Gallery Guernsey #41

Guernsey’s Style Magazine | no. 41 | August 2015 | the

[RIVALS]

issue

£ priceless

#41

‘rivals’

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

WWW.GALLERY.GG

Summer Sizzlers Get the most out of our 4G network this summer with one of our hot handsets FREE on our 5GB plan for ÂŁ37.50/m.

Including 5GB data, 2,000 minutes & 10,000 texts.

Ask in store for details or visit www.sure.com

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All 24 months and subject to availability. While stocks last.

“Join Sure on the grass at Cobo for our Sure Big Screen seven day spectacular!”

Tuesday 25 August

2.30pm Penguins of Madagascar (U) 5.15pm Maleficent (PG) 7.30pm Boyhood (15)

Wednesday 26 August 2.30pm Big Hero 6 (PG) 5.15pm Captain America: The Winter Soldier (PG-13) 7.30pm Guardians of the Galaxy (12) Thursday 27 August

2.30pm Book of Life (U) 5.15pm Hook (1992) (U) 7.30pm Dirty Dancing (12)

Friday 28 August

2.30pm The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (U) 5.15pm Annie (2014) (PG) 7.30pm Top Gun (15)

Saturday 29 August

2.30pm Planes 2: Fire & Rescue (PG) 5.15pm What We Did on Our Holiday (12A) 7.30pm The Theory of Everything (12)

Sunday 30 August

11.00am Frozen (sing-a-long) (PG) 12.45pm Paddington (PG) 7.30pm The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (PG)

Monday 31 August

2.30pm Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (PG) 5.15pm The Wizard of Oz (PG) 7.30pm The Italian Job (1969) (PG)

CONTENTS

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Editor’s Note...................................................... 11 Contributors ..................................................... 12 Behind the Scenes ........................................ 14 The News Upfront ........................................ 15 Events Listings ............................................... 16 Life’s a Beach (guide) ................................ 20 A Legend Without Rival ......................... 22 The Weather Fox .......................................... 24 Georgie’s Pic of the Month ................... 26 High Flying Female ................................... 28 Give: tour community ............................... 30 SOCIAL CIRCLES ......................33 MH Design Studio Launch ................... 34 CSA Presentations ...................................... 35 YBG Summer Ball........................................ 36 Welcome Home to Bonsai ..................... 37 Deloitte VS Appleby Cricket ............... 38 FASHION ..................................... 39 Shoot: Face Off ..............................................40 Jorja’s Wardrobe........................................... 48 Shop the Good Life ..................................... 50 BEAUTY&WELLBEING ............53 Blondes VS Brunettes ................................... 54 What’s Hot this Summer ............................. 56 Mind, Body, Health, Self ............................... 58 Wedding Belles ................................................ 59

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APPETITE..................................... 61 New Beginning for The End ................ 62 Sun Trap ............................................................. 64 Weddings with LMDC ............................. 66 Kitchen Library: Honestly Healthy for Life ... 67 ART & DESIGN .......................... 69 Cushion Queen............................................... 70 White Noise ..................................................... 72 The SoldStory Giveaway......................... 74 Buffalos in Sark ............................................. 76 Art for Everyone............................................ 78 Comic Rivals ................................................... 80

HARDWARE ............................. 127 Rivals ...................................................................128 Phone Home...................................................129 Gadgets............................................................. 130 PAPARAZZI............................... 132 Boardom ........................................................... 134

Guernsey’s brightest property section BUSINESS ................................. 107 Intro ..................................................................... 108 Business News ............................................. 109 Q&A: Peter Webber ................................... 110 White Rock’s New Local .........................112 Peering Ahead: P2P Lending .............. 114 Movers and Shakers .................................. 116 TRAVEL .......................................119 Set your Watch to Fiji Time ................ 120 SPORT......................................... 123 The Green Army Arrives in Jersey 124 MySport: Tony Bleasdale .......................126

PLACES ................................. 81 Sarnia Extends .................................... 84 Living Room ..........................................86 Vision .........................................................88 Martel Maides ..................................... 90 Carre Properties.................................. 92 Welcome Home Bonsai ................ 94 Cranfords ................................................ 96 Shields .......................................................98 Profile: Hidden Icon ...................... 100 Sarnia Estates .................................... 104

GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

HARDWARE

OYS TER PER PE TUAL L ADY-DATE JUS T PE ARL M A S TER

16-18

high street, st peter port, guernse y

watch featured subject to stock availability BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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THE VIVIANNA TORUN COLLEC TION

T H E B R I D G E , G U E R N S E Y, C H A N N E L I S L E S G Y 2 4 Q N W W W. R AYA N D S COT T.CO M

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THE FUSION COLLEC TION

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Gallery is published 11 times a year as a fresh yet discerning guide to all that happens on the island and beyond. With quality and style in mind, our tone is not too superior or too serious, written by the people of Guernsey for people everywhere.

HOLLER BELOW EDITOR

Claud De La Mare claud@gallery.gg SALES / ACCOUNT DIRECTION

Simon De La Rue 07839 777946 simon@gallery.gg

Excellence in all aspects of family law

Jonathan O’Connor 07911 721901 jonathan@gallery.gg STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

Simon Boucher-Harris 07911 732595 Etienne Laine 07781 413437 DISTRIBUTION

deliveries@gallery.gg ACCOUNTS

accounts@gallery.gg PRODUCTION

Ben Davies ben@gallery.gg Other contacts are on the contributors page

Entertain us with jokes, ideas, YouTube clips, etc.

everyone@gallery.gg

A5 • Hirzel Court • St Peter Port Guernsey • GY1 2NN T: 01481 740002 E: enquiries@brownsadvocates.com www.brownsadvocates.com 10

Recycle. Gallery recycles all its storage and packing materials, boxes and any old magazines that are returned. We don’t get that many fortunately. We love to know our readers hang on to previous copies but when you move or find that they’re taking up too much space, drop them down to the recycling bins in the car park off the Esplanade. If you want to find out more about recycling, call 01534 448586. We put this on the green strip to look eco innit... That’s smart!

published with gusto in Guernsey by Qube Holdings Ltd GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

INTRO

Guernsey’s Style Magazine | no. 41 | August 2015 | the

[RIVALS]

issue

editor’s note

£ priceless

#41

‘rivals’

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

WWW.GALLERY.GG

#41 [RIVALS] COVER CREDITS PHOTOGRAPHY Renegade Photography ASSISTANT Shanine Levrier

Social networking shizzle Be our friend and we’ll tell you secrets

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ GALLERYMAGAZINEGUERNSEY

WWW.TWITTER.COM/ GALLERYMAGGSY

I

’ve always been of the mind that a bit of rivalry is a good thing. It appears throughout our lives in various forms and inescapably moulds our character.

Growing up with three sisters, sibling rivalry played a big part in my life. The four of us relished winding each other up; arguing over everything from clothes to curfews, which over time developed into each of us finding our own unique interests in order to give the others a wide berth, and learning to march to the beat of our own drum. Nadia is the creative (and the subject of our Artist Profile this month), Nicole’s practical skills became a career in interior design and Colette, being the youngest, was always the performer and is now forging a singing career in Hollywood. I’m sure my sisters will agree that even to this day seeing each others’ successes makes us strive harder in our own lives.

Now my sisters are not only my greatest rivals but also my very best friends.

This month Gallery is packed full of people who have harnessed the power of rivalry for the better. The music-loving, powerboat champion Etasse brothers tell us how sibling rivalry drove their passions. Legendary local boxing champion Gerry Walsh talks us through an extraordinary career in a sport where harnessing one’s competitive nature is key. Jo Salter tells us how she confronted not only the rivalries of war, but also of the sexes, as she became Britain’s first female jet pilot and is now an inspirational speaker. And Jo Dyer reports directly from her gold medal win at the Island Games.

Rivalries run through our usual appetite, sport, hardware, design, travel and business sections. Our regular beauty pages chart the age-old question ‘do blondes have more fun?’ with a piece dedicated to the rivalries between blondes and brunettes packed full of tips and advice for each from expert salon owners Tania of The White Room and Nathan of Thomas & Wynne. Plus on our fashion pages we show how there should be absolutely no rivalry between mature vs. young as both our gentlemen models look equally dashing… this one is for you ladies; gents – enjoy the cars ;)

Harness the power of rivalry in your life.

Claud @claudarelli

ARE YOU IN? You can also view paparazzi photos on our facebook page.

Learn more > www.gallery.gg

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11

CONTRIBUTORS

#41 CONTRIBUTORS Some of the faces that made this edition

JO DYER

Mad but harmless, Jo is a Guernsey girl who laughs too loudly, talks to herself and is always running five minutes late. She loves making lists and has everything you need to survive anything in her handbag.

Tennis is the love of her life.

LEAH FOSS

Leah is here at Gallery for work experience and having a great time. She’s a lover of food music and photography but at the moment is busy being a shattered sixth form student after just finishing the first year.

CONTRIBUTE

ADVERTISE

FEATURE

CONTRIBUTORS@GALLERY.GG

ADS@GALLERY.GG

FEATURES@GALLERY.GG

Rip it, scrap it, comment, critique, research, report. Opinions wanted on politics, business, news, home, property, music, gadgets, sports and culture. Something annoyed you and you want to tell the island? We’re here for you baby.

If you’d like to see your name in... er... print, get in touch.

We understand that the medium is the message.

If you are an artist with work to exhibit, an event or entertainment organiser with an event coming up or a business with some exciting news or a new product to feature, get in touch. We’re keen to feature anything of interest that will entertain our readers.

businesses that advertise within it. Gallery is dedicated to being the highest quality magazine for stylish and progressive brands. If you have a business or strategy to promote to Guernsey’s forward-thinking consumer, get in touch.

CONTACT ITEMS OF A POSTAL NATURE 11, The Arcade St Peter Port GY1 1LA

CHIT CHAT

711100

EVENTS

ACCOUNTS

DISTRIBUTION simon@gallery.gg

claud@gallery.gg

For all accounts enquires please email michelle@gallery.gg

Disclaimer.

All rights reserved. Any form of reproduction of Gallery Magazine, in part or whole is strictly prohibited without the written consent of the publisher. Any views expressed by advertisers or contributors may not be those of the publisher.

Unsolicited artwork, manuscripts and copy are accepted by Gallery Magazine, but the publisher cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage. All material, copy and artwork supplied is assumed to be copyright free unless otherwise advised. Contributions for Gallery should be emailed to editorial@gallery.gg . Names have been changed to protect the innocent and no penguins were harmed in the manufacture of this magazine, you can’t prove nuffing. Why are you still reading the small print? How about researching what really makes the best paper aeroplane? Test them with your friends or colleagues, add a picture to our Facebook and we’ll send you some doughnuts...

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GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

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BEHIND THE SCENES

Words SIMON BOUCHER-HARRIS Photographer

‘Rivals’ - a tough theme to plan a shoot around! We decided friendly rivalry was the way forward, (slightly less chance of violence), and decided it would be great to do a men’s fashion shoot this month. Paul and Matt are friends who share some great banter; lots of laughs and some brilliant putdowns, so they were the perfect choice to model for us this month.

I wanted to achieve a high end look for this edition, and with Guernsey high street heroes Samuel Pepys and Ray & Scott providing the clothing and watches, we suited and booted the boys in a style that fitted the theme perfectly. We also had an incredible opportunity to borrow some seriously tasty props in the form of a black Aston Martin Vantage and a white Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, and it’s fair to say they caused a few jaws to hit the floor then they rolled up on set.

When you shoot outdoors fingers are always tightly crossed for good weather, and after a week of solid sunshine and beautiful evenings - it poured down, non stop. I had to quickly rethink my initial shoot plan and use the conditions to add to the images, good job I love a challenge.

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I used Elinchrom Quadra mobile location lighting and the new mirrorless Sony A7 range of cameras with Zeiss lenses. Luckily they’re weather sealed as pretty much everything else got completely drenched during the shoot.

Shanine Levrier again provided expert makeup, (sorry boys, you’ve been sprung), and did a great job of assisting me throughout the shoot, which proved to be pretty tricky thanks to the weather.

Everyone involved did an amazing job despite the conditions quickly moving from overcast, to light rain, and then to constant heavy drizzle. This meant working

We also had an incredible opportunity to borrow some seriously tasty props in the form of a black Aston Martin Vantage and a white Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, and it’s fair to say they caused a few jaws to hit the floor then they rolled up on set. incredibly quickly to minimise chances of equipment, clothes, (and models), getting damaged. I’d planned a light, summery shoot but I guess in the finest Guernsey summer tradition, rain was the theme of the day. Despite the change of plan I was really pleased with how the shoot turned out, and we hope you like it!

GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

THE NEWS UPFRONT TOP TWEETERS

Gallery News Highlights

TOP OF OUR NEWSFEED… We burnt dinner Dinner plans were put on hold as Guernsey collectively held its breath for our girl Heather Watson as she took on the formidable Serena Williams at Wimbledon. Not only did she do us proud but she proved to us all that sometimes it’s not just the winning, but the taking part that counts. Hands down most exciting match of Wimbledon – welcome to the big time, Heather!

Festival season hit Guernsey went festival mad with a very successful Sark Folk Festival, read more on page 79, and another Taste Guernsey Seafront Sunday festival of food. And with the Literary Festival and International Food Festival in the pipeline for September it’s not over yet!

Living got Kushy These Kushy Living cushions would make great gifts for islanders living here or abroad - in your home, boat, campervan or just to rest your head on when you are down the beach. The cushions are available in two different fabrics and you can buy online at www.kushyliving.com or or pop down to Channel Island Silver by the Little Chapel.

Students break world record!

Guernsey boys James Reilly and Ted Simpson broke the Guinness World Record for crossing Loch Ness by tandem kayak.

They achieved this in 4 hours, 43 minutes and 43 seconds, with half an hour to spare and no sightings of Nessie. They raised over £1,700 for the charity Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Well done!

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TOP FOOD This September Guernsey will host its first International Food Festival. With a diary packed full of mouthwatering events showcasing the best of Guernsey grub, make sure you receive the latest updates in your Twitter feed. @GuernseyFood Follow for the latest festival updates plus appearances from all of your favourite local food stops.

@TasteGuernsey If you love Guernsey and are passionate about food all year long then these updates are a must for your newsfeed.

@SeigiM Let Seigi introduce you to the chocolate mint plant and a whole host of new flavours for your kitchen.

@FortGrey Meet Fenella, the brains behind this local, award-winning cheese.

Use social media mindfully In a month where our deputies highlighted the abuse that they receive online we remind our readers of the golden rule of online etiquette: ‘treat people the way that you would like to be treated’. Remember those at the receiving end of your insults are real people too with families and feelings. How are we ever going to encourage the people that we need into the States if we don’t show them any respect?

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LISTINGS

ON THIS AUGUST IN GUERNSEY

01.08.15-02.08.15

TORTEVAL SCARECROW FESTIVAL Torteval Parish Church//Starts 10am// Adults £1.50, Children 50p This year marks the 12th Scarecrow festival in Guernsey. It involves a gentle walk of an hour and a half through the rural lanes of Torteval, seeing over 60 different scarecrows.

01.08.15-08.08.15 ALDERNEY WEEK Alderney//£FREE

With events including the big picnic on opening day, a festival of colour and Paz Circus, you’ll love Alderney’s main summer event: the 67th Alderney Week! There are over 100 events with the theme of Cowboys vs Aliens. Loads of fun for the entire family.

02.08.15

SEAFRONT SUNDAY WITH A TASTE OF GUERNSEY St Peter Port Harbour//£FREE

A Taste of Guernsey brings yet another Seafront Sunday! And with them they take over this seafront with cookery demonstrations and free tasting of traditional dishes.

07.08.15 & 14.08.1522.08.15 KPMG CASTLE NIGHTS AND ODDSOCKS – OUTDOOR THEATRE Castle Cornet//£FREE

KPMG have been bringing music to Castle Cornet every Friday Night since 17.07.15 from 6pm. Oddsocks – Outdoor Theatre are one of the UK’s most loved theatre companies and they come to Castle Cornet this month performing two William Shakespeare classics: Much Ado About Nothing and Twelfth Night.

Doors will be opening from 5.45pm. So grab your tickets from GuernseyTickets.gg and enjoy!

08.08.15 & 31.08.15

BRITISH MOTOR RACING HILL CLIMB Val des Terres//Starts 9am//£FREE

Burning rubber and screeching tyres? Watch racecars and motorbikes race up the Val des

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Terres to get the quickest time.

08.08.15 – 29.08.15 MUSIC EVENTS AT ST JAMES CONCERT HALL St James Concert Hall//Tickets between £5.00 and £20.00

St James is offering multiple concerts this month to you, the public, from the Russian Virtuosi to the Elizabeth College Summer Orchestral Course Concert.

09.08.15

THE FARMHOUSE GAZEBO GIG

Farmhouse//Coolplay//Call 264381//£29.95

Like food and music? Then this one is for you!

Enjoy a carvery roast and live music from the UK’s No.1 Coldplay tribute band, Coolplay. JT will be giving away free JT summer gig loyalty bands that give 15% off all drinks at any of the venues where the events take place, these are available at the JT shop on the high street and are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Sit on the sea wall at Vazon and watch the 7th and 8th race of the 2015 competition.

19.08.15 – 20.08.15 THE WEST SHOW

L’Eree Aerodrome//Adults £6.00, Children £3

This year marks the 101st year of the annual West Show in Guernsey and this year promises to be bigger and better than all the shows before. On top of the agricultural and horticultural traditions there will also be competitions, music and fairground rides.

22.08.15

DONKEY DERBY Saumarez Park//£FREE

With charity stalls and donkey races what more could you want from a free event?

14.08.15-15.08.15 THE SOUTH SHOW

St Martins Community Centre//Opens from 1pm//Adults £3.00, Children £1.00 You’re all invited to this year’s South Show!

Here you will be able to see all the different exhibits and the craft and bric-a-brac stalls, as well as a bouncy castle for the kids and refreshments and a raffle for the adults.

15.08.15 & 29.08.15

SAND RACING @ VAZON BAY Vazon Bay//Starts 12.30pm//£FREE

25.08.15 – 31.08.15 SURE BIG SCREEN Grass at Cobo//£FREE

Sure is bringing back its Big Screen for its seven-day summer spectacular. And with it they are bringing classic films like ‘The Wizard of Oz’ to Golden Globe winners like ‘The Theory of Everything’, films for the kids like ‘Big Hero 6’ and films for the adults such as ‘Top Gun’. Make sure you grab your spot on the grass and relax while watching a free film.

GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

ELSEWHERE 26.08.15 – 27.08.15

THE NORTH SHOW & THE BATTLE OF FLOWERS Saumarez Park//Adults £TBA, Children £TBA

Enjoy an action-packed day full of colour and excitement at Saumarez Park. Go on the fairground rides, grab a bite to eat, see the livestock and watch the arena come to life with the colourful floats handmade by the locals.

30.08.15 - 07.09.2015

BURNING MAN

BLACK ROCK CITY, NEVADA, UNITED STATES Burning Man conjures up all kinds of outrageous images for the uninitiated: from naked New-Agers dancing till dawn to polyamorous pursuers fueled by drugs. Yes, the Playa (the desert stage location where the Man, the temple and much of the art is) is a culturally curious place, one part hedonistic, one part idealistic.

But, amidst the hippies and Silicon Valley CEOs that populate this pop-up town, the common thread is an appreciation of the lifeaffirming nature of the artistic spirit.

BURNINGMAN.ORG

26.08.15 - 28.08.2015

AIR GUITAR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

OULU, FINLAND Remember the good old days of the power ballad, when you used to bust out on the dance floor with some epic air guitar during AC/DC’s ‘Back in Black’. Well, here is your chance to show off those moves again in front of thousands of adoring fans at the Air Guitar World Championships in Oulu, northern Finland.

AIRGUITARWORLDCHAMPIONSHIPS.COM

28.08.15 - 30.08.2015

CREAMFIELDS

30.08.15

THE GUERNSEY WATERFRONT MARATHON AND SEAFRONT SUNDAY Guernsey//St Peter Port Harbour

The marathon that takes the runners through all 10 parishes in the island. It started 106 years ago and has now attracted marathon runners from around the globe. Make sure you go down to the waterfront and support the locals.

30.08.15

JT SUMMER BALCONY GIG WITH FLEETWOOD BAC

Cobo Bay Hotel//Fleetwood Bac and Pete Frampton//£FREE Fleetwood Bac is a tribute band for Fleetwood Mac, they are the only band to authentically replicate the classics. Supporting them is original donkey, Pete Frampton,

DARESBURY ESTATE, WARRINGTON, ENGLAND While Cream nightclub is known for playing house music, the Creamfields festival hosts artists from a wide range of popular genres in dance music including drum ‘n’ bass, techno, dubstep, electronica and other house styles including hard, deep, tribal, funky and indie. With 200 artists set to fill 11 stages over three days, partygoers can expect huge LED screens, VIP lounges, cocktail bars, fairground rides, and silent discos to complete their oversized rave experience.

CREAMFIELDS.COM

07.08.15 - 31.08.2015

EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the largest arts festival in the world, taking place most of August each year, packing theatres, pubs, and streets making a massive canvas of human creativity. With a programme of over 40,000 performances, 3,000 distinct shows and artists from nearly 50 countries, it’s no wonder that nearly 2 million people come out for the festival every year. Whether you’re into concerts, plays, and ballet; or opera, synchronised pyrotechnics, and improv comedy, there’s something on the schedule for you.

EDFRINGE.COM

26.08.2015

LA TOMATINA

BUÑOL, SPAIN Who cast that first fateful tomato that started the La Tomatina revolution? The reality is no one knows. According to the most popular version of the story, during the 1945 festival of Los Gigantes (a giant paper mâché puppet parade), locals were looking to stage a brawl to get some attention. They happened upon a vegetable cart nearby and starting hurling ripe tomatoes.

