Paine was asked to address the meeting.

He said that he envisaged an organisation to include all Arts and Crafts called an “Eisteddfod” (although he was open to other suggestions!) but it must be an effective title, one to conjure with, as ‘Eisteddfod’ was. He also commented that

he was aware that Jersey already had such a festival which was a highly developed organisation and although they could not hope to reach such a high standard at first, they could make it their aim to overtake it, emulate it, and also foster friendly inter island rivalry which would raise the talents of the young people. He saw no limits to its ultimate success!

Reverend Paine thought that such an eisteddfod might stem the mad rush for amusement which was characteristic of the present day and turn this energy into channels of greater usefulness and develop the latent faculties of the young people in the right way.”

The Bailiff of the time thought that the name Eisteddfod, though so difficult to pronounce, would have to stand, as it expressed something which was understood the world over!

The proposition was carried with unanimous applause!

Sir Edward, in his closing remarks said he was warmed and cheered at all he had heard at the meeting and ....”there

was no doubt in his mind that the little ship just launched would have a long and prosperous voyage!”

The first Guernsey Eisteddfod Festival was held on 1st November 1922 at the Little Theatre and with the exception of the years during World War II, it has taken place annually ever since.

Held in early Spring, many locals take this opportunity to show off their talents whether it be in the performing arts, the arts and craft section, or in many cases – both! In 2008 The Eisteddfod received over 3,200 entries which, when taking into account the involvement of parents, relatives, teachers and supporters, that’s over 15% of the population who are actively involved in one way or another!

The 2014 Eisteddfod from February 8th until the end of March. See www.guernseyeisteddfod.co.uk for a full pogramme.

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Madonna appearing in a photoshoot for her Hard Candy gyms. She was 52 at the time.

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DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME What goes in to looking ageless? Madonna has been the fresh face of pop for more than 30 years since she exploded into the public consciousness with her debut album. Is there a woman out there more impressive than she is? She is the top-selling female artist of all time but being Madge takes some effort.

We’ve all seen the countless paparazzi photos of her running, cycling and doing all manner of exercise to keep her toned into her fifties. What we don’t know is a great deal about her diet. Rumours of coconut water and microbiotic diets abound and when you combine this with her draconian fitness regimes it’s no wonder she’s seen as superhuman. But can a mere mortal achieve the same results. Rebecca Harrington decided to find out.

S

o, while Madonna’s actual accomplishments are too much for the modern human to even contemplate, it would be nice to have her biceps. In that spirit, journalist Rebecca Harrington decided to attempt a Madonna regime.

Madonna does in fact follow a very strict macrobiotic diet that abolishes the consumption of wheat, eggs, meats, and dairy, and extolls the benefits of something called “sea vegetables.” You were expecting this woman to mess around? She does not mess around.

In order to follow Madonna’s actual diet as closely as possible, Rebecca bought a cookbook written by Madonna’s former private chef Mayumi Nishimura (who now

is a sort of public apostle of macrobiotic living). It is appropriately titled Mayumi’s Kitchen and details various macrobiotic meals she used to serve Madonna and Madonna’s starving group of backup dancers. Madonna wrote the foreward to the book. Rebecca is following Mayumi’s “10 Day Detox Diet.” She hopes it won’t kill her. Some of the recipes, like “Tofu Tartar Sauce” sound a little suspect.

Rebecca also turns to Madonna’s series of workout DVDs, as one cannot be the Queen of Pop without a punishing fitness regime. Madonna’s trainer Nicole Winhoffer said she has to put her in “really odd positions” before she even feels an exercise. Madonna actually owns a series of gyms in bad-ass places, like Moscow

and Mexico City. They are called “Hard Candy Gyms.” The DVD series is called “Addicted to Sweat.”

The regime “If I am going to be honest, this is altogether the strictest diet I have ever undertaken. Will it be horrible? Or will it be awesome?”

Day One: I start the day with a nourishing portion of miso soup and brown rice. I was worried I would not have the stomach for miso soup in the morning, but I really enjoy it and it’s rather filling. It’s so filling that I skip lunch and don’t eat until dinnertime, which is a stew of barley and seaweed. It is not very good and I sort of regret I missed out on the soy meat and spiral rice pasta of lunch. But

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do you think Madonna engages in regrets of this nature? This is a woman who wrote a song where the chorus goes “I’m not your b**ch / don’t lay your sh** on me.” In the background of this chorus, she whispers, “Handle it.” So, no, I don’t think she would.

Day Two: In order to give your “stomach a break” from the tremendous strain of sea-vegetable barley stew, Mayumi suggests that you start off day two with a heaping portion of steamed greens and a Fuji apple. I am getting a little hungry now, I must admit. I am seeing the puritanical nature of this diet. A woman cannot survive on greens alone.

I keep wandering around listening to “Papa Don’t Preach” to take my mind off my all-encompassing hunger and it strikes me how revolutionary Madonna was. Did you know that Madonna dedicated that song to the pope because she hated “male authorities”? And the pope is called “Il Papa” in Italian! (Clever!) I mean what pop star even cares about standing up to the Pope now?

Or male authorities? Pop stars today are just like, “Male authorities, how am I doing? Am I the prettiest? You tell me!” or “Where is the pope? Is he on a bus? I am going to visit him!” Madonna got it.

Day Three: Today I decide to do my first “Addicted to Sweat DVD.” I am so scared. On the outside it has a massive picture of Madonna, like Stalin, looking beautiful and addicted to sweat. She is presiding over a tiny graphic of a woman (it’s Nicole, Madonna’s personal trainer, I find out later) doing an insane move where she holds the back of her foot near her head. When I actually put the DVD on, it does not mention Madonna, play her music, or feature her in any way. The whole workout stars Nicole in what seems to be a Russian warehouse doing incomprehensibly difficult dance moves. She keeps jumping and there are a lot of “ball-changes” going on.

Madonna is only implied.

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Later that day, I make something called tofu tartar sauce which is just tremendously disgusting and lumpier than it should be because I do not have a blender.

Day Four: One time Madonna told Spin magazine that “straight men only think about how you may dominate them in some way and make their dicks shrivel up or something.” In that aggressive yet very fun spirit, I start my day off with corn in a plum-paste sauce. It is good, actually. It gives me a sugar rush because I have not had sugar for several days, even in plum-covered-corn form.

Days Five and Six: Madonna, at least in her younger years, took time off from her rigorous dieting schedule on the weekends and ate whatever she wanted. In honor of her, I do the same, but the truth is, I am basically dying on this diet. I don’t know how Madonna lives. It is so hard to give up all those foods. Literally every food! It is not Mayumi’s fault. She is doing the best she can with tofu tartar sauce, but there is just not all that much you can do.

Day Seven: Back on the diet, I have to make tofu cheese for a quinoa salad I will consume in three days. Why do I have to make this cheese now? Because the tofu has to be spread with miso and kept in a sealed container for three days so that it rots a little, not unlike cheese! Spreading this tofu with miso is actually hard. I am so hungry I eat a little of the raw miso .

Later, I decided to go out to (macrobiotic!) dinner with a friend who notices I keep really cleaning my plate on this diet in a compulsive way I never do normally. “It’s like you are starving!” he says. I feel like I am starving but I am definitely not. I am eating food. I am just hungrier than I have ever been. I mean, as old Madge once said, “How can you be LIKE a virgin?” So how could it be LIKE I am starving? I am not actually starving, I don’t think.

Day Eight: Today, I decide to have a macrobiotic dinner party. I invite all my usual friends who seem decidedly unhappy about this new theme. I decide to make Mayumi’s sweet-and-sour tempeh and brown rice with almonds on it, with a side of sauerkraut. Guess what?

Everyone loved the sauerkraut, which I bought from Waitrose. It was universally acclaimed as the best dish there.

Days Nine and Ten: It is the end of the diet! And in celebration I do my last “Addicted to Sweat” DVD, called “Jawbreaker Chair: Dripping Wet.” I was so scared of this DVD the whole week that I actually hid it in my sofa. Finally, I found it in my sofa and played it. It was so hard! It involved doing push-ups with your feet on a chair.

I saved the tofu cheese for my last meal on the diet. It has been rotting in my fridge relatively unmolested for three days and now it is time for its moment in the sun. I combined the tofu cheese with quinoa to make a gross salad. The tofu cheese tastes surprisingly like tofu, yet combined with quinoa it has an odd granularity. I am supposed to finish the diet with a tofu scramble, but I can’t even do it. I have a Chicken Kiev instead.

So, in conclusion, is Madonna’s diet hard? You bet your backside it is. Is it fun? No! Do you have to eat Tofu Yes! But what I really realised is that Madonna is a feminist revolutionary and it’s hard to be on a revolutionary’s diet. She danced in a wedding dress! She made a sex book called Sex and married a ‘gangster/director/aristocratic’ English chappy. Paul McCartney may have suspiciously brown hair but no one says he tries too hard to be young! I guess the question is this: If you are Madonna you have to do stuff mere mortals aren’t capable of.

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This page. A highlight of Indi & Cold’s winter range.

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BOHO CHIC AND SO MUCH MORE COLLECTIONS 31 OPENS ITS DOORS After more years than she cares to remember working in the fashion business, Maria Mendes has taken the plunge and set up her own boutique.

Collections 31 is situated at 31 Le Pollet and this intimate retail experience is home to some of the most interesting brands around. In this edition of The Rock we look at what Maria is bringing to the Guernsey High Street. Her eye for that something unique and affordable is truly a gift as she unveils an elegant but eclectic mix of Europe’s quirkier fashion houses.

Maria already has many a Guernsey girl hooked on the likes of Indi & Cold, Twenty8Twelve and La Fée Maraboutée. Maria is not seeking to set trends with her label selection, but is committed to feminine fashions defined by colour, optimism and a passion for detail. The Rock would say Collections 31 sits “comfortably” at the top end of high street premium brands but without the price tags.

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Indi & Cold is the evolution of two brands Indiwoman by Individual and Cold Alaska. Indi & Cold is now an international brand present in most European countries. Collections 31 is its Guernsey stockist and this stunning Winter range is now in stock.

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Eclectic Aesthetics can be found in the latest Twenty8Twelve Fall-Winter 2013-2014 collection of women’s street style inspired looks. Label’s designer Elsa Elphick was inspired by the 1940’s silhouettes and WWII (World War Two) theme. Designer used garment paneling of that time period key silhouettes like women’s workwear including zoot suit–inspired oversize blazers, suits, dresses, tied belted separates with a touch of military detailing, yet you can find here updated styles like slouchy blue sweaters, colourblocked motorcycle jackets, skinny denim and baggy leather leggings.

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Filippa K is a leading Scandinavian fashion brand that offers fashionable garments with a clean design and timeless look.

If you’re a fan of Borgen or The Bridge then you’ll be a big fan of this sophisticated fashion range. The current collection is built on essential pieces to create a wardrobe around, easy to combine and long-lasting in both style and quality.

The Women’s campaign includes lustrous stretchy gem coloured bottoms, and texture embracing tops for their signature casual elegance.

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Stills is a contemporary classic brand from Amsterdam. It stands for pure elegance and femininity, layered in craftsmanship and traditional tailoring techniques. It offers genuine luxury for the modern and classy woman according to Elle magazine. The current collection features soft fluid silhouettes and materials, graphic black and white prints.

They have been around for two decades but they are new to the UK and stocked only in selected stores one of which is Collections 31.

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Best of British, Shirt £99, Tie £29.50, Suit £799, Shoes £285

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BEST OF BRITISH CHECK OUT THE LATEST MENSWEAR HITTING THE HIGH STREET

Marks & Spencer are doing stellar menswear work on the high street right now and nowhere is this more apparent than in its first-ever Best of British line, currently hanging on rails across the country. Designer Tony O’Connor’s sequel collection is just as strong as his Autumn Winter range. Featuring a whole host of checks (so far we’ve counted windowpane, dog-tooth and the always-appreciated Prince of Wales), the collection is dominated by strong Savile Rowinspired tailoring (think slim suits with beefy lapels and slightly longer jackets), bow ties, lightweight pastel knits and warm weatherfriendly linen shirting.

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Best of British, Shirt £99, Jumper £149, Trouser £99

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Best of British, Shirt £99, Jumper £149, Trouser £99

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BEAUTY NEWS Are you a nail nibbler, or are your own nails lacking the wow factor?

Don’t worry we have the solution – a session with Nina from The Beauty Boutique who is the only Solar nail practitioner on the island.

Nails say a lot about a woman and for me, nothing makes me feel more groomed than having a beautiful set of French manicured nails.

Nina has just joined The Beauty Boutique and brings with her years of experience in Solar nails, which she says, are in her opinion the best - and the kindest to your own nails.

“I lived in Holland but ended up working in America where you find nail technicians on every street corner. The nail beauty industry is huge over there and I decided that I wanted to train with the very best,” says Nina.

Having been a bit busy on the DIY front my nails were certainly not looking their best. But after a 40 minute session with Nina, I had

the most amazing nails finished with the French manicured look – and everywhere I went over the next few days people kept commenting on how lovely they were.

Three weeks later my nails are still in place and looking amazing.

Solar nails are strong and natural looking and Nina also applied a nourishing oil to my nails which she said were rather dry – all down to too much bleaching painting and cleaning up with white spirit!

Nails do give you a real confidence boost and as there are so many different types of nail application Nina was obviously very clued up and was happy to advise on the best nail care regime to follow in future.

“People do judge a woman by her nails and we pride ourselves here on making sure that our clients’ nails look amazing.”

For further information or book an appointment call Nicole on 01481 521414.

From a quick file & paint to a superior manicure with paraffin wax, The Beauty Boutique will leave your nails looking fabulous with their range of manicures.

File and paint £10 Shape and colour of choice.

Express manicure £16 File, cuticle tidy and polish of your choice, 20 minutes.

Full manicure £26 File, full cuticle work, massage and polish, 30 minutes.

Deluxe manicure £32 File, full cuticle work, cuticle soak, buff, massage and paint, 45 minutes.

Superior manicure £40 “Deluxe manicure” with a paraffin wax to soften and hydrate your hands, 60 minutes.

Striplac £35

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A long lasting, peel off Allesondro nail polish which sets under UV lights. Includes file and cuticle work, 40 minutes.

Solar Nails £70 A full set of Solar Nails. Replacement guarantee for upto 4 weeks.

Refills £50 Acrylics Nails £55 A full set of Acrylic Nails.

Refill £35 Removal £15 Removal of Solar Nails or Acrylics and aftercare.

Nail art from £1 per nail

Day Salon going gold with Clarins The Day salon has just been recognised as the only beauty salon in the Channel Islands to be granted the coveted Clarins Gold status.

Throughout the country there are hundreds of privately owned and operated beauty salons and currently Clarins has a relationship with just over 200 of them.

This means that the company supplies the salons with their products and train their staff to advice on Clarins products and treatments.

Of this number, Clarins has recognised just over 80 for giving an exemplary level of Clarins service and as such have awarded them Clarins Gold Salon status.

Rachel Day, owner of the Day Salon is delighted to be one of them.

“This award recognises the hard work put in by the team so when you book for an

appointment with us you can be sure that you will receive the highest standard of Clarins service and treatment.”

We are delighted to announce that from February 2014, The Day Salon in Guernsey will be a Clarins Gold Salon. To book an appointment or to find out more information contact the spa on 01481 727191.

Clarins for Me Loyalty Scheme The gold status also allows Day Salon clients to benefit from the Loyalty Scheme which is worth a 20% discount/rebate on all products purchased.

Once the client has spent £100, they can order (from Clarins UK), a product of up to £20 of your choice free (full sized & boxed).

This is the most generous loyalty scheme in the beauty industry!

They can keep saving their points for products to a greater value.

PRODUCT OF THE SEASON The Rock’s beauty editor is totally in love with the new cream blushes from Clarins’ Spring 2014 Makeup collection, Opalescence. They are simply gorgeous. There are four new shades of Clarins Multi-Blush Cream Blush 01 Peach, 02 Candy, 03 Grenadine and 04 Rosewood. The great news is these fantastic new blushers are available from The Day Salon.

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Hayley Fox and her friendly and experienced team of beauty therapists promise to tailor a body treatment or facial to suit your individual needs

THE EASY ROUTE

TO BEAUTY

Bella Spa is all about affordable luxury, so, for those who feel that looking and feeling good is out of their reach think again.

Jill Chadwick discovered that beyond the stunning salon and wonderful treatments, Bella Spa is more about the price you don’t have to pay to be your very best.

Bella Spa offers the ultimate in luxury and relaxation, delivering a wealth of pampering and beauty treatments to suit all ages and budgets. Head just out of town, park and relax and let the pampering process begin in the most beautiful and discreet surroundings possible.

So, when life gets a bit too hectic and you are feeling stressed, or in need of that extra beauty lift to boost your confidence and self-esteem, there is no better place to head to than Bella Spa at St Martin’s. Hayley Fox and her friendly and experienced team of beauty therapists promise to

tailor a body treatment or facial to suit your individual needs. They promise to make you feel groomed and rested and ready to face whatever the New Year has in store.

I headed up to Bella Spa to discover the ultimate in fantastic beauty treatments from full body massages to hydrating luxury skin rejuvenation therapies. So whether you fancy a lunch-time pedicure or a full afternoon of ultimate head to toe pampering leaving you polished and glowing, head out to Bella Spa for the very best in well-being treatments.

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The Rock’s pick of the beauty goodies on offer at Bella Spa

FOR THE FACE Age Defying Facial £60 A luxurious and regenerating facial for maturing skin to help minimise lines and wrinkles around the eyes, neck, lips and jawline to help combat the signs of ageing. This treatment visibly improves the appearance of the skin by using special age-defying massage techniques and a selection of age-defying products to replenish and revitalise the skin, leaving your complexion toned, radiant and rejuvenated.

Advanced Enzyme Facial £85 A powerful and highly effective facial to boost cell regeneration and give an instantly smooth, radiant complexion. A deep brush cleanse is followed by an intense Enzyme Peel containing botanical extracts and Pumpkin Enzymes to deeply exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. After a soothing massage using Rose Quartz Crystals to help cool and calm, a Lifting and Smoothing Mask is applied, containing concentrated Seaweed Extracts, Argan Oil and Menthol, to give your skin a more plump and firmer appearance.

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If you are planning your first visit to a beauty spa it can be tricky to decide which treatment to opt for. Bella Spa offers the ultimate in relaxation and well-being and deliver an exclusive range of luxury products and therapies complimented by the tranquil surroundings of the Bella Luce Hotel. As visit to the Spa ensures you leaving feeling serene and restored – and looking and feeling your absolute best!

For a full run down of the comprehensive range of treatments and signature packages log on to www.bellaspa.co.uk or call for an appointment on 235417 FOR THE BODY What better New Year pick me up than the highly effective Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage. £35 A 25 minute treatment tailored to address any areas of concern and uses the most appropriate massage techniques together with the ESPA Body Oil. Where needed hot stones are also used to penetrate warmth and help ease aches and pains.

Aromatherapy Massage 40 minutes £45.

We have a whole range of ESPA massages to distress, detox, relieve jet lag, boost your immune system or simply energise and tone your body.

The therapist uses a blend of essential and individually chosen oils to suit your needs. All clients will receive a personal consultation to ensure that your unique treatment meets your specific needs.

Back, Face and Scalp Treatment £85 (with or without hot rocks)

Renowned as our ‘Hero’ treatment and loved by all; this ESPA experience delivers triple results by targeting three key areas - the back, the face and the scalp, making it the ideal treatment for anyone. Includes: Back exfoliation and hot stone back massage, personalised facial and scalp massage.

Our final selection comes from the range of luxury manicure and pedicure treatments. The ESPA Luxury Pedicure with hot stones, £55.

This is a relaxing foot and nail treatment using a skin refiner, cuticle work and a therapeutic massage using aromatherapy oils and hot stones.

The salon also offers a comprehensive range of waxing, reflexology and tinting treatments.

THE TEAM Philippa Renouf (Top left) I am a trained reflexologist and really enjoy being able to apply a holistic approach to my treatments. It’s wonderful to be able to see clients relax and leave feeling so good about themselves.

Natalie O Neill (Top right) Facials are perhaps the thing I enjoy most and our ESPA range offers some amazing products to work with. But the Intraceutical therapy is amazing and produces some incredible results. It’s one of the latest facial therapies which are only available here at Bella Spa.

Molly Hollingsworth (Bottom left) I enjoy carrying out a wide range of beauty treatments but particularly enjoy massage. Working in such a beautiful salon with such a young yet experienced team is great too.”

Hayley Fox (bottom right) Salon founder, owner and Spa Manager Bella Spa offers affordable luxury in so many areas of beauty and I am so proud to have a team that brings so many different skills to the salon. We offer a huge range of treatments from massage, facials and reflexology to our most new addition of Ayverdic therapies.

AYURVEDIC THERAPIST - RUCHI BANHATTI Ruchi Banhatti is a brand new therapist to join the team at Bella Spa and will be bringing a whole range of Ayurvedic therapies with her.

Ruchi studied Ayurvedic medicine at Middlesex University, London for five years and gained a BSc in Complementary Health Sciences (Ayurveda) then a master’s degree in Ayurvedic medicine. Ruchi also has experience at Ayurvedic hospitals in India and in the Archway clinic in London and is keen to use her skills on the island..

Ruchi is fully qualified in performing Ayurvedic therapies such as abhyanga (full body massage), head massage, and kati basti,.

This is a very unique procedure

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where you use dough and hot oils – but it is amazing if you have back pain issues,” says Ruchi.

As well as advising manageable changes to diet and lifestyle Ruchi reveals that it is possible to use every day store cupboard items to point you to a healthier mind and body. “ Using every day substances such as turmeric, honey and garlic can make a big difference to our health, and my consultation will show you how to take control of your own well-being.”

Ruchi is passionate about bringing Ayurveda to the island and believes that it can really make a difference to peoples’ lives.

Snuggle down to easier banking Helpful banking, making things easier Wherever you are, whenever you want, our Mobile Banking apps for iPhone, iPad and Android make managing your money on the go really easy. Now that’s really cosy! See our website for details or ask any member of staff.

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.

EDITOR’S

CHOICE TREATMENT OF THE SEASON

The Intraceutical 60 minute special

The celebrity anti ageing facial only available at Bella Spa. The Intraceutical 60 minute special. I have been fortunate in the past to experience a wide range of luxury beauty salon treatments, but The Intraceutical’s Hyperbaric Oxygen Infusion Treatment really does deliver amazing results after a single session.

T

he word is that Madonna’s increasingly youthful look is down to this new therapy, and say the beauty pundits, she is so impressed with the Intraceutical treatments, that she has invested in her own machine at home!

This is a state of the art oxygen technolgy and restorative relaxation treatment aimed at mature skin which wants to regain some of its youth and elasticity – without any invasive processes.

So if this state of the art oxygen technology is good enough for Madonna... Heading off for a rare lunch hour I headed to Bella Spa where Hayley Fox assured me that this is THE facial of all facials for skin which needs – well a bit of a lift!

The whole Bella Spa experience is geared to make you feel totally pampered and chilled out from the moment you walk into its fragranced and light filled salon reception.

Hayley had recommended this intensive age defying treatment as being one of the best…..and with some real making up to do following a hectic round of Christmas and New Year indulgences, it was a timely one too!

So with the image of Madonna’s very bright and smooth skin etched on my mind, I simply laid back and prepared for that hour of looking good with absolutely no effort on my part whatsoever.

The intraceutical’s topical hyperbaric oxygen infusion uses a combination of therapeutic grade oxygen under pressure and natural hydration factors (hyaluronic acid), and also infuses a skin specific cocktail of hydrators, essential vitamins, botanicals, antioxidants and amino peptides to the deeper layers of the skin.

The results are hydration and visible age defying results.

The session lasts an hour, but the 60 minutes fly by as you lay on a heated bed

and feel the therapist aiming gentle puffs of intense oxygen jets on your face to push the hydrating treatments deep into your skin to help turn about the ageing process.

These results continue to improve with repeated treatment applications. The treatment is perfectly safe and can be doubled as a skin recovery treatment for sensitized or mildly ablated skin. A series of five to six treatments is recommended for maximum benefit.

Did I see instant results? Truthfully, yes I did. Halfway through the process Hayley showed me the ‘before ‘ half of my face and I had to admit that the ‘after side,’ on the right definitely looked firmer, brighter and yes, younger.

Proof positive came later that day when a friend asked where I had been on holiday.

“How come you are looking so good post Christmas?” she asked.

Easy I simply booked into Bella Spa!

For a full run down of the comprehensive range of treatments and signature packages log on to www.bellaspa.co.uk or call for an appointment on 235417

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SPA IS BELLA IS ING TH R E F F O STIC FANTA R NT FO E M T A R TRE W YEA E N E H T £95 PRICED 135) lly £ (nor ma

“

The word is that Madonna’s increasingly youthful look is down to this new therapy, and say the beauty pundits, she is so impressed with the Intraceutical treatments, that she has invested in her own machine at home!

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ASK

AMELIA

The Rock’s resident beauty columnist IS 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...

Happy New Year everyone and thank you for all your questions over the Christmas period! We have had a fantastic response to Ask Amelia so far so keep the questions coming this month!

As promised I have picked two of your questions and have answered them below…So, read on to find out how to deal with dark circles under your eyes and how to deal with over processed hair!

Amelia, Please help! I woke up after my first day back at work after Christmas and looked in the mirror. To my horror I’ve turned into Uncle Fester! How do I rejuvinate my eyes?

One of the most frequently asked questions I get asked is how to fix and prevent dark circles under and around the eyes. With the last few months being the busiest time of the year for everyone, I can understand why! I have suffered with this problem myself so I know how hard it is to counteract those tell tale dark shadows and circles.

Although we notice them more when we are tired or run down, dark circles are usually hereditary; other causes can be medication, anaemia and age. With age, the skin around the eye thins causing the blood vessels to be more apparent which make dark shadows appear.

There are only a few products out there on the high street that I believe work. I use an eye cream morning and night. The best one I have tried is Comfort Zone’s ‘Eye Supreme Cream Gel’ (£37.50 from Active Beauty) - A cool moisturising, anti-stress cream-gel that visibly reduces dark circles and puffiness around the eyes. This is ideal

32

for contact lens wearers and people who spend hours in front of the computer.

Glamglow have recently brought out a new product ‘Brightmud Eye Treatment’.

It is the world’s first tap-on-wipe-off eye mask that works within minutes.

I use this once a week or just before a big event or a night out when I’m looking a bit tired!!

Brightmud Eye Treatment is huge with the celebs and originally designed for Hollywood Stars to give them instant results before going on camera. This brightening treatment is suitable for men and women and includes 12 chrome cells. Each chrome cell provides a single treatment for both eyes.

TOP TIP

Q

For covering up your dark circles - After applying your foundation, use a concealer under and around the eyes by gently dabbing on or using a concealer brush.

Make sure your concealer is at least a shade lighter than your foundation as this will immediately brighten the eyes.

Comfo

Eye Su

r t Zone

preme

Cr

’s

£37.50 eam Gel from Active Beauty

A cool moisturising, antistress cream-gel that visibly reduces dark circles and puffiness around the eyes.

Glamglow have recently brought out a new product Brightmud Eye Treatment

Q

Amelia, my hair feels like its finally given up the strain after years of ovr treatment. How can I restore some of its natural umph!

Let me start with some advice about over-processed hair and the products you should be using to get your hair back to normal.

We all get bored and want to change our hair colour from time-to-time but too much overprocessing and it will wreak havoc with your hair!

Hair dye contains peroxide which is very drying and can really damage your hair. The cuticle is lifted to get the colour to take and the pigment is broken down to effectively get the colour you want – this can sometimes leave your hair ‘straw-like’, although this is not always the case!

Kérastase have a protein-based range called ‘Resistance’ that is designed to rebuild the hair making it stronger, healthier and glossier.

There are different levels of strength, depending on how weak your hair is but in most cases, I recommend starting on the higher shampoo and when you see a good improvement move on to the lower one.

Bain De Force 1-2 - £13.75 (from Active Beauty) A strengthening shampoo for weakened, damaged hair.

Helps gently cleanse hair while restoring its vitality. It re-surfaces the outer layer of hair fibre with a protective film. Safe for chemically-treated hair.

Bain Force Architecte 3-4 £13.75 (from Active Beauty) - This shampoo is the stronger of the two and is for brittle and badly damaged hair.

Ciment Anti-Usure - £16.25 (from Active Beauty) - A conditioner that reconstructs from the inside out leaving hair feeling strong and shiny.

Masque Force Architecte - £23.75 (from Active Beauty) - Leave this hair mask on for 15 minutes once or twice a week for an extra protein boost. It is designed to target high levels of erosion, providing intense condition to the hair.

Ciment Thermique - £15.75 (from Active Beauty) - This passion fruit smelling cream is not only a great leave-in conditioner but also a heat protector which is essential to get your hair strong again.

Fibre Architecte - £28.75 (from Active Beauty) - The final step…a fantastic renovating serum to ‘finish’ the hair after blow-drying. Not only does it treat the hair but will also smooth down the split ends and frizz.

These are my best sellers in the Resistance Range but there are more in Store so please feel free to come in to Active Beauty Smith Street and I will have a consultation with you to see what I can recommend.

Please keep your questions coming... and I will answer a couple of them in the next The Rock issue. To get in touch, you can email on: askamelia@activebeautysalon.co.uk 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.

Bain De Force 1-2 £13.75 (from Active Beauty) A strengthening shampoo for weakened, damaged hair. Helps gently cleanse hair while restoring its vitality. It re-surfaces the outer layer of hair fibre with a protective film. Safe for chemically-treated hair.

Bain Force Architecte 3-4 £13.75 (from Active Beauty) This shampoo is the stronger of the two and is for brittle and badly damaged hair.

Ciment Anti-Usure £16.25 (from Active Beauty) A conditioner that reconstructs from the inside out leaving hair feeling strong and shiny.

Masque Force Architecte £23.75 (from Active Beauty) Leave this hair mask on for 15 minutes once or twice a week for an extra protein boost. It is designed to target high levels of erosion, providing intense condition to the hair.

Ciment Thermique £15.75 (from Active Beauty) This passion fruit smelling cream is not only a great leave-in conditioner but also a heat protector which is essential to get your hair strong again.

Fibre Architecte £28.75 (from Active Beauty) The final step…a fantastic renovating serum to ‘finish’ the hair after blow-drying. Not only does it treat the hair but will also smooth down the split ends and frizz.

33

34

Give it a Tri Russ Smith and his business partner Paul de Garis have recently taken over the Fitness Factory and integrated it into their business, TRI Fitness Factory. They aim to build on the ethos of the business and take it forward to a new and exciting chapter of fitness on the island.

Jill Chadwick caught up with Russ to hear about his life as an RAF Officer in the Middle East and how skills he learned in the Armed Forces are helping him with his new business venture.

I

joined the RAF in 1999 straight from university and I was selected to become Officer Aircrew as a Navigator. From walking through the gates at RAF Cranwell to stepping onto the frontline on the Nimrod MR2 Aircraft took just over two years. I was based at RAF Kinloss in Scotland, which is how the Guernsey connection began,” say Russ.

He served in the second Gulf War and over the next seven years flew as a navigator working his way up to Captain and first navigator.

“I found myself in charge of a multimillion pound aircraft so if anything went wrong it was my name on the authorization sheets – so no pressure!”

Russ was responsible for 13 men and he says, his time in the military has stood him in good stead for his new business venture.

“It’s all about using your people skills and dealing with pressured situations – which was an everyday occurrence when we were flying in operations over Afghanistan. The rule was that we worked hard – but we played hard too!”

Russ enjoyed many challenges in his time in the military – among them an around the world tour to take part in the Australian Air Show.” I had to make sure that 13 guys got there and back safely and we did so via Fiji, Hawaii and San Diego.”

“I had the time of my life but learned skills and had experiences which will stay with me forever, and which have given me the will and ability to go into business in my own right. I would recommend a career in the military to anyone as it does give you grounding for life.”

But his life was to change following a trip to

“

We are certainly building upon all that Colin Fallaize and his team created and want to build upon his success. But Tri Fitness Factory aims to put its own signature on the face of local fitness and take it that bit further

35

The men specialise in personal training, triathlon coaching and sports conditioning and when the opportunity arose to take on the Fitness Factory business they say they took a deep breath, shook hands and made the deal.

Guernsey in 2008 in his capacity as liaison officer with Guernsey’s own 201 Squadron at Kinross.

“It was my role to make contact with the Bailiff’s Chambers and police and make sure the whole trip kept to plan for the Liberation Day parade as ‘Guernsey’s Own had sent a contingent and I had to make sure things ran smoothly.”

In October 2009, Russ left the RAF and relocated to Guernsey. Having firmly fallen in love with the island, he is getting married to his fiancee Heidi in May of this year.

“When I first came to Guernsey, I wanted to

36

stay in the field of aviation so I went to work at the airport in the Met Office, but as I had worked for years as a navigator with a crew, I missed the people aspect of my job. I decided then to go into the fitness industry as a strength and conditioning coach – and things took off from there. I found all my experience in the military came together and with Paul, we founded TRI Fitness.”

The men specialise in personal training, triathlon coaching and sports conditioning and when the opportunity arose to take on the Fitness Factory business they say they took a deep breath, shook hands and made the deal.

Says Russ: “We both respect and admire all that Colin Fallaize has done in the business as he is a man who people look up to and listen to. We knew that he was insistent that the business went to the right sort of people who would carry on his ethos and we felt privileged that he recognised we would do this.”

Russ and Paul took over the factory in November and work alongside Mark Sheppard who worked with Colin since almost the start way back in 1988.

“We simply want to continue what Colin started 25 years ago and build upon what is more like a club than a gym. This is a

“

I found all my experience in the military came together and with Paul, we founded Tri Fitness

37

38

“

We have the support of the Guernsey Sports Commission, and want to give a particular mention to Jeremy Frith who has worked with us. We do work with them at the Elite Training Facility at Footes Lane and we have people with disabilities who come here for one to one support.

Contact the Tri-Fitness Factory

W: www.3fit.co.uk T: 07781 139667 E: info@3fit.co.uk

very social environment as well as a fitness centre, and we are delighted that the membership has grown even in the short time we have been here.

We devise personal programmes for people and there is always someone in the gym to give help and advice if our members need it.”

“We are certainly building upon all that Colin Fallaize and his team created and want to build upon his success.

But Tri Fitness Factory aims to put its own signature on the face of local fitness and take it that bit further. We are certainly not resting on our laurels and aim to do all we can to develop our own skills too.”

Russ is in the middle of his British Triathlon level 3 coaching course and Paul is developing his strength and conditioning skills with the SCA in the UK. “Through our work with the Guernsey Sports Commission we are also currently training the Commonwealth Games cycling squad. Understanding how to intergrate specific strength and conditioning into a cyclist’s programme is vitally important to ensure they hit the start line in the best possible shape without fatiguing the athlete.“ “We have the support of the Guernsey Sports Commission, and want to give a particular mention to Jeremy Frith who has worked with us. We do work with them at the Elite Training Facility at Footes Lane and we have people with disabilities who come here for one to one support.

One girl is blind and comes here to use the gym regularly each week, while Sarah Whitchurch, who is in a wheelchair keeps her racing chair in our gym and we are helping her toward taking part in a duathlon and the Para Triathlon.”

39

THE OF LEARNING Many local people recognise the beneficial powers of yoga but one local teacher has taken her training that little bit further. Caroline Wickham is a popular local sports woman who takes her love of yoga very seriously indeed. She has studied with some of the finest exponents around so Jill Chadwick kicks starts her new year with a session of Caroline’s New Energy / New Me.

I say it every January, “This year I am going to detox my system, take up some exercise, get fit and feel good”. But do I ever actually grasp the fitness nettle?– never!

But this year that all changed and like most things, it was due to something very simple, yet very life changing.

I do enjoy yoga as I find it not as punishing as the gym – and there is that added bonus of ticking the whole mental well-being box too.

So when Caroline Wickham’s email popped into my inbox inviting me to kick start the New Year with a few gentle power yoga sessions, I was finally tempted to jump to it. Which is why I have the alarm set for 6a.m. every day and am jumping out of bed to join in with a 7 a.m. daily early morning meditation, pranayama and gentle yoga class.