Innocent onlookers got involved until the scene escalated into a massive melee of flying fruit.

LATOMATINA.INFO

TRAVEL

LIFE’S A BEACH (GUIDE) Words Adam Bayfield, Tony Curr & Gordon MacRae Photography Etienne Laine

COBO VS PORT SOIF Which side of the bay are you on?

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GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

Port Soif

A

crystal clear lagoon and excellently catered beach cafe vs fish and chips on the sea wall and the lure of the ‘Rockie’. Where do you go for the best of the west?

Cobo Optimum Tide Mid, coming up Best Feature The sand, the sea and the sunsets.

Worst Feature Almost always very busy.

Description A wonderful family beach that caters to every demand, Cobo is regarded with great fondness locally. It’s probably the most popular beach on the island, particularly amongst the ‘young adult’ crowd, who are seduced as much by the proximity of the Rockmount as anything else. The ‘Rockie’, just over the road from the beach, is as busy a bar as can be found outside of St Peter Port, and during the summer months serves

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

as a nightspot in its own right. Cobo is a beach for everybody, though it can also sometimes feel like a beach with everybody – anyone seeking solitude should look elsewhere, because on summer afternoons Cobo positively crawls with people, who sunbathe, swim and play ball games as the bay echoes with the sounds of fun. But it’s not always that way - on a sunny day in June or September, with the sea bright blue and the beach deserted, you might well conclude that you’ve found Paradise.

Optimum Tide High Best Feature Port Soif’s unique shape makes swimming at high tide a joy.

Worst Feature That same shape makes swimming at low tide impossible.

Description With its memorable horseshoe shape, Port Soif is possibly Guernsey’s most distinctive beach. It’s undoubtedly one of the most charming. Ploughing a furrow down from the north, the coastline arcs sharply round in a crescent here, giving the bay an unusual form, especially compared to the rest of the somewhat homogenous (though lovely) West Coast. The sight of that semi-circle at high tide - water shimmering in the sunlight, lapping onto the powdery sand - is quite breathtaking.

Port Soif is one of Guernsey’s most popular beaches, and it’s not hard to work out why.

As a result, at the height of summer it can get quite crowded, but even at its most densely packed it’s rarely uncomfortable. Set up camp somewhere in the middle, near to the rolling sand dunes and swaying marram grass, and very quickly lose hours of your life sunbathing or reading a book on sand as soft as a mattress.

At low tide there’s no water at all in the bay (hence the name ‘Port Soif’ – ‘thirsty port’), but as the tide creeps up it becomes fantastic for swimming. The shape of the bay creates a natural lagoon, meaning that it’s virtually never rough, and the water is always clear, crisp and smooth. It’s also surprisingly deep - try running in and you’ll find you fall over only a few steps beyond the edge. But fear not: the protective shape of the bay, and the stillness of the water, mean that while you might go out of your depth fairly quickly, you never feel far from dry land.

And as if all that wasn’t enough, Port Soif also boasts a superb kiosk, Surfside, where you can relax on deck chairs in a leafy garden, drinking tea and hot chocolate and feeling the warmth of the sun on your face.

The beach provides a real focus for Cobo Village, one of the few discernible settlements on this side of the island.

Nearby amenities include a general store, tearoom and a variety of places to eat and drink. Sitting on the wall to watch the sun drop behind the fishing boats and the distant rocks is an experience so magnificent, so wondrous, that the only way it could possibly be improved would be with fish, chips and mushy peas. Luckily, these are available from the excellent Cobo Fish Bar at the top of the slipway.

i

guernseybeachguide.com

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MY ISLAND

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Paul and Neil Etasse

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ikeminded brothers Paul and Neil Etasse are a formidable team, having achieved considerable success in power boating and esteem as drummers on the local music scene.

With little over two years separating them and having always had very similar interests, there was the inevitable sibling rivalry when they were younger. But as they grew into adults they turned their

Words Tom Bradshaw

competitiveness into the strength of working together, and now get on famously.

By day Paul is a postman and Neil is a signwriter. Outside work it’s music, cars and boats. Their power boating team, Slayer, for which Paul is driver and Neil is engineer, has a national record to its name alongside a string of local successes. Both are equally well known for their drumming in various bands, Paul most noticeably in Byzanthian Neckbeard and Neil in Heave.

The brothers are proud Guerns, coming from a long line of locals. Their grandfather

from their mother’s side never stepped foot off Guernsey in his 82 years of life and was always happy. Paul, 33, and Neil, 30, grew up in Braye du Val, in a house their other grandfather built. They were brought up around boats as their dad was a boat builder. Summer holidays were spent camping in Herm with a small cabin cruiser moored in the harbour as a base. Here they learned seamanship and a love of boats. In their teenage years they found music. The Etasses put the utmost enthusiasm into everything they do.

FEATURE

We’re having a new hull built for next season, and we’ll be aiming high in the European and World Class 3A Championships. I’d also love to go for the outboard powered monohull speed record too, which is currently 103.02mph. If anyone would like to sponsor please get in touch!

N: He’s always been the academic one, far smarter than me! But I’ve always been better at working with my hands so the pair of us work well together. His worst quality is his lack of patience.

How did you get into playing music?

P: When I was around 14 a few of my friends wanted to form a band, so I volunteered to play drums and learned as I went along. I’ve tried guitar since but am far too ham-fisted, so have stuck to whacking drums.

N: Paul taught me the basics of drumming as he learned, and I taught myself the rest.

I have sung in bands too but I’d rather be behind the kit any day.

What have been your musical highlights?

P: Playing Bloodstock Festival last year with Byzanthian Neckbeard was a definite highlight - being on the same bill as some of my favourite bands in the world was amazing. I’m proud of every band I’ve been in though.

N: Filling the Peace Tent at Chaos Festival with Heave was my personal highlight. Also any of the times we supported our friends Bulletproof from Jersey with mine and Paul’s old band Limefire.

Who has the best music taste?

P: Definitely me.

N: Mine is more varied. Our tastes in heavy music are very similar, but you’ll find a lot more punk, acoustic, and even folk on my iPod.

Did you get along growing up? How about now?

Paul: No and no! I broke his arm on the beach when he was about five by pushing him off a rock. I think he’s been looking for payback ever since!

Neil: Far less growing up, much more so now. I was the annoying little brother and like most siblings we argued. That’s not to say that we don’t have the odd falling out now too!

What are your brother’s best and worst qualities?

P: He’s extremely good at fabrication and figuring out engineering problems, which helps massively with the boat. Worst quality is probably his short temper, which we definitely both inherited from our dad!

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

How did you get into power boating?

P: Growing up, Powerboat Week was the highlight of my year. With dad doing repair work on a lot of the boats we were always around them. I’d always dreamed of racing, so when the sport had a resurgence locally I had to get involved. I started out with a cheap boat that I bought from a friend and blew the motor up before we even crossed a start line, but I was hooked. I got a new motor, but snapped that and split the boat’s hull in our first race. We’ve learned a lot about making things stronger in the last few years.

N: As soon as Paul decided he wanted to race, I knew that it was my duty to be the pit monkey. I do most of the engineering, fabrication and repair work.

What do you like about the sport?

P: I love going fast, I love the sea, I like scaring myself now and then, I like taking things apart and trying to make them better so it’s perfect for me. I have a great navigator in Chris Stonebridge – he’s a key part of the team and we work very well together.

N: The camaraderie, good sportsmanship and banter between local racers, and the incredible job that the Guernsey Powerboat Association does race after race. It’s an amazing thing to be a part of.

What have been your favourite moments power boating?

P: Our first lap in the 2014 world championships was amazing. We didn’t have a great start but as soon as we hit the rough water on the way down to Fermain and out to Lowerheads we were flying and overtook around 10 boats. It was brutal but we were loving it. Breaking a national speed record on Lake Coniston last year was a great moment too.

N: The 2014 world championships in Guernsey were amazing all round, but standing at the end of the jetty at Coniston last year seeing Paul and Chris officially break that record is my best memory so far. Seeing a boat that used lots of my homemade and modified parts achieve that kind of success is something that I’ll be proud of forever. It was made even better by the fact our awesome parents were there to share the memory with us. There were a lot of high fives that day!

What are your next goals?

P: We’re having a new hull built for next season, and we’ll be aiming high in the European and World Class 3A Championships. I’d also love to go for the outboard powered monohull speed record too, which is currently 103.02mph. If anyone would like to sponsor please get in touch!

N: To finish my long-term labour of love, a 1930 Ford Model A hotrod, and take it to some UK and European shows. Also doing my bit to make sure team Slayer sees as much success and safe racing as possible.

What is a good night out in Guernsey for you?

P: Several Bredas in the Guernsey Yacht Club after a race weekend then into town with the other racers – that’s always a good night.

N: A good gig at the Fermain Tavern followed by an after-party somewhere.

What is your poison?

P: Breda, bourbon and dark rum N: Breda Superdry, cider and black, or Red Stag and coke Where do you like to eat out?

P: Cornerstone, I don’t even have to tell them my order!

N: Queens or The Cornerstone.

The soundtrack to the opening credits of your life story would be…

P: Pantera, Strength Beyond Strength. Don’t bother wasting time with intros and get straight to the good stuff!

N: Reuben, Every Time a Teenager Listens to Drum and Bass a Rockstar Dies.

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‘Boxing is the sport to which all other sports aspire.’

George Foreman

A LEGEND

WITHOUT RIVAL

Words | Liam Doherty

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GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

I could not agree more with heavyweight Hall of Famer ‘Big George’, not that I have the testicular fortitude to do anything other. The sweet science transcends its nature as a sport more so than any other; legendary triumph and grave tragedy are produced in equal measure when it comes to boxing.

When Gallery set the theme of ‘rivals’ for the August issue, I could think of no better subject than my adoptive sport (which has occupied my mind for an inordinate amount of time each day of the last two years), and no better person to talk to than local boxing legend Gerry Walsh.

The punter pays to catch but a climatic glimpse of a boxer’s story. While the themes of persistence and courage ring just as true outside the squared circle as inside of it, the hostility and barbarism the punter pays for isn’t what the boxing community is all about.

‘You meet some characters through boxing,’ says Gerry Walsh, 80 years old, after driving me to near exhaustion at Guernsey’s amateur boxing club. An octogenarian boxing the ears off a man a quarter of his age on a Sunday morning just doesn’t happen anywhere but in the ring. Gerry’s story, like so many others pugilism has produced, is an inspiring one that started from humble beginnings.

In the throes of the Second World War at an army barracks on the outskirts of Dublin, to which children were often drawn solely on account of the hot chocolate promised to them after training, Gerry’s boxing career started at nine years old; the age at which he had his first bout. He moved to Bristol with his family while still young and trained up until he was called upon for National Service, the delightful British term for conscription, in the early fifties where he furthered his boxing career.

Gerry represented both Ireland and the British army as a light-welterweight boxer, racking up many more wins than losses and turning heads along the way. After serving his time in the forces, Gerry opened his own boxing club in Bristol where he resettled to train competing amateur boxers whilst boxing competitively himself; but one of the heads turned by the dedication and intensity with which he approached his training was a senior army officer offering a role in the forces.

Muhammad Ali once said, ‘He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.’ An

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

accomplished competitive boxer running a successful boxing gym needn’t take risks, but Gerry took one anyway. This is the attitude that makes champions in life as well as the ring: grafting at the same job and drumming the same punchbag all your life may get you somewhere eventually, but it’s not until you take a risk that life starts to get really interesting.

competitive boxing aged 28, with no fewer than 200 amateur fights to his name! Now you’re familiar with the man, you might’ve guessed ‘retirement’ is an ill-suited term; he only hung up his gloves so as to lace up those of future boxers back in his adoptive hometown of Bristol, where he opened Newman’s Amateur Boxing Club, which found quick success on the amateur circuit.

What I’ve taken from Gerry, and boxing as a whole, is that working your ass off, being humble in learning, confident in action and taking the odd risk is a formula for success.

That’s boxing.

Gerry then moved on to Guernsey in 1969, co-founding and presiding over La Corbinerie Gateway Club, a charitable organisation giving mentally disabled sportspeople equal opportunities in competitive sport, and assuming the role of head coach at the Amalgamated Boys Club.

Thus one Corporal Gerry Walsh was posted to Northern Ireland, Kenya and Germany as a physical exercise instructor: waking up at 6am for the first of three eight-mile runs of the day with a squad of combat troops, training alongside pugilistic contemporaries such as Sir Henry Cooper (you can find rare proof of Ali’s fallibility by YouTubing ‘Cooper vs Clay’. You’ll see ‘Enry’s ‘Ammer knocking the greatest for six) and all the while representing Ireland and the British army on the national stage.

Gerry missed out on representing Great Britain at the Olympics, losing a hard-fought decision against Scot Dick McTaggart, who had a then-rare advantage of being a leftie, or ‘southpaw’ in boxing parlance. ‘You just didn’t get southpaws in those days,’ Gerry tells me, chuckling. ‘You were made to box orthodox.’ Though Gerry pressed him every second of the fight, pulling back-to-front punches from unfamiliar angles proved too big an adjustment to make and he lost a narrow decision. McTaggart went on to win gold at the 1956 Olympic Games (Gerry’s involvement with the Olympic amateur squad didn’t end there – he contributed to the team’s training on an ongoing basis).

Gerry’s tenacity continued to turn heads wherever he fought and saw him topping bills at shows as far afield as West Germany.

‘My commanding officer had words with me,’ Gerry tells me. ‘He said “you’ve fought nine times in 11 days, Gerry!”’ He must have thought him mad. A serving contemporary, CSM Bell, writing in a British paper circa 1955, wrote of his ‘tremendous courage, fighting spirit and 100% fitness… it didn’t matter how good or experienced his opponents were, they were kept busy all the time’ ‘and the spectators got good value for their money.’ Value for money is right – the deutschmarks paid to Gerry for the successful rearrangement of his and his opponent’s faces didn’t just go into his back pocket, they went to the underprivileged children of the war-ravaged nation.

Maintaining good relations with an occupied populace is one thing; it’s another to earn a loyal local following and present the Mayor of Dusseldorf with a boxing glove filled with the money you’ve earned whooping his compatriots’ backsides. That’s boxing.

Corporal Walsh’s return to civilian life was coupled with his retirement from

Predictably, his presence was overwhelmingly beneficial to the boxers competing under his tutelage, dramatically so, as the moral of this article will tell (space constraints prevent my further detailing Gerry’s contributions and accomplishments, certainly not due to a lack of them).

Jersey’s boxing squad, historically trouncing Guernsey’s prior to Gerry’s taking the reins, were in for a shock one night at the Carlton Hotel: the Guernsey squad had tallied seven unanswered wins against their archrivals, won in such emphatic and brutal a manner that Gerry was compelled to refuse sending out the remainder of his squad to fight under the watch of a referee allowing

Still fighting: Then and now. Gerry Walsh

such savage punishment to be absorbed by amateur sportsmen.

And it is in this action, symbolic of honourable rivalry trumping barbarity, taken by a man who personifies what the grassroots boxing community is all about, that our rivalry moral lies: for all the violence of the sport at club, national and international level, what boxing is truly about is breeding respect, discipline, camaraderie and honourable rivalry among those who choose to box, often for lacking these qualities in their upbringings. It’s not the base instinct of dog-eat-dog that prevails in boxing; you wouldn’t survive long in a boxing gym if you thought it did.

The characters you meet, the feats you witness; the friends and rivals you make – that’s boxing.

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FEATURE

SUMMER HIGH, CONVECTION DEEP Words: The Guernsey Weather Fox

Undulatus clouds on the edge of a passing cumulonimbus cloud this July (by The Weather Fox)

A

ugust is the month that most of us consider to be the height of summer.

Of the three summer months on the northern hemisphere’s meteorological calendar, the sun is least elevated and intense. However it is the final month by that definition so I guess you could consider it as the climax.

Summer on the astronomical calendar runs from the Summer Solstice in late June until the Autumnal Equinox in late September.

According to that calendar, the first week of August is pretty much midsummer, so that’s another good reason to think of it as the peak. As for the climate record; focusing on Guernsey (although the same is true for most of the northern hemisphere), August is statistically the warmest month, both for daily maxima and the nightly minima. Interestingly it is not the driest month, both June and July are drier, but it is the least windy month (more about those stats later). There is one statistic, however, that does reflect its true ‘over the hill’ position, because (like it or not) we are firmly on the decline into winter. This statistic is the sunshine hours; it only comes forth in those rankings. Indeed, even the spring month of May averages four and a half more hours of

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sunshine than August. I think the real reason why we all hold August in such high regard is because of its amazing status throughout our formative years. Six weeks of no school!

Woohoo! Not even Father Christmas could match that. No way, his sack of junk doesn’t come close. At least that’s how I remember it... I guess it wasn’t so great for people like Harry Potter.

Anyway, whilst you all enjoy whatever sunshine is on offer, I’m going to focus the rest of this article on rainfall. I usually avoid the word ‘precipitation’ because it can sound a bit nerdy and aloof. However it would be quite appropriate on this occasion, because it’s not just a splattering of rain that is likely during a European summer, you can also expect a few batterings from large hailstones. In fact, if you want to talk about really freaky stuff like biblical plagues, then that would be most likely at the height of summer too. The reason is because this is deep convection season; the time when supercell thunderstorms, funnel-clouds, tornadoes and waterspouts are relatively common. Emphasis on the word ‘relatively’. If you studied an observations map of Europe throughout the summer (particularly August), you might be surprised to see that there are several of these dotted around almost every day. However they are so localised, compared to the broad and relatively bland winter depressions, that they feel like

“

Guernsey thunderstorms tend to be secondhand continental rejects.

Although there can be some beauties, their surface heat source is usually massively reduced as they migrate over the Channel..

” GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

FEATURE

2

3

4

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2. The same evening in the north of the island (by Nathan Miller). 3. The same evening over Vale Church (by Paul Marries). 4. An awesome lightning shot from an impressive storm in late June (by Paul Lower). 6. Altocumulus Castelanus will often turn up in late afternoon or evening. These are high turret-like clouds which often scatter a beautiful array of sunbeams down to the ground. They are the number 1 indicator of thunderstorm development over the Channel Islands. (by Paul Mariess)

rare events in any one place, especially Guernsey. The Channel Islands particularly cannot be nicknamed Tornado Alley for sound meteorological reasons, but we do get our fair share of awesome spectacles (sorry SpecSavers, but that wasn’t a reference to your lovely glasses).

Convection is the rearrangement of a fluid according to buoyancy. In other words, less dense fluid rising above denser fluid until a relatively settled state is reached. When you boil a pan of water, hot water expands and bubbles through the cooler water to the surface. It looks violent and confused at first but, once the heat is removed from beneath, the water will quickly sort itself so that the hotter water is at the top and the cooler, denser water is at the bottom. The same is true for the atmosphere, but the heating that drives it is not a kitchen hob, but usually the earth’s surface that is heated by sunshine.

Occasionally it is triggered by cold air gliding over the top rather than hot air at the bottom. Sometimes it is both. Whatever the mechanism, it is about vertical movement of air, and in the warmest month of the year the depth of the troposphere is often more

During the same storm, tornadic rotation was observed directly over the Vale (by Ewan Mauger) > BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

than double that of the coldest months. The cumulonimbus clouds are therefore much taller, the hailstones within them grow much larger, the turbulence and rotation within them is more violent, and so is the lightning.

Guernsey thunderstorms tend to be secondhand continental rejects. Although there can be some beauties, their surface heat source is usually massively reduced as they migrate over the Channel. At this point they often fizzle away to nothing before reaching us, but sometimes the convection continues to be driven by cool upper air at the fringes of Atlantic low pressure systems.

This usually (but not always) means that the cloud bases are very high, so we often get a great lightshow and see some crazy clouds,

but avoid a thorough soaking because much of the rain and hail evaporates or sublimes en route from cloud to ground. I’m writing this in the first half of July and thus far we have seen fewer than a handful of summer thunderstorms brushing our horizons this year, and one very exciting one directly overhead. The best way to be prepared for them is to read my extended forecasts on a daily basis. However, if you’re too busy having fun, then look out for hot sticky days when the wind is from the eastern half of the compass.

The storms will often come in the evening or overnight, or perhaps the following morning if the wind is really slack. Watch out for those that arrive late the following morning; they often come with lower cloud bases, torrential rain and flash-flooding.

Have a great month and don’t forget to send me your pictures.

i

www.guernseyweatherfox.com

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FEATURE

PIC(K) OF THE MONTH

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GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

See the whole back catalogue and sign up for Chris’ daily updates at chrisgeorge.dphoto.com

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As Britain’s first female fast jet pilot, Jo Salter has policed the no-fly zone in Iraq, flown with 617 Squadron and got to grip with plastic pants. Gallery was thrilled to meet this inspirational, energetic lady.

High Flying Female Words Caroline Mauger

J

o Salter didn’t always want to be a pilot: she once dreamed of being a hairdresser and spent hours sweeping up trimmings at the local salon. Jo’s educational psychologist mother advised her daughter that opting for maths and sciences, however, would buy her opportunities.

Applications for sponsorships followed A levels. ‘I’d love to say that the reason I signed up with the RAF is that I could see this destiny ahead of me, but actually they offered me more money to go to do my degree than anybody else did,’ says Jo. She studied Electronic Systems Engineering at the Royal Military College in Shrivenham and in 1989, the year she graduated, the government announced that women were allowed to fly multi-engine aircraft and helicopters.

you could reach. It’s about stretching yourself, becoming more and being better.’

On going to Iraq, she says, ‘Policing the front line was just the next step, it’s what everyone was doing.’