But this is more than a yoga session because Caroline has devised a simple yet effective detox eating plan too.

Each morning she presents you with a delicious and nutritious smoothie to give

40

you the best start to your day. You also receive two high powered snack bars to get you through until supper time.

“I have been doing yoga myself since I was 19 but I started to get serious about becoming a trained yoga teacher and in 2006 I started my yoga teacher training.”

Over the years she has sourced some of the best teachers in the world to enable her to start up her own business, bringing together all the very different and best techniques there are,” says Caroline.

“I feel very lucky to have been able to study under some incredible teachers including Duncan Wong, who used to be a personal guru of Sting and Madonna but gave up to concentrate on getting teachers trained in his style of yoga. Duncan keeps asking me when he can visit Guernsey, which is my aim for later this year. I have studied and trained as a sensei, which means teacher, through the Budokon method. Budokon is a mix of Zen meditation, yoga and martial arts and was created by Cameron Shayne.

This style of Yoga appeals to those wanting

a strong, challenging and energetic work out. My most recent training was with Ana Forrest, who is one of the greatest pioneers of yoga in the US. Her yoga is focused on healing techniques she has learned from Native American Indian practices, which I have found fascinating and effective. Yoga is truly the best way to heal and strengthen your body – and balance your mind at the same time.”

While keeping herself fit through her regular yoga practice, Caroline was aware that juggling a busy corporate career in HR was not enabling her to fit the final piece of the puzzle – her diet.

“I knew that I did not have that part of my life covered so when I finally left my role in finance and was able to take on my new full-time career as a yoga teacher, I knew the time had come,” she says.

The result is her innovative ‘New Energy / New Me sessions which incorporate a very unique approach to yoga coupled with the ultimate in power smoothies and energy bars.

“

I have studied with people like Duncan Wong from Japan and Ana Forrest from America whose mantra is to ‘heal the hoop in the people’. She uses healing techniques and Native American Indian practices which I found fascinating and effective.

Photograph Rob Guille

Photograph Tracey Robilliard

41

Among Duncan Wong’s clientele are Madonna, Sting and Caroline Wickam (below).

‘”Finally I had the time to put my diet right and work out the very best foods to keep me feeling good and looking good.

One of my clients asked me how come my skin was suddenly looking so clear and fresh and I know it is down to my new diet.”

Keen to share what she knows and what she has learned over the many years she has studied, Caroline launched her new PowerYoga sessions in January.

Speaking from personal experience, apart from the initial shock of having to be up and out by 6.30a.m., within seconds of being in the studio for a few minutes meditation prior to the session, I felt ready to face whatever the week had to throw at me.

The breathing and gentle, yet effective stretching regimes proved to be the ultimate kick to my week.

Says Caroline: “The idea is to get your exercise done out of the way first thing and the smoothie really does help you detox and kick start your day. They are designed to cleanse your system and help your body become the healthiest it can be. The combination of yoga and the

42

smoothies and improved diet will show results.”

So my early morning detox sessions continue and I now look forward to that alarm sounding as I know that by 8.30 I will have ticked the exercise box and be heading to the office armed with a smoothie.

I do feel a bit smug to be frank….. and my colleagues were not at all keen to try the spinach, green grape, banana and pineapple ‘Going Green’ smoothie I arrived with today. But tomorrow I am in for a treat with a new red fruity concoction which they say will have me glowing!

It’s fun and for once, I feel as if I am doing something very positive and healthy to begin my year.

Already I am noticing that I do feel a lot more energetic during the working day and things which may have stressed me out don’t seem to be that important…..

Will it last….watch this space but with a holiday beckoning and a new bikini due, let’s hope so!

Photograph Mike Brehaut

THE YOGA PRINCIPLES applied to healthier eating

I

n addition to the physical postures which we normally view as Yoga, there is much more to this ancient system based on all-round health of the individual.

Caroline explains a few things about how yoga and how practices can be linked to our relationship with food.

The first two ‘limbs of ‘Yoga are referred to as the Yamas and Niyamas - which translate as our behaviour towards ourselves and others. These can also be related to our behaviour towards our food.

Yamas are our behaviour patterns and Niyamas the attitudes we adopt towards ourselves. There are five Yamas which include Ahimsa (non-violence towards ourselves and towards others), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacarya (abstinence) and Aparigraha (taking only what is necessary). Interestingly, we are the only animal which takes more than it needs which is so true in our unhealthy western relationship to food!

Likewise, there are five Niyamas which include Sauca (inner and outer cleanliness), Santosa (modesty in feeling content with what we have), Tapas (keeping the body fit by paying attention to body posture, eating habits, breathing patterns - they all help to prevent the buildup of rubbish in the body, including excess weight and shortness of breath.)

Tapas, in particular, is what we are looking at during our PowerYoga Early Morning Yoga & Detox sessions. The two remaining Niyamas are Svadhyaya (study of self) and Isvarapranidhana (to lay all your actions to the feet of god - whichever god or higher power that may be).

Before running these sessions, I did quite a bit of reading around adopting healthy eating patterns and found the best advice coming from Paul McKenna in the Daily Mail. He advocates these four rules: 1. When you’re hungry eat. Wait until you are hungry before you eat and your body will tell you when you are hungry - Tapas 2. Eat what your body wants to eat and trust the wisdom of your body that it knows what it wants to eat. Don’t use food for it’s side effects of comfort and distraction - Tapas 3. Enjoy every mouthful. Eat mindfully and do nothing else while you eat. Slow down and chew your food properly - Santosa 4. STOP eating when you are full - Aparigraha

POWER YOGA ENERGY DRINK Ingredients 1-2 cups seedless grapes (red for a nicer colour) 1-2 strawberries 1 slice pineapple (with core) 1 small slice lime (with peel) 1 small slice ginger (with peel) 1 cup ice Method 1. Put all the ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid.

2.Select Variable 1. Turn the machine on and slowly increase the speed to 10, then to High.

3.Blend for 30-45 seconds or until smooth

POWERYOGA TIMETABLE: BUDOKON YOGA - MONDAYS 1800 to 1930 pm (previous Yoga experience essential) YOGA FOR BACK PAIN - TUESDAYS 1730 to 1845 & 1900 to 2015 pm (Anyone experiencing back pain welcome including total Beginners) SUN POWER YOGA - WEDNESDAYS 1800 to 1930 pm (All levels welcome) “NEW TO YOGA” - THURSDAYS 1800 to 1930 pm (Suitable for Beginners) YIN YOGA & YOGA NIDRA CHILL OUT - FRIDAYS 1745 to 1900 pm (All levels / Suitable for Beginners) “NEW TO YOGA” - SATURDAYS 0900 - 1015 am (Suitable for Beginners) POWER YOGA - SATURDAYS 1045 to 1215 pm (previous Yoga experience preferred) (Charges during January for regular classes will remain at £9 drop-in or you may purchase 6 vouchers for £45) PowerYoga classes take place at the Yogic Arts Centre in Hubert’s Lane - opposite Fusion Systems Ltd and above Argent Funeral Services. There is plenty of parking at the Odeon Car Park with a short walk up from the back of the car park to Hubert’s Lane.

All classes are run on a drop-in basis, there is no need to prebook - just make sure you turn up on time if you wish to secure a space.

Yoga mats are available to borrow, but it is advisable to bring your own.

for further information visit: www.poweryogaguernsey.com

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AT THE HEART OF THE VILLAGE In our series of articles looking at Guernsey’s favourite dining venues we venture to a place inspired by a Madeiran and Italian menu, great views and harbour side location.

In our fourth installment we dine at Village East which has fast become a favourite place to meet with famiy and friends as The Rock discovered.

It’s the restaurant with a bird’s eye view of the harbour side in an enticing line up of quality eateries tucked alongside the esplanade making up their own small St Peter Port ‘food village.’

Village East is fast building up a reputation for the stylish brasserie and bar that offers great food and wines – and is that perfect spot to sit and relax for lazy lunches and special dates and dinners.

The Rock headed off for a night at Village East to taste it’s signature dishes and drink in the atmosphere of a restaurant with a heartbeat – and a fabulous menu.

Even the most discerning diner will find

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something to suit on the menu at Village East. And it’s no accident that it is filled with Madeiran and Italian specialities mixed with Guernsey seafood delicacies as restaurateur Nobby Alves has embodied the best of his hometown’s cuisine with a selection of local specials he knows will hit the mark with locals and visitors alike.

“We have tried to make the menu an eclectic mix to appeal to all paletes, but feel it is important that our ingredients are fresh each day and the very best they can be. Living on an island which is so rich in fish, seafood and fresh produce, there is no need not to buy in each day to make sure we use only the very best.”

Village East is the place to head for when you want to chill out and enjoy casual lunch dates with friends – or that special occasion which deserves a celebration feast. It’s fabulous location and comprehensive menu ensure you will return time and time again.

“

Even the most discerning diner will find something to suit on the menu at Village East. And it’s no accident that it is filled with Italian and Portuguese specialities mixed with Guernsey seafood delicacies

Rosita and Nobby Alves

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There are the delicious, and sort after scallop, sea bass, prawn and Dover sole selections, and juicy steaks with amazing sauces and fresh Guernsey salads and vegetables. But look out too for Jose’s tender lamb casserole, perfected in his mother’s kitchen in Madeira, the fillet steak Espetada inspired by Nobby’s hometown Cataplana, a recipe he has coveted for many years. He is keen to point out another house signature dish, the Sirloin Steak Tagliata, a Tuscan steak speciality featuring succulent sirloin chargrilled and sliced, drizzled with Tuscan olive oil then served with rocket and lemon and rosemary potatoes.

“We have brought together all the very good things in Italian, Portuguese and Guernsey dishes, so every day offers a feast to suit all tastes,” said Nobby. The Rock would agree that the pasta and vegetarian menu is also a tempting one and we can recommend the asparagus and butternut squash risotto. The restaurant also offers an all inclusive three course a La carte menu for £21.50 which also echoes both traditional and Mediterranean cuisine.

Above all, the restaurant offers a warm welcome with a newly refurbished bar area and options to dine in the intimate back dining room or on the first floor with those amazing views over the harbour side. There is also a second floor bar which is an inviting place for pre or after dinner drinks.

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“

There are the delicious, sort after scallop, sea bass, prawn and Dover sole selections, and juicy steaks with amazing sauces and fresh Guernsey salads and vegetables. But look out too for Jose’s tender lamb casserole, perfected in his mother’s kitchen in Madeira, the fillet steak Espetada or Nobby’s hometown Cataplana, a recipe he has coveted for many years. He is keen to point out another house signature dish, the Sirloin Steak Tagliata, a Tuscan steak speciality featuring succulent sirloin chargrilled and sliced, drizzled with Tuscan olive oil then served with rocket and lemon and rosemary potatoes.

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“We called ourselves Village East because we are located in an amazing location which is both central and picturesque. It is a very special area which has developed over the years and now offers a huge selection of dining out options and we know we can compete with the best of them both in value for money and the very best in produce and excellent standards of cooking,� said Nobby.

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All inclusive a la carte Crab & Cod Cakes Breaded Guernsey Mushrooms, tartar sauce Tomato, Mozzarella, Avocado & Basil Salad Brie wedges raspberry coulis Homemade soup Calamari and chorizo, chilli and garlic ************** Sea bass fillet Spinach and mash potato, white wine shallots and cream sauce Asparagus and butternut squash risotto/side salad Grilled Chicken, Mushrooms, Bacon & Cream with fresh vegetables and potatoes 8oz Sirloin Steak Grilled tomato, mushrooms, onion rings & Fries Peppered duck confit red wine gravy vegetables and sautéed new potatoes ************* Baileys Crème Brulee Hot Chocolate Brownie, Vanilla Ice-cream Cheeseboard Meringue du chef £21.50

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House Specials Nobby’s Hometown Cataplana (For two) £38.95 A selection of fish, clams, prawns, mussels, scallops, Topped with lobster & served on a traditional cataplana Jose’s Lamb Casserole £12.95 Tender lamb slow roasted with potatoes, carrots & mushrooms Sirloin Steak Tagliata (For two) £29.95 A Tuscan specialitysucculent sirloin, char grilled & sliced, drizzled with olive oil & served with rocket, Lemon & rosemary potatoes

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SUE WILSON

Sue Wilson graduated from Aberdeen University in1979 with distinction in Psychiatry and the elective prize for a study with the MRC in The Gambia, West Africa.

She is married to Douglas Wilson who was in same class at Medical School, they married the week after graduation in 1979.

The couple have four sons and a daughter-in-law Jo: David (30), Alex (27), Ben (23), Jonny (18).

Sue has been a GP in Guernsey for 30 years at the

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Queens Road Medical Practice: Partners, staff and patients are very supportive of her work in Tanzania - Sue was awarded an MBE by Prince William in 2103: Sue says: “I hope to work for Tumaini until I die. I’d like to be buried at Mukididili.

This year The Tumaini Charity is the selected charity for the Women at One lunch group and is proving to be one of the most successful fund raising seasons to date.

The Tumaini Fund My husband and I started The Tumaini Fund in 2003 in response to the suffering of orphans we had witnessed in Kagera during working there for our Sabbatical leave from Queens Road Medical Practice. In 2001 there were an estimated 200,000 Aids orphans in Kagera, with HIV rate of 28% and 1 in 3 families being orphaned.

Many unsupported children go regularly to lie on the ground in their poor huts at night with no food in their stomachs, have only the rags they stand in, cannot access education.... they basically do not have much hope.

“Tumaini” means “hope” in Swahili and is currently supporting some 25,000 orphans in Kagera... a figure higher than the number of children in education in Guernsey.

They are cared for in their communities, we find heads of family for them, give them decent housing, get them sleeping under mosquito nets, get them to school, get those infected with Aids to clinic, drill wells to give their communities fresh water. We promote independence, never dependency and many of our new Tumaini staff are former clients.

We have two programmes to train teachers and nurse-dispensers on a student-loan basis and have our first student, Lingson Kasomwa taking his Masters this year: his thesis is “the difficulties faced by orphans in accessing education in Tanzania”.

The ultimate goal in Tanzania: one of our orphans elected President of the United Republic of Tanzania... also a gold medal for an orphans for the marathon at the Olympics would be good.

Tumaini is a registered charity in UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, but most of our budget comes from Guernsey. I believe that such a project has only achieved what it has because of the amazing generosity of Guernsey people. We need £1 million to come in this year.

Visit the web-site www.tumainifund.org.uk

FANTASY DINNER PARTY Sue Wilson is the driving force behind the Tumaini Fund which supports AIDS orphans in Tanzania. Her work has earned her wide recognition both locally and further afield and she has recently been awarded the MBE. She sits in our Fantasy Dinner Party slot this issue and chooses some rather amazing guests to share her table – and a rather different menu!?

Your guest list please?

1. Jesus of Nazareth... not as He is now, but the itinerant Preacher from Galilee 2. Anne Frank, the Diarist... aged 15 years ( her last year of life) 3. Mahatma Gandhi...he was a very beautiful young man, but I would like him to come as an old, thin man, with his beautiful big smile.

4. Eva (let me keep her surname to myself).. a 9 year old Tumaini orphan with Aids - top of her class in Primary 2 and her Granny made a beautiful grass basket which Queen Elizabeth has now.

5. Rais Jakaya Kikwete (64) President of the United Republic of Tanzania Why did you choose them?

Jesus is my heart’s desire - I would love to have seen him as he was...all ordinary and human: dusty feet, windblown hair and the scent of the Galilean hills on his robe. I think his eyes would be indescribable, but the rest of him, just another ordinary human-being.

Anne Frank and Mahatma Gandhi are heroes of mine..Later in this article I’ll follow with some quotes to show you why.

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Eva is also a hero of mine and it is a privilege to be a servant of such brave and resourceful children.

Kikwete.. I’d like to get to know him and speak to him about changes in government policy, to improve access to education for peasant-farmers’ children and our orphans of course.

Table arrangements: Being selfish, I would sit next to Jesus around the round table. I don’t think I would need to speak to him, as He knows all about me already, but I would just nestle in from time to time if he didn’t mind, and I don’t think he would. Eva would be on the other side of me and I hope she would nestle in from time to time too.

Let’s put Anne Frank next to Eva - I think she would be really kind to her: Eva is a bit shy - I think Anne would love her, I do.

Let’s put Kikwete next to Jesus.. that could be really good and then I’d have beautiful Gandhi across the table from me and I could see his smile... and also hear his jokes, I would think he would have many and would keep us all in stitches.

I’d have Gandhi across the table from me so I could see his smile... and also hear his jokes, I would think he would have many and would keep us all in stitches.

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There are ranges from Autograph as well as some fantastic ideas to inject some colour into your home. The trend in 2014 is for vivid colours mixed with a more suble tone of chalky greys together with eclectic and distinctive furniture pieces.

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LET THERE BE LIGHT Before you dive into a spring re-decoration project perhaps a word from an expert might help you along your way. The Rock found words of wisdom from Sarah Cole, Director of Farrow & Ball.

When decorating your home, what are the main things to consider when choosing between wallpaper and paint?

Whether the aim is to create the illusion of more space, evoke a dramatic atmosphere, or create a cosy living area, both paint and wallpaper can be used to achieve the desired effect. When choosing your scheme, it’s important to consider three things: light, architecture and use.

Choose a colour that works with the direction of the light source, is sympathetic to the architecture, but most importantly will suit the use of the space and make you feel comfortable and inspired – it’s largely about personal taste.

Wallpaper is a great way to add character and personality to a room. Bold patterns and interesting finishes work well for creating great feature walls, which really help to liven up small or dull spaces. Try our bold Bamboo wallpapers for an oriental feel or Tessella for a confident yet elegant look.

What about if people want to use wallpaper and paint in the same room?

How would you suggest they do this?

Paint and wallpaper works fantastically well together, creating interesting and beautiful spaces. Our hand crafted wallpapers are made using our paint giving them a unique texture and beautiful appearance. It also means a seamless colour match is achieved.

A good way to use the two together is in rooms that have a dado rail, by using wallpaper and paint on the lower and upper sections. Which ways round you use them is up to you! Try Lotus BP2051

with Pale Powder for a subtle look, or with Green Smoke for something more striking.

Again, a feature wall using wallpaper against a matching paint colour on the remaining walls can create a really striking statement. Combine Silvergate BP 852 with Pavilion Gray and Pointing for a fresh, clean feel.