Being a woman in a traditionally maledominated environment is bound to get you noticed. ‘When you’re different in any environment you stand out more, so mistakes you make and things you say may be observed more than if you’re one of a crowd,’ Jo comments. On the whole, her colleagues were supportive and even protective: ‘I was having a drink in a bar one night in America, very low key, and this guy came over to chat me up. It was like

having 20 brothers, he had no chance!’ As Jo says, in the Second World War women were flying Spitfires: ‘It shocks me that they were then stopped from flying. If both men and women are doing something we grow up with the expectation that there are fewer gender differences – it’s just got to be about everybody really.’

It was practicalities, certainly not ability, that posed a challenge when Jo joined 617 Squadron. ‘What they don’t tell you is that all the kit’s designed around men. It includes an anti-G suit to stop the blood draining from your head when you’re pulling G-force. If you’re crossing the Atlantic you’re strapped in for anything up

‘I did an aptitude test because I got a free trip home to see my mum, and I found that I could do it. So I had a medical and when I finished my officer training they offered me a role as a multi-engine pilot. I flew the Chipmunk first, then the Jet Provost, and while I was flying that they announced women could fly on the front line.’ Jo was awarded her fast jet wings in 1992 and was posted with 617 Squadron, commonly known as the Dambusters, going on to become the first woman to fly the Tornado GR1.

Recalling the first time she flew, Jo says: ‘I remember the first time I got airborne and that feeling of falling in love with flying - I was hooked.’ But above all she is driven by a desire to succeed in all she does.

‘Once you’ve started on a training system you want to be the best you can be and becoming a pilot was the highest objective Jo Salter with Air Cadet Tom Clarke, 13.

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‘In Northern Iraq when you’re flying you have a four-hour sortie, that’s intensive, you prepare and you debrief but in between you are waiting,’ she explains. ‘It was definitely harder juggling study with a young child than being in Iraq!’

to eight hours; it’s not business class and there’s certainly no toilet.’

Whilst normal practice was to have a plastic bag with an absorbent pad, this was of no use to a female pilot. After being invited to take part in the RAF Women’s Urinary Pads Trial, Jo came up with her own solution involving incontinence pads and plastic pants – oh, the glamour!

Jo studied for an MBA in business administration while she was in Iraq, completing it after the birth of her first child. ‘In Northern Iraq when you’re flying you have a four-hour sortie, that’s intensive, you prepare and you debrief but in between you are waiting,’ she explains. ‘It was definitely harder juggling study with a young child than being in Iraq!’ Jo’s honesty about how her career altered after she became a mother is refreshing: ‘It changes how you are as a woman, your priorities change. Mother Nature makes sure we focus on our young; I remember seeing incidents everywhere.’

Flying remains a passion: ‘I don’t have any concerns about flying.

I’ve been a reserve officer for nine years in the Air Training Corps, I fly air cadets from RAF Benson in Oxfordshire. I do that and speaking and I’m a management consultant. I also teach at the Open University Business School – I call it a portfolio career.’ Jo’s experience in the RAF has clearly given her lots of transferable skills: ‘The main one is decision making - that ability to make decisions under pressure. There are so many - leadership, teamwork and resilience.’

You spend a lot of time at work so why not choose something that you love?’ To girls aiming for a career in a traditionally maledominated industry, Jo’s advice would be the same as to anyone with an ambition: ‘My message would be to have a go, because you never know what you can do until you try.’

Jo’s career path is still one that excites her. ‘I love the variety and I love learning, I’m a lifetime learner and I love meeting people and interacting with them. I want to make the most of every opportunity; hopefully I’m only halfway through my life, who knows what the second half will bring?’

Jo Salter came to Guernsey to speak at the ICSA annual dinner. Find out more about Jo at josalter.co.uk.

Jo doesn’t think either of her daughters will follow in her footsteps.

‘I want them to make the most of every opportunity and be happy.

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COMMUNITY

MORE COACHES, BETTER COACHES ‘More coaches, better coaches’ is one of the goals set by the Guernsey Sports Commission and next week will see the Commission take a big step towards achieving that aim. Thanks to the recent donation by Generali Worldwide, a programme of activity focused on developing the skills of existing coaches has been kick-started. Earlier this year the Coaches’ ‘Roll of Honour’ was launched and now 10 local coaches have been identified as the first cohort to be mentored by Tim Newenham. These selected coaches will gain access to an individualised programme consisting of one-to-one mentoring and small group work, as well as access to leading figures from sport in the UK. They will also have access to generic leadership and management courses through agreements with other partners. Each person will have a tailored programme of activity to best meet their personal objectives and the particular needs of their sport. Going forward, as well as this selective coaching programme, there will be other activities for all other coaches in Guernsey, whatever their level. Workshops will be available to coaches directly through the various sports, tailored to their specific requirements, and open workshops will be held to ensure that coaches from a wide range of sports have access to more training.

MOVING FORWARDS – CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN SQUASH

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Investec Private Banking has donated £5,000 to ensure that a memorial can be erected at the airport for Allied aircrew who died in Bailiwick waters during the Second World War. Earlier this week the Allied Aircrew Memorial Committee appealed to islanders to donate what they could so that the project could be completed. Stephen Henry, Head of Investec Private Banking in the Channel Islands, said the bank was delighted to be able to help.

‘Investec feels very strongly that those Allied aircrew who died in our waters should be honoured as publicly as possible, and what better way than at the gateway to the island where thousands of people will pass each week? When we heard that the project had faced unexpected costs, which could have set the project back, we agreed as a bank to help,’ said Mr Henry. The monument will be unveiled at a ceremony involving dignitaries from Guernsey and overseas, on Wednesday 9th September. Any funds remaining at the end of the project will be donated to local charities.

Local squash player Jack Turvey (14 years old, Grammar School), a member of the Brooks Macdonald High Performance Programme, has been offered a fantastic opportunity to attend Wycliffe School in Gloucester this September. A Centre of Excellence for Squash, the school has a long established squash academy, which has produced several world-ranked players.

Jack has been playing squash since he was five years old and has competed in over 110 tournaments in the UK and Europe. He has been involved in country and regional squads for the past five years with over 26 weekends away a year to play squash. Now he has been invited to train in England with English age group squads. In consultation with Jeremy Frith, Performance Director for the Guernsey Sports Commission, Jack and his parents decided that it was in his best interests to move, so he could continue his commitment to his academic career and sporting development Being fully committed to his sport, he is also very committed to his school and academic career. ‘I’m really looking forward to boarding school because it will be a great experience and my squash will improve massively. I am moving because it is easier to balance school work with my squash, especially as my GCSEs are coming up,’ explained Jack.

ALLIED AIRCREW MEMORIAL PROJECT REACHES £5,000

CHRIS SIMPSON SET TO MAKE A RACQUET FOR HEALTHSPAN ELITE Leading supplement brand Healthspan Elite has added local hero and professional squash player Chris Simpson to their team of sporting ambassadors. Chris, originally from Guernsey, lines up with an array of international athletes supported by Healthspan Elite, including England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley, Commonwealth swimmer Lewis Coleman, Team GB triathlete Holly Lawrence and solo round-the-world adventurer Sarah Outen MBE. Chris Fisher, Head of Healthspan Elite, said, ‘Healthspan Elite is a global brand in sports nutrition but we are proud to be a

Guernsey business. We were delighted when the chance to work with a fellow Guern arose and Chris’ sporting credentials speak for themselves.’

Chris added, ‘It’s an honour to represent England, but I am proud to be from Guernsey, so it’s great to have the backing of Healthspan Elite. People often underestimate the physical demands of squash and at the elite level those demands are particularly intense. When you factor in the large amount of travel involved as well, nutrition often suffers. It is for this reason I have chosen Healthspan Elite to support my nutritional intake.’

GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

COMMUNITY

30 YEARS OF AWARDS The Guernsey Awards for Achievement celebrates an impressive 30th year anniversary.

DISABLED PARAGLIDING DUO GO SOLO The Guernsey Paragliding Club are currently looking to raise £2,500 in order to purchase a specialist wheelchair which will make the very first solo disabled paragliding flight in the Channel Islands! Adrian Vidamour, a member of Le Friquet Garden Centre’s Customer Service team, has Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy, a lifelong disability that affects movement and posture. And student Matt Hale has Spina Bifida that affects his walking. However, despite their conditions they have never held back from achieving their goals in life.

The FlyChair that they are looking to purchase is specially designed for paragliding, so it is very strong, lightweight and allows easy attachment of the harness in which the pilot sits. Compared with a conventional chair, the pilot sits quite close to the ground, and this low centre of gravity is important for stability during takeoff and landing. The equipment, after training, will also be donated to the Guernsey Paragliding Club and will be used for any future paragliding adventures in Guernsey. This will hugely benefit other disabled islanders who share Adrian and Matt’s ambition to glide!

If you would like to donate, a collection box is located at Le Friquet Garden Centre. To keep up to date with Adrian and Matt’s training, you can follow Adrian’s Facebook blog: www. facebook.com/Adieswingsblog.

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

In this anniversary year it is now time for businesses across the Bailiwick to ask themselves, are they an award winning company?

Does the company and its staff receive the recognition they deserve and are they prepared to stand out?

‘We have a very buoyant economy where there is diversity, from the well-established financial institutions to heavy and light industry, from businesses focusing on technology to hotels and retail,’ said Deputy Minister of Commerce and Employment Al Brouard.

For companies interested in entering one or more of the business awards, the entry forms have been redesigned, the accompanying guidance notes reviewed and modified and individual fact sheets created for each award.

All can be viewed and downloaded at www.awards. gg. Companies have over three months to complete their entry forms, as the closing date is 12 noon on Wednesday 4th November 2015. The winners of the 2015 Guernsey Awards for Achievement will be announced at the Awards Gala Evening to be held on Thursday 11th February 2016.

GYMNASTS AND ACROBATICS The Guernsey Specials Gym Club staged their annual display on 4th July with members demonstrating the skills they have learnt over the course of the year. This Gym Club seeks to help children with special needs to take part in gymnastics with the help of trained coaches and volunteers. During the recent display, volunteers from Trust Corporation International were on hand to ensure that proceedings ran smoothly, as they have been throughout the company’s two-year association with the Club. Alison Hamperl, Charity Committee Organiser at Trust Corporation, said, ‘It’s always rewarding to see the Gym Club members demonstrate what they have learnt and we get an enormous amount out of supporting such a worthwhile cause.’

SURF’S UP FOR SWOFFERS Swoffers and the Guernsey Surf Club are proud to announce the launch of the first Junior Series surfing competition league, which is now open for entries.

This series aims to encourage more children to get involved in surfing and to give them a taster of what surfing competitions are like. Each surfer will gain points for his/her position in each of the three events. The series will be split into three age groups - under 10s, under 14s and under 18s - ensuring that all competitors will have a fair competition with surfers of their own age. The winners will be the surfers with the highest points tally after the third event and there will be prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place in each age division. Entry costs £10 and this includes a special event T-shirt and sticker.

Johnny Wallbridge from the Guernsey Surf Club and Co-Owner of Yakwax, said, ‘The Guernsey Surf School has become more popular over the past couple of years, with plenty of girls and boys getting involved. We are aspiring to become more like our Jersey counterparts who have a huge surfing community, in particular at junior level. Our goal is to encourage more surfers who can compete at inter-insular, national and international levels.’

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COMMUNITY

C H A R I T Y

O F

T H E

M O N T H

Jake’s Heartfelt Funds

J

ake’s Heartfelt Funds is a local charity with an important, and often overlooked, cause. Jake, the founder and namesake of the charity, is a seven-yearold Guernsey boy who was diagnosed with Complex Congenital Heart Disease while he was still in the womb. After four major heart surgeries, a dependency on a pacemaker and a life spent in and out of hospital, Jake decided he wanted to do something positive and help other children in his situation too, so he and his mum Holly founded the charity to do just that.

Jake’s Heartfelt Funds was created with the aim of helping chronically and terminally ill children in Guernsey, as well as their parents and close family members, as they cope with the day-to-day realities of their illnesses and long hospital stints. Among the items the charity provides are toys and DVD box sets to keep children entertained during stays in hospital and computer consoles to keep them occupied before surgery and take their mind off what’s to come. They also try to help financially when parents need to travel to the UK for emergency treatment. Sometimes this means providing funding that can help both parents be with their child during such a stressful time, or sometimes it’s as simple as paying for a hotel room when they arrive at

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the last minute to find that all the hospital rooms are full. They have even developed emergency kits for parents which are kept at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital in Guernsey, so if a parent finds themselves whisked off to Southampton General they are provided with the necessities that will make their lives that little bit easier, with everything from UK SIM cards to a hairbrush and toothpaste included in the packs.

really struck a chord with so many of our Guernsey employees. It’s an important and underappreciated cause and we’re very proud that our staff have chosen to donate their time and money in 2015 to something so close to their hearts.’

Already famous is the charity’s ‘Onesie Walk’, Jake’s favourite fundraising event which involves volunteers completing a sponsored walk for a mile along the

Among the items the charity provides are toys and DVD box sets to keep children entertained during stays in hospital and computer consoles to keep them occupied before surgery and take their mind off what’s to come. They also try to help financially when parents need to travel to the UK for emergency treatment.

The charity’s profile has been growing locally and their fundraising efforts are increasing with impressive speed as more people learn about their wonderful cause, which hits close to home for so many islanders. This year Credit Suisse (Channel Islands) Limited have named them as their Charity of the Year for 2015; this means that all of the charity work they do will be in aid of JHF and that, alongside the incredibly generous donations, they will be able to help spread awareness across the island of Jake and his truly heartfelt, home-grown charity.

seafront, and they have also hosted several other successful events this year, including an Easter Egg Hunt in the Fauxquets Valley Campsite and a Ladies’ Night at the Fermain Valley Hotel cinema. You can keep an eye out for upcoming events and activities on the Jake’s Heartfelt Funds Facebook page. www.facebook.com/Jakes-Heartfelt-Funds

Peter Webber, Director at Credit Suisse (Channel Islands) Limited, spoke about the charity’s impact locally, saying, ‘Our staff selected Jake’s Heartfelt Funds as our Charity of the Year because their work

GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

SOCIAL CIRCLES

FOR EVENTS THAT SPARKLE

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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EVENTS

MH DESIGN STUDIO LAUNCH

> THE EVENT

Gallery was invited to a private preview to celebrate the launch of Michele Hilton’s exclusive new interior design showroom Design Salon located at 19 Mansell Street in the Old Quarter. The showroom is a design destination showcasing exclusive home accessories curated from New York, Paris and beyond for luxury gifting and room dressing to complement Michele’s interior design service.

> THE HIGHLIGHTS

Chatting to the charming Michele, whilst trying to extract free design advice, was an absolute pleasure. It’s clear to see why she has been such a success, not only because of her impeccable sense of style but also because she is very down to earth. Balancing a glass of bubbles and a handful of canapés whilst cooing at the beautiful pieces Michele has stocked in the showroom was no mean feat. Her elegant cream sofa, laden with exotic cushions, was certainly not designed for crumbs!

Photography: Chris George

> THE CROWD

Some of Michele’s most glamorous guests in the room were representing our top estate agencies: the beautiful Sophie Palmer of Cooper Brouard, Sophie Ephgrave of Swoffers and of course the dashing Simon Torode and Richard Hardie of Living Room. We also clocked local artist Louise Lawton, Leslie Caldwell, Claire Allen and the lovely Kay Leslie.

FOR EVENTS THAT SPARKLE

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GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARDS PRESENTATION

> THE EVENT

The 5th annual Guernsey Post Customer Service Awards took place on a warm and sunny evening in Market Square.

Celebrating and recognising those in our community who consistently go the extra mile, the event was a fun, family-friendly evening in the open air, hosted by Island FM’s James Bentley.

> THE HIGHLIGHTS

The Square buzzed with anticipation with all finalists, their friends and families assembled, waiting to hear who had won.

Excellent entertainment was provided by Tyler and Jesse from the School of Popular Music, and 2014 winners, Seafresh, had kindly supplied fresh lobster and seafood platters for everyone - perfect to accompany the jugs of Pimm’s that seemed to adorn most of the tables. Boley Smillie, MD of Guernsey Post, told us how proud he was to be a sponsor and how crucial the awards are to Guernsey’s reputation. Overall winner of 2015 was a very shocked Joe Hind, who said his win still hasn’t sunk in.

> THE CROWD

The event was attended by over 300 guests.

We spotted Boley Smillie, MD of Guernsey Post, Mike Hopkins, Head of VisitGuernsey, Barry Cash of Guernsey’s Chamber of Commerce, Luke Wheadon, Proprietor of the Bella Luce Hotel, Andrew Chantrell from the Red Carnation Hotel Group, ten guests from Guernsey Tapestry, and the Lloyds Bank team out in force.

For more information on the winners, visit www.thecustomerserviceawards.com

FOR EVENTS THAT SPARKLE

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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EVENTS

YBG SUMMER BALL

> THE EVENT

The Young Business Group’s (YBG) annual summer ball was held on a warm summer’s day in June, at St Pierre Park Hotel. The Midsummers Night’s Dream themed evening was kindly sponsored by International Administration Group (IAG) and included the presentation of the Bill Green Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit. A huge congratulations to this year’s winner, Pet Technology Store.

> THE HIGHLIGHTS

Guests were treated to an evening of entertainment which included an amusing and thought-provoking talk by guest speaker, Shed Simove Ideas man, who through his wit and colourful anecdotes managed to captivate the audience. Live music from Last of the Light Brigade also ensured guests were on their feet and dancing late into the night.

> THE CROWD

With nearly 200 guests from all sectors of the local business community, the event was well attended and included a good mix of YBG members and non-members. A fabulous evening was had by all and the event another great success for YBG.

FOR EVENTS THAT SPARKLE

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GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

EVENTS

WELCOME HOME TO BONSAI

> THE EVENT

There was never any doubt that the Bonsai Home showroom would open in style and it turned out to be what was surely the party of the summer season.

> THE HIGHLIGHTS

Thanks to Rossborough Private Clients, 350 guests were greeted with a glass of Prosecco before enjoying an exclusive preview of the beautiful homewares and furnishing collections. The showroom was buzzing and it was clear that Bonsai’s collection of exclusive brands hit all the right notes. The evening also had an altruistic element, fundraising for Bridge2.

Generous raffle prizes from Bonsai, Bella Spa, Petersfield Gardens, Cooked, Jacksons and Ray & Scott meant over £1,400 was raised for the charity.

> THE CROWD The guests were in the mood to party and faces amongst the crowd included graffiti artists Tom Melon Rowe and Andrew Woodward.

FOR EVENTS THAT SPARKLE

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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EVENTS

DELOITTE VS APPLEBY CRICKET FUNDRAISER FOR MALE UPRISING GUERNSEY

> THE EVENT

Cricketers from Deloitte and Appleby batted it out on a fine summer evening at the KGV to raise £500 for local male cancer charity, Male Uprising Guernsey. This is the third year the cricket fundraiser has been organised by the two businesses and collectively the event has raised over £1,500.

> THE HIGHLIGHTS

The 20:20 match saw winners Appleby score 132 runs from seven wickets with Dave Mahoney contributing 36 and not out.

Deloitte were all out for 96, despite Dave Hooper’s best efforts, which saw him named Man of the Match.

Appleby posted a respectable score and consolidated that position by doing well in the field including a fine catch by Chet Pohl to dismiss Dave Hooper. The evening was completed with a BBQ and Owen Cole, the MSG’s Consultant Urologist and MUG Council Member, presented Appleby with the MUG Ashes.

As well as match fees, Deloitte stepped up their fundraising with a mufti day and receptionist Abigail Darling added to the total by making dozens of cupcakes that quickly sold out. Appleby also arranged a cricket-themed sweepstake to guess the combined score for the evening’s match.

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> THE CROWD

Both organisations were well represented and led by John Clacy, Partner in charge of Deloitte’s Guernsey office, and Gavin Ferguson, Managing Partner for Appleby in Guernsey. Dan Collins, Jo Huxtable and Alex Adam, all from Deloitte, were also there to lend support and Mike de Robillard, another Director at Deloitte, acquitted himself well on the field. Jeremy Berchem and Jeremy Le Tissier, both Appleby Partners, attended. Chet Pohl from Appleby collected the MUG Ashes and Dave Hooper was named Man of the Match.

Owen Cole was on hand to represent MUG.

GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

STYLE

FASHION

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GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

FA CE

Pho MU tograp A Mo / Ass her: B del ouc ’s ista Wit h h th : Paul nt: Sha er-Ha Gos ank nine rris P li s to : Sa ng & M Levrie hotog rap mu r a hy el P tt Ce resa epy s, R ay & Sco tt

OF

F

FASHION

Clothing: Samuel Pepys MATT Boss Tie £95 Paul Smith Suit £525 Eton Check Shirt £120 PAUL Boss Navy Tie £95 Grey Paul Smith Suit £499 Eton White Shirt £120

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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Black Replay Jeans £115 Belstaff Belted Wax Jacket £495 Belstaff Boots £440 Sightseer Camera Bag Holdfastgear.com £200

Clothing: Samuel Pepys Ralph Lauren Polo Chino £95 Zegna Jacket £499 Tods Loafers Model’s Own

Clothing: Samuel Pepys Ralph Lauren Polo Chino £95 Belstaff Polo £99 Belstaff Belted Wax Jacket £495 Sunglasses Ray Ban Model’s Own

Clothing: Samuel Pepys Jacob Cohen Handmade Jeans £325 Zegna Full Zip Cardigan £250 Belstaff Leather Jacket £1060

Clothing: Samuel Pepys Jacob Cohen Handmade Jeans £325 Zegna Full Zip Cardigan £250 Oliver Sweeney Brogues £185 Bell & Ross BR03 Watch Ray & Scott £2250

Clothing: Samuel Pepys Boss Navy Tie £95 Grey Paul Smith Suit £499 Eton White Shirt £120 Bell & Ross BR03 Watch Ray & Scott £2250 Oliver Sweeney Shoes Model’s Own

FASHION

Clothing: Samuel Pepys Paul Smith Suit £525 Eton Check Shirt £120 Tag Heuer Carrera Watch Ray & Scott £3290

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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Clothing: Samuel Pepys Boss Navy Tie £95 Grey Paul Smith Suit £499 Eton White Shirt £120 Roamographer Camera Bag Holdfastgear.com £400

Produced under license of Ferrari Brand Spa. FERRARI, the PRANCING HORSE device, all associated logos and distinctive designs are property of Ferrari Spa.