Not many people can afford to decorate and furnish their home from scratch. What advice can you give for choosing wallpaper or paint that enhances and complements our existing furniture and belongings?

Adding accents of colour is a great way to update a space. Choose colours that complement your existing wall colours and use them on furniture, fireplaces or in the backs of bookcases creating a whole new look and feel in the room. Strong colours such as our new tones, Yellowcake and St Giles Blue, are great for adding a pop of colour to rooms that feature a more neutral backdrop.

When it comes to choosing wallpaper or paint, are there any techniques that can be used to help make small or narrow rooms look larger and wider?

Many people think that painting a small or narrow room in a bright white will make it appear bigger; however this isn’t always the case. Be brave and use a bold colour like Rectory Red or Charlotte’s Locks to make it more interesting and dramatic.

If a small room features a dado rail, use a strong colour below the rail and the lighter colour above. This gives the impression of the room ‘opening out’ and appearing larger than it is. If the stronger colour is used on the top area it can feel as if the

walls are closing in on you.

To widen a narrow room, feature a strong, dark colour or dark intricate wallpaper on the shorter walls to give the illusion of the wall being closer than it is, resulting in a squarer looking space. This works particularly well in long hallways to make them feel less tunnel-like. Try painting the end wall of a hallway in Purbeck Stone with the other walls in Ammonite.

What about making large rooms appear less spacious and more cosy?

Warm, strong colours all help to make a room feel smaller. The stronger the tone the greater the impact. The dark, rich tone of our new colour, Stiffkey Blue, is great for creating a smaller, more intimate feel in a large space.

For people who want to be more adventurous with colour choices and perhaps use more than one colour or shade in a room, what advice can you offer for making this successful?

The opportunities for combining colours are vast. Contrasting colours on the walls and woodwork makes for a more adventurous look. Try either strong coloured walls and white woodwork or lighter walls and darker woodwork. For example, if you use Cornforth White on the walls, Mole’s Breath contrasts well against it.

A popular way of using multiple colours in one space is to paint the walls using strong dark tones like Railings, Black Blue and Pitch Black as a backdrop, then introduce flashes of graphic colour such as Charlotte’s Locks, Yellowcake and Arsenic. Think about using these colours on bookshelves or inside cupboards. It

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really makes the room come to life!

What about the ceiling? How can the colour choice affect our perception of the size or height of the room?

To gain height in a room always choose a sympathetic white for the ceiling when you’re using colour on the wall, so you’re less aware of where walls and ceilings begin. For example, when using a red on walls choose Dimity or Great White, their underlying red tones will complement the scheme. To make a high ceiling appear lower choose deeper and warmer off-whites like String. And to make it seem higher choose a more definite white like All White or Wevet.

How can paint be used to add more interest to a very uniform, box-shaped room with no architectural features?

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A bespoke headboard painted directly onto the wall will create a real talking point! Painting a Pale Powder headboard onto a rich London Clay wall will stand out. Or for a more subtle look try painting a soft lilac Calluna headboard onto a Brassica wall. Be inventive with colour, painting a fake dado rail onto a wall will also add interest to a room.

Are there any tricks that can be used in rooms with picture rails to make the ceiling appear higher and the room larger?

Don’t be afraid to take the paint colour of the walls all the way up over the picture rail.

This will add height to the walls. Choosing a sympathetic ceiling colour that flows well with the wall colour will also help to create the illusion of height and space. Off-White on the ceiling and Old White on the walls work well

together.

When you have settled on the paint colour or paper you want to use, do you have any advice for checking this to ensure it works in the room before committing to decorating the entire room with it?

Using sample pots in the rooms you are planning to decorate is a must! Paint it on a piece of paper and place the sample in the area you’re hoping to feature it. Watch how the colour changes throughout the day in different lights. If you still like it the next day, go for it!

Farrow & Ball paint is available from Ray Lowe Interiors. Their shop is located along the Glategny Esplanade opposite Salary Corner.

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The opportunities for combining colours are vast. Contrasting colours on the walls and woodwork makes for a more adventurous look. Try either strong coloured walls and white woodwork or lighter walls and darker woodwork. For example, if you use Cornforth White on the walls, Mole’s Breath contrasts well against it.

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On top of the world with Emily Wild, Robyn Danielle Wild, Georgie Le Prevost, Paul Sloman, Andy Biddle, Laura Camp and Sarah Chester

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CONQUERED Having already trekked the Thai Jungle, Sahara Desert, Snowdon and mount Toubklal, Emily Wild could be forgiven for taking life a little more easy. However, this Guernsey girl had other ideas and decided to face her bigest challenge yet. Emily packed her trusty walking boots and headed off again. This time to face her biggest challenge yet. Jill Chadwick caught up with Emily and two of her fellow climbers to talk about what inspired them to take on Kili.

There were nine in the party that set off from Guernsey to take on the extremely tough trek to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The team was made up of Emily and her sister Robyn Wild, Georgie Le Prevost, Laura Camp, Sarah Chester, Paul Sloman, Sam Yabsley, Nikki Swan and Sarah Purnell who were all fundraising in aid of Hope for a Child.

Mount Killimanjaro in Tanzania is the highest free-standing mountain in the world and the team spent 6 days ascending the Machame route to reach the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres on Tuesday 19th November. Emily, who is Hope for a Child’s Fundraising Events Manager, described the challenge as by far the hardest thing she has ever done, physically, mentally and emotionally. “I never thought my body could feel as exhausted as it did. Some of us were falling asleep whilst walking in the dark on summit night. We were woken at midnight after a snowstorm and started our final part of the ascent at 01:10, arriving 8.5 hours later at the summit. Your mind really does have to

take over your body to push you to the everyone got something out of this ‘once top and all the team worked extremely in a lifetime adventure’ and I wanted more well together; Paul and Sam were brilliant than anything for us to all summit; I am really proud of what at keeping up the team morale and I knowLace Design Jugwe achieved as a team.” whole team are grateful to everyone a few team members are really grateful forVaseThe £35.00 their support. It was the most rewarding who supported them in their fundraising feeling standing on the ‘roof of Africa’. It efforts. For Georgie Le Prevost, this was her first trek and fundraising challenge was stunning,”said Emily.

The fundraising team raised over £11,600 “I would like to say a big thank you to for the Guernsey-run charity, which exists to Mourant Ozannes for donating £685 of promote the welfare of children in Africa by the £1,500 I managed to raise for Hope empowering mothers to become financially for a Child and to every colleague, friend secure. Through community based savings and family member who not only donated & loans groups they help them to earn money to the charity but who believed in improved, sustainable incomes so that me and provided the inspiration I needed to they and their children are able to live reach the top of Kilimanjaro when the going lives characterized by freedom, dignity & got tough.

Hope for a Child’s 2014 overseas hope. All the money raised will go towards expanding their current projects in Uganda fundraising challenge will be the Vietnam to Cambodia cycle at the end of October. and Malawi.

“Mount Kilimanjaro was one of the For more information email emily.wild@ ultimate challenges on my bucket list and hopeforachild.org.uk to have a great team of people joining me in aid of Hope for a Child is always exciting.

There were highs and lows on the trip Interview.... due to altitude sickness etc, but I believe

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Left: Trekking through jungle terrain on the way up to Machame Camp Right: Our team at Machame Gate where they started their trek up Mount Kilimanjaro with Nikki Swan, Georgie Le Prevost, Sarah Purnell, Robyn Danielle Wild, Andy Biddle, Sam Yabsley, Paul Sloman, Sarah Chester and Laura Camp

What was the hardest part of the challenge for you?

Emily WiId: I never thought my body could feel as exhausted as it did. Some of us were falling asleep whilst walking in the dark on summit night. We were woken at midnight after a snowstorm and started our final part of the ascent at 01:10, arriving 8.5 hours later at the summit. Your mind really does have to take over your body to push you to the top.”

Robyn Wild: “The hardest part was

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probably to keep yourself going. You have to be very mentally strong and there were definitely a couple of times where I could have just given up. But the whole group kept everyone going and picked up anyone when they were down. The altitude is also such a shock to the system, having to deal with sickness and headaches was really hard.”

Laura Camp: “I have two; summit night is one as it was definitely the most challenging part physically, mentally and emotionally, but also leaving the trek and the group as this

trip will be one that I will treasure forever; the mountain and all the people I shared the experience with.”

Your most memorable moment?

Emily Wild: “Mount Kilimanjaro was one of the ultimate challenges on my bucket list and to have a great team of people joining me in aid of Hope for a Child is always exciting.

For me, I wanted more than anything for all the team to summit. The team worked extremely well together; Paul and Sam were brilliant at keeping up the team morale and I know a few team members were really

Mount Kibo in the background; teams aim to get there! — with Sarah Chester, Robyn Danielle Wild and Sam Yabsley

“

I am not sure I would say this was the most memorable moment but personally the best thing for me was that everyone made it to the top and that was due to the support from the team, the guides and our leader.

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Paul Sloman and Robyn Danielle Wild Karanga Camp aka Peanut Camp

Emily, Fundraising Events Manager and Andy Biddle, trek leader on behalf of Horizon Adventures grateful for their support. It was the most rewarding feeling standing on the ‘roof of Africa’ together! It was stunning and I am really proud of what they achieved. £11,600 was raised by these guys for our projects in Africa and there is no better feeling than that!”

Robyn Wild: “Minus reaching the top which is something I will never ever forget - we all stopped on summit night to watch the sunrise. From where we were on the mountain we could turn around and see all over the local town of Moshi. It was as if

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we were on top of the world as we were well above the clouds and the sunrise was amazing - words can’t even describe. I even had a little cry at that moment!”

Laura Camp: “I am not sure I would say this was the most memorable moment but personally the best thing for me was that everyone made it to the top and that was due to the support from the team, the guides and our leader. Everyone dealt with their own battles getting to the top whether it was altitude sickness or physical tiredness but nobody gave up and that was down to

great team work.”

Georgie Le Prevost: “The most memorable moment for me was the sunrise, I of course remember reaching the summit and the joy that brought but the sun rise was incredible and I will never see a sun rise like that again.

It was very special.”

Advise to anyone considering taking up the challenge in future?

Robyn Wild: “The only advice I would give is to definitely do it and to have ‘PMA’ positive mental attitude! Our leader basically drilled this into our heads every day of the

Waking up at Karanga Camp on Day 5. The day was spent walking through steep desert terrain up to the ridge and a restful afternoon at camp mentally preparing for what was about to happen that night

Emily at the ‘kissing wall’ with Brian, local assistant guide trek and I think this is the one thing that got me to the summit.”

Laura Camp: “I would recommend doing a training walk through the night as I think this would definitely help better prepare you for summit night. Of course safety would be paramount making sure you have torches and are clearly visible.”

Why did you choose to fundraise for Hope for a Child?

Robyn Wild: “It is refreshing that Hope for a Child do not just give money out to people in Africa, they provide expertise and training

so that women and men can learn skills, develop small businesses to build strong, sustainable livelihoods and provide a nurturing environment for the children within their care. The aid people to break the root causes of poverty on their own terms.”

Laura Camp: “I had fundraised for Hope for a Child during a previous challenge, and I admire the work that they do. I like that the charity helps families, not just with immediate support but are providing Mothers with the ability to be able to provide and support their family now and in the

future. The team work very hard, which is evident as they are now able to help other African countries.”

Georgie Le Prevost: “I have never fund raised before for any third world countries and Hope for a Child doesn’t just hand out money, they help families to set up businesses which allows them to earn money therefore their children are able to attend school and over all gives them a brighter future.”

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ON COMMON GROUND Guernsey’s favourite short break is the new jewel in England’s tourism crown

In association with

Blue Islands

W

e are both sea-swaddled enclaves so our maritime heritage intrinsically links us. Our own favoured footballing son is their most treasured sporting hero and we both pride ourselves on being the friendliest of people. Southampton’s proximity hasn’t changed, but the city and its surroundings is now regarded as a shining jewel in England’s crown of tourist destinations. Clare Hendy, took a very short flight, courtesy of Blue Islands, to take a look at this new and magnificently improved city by the Solent.

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SeaCity Museum

Spitbank Fort

SeaCity Museum

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Southampton is having somewhat of a renaissance. Recognised as the Transport City of the Year in 2013, a Premier League team riding high and an award-winning museum that is attracting visitors from around the world.

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Beaulieu Motor Museum

Southampton is having somewhat of a renaissance. Recognised as the Transport City of the Year in 2013, a Premier League team riding high and an award-winning museum that is attracting visitors from around the world. It is also the largest Cruise-liner port in Europe, has a family attraction dedicated to Peppa Pig and is now more accessible to get to thanks to Blue Islands new flights to the City’s airport.

Guernsey has always loved shopping at West Quay or dining at Ocean Village but dig deeper and there is so much more to our favourite South Coast getaway.

The city hasn’t always been high on the short break agenda. It took some time to recover from a battering by the Luftwaffe in World War Two and is not considered as popular as Brighton, Cornwall or Devon for south coast short breaks by the London masses. For us it means Southampton is still somewhat of an undiscovered gem. It’s the most convenient place to get to for us and there’s so much to do close to hand.

You can horse back ride through magical parts of the New Forest, you can enjoy one of the UK’s best family theme parks (Paulton Park) and you can lose yourself in maritime heritage at the new £15 million

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Saints FC

SeaCity, an innovative, state-of-the-art museum focusing on Southampton and its connection with the sea, including the city’s Titanic heritage and the stories of the people who have travelled in and out of the city through the ages.

Just like our own town, Southampton is a living memory of times past. Tudor buildings are prevalent and the ancient city walls remain. Henry V’s troops marched through the city en route to Agincourt, and it was where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail from in 1620. Other notable residents and visitors include William The Conqueror, William Shakespeare, Isaac Watts and Jane Austen. Not forgetting footballing saints’, Matt Le Tissier and Sir Graham of Jersey.

England internationals Adam Lallana, Jay Rodriguez and Rickie Lambert are the current crop of Saints stars and if you’d like to see them in action then 2014 is definitely the time to go. The 32,000 capacity stadium will be hosting Liverpool on March 1st, Newcastle March 29th, Everton on April 26th and Manchester United on May 11th.

The best way to obtain tickets is though the club’s telephone hotline on 02381 780780 and Jill or one of her very helpful team will be able to assist you in finding seats.

Paulton Park

Those of you familiar with buying tickets for the biggest Premier League sides will find the club’s approach a welcome change.

Southampton could not have been more helpful when we researched this article but with so many options the best thing to do is give them a call direct.

Just as football is an integral part of city life, the home to Hampshire county cricket is one of the finest cricketing venues in the world. The Rose Bowl was redeveloped in 2010 and this summer will host a Test match between England and India between 27th and 31st of July. The Ageas (Rose) Bowl is also a popular entertainment venue and 2014 welcomes Barry Manilow for a concert this May. For further details call the ground’s hotline on +44 (0)23 8047 2002.

Sporting achievement, a prosperous economy and a rich heritage has injected new life to the city. A younger, professional workforce demand more discerning cultural pursuits, which have now enveloped the city. So whether you want to chill out in the city’s own Oxford Street where fine dining mixes with eclectic cafes, or if you fancy something livelier then Bedford Place is where you’ll discover a rather more hectic nightlife which includes bars and clubs that

The Rose Bowl

St Mary’s Stadium home of Southampton FC

SeaCity ‘Titanic’ museum

attract the UK’s best DJ’s. Southampton is a heady mix of art, entertainment and culinary delight. My last short break in Southampton was more about the malls than the museums but times have changed. For example, Southampton City Art Gallery is internationally renowned for its permanent collection, which spans eight centuries and tells the story of western art from the Renaissance to the present day. The core of the collection is twentieth century and contemporary British art.

The Tudor house meanwhile, encompasses over 900 years of history on one site and is arguably Southampton’s most important historic building. The Tudor House has recently been restored with great new displays and facilities. Visitors can enjoy the accessible house and the lovely garden in the delightful setting of Southampton’s Old Town.

It has a fascinating history, lived in by the rich, the famous and the poor, from the Tudor Lord Chief Justice Sir Richard Lyster to the Victorian milliner Eliza Simmons. Visitors are given an

SPITBANK FORT Spitbank Fort is an unusual and historic sea fortress in the Solent. Now a luxury exclusive venue and hotel, the fort was formerly home to hundreds of soldiers guarding the approaches to Portsmouth. The arms and ammunition have WHERE TO long been removed, STAY WITH A making way for nine DIFFERENCE luxuriously furnished bedroom suites, three bars, three restaurant areas, and spa facilities.

Great for a group of friends and the whole place can be hired for £5000 a night. Alternatively they do a Sunday lunch experience including a tour of the fort for £95.

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into the lives of former residents of the house through free audio guides, while reconstructed Tudor and Victorian kitchens demonstrate how far mod cons have come in the 21st century. A wakeup call for every visiting child today.

Southampton is a very dynamic city. The compliment of rich history and cosmopolitan attitude made me this Guernsey girl feel at home but it wasn’t until I stepped outside of the metropolis that I felt miles from Guernsey. I can recommend two activities for those seeking a worthwhile compliment to the city escape. The first involves a favoured past time of mine, food, and the second requires basic equine skills but by the end of it you’ll be ready to audition for Black Beauty.

If you have dreamt of attending a River Cottage cookery class but don’t have the budget or inclination for a trek to Devon then Newlyns Farm Cookery School in Hook, Hampshire is the perfect alternative. Newlyns pride themselves on holding a wide range of cookery courses. From ‘Butcher It, Cook It, Carve It, Fantastic Fish and Express Dinner Parties to Beginners, Five Day Culinary Life Skills and much more, Newlyns have something for all tastes. I am keen to try their latest course Tapas and Spanish wine with Executive Head Chef Mehernosh Mody. The antidote to a day in the kitchen is spending the next day on horseback. With over 465 miles of bridleways in Hampshire, there are many picturesque trails for horse riding which pass through rolling hills, heaths, downland, forests and meadows. Hampshire is also home to two of the best equestrian shows in the UK, the New Forest and Hampshire County Show and The Romsey Show. The extensive network at Manor Farm Country Park in Bursledon, takes you along the picturesque riverside of the Hamble

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Horses riding past the Blue Lagoon, New Forest. In the distance can be seen a blue swing and lush forest.