Ferrari Watches, sold exclusively in Guernsey at Time.

New Road, St Sampsons, Guernsey, GY2 4QF

FASHION

FLORAL 90s DRESS MISS SELFRIDGE £22

DAISY DREW MAXI DRESS SOMEDAYS LOVIN @ ASOS £50

TROPICAL PALM WRAP SKIRT WAREHOUSE £35

FLORAL 90s DRESS MISS SELFRIDGE £22

FLORAL PRINT KIMONO RIVER ISLAND £35

WOMEN 8 PACK HAIR GRIPS ASOS £8

Turning the heat up on the already hot high streets this summer are an array of floral prints but do you prefer Engish petals or oriental infused designs? These two patterns are battling it out in the style stakes, so which will get your vote - sweet kimonos donned in dainty cherry blossom or more traditional garms in petal and palm prints.

The one common ground they do share is their feminine burgundy and dusky print hues, perfect for dreamy summer days.

70s PATTERNED BOOTLEG TROUSERS SKINNY SCARF MISS SELFRIDGE PIECES @ ASOS £25 £8

<

SUMMER CAMI DRESS WAREHOUSE £32

<

FLORAL CREW CARDIGAN NEXT £18

LACE UP ESPADRILLE SANDALS ASOS £18

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<

RECLAIMED VINTAGE EMBROIDERED DRAWSTRING ‘CROSS BODY BAG ASOS £28

SLINKY STRAP VEST NEXT £10

GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

CHINO SHORTS NEXT £18

RETRO PRINT SHIRT TOPMAN £28

PINK FLORAL PRINT SHIRT RIVER ISLAND £25

MEN FLOWER LAPEL PIN ASOS £5

PLUM FLORAL CARGO SHORT NEXT £26

POCKET SQUARE BURTON £5

Tropical palms and pretty petals are your go-to patterns right now. Pastel blues and pinks create abstract prints, pushing aside the more traditional florals. Whether you choose flowery shorts or a statement shirt, make sure they are the focal point of your look by offsetting with less attention seeking neutrals in light, stone shades or rich, earthier tones.

< PINK FLORAL T-SHIRT BURTON £18

< DARK ORANGE FLORAL T-SHIRT RIVER ISLAND £18 TROPICAL PRINT SHIRT MANGO £19.99

INDIGO FLORAL SHORTS RIVER ISLAND £20

RECLAIMED VINTAGE BOW TIE @ ASOS £16

BURGUNDY DOUBLE BREASTED BLAZER NEW LOOK £54

OLD SKOOL II BACKPACK VANS £18

FASHION

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GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

FASHION

SHOP THE GOOD LIFE Words: Nichole Sweetsur

D

espite its name Freedom Surf Shop sells far more than surf gear. Owner Pete Norman describes it as a ‘lifestyle shop’ and Gallery went down to L’Islet to find out more…

It’s fair to say that Freedom Surf Shop is an extension of Pete Norman’s enviable lifestyle and locals have been buying into the store’s outdoor vibe for nearly two decades. Pete has always followed his passion for outdoor activity and unsurprisingly that took him away from Guernsey for many years. ‘I spent over four years travelling and surfing in Australia in my twenties. I surfed every day and in the winter would travel to find some sunshine to carry on.’

Pete returned to the UK and tried to settle down in London and, in his words, get a ‘proper job’ but the lure of an active lifestyle was too much. He soon moved to the French Alps where he lived for 10 years, working as a ski guide and running a chalet company.

He returned to Guernsey in his 30s and the opportunity to buy a run-down windsurfing shop, known as Nautifun, came up. Pete saw potential in the growing surf scene and so Freedom Surf Shop was born.

The shop often surprises first-time customers, not only for its size – Pete describes it as a Tardis – but also because of the vast range of fashion and lifestyle gear that can be found.

‘I only sell clothes and equipment relating to the sports I know – kayaking, surfing and paddle boarding, and in the winter skiing,’ explains Pete. ‘That way I know I am selling good quality products and I can give customers good advice on what to buy.

‘Someone might come in and want a wetsuit or a kayak, we talk to them about their level and what they hope to achieve with the sport and we give them really sound advice. We are very focused on customer service and Freedom is very welcoming to beginners or intermediates.

‘We sell people what they need and I love to hear from customers who come back and comment on how their enjoyment or achievements have improved because of gear we’ve suggested.’

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

The shop sells a lot of lifestyle clothing brands like O’Neill, Billabong, Rip Curl and Reef. But you’ll find a whole lot more than just a great pair of board shorts. Brands that

Pete truly lives the lifestyle that Freedom Surf Shop sells, making time to kayak, cycle, swim, windsurf, surf or paddle board every day. ‘I try to embody the shop; if I am not

‘I only sell clothes and equipment relating to the sports I know – kayaking, surfing and paddle boarding, and in the winter skiing,’ explains Pete. ‘That way I know I am selling good quality products and I can give customers good advice on what to buy. have traditionally been known for t-shirts and hoodies have branched out into smarter fashions. ‘We sell trousers and shirts that would look good on a night out or in the office on a dress-down day. Quality is really important to me, the clothes we sell wash well and you can wear them for years.’

there then I can probably be found at Vazon or Grand Havre. I have always considered success not in monetary terms, but as making a living out of something you enjoy.’

Sounds like good advice to us.

Pete is also very excited about the new fitness wear range by Roxy. ‘Our first delivery flew off the shelves and we’ve got more coming in stock this August and September. There’s great yoga, gym and running gear and because fabrics have an SPF so they can also be used for kayaking or paddle boarding.’

The trend for active wear worn during the day is not going away and the latest collection is worth checking out, whatever your sport.

Another trend that Freedom Surf Shop has picked up on is stand up paddle boarding, which is fast becoming a Guernsey favourite.

‘Paddle boarding is easier to learn than surfing, you can enjoy it during the summer when the surf is flat and the whole family can get involved. It’s a brilliant workout for your upper body and core. Surfing takes a lifetime to master but you can enjoy paddle boarding from day one.’

Want a taste of Freedom? Gallery asked Pete Norman for his five favourite things to do in Guernsey in the summer…

•

Freedom has the inflatable boards in stock, which as Pete says are easy to store and fit in the boot of a Fiat500! He is passionate about Guernsey’s coastline and this sport is a great way to explore the different bays.

Swim in the sea every day. It doesn’t cost anything and anyone can try it. I often nip out at lunchtime for a quick dip at Grand Havre.

•

My favourite time to surf at Vazon is a weekday morning when I’ll have the water to myself.

•

If the wind is up to around force 5 I will windsurf at Grand Havre.

•

On a calm summer’s evening I love to take a kayak down to Grandes Rocques or Portelet to explore the bays.

•

Taking my daughter to Portelet – it’s the best place for crabbing!

Wintertime sees Pete escape to the Alps and last year he started to organise trips to Val d’Isère to introduce people to offpiste skiing. ‘We’re offering the holidays to introduce people to off-piste skiing again this year and of course we’ve got plenty of good quality ski gear coming into the shop around October time.’

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FREE

Healthy smiles start here Fresh Dental (the new name for Rue Maze Dental Practice) offers a complete range of affordable family dental care, in a friendly and relaxed environment.

We are specialists in oral surgery and periodontics, cosmetic and implant dentistry and also provide B.Tox.A anti-wrinkle treatments and dermal fillers.

Dr Nav Khaira and his team look forward to welcoming you to Fresh Dental, where together we can face the future smiling.

ROUTINE EXAM OR CHECK UP FOR ALL NEW PATIENTS (NON EMERGE

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Monday 8am-7pm, Tuesday-Friday 8am-5pm and Saturdays and evenings by arrangement.

FIND US AT LINDFIELD, RUE MAZE, ST MARTINS

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BEAUTY

Blondes versus brunettes… which side are you on?

Words Nichole Sweetsur

‘Brunette is always current,’

says Tania Trustum, Director and founder of The White Room.

‘There is more range and depth with the brunette colour palette, from dark chocolate browns, to chestnut, light browns, auburn and dark coppers, so it’s really versatile with a lot of tonal choice.

‘As well as choice, I think people know that most blondes are salon coloured whereas brunettes have a more natural look that is very now. The quality of the hair is retained with darker colouring and who doesn’t want glossy, shiny hair?

‘Of course, you can still have some lighter sections for movement and lift without the high maintenance that blonde hair brings, although as you age you do need to move away from darker colours as you’ll see more regrowth with grey hairs.

‘It’s classic, yet always current. Look at Alexa Chung; her colour doesn’t ever change, yet it is one of the most requested looks in the salon.

Subtle is in. Clients want to enhance the natural beauty of their hair and whilst no one really has 100% natural hair anymore, it’s harder to tell what help brunettes have had. Babylights grow out beautifully and lighten up, looking sun-kissed rather than salon highlighted.

‘If you have a warm skin tone, like most people in the UK, then you are better off as brunette. Emilia Clarke is a great example: seen on TV as a blonde in Game

‘As the summer wanes, it’s natural to want to tweak your colour and go darker. The evenings are getting darker, as are the clothes we want to wear, so it’s a natural

Tania recommends ‘Aveda hair colour is very light reflective and isn’t damaging for the hair. We also recommend anyone with coloured hair uses a sulphatefree hair care routine. The Aveda Color Conserve range is a four-step routine. The shampoo and conditioner won’t strip colour and the Leave-in Treatment protects from UV damage. The fourth

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of Thrones, she looks so much better as her natural brunette.

product in the regime is a Strengthening Treatment, which contains sunflower and macadamia nut oils to seal the cuticle and give hair a glossy shine.’ From £18.00.

‘We also love the Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Essence Absolue.

This is an all-inone hair elixir with camellia oil to protect hair, infuse it with health and seal in a fantastic shine.’ £37.50.

step to go a little darker with your hair; brunette is definitely the colour of the autumn.

‘We might still believe that blondes have more fun but brunettes are definitely more sophisticated and demure.’

‘This is a super-relaxed look with a cool, editorial feel. The dark base colour is broken up with babylights to give the hair movement. The colour isn’t too solid and has a great shine. This kind of colour will evolve naturally as it grows out or gets a little lighter with the sun.’

‘If you have thick or curly hair that’s coloured, try co-washing. This will protect colour and prevent frizz.’ Gallery loves the new Aveda Be Curly Co-Wash which is one of the new breeds of sulphate-free conditioning washes for hair. £20.50.

GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

BEAUTY

B

londes and brunettes have been beauty rivals since the advent of hair colour in 3400 BC when ancient Egyptians began using henna to camouflage their grey. Since then there have been countless assumptions and stereotypes based on hair colour. So, do blondes really have more fun? Are brunettes smarter? Gallery investigates.

The science is simple: Olaplex is a single active ingredient, designed to reconnect the bonds in the hair that are broken by the process of permanent hair colouring and lightening. This clever ingredient can be added to colour preparations or used as a standalone repair treatment and that means that colourists can get lighter results for their blonde clients a little faster and with less damage.

According to recent research men are fairly even-handed in their appreciation of brunettes and blondes, with each getting around 30% of the votes. However, throw in raven beauties and dark hair gets a resounding thumbs up from men with over 60% saying they prefer it.

That could all change though with the launch of a new ingredient used in hair colouring that could mean blondes are bouncing back into fashion. Described by Nathan Thomas from Thomas & Wynne as a ‘game changer’, the ingredient, known as Olaplex, can help to restore the health and condition often lost when chemically treating hair.

Home hair colour is also driven by new technology but nothing beats the expertise of a skilled colourist. They are the rock ‘n’ roll stars of the salon and Gallery spoke to two of Guernsey’s greats to get their take on the blonde versus brunette rivalry.

‘Blondes are back,’

says Nathan Thomas, Creative Director of Thomas & Wynne.

‘Done well, blondes look incredible – expensive and glamorous, like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley or Giselle. We create multi-dimensional colour that looks natural and the way I work with blondes has changed a lot over the last few years. Olaplex has moved colouring on a lot too; it’s helping us to get even better results.

‘I am using balayage a lot more again now, as a technique it’s never gone away but I’ve returned to it recently because as a way of working it’s less regimented, you place colour where you want. This makes blonde hair more exciting, more natural, it’s not just a set of foil highlights now.’

‘Of course there are still a few rules that we have to follow, particularly when it comes to skin tone and hair colour. If you have a warm undertone to your skin it’s best to

Nathan recommends ‘The standalone Olaplex treatment will really help to bring summer hair back from the brink. Available in-salon, it doesn’t take long but makes a big difference to the health and condition of hair that has been dried out by the sun.’ From £25.00.

‘I am big fan of at-home hair masks. The Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask takes hair from Sahara to Amazon. Use it once a week or more if needed. With argan oil, it BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

stick to the honey and caramel blondes, and if you have a pale skin with pink undertones then you can wear the cool, ash and silver blondes.

summer is over before going into the salon, hair will look and feel better for a colour refresh.’

‘Blonde hair colour is associated with youthfulness, you do feel more lifted and if you are blonde, generally you want to be as blonde as possible. I like to work with a lot of light around the face because it instantly makes people look and feel brighter.

‘If people who are naturally dark want to go blonde we always take it in stages, starting with some highlights, but thanks to Olaplex you can move faster, perhaps getting to the colour they want in three sessions instead of six and not compromising the health and condition of the hair.

‘You can of course end up over bleached in the summer, but don’t wait until the

‘This look is very youthful, soft and multidimensional. You can see the condition in the hair yet the tones are quite light, particularly towards the ends which is typical of summer hair. I think it’s a very current look, cool tones that are wearable and the styling really helps to show off the colour – simple and natural looking, the centre parting adds to the carefree feel of the style.’

helps to repair hair and infuse it with moisture – just what hair needs in the summer.’ £24.75.

‘You can’t beat the Moroccanoil Treatment.

There are many other imitations, but this is the original. Apply it on damp hair before blow drying and it protects or use a little afterwards to style and finish hair; it’s a real multi-tasker.’ £31.85.

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BEAUTY

WHAT’S HOT THIS SUMMER...

Words Nichole Sweetsur

Let’s be honest ladies, all this talk of getting ‘beach ready’ can start to feel like a real chore.

There is only so much buffing and tweezing a girl can do, so this month why not admit defeat and hand yourself over to the experts?

Support your local salon, give way to your inner princess, book in and be pampered by the pros.

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BEST FOR SKIN…

BEST FOR WAXING…

BEST FOR BODY…

The sun is no friend to skin. Anyone prone to redness will feel the heat; oily skins break out and even the most well-behaved complexion will get dry. The therapists at Bella Spa are true skin experts and I promise there is an ESPA treatment to solve any skin crisis. The De-Sensitiser Facial is a very soothing option for complexions unsettled by the hot weather and The ReHydrator Facial will restore dry skin. You’ll also find the amazing Carita treatments here and dry skins will benefit from Lagoon Hydration, which has been designed to rehydrate sun-parched skin. From £65.00. bellaspa.co.uk

Waxing is a real chore, but unless you got organised a few months back and had your IPL in the less revealing months, it’s a chore that’s got to be done. The Beauty Boutique’s online booking system means you can be discreet and arrange your appointments without the whole office knowing. From £15.00. thebeautyboutiqueguernsey

With its beachside location at Pembroke, Sabye is surely one of the best places for a relaxing body treatment. The Tahiti Coconut Cocoon is a tropical treat that will bring skin back to glory. This includes a body polish, mask and Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage. The treatment is based on tropical oils used by Polynesian women and the beautiful aromas of jasmine, frangipani and coconut mean this gorgeous experience transports you the tropics and leaves the driest of skins smooth and moisturised. £80.00. sabyeguernsey.co.uk

If you prefer to have your waxing done in the privacy of your own home then call Katy le Tissier who’ll come to you. This is a great service for busy mums and her treatments are competitively priced too.

From £10.00. beautytherapistguernsey.com

For something more high-tech, call into Beauty Box in St Peter Port. They have the Exillis device which is an award-winning, FDA-approved radio-frequency treatment that can help to firm skin and target cellulite. The monopolar radiofrequency technology is used to heat the skin, causing collagen support tissues to remodel, tighten and firm tummies, thighs and bottoms. Don’t worry, it’s pain-free but you will need a course of treatments. Price on consultation. beautyboxguernsey.com

GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

BEAUTY

BEST FOR TANNING…

BEST FOR HANDS AND FEET…

Self-tanning at home can get messy and even if you are a practised tanner, handing yourself over to a beauty pro is the best option. Other tan brands may come and go but St Tropez is the number one tanning brand in the UK. Trust this one to leave you looking honey-hued and golden-skinned.

Slip into the spa at the OGH Hotel and fast-track your way to a holiday glow. The session includes body exfoliation - the essential first step to an even and longlasting colour. From £30.00. theoghhotel. com

For polish that lasts for your summer hols, pick a gel brand like Gelish. Buff in Market Square is a dedicated manicure salon with staff that really know nails. The gel polish is ‘cured’ with a UV light and stays chip-free for up to a fortnight.

Karma Beauty offers the Fake Bake spray that has a host of celebrity fans. The formula is free from artificial preservatives and parabens and the colour lasts and lasts. £20.00 karmabeautyci.com

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

A regular professional pedicure during the summer is not a treat; it’s a beauty essential.

Buff offers a range of pedicures and clever ways to add on extras so you can create the exact treatment you want. A shape and polish will keep your toes twinkling, but I’d recommend the full pedicure or the luxury pedicure which will be carried out in their ‘throne’. The luxury treatment includes a soak, cuticle work, exfoliation and buffing to remove hard skin. Then add on a little extra for gel polish or for £8.00 more you’ll get a lovely foot and leg massage. Bliss! From 25.00. Buff.

SPA LIKE A PRO 1. Leaving a tip is discretionary but it’s a nice way to say thank you if you’ve had a good treatment.

2. Salon time is ‘me time’ switch off your phone in the treatment room and remember, the relaxation area isn’t the place to have a noisy chat on your mobile!

3. Be on time for your treatment. You’ll start the experience feeling calmer and it helps the salon keep its appointments running on time.

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Mind, Body, Health, Self

Words : Nichole Sweetsur

Mind

Health It’s holiday season which means the potential for over-indulgence is high but don’t let a couple of treats ruin a healthy regime. Maddy Diligent, owner of Get Fit Guernsey, believes in an 80:20 approach to avoid that holiday bulge.

Eat yourself happy! A study by leading vitamin brand Healthspan revealed that the average woman will spend 10 days a year in a mood. But don’t feel down because research also shows that certain foods can change brain chemistry and physiology, which in turn may have a positive effect on our mood and performance.

Rob Hobson, Head of Nutrition at Healthspan, agrees; he says: ‘Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as oily fish has been shown to help with mood, especially in the case of depression, and deficiencies in folate, Vitamin B12 and magnesium have also been linked to low mood. Try boosting your intake with wholegrains, pulses, eggs, dried apricots, green veggies, nuts and seeds.’

Robert recommends including these moodboosting foods in your diet:

Salmon - omega-3 may help with symptoms of depression Oats – slow-release sugars are useful to help maintain blood sugar levels which can affect mood Eggs – a great source of B12 Brazil nuts – high in selenium, which if deficient is linked to low mood Dark chocolate - has been shown to boost mood Pumpkin seeds - rich in magnesium Barley - another complex carbohydrate that helps to deliver tryptophan to the brain which is used to make the feel-good hormone serotonin Lean red meat - keep iron stores up to fight off tiredness and fatigue which can cause low mood Asparagus - one of the richest plant sources of tryptophan Mussels - one of the highest sources of B12 as well as iron

‘Whatever your holiday location there will opportunities around you to keep fit. Make the most of your environment – power laps in the pool twice a day, stretches on your balcony or a brisk walk on the beach – anything that raises your heartbeat and leaves you slightly out of breath will help your fitness.’

‘Use your holiday to make some new healthy habits,’ suggests Maddy. ‘An early morning walk can make the most of a beautiful time of day while temperatures are cool, even a quick hotel room workout using body weight movements with some yoga stretches can make the world of difference to keeping motivation and energy levels high.

‘You can do squats, press ups, planks, burpees, lunges and a range of other exercises just with your body weight – no need for equipment, just ensure you warm up beforehand and cool down with some stretches afterwards. Set yourself an achievable target, even just aiming to do at least some sort of activity each day can help maintain that waistline while away.

‘Avoid too many treats, drink plenty of water and enjoy local foods. Fresh fish and salads are perfect holiday meals but most of all relax and enjoy your time away.’

Body Want a little exercise

inspiration? Look no further than Instagram and search for some of Gallery’s favourite health and fitness pros.

Variety is the spice of life and the premise of Cross Fit – varied, functional exercise - really comes across on the @CrossFit Instagram feed. From weights to running and high intensity exercises performed inside and out and about, Cross Fit will give you loads of ideas to mix up your fitness routine. Here are a few others....

Self

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With over 60,000 followers, @fitnessOnToast follows Swedish fitness blogger Faya Nillson. Based in London, Faya blogs about fitness fashion, her routines and workout advice, healthy food and her travels all over the world. Aspirational stuff!

I love @mindbodygreen because it gives you a little bit of everything to keep mind and body active and well. The mix of inspirational quotes, yoga poses, easy-to-follow exercise tips, pictures of the great outdoors and healthy eating ideas is addictive!

1.4 million aspiring yogis follow Rachel Brathen. Known as @ yoga_girl, Rachel posts a heady blend of beach shots, yoga poses, yummy smoothies and juices and personal pictures.

Follow her for a daily dose of sunshine and Asana.

Not going anywhere this summer? Look out for the new Body Shop Voyage Collection which will take you on a global scent journey. Top perfumers from around the world have created the five scents for the Body Shop and the results are an affordable way to experiment with difference fragrances this season. Italian Summer Fig, created by Arnaud Winter and Constance GeorgesPicot, evokes Puglia in southern Italy, where the key note ingredient was sourced. This is sweet, woody and juicy – a delicious summertime eau de toilette. Japanese Cherry Blossom is delicate and floral or try Indian Night Jasmine by Arnaud Winter and Constance Georges-Picot.

Described as ‘Floriental’ it balances the intoxicating smell of jasmine with exotic sandalwood.

Each scent is available in an eau de toilette, body mist, lotion, shower gel or rich body cream. The Body Shop. From £10.00.

GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

BEAUTY

WEDDING BELLES Keep calm on your big day with Sasha and Stacie.

Beauty Therapists Sasha and Stacie consider it a privilege to be asked to do someone’s bridal makeup and that’s probably why come wedding season they are in such high demand. On the morning of a wedding when tensions are running high it takes a certain type of serenity to ensure that the bride still looks picture perfect. Sasha and Stacie work as a team and really enjoy being involved in the preparations, although working with a reliable product and a brand that they can trust is essential. YoungBlood is 100% mineral and therefore follows the philosophy the girls have instilled at their salon to only use products that are as natural as possible, whenever they can.

There are a lot of different mineral brands out there, so why have they chosen YoungBlood to work with, not only for bridal makeup but also to sell in their online shop? ‘YoungBlood really is the premier luxury mineral cosmetics line and on their big day our brides deserve nothing but the best,’ Sasha told us.

Created by former medical aesthetician Pauline Youngblood, many of the products contain a signature mineral blend of malachite, rhodolite, hematite and zincite which not only makes you look pretty but also protects cells and tissue.

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

Minerals have created a big buzz in the beauty industry for several years, so in case you missed out, the benefits are not only that they are a totally naturally occurring product which provides rich colour straight from the earth - but that they are also free from nasties including petroleum, dyes and chemical-based additives. ‘Mineral makeup gives great coverage with no compromise on the vitality of your skin,’ said Sasha.

‘Our powder foundations create an incredibly smooth finish which also looks really fresh-faced – perfect for brides who don’t want to look too caked in makeup.

The foundations also contain a natural sun protectant so you don’t need to layer an additional product onto your skin,’ Stacie explained.

The YoungBlood products also work well in wedding photography because they don’t contain glittery particles which can sometimes appear slightly distorted in natural sunlight. Best of all, the products are free from talc, parabens, oils and fragrance so can be used on all skin types.

Sasha and Stacie’s top tips for a drama-free morning: •

•

•

•

• •

•

Plan your morning with military precision by scheduling your appointments with enough time to account for traffic and parking. Put one bridesmaid in charge of making sure that everyone in the bridal party gets to their appointments on time.

Better yet, make them come to you!

If you have to travel to your beauty appointments get someone else to drive, you deserve a personal chauffer today.

Invest in a good moisturiser to put on first thing in the morning – we recommend our Spa Find mineral moisturisers.

Drink lots of water in the morning but stop an hour before you walk down the aisle to avoid a last-minute loo stop.

Don’t wear a bra or socks to avoid strap lines.

Make sure that you have arranged for food to be served throughout the morning, something light and fresh will ensure that you don’t feel bloated.

Ask a trusted bridesmaid to carry your powder and lip gloss for a lastminute top up before you walk down the aisle.

Contact Sasha & stacie at the salon on 237844, email info@sashaandstacie.co.uk or visit their website www.sashaandstacie. co.uk. Find Sasha & Stacie on facebook to find out more about the treatments and products they offer

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FRESH//FOOD//FASTER

re a We

w o n en! op

Bring in a copy of Gallery and receive a free cup of coffee with every sandwich or salad purchased this month. /simonsaysgsy

@simonsaysgsy

Pop in and see us at: No. 3 Commercial Arcade, St Peter Port, Guernsey // Contact us on: 01481 729276

The best food & drink loyalty scheme in the Channel Islands t on inndulgence Wednesdays t 3Fceive throughout your Birthday month

t 3Fceive 500 points when registering... thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ÂŁ5 fPS '3&& t &Brn points with every purchase

APPETITE

NEW BEGINNING FOR THE END

Fresh and exciting things are happening at the Absolute End, as Gallery found out at the launch of their new brunch menu Words | Caroline Mauger

O

ne of the great things about Guernsey is our willingness to try somewhere different, whether it’s a brand new restaurant or a familiar establishment that’s undergone a transformation.

Since January the Absolute End has been under new management, with one of the partners being Seamus Duggan of Pier 17 renown. You might have overlooked it, nestled between its larger neighbours China Red and Boulangerie Victor Hugo, but perhaps now it’s time to get the Absolute End on your radar.

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What better way of starting the weekend than going out for Saturday brunch? It’s available from 10.30am every Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday for coffees, juice and the more decadent Prosecco, Bloody Mary and Mimosa. As the menu advises: ‘Brunch without booze is just a sad, late breakfast!’

My friend Kirstie joined me and our first surprise was being led upstairs and out onto a sun trap of a terrace.

With a riot of geraniums in pots, trellises and a huge awning, being able to eat al fresco was an unexpected bonus. There’s a really friendly, informal vibe out here and it’s not often two handsome young men ask to join us but how could I turn down the chance to review a couple of extra dishes?

Lukas and Ryan are from Cape Town and Sydney respectively, so we also wanted to know all about how Guernsey had lured them away from home and if it was living

up to their expectations (the island was, our summer temperatures slightly less so).

I was in immediate need of a caffeine fix and my Caffe Molinari Americano was perfect. I had a stack of incredibly light, fluffy pancakes served with crispy bacon and a jug full of proper maple syrup, with strawberries on the side. Kirstie went for Eggs Florentine: an English muffin and creamy hollandaise sauce served with freshly wilted spinach, although you might prefer Benedict (Parma ham) or Royale (smoked salmon). Lukas chose the Breakfast Grill – a full English – and Ryan had brown toast loaded with smoked salmon and chive-scattered scrambled eggs. We were all struck by the generosity of the portion sizes and the fact that everything was made with top-notch ingredients. Nothing lets down breakfast or brunch more than cheap and nasty sausages but Lukas, who works

GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

APPETITE

SIMON SAYS…

SUGAR VS FAT

F

at used to be regarded as the ultimate evil, ready to pile pounds onto your thighs within the blink of an eye, but now experts tell us that sugars are the real enemy – confused?

Let Simon Says explain the ultimate rivalry competing for space on your dinner plate.

What better way of starting the weekend than going out for Saturday brunch? Available from 10.30am every Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday for coffees, juice and the more decadent Prosecco, Bloody Mary and Mimosa.

As the menu advises: ‘Brunch without booze is just a sad, late breakfast!’

in hospitality, assured me that these were excellent: well seasoned and not too fatty.

Jugs of water were plentiful and topped up without us having to ask.

With more of that wonderful coffee and a glass of Prosecco, time flew.

And the great thing about brunch is that, being two meals rolled into one, you actually save calories!

Thanks to the newly hand-painted exterior of the Absolute End, it has a more contemporary look which is continued inside. Shades of cream and taupe and suede-soft chairs give a modern, relaxed feel and there are fabulous sea views. Upstairs there’s a private dining room that can comfortably sit 16 as well as a bar and cosy curved banquette-style seating, perfect for drinks or brunch if the weather stops you going out on the terrace.

Brunch is just the start of the changes at the Absolute End. The lunch and dinner menus are also being updated but if you love this place for its seafood, fearFRESH/ not: it will/FOOD/ still be the/FASTER star of the show, but with a modern twist.

Whether you’re after a light lunch or after-work drinks, this could be your new favourite spot. The flexibility of its layout makes it a great venue for a party or event; you could use the private dining room or even take over the entire restaurant, in which case you could move between the different areas for drinks, dinner and even dancing.

Friendly, informal and in a great location, the Absolute End was something of a revelation and one I’ll be adding to my list of favourites. For brunch on a sunny Saturday, you can’t beat it.

are e W

! now n e op

Bring in a copy of Gallery and receive a free cup of coffee with every sandwich or salad purchased this month.

The Absolute End, St. George’s Esplanade, St Peter Port Call for bookings 01481 723822 /simonsaysgsy

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

The truth is that the virtues of either fat or sugar over the other should not just be down to calories, there is also overall health to consider.

For over 20 years we have assumed that fat was the enemy because it produced cholesterol, which blocks up arteries, but now we know that is not quite right. The long and short of it is that two independent studies got linked, one found that those with high levels of cholesterol tended to die early of heart disease and the other found that if you ate a diet high in fat it raised your cholesterol. So someone deduced that 2+2 = 500 and the ‘low fat’ diet was born.

We are not saying that fat is not bad, it still raises cholesterol levels and is associated with heart disease. The problem is that we ended up replacing FAT with SUGAR, which can be more problematic for someone who is worried about heart disease.

The crucial element is this: it’s not that fat is good for you, it’s that if you replace fat with sugar it’s worse. Humans weren’t designed to eat this much sugar. We used to rely on fruit and the occasional beehive; how many apples are you likely to eat in a day? One or two?

Our bodies simply aren’t evolved to cope with much more. So when that sugar hits the liver it freaks out and starts to metabolise it in unusual ways, producing the worst type of cholesterol – lipoprotein particles.

At Simon Says we would recommend that instead of getting caught up in the whole fat vs sugar rivalry you simply try to reduce your intake of processed foods. Eat foods that look as similar to when they came out of the ground, or off the tree, as possible.

When it comes to fat, stick to the good guys and look for alternatives like coconut oil, avocado oil and olive oil because they are less processed.

And although it sounds totally against everything you have been taught to believe, eat FULL FAT all the way. Don’t go for the reduced fat or sugar alternatives.

@simonsaysgsy

Pop in and see us at: No. 3 Commercial Arcade, St Peter Port, Guernsey // Contact us on: 01481 729276 10238 SS WE ARE OPEN ADVERT JUNE (GALLERY).indd 1

14/05/2015 16:47

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W

SUN TRAP

hen the sun shines us Guernsey folk, like the rest of the British Isles, just want to bask in its glory. There is nothing more frustrating than being stuck at your desk on a hot summer’s day and at this time of year lunchtimes usually begin with a frantic panic as we dash outside to claim our spot in the sunshine.

The sun terrace at the Duke of Richmond provides the perfect setting to sit outside in comfort and make the most of your lunch hour. With beautiful views out to sea and protection from the wind, the terrace is bathed in sunshine come noon and makes a welcome lunchtime sun trap.

The Red Carnation Group never does anything by half measures. They will spoil you with some first-class service and with a lunch menu priced at £12.50 per person, including a glass of Pinot Grigio white or blush, there is no need to wait for a special occasion. Their new summer lunch menu includes salad dishes and local seafood as well as vegetarian; light, fresh and seriously mouth-watering.

With its smart reclining sofas and soothing water feature the terrace makes for a sophisticated venue for an evening cocktail party or daytime BBQ. There is even a dedicated bar outside and service team at your disposal, so that you can relax and enjoy the party, knowing that the drinks will be ice cold and the burgers served just the right side of flame grilled.

With its smart reclining sofas and soothing water feature the terrace makes for a sophisticated venue for an evening cocktail party or daytime BBQ. There is even a dedicated bar outside and service team at your disposal, so that you can relax and enjoy the party, knowing that the drinks will be ice cold and the burgers served just the right side of flame grilled.

This summer the terrace will also play host to a range of live music events on the first and last Friday of every month from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. Enjoy live music from local up-and-coming artists whilst enjoying the last heat of the day with some beautiful views. You will also be able to choose two cocktails from the special summer cocktail menu for just £10.

GALLERY

RUM PUNCH Our lovely friends at the Duke of Richmond have created a delicious summer cocktail just for Gallery readers, and what’s more they have shared the recipe with us so that you can recreate it in the comfort of your own garden this summer.

Gosling’s Gold Bermuda Rum (one measure) Havana Club 7 Year Old Cuban Rum (one measure) Dash of pineapple juice Dash of pomegranate juice Juice of half a lime 3-4 fresh strawberries Handful of ice Blend all of the ingredients until smooth and then pour into a long glass. Serve with a slurp of grenadine to finish and garnish with some fresh cranberries.

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GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

dukeofrichmond.com

Your perfect home from home Pop in for lunch or drinks on The Terrace overlooking Candie Gardens and take in the sea views of the islands beyond.

Join us for dinner in The Leopard Bar and Restaurant, where our chefs are keen to impress you with imaginative dishes, which you can enjoy in style and comfort. You’ll find freshly caught fish and seafood on the menu as well as our signature Rotisserie Chicken.

Our hotel proudly lives by the Red Carnation Hotel Collection’s mission statement “No request is too large, no detail too small”

Cambridge Park, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 1UY FOR RESERVATIONS TELEPHONE 01481 740866 Email: orlandoabreu@dukeofrichmond.com @DOR_Guernsey

/dukeofrichmondhotel

DOR_Guernsey

APPETITE

Champagne Tasting Notes From La Maison de Champagne

JEAN MILAN – BLANC DE BLANC 2009 £28.99

TREAT YOUR FIANCÉ(E)

to a private Champagne tasting...

Choosing the food and drink that you are going to serve to your guests on your wedding day is not only one of the most important decisions you will make, but it can also be the most enjoyable!

Our wedding tasting package includes a complimentary private tasting evening for you and your fiancé(e) in our romantic Frenchinspired Champagne boutique. We will also provide light canapés so that you can sample a range of our favourite house bottles at your own leisure. Our in-house experts will advise and guide you towards finding something unique that perfectly suits you and your special day.

Our philosophy at La Maison de Champagne is that there is a bottle of bubbles perfectly crafted to suit every occasion and that it is our job to open your eyes to the wide selection of options out there to suit both your taste and your budget.

TIPS FOR THE PERFECT WEDDING BUBBLES:

>>

A bottle of Champagne fills six flutes.

>>

You don’t have to break the bank; we have a wide range of price points available.

>>

>> >>

Rosé not only adds to the romance of the day but stands out as unique and memorable.

A very easy drinking Champagne which will be sure to please your guests on your big day, and go easy on your budget.

TASTING NOTES: This delicate Champagne of the 2009 harvest is a rigorous selection from Chardonnay vineyards in the Grand Cru village of Oger. The Zailleux, Beaudures, Barbettes, Chenêts sites receive the benefit of maximum sunshine throughout the season. You will smell aromas of crystallised fruits supplemented by a superb freshness and elegance.

As an aperitif, you will be seduced by the elegance and impact of this exceptional cuvée, very fine bubbles, just like a caress on your palate.

NICOLAS FEUILLATTE – BRUT £39.99 If you really want something special on your wedding day then this is the Champagne for you, its fine bubbles will leave a lasting flavour on the palate that your guests will remember long past the speeches.

TASTING NOTES: A variety of cru wines from the Champagne region are harmoniously blended to reveal a magnificent fruity structure, unparalleled in elegance.

Pale yellow in colour with turquoise tinges, and a ribbon of fine, delicate bubbles, the intense floral and white fruit aromas of this Champagne develop into notes of honeysuckle, pear and sweet citrus fruits. Delicate on the palate and characterised by finesse and elegance.

An impressive aromatic breadth, creamy texture, appealing freshness, a fruit extravaganza.

When using Champagne for cocktails choose ‘extra sec’.

Consider a sweeter ‘demi-sec’ to accompany the wedding cake. Come and see us at the beginning of your planning journey for

>>

Bring your menu with you to your tasting so that we can pair with your food choices.

>>

Tasting is the best way to decide…

all of your engagement and wedding party requirements. We will show you that planning does not need to be stressful as long as you include a pop, fizz and clink!

PLEASE GET IN TOUCH TO FIND OUT MORE BY CALLING 01481 740603 OR EMAIL INFO@CHAMPAGNE.GG

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APPETITE

Kitchen Library

HONESTLY HEALTHY FOR LIFE NATASHA CORRETT AND VICKI EDGSON Words Katie Whitford

V

egetarian chef Natasha Corrett and nutritionist Vicki Edgson published their first Honestly Healthy book to critical acclaim.

Together they work with the principle of eating the alkaline way, which is also predominantly vegetarian.

In this addition to the Honestly Healthy family, the pair aims to show how eating their way can be fitted into normal life without it becoming an obsession. There are

Predictably, I was feeling slightly sceptical by now. Nevertheless, I tried some of their recipes at home and the results were encouraging, easy and delicious. I had a hard job picking recipes, as there were lots that looked good - without too many ostentatious ingredients. First stop: My Favourite Granola. I’m a bit of a granola obsessive - I love making it at home and have tried out a few recently whilst honing my own recipe; some are genuinely healthy and delicious, others simply masquerade as health food and are really laden with butter and sugar. This version was mainly oats, seeds, almonds and apricot with sunflower oil and agave syrup - the only expensive ingredient; its glycaemic index is very low and it’s therefore much better for your blood sugar balance. The recipe was BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

clear explanations of the science (or pseudoscience) behind their thinking, followed by a selection of mouthwatering recipes divided into themed, event-style sections such as ‘Here come the Holidays’, ‘Sunday Nights at Home’, ‘Movie Night’ and ‘Picnic’. This is all very aspirational, but would make it infuriating to use as an everyday cookbook.

The opening sections were refreshingly readable and informative without sounding preachy. I was surprised to learn that ‘eating the alkaline way’ is not about eating alkaline food (silly me). It’s instead all about the way your gut deals with and reacts to

quick and simple and the result absolutely scrumptious with a lovely cinnamon taste; it hasn’t stayed around long.

I was torn between trying out the Spiced Dhal and Sienna’s Spaghetti Bolognese, both of which are lentil-based - as there was an outside chance my young family might eat these. The Dhal was pipped at the post as it involved making Buckwheat Flatbreads too, which was a step too far in my household. The vegetarian bolognese won and it was delicious, with flavour derived from balsamic vinegar, bouillon powder and tamari (posh soy sauce, for the uninitiated). It was fairly quick to make and flavoursome, and the youngest child ate it at least...

food. Hence, according to the book’s chart, the ‘acidic’ lemon is actually ‘really alkaline’ and therefore good. Truly acidic foods, including beef, chicken, cocoa, yeast and ketchup, are the real culprits, causing all manner of inflammatory problems, skin complaints and imbalance. Confused?

I was too - particularly when I read the ‘Alkaline Update’ on the bottom of the chart - basically this alkaline/acid rating is a latest version based on up-to-date tests; the upshot of this is that some of the foods which we thought were alkaline in the first book have now moved to the acidic category. Right.

My Favourite Granola INGREDIENTS Generally practical and affordable with the odd (avoidable) exception TASTE Unusual and delicious EASE OF RECIPE Quick and do-able VERDICT I will take the alkaline-eatingthing with a pinch of Himalayan pink salt, but I love some of the recipes and will be trying out more.

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APPETITE

love saving

With our Unique Champagne Subscription save over

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12 monthly payments

tasting notes

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four home deliveries

payment via standing order

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only £39.99 per month To take advantage of this incredible subscription please email info@champagne.gg or visit us in store at: 14 COMMERCIAL ARCADE • ST. PETER PORT • T: 01481 740603

www.champagne.gg 68

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ART&DESIGN

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CULTURE

Words Alexa Rowe

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FEATURE

‘There is so much information out there now that you can get for free, I think that there are a lot more people now thinking, “I can do that,” they are not as afraid. That’s how I felt, I’ve seen other people setting up their businesses and I thought, “I’ve got to do it.”

Yes, things can go wrong but you don’t know if you don’t try.’

P

enelope Hope was due to be the name of Nadia Newton’s third child but when her baby was born a boy she saved the name for what turned out to be her fourth baby, her own textile design business. Characterised by bright and bold colours, Nadia designs every print herself and has built several beautiful collections which she will be launching online at the end of the summer.

It was Nadia’s mother who first introduced her to textiles and sewing as a child and bought Nadia her first sewing machine, which she took with her to Art College. A degree in retail management followed and as part of her course she spent a year working at Marks and Spencer, helping to choose trends and design for the lingerie collections.

‘That year is what made me think, “I love this, I want to do it again”,’ said Nadia.

Following graduation she came back to Guernsey and worked in merchandising and marketing roles but always had the feeling that she wasn’t using her creativity to its full potential. ‘I’ve always been a frustrated creative. Although I’ve always enjoyed working in merchandising, buying and marketing I felt that there was something missing, that I wasn’t being fulfilled because of this dream I had of starting my own business and working for myself.’

While she was working full time Nadia struggled to dedicate time to her own business dreams but taking a career break to have children gave her the time and inspiration she needed to create Penelope Hope. She started formulating a business plan after the kids were tucked up in bed and took a digital textile design course at London’s Central Saint Martin’s College.

‘That was what really put the fire in my belly and made me realise that this is definitely what I want to do.’

Nadia has spent the last two and a half years experimenting with different design techniques to build several distinctly BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

colourful collections, which she will launch at Tent London, a design trade show, this September.

The use of refreshingly vibrant colours is the first thing anyone who visits Penelope Hope Studio & Showroom in Mill Street will notice about the collections. ‘I’ve always been really quite obsessed with colour, the bolder and brighter the better,’ she said. ‘I like really saturated colours and I think that has probably been enhanced since having children.’

Nadia’s designs have also been inspired by her travels around the world; some of the designs have been taken directly from her photos. ‘Travel has been one of the biggest inspirations for the brand. I was lucky enough to travel around the world with my husband after we got married and before having kids, so I took about three cameras with me and took thousands of photographs.’