New Forest, Hampshire.

Newlyns Cookery School

THE PIG IN THE WALL The pig in the wall is a very stylish hotel featuring 12 shabby chic bedrooms set within Southampton’s historic medieval walls.

The hotel also has a delicious deli counter serving charcuterie boards, WHERE TO STAY salads and great wines CHAMPAGNE by the glass. Whether you STYLE/LEMONADE PRICES are staying for business or pleasure, the hotel’s convenient location near to the cruise terminal and the city centre makes it the perfect place to stay. They also have a private car park for guests. A real touch of luxury combined with a homely charm.

Call: 0845 077 9494 or visit pighotels.com.

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A younger, more cosmopolitan city attracts all the right stores.

West Quay shopping centre is the size of a town and home to John Lewis and every fashion brand you could wish for.

areas. Queen Elizabeth Country Park in East Hampshire has a six-mile permissive riding trail which will take you through the forest before joining the South Downs National Park. Titchfield Haven in Fareham is a coastal park rich in wildlife which has a number of riding routes travelling through open farmland and woodland. Finally, Alice Holt Forest provides an opportunity to canter through tranquil oak woodland. You will require permits for many of these trails so an organised tour is your best option.

Arniss Equestrian are a family business who know the area intimately so check out their website for further details. www. arnissequestrian.co.uk.

You can’t fail to be impressed by

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Hampshire and in particular Southampton.

The investment in tourism hasn’t courted everyone’s favour in the city as housing and young unemployment are still challenges the local government are desperate to meet but the investment that has been made, both by public and private initiatives, give Southampton a truly broad and interesting appeal. Tourism is on the rise and not only has it provided work, diverse skills and training for a new generation of Southampton residents but it has also brought a great deal of pride and enthusiasm for the tasks ahead. You feel a sense of togetherness that you’ll not often find in other English towns and cities.

Southampton has confidence born from

rejuvenation in its surroundings. Just as we recovered after the Second World War and developed into a world-class finance centre, Southampton has also re-invigorated itself to become a world-class tourist centre.

Our joint inherent personas and strength of will have created something truly exciting so next time you want a short break with excitement, fun, entertainment, culture, history, value for money and individuality then you know who I would recommend.

Southampton Art Gallery

The Wykeham Arms, Winchester Oxford Street

The Tudor House museum

Southampton Boat Show

WINCHESTER AN ALTERNATIVE DAY OUT OF SOUTHAMPTON

Head out of Southampton to Winchester.

Walk reverently around the Cathedral, dawdle through Winchester College then head through an arch on to Kingsgate Street and dive into The Wykeham Arms. Clerics, lecturers and students have mingled around the open fires for 250 years. And on show is what’s been left

behind: Latin exam results, walking sticks and names etched into one of the school desks that now serves as a table. There are rooms upstairs from £94 and the beer’s not bad either – it’s the best town pub in the country, according to The Good Pub Guide 2013.

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A more relaxed approach to travelling to London For those of you with an aversion to Gatwick then The Rock may well have discovered an alternative that can be cheaper, quicker and decidedly less stressfull. With a railway station on its doorstep then Southampton aiport is a slightly more relaxed way of getting to the city.

Guernsey -

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Southampton Airport - 8.15am Waterloo station.

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Depart Guernsey 7.15am Arrive London Waterloo 10.00am.

You have reached your destination

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Starting with a coutesy coffee poured for me by the attentive hostess in the Blue Island’s departure lounge, is no bad way to start your day at the less godly hour of 6.30am. I’m off to London for a 10.30am meeting and Blue Island’s have challenged me to get their less flustered than I would if Gatwick was my airport of call.

Blue Island’s new Southampton service also comes complete with free bacon butty, numerous flights a day and a more chilled travelling experience. On arrival in Southampton I’m quickly out of the terminal, I look left and there’s the train station. A few steps further and I’m boarding a train to Waterloo at 8.15am.

My ticket having been purchsed online the night before for discounted price of £30 return. Complimentary wifi permits a journey of uninterupted email checking and background research for my meeting. The Network SouthEast train is modern, clean and busy but it doesn’t feel like the sardine experience you sometimes find on a Gatwick Express. I arrive at Waterloo ready for the world at 9.38am which gives me enough time to find my tube run and reach my meeting 20 mins before necessary.

A landmark moment for my client who can’t believe this usually dishevelled heap of a man is... A, standing upright with his Guernsey glow still in tact and B, on time for once.

Gatwick is still an essential part of our connectivity with the mainland but so too is Southampton. It’s where may of our tourists fly from, it provides an immediate link to our most important off island medial care and it’s always been our natural gateway to the UK. The return journey is equally as stressless with fast track security at Southampton, a short walk to departure gate and then a short flight home.

Molly struggled to keep her resolution...

Helpful banking, making things easier But then, at Molly’s age, it probably doesn’t matter! However, for the ‘grown ups’, managing your finances has never been more important. That’s why we offer free Personal Reviews, and they could really help you make 2014 a year to remember!

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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 are available at www.natwestinternational. com/financial-results. Calls may be recorded.

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IT’S TIME TO GO

Andy Graham works as the Executive Director of the newly set up Autism Guernsey. He worked for several years for the National Autism Society and returned to Guernsey determined to use his experience to make a difference to young people with Autism – and give support to their families too.

He spoke to the Rock about how the charity is helping to make a difference.

“

The service is a result of a collaboration of two charities, Autism Guernsey and GO, which has a real impact on adults on the autism spectrum

“The idea to set up Autism Guernsey was partially inspired by the success of Autism Jersey, also an independent autism charity that was set up in 2005. It now employs more than 20 staff. Through my experiences in the UK and understanding of the support in Jersey I was confident that a new charity could be set up to better meet the needs of the autism community in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. ” Andy left his role working for the National Autistic Society in London in May 2012 and returned to Guernsey to set up Autism Guernsey.

“A working party was formed which led to the development of a Board of Directors Chaired by Advocate Jason Green and Vice Chaired by Jurat Jerry Girard. The Board worked together to get the organisation set up, find premises and develop strategic plans.

Says Andy: “Autism Guernsey LBG was then officially launched on the 10th April 2013

by Baroness Jill Pitkeathley OBE in an event held at Collas Crill. More than 100 people attended the event during which Jonathan Hanna, a young adult with an autism spectrum condition, spoke about his experiences and the benefits that such an organisation can have. Since the launch the charity has grown quickly and initiated some important services to fulfil identified gaps in the Bailiwick, which has real impact on the community.

Autism Guernsey currently runs four key services among them a new independent living initiative.

The scheme, launched in September 2013 gives young adults in the Bailiwick who are on the Autism Spectrum, hope for their future as it helps them look ahead to the goal of living independently in the community.

Andy explains that two young adults are currently living in a training flat supported by Autism Guernsey, with the aim to encourage them to live independently in their own home after this period.

“The service is a result of a collaboration of two charities, Autism Guernsey and GO, which has a real impact on adults on the autism spectrum”, says Andy.

The service has a three phase approach: In the first phase Autism Guernsey works with individuals to prepare them to move out of home and into the training flat. This typically covers such essentials such as washing clothes, ironing, supermarket shopping or budgeting.

The individuals then move into a training flat for a period of time. This is a very practical hands on approach and individuals are encouraged and supported to use the skills they have developed whilst living in the flat.

During the final phase support is given to help the individuals locate accommodation after the training flat phase and to deal with any on-going issues of living independently.

Autism Guernsey provides support to liaise with relevant agencies including for example Social Security Department to ensure that correct benefits are in place too.

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Andy explains that the two young adults participating in the scheme are making good progress and are successfully learning to live independently.

“Their time in the training flat ends shortly and both are looking at moving into their own flats in the New Year. The skills and experience offered in the training flat has given them the necessary skills and confidence to live by themselves.

The training flat saw some fun moments!

“At Christmas both wanted to trim the tree using their team colours – eventually they compromised, half the tree was in Manchester United Red, the other in City Blue!”

Sam, Winterflood, age 23, is one of the adults participating in this independent living service.

“It’s been a really good experience learning to live on my own. I like to be as independent as possible and have particularly liked being able to cook my own meals.”

Helen and Peter Fernandez, parents of Sam commented, “The support given by Autism Guernsey has enabled Sam, for the first time in his life, to move away from the family home and become a more independent young man. As with all parents, we were concerned about how it would pan out and, whilst there are still a few areas to work on, we’ve been delighted at how smooth the transition has been. It is only by letting Sam have the opportunity to experience independent living, in a safe environment, that we, as parents, can see those areas of everyday life where Sam needs extra help and support.

We can help him in those areas and over time increase his true level of independence.”

Advocate Jason Green, chairman of Autism Guernsey said “We, as a charity, are pleased to have been able to get this much needed service off the ground so quickly after our launch in April this year. We are pleased that we can make such a difference to people on the Autism Spectrum

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by supporting them in gaining much needed life skills. We know there are parents out there who have adult children on the Spectrum who, with some support could live independently, but are concerned for their long-term welfare in terms of looking after themselves. This scheme offers them options.”

“

Looking after my little boy (who has autism) could be a lonely business at times.

Autism Guernsey is very grateful for the support of Vazon Bay Apartments Limited and Richard Goman. Without such generosity, this scheme wouldn’t have started and wouldn’t be able to continue.

It is hoped to grow the service in 2014 and Autism Guernsey welcome applications from individuals who are interested in being supported by this service, landlords who may have property available or volunteers who wish to help us providing hands on support.

Autism Guernsey also runs an Outreach service.

This service is a joint project, run alongside the National Autistic Society Guernsey, and aimed at individuals and families of all ages. It provides one to one bespoke support, working closely with families with children on the autism spectrum to identify and set up support.

Anne Blondel, Outreach Coordinator, worked for many years within HSSD’s Adult Learning Disability Services managing the St. Martins Day Centre. Anne is passionate about supporting individuals and families to receive the support they deserve and works with a number of agencies to ensure available support is accessed.

The service launched in July 2013 upon Anne’s appointment to the role and their are aims to grow the service in 2014, one particular area of growth is the aim to improve support in the holidays for families with children on the Autism Spectrum.

The impact of the Outreach service has been immediate as explained by the parent of a young son with autism who said: “Looking after my little boy who has autism could be a lonely business at times.

The Autism Guernsey Outreach Service changed my life. Firstly, the Outreach Service listened to me, but then it did so very much more. The attitude is, ‘What can we DO to make things better?’

My outreach worker will actually get involved with the authorities/agencies involved in our lives. She is actually helping me speak up in behalf of my son, standing shoulder-toshoulder with me.”

Andy explains that two examples of services that have been set up as a result of workshops carried out through the Outreach Service include an ‘Interests Group’ for adults and a drop in group for parents. The interests group

meet once a month and individuals choose activities of interest to attend over the course of the month.

The Parents Group also provides a chance for parents of young children with autism to share experiences and socialise together.

Befriending is also an important part of the work of Autism Guernsey says Andy. “The Befriending Scheme is a joint project, alongside Guernsey Mencap, and provides adults on the autism spectrum or with a learning disability, with a trained volunteer to socialise with. This service came about by chance as Guernsey Mencap was looking to recruit a staff member to run their Befriending Scheme and Autism Guernsey was keen to start their own. Autism Guernsey approached Guernsey Mencap about joining forces and the rest as they say is history.

Building on the knowledge and experience gained by Mencap running a Befriending Scheme for over 15 years a Befriending Coordinator was recruited. Kristin Dowling

had previously worked for Youth Justice running a similar project and was therefore able to develop the new look scheme using her previous experiences.

In September and October, 14 volunteers attended 10 hours of mandatory training to become the first trained Befrienders under the new scheme. Two individuals dropped out during the training leaving 12 Befrienders who have now been matched with individuals according to ages and interests.

The Befrienders meet their Befriender for a minimum of four hours per month, some preferring to do this on a weekly basis and some less frequent. Some of the activities enjoyed by the pairs include going Christmas shopping in town, playing board games and visiting cafes.

The next round of training will take place in late February so if you are over 18 and interested in volunteering as a Befriender and being matched with someone on the autism spectrum or with a learning disability please contact Autism Guernsey.

Business Training and Consultancy is Autism Guernsey’s newest service. “This is a specialist service aimed at employers within the Bailiwick who employ staff on the autism spectrum (this includes Asperger syndrome). Staffed by Andy, who delivered this service to employers across the UK in his previous role, it aims to work with the employer and employees to better understand the condition, to address specific issues and to put in place strategies to enable the business to get the most out of their employees.

Over recent years more and more employers around the globe have recognised the benefits of employing divergent thinkers and numerous companies target individuals on the autism spectrum for certain areas of business in recognition of common traits. A prime example of this is an innovative Danish company called Specialisterne whose workforce is made up of over 70% of people on the autism spectrum who deliver software testing, programming and data entry to clients around the globe.

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If you would like to find out more about the work of Autism Guernsey or would be interested in supporting their work through volunteering or fundraising please contact the office on 727965 or info@autismguernsey.org. gg. Autism Guernsey have a website www. autismguernsey.org.gg as well as a Twitter account (@autismguernsey) and Facebook page. Donations (including monthly Direct Debits) can be set up online at www.justgiving. com/autismguernsey

ABOUT AUTISM GUERNSEY AND THE; PEOPLE WHO HELP RUN IT Autism Guernsey currently has a board of six individuals: Advocate Jason Green, Chair Jurat Jerry Girard, Vice Chair Oliver de la Fosse, Finance Director Michel Davy, Company Secretary Nick Bachmann, Fundraising Director Paul Everitt, Executive Director A pool of advisors to the board: Peter Webber Jurat Connie Helyar Sophia Catton Catherine Hall (Branch Officer, National Autistic Society Guernsey) Julia Watts A staff team of four (pictured right): Andy Graham, Executive Director Anne Blondel, Outreach Coordinator Kristin Dowling, Befriending Coordinator Jan McCurday, Office Administrator Contact Andy Graham, Tel: 727965 andy.graham@autismguernsey.org.gg

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141 YEARS OLD

AND STILL KEEPING AN EYE OUT For the thousands of islanders who use the GSPCA Animal Shelter each year it becomes instantly clear that the place is far more than a rehoming or advice centre – it’s a pivotal part of island life. This year is even more special than usual in a history stretching back almost a century and a half.

The Rock finds out why:

S

tep through the doors of the GSPCA’s St Andrew’s headquarters during any time of the day or night and you will discover that the place is always a hive of activity.

Whether it’s hand-rearing kittens, tending to rescued sea birds or helping an orphaned seal pup back to health, the Shelter is constantly busy.

With more than 240 volunteers and an impressive team of professionals,

the organisation is used to reacting in an instant to dealing with just about anything relating to animals. ‘Patients’ have included exotic additions, as well as domesticated ones, with lions and monkeys among the ranks at times.

The Shelter plays a crucial role in the care of Guernsey animals and the organisation is 141 years old on Valentine’s Day. This year is set to be a landmark one, with the launch of a

major - and essential - redevelopment programme.

‘It is definitely going to be even busier than usual,’ laughs Shelter Manager Steve Byrne. His irrepressible energy, coupled with a sense of humour which is never far below the surface, helps the whole team to deal with the regular challenges faced by a charity that literally helps the helpless.

He became the Guernsey Manager

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Shelter Manager Steve Byrne

after 15 years’ experience with the GSPCA. Helping him on a regular basis are Lorna Prince, Welfare Manager and Sarah Creasey, who has recently joined as the GSPCA’s Welfare and Education Officer ‘We don’t usually have time to work out the fine detail of some things but we realised the other day that the team has 142 years’ experience in total – which was a great discovery given that it’s only one number different to our anniversary total.’

Steve is quick to point out that the heavy workload would make it impossible for the charity to function without help from all of the other team members and volunteers. ‘We are really lucky that so many people want to be involved because it is honestly never quiet and we would never manage without them. There is always a huge amount to do and then there are the unexpected calls...like

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dogs and cats. ‘Our cattery is now 35 years the seal pup rescue recently.’

Maintaining the premises is a feat in itself. old and we need to replace it.’ He pointed A tour reveals the ingenuity that has gone out that the reasons for cats arriving at the into using every available inch of the site Shelter vary from sick animals to cruelty or but many areas, although acceptable, are neglect cases or are the result of people not ideal. ‘We make the best of what we needing help to rehome animals when their have and every nook and cranny has been circumstances change and they can no carefully converted but the time has come to longer keep them.

The quarantine unit also needs rebuilding be brave and try to find the funds for a major and has housed everything from lions to upgrade,’ said Steve.

He is highly aware of the strong competition monkeys, as well as more domesticated for funds for any type of charitable project species. The upgrade cost of £1.3m. is but hopes that islanders will recognise the challenging but essential. ‘There is nothing in importance of the GSPCA’s role in caring the project that is in any sense a luxury. We for dogs, cats, rabbits, hedgehogs, injured hope to be able to unveil the project details animals and just about any other species. soon but already know that ballpark figure is Mark Tabel the current Dairy ‘We have to look after abandoned exotic needed for the crucial rebuild.’

Manager is set a challeneg from Steve is always happy to show people pets sometimes so you never quite know former manager George to get around the Shelter and most are taken what is going to turn up,’ said Steve. in his running shoes.

The majority of the animals dealt with are aback by the range of work (and animals)

cared for on a regular basis. The grounds include a wildlife and hedgehog block, kennels, hospital, reception, aviaries and a dog run.

The atmosphere throughout the Shelter is a happy and calm one with people quietly getting on with the demanding, emotional and, often, messy business of caring for creatures that need love and attention.

‘I know that they derive a lot of pleasure from seeing animals returned to health or rehomed or even released back into the wild. It’s what keeps me going too,’ Steve concluded.

The charity is holding a Volunteer Induction Evening on Wednesday 26 February at 6.30pm. Contact them if you would like to go along and spend just over an hour finding out what is involved in helping at the Shelter. www.gspca.org.gg

STRANGE BUT TRUE Shelter staff get to grips with an average 130 servings of cat food each and every day.

The GSPCA’s most unusual ‘residents’ to date were two lion cubs brought to the island through a link with vet and committee member John Knight.

The charity has a huge age range among staff and helpers.

The most senior are in their 70s and the youngest are 14.