This inspiration is evident in her Oresome Collection, which features hand screenprinted metallic foil designs using gold, copper and silver overlays. The collection mixes exotic Moorish designs with classic heritage patterns such as herringbone and dogtooth.

Nadia’s love of Guernsey is also evident in the Plunge Collection which is inspired by fresh waves crashing over the island’s sea walls and vivid memories of fish and chips on the beach. The fabrics and cushions feature two of Nadia’s abstract ink paintings with vivid turquoise, indigo and cobalt blues.

Nadia uses a variety of design techniques to create her unique patterns including painting, drawing, photo manipulation and digital design. Modern technology has given her the freedom to experiment using programmes to manipulate images. She has also made use of the huge range of tutorials on YouTube and Pinterest and taken online courses to learn new skills.

‘There has definitely been more of an encouragement for people to set up their own businesses, particularly in the designermaker sector. In Guernsey we have great support from Startup Guernsey; they helped me a great deal when I was looking into setting up my business.’

Nadia is now putting the finishing touches to her collections and is planning to sell them to stockists in the UK and Guernsey as well as through her website. Her designs are already being stocked in Clermont West on Guernsey’s Kings Road and she is working on a collaboration with a large UK retailer Swoon Editions where her fabric will be used on limited edition armchairs, launching in the autumn. Watch this space! penelopehope.com swooneditions.com www.facebook.com/penelopehopestudio Instagram: @penelopehopestudio Twitter: @Penny_4_Them

WIN! Penelope Hope are offering Gallery readers the exclusive chance to win one of their coveted designer cushions, Palm Sky in Midnight (pictured), by signing up to the PH newsletter on their website at penelopehope.com

Nadia says this accessibility of information has really helped her to hone and expand her craft without having to necessarily leave the island and encourages more people to use the resources at their fingertips.

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SECOND SHOT: WHITE NOISE Photographer: Boucher-Harris Photography Model: Alexandra Wolniewicz

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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FEATURE

THE £7,500 SOLDSTORY/GALLERY GIVEAWAY

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any of you will know Guernsey resident Simon Torode from his association with property launching and sustaining one of the most innovative estate agents in the island. In fact, his relationship with all things creative goes back even further.

Simon was born with the creative gene.

Educated in Guernsey, Simon moved to mainland England at 18 to complete a Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art & Design) at Winchester School of Art followed by a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design at the University of the West of England, Bristol. After graduation Simon was lucky enough to land his first job as a junior designer for a marketing agency in Hatton Garden, London, after winning a nationwide competition. Over the next few years he worked for many prolific agencies in central London - from tea boy to Creative Director - before finally leaving the big smoke to travel the world. He returned to Guernsey to infuse property with design and, at the tender age of just 28, created Livingroom - undoubtedly raising the bar far higher than ever seen before; leading the industry towards a fresher and more dynamic direction. With Livingroom’s 10th anniversary imminent in January 2016, it was the perfect time for him to add a new company to the stable and merge entrepreneurialism with creativity.

published; the power of global, social connectivity means we now have access to the world at the touch of a button.’

who have all shown enormous commitment to the project, and I would like to thank them for their hard work.

Soldstory is a community for talented creatives; no matter how isolated a creative’s studio may be they need no longer feel that they work alone – there is real potential to have a global impact through Soldstory and we think that’s exciting - especially for talented local creatives.

‘It’s important to me that Soldstory is not an anonymous company formed in a corporate, ivory tower. Soldstory is much more about a true connection with its members through intrinsic understanding. I am a creative; I know we can be a different breed. We dare to dream big, we are passionate about what we do and, most of all, we like to be surrounded by those who are likeminded yet highly individual.’

‘I really want Soldstory to be a springboard for islanders to showcase their work to the world.

When creatives become members I will do my very best to market their skills and spend every minute increasing their audience to get the best possible exposure. We already have over 6,000 followers (as of July 2015) through social media and direct e-mail sign-ups. That’s a promising and humbling start given we haven’t launched yet.’

Gallery has been lucky enough to have had a sneaky peek at the beautifully designed and intuitive website where creatives choose from one of three packages and join for an annual term before uploading their work for sale together with their personal biographies. Simon has shown us the complexity of setting up such a website from scratch with multi currencies, international tax laws and strong competition in the e-commerce sector and we think the idea really works. There is something very fresh and inspiring about the language used and it already feels like an established brand with a strong visual identity.

We’re delighted to offer the £7,500 Soldstory/Gallery Giveaway, offering 100 free £75 (enhanced package) annual memberships to talented local creatives looking to sell their work online. Each member can upload images of up to 100 works of art when the site launches in August and enjoy discounted commission upon sale of goods.

Soldstory is a new marketplace for authentic, handcrafted creative works by passionate artists working in all accessible media.

Soldstory allows creatives to personalise their online presence; setting out their story, explaining to their potential consumers a little more about themselves and their work.

Research has shown that consumers want more personal contact and personality from online retailers in general and those they choose to feature in their homes specifically.

They want to know the story.

Simon said: ‘If you’re going to invest in a creative piece then the story behind it is often as compelling as the content. Living on the small island of Guernsey shouldn’t be a barrier to how artwork is seen or

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‘I am really excited to launch Soldstory in August. It’s been an enormous learning curve to create a Guernsey-based company with international reach and we are very nearly there (he says with a nervous eyebrow twitch!). I have been working with the incredible team at Blix among others –

We’re delighted to offer the £7,500 Soldstory/Gallery Giveaway, offering 100 free £75 (enhanced package) annual memberships to talented local creatives looking to sell their work online. Each member can upload images of up to 100 works of art when the site launches in August and enjoy discounted commission upon sale of goods.

If you are a creative of a professional standard, over the age of 18, living and working in Guernsey - Soldstory could be the perfect platform for you.

Before the automated application process is even live on the website you can be part of the story. All you have to do is email simon@soldstory.com with two images of your best works (no more than 3mb each) together with a brief description. Please add Soldstory/Gallery Giveaway in the subject bar. Soldstory will then be in touch to let you know if you have been successful in your application based upon your brief submission. Quality is key and not everyone will be accepted.

Soldstory is an ethical, mindful company and reserves the right to accept or reject applicants at its absolute discretion.

Work which is obscene, pornographic or offensive, including material that incites racial hatred or promotes discrimination, will not be accepted.

‘I am so looking forward to unearthing new talent. It’s a really exciting place to be right now as the online art market grows to exponential levels. The value of this online art market has grown from $1 billion in 2013 to an estimated $2.64 billion this year.

Based on that growth trajectory the Hiscox Online Art Trade Report estimates it will be worth $6.3 billion in 2019. It’s time for Guernsey to have a slice of that too.’.

GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

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‘I am so looking forward to unearthing new talent. It’s a really exciting place to be right now as the online art market grows to exponential levels. The value of this online art market has grown from $1 billion in 2013 to an estimated $2.64 billion this year.

Based on that growth trajectory the Hiscox Online Art Trade Report estimates it will be worth $6.3 billion in 2019. It’s time for Guernsey to have a slice of that too.’

Simon Torode, creator and founder of Soldstory.

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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FEATURE

HOMEGROWN TALENT REIGNS AT BOUTIQUE FESTIVAL Photography : Kieran Higgs

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ore than 1,000 revellers crammed into a tent, dancing and singing along to a popular Guernsey band’s rendition of its song about growing up locally, with many more enjoying the spectacle from the comfort of the sundrenched grass outside – it was a defining moment of this year’s Sark Folk Festival.

The band in question was Buffalo Huddleston, performing early on the Saturday evening of the sold-out three-day event last month. With its set heralded by many as the highlight of the festival, the six-piece folk-hop act attracted the biggest audience of the weekend. Everything seemed to fall into place for the band.

Since the festival had opened its doors the previous lunchtime the weather and setting had been idyllic, complemented by outstanding entertainment and all-round merriment. When the baton was passed to Buffalo Huddleston the festival atmosphere was at melting point. The band delivered the goods with a high-energy set of its increasingly well known originals before handing over the stage to deafening cheers.

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Zoe Phelps-Lovell, a fellow performer, said: ‘Buffalo Huddleston created such an amazing vibe among the crowd and everyone just wanted to party with them.

They had so much energy and I didn’t see a single person not smiling.’

Finance worker Chris Brock added: ‘I danced so much that I had to go to see my physiotherapist to sort myself out. It was the highlight of the weekend.’

Clearly the atmosphere on the day had a role to play in Buffalo Huddleston’s groundbreaking performance, and that is down to the immeasurable popularity of the event. Some six years ago when folk fanatic Simon Harvey hatched a plan to stage a festival of his favourite genre of music in Sark he presumably could never have imagined the phenomenon he was about to create.

The first festival in July 2010 was an instant hit, leading to the annual event selling out ever since, with this year’s staging doing so in just minutes when the tickets went on sale last November. Surely the envy of event organisers the world over, but just what makes it so popular? Well if you like your folk music that’s surely obvious.

But the event’s appeal is far broader than that. For three days the site and idyllic island surroundings become a close-knit community of likeminded souls, intent

on having lots of fun. Alongside the great entertainment are so many quaint and quirky elements that give the event its character – cliff-top yoga sessions, musical workshops and fantastic seafood among a host of other delights. Of course the glorious weather was a big bonus this year, but even the torrential downpours in 2014 couldn’t dampen the festival spirit.

Ask a variety of revellers from any year what bands they enjoyed the most and you can guarantee that several of the Channel Islands’ acts will be mentioned. And that is another great charm of the event in that it embraces local talent. There are a handful of Bailiwick bands which have truly become part of the Folk Festival fabric, including The Recks, The Ukuladeez, The John Wesley Stone and The Space Pirates of Rocquaine, to name just a few. All enjoyed great performances this year. But for many it was Buffalo Huddleston who stole the show. And they’d been tipped to do so following a triumphant afternoon slot in 2014. Frontman Mike Meinke admitted the band were all apprehensive ahead of the gig as they were unconvinced they could top last year. ‘We were all overwhelmed by the response this year - it was the best gig of our lives,’ he said.

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Buffalo Huddleston fuses elements of folk, reggae and hip-hop into its unique brand of melodic upbeat pop. Its sound is characterised by fingerstyle guitar, classical strings, catchy vocal hooks and rap.

Founding member Mike, who has been performing under the name Buffalo Huddleston for several years, plays acoustic guitar and sings. In late 2012 he invited Sarah van Vlymen and Becky Hamilton to join him, adding intertwining violin and viola parts and vocal harmonies. The newly named Buffalo Huddleston Trio went on to release a five-track EP, Sky High, in September 2013. In the build up to its release Mike’s long-time musical collaborator Jull-Z starting joining the trio live, adding rap. In March 2014 the band expanded further with Thomas Bradshaw on bass and Simon Prince on drums. The six-piece embarked on a busy summer of gigs all over the Channel Islands and got to work on its debut album Sunrise, which was released last October.

They have showed no signs of slowing down since, having performed in all the main Channel Islands this year, including sets at the Jersey Folklore and Alderney Performing Arts festivals. But it was their return to Sark that they had all been most looking forward to.

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

Buffalo Huddleston played on the Vermerette Stage, the smaller of two main stages which sit at the far ends of a large L-shaped tent.

This clever set up enables one band to be playing on one stage while another gets prepared on the second, ready to seamlessly take over. Avoiding long pauses between acts is a big positive of the festival.

The band opened with the reggae-styled Dancing in Seven-eights, getting the whole tent moving. Next came the title track of the Sky High EP, the first of many songs in the set, which had much of the audience singing along. When a local act achieves this it is real testament to the songwriting. In Buffalo Huddleston’s case, it is also helped by impressive record sales and lots of gigging, but the catchiness of the melodies and references to island life clearly help.

Early on in the set, new song Come in From the Cold got an airing, seeing Sarah put down her violin in favour of a melodica.

With Tom also switching his double bass for the electric it was clear things were about to step up a notch.

as the band and crowd became one big dancing force.

‘We’re in tents and this really is intense,’ said Jull-Z as Waiting For the Right Song came to a dramatic drum and bass finale.

The band ended its set with new song Mr Cloud, which Mike had written in response to the wet weather experienced at the festival last year. Having been performed at its last few gigs, the bouncy song seemed to be already known by many. And those unfamiliar were quickly won over – especially by the spectacle of Mike playing guitar and didgeridoo at the same time.

Buffalo Huddleston left the stage for a couple of minutes before answering calls for an encore, and returned to play Sunrise, a tuneful ballad with a real sing-along chorus.

As is now expected with live versions of the song, it culminated with an up tempo hillbilly coda which raised the roof one last time.

The band looked on a real high while soaking up their applause, before returning to the crowd to enjoy the rest of the festival.

Then came the highly anticipated moment when MC Jull-Z took to the stage, as the band launched into Chillin’, a firm singalong favourite. Energy levels hit the roof

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Art For Everyone

10 days of exhibitions, open studios, talks and workshops.

T

his summer, Guernsey artists open their doors to draw in the public from across the island. Their hopes are to inspire and engage the community by celebrating in many different art events and activities. The Skipton Art Festival has something for everyone and you’re invited to take part from Friday 31st July to Sunday 9th August.

Artists will be demonstrating their craft and encouraging islanders to get involved.

There is a diverse yet eclectic mix, from illustration to ink, pastel to printmaking, and tapestry to tattooing. In addition you are invited to draw your own self-portrait at the festival HQ, where your newly crafted work will be displayed to create a visitors’ exhibition.

The Skipton Art Festival headquarters is at the Longport Group Building at the Royal Terrace in St Peter Port. You will find the ‘Wall of Art’, featuring one piece from each of the artists exhibiting. This display, laid out in a collage style, showcases the unique range of art side by side.

Exhibitions, Exhibitions, Exhibitions Take an hour out of your day to visit one of the many open exhibitions. Observe the artwork at your leisure, and make sense of the artist’s subject matter and technique as you choose to interpret it.

Go along to the Inner Market in St Peter Port and see paintings from the Sarnia Arts and Crafts Club’s Summer Exhibition; or why not visit Gate House Gallery where artists have responded to the theme, ‘Speculate’, producing pieces which hint at the idea of investment within the finance industry?

Talks welcome us into the minds of the artists themselves Set your mind free, engage with the artists and join in the discussion with thoughtprovoking topics on art. There will be opportunities for you to participate in interactive talks and creative walks, as well as lunch-break ‘commuter sketching’.

Open studios invite us to get even closer to artists You can see how the artists work firsthand with a visit to one of the many Open Studios around Guernsey. Chat to the artists and view their work in situ, from St Peter Port to the Vale and St Sampson.

Improve you technique during the free workshops A series of workshops are on offer for both adults and children. Each looks at creativity at different levels, but with the overall aim to get everyone involved and excited about personal expression. Subjects range from moving toys to wild watercolours, and are suitable for absolute beginners to those with more experience. Spaces are limited but entry is free.

Follow Skipton for future events and see highlights from the festival Join Skipton Art Festival on Facebook. If you want to relive the experience of the festival again, you can view filmed coverage of the Skipton Art Festival on: www.skiptonartfestival.com

The headquarters should be your starting point for exploring what skilled islanders have to offer. Here you can pick up one of the festival catalogues and programmes which give more details on the events.

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GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

From Aqua to Teal: Memorable Moments Turquoise, tourmaline, teal…all names for a bluegreen shade evocative of Japonism in art, of retro chic rooms of the 1950s and ‘60s, and gem-like tones that can instantly enrich any neutral interior.

It’s little wonder these tones come to the fore of interior style time and time again, for either a bold, fun or cool contribution to our homes.

My first moment of intrigue with the colour teal was during a visit to artist James McNeill Whistler’s ‘Peacock Room’, a magnificent 1870s dining room transported from British shipping magnate Frederick Leyland’s London home to the Freer Art Gallery in Washington DC. The aura of the room was at once luxurious and exotic with hints of East meets West, providing a contemplative and moody ambience.

Teal can also be successfully layered into classic, neutral interiors to add freshness, or to lend a nod to the sea. In the same way the ocean blends aqua and turquoise with ultramarine waters, it’s no longer uncommon to see such a mix of blues comfortably coordinated within a single room. And if we can’t enjoy a moment of teal in our interiors, perhaps we can catch a glimpse of it from our very own window, or on our way to work…

Michele Hilton Design 19 Mansell Street St Peter Port, GY1 1HP Guernsey, Channel Islands T: 44 (0) 1481.726.700 W: www.michelehilton.com

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Whilst mid-century modern rooms may have featured entire sofas or glossy walls in this vibrant shade, a fascination with teal accompanied the discovery of new materials such as moulded plastics and lacquers in über-groovy brights. Today there are myriad home accessories that allow us to introduce the colour teal to our homes more affordably, and even seasonally, for selfexpression. Home décor players such as La Fibule and Jonathan Adler, for example, offer a fresh array of home furnishings and accents that celebrate ‘retro chic’, from furniture down to cushions, lamps, vases, or playful tabletop settings.

UG A 9 – Y L U J 31

u t fo r lo o k o o t ok e r u s acebo M a ke ts on F n e v e f u tu re h li g h t s r tc h h ig l on ou and wa fe s tiv a e h t m fro n e l. e chan Yo uTu b fo r : ok J u s t lo e s tiv a l n Ar t F o t S k ip # SA F G SY

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CULTURE

“There wasn’t a comic shop in Guernsey before now, so anyone wanting to read up-to-date material had to order online or from stores in the UK, meaning they would pay the retail value plus postage. There was a gap in the market so it made sense to start something local”.

What kind of challenges do you face in this market?

Obviously getting people to know we are here is the first goal. Being a small store we can’t stock large volumes of everything so we offer monthly orders for titles. Online is still a threat, as to all local businesses, so we try to make things as welcoming as possible. The big challenge is getting people not familiar with comics to think beyond the superheroes; the two largest publishers - Marvel and DC - dominate the market but in reality there are thousands of titles every month that aren’t superhero related. There’s something for everyone.

COMIC RIVALS Words Nathanial Eker

A

re you a Marvelite or a DC fan looking for the latest issues of your favourite heroes’ and villains’ exploits? Whether you’re a Superhero guy, a Doctor Who gal or even a Spongebob fan (!), there’s a comic book for you at the recently opened ‘Bazinga! Comics’. Located at the top of the Bordage (the old Kendall guitar shop), the store is compact but crammed with treasures any proud comic book nerd like myself will appreciate. I spoke to owner Chris Murphy through a haze of action figures, comics, graphic novels and other collectables about the history of the store, what they’re all about and his thoughts on the new Batman…

When did you first set up?

My partner, Hayley Le Page, and I started a year ago on a small market stall at the Arts Commission’s Seafront Sunday, embracing the challenge of selling paper-based products outside in unpredictable weather.

We then opened the shop that November.

Why comic books?

There wasn’t a comic shop in Guernsey before now, so anyone wanting to read upto-date material had to order online or from stores in the UK, meaning they would pay the retail value plus postage. There was a gap in the market so it made sense to start something local.

Do you have a personal favourite read?

My favourite has always been Captain America, however I do have the luxury of reading a large variety of titles so it’s hard to pin it down.

Tell us about how free comic book day (the first Saturday in May) went this year…

Free comic book day was a huge success.

We did the giveaway, and also had a tombola, cakes and a costume draw. Next year it will be even better, we can’t pull in loads of creators to do signings being offshore, so we try and think outside the box a bit.

What’s next for Bazinga?

Lots! In August we will be launching Titan’s weekly Doctor Who title, September is Batman Day, and in October we’ll have the Halloween comic fest which we are starting to plan now.

And most importantly of all: what do you think of Ben Affleck for the new Batman?!

I’ll wait to see the movie before I pass judgment. Many people laughed when it was announced but Michael Keaton had the same thing and people soon changed their minds. Most people think of Affleck’s worst films and apply that logic, what they don’t realise is that he is a Batman fan so I honestly think he’ll do fine if the script is good; plus you can’t really go wrong with the source material.

For all things comic-book related, shop local and look no further than Bazinga!

Comics on the Bordage next to Tower Hill or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Tumblr. www.bazingacomics.co.uk

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GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

The Gallery property supplement | no. 67 | August 2015

GLASS ACT

PLACES IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY

PLACES

A new place dedicated to finding a new place.

Dunnell Robertson Partnership Ltd was established in May 1997

by Drew Robertson and Andrew Dunnell to bring together their experience in the fields of Architecture and Building Surveying. The practice has a combined total of over 100 years of involvement in the Guernsey construction industry. They look to add value to every project as appropriate with their architectural and surveying skills, allowing them to be ‘innovative, creative, fluent and often bold’.

Oracle is a highly experienced group of professional advisers based in Guernsey, who provide effective financial solutions and insurance products with an emphasis on personal service and long-standing relationships. In a sea of financial and insurance providers, Oracle is a strong, independent partner and they aim to look after your best interests over the long term. Their advice is clear, jargon-free and tailored to your individual circumstances.

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Contact

Contact

Andrew Dunnell BSc MRICS

Andy can be found engaged in undertaking residential surveys, valuation work and various other aspects of surveying.

The next Guernsey Property Price Bulletin is due and is very unlikely to make great reading if you are currently trying to sell a property.

The data will more than likely illustrate what is being seen in the property industry on a day-by-day basis which is low volumes of sales and property prices which at best are stagnant and in some sectors are showing a significant downturn.

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Conor Burke CertPFS

Conor provides effective financial solutions and insurance products, emphasising a personal service and building long-standing relationships.

One of the key issues however does remain the affordability of housing, especially for first-time buyers, and some may well welcome the current trend. Lower prices are all very well if there is a ready availability of mortgage funds, particularly for those first-time buyers, but the number of lenders in the market has clearly reduced and those who are lending have stricter criteria than has been the case in the past.

There does need to be a solution for those living at home or renting who will never benefit or want the options of social housing. One possibility may be the reintroduction of the States Housing Loan which enabled many islanders to get onto the property ladder – after all, if the States can raise money to fund the social housing programme through bonds, is there not the option of raising some money to fund the reintroduction of a new version of the Loan?

It may give a welcome boost to the market.

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PLACES

Our Places supplement now sits at 28 pages, all dedicated to helping you learn more about the property market and finding a new home. Thanks to our partners below, we’re also able to bring you the latest property in premium print quality and full colour to help you find the perfect new place.

Mourant Ozannes’ highly skilled and experienced Guernsey property law team is focused on providing expert residential and commercial property advice and a truly personal service. Combining an enviable speed of response with technical expertise, Mourant Ozannes work tirelessly on your behalf and keep you fully informed at every stage of your transaction.

Martel Maides is one of Guernsey’s largest estate agents, established over 40 years ago, with a team of over 22 people including specialists in residential sales and letting, commercial sales and lettings and property management. They are conveniently situated in the centre of town, making it easy for you to drop by. Their passion for property is only matched by their enthusiasm!

www.mourantozannes.com

www.martelmaides.com

Contact

Contact

Mark Torode Partner

An Advocate with more than 10 years' experience at the Guernsey Bar, whose client base was founded on a vast network of contacts but which has grown due to his reputation for dynamism and problem-solving.

Even if you are a first-time buyer, having never owned a property in the past, you need to make sure your ‘house’ is in order, well your finances at least!

Many who have bought homes recently will have been through the mortgage process and thus know that our personal finances are under more scrutiny than ever. Following the Mortgage Market Review and subsequent policies which came into force earlier this year, lenders now wish to see how much we are spending each month and on what!

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

If you are saving up for your first property, you should ensure your monthly bills are paid promptly, you don’t have too many macchiatos and that your bank statements look healthy. This may all sound a bit excessive, but the number of affordability checks lenders now have to carry out has increased substantially.

Terry Gardiner Director Terry read Real Estate Management at Oxford Brookes University, has worked with the Island Development Committee in Guernsey and is a qualified chartered surveyor. Terry deals in all aspects of commercial property and is an RICS Registered Valuer.

to cut down on those monthly utility bills.

Reducing these bills and ensuring your affordability rating is good may be the difference between getting that loan for your new extension!

Such checks also apply if you already have a home and a mortgage and are looking to borrow more. It’s therefore more important than ever to ensure those lights are turned off and that your house is well insulated

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PLACES

ADVERTORIAL

THE PERFECT EXTENSION A NEW DEVELOPMENT FOR SARNIA Words Katie Whitford

S

arnia Estate Agents, one of the island’s leading property agencies, is adding another string to its bow in the form of Vijay Wiltshire, Managing Director of Wiltshire Property.

The companies are joining forces and are excited about their future together in the Guernsey property market. One of Guernsey’s busiest property agents already, the merger will strengthen further Sarnia’s prominent local presence.

The local agency has an enviably strong reputation and solid client base, which it has won and maintained over its 32-year history.

They are proud to call themselves ‘The Guernsey Property Experts’ on their website and they are able to offer a very wide selection of local and open market properties for rental or sale. In addition they offer a full scope management and lettings service and are the only agency on-island to offer conveyancing expertise as part of the package.

The merger with Wiltshire Property will mean that the company now boasts in excess of 50 years’ combined experience in its team of eight, described as being ‘youthful yet experienced.’ To start with, the agency will continue to run from Mansell Street and will have a secondary office on Pier Steps in the centre of St Peter Port. However, the team is excited to be relocating soon to a prime location at No. 37, High Street, St Peter Port.

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Alex Ford, Managing Director of Sarnia Estate Agents, took over the helm in 2009, purchasing the successful and busy agency from good friends Noel and Pat Le Tissier.

With him he brought years of experience in the Guernsey property scene and has since seen the company go from strength to strength, becoming a comprehensive, ‘onestop-shop’ to clients locally.

‘At Sarnia we are proud that customer care continues to be our number one focus,’ says Alex. ‘Our catchphrase is “We do more”.

Whilst remaining approachable and downto-earth, we offer high levels of service and the utmost professionalism, whether to vendor, landlord or purchaser.’ Alex is understandably thrilled to be welcoming Vijay now, with his diverse expertise, to the Sarnia team. ‘Vijay brings energy and commitment to all he does. In particular he will enable the growth of the Management and Commercial Department,’ states Alex.

Vijay Wiltshire has always had a passion for property, buying his first one at the age of just 19. Educated locally and at Loughborough University, he has worked in the local property market for the last eight years, which included establishing his own successful business, Wiltshire Property.

‘I’m not afraid of a challenge,’ laughs Vijay, who admits that starting out on his own was a tough step. ‘I am very excited about our latest move with Sarnia and am keen to grow the business together with Alex whilst introducing new ideas and thinking into the property marketplace. Both of us bring

respective strengths to the table, but I’m a firm believer in the fact that you never stop learning.’

Alex certainly doesn’t do things by halves.

‘We are delighted to be the agency that are running the Property Lottery 2015 in Guernsey, raising money for the very worthy cause of the Guernsey Cheshire Home.’ he explains. ‘So far we’ve already raised in excess of £170,000 and our aim is to hit £500,000 by the end of the year.’

Somehow Alex also finds time to be the chairman of The Lord’s Taverners’ Guernsey branch and train for a charity boxing match this month which will raise funds for The Lord’s Taverners and the National Kidney Association.

The pair will undoubtedly continue to exploit the use of new technologies and social media including Facebook and Twitter as part of their ongoing strategy and desire to be ahead of the game. Alex is clearly proud of the Sarnia website, which is easy to navigate, with market-leading photography, as well as their in-house bespoke software package.

Both Alex and Vijay believe that a truly personal service is the number one priority for Sarnia. This is reflected in the ethos at Sarnia Estate Agents as well as in the feedback from satisfied clients of both Sarnia and Wiltshire Property. As Alex explains, ‘In Guernsey, word of mouth and your local reputation are key.’

GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

He really thrives on the close relationship he builds up with vendors, landlords and purchasers throughout the process, and the pride and satisfaction gained when great feedback is given, is second-to-none. Vijay adds that ‘people buy into people’ and however important the use of technologies is in the local property market, he explains that ‘there is no substitute for face-to-face communication with your client and network and no excuse for hiding behind a computer in this business!’

Vijay Wiltshire has always had a passion for property, buying his first one at the age of just 19.

Educated locally and at Loughborough University, he has worked in the local property market for the last eight years, which included establishing his own successful business, Wiltshire Property.

The merger with Wiltshire Property follows a recent share buy-in from the local group, Qube. This was a significant springboard for Sarnia, which has enabled them to offer a truly comprehensive lettings service and in-house maintenance team. The agency is justifiably proud to be able to now offer an extremely competitive combined rental and management service rate of just 7.5%.

The Sarnia maintenance team in particular means that the whole process becomes at once integrated, streamlined and straightforward for the client. As Alex explains, ‘At Sarnia we offer first-class service at the most competitive rates. This now applies to all aspects of property ownership.’

Sarnia Estate Agents, with Vijay Wiltshire on board, will continue to build on the strength of its reputation and experience, with its ultimate aim of being the first port of call for absolutely anyone looking to enter or navigate the Guernsey Property Market.

For beautiful gardens...

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Petersfield P L A N T

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Petersfield Vinery, Rue des Reines, Forest GY8 0JD

Josh · 07781 431 340 | Olly · 07781 411 852

All aspects of Guernsey property For information please contact: Martyn Baudains +44 1481 746173 m.baudains@babbelegal.com Alison Ricketts +44 1481 746162 a.ricketts@babbelegal.com www.babbeconveyancing.com

Babbé conveyancing

Call 01481 713371

Visit www.babbeconveyancing.com

PO Box 69, La Vieille Cour, La Plaiderie, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 4BL

85

A-LA-FIN TRP 160 £645,000 ST. MARTIN

JOINT AGENT

This well presented bungalow is situated in a quiet lane within the sought after parish of St. Martin. Recently refurbished throughout, the property is spacious throughout and offers lots of natural light. The accommodation comprises a spacious entrance hall, three bedrooms (one being a master with en-suite shower room), family bathroom, sitting room, dining room, a modern kitchen, utility room and a cloakroom.

Externally, there is plenty of parking available at the front of the property along with a small lawned garden area. There is access around the property from both sides which lead to a sunny patio area with views over a neighbouring field. Various outbuildings include two domestic greenhouses, storage shed and a potting shed.

LE PRILLER TRP 286 £745,000 ST. PIERRE

SOLE AGENT

Occupying a large elevated plot in the tranquil rural parish of St. Pierre du Bois, Le Priller is a great family home. The notably light lateral accommodation comprises a porch, entrance hall, sitting/dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory, utility room, cloakroom, bathroom, separate WC and four bedrooms. Externally, the property boasts a large, level garden with heated swimming pool, decking and areas ideal for home growing. There is also a detached garage and extensive parking for multiple vehicles. Plans have been passed to create first floor accommodation, if desired. Internal viewing is highly recommended to appreciate the tranquility that Le Priller offers.

CONTACT GUERNSEY’S LEADING ESTATE AGENT +44 1481 233008 / INFO@LIVINGROOM.GG

WWW.LIVINGROOM.GG REGISTER ONLINE @ WWW.LIVINGROOM.GG AND BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

CLEVELAND HOUSE TRP 242 ÂŁ895,000 ST. PETER P

SOLE AGENT

Situated in a convenient location, within a short walk of St. Peter Port centre, Cleveland House is a superb example of a Victorian townhouse which has been stylishly renovated and extended to provide a great family home. The accommodation on the ground floor comprises an entrance hall, with feature tiling, dining room, kitchen/sitting room, utility room and cloakroom. Four double bedrooms occupy the top three floors, two of which are en-suite, and there is also a spacious family bathroom. Externally, there is a smart, South West facing garden with a brick built outbuilding to the rear and parking for two cars to the front.

Viewing highly recommended.

SHORNCLIFFE TRP 149 ÂŁ975,000 ST. ANDREW

JOINT AGENT

A stunning 1.85 acre, elevated site situated in the desirable parish of St. Andrew,yet conveniently, just a brief five minute drive to St. Peter Port amenities and schools. Shorncliffe boasts a stunning aspect over the beautifully tended St. Pierre Park golf course towards the North West coast of Guernsey. Permission has been granted to construct a substantial dwelling in excess of 4,000 sq ft, although the site provides a blank canvas for future owners to create their very own, bespoke, dream home (subject to the relevant permissions). For further information please do not hesitate to contact the Local Market team at Livingroom on 233008.

MartelMaides

Call us today on 713463

martelmaides.co.uk Flat 3, Winchcombe Hse

Les Tilleuls

TRP 66

SOLE AGENT

TRP 62

St Peter Port

Modern 2 Bedroom Townhouse Walk-In Condition Throughout Quiet Yet Central Location Good First Buy/Rental Investment

Eldara

£229,000 TRP 151

St Peter Port L’Ardeche

£299,000 TRP 152

SOLE AGENT

SOLE AGENT

Modern Build 3 Bedroom Home Spacious Reception Rooms Convenient & Quiet Location Sunny Enclosed Garden

St Sampson Le Douit Cottage

TRP 127

St Peter Port 1-3 Juniper Hill

£498,000 TRP TBC

Romford

TRP 114

SOLE AGENT

Deceptively Spacious 2 Bedroom Home Lounge With Wood Burning Stove South Facing Garden Spacious Kitchen/Diner

£325,000

Vale Smugglers Rest

TRP 147

SOLE AGENT

Immaculate 2 Bed Detached House Conveniently Located Lovely Enclosed Rear Garden Good Parking & Garage

£439,000

TRP 79

SOLE AGENT

SOLE AGENT

Attractive 1 Bedroom Apartment Own Entrance And Stairwell Stylishly Presented Throughout Walking Distance To Town Centre

Piccolo Cottage

Charming 2 Bedroom Property Light & Airy Accommodation Very Large Rear Garden Parking For 2 Vechicles

Vale

£439,000

La Petite Fourquie

TRP 152

SOLE AGENT

Charming 2/3 Bedroom Cottage Ideally Located Next To Cobo Bay Large Garden & Outbuildings Ample Parking

Castel

Detached 3 Bedroom Cottage Central Cobo Village Location Parking & Gardens Walk To The Beach

£525,000

Castel

£ 540,000

TRP 191

Shane

TRP 139

The Croft

SOLE AGENT

Beautiful 2 Bedroom Cottage West Coast Location Stunning Condition Throughout Garden & Parking

St Saviour Carpe Diem

Brand New 3/4 Bedroom Townhouses High Specification Finishing South Facing Gardens & Parking Quiet St Peter Port Location

£549,000 TRP 185

St Peter Port Risebridge House

£580,000 TRP 201

SOLE AGENT

Immaculate Detached Bungalow 3/4 Bedrooms, Open Plan Layout Off Road Location, Quiet Lane Good Parking & Sunny Gardens

St Sampson

Spacious 3/4 Bedroom Bungalow Quiet St Martins Lane Location Lovely Mature Gardens Ample Parking

£595,000

St Saviour No.4 The Strand

TRP 210

St Martin

£650,000

La Roche Douvre

TRP 371

SOLE AGENT

Modern 3 Bed Detached Home Immaculately Presented Views Over Delancey Park Parking, Garage & Gardens

£665,000

Detached 3/4 Bedroom House Beautifully Presented Throughout Quiet St Saviour Lane Location Lovely Garden, Multiple Parking

St Sampson

£699,000

Substantial 3 Bedroom Town House Very Sought After Location Sea Views Over Havelet Bay Large Terrace & Parking Space

St Peter Port

Stunning 5 Bed Coastal Property High Specification Living, Large Balcony Spectacular Rural & Sea Views Detached Annex & Terraced Gardens

£825,000

Torteval

£1.595m

GUERNSEY’S MOST SUCCESSFUL ESTATE AGENCY

E S TAT E A G E N T S

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VA LU E R S

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CHARTERED SUR VEYORS

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AUC TIONEERS

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P R O P E R T Y C O N S U LTA N T S

CARRÉ P

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ST PETER PORT

£275,000

TRP 83

ST PETER PORT TRP 49

SOLE AGENT

ST MARTINS

£595,000

TRP 101

£249,000

CASTEL TRP 177

01481 249168 WWW.CARREPROPERTY.CO.UK

£560,000

ST U N N I N G I N T E R I O R D E S I G N FO R YO U R B AT H R O O M

KITCHENS

BATHROOMS

BEDROOMS

INTERIORS & EXTERIORS

FREE DESIGN SERVICE

FITTING

Transform your bathroom into a relaxing haven for the ultimate pampering experience. At Channel Island Ceramics we offer a broad range of beautiful, innovative products from leading brands including Hansgrohe, Villeroy & Boch, Kermi and Geberit.

Visit our Forest Road showroom today, call us on 234000 or view our range of designer brands at www.cic.gg.

S E T T I N G T H E S TA N D A R D S I N C E 1 9 7 8

PLACES

WELCOME HOME The much anticipated new Bonsai Home showroom is now open and as expected it’s chock full of the most stylish European home furnishing brands.

T

his is design heaven. Bonsai has established itself as the first port of call for stylish furniture brands that match their own reputation for quality and craftsmanship. Now, with the opening of its new showroom, Bonsai has extended its homewares range, offering more contemporary designers, more choice and more to tempt customers.

L I G H T UP ‘Lighting can transform a space,’ says Katie Le Tissier, Bonsai’s interior designer. ‘It’s an easy and affordable way to experiment or change a room for the new season or just to freshen up the look.’ Gallery has fallen in love with the Vita lights from Denmark, one of Europe’s most exciting cities for design. Available as pendant, desk or floor lights, Bonsai is displaying the beautiful goose feather ‘Eos’, which gives off a natural ethereal glow, and the simple Silvia light, which is composed of blade-like pieces.

‘Most Vita lights are also available in gold and copper, which are very on-trend colours for the home,’ explains Katie.

Copper can also be found lining the organic shapes of the ‘Sensu’ industrial pendant lights. Stunning hung solo and even more effective in a cluster, the copper interiors give off a warm glow that would give any room a welcoming feel. Also in stock is the French brand Lamp Gras, which is steeped in design history. It has a simple aesthetic and the ergonomic design and classic feel make these stylish anglepoise lights a timeless buy. Like everything at Bonsai, the quality is second to none and the designs are well thought out – the Lamp Gras shades can be mixed and matched with the different stands so you are buying something that can be used around the house in different settings for years to come.

S H E LV E I T ‘We love the Quodes storage units by Nendo because customers can choose the colour they want, so it’s very bespoke, which is something Bonsai really strives for in all we do,’ explains Mat Rolfe. ‘Quodes is a Dutch brand house that we discovered which offers ranges from several renowned designers. They specialise in quirky, contemporary furniture and shelves that are simple but beautifully made.

‘We have been lucky to tap into a host of cool Dutch brands via our network there.

The designers work very collaboratively and we’ve been introduced to lots of exciting talent. Our ambition is to bring in different designers for the showcase area of our showroom. This area will change four to six times a year so we can give more designers display space and keep things really fresh for our customers. There will always be something new to see.’

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GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

PLACES

ACCESSO RISE Bowls, throws, cushions, clocks, mirrors and rugs…the Bonsai Home showroom is full of temptation. ‘It’s all about giving customers lots of choice. It can be hard to come by things that are a little different or unique in Guernsey and we want to change that,’ says Mat. A quick browse will inspire you to update a room, treat your sofa to some new cushions, buy a funky desk clock or simply pick up some new tableware. There are lots of small, affordable items that are hard to resist!

MADE FOR YOU Bonsai’s reputation for beautiful wooden pieces, handcrafted on-island, is well known and high demand means their workshop is always busy. To help them meet customers’ desire for bespoke timber furniture Bonsai has partnered with a European joinery firm, which offers a ‘tree to table’ operation. From sustainably harvesting their own timber and drying it on site to manufacturing by experienced joiners, the company matches Bonsai’s own high standards of quality and finish.

The result is Bonsai’s Sensu brand - modern, solid oak tables, cabinets, wine racks, shelving and accessories of incredible quality. As Mat says: ‘They make pieces like we would make. They have a range of designs, but they can all be adapted and made bespoke according to what the customer wants.’

TAKE A S E AT

The Bonsai story Bonsai’s reputation for style, quality and craftsmanship has been built over the last decade. Known for creating bespoke timber floors, joinery, furniture and showpiece elements such as stunning wooden staircases, Bonsai’s philosophy is to take beautiful materials and enhance their natural beauty through simple, stylish design.

Bonsai Bespoke will design, create and install complete projects or one-of-akind furniture pieces for domestic or commercial clientele. Bonsai Elements focuses on wood, concrete and leather flooring, carpets and rugs, internal doors, ironmongery, paints and decking - the finishing touches that transform a property.

Now, the latest chapter in their story is the new Bonsai Home Showroom.

The 1500 sq. ft. space is dedicated to showcasing true Bonsai style.

From affordable home accessories to furniture centrepieces, the team has sourced the most stylish European brands, all of which meet Bonsai’s own exacting standards for quality.

The showroom will also be the place to find the Sits sofas, which Bonsai stocks exclusively. Combining affordability and an incredible choice of fabrics, Sits offers beds, sofas, chairs, coffee tables, sofa beds and accessories and is a favourite brand of the Bonsai team. ‘It’s versatile, cost effective and we love that they collaborate with so many internationally-acclaimed designers to create as complete a range as possible. They conBECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

stantly offer something new,’ says Mat. The Bonsai Home showroom is a must-visit for anyone who loves style and quality. As Katie says: ‘People are having more fun now with interior design, we are getting bolder and using more colour and texture. The showroom will have a lot of on-trend products from across Europe that will change seasonally, there will always be something new and exciting.’

Bonsai House, Southside, St Sampson’s

01481 200011

www.bonsaigroup.gg

95

St Peter Port

TRP 41

Vale

TRP 129

St Peter Port

Vale

E

E

SOL

SOL

> 1 double bedroom apartment

£247,000

LR2404

St Sampson T

JOIN

NEW

TRP 115 NEW

£275,000

LR2334

Vale

TRP 104

£310,000

LR2415

St Peter Port

£310,000 St Sampsons

TRP 127

NEW

NEW

>

> 3 double bedroom House

£349,000 St Sampson T

JOIN

TRP 135

NEW

£390,000

St Sampsons T

St Sampson

NEW

LRJean

JOIN

TRP 109

£375,000

LR2425

TRP 170

TRP 92

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NEW

£349,000

St Sampson

TRP177

LR2411

LR2332

St Peter Port

£559,000 TRP 97

OLE

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NEW

£439,000 St Sampson

LR2419

£489,000

Vale

TRP 157

£320,000 St Sampson

TRP 130

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SOL

SOL

> 3 bedrooms

LR2402

£575,000

LR2412

£469,000

LR2391

£479,000

cranfords.co.uk

£485,000

Sales | Rentals | Management | sales@cranfords.co.uk St Peter Port

TRP 125

TRP134

St Sampson E UR AT FE

E

SOL

E

SOL

OP PR TY ER

£349,000 St Vale Sampsons

TRP 171 157

£375,000

LR2310

St Peter Port

TRP 72

E

Sole

SOL

£540,000 £570,000

LR2395 LR2372

£420,000

LR2424

£599,000

St Peter port U AT FE

U AT FE

E

E

RE

SOL

RE

SOL

OP PR TY ER

TY ER

OP PR

> 4 double bedrooms

> 5 double bedrooms

£499,000

LR2272

cranfords.co.uk

£749,000

£195,000

£220,000

£280,000

£335,000

ST PETER PORT

ST PETER PORT

ST PETER PORT

CASTEL

One bedroom, lounge/diner, kitchen, shower room.

Kitchen, lounge, bedroom and bathroom

Two bedrooms, open plan kitchen/ lounge/diner, shower room and a private garden

Open plan kitchen/lounge/diner, bedroom, bathroom, parking for two cars, communal gardens and visitor parking.