Bernard, the GSPCA’s faux fur canine mascot varies in height at times. ‘The suit gets worn by people who measure from 5ft

3 to 6ft 5 but no one seems to mind,’ said Steve.

Five Basic Needs of All Animals: Freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition Appropriate comfort and shelter Prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment of injury, disease or infestation Freedom from fear Freedom to display most normal patterns of behaviour

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BODY TALK

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Sonia has a nursing and caring background but she is also a former lecturer of psychology with a wealth of experience in training and working with people with brain injuries and dementia patients.

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Photography: Stacey Upson

NEVER A DULL MOMENT In our series of features looking at the private care for elderly in Guernsey, Jill Chadwick meets Sonia Singh, together with Mandy Le Prevost, who play a vital role in the day to day activities for residents at Chateau des Tielles.

There is no doubt that Chateau des Tielles is a nursing home with a difference and as it celebrates its 10th anniversary this month, a new member of the team is ensuring that life is never dull for anyone!

What was set to be a sedate cuppa amid a group of elderly residents turned out to be a very busy hour with Sonia Singh the newly appointed activities organiser who ensures that every day is filled with opportunities to take part in crafts, group sessions or simply a one to one and a manicure!

Peter and Shirley Adam who own and manage the home see her appointment as a vital part of keeping residents happy, vital and in touch with what is going on at home and further afield.

“It is not simply about keeping people safe, well fed and cared for – we like to make sure that our residents are given the stimulation of interesting things to do and the chance to interact with others in the

home and out of it, as our mini bus with wheelchair access, does allow us to do lots of trips out”, says Peter.

But even those who prefer to stay in the warmth of the home have no reason to be bored or feel that an active life is over for them.

Sonia has a nursing and caring background but she is also a former lecturer of psychology with a wealth of experience in training and working with people with brain injuries and dementia patients.

Sonia is also passionate about creating tailor made activity care plans for individual residents to ensure that they live life to the full.

“One of the things I do is to do a life story with residents to find out what they have done in their working and family lives so I am able to build a picture of the things which may be of interest to them”, says Sonia.

“This allows me to see areas of skills we can develop to give them back their confidence because quite often residents do lose a bit of self confidence.

Any day will find a timetable of bingo or card games, cheese and wine parties, scrabble clubs and arts and crafts sessions – and Skype dates with faraway relatives for those who wish to.

“Every Friday we encourage residents to join in the Singing for the Brain sessions at St Martin’s Community Centre which is a fun afternoon out for everyone – and it helps to keep the senses alive and vital.

Residents also enjoy playing Monopoly and were very keen for us to buy in the local version as it was more fun. I also discovered that one of the residents had been a schoolteacher who has come into her own devising questions for our regular quizzes.”

And not all in house activities are sedate!

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sedate! Sonia has also introduced wheelchair basketball and created a popular magnetic darts league “The whole idea is to be flexible and open minded – and we take our lead from our residents.

I enjoy organising regular ‘Look good feel good’ sessions where our female residents enjoy pampering sessions which again gives us the chance to enjoy important one to one conversations. Tuesday is hairdo day and Sonia is supported with residents activities by Mandy Le Prevost who is not only the home’s resident hairdresser and a Carer but arranges

the main functions throughout the year such as the Summer fete and Christmas Carol Service and added to that “We have weekly manicure appointments and flower arranging sessions,” said Sonia.

Sonia explains that she draws from her experiences of working with patients with brain injuries.

“I worked for eight years with people from 14 to 90 who had suffered brain trauma and the problems this left them with following accidents or strokes. I also had a lot of experience of working with adults with special needs so it is all about having the patience

and will to find the ways to interact and help them develop their life skills.

Music plays an important part in the life of Chateau des Tielles and each week musicians or singers pop along to entertain us and to keep everyone in touch with what is happening here. I do a regular newsletter outlining all the wonderful things we do. I am here every week day from eight until four and absolutely love what I do and get great pleasure from seeing people happy and stimulated.”

Everyone agrees that Sonia’s new role is a popular one and has brought even more heart and vibrancy to the home.

“

I worked for eight years with people from 14 to 90 who had suffered brain trauma and the problems this left them with following accidents or strokes. I also had a lot of experience of working with adults with special needs so it is all about having the patience and will to find the ways to interact and help them develop their life skills.

Peter and Shirley Adam.

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Mandy Le Prevost hands out pre-lunch Sherry

“

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Our aim was to create a happy and vibrant home from home atmosphere but we wanted to ensure that residents were given daily stimulation and activity if they wished to be a bit more active both mentally and physically.

Says Shirley Adam: “our aim was to create a happy and vibrant home from home atmosphere but we wanted to ensure that residents were given daily stimulation and activity if they wished to be a bit more active both mentally and physically.

Sonia arrived with such energy, motivation and enthusiasm that she made a very big difference in a short time and her job is certainly not one that just anyone can do. Her personality and warmth and ability to identify each resident’s needs have been amazing. She will sit and talk and go the extra mile on many occasions when a resident is struggling with an

appetite problem. Magically she manages to coax them into eating different things and enjoying the social interaction with others. We are delighted that the care we give is complete in all areas and that we have such an amazing team that makes the nursing home a real home. At all times the feelings and needs of our residents come first and Sonia certainly helps deliver that promise to the full.”

One of Peter and Shirley’s rescue dogs is a popular addidtion to the home

THE

CAR

FINDER

WHEN ONLY SEVEN SEATS WILL DO

In our new carfinder feature, Jamie Lowe from Bluchip solves all your car quandries. In this first issue the Gavey’s are an expanding family so are looking for seven seats to carry them and their belongings around the island and beyond. We put Jamie Lowe to the test of finding six solutions and why they’re perfect for this Guernsey family.

Voted the BEST, most LOVED Car Dealer in the British Isles 2012 !

For more information visit bluchip.gg www.thebestofguernsey.co.uk or call 200390 We supply the highest quality vehicles

by our loyal local customers on

at the lowest possible prices !

We are your local Minivan experts ! 15 to 20 panel vans & people carriers always in stock / in transit.

Purchasing a car for a family of five or more is as much about practicality as it is about space.

You may have the room but can the younger children be accessed easily. Can a buggy be accomodated without taking up all the boot space when seven seats are at work?

The answer is you’ll be hard pressed to find anything that ticks all the boxes for this most challenging car find. However, that is not to say we can’t find anything suitable for the Gavey’s without the need for an HGV licence. I have recommended six options that I believe will cater for the Gavey’s, their budget and need for room to breath as the family grows. My first choice is the Daihatsu Atrai. Now before you accuse me of focussing on imports which is of course a speciality of ours at Bluchip, please hear me out. This little monster is the Japanese housewife’s car of choice and you can understand why. Yes they’re seriously economical to run, yes they have seven seats and yes they are ever so slightly quirky.

They’ll also never go wrong, they’re perfect for Guernsey roads and the kids love them.

So to summarise, the Daihatsu Atrai is an

Jamie’s options

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Any make or model supplied to order !

Minivans / 4x4s / Sports / MPVs / Vans

economical, no-frills people carrier. Yes, the of the journey, well built and a decent drive TEL 200390 www.bluchip.gg arranged vehicle. Still economical unenlightened may laugh at it, but do as weFinance / Insurance for a larger for do: join in and laugh too, because you are Guernsey roads and a Tardis when it comes saving yourself a packet. (PS if you do buy to volume. You’ll be amazed how many one, look out for other Atrai owners - as with Waitrose bags, push chairs, boogy boards most owners of cult cars, they are invariably and sheets of plasterboard you can get into friendly and wave to each other. They’re all in this beauty. on the same secret).

If a van doesn’t fit your plan then Nissan’s My next car is not so much a well kept Qashqai is a great alternative. Very popular secret but a seven seat legend. The Ford in Guernsey and we’ve sold quite a few S Max was originally the Galaxy, (S-MAX’s to order. Looks great, drives well, quality forebear), and it invited us to “travel first interior and car playground envy to boot. class” in its advertising campaign back in Our final car is Toyota’s Alphard which the nineties. Anyone who’s ridden in the back is another import of ours but its slim lines of a well used Galaxy taxi recently might and affordable drive make it a good and argue it’s more Aurigny than Air luxury, but it big performer over here. In Japan its known identified a trend decades before any other as a luxoVan and it certainly has prestige manufacturer so it has heritage. in terms of design and refinement. As an The current S-MAX is now neatly indication of this, a popular option is putting positioned as one of the sportiest, most barcalounger-type seating in the back rather premium seven-seat MPVs on the market. than a conventional minivan bench, all of My third recommendation is the Mazda which recline, even those in the third row.

5 which is good to drive, looks reasonably I hope the variety I have recommended sporty and so won’t let you down in the is enough to persuade the Gavey’s that a Summer turning into Vazon car park. growing family can be catered for whether Fourth on the list is the Nissan NV 200. they want economy, style, a dab of luxury or Essentially a combi-van for the family, it is simply a vast amount of space. great for a growing family because no matter what goes in will come out safe at the end View all of our fantastic stock on your PC or Mobile or visit us at Southside.

THE BLUCHIP STORY

DAIHATSU ATRAI 7

NISSAN NV 200

N.B.

TOYOTA ALPHARD

MAZDA 5

NISSAN QASHQAI

FORD SMAX

If you’re looking to buy a new or second hand car then why not try Bluchip who can source from all over the UK and beyond if necessary. Fifteen years of experience make them hard to beat for customer service and price.

Bluchip was started in 1999 out of pure frustration with the lethargy in the local motor trade. that the owners had encountered. Bluchip’s intention was to import their own cars and attempt to save money in the process. After successfully importing their own vehicles, friends and family soon started asking them to help import their next new cars too. 15 years later and they are still going from strength to strength. 2012 saw them win the coveted title of “the BEST, most LOVED Car Dealer in the British Isles”.

No mean feat for a small garage.

Bluchip pride themselves in giving their customers the best, hassle free buying experience around, whilst ensuring they get the exact vehicles they want, without compromise. They always ensure their customers get the best possible prices too. Bluchip also have their own highly skilled mechanics, who are on hand to service your vehicle. The service team use all the latest diagnostics tools and they can supply and fit parts to order, including state-ofthe-art tuning parts.

“Whatever the make or model Bluchip can find it for you. They may even have it in stock.”

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BIG REDUCTIONS R NEW YEAR SALE Voted the BEST most LOVED Car Dealer in the British Isles Toyota Previa 8 seater, great condition, very cheap MPV

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Hyundai Amica CDX ‘06, 24,000 miles, blue, manual

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5x Suzuki Carry vans, fully serviced+cambelts changed from

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Nissan Micra Spirita Petrol Auto, 2007, top of range model

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Vauxhall Zafira GSI, silver, sporty 7 seater, top spec model

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Honda Jazz SE, petrol, manual, black, 2004, 44,000 miles

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LDV luton body with tail-lift. The Perfect removal van !

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5x Daihatsu Extol vans - the perfect Island Minivan, from

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Perodua Kenari, last ever one sold in Guernsey, 2011 model

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Nissan Figaro, green, nice condition, retro styled automatic

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Renault Kangoo wheelchair access vehicle - amazing value

£3,995

Renault Modus Dynamique, Automatic, 2009, only 15,000m

£4,850

MG TF LE 500 convertible(with hard top) grey, only 17,000m

£4,995

Mini one, 2005, silver, alloys, high spec, lovely condition

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Westfield sports car, black, 40,000miles, 2000cc, very fast

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Ford Mondeo Ghia, top spec model, 2008,perfect touring car

£6,450

Fiat Qubo Dynamic, 2010, Diesel, Automatic, 24,000 miles

£6,995

New shape Daihatsu Terios, silver, manual, 42,000 miles

£6,995

Honda Jazz EX iShift, 2010model, very high spec, glass roof

£8,495

Toyota Alphard, amazing 7 seater MPV, top of the range,

£8,495

Suzuki Jimny SZ4 - top spec, grey, 2011, just 13,000 miles

£8,495

Honda Civic Type R, White, 9,200 miles, 2009, bargain price

£9,750

Toyota Hilux Invincible, top spec, silver, auto, 34,000m, mint

£13,995

Audi R8 - 2008, only 5,500 miles since new, stunning car,

£43,995

SAVINGS BETWEEN

£250£1500

Can’t find exactly what you are looking for?

Then why not place a special order with us.

We have over 50,000 vehicles ready to import

HUGE SAVINGS ON COMMERCIAL VEHICLES SAVE UP TO

£5,000

Bluchip have been sourcing cars to order for Guernsey buyers since 1999. With 1,000’s of local customers and the coveted title of “the BEST, most LOVED car dealer in the British Isles”, we are well placed to advise you on how to save big money on your next new or used vehicle.

BLUCHIP.GG Voted the BEST, most LOVED Car Dealer in the British Isles 2012 ! by our loyal local customers on

www.thebestofguernsey.co.uk

We supply the highest quality vehicles at the lowest possible prices !

T: 200390 E: sales@bluchip.gg

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K KK WITH THE KK

GUERNSEY RUGBY ACADEMY

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A TALE OF THE UNEXPECTED Guernsey v Jersey fixtures have been one-sided affairs in most recent times. The echelons that Jersey has reached through grand design, heavy investment and a desire to compete at rugby’s top table, filters through every aspect of the Jersey Rugby Club from the first team down to the U8s. Guernsey rugby is definitely improving but we cannot match Jersey for resource. Therefore, we tend to rely on good old-fashioned heart.

G

uernsey has a habit of entering games against Jersey high on the adrenalin of emotion. We have long been known for going into such matches brimming with passion, but it has become the frenzied kind, haphazard, mad and random, lasting as long as it takes a music box to unwind or until Jersey feel moderately enlivened to change up a gear and cruise to victory by some margin. However, times are a changing and when Guernsey’s Rugby Academy took on their Jersey equivalent in a Sussex League match this January, hearts were pounding but heads retained a level of composure that made this a more competitive affair than usual.

Guernsey’s U14s were full of passion but controlled against Jersey, accurate and precise, exploiting any weakness or apathy. The Jersey rugby boys are all well-fed athletic types even at this tender age. Guernsey on the other hand are a

brace of willowy wingers, short legged marauders and good old Guernsey guile. Both teams are excelling in the Sussex League so this was a top of the table grudge that proved to be a very close game.

The teams took to the field on an overcast day but great conditions for a game of such gravity. Whilst Guernsey grouped in a huddle and readied themselves for the game ahead, Jersey completed a somewhat bemusing ritual of forming a circle and then springing to all fours for a routine of synchronized push-ups. This imaginative demonstration of strength was more Monty Python than All Black but it seemed to rouse the large crowd into a roar of encouragement. Clearly unfazed by Jersey’s chest thumping antics Guernsey got off to a flier.

Sharp and penetrative in attack, Guernsey closed down quickly in defense and were ferocious in the tackle.

The image of Guernsey’s John Le Noury driving a Jersey forward, twice his size, back eight feet and then ceremoniously dumping him on the ground was a sight to behold. Perhaps the push ups had taken it out of them but Jersey were lethargic and a series of close passes through Guernsey’s back line gifted the ball to Toby Mellor who hit the gas and akin to a gazelle out witting and out running a pack of hyenas, he drove in Guernsey’s first try in the corner.

Jersey, clearly taken aback by the nerve of their opponents to turn up with a game plan, struggled to get a foothold in the early throngs of the match and looked desperate in defense. So much so that it required three Jersey players to stop the foray of Guernsey’s scrum half Ben Holland. When the melee cleared Ben was found lying prostate on the ground. The game was delayed for 15 minutes while he received treatment.

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Toby Glass and Ethan Farrell

Farrell came on as a replacement and Ben was taken to hospital for a precautionary check. The delay only fuelled Guernsey’s reserve and they continued to take the game to Jersey.

It took time for Jersey to pose a serious attack and following a strong tackle from Harry King, the ball fell to John Le Noury who powered forward on the counter attack and released Leon Collenette for Guernsey’s second try. Leon composed himself for the conversion and Guernsey

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were 12 points ahead.

From the kick off Jersey finally shook themselves into life stretching Guernsey with some penetrative running and the first try was soon on the board. 5 -12 up but things were about to change as the defining moment of the game occurred.

Arguably Guernsey’s finest player of his age, Will Mason was adjudged to have interfered at a ruck and was sin binned.

Adding to Guernsey’s problems, Leon Collenette was concussed following a

challenge from a Jersey player. Half time couldn’t come soon enough and the Sarnian’s were pleased to hear the whistle.

They came out invigorated and matched the Jersey team. The pack in particular was controlled and aggressive.

Jersey is a more technical side and they were finding space in the forward lines but tenacious tackling prevented any further Jersey score. Will Mason then joined the field again and enlivened proceedings.

Collecting the ball on the half way line

Waking up at Karanga Camp on Day 5. The day was spent walking through steep desert terrain up to the ridge and a restful afternoon at camp mentally preparing for what was about to happen that night

Will Mason storms clear for a Guernsey try.

“

It took time for Jersey to pose a serious attack and following a strong tackle from Harry King, the ball fell to John Le Noury who powered forward on the counter attack and released Leon Collenette for Guernsey’s second try

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through the Jersey team and ran in Guernsey’s third try. Another Collenette conversion and Guernsey were 5 -19 in the lead.

From the kick off Jersey’s power began to pay dividends. Guernsey couldn’t get them out of their half and it wasn’t long before they ran in two consecutive tries to make it 15-19.

Guernsey found discipline hard to come by and their scrumaging began to suffer. Jersey had the momentum and although Guernsey tried in desperation to defend their line, Jersey completed the scoring in the last throws of the match with a try. A devastated Guernsey side could only choke back the pain of defeat and congratulate their opposition. The Jersey crowd clearly thought they had won the Heineken Cup and proceeded to hug one another and generally act like their team had been in one hell of a game, which of course they had.

Guernsey U14s will wait until the Junior Siam in April to extract revenge. It’s in Guernsey and if they play like they did for the first forty minutes of this match and with a full compliment of players then they must be confident of a win. This game gave Jersey something of a wake up call about their sleepy neighbour. They encountered a team with spirit but one who can play the game with guile and skill.

John Le Noury starts another attack

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Waking up at Karanga Camp on Day 5. The day was spent walking through steep desert terrain up to the ridge and a restful afternoon at camp mentally preparing for what was about to happen that night

Leon Collenette testing the Jersey back line once again

Ethan Farrell, Charles Taylor and Toby Glass take control of proceedings Dan Moore weaving his magic through the Jersey lines

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GAME CHANGER Guernsey’s new Football Academy has been developing quietly under the instruction of Guernsey’s College of Education and our local football authorities but has it truly become a seat of learning. Jon Taylor met with its founders at the Academy’s headquaters in the Delancy.

W

hen the UK minister for education visited Hackney Boxing Academy it inspired him to say, “this new wave of alternative education should be inspiration to us all.” Michael Gove was in praise for a pioneering new educative system that combines academic and sporting endeavour. The Sports Relief funded academy is a shining example of how sport can motivate students who might be disillusioned with study. More than 90% of the students from the academy have graduated and gone on to further education, training or employment. The government’s education and behaviour tsar Charlie Taylor is another advocate of the approach. “They re-engage students through sport and don’t lose touch with the idea of academic achievement, either.”

While the UK government is jumping on the success of alternative education through sport, Guernsey has been developing its own College of Sport. Jeff Stuart, acting deputy principal at Guernsey College of Further Education and the College’s former programme manager for sport and tourism studies believes these

110

courses are game changers for the island. “Our students are studying towards BTEC Diploma in Sport which are two year full-time courses.

The aims of the courses are for students to be introduced to sport, exercise and fitness and to understand sports development and the leisure industry. We currently have 65 students in full time education and those who have graduated have gone to forge careers in a diverse range of related industries and professions,” said Jeff.

The Diploma Jeff refers to is a work related qualification at levels 1 -3. The students spend time on practical assignments and work closely with the local sports industry. During the first year on the level three qualification students study nine units. In the second year they study a further nine to complete an eighteen unit award, which is equivalent to three ‘A’ levels.

“The course covers a wide range of topics including practical work experience and fitness. This will range from Sports Phsycology, understanding sports nutrition, health and safety in sport, coaching, organising events and sports massage and therapy,” said Jeff.

Students of the game. Nick Trebert and Kyle Smith

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Jeff Stuart, Acting Vice Principal and student Jack Fossey.

The success of the College’s sports courses has now seen the addition of a football academy. The Academy programme is a joint effort between the Island’s football association and the College of Further Education. It allows youngsters from across the Bailiwick (and possibly even Jersey also) to receive an excellent level of coaching and professional qualification through the combination of football training and academic study.

“The courses are aimed at 16 to 19-yearolds, will include a competitive match programme with regular games on the mainland and comprehensive studies. The two-year course, will allow students to earn enough UCAS points to gain university acceptance,” explained Tony Vance, the

112

Guernsey FC manager, who will provide the coaching. “The coaching will help develop their football levels but we’re not simply looking for the next generation of Guernsey’s footballing talent, we want to create a platform, with study, that provides local students with an opportunity to gain qualifications through a passion for football.”

Tony was keen to re-iterate that the course is designed to be extremely inclusive.

“We want to open our academy to those teenagers who have a passion for football and use that as a motivation to study. The standard of player is irrelevant but their attitude to study is.”

Jeff and Tony explain that students will not be allowed to miss study to play football.

The exercise is to benefit from both football

and academic development. “What has perhaps surprised me most about our first year students is that study is very much integral to their participation in this course.

Many will miss training if they’re academic study requires greater attention. Our goal if you like is to ensure every students leaves us qualified, with a sense of further direction in their chosen career. If they make it to a professional club on the way then that is simply bonus,” said Tony.

It would appear the Academy’s students are realising the ambitions of Jeff and Tony.

All students are on course to graduate, four of them have broken into the Guernsey FC squad and two students are refereeing.

The Football Academy programme, is a pilot scheme in which the coaching and

Student Kyle Smith and Sally Warburton , Acting Programme Manager for Sport

training sessions are timetabled within the BTEC courses. It is hoped that in subsequent years talented footballers attending other post 16 institutions in the Island will be able to benefit from the academy structure. It is also hoped that other sports could be introduced in a similar way to enable further development of Guernsey’s youngsters who are talented in other sports.

The students not only receive educative tuition but they’re also getting a grounding in the realities of responsibility. The Academy team is attending matches in the UK and take great pride in representing their island according to Tony. “They never let us down on away trips. They’re not only conscientious students but have developed into responsible teens,” said Tony.

“

Many will miss training if they’re academic study requires greater attention. Our goal if you like is to ensure every students leaves us qualified, with a sense of further direction in their chosen career. If they make it to a professional club on the way then that is simply bonus

L-R: Mike Leonard (First Central Group), Tony Vance and student Kyle Smith.

This is born out in their capacity in giving something back to their community.

The students are currently assisting in managing training sessions and after school clubs for local primary schools.

They assist at school tournaments and all are training towards FA coaching badges as part of the course.

The College Football Academy has harnessed the ambitions of Guernsey’s exciting football achievements with those of an innovative seat of learning.

The College of Further Education should take great credit for its role in developing such a course. You must think beyond the dream most young footballers have of playing professional football and look to the vast array of opportunities these courses could be a springboard towards.

Sport is a global business but it is one that touches our shores. Beyond our own sporting talent who perform on the world stage, we are also an island of fitness fanatics, mountain bikers, surfers, rugby players, gym devotees, netballers, basketballers, tennis players, squash players, badminton players, golfers, horse rinders… need I go on. The very fabric of our community is embodied by sport.

We succeed as a whole, as an island, through our social interaction. We work hard, we play hard, we socialise through

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sport, we do business through sport and we even do business in sport. Our finance industry has managed sports businesses since we became an international finance centre. Innovation in image rights attracts global sports brands to our shores. Sport betting companies reside their marketing functions in our islands and we have businesses that specialise in nutrition, health and sports supplements.

Sport is an inherent part of our island’s wellbeing so the Football Academy is an initiative that will no doubt be successful but as with a lot of local initiatives, funding is vital. In the College’s case, students are required to pay fees which breakdown to approximately two pound for each training session but sponsorship is vital. “We have been very fortunate to have the support of businesses such as Lancaster Trustees who are our main sponsors and First Central Group who sponsor our kit,” said Tony.

“We’re involved because we want to invest in not just the future of our island but also our business. From what I have witnessed, these students are potential future employees for us. Their dedication and ambition is something that we look for in recruiting graduates to our company,” explained Mike Leonard, First Central Group’s Group Chief Executive.

First Central Group also provide the College students with bursary opportunities for further education and the Education minister Robert Sillars believes the team principles involved in developing this public/private initiative is a good thing for the island. ‘We have been very impressed with the programme that has been drawn together by Tony Vance and his GFA colleagues – it aligns well with the sports studies programme that has been offered by the CFE.” My parting conclusion to this ongoing story of Guernsey’s development as a sporting island, one that now includes academic studies alongside sporting pursuit, is how best to summarise the new Football Academy and what it is striving to achieve for its students and the community at large. The Academy’s mission statement is probably the most concise way to explain it. It simply states what Tony and Jeff’s vision is for the Academy: Developing a generation of educated professional & talented footballers & providing the opportunity to progress towards their sporting & career aspirations

E H T K L I M IS N U R CK! BA

Father’s Day

HALF

MARATHON THE GUERNSEY DAIRY FATHER’S DAY HALF MARATHON IS A FANTASTIC FAMILY FUN DAY AND TAKES PLACE ON SUNDAY 15TH JUNE 2014 STARTS AT L’EREE @ 9.30AM AND FINISHES IN THE CENTRE OF ST PETER PORT Recent reports have suggested that milk is an effective post-exercise sports recovery drink containing a wide range of vitamins and minerals and is deemed particularly useful after a sustained bout of physical activity. 2014 sees the return of the Guernsey Dairy sponsored ‘Milk Run’ organised in conjunction with the GIAAC so what better time to sign up to raise money for a charity of your choice and get behind a premium local product that has a reputation of being ‘the original and best’.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO www.GUERNSEYATHLETICS.ORG.GG/HALF

Go

! t i o d n a on! You c www.guernseydairy.com

MAKE MINE A PINT T H E M I L K R U N I S B AC K

Chatting over a pint in 1981 a few Hash House Harrier members decided that establishing a Guernsey Half Marathon may be a good idea. A couple of years later the event caught the imagination of the Guernsey Dairy and it became the annual Father’s Day Milk Run. The sponsorship ceased in 1993 but this year it is back with a vengeance! The Rock spoke to Barry Marley, one of the early organisers and George Sauvage, who was Dairy Manager back in those early race years about why the Half Marathon is still such a crowd pleaser

G

eorge Sauvage turned up to talk to The Rock about his Milk Run experiences armed with a medal and the certificate he was awarded for taking part in that first ever Milk Run in 1984. He is among thousands of islanders of all ages and fitness levels who have proudly crossed that finish line.

“I am delighted that the Dairy is getting involved again as part of the Dairy Industry Initiative Groups’ collective approach to increasing brand awareness – and I would like to throw down the gauntlet to the current Dairy manager to see if he can step up and get involved. Tell him there is a bottle of champagne in it for him,” says George, laughing.

George ran in several of the half marathons in the 1980’s and early 90’s and he says, what he enjoyed is the fact that the event attracted so many diverse competitors.

“Obviously there was a link between a healthy activity like running and the Dairy,

116

and it certainly did seem to catch the imagination of Guernsey. We sponsored it as a company from 1984 to 1993 and we had a lot of fun with it.”

Barry Marley was one of the Hash House Harrier men behind the creation of the Half Marathon and he says it all began because Pete Burnard took part in the London race.

“He came back to the Hash and over a pint we talked about it and decided it would be a good thing to do over here.

We were sitting in a pub, but unlike many things discussed over a drink, we actually made this happen.”

The organisers knew that there was an existing 12 mile route due to a cycling event from the Imperial Hotel to Bulwer Avenue, so the idea was to simply tag on that extra mile and finish at the end of Bulwer Avenue.

“1981 saw the first half marathon and at the time we thought that if we could attract 70 runners it would be a success.

As it turned out we had more than 250 and several runners made it over from

“

Left: Barry Marley, one of the original Hash House Harrier men behind the inaugural Milk Run. Right: George Sauvage, former Dairy Manager, who annually ran in support of the Milk run.

1981 saw the first half marathon and at the time we thought that if we could attract 70 runners it would be a success. As it turned out we had more than 250 and several runners made it over from the UK to support us to, among them Steve Smith and Ian Logan

Barry Marley one of the first organisers and George Sauvage

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Andrew Tabel, the current Dairy Manager is set a challenge from former manager, George, to get his running shoes on

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the UK to support us too, among them Steve Smith and Ian Logan.

Another sponsor supported the event in 1982 and 1983 then the Dairy stepped in the following year.

Says Barry: “At the time the Hash was perceived as a drinking club with a running problem! But the run gained momentum aided by the Dairy’s sponsorship.”

A children’s race had to be incorporated and there were fun after race parties at KGV. Says George: “The great thing was that it was such a fun thing to be involved in. I really would like to see Andrew Tabel get in the run this year – as Dairy manager I enjoyed taking part – I think my best time was 1.42.07 but I did run for seven years, so it is over to him or members of his staff perhaps. As it is always held on Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June it is something you can put in your diary in the New Year and start training after Easter.”

Barry agrees that it is a run that can appeal to all the family: “Over the years we have attracted many elite runners and top local runners like Lee Merrien, Jamie Marsh and Marcel Le Clerc.”

Some local running names to have made it over the finish line in first place include Pete Wickens, who won in 1999, Pete De Bertrand in 1997 and Paul Ingrouille who won in 2000, 2003 and 2005.

“You only need to train for 12 weeks so if you have not yet started a keep fit campaign there is still time to get motivated and join in this year’s event.”

“It sits nicely between the football season and the Cricket season – though we do not expect too many cricketers!”

Says Barry, “we all have such great memories and stories about the past Half Marathons and those Milk Runs were glory days, so it’s great to see them back. We just hope people continue to turn up and support it as they always have in the past.”

This year’s Race Organiser, Stuart Moseley of the GIAAC says that he is hopeful that the event will attract more than the 375 runners who took part last year.

“Everything is going very well and the signs are that entries will be up, and we have not lost sight of the fact that it should be a fun run too

arry Marley, former Hash House Harrier, and Stuart Moseley of the GIAAC, who is co-ordinating this year’s race so we are hoping to see a few people turn up in fancy dress”, says Stuart.

He says that there has been a lot of positive support about the half marathon coming back under the ‘Milk Run’ banner: “Milk is a fabulous local product and one that is great for runners so it is a good fit. I know the GIAAC is very enthusiastic about the new sponsorship and having the Dairy back on board.”

Anyone wishing to take part can download an entry form from the GIAAC website or use the contact details within this Rock article.

Organisers say that only 12 weeks are needed to get a runner race fit provided that they have a good natural fitness at the onset.

Says Stuart: “We are also introducing a two person team so each competitor only has to run 6.5 miles. It’s going to be a great day so we ask that everyone turn up to support it.”

THE LOWDOWN ON GUERNSEY MILK Milk has always been ‘good for you’ and the unique qualities of Guernsey Milk, especially the creamy flavour and it’s golden colour have always been recognised and here are some of the reasons why.

The golden colour of Guernsey milk comes from the high levels of beta-carotene, a source of vitamin A, which is required for good vision and immune health. Guernsey milk also contains many B vitamins and is particularly rich in vitamin B₁₂which is required for the maintenance of healthy nerves, red blood cells and

energy production. It goes without saying that Guernsey milk is an excellent source of minerals such as calcium essential for healthy growth and the maintenance of teeth and bones.

It is no wonder that Guernsey milk is one of the most nutritionally complete foods available on the food market to date as it is a naturally good provider of a whole range of nutrients essential to the growth, development and maintenance of the human body.

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A MILK RACE LOCALLY RUN

BUT WITH AN INTERNATIONAL FLAVOUR The Father’s Day Half Marathon is one of the most popular events of the GIAAC calendar and was first held in June 1981 in the wake of the first-ever London Marathon held in April that year. Not only do Channel Islanders take part, the race is also open to UK and International participants and has brought visitors to the island from far and wide for 33 years.

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T

he first ever winner of the event was Ian Logan from Aldershot whose success continued for the next two years, with the race becoming known as “Logan’s Run” after the film of that period.

Logan’s clubmate John Hood won in 1984, but the event took on a real international feel with Jerseybased Portuguese Jose Freias winning in 1985. Freias was rumoured to be a training partner of 1984 Olympic Marathon Champion, Carlos Lopes.

In the early years the mainland and foreign athletes seemed a level above the locals, but as their quality faded local runners started to take center stage with Francis Kehoe being the first local based winner in 1996.

There was no arguing with the quality of the local winner in 2010 - although he brought fellow British International Ben Moreau to the race, it was Guernsey’s Lee Merrien who ran out a comfortable winner, using it as preparation for his top 10 finish in the European Marathon Championship of that year.

MILK. IS IT A SPORTS DRINK? Milk vs Sports Drinks.

Strength training causes water loss through sweating. Rehydration is crucial for muscle recovery since dehydration can cause stalling.

Signs of dehydration: fatigue & headaches (think hangovers).

Studies show milk is superior to water and sport drinks for rehydration. Here’s why: milk is rich in sodium & potassium which retain fluid, but also in protein & fat which slow digestion. Less hunger, longer hydration.

Have a solid meal and/or milk and drink plenty of water post workout.

Whole Milk vs Fat Free Milk.

Studies show whole milk causes more lean body mass gains than fat free milk. Since slower protein is better post workout, this could be why whole milk is superior: its fat content could slow absorption.

In that same year Sark’s Bronwyn McNeillRogers set the women’s record of 83 minutes 18 seconds. However, it was in 2007 that the record of 63 minutes 46 seconds was set

by Zimbawee’s Poole-based athlete Willard Chinhanhu. His record still stands.

The race is fully UKA/Runbritain licenced and the minimum age on the day is 17.

Last year’s marathon had circa 400 islander’s taking part and raised funds for the local charity Headway Guernsey.

As well as growing in popularity over the years, the marathon has been an opportunity for GIAAC members to compete and also for islanders to raise money for charity.

Traditionally held on Father’s Day, past years have seen the race finish at Bulwer Avenue, but this year, as with last year, it will finish opposite the States Tourist Information

building on the Town seafront.

The runner claiming to have raced the event the most times is Kevin Le Noury who has competed in every event from 1981 to 2012. He missed out in 2013 due to injury but it is rumoured that he is looking to return to the line this year, but sources are yet to confirm.

Another runner expected to be on this years line is Ray Scholes, now well into his 60’s and still running strongly Ray has competed 29 races.

With 13.1 miles of Guernsey road to get through, this year runners will start at 9.30am on the Sunday morning towards the southwest corner of the island close to L’Eree. Following the main coastal road north before turning east across the top of the island then south to finish in the main

town of St Peter Port.

With a mix of elite level and good fun participation racing the event is growing again and is still Guernsey’s biggest participation road race - it may not be the marathon distance but it is certainly our London Marathon.

THE GUERNSEY DAIRY FATHER’S DAY HALF MARATHON IS A FANTASTIC FAMILY FUN DAY AND TAKES PLACE ON SUNDAY 15TH JUNE 2014 STARTS AT L’EREE @ 9.30AM AND FINISHES IN THE CENTRE OF ST PETER PORT FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO www.guernseyathletics .org.gg/half

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“

Out in the gap between the reefs, a ship is on fire. Bright orange flame and thick black smoke comes from the burning tar carried in the aft hold. After drifting around on the tide, the ship sinks. We do not know whether its crew survived, but they were close enough to shore to have swum for it, or to be rescued. People would have talked about the disaster for weeks – then the ship would be forgotten for 1,700 years

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THE HISTORY MAN With Dr Jason Monaghan

Whatever happened to ‘Asterix’ ?

P

icture the scene. It is early 1985 and a long-haired postgraduate student is working at his house in Chatham, trying to keep warm. The phone rings, and the surprise caller is Dr Margaret Rule who raised the Mary Rose and was probably Britain’s famous archaeologist at that time. Her latest project was a Roman ship found in St Peter Port harbour, and after I heard her talking about it on Radio 4 I had cheekily written a letter explaining how my wife was from Guernsey and I was a Roman specialist who would love to join her team…

By Easter, I was working for the Guernsey Maritime Trust in an old banana warehouse off Victoria Road. I spent two and a half years, often working alone, cleaning, drawing, recording and photographing everything the divers brought up. This was my first job out of college, and a pretty exciting challenge for a young postgraduate. Some 29 years later, I have less hair but have the ship back on my agenda.

‘Asterix’ was a nickname that stuck, as we don’t know the real name of the ship or any of the crew. It is still the largest, most intact, sea-going Roman ship outside the Mediterranean. It is one of only three vessels known which have a mix of Roman and Celtic design features, which were especially suited to this area of sea. Tough, flat-bottomed boats like this could be

pulled up on beaches in a region which had no proper harbours. Built of oak, it took the trunk of a tree to make each one of the floor timbers (frames) and there were probably 40 of these. Tall, straight oaks were needed to fashion the thick keel planks, which were 14m long (45ft). There was not a single proper carpentered joint in the whole ship, and it was held together with iron nails as long as an arm.

After we had finished recording the ship, it rested in fresh water for almost a decade whilst the salt leeched out of its timbers and decisions were made about what happened next. In 1999 it went to the Mary Rose Trust in Portsmouth for a conservation programme funded by the States. The timbers were soaked in soluble wax to make them solid, then freeze-dried to drive out the remaining water. It was a long process, but now the timbers are ready for display and two will be on show in Jersey later this year before going on display at Guernsey Museum in 2015.

The question still remains of where and how to display the whole ship, and we are still seeking an answer. People ask ‘how much space do you need?’ and I reply ‘It’s a ship’. Fully laid out it is over 18m long (60ft) and 4.5m wide (14ft), even though we are missing at least 4m at the bow and a little at the stern. This is bigger than any of Guernsey’s museum galleries, especially once room is allowed for visitors to circulate

and for objects to be displayed. We also need to control the gallery climate, to prevent those huge pieces of ancient oak from splitting or warping.

Another challenge is to make 60ft of ancient wood exciting to visitors who are not experts in shipbuilding or the Romans.

Around the ship we must explain how it was built, and how it travelled along the coasts of ancient Gaul and Britain. We will show how it fits into St Peter Port’s story as a port of call for merchants for over 2,000 years. ‘Asterix’ was not built in Guernsey, but is only here through bad luck. It had probably called in to pick up fresh water or salt, carry on a bit of trade with the locals, or was maybe waiting for fair winds. Some accident on board caused a fire, which quickly spread out of control.

So picture another scene, around the year AD 280. St Peter Port has no quayside, just a beach protected by a couple of reefs where the Castle and White Rock are now.

A crowd gathers to watch the unfolding drama. Out in the gap between the reefs, a ship is on fire. Bright orange flame and thick black smoke comes from the burning tar carried in the aft hold. After drifting around on the tide, the ship sinks. We do not know whether its crew survived, but they were close enough to shore to have swum for it, or to be rescued. People would have talked about the disaster for weeks – then the ship would be forgotten for 1,700 years.

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store “has anThe amazing

history, from the time it was the home of the family of Sir Isaac Brock, right up until the Occupation years

Islanders queuing by Boots for the stocks of British food which had just arrived following liberation.

I’LL MEET YOU OUTSIDE BOOTS In a new series of articles, The Rock goes down memory lane to find out more about Guernsey’s most treasured businesses.

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Still a popular meeting point in town today

Boots in 1922

The 1970s

Boots has been at the heart of St Peter Port for more than 100 years. While Boots is the UK’s leading pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer, it retains strong links to the high street and local community in Guernsey and

is still the meeting place of choice for most shoppers.

“The store has an amazing history, from the time it was the home of the family of Sir Isaac Brock, right up until the Occupation years,” says Andrew Jones, store manager, Boots UK. Today it holds court at the top of the High Street and on, any weekday – and particularly on weekends the store is bursting with customers buying all manner of everyday essentials.

Says Andrew: “We want to get the message out there that Boots is still operated under the banner of a pharmacy led health and beauty retailer.

“During the Second World War the

pharmacist in our Boots store on the high street was called Mr Angel. When supplies of omega 3 ran out he sourced fish which could still be caught and provide the fish oils needed. The manager, Mr Butterworth, was another great character and his wife is known to have concocted all sorts of cosmetics which again were no longer readily available.

“Boots is the UK’s leading pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer, and we are also a local pharmacy who cater for the individual needs of our local community..

“Importantly our company ethos is to be non-exclusive – we are happy to treat

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four continents – there is even a small Boots shop in Dubai airport!”

“Importantly our company ethos is to be nonexclusive – we are happy to treat everyone from a regular customer to the Queen of England should they arrive through the door!”

Says Andrew: “Our store continues to lead on services and the pharmacy is able to offer flu jabs.

The store also offers a great range of products from premium fragrances to boxes of ibuprofen, all at great value. Customer care is at the heart of what drives our business, so patients and customers are key to what makes the store a success.”

Andrew is fascinated by the rich history of the premises and explains that while the building has undergone extensive refurbishment over the years, up in the attic spaces there are small signs of bygone years.

“We kept some graffiti dating back to the Occupation on the walls in the attic as a reminded to the rich history of the store, and from outside the shop it is possible to see the original stone building which was the family house of Sir Isaac Brock.”

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FROM SMALL HERBLIST TO GLOBAL BRAND A HISTORY OF BOOTS

Sir Jesse Boot

Andrew says he is very aware of the rich heritage of Boots UK and of the Boots store in St Peter Port. He and his staff strive to deliver the best possible service with style, humour and energy.

“But first and foremost Boots UK is a pharmacy-led retailer. Our store is a place where people come for support, advice and for a great range of health and beauty products. It is also one of the most popular meeting places in St Peter Port, which I am sure would have pleased Sir Isaac Brock!”.

Boots has its roots in the mid-19th century when John Boot, an agricultural worker, moved to Nottingham to start a new business. He opened a small herbalist store on Goose Gate in 1849, from which he prepared and sold herbal remedies. His business soon proved popular, especially with the working poor of Nottingham’s new industries, who could not afford the services of a doctor.

After John’s death in 1860, his widow, Mary, continued trading, with the help of her young son, Jesse, who became a full partner when he was 21.

Jesse’s talent for business was soon evident. He expanded the range of Boots in he 1922 products sold to include proprietary medicines and household necessities.

He adopted a strategy of buying stock in bulk and selling his goods much cheaper than his competitors, advertising under the slogan “Health for a Shilling”.

Jesse had ambitions for Boots to be a nationwide chain and so he began acquiring new premises and also some chains of chemists. The store network grew rapidly: in 1890 he had just 10 stores and by 1914 this had risen to over 550 stores throughout England, Scotland and Wales. The range of products sold also expanded beyond traditional chemists lines - from stationery, to silverware and picture framing, as well as the introduction of new services like Booklovers Libraries and Cafes in the larger stores. Many of these new lines and services were fostered by Jesse’s wife, Florence, whom he had married in 1886 (they went on to have three children together - John, Dorothy and Margery).

The wellbeing of their employees was very important to Jesse and Florence and they provided welfare, education, sports and social facilities for their growing retail and manufacturing workforce. Full time welfare professionals were employed and a surgery was established at the Island Street site to care for the health of employees. A Day Continuation School (later renamed Boots College) was

opened to provide extended academic and vocational education for younger employees.

Following the First World War, Jesse, who was approaching his 70th birthday and increasingly incapacitated by arthritis, decided to retire and in 1920, he sold Boots to the United Drug Company of America. During the next 13 years of American ownership Boots continued to prosper and grow: a new manufacturing site was acquired at Beeston in 1927 and in 1933 the 1000th Boots store was opened. In 1933 the United Drug Company sold its holding in Boots to a group of British financiers led

by John Boot, Jesse’s son. Under John’s Chairmanship the company continued to develop: the first overseas store opened in New Zealand in 1936; key brands No7 and Soltan were both launched in the 1930s. John believed passionately that Boots should offer exceptional customer service and introduced new initiatives such as 24 hour opening times to serve the public better.

Following the Second World War, the company continued to expand its manufacturing and research capabilities and the creation of the National Health Service in 1948 led to a vast increase in dispensing. Self-service was introduced to stores in the 1950s and international export and manufacturing businesses were strengthened. More recent decades have seen the introduction of successful brands such as 17 cosmetics and Botanics, and new business ventures such as Boots Opticians. A new chapter in Boots history started on 31st July 2006 with the merger with Alliance Unichem, to become part of Alliance Boots, an international pharmacy-led health and beauty group. In June 2007 Alliance Boots was acquired by AB Acquisitions Limited (a company jointly controlled by certain funds advised by KKR and Stefano Pessina), and its shares were delisted from the London Stock Exchange.

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THE PROFESSIONAL DILETTANTE With Stephen Roberts

“If you don’t make ‘em, you can’t break ‘em” is the Professional Dilettante’s attitude to New Year resolutions, but just for you, he’s come up with some Art-themed ideas to try..

Music

Music resolution 1 : Listen to an “album”.

Once upon a time I would place a vinyl disc on a turntable, place the stylus at the start of side 1, and listen to that for the 20 or so minutes that most LP sides lasted.

Oops sorry, a bit of vinyl jargon there, “Long Player”, a (usually) 12 inch vinyl disc that spins at 33 1/3 rpm, rpm?...

At the end of that I’d then get up and walk over to the stereogram, flip the record over and listen to side 2. A fine ritual it was, and I thought that everyone did the same, it just seemed the ONLY WAY. Imagine my horror then, when at one of my fellow student’s digs to listen to the latest sounds, he’d say something like “track 2 on this is quite good” and promptly drop the needle halfway across

the platter where it would make a noise like a small explosion before the music started. Sometimes he’d miss the space between the tracks and you’d get the explosion followed by the last bit of the song before. As soon as the song he had chosen ended there would be the familiar “vvvwwwwhhhhht” noise as he heavy-handedly removed the arm and searched around for another record.

In this brief interlude there would be a comment along the lines of “that was pretty good - what about this...?” and he’d then repeat the process for track 4 side 2 of someone else’s carefully thought out concept album. His LPs would then invariably end up on the carpet as they were removed from the player, and on one occasion I was aghast when this small dog ran in and skated round on one of them before being shooed out.

Needless to say, I never lent him any of my precious vinyl!

Anyway, where was I, ah yes, those were the days my friends, the days long ago before I became fully conversant with mp3s and the concept of shuffle play on the iPod...

So, your task is to turn off the shuffle, move away from the playlist and resolve to listen to a whole album - if you have one.

Music resolution 2 : Check out the original You know what it’s like – a modern beat combo comes on the radio and you think to yourself “that’s a catchy tune, I bet they didn’t write that themselves”.

Sure enough you find that One Direction’s “One Way or Another” was in fact a not very good album track sandwiched between “Hanging On The

As soon as the song he had chosen ended there would be the familiar “vvvwwwwhhhhht” noise as he heavy-handedly removed the arm and searched around for another record.

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Telephone” and “Picture This” on Blondie’s 3rd LP “Parallel Lines”. IMHO - just saying…

Music resolution 3 : Go to a concert Check out what’s on at St James for example, and go to see one of the local orchestras or choirs performing some classical music. The standard is amazing and it is truly a great experience to see all the individuals playing together to create the work as the composer intended it to be heard, using instruments that don’t need to be plugged in!

Photography

Photography resolution 1 : Do a “365 project” This is where the “year” in New Year’s resolution really means something, though at first it might sound like a bit of a chore.

Search online for “365 project” and sign up to a photo-sharing website, Blipfoto for example, and set yourself the challenge of taking and uploading a photo a day. You don’t need fancy camera equipment these days as most mobiles pack a decent camera. They

don’t have to be great works of art either, but it will stimulate the artist in you.

Photography resolution 2 : Try something different If you already take pictures, perhaps it’s time to resolve to do something outside your comfort zone and experiment with a different style. If you have a camera with mysterious buttons and controls on it that you don’t use (I know I do...) explore the functions and see what you can do with the camera.

Literature

Literature resolution 1 : Read some (more/any) poetry.

This is a tough one, and I can see some of you are already struggling with it, and you’re not alone. I was amused to read one of those Sunday supplement pieces where Harry Redknapp had answered the magazine’s standard set of questions designed to reveal all about the celebrity’s favourite foods, wishes and other activities, plus whatever book, film or TV programme they are plugging. The question “The poem that

touches your soul…” was candidly answered

by Redknapp with a brilliant “I’d be lying if I said I read poetry”.

The article also revealed that he is a compulsive bird-feeder who won’t leave for work until he has fed them and spends about £40 a week on bird feed.

There’s a certain poetry in that, methinks, but I digress, back to your resolution.

For an easy introduction to the world of poems check out the Poetry Foundation’s Poetry Mobile App for iPhone and Android (http://www.poetryfoundation.org/mobile/).

According to the blurb you can “Give your phone a shake to discover new poems to fit any mood” and it “turns your phone into a mobile poetry library”.

Literature resolution 2 : Read a book Yes a real book, not a Kindle. And not Harry Potter. Or even Harry Redknapp, who has a book to plug.

Anyway, that’s enough resolving for now, I’m off to the pub. What’s that you say? You’ve given up drinking for January…?

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Advertising feature

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THE HUB OF THE PARISH At the heart of St Martin’s Village is a place where there is always a friendly welcome and a wealth of advice on health issues – no matter how small.

The team at Grande Rue Pharmacy are a unique mix of people who enjoy being at the hub of the community and every day are committed to lending an ear to customers of all ages and between them the staff have nearly 70 years’ experience of dispensing medicines - and friendly advice!

The Rock spent a morning with the team and found out what makes their job so enjoyable.

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Advertising feature

Catherine Sarre - pharmacy assistant - 30 years.

With 30 years’ experience at Grande Rue Pharmacy Catherine is the longest serving member of the team but has never lost her enthusiasm for the job.

“I came to work here when I was 19 having worked briefly in retail and at the King Edward VII Hospital. It is an extremely busy pharmacy with people of all ages popping in for medicines or to ask our advice. I would say that over the years the most obvious change has been the ages of

Niall Kealy – Pharmacy owner, manager.

“I took on the business in October 2012 having been on the island for six years then saw what a great business opportunity it was to take on this pharmacy.

What sets it apart is the strong community focus we have here as the pharmacy has been such an important

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part of life at St Martin’s for so many years.”

I would say that I really promote good customer care and our team are trained to offer the best service on a one to one basis. Our assistants and dispenser are always on hand to offer good solid advice on products and basic ailment treatments, but I am always happy to step in when a more professional level of knowledge is needed. Most times we are able to help, but we do often suggest a referral to a GP. We are looking forward to all the challenges ahead in 2014, these are exciting times and we are certainly more than able to meet the needs of our customers.”

people heading in to see us.

We used to see mostly elderly customers, but now, maybe due to the larger ranges of health and beauty products we sell, we do see a much younger customer too.

For me the best part of the job is meeting people and inter-acting with them. We do get to talk to a lot of customers in a day, some with ailments and some who simply pop in to see us for a chat!”

Wendy Le Prevost dispensary assistant – 12 years.

Wendy has worked at the pharmacy for 12 years and is the dispensary assistant supporting Niall and her colleagues on the shop floor.

“I love how each day is different and brings with it different challenges because every individual will react

differently to ailments and to medicines. I worked at Lloyds pharmacy in Le Pollet for several years but changed career and became a housekeeper before returning to pharmacy work. I do enjoy it and this is certainly a fun and lively place to work.

We have a large number of regular customers who pop in for their prescriptions throughout the year so you get to know them well and they do become friends. We do feel very much a part of the community and it’s nice to be able to help people as we do.”

Marilyn Le Page – pharmacy assistant - eight years.

Customer care is important to Marilyn and she says, she is fortunate that during her career in retail she has been able to go on various courses which have helped

her develop her skills.

“We are a team that talks to people which may be why we are so busy. I have worked here for more than eight years now and I really enjoy coming to work. It’s a fun group of people to work with and everyone gets along so well. We do get a fair few elderly customers who look to us for support – or simply to spend some time talking to them, and we are happy to do so. It’s all about the people and Niall is keen to encourage us to use our people skills – and we do!”

Laura Michalska - Pharmacy assistant.

Laura is the newest member of staff and joined the pharmacy last October.

Now p regant with her second child, Laura says that the lively working environment makes the day job something she looks forward to.

“We are so lucky that we have an amazing number of regular customers who really do become like friends. We see them regularly and you get so much satisfaction from being able to help them.”

Tracy Hyde pharmacy assistant - five years.

When Woolworth’s closed its doors Tracy booked herself onto a variety of bookkeeping and computer courses.

“I wanted to expand my skills though I was already very experienced in customer care practises.”

She is now a member of the pharmacy team and says she is never bored – and loves the day to day interaction with a steady stream of customers who walk through the door every

day.

“Between us we have a great deal of product knowledge and know how so we are able to offer a lot of practical advice. Niall is also on hand to offer assistance for more complex medical problems and we always know when it is best to suggest a customer seeks help from their GP. But like most things you do pick up lots of information and knowledge as you go along and this pharmacy is a very forward thinking one, which keeps up with trends as well as offering more established medicines. It is a lively and fun place to work and I particularly like to chat with our customers who seem drawn to us.

Tracy loves to come to work as she says, the team are all great friends – but she is looking forward to her Thailand break later this year. “I like a focus to work to and my holiday does that for me!”

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Advertising feature

LIPOTRIM – the way to a brand new you for 2014 The Pharmacy at Grande Rue is offering the effective LIPOTRIM as a fast simple and effective way of getting in shape for the New Year.

Says Niall: “I think we are the only pharmacy offering this system because customers would normally have to sign up with a GP. They have a one to one personal consultation at the beginning of the process then come in to our private consultation room each week to be weighed. The system provides you with a full range of meal replacements and each week we monitor your progress and give you support.

Lipotrim is a specialised weight management programme run by pharmacies across the UK and

Ireland.

Lipotrim uses nutrient filled complete formula total food replacement products, developed in Britain by qualified nutritionists and experts in weight management, and proven to be safe and effective in helping you lose weight.

The unique foods keep you healthy whilst losing weight by providing the full range of nutrients your body needs for a normal, active life.

Lipotrim started out in 1987 as a GP programme but was extended to pharmacy to make it more accessible to overweight and obese people who were serious about wanting to lose weight.

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