SOLE AGENT NEW INSTRUCTION

NEW PRICE

SOLE AGENT

£349,000

£349,000

£365,000

£385,000

ST SAMPSON

ST PETER PORT

ST PETER PORT

CASTEL

Three bedrooms, lounge, kitchen/diner, bathroom and utility. Patio garden. Good on street parking nearby.

Three bedrooms, lounge/diner, kitchen and bathroom. Parking and courtyard garden.

Lounge, kitchen/diner, two double bedrooms, bathroom and WC. Garden.

Good on street parking nearby.

Two double bedrooms, lounge, kitchen/ diner, bathroom, garden and parking for 2/3 cars

NEW INSTRUCTION NEW PRICE

NEW PRICE

SOLE AGENT

NEW PRICE

£399,000

£399,000

£435,000

£445,000

CASTEL

ST PETER PORT

ST PETER PORT

ST PETER PORT

Lounge/diner, kitchen, conservatory, three bedrooms, bathroom and a WC. Garden, patio and parking for four cars.

Lounge, kitchen/diner, two bedrooms, bathroom and a large garden. Rented parking available nearby.

Lounge, kitchen/diner, three bedrooms, bathroom and a study/hobby room.

Garage, parking and gardens.

Kitchen, lounge/diner, three bedrooms, bathroom, parking for two cars and large gardens. Potential to extend.

NEW PRICE NEW INSTRUCTION

SOLE AGENT

NEW PRICE

NEW PRICE

tel: 01481 714445 // email: info@shields.gg web: www.shields.gg

£450,000

£469,000

£510,000

£515,000

ST PETER PORT

ST PETER PORT

ST MARTIN

VALE

Lounge, dining room, kitchen, conservatory, two double bedrooms, two attic bedrooms, bathroom and WC. Garden and parking for two cars.

Lounge, kitchen/dining room, three bedrooms, bathroom and separate WC. Garden and Parking for two cars.

Lounge, kitchen/diner, three bedrooms and a bathroom. Parking and garden.

Lounge, kitchen/diner, dining room (bedroom 5), four bedrooms, bathroom and a WC. Garage, parking and garden.

NEW INSTRUCTION NEW INSTRUCTION

SOLE AGENT

NEW PRICE

£515,000

£525,000

£560 ,000

£615,000

VALE

ST SAMPSON

ST PETER PORT

ST SAMPSON

Lounge/diner, kitchen/diner, three bedrooms, bathroom and a WC. Garden and parking for numerous cars.

Bungalow, kitchen/breakfast room, dining room, lounge, 3 bedrooms and a bathroom. Garden and parking for a number of cars.

Four double bedrooms, lounge/diner, kitchen, utility room, two bathrooms, WC, garage, garden. Parking for two cars.

Kitchen/diner, lounge, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, utility, WC, garage/ workshop with attic room. Parking and gardens.

NEW INSTRUCTION

NEW INSTRUCTION SOLE AGENT

NEW PRICE

£795,000

£850,000

£1,195,000

£1,275,000

ST PETER PORT

ST SAMPSON

ST MARTIN

ST SAMPSON

Main house: 4 bed, lounge/diner, kitchen/ diner, living room, study, bathroom, utility, WC. Wing: Single bed, kitchen, lounge, shower room. Gardens, garage/parking.

House: Kitchen, dining room, lounge, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, utility.

Dower: Lounge, bedroom, bathroom.

Large garden / Lots of parking spaces.

Kitchen/breakfast room, living room, dining room, sun room, 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, utility room and a WC. Large garden, garage and parking.

Living room, family room, sun room, kitchen/diner, 4 bedrooms, study (bed 5), 4 bathrooms, playroom, utility, dark room, garage, swimming pool, parking, large garden.

NEW INSTRUCTION

NEW INSTRUCTION

SOLE AGENT

SOLE AGENT

SOLE AGENT

Need your property valued? Call us on 01481 714445 for a free, no obligation, verbal and written valuation.

For our most recent instructions register at www.shields.gg or follow us on facebook and twitter

PLACES

Words Caroline Mauger

Y

ou’d definitely do a double-take if you saw Avocet – there’s nothing else quite like it on the island – but you’d have to know where to find it first.

Tucked away off Fort Road, above Fermain Valley, this property is in a very secluded, tranquil spot. All that glazing might be problematic if you were located on a main road, but it makes perfect sense when you enjoy such a high degree of privacy.

100

Avocet is the brainchild of Tim Guilbert of Consult and Build and architect Andy Dunnell of Dunnell Robertson Partnership.

Their goal was to create a low-maintenance, highly efficient home with an arresting design, and they’ve ticked all three boxes with aplomb. It’s hard to say what strikes you first: the glazing, the unusual wooden tower or the roof, which looks like it has been carefully draped across the top and side of the property, shielding it from prying eyes and harsh sunlight.

Because natural light is desirable but excessive heat is not, Low-E architectural glass has been used to create those impressive windows. The building’s airtightness strategy is along Passive House lines and includes a full MVHR system. That stands for Mechanical

Ventilation with Heat Recovery and it provides fresh air and improved climate control, while also saving energy by reusing up to 95% of the heat that would otherwise have been lost. Another ecofriendly acronym employed here is SIP construction: SIPs are structural insulated panels which work to keep fuel bills low. If you do need some extra warmth, there is underfloor heating throughout and an air source heat pump.

Avocet’s sunken design lends itself well to reverse-plan living, so we’ll refer to the ground floor and lower-ground floor rather than upstairs and downstairs. The entrance hall leads to a huge walnut-floored kitchen/ diner with a curvy central island that adds interest to the sleek lines of the glossy German Beckermann kitchen, supplied by

GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

PLACES

clutter here with a generous utility room/ kitchenette and a plant room with plenty of cupboards – this is the command centre for all the energy-saving systems, electrics and communications. There’s even a wine cellar which, if you so preferred, could be used as yet more storage. Larger items such as bikes or kayaks – you know you’d want one if you lived this close to Fermain Bay – can be housed in the large outdoor store.

Outside there are two sunken decks: the one in front of the living room would be perfect for an al fresco breakfast whilst the other catches the late afternoon sun.

This is a low-maintenance garden, best suited to those who don’t have the time or inclination to spend hours weeding and mowing.

The building’s airtightness strategy is along Passive House lines and includes a full MVHR system. That stands for Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery and it provides fresh air and improved climate control, while also saving energy by re-using up to 95% of the heat that would otherwise have been lost. local company Design Interiors Ltd. The surfaces are crafted from Silestone and it’s equipped with two Liebherr refrigerators and freezers, a Miele dishwasher, two Siemens ovens and a wine fridge. Popping up the power point in the middle of the kitchen island, complete with USB points and blue LED lights, makes you feel rather like James Bond. There’s even a walk-in-pantry with space to store everything from amaranth to za’atar. Yet another stunning feature of this room is the free-form glazed balcony which overlooks a double-height atrium.

If you’re wondering what is housed in the tower, which is clad in larch timber and walnut stained, at ground floor level there is a highly individual study which would look superb with a bespoke curved desk.

Behind the tower and approached from the entrance hall are bedroom suite two and the master suite. All four bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms with different designs; the second en-suite has beige travertine tiles and a bath and the bedroom has a contemporary Juliet balcony. Another design feature are the super-wide white spray-painted doors throughout the house, which will avoid complicated arrangements

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

when the lucky owners’ furniture arrives.

Doors from the master bedroom suite lead outside to a patio deck. Everything about this suite has bags of wow factor: the dressing area is massive, there’s a separate WC and the bathroom, with a walk-in shower and double-width basin, has the ultimate make-up station: a whole chorus line could get itself showtime-ready here!

Avocet has only just been completed but Keith Enevoldsen, Director of Martel Maides, has had very positive reactions from those who have been lucky enough to take a peek: ‘It’s a statement property with the wow factor, and these days people want a house to live in, they don’t want to be a slave to maintenance.

‘Twenty years ago people didn’t worry about fuel costs and the money they might have to spend maintaining an older property.

Now they have woken up to the fact they are potentially throwing away thousands of pounds on energy bills, so a modern, energy efficient home is very attractive.’

The third and fourth bedroom suites are located on the lower ground floor. Rather than tiling, en-suite three has cool polished plaster walls and there’s a walk-in shower.

Bedroom four features a walk-in wardrobe and a white tiled shower room. The living room, like all the communal areas, has walnut flooring. There is a recess for a 90” television and, in common with the whole house, this room is wired for sound thanks to the Teletask system that allows all the lighting and electrics to be controlled centrally.

We’ve all seen properties that look great with nobody living in them but have precious little storage; this is certainly not the case with Avocet. There’s no excuse for

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Your property in Park Lane Showcase your Open Market Property to the lucrative London market For more information on promoting your property in our Park Lane office or for a free valuation, please contact Fine & Country Guernsey on 01481 711511 or email guernsey@fineandcountry.com

Support for first-time homebuyers

We’ve put our heads together to find you a solution.

We’ve always been on hand to help you find your first home. Now we’ve put our heads together to help you buy it!

Swoffers has teamed-up with SPF Private Clients Limited to bring you the latest properties and show you how you can afford them.

We hope you’ll find this new approach helpful, and that you’ll soon be collecting the keys for your new home and moving in!

Please call 711766 or email sales@swoffers.co.uk for more information or to arrange a viewing.

SPF Private Clients Limited is an associate of Savills plc

Keep up-to-date with our latest properties suitable for first-time buyers at www.swoffers.co.uk/first

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107

BUSINESS

B U S I N E S S

I N T R O

Words : Jay Aylmer

‘Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, Son.’

W

hilst growing up the only subject I was any good at, quite literally, was art. School was a genuinely fun and happy period of my life, but not exactly easy.

My scholastic CV included, but was not limited to, getting sent home early from pre-school for tying my shoe laces together so hard that they couldn’t be undone, conveniently preventing me from going to other lessons; being politely kicked out of Latin for getting 8% on my first ever Latin exam (apparently a first, which is a positive surely); and after 10 years of ‘Classics’ lessons (my absolute specialist subject), getting an E at A Level.

Things were so ‘excitable’ during this period the powers that be even tested me for dyslexia when I was 17 - the only comment from the examiner being, ‘He’s not dyslexic, it’s more like he’s missed two years of full education’…. but that’s fine. I spent most of my education doodling, and making and building things in an imaginary world whilst also ‘nailing’ art classes. Back in the late 80s and early 90s ‘art’ was still considered, to a degree, a hobby (well certainly in my father’s eyes). But I always felt that everyone around me had creativity in spades and I fed off that…more so from the naughty kids I must admit, but all good in my innocent view.

Fast forward 20 or so years from my happy childhood of having hair and going to Art College, and I’m lucky enough to say I have worked with a large number of extremely varied companies designing their brands, helping them market themselves, giving them an online presence and putting creativity into their strategic proposition.

The one key factor through all of this is the collective love of ‘creativity’ shared by ourselves and our clients.

I think the reason our clients enjoy the process is not necessarily because we’re charming and happy people and we do awesome work (which I like to think we do), or even that they always believe in the value of it - sometimes it’s commissioned just because they know they should be doing it - but because they actually enjoy, for a short period at least, moving outside of their comfort zone and core skill set and being creative themselves or, more likely, reconnecting with their creative side. Yes, we do have the odd client who ends up with an eraser stuck up their nose looking slightly confused, but again, that’s fine. They enjoy being in a creative environment, and talking to people about creative things and creative solutions. It’s a change from their daily job and is something that is inherent in all of us and all of them.

This is probably why so many designers, architects, or developers get met with such positive enthusiasm (which, as designers, we require as we are all very needy, emotionally unstable people). Our clients are dealing with highly visual, especially interactive elements of their business and not only will it a) help them to sell, market and grow their businesses, but b) it’s highly visual and interactive!! They can relate to it, whether they believe it or not. What’s not to love?

People are, on every level, creative. Simple as that.

The reason I’m telling you all this, is that it still baffles me to this day (and looking back) that people differentiate between creative people (or the Emos who did art back in the day) and the academics, or businessmen and women.

We in the design, marketing and advertising industry will be ready and (slightly creepily) waiting with open arms to embrace our clients and the overall islands’ creative streak. Bring… it… on.

People are, on every level, creative. Simple as that.

Jay Aylmer

The Potting Shed Design & Advertising

jay@thepottingsheddesign.com

01481 727699 // www.thepottingsheddesign.com

A creative thinker and designer. Jay and his team have worked and developed some of the most effective and memorable brands and marketing campaigns in the local and international marketplace

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With studios in both Guernsey and Jersey, The Potting Shed Design & Advertising is a multi-discipline agency founded in 2007 on two basic principles: ‘Find a Better Way’ & ‘Find a More Beautiful Way’. They work on a variety of clients from global brands to small boutique companies across the UK, the Middle East and Asia.

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B U S I N E S S

UK Mortgages Limited Launches New Fund Through Guernsey

Carey Olsen’s investment funds practice in Guernsey has advised bond fund house TwentyFour Asset Management on the launch of UK Mortgages Limited, a new investment fund which listed on the Specialist Fund Market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE) last week.

The fund’s investment strategy is to provide shareholders with stable income returns through leveraged exposure to portfolios of loans secured against UK residential property.

The successful launch makes UK Mortgages the second largest investment trust to launch in 2015. The fund, which was oversubscribed, is targeting an annual return of between seven and 10% with an annual dividend of 3p per share and raised £250 million from investors.

Corporate Partner Ben Morgan led the Carey Olsen team which provided Guernsey legal advice on the offer, fund incorporation and launch within a twomonth timeframe assisted by Senior Associate Emma Penney. The fund was incorporated as a Guernsey company limited by shares.

Advocate Morgan said: ‘It was a privilege to work closely with the team from TwentyFour on such a significant investment fund launch which is the first of its kind. The selection of Guernsey as a domicile is testament to our strong reputation for LSE listed funds. Of the 16 LSE IPOs so far this year, eight have been Guernsey companies.’

Prestigious New India Focused Event India’s economy and the nation’s business opportunities were lead topics

for discussion at the recent flagship London event: “India: Is an Economic Transformation Underway?”

The ninth annual event, co-sponsored by Nerine Group of Fiduciaries, attracted more than 300 delegates with an interest in India including senior practitioners from the family office, asset management, private equity, banking and fund management sectors along with large institutional investors, government officials and representatives from the House of Lords.

Addressing India one year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and his proreform Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), won a historic mandate in the country’s general election, the event included a keynote speech from High Commissioner of India to the UK, H.E. Mr Ranjan Mathai, along with panel discussions from a number of eminent speakers: Former High Commissioner of the UK to India, Sir Michael Arthur; Clayton Dubilier & Rice partner, Marks & Spencer and Thomson Reuters director and Hindustan Lever exchairman and MD, Vindi Banga; London School of Economics emeritus professor of economics, Lord Desai; Development Credit Bank chairman and Jaguar Land Rover (UK) director, Nasser Munjee and author and Bloomberg News Emerging Markets International editor-at-large, Gavin Serkin. Quite the line up.

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Future of Global and Digital Communications at Channel Islands PR Forum

The trends shaping the future communications landscape globally will form the focus of debate at the inaugural CIPR PR Forum to be held in the Channel Islands in September.

Organised by the Channel Islands Group of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), the half day ‘Channel Islands PR Forum 2015: Future Reputations’ conference will take place on 24 September at the i2 offices in St Peter Port, and will feature a line-up of visiting experts right across the digital, international and academic PR space.

As well as featuring a keynote speech from current CIPR President Sarah Pinch, the event will also include a session on the complexities of engaging in international PR campaigns led by Eva Maclaine, Principal of Maclaine Communications, and consultant, researcher and lecturer Dr Barbara Gibson.

Nerine Group Supports

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T H E

I N T E R V I E W

PETER WEBBER: 21 UP

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s global financial services company Credit Suisse gears up to celebrate 30 years in the Channel Islands, Caroline Mauger talked to Peter Webber, Head of Business Development, about his 21 years with the company.

Peter Webber joined Credit Suisse as a graduate trainee in 1994 and now heads up Business Development in the Channel Islands. Born and raised in Guernsey, he returned after gaining a degree in Business Management and initially trained as an accountant. ‘I don’t think anyone dreams of being an accountant as a small boy,’ he says. ‘I graduated in 1991, right in the middle of quite a deep recession, and I wanted to work in advertising but hardly anyone was recruiting. A friend’s father, whose opinion I respected, said if you understand numbers you’ll always be one step ahead of the next guy. So I started training as an accountant and I did that for two and a half years.’

Not having a passion for auditing, Peter contemplated a career change.

‘I was considering various off-island jobs when I saw an advert in the Press for Credit Suisse, which back in 1994 was a small, growing organisation in Guernsey.’ Peter started on a fast-track graduate training programme and signed a seven-year contract, which he admits was rather daunting, but he had the chance to experience almost every area of the organisation.

It was apparent early on that the client side of the business was Peter’s main strength, and he relished the opportunity to travel. ‘During the first two years I had to do all my professional qualifications, and the quid pro quo was that I could get all these different off-island placements. I spent eight months in Geneva, six months at the international bankers school in Chicago and a year in London was an opportunity that came up along the way. I was based at Canary Wharf, which was still a bit of a backwater then.’

Now based in the Channel Islands, Peter has had responsibility for Credit Suisse’s Jersey operation since 2013 and splits his time between the two islands. ‘To start with I was in Jersey at least four days a week, to really get my feet under the table, but now we’ve got a great team in place so I’m down to two days a week there. The days vary but rule no.1 is never to go to Jersey on a Friday. I broke this rule last month and got stranded by fog for almost the whole weekend.’

The differences between the islands keep things interesting for Peter.

‘Spending time in both islands gives me a unique perspective on how it all works and they are very different places. Jersey’s a vibrant finance centre and is very business-first, but the population in the industry seems more transient than in Guernsey.’

There are two parts to Peter’s role: overseeing a team of client advisers who look after investments for private clients, and development of the business. ‘My job is to look at what we can do, not what we can’t. We’re in a very risk-averse industry right now so there’s a lot of pressure on us coming from many different angles.’ So what qualities are required to do

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the job well? ‘It’s probably a slightly overused word but you need to be authentic, and to have done the job yourself. If you don’t actually believe in what you’re saying, people can spot it a mile off.’

Peter is clear about what aspect of his job he most enjoys: ‘Categorically, no question, it’s meeting clients. It’s not meant to be cheesy but what

I’ve been here 21 years and I haven’t been given a reason to leave, I’m doing a job I enjoy with a company that’s very highly thought of. Credit Suisse is a name that will get you a meeting with anyone, not just here but globally. As our business grows, we are actively recruiting at the moment in the islands.’ we do is all about the clients; we have some really interesting, self-made, clients from diverse backgrounds. It’s fascinating to hear what drives them, and what’s made them successful.’

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These are still challenging times for the finance sector: ‘For us, 2015 has probably been the most stressful, challenging year because of the constantly changing international regulatory position, but at the same time this has been the most successful year we’ve ever had in the Channel Islands.’ Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of Credit Suisse’s presence in the islands and a number of employees have been with the company for almost as long.

‘I’d say it’s very unusual in the industry to have such stability,’ says Peter. ‘One of the guys in my team has been here seven years and we still call him the New Boy! ‘I’ve been here 21 years and I haven’t been given a reason to leave, I’m doing a job I enjoy with a company that’s very highly thought of. Credit Suisse is a name that will get you a meeting with anyone, not just here but globally. As our business grows, we are actively recruiting at the moment in the islands.’

Credit Suisse gets involved with the community, from supporting reading in local schools through the Every Child Our Future programme and sponsoring the Guernsey Symphony Orchestra to raising money for Jake’s Heartfelt Funds. You won’t always see a flurry of publicity surrounding these projects. ‘It’s like putting the money in the church collection, you don’t get a £20 note and wave it around before you put it in – unless a charity will benefit from the publicity, we tend not to make a big fuss.’

Peter is a former President of the Round Table (‘You get kicked out when you’re 45, which keeps it moving forward’) and current Chairman of both Help a Guernsey Child and the Bailiwick Scout Association.

‘In order to have a bit of balance I would strongly recommend everybody gets involved with voluntary organisations, because you either get to practise the skills that you need for work or use them to benefit others.’

As someone who has successfully changed careers, what advice would Peter give to anyone thinking of doing the same? ‘You spend a huge percentage of your waking life at work so if you don’t genuinely enjoy what you do you need to seriously think about what your motivations are. It can’t be all about the money, that doesn’t make any sense.’ And for those embarking upon a career: ‘Don’t think when you graduate that it’s all over. The expectation to keep current is constant, so you need to accept that’s going to be part of life and keep on achieving at what you do.’

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Award Wins Demonstrate Guernsey’s ILS Pedigree Guernsey’s leading position in the Insurance Linked Securities (ILS) arena has been reinforced at this year’s Trading Risk Awards.

It comes after two of the jurisdiction’s reinsurance companies, Kelvin Re and Secquaero ICC, were named winners in their respective categories at the London awards. Held annually, the Trading Risk Awards recognise the very best in the reinsurance convergence market.

Kelvin Re won the initiative of the year award, while Secquaero ICC won the investor of the year category for Schroders Secquaero. Both companies use the services of Aon Insurance Managers in Guernsey.

Aon Managing Director Paul Sykes said: “We are delighted for both Schroder’s Secquaero and Kelvin Re. The awards are deserved recognition for their innovation, professionalism and commitment to the global insurance industry and reflect well on Guernsey as their preferred jurisdiction. We wish them continued success in the future.”

Guernsey’s Fund Industry Growth Figures issued today show that the value of investment fund business in Guernsey grew by £2.8 billion (1.28%) during the first quarter of this year.

It means the net asset value of all funds under management and administration in Guernsey now stands at £222.2 billion.

Statistics from the Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC) also show that there were 25 new investment funds approved during the first quarter of 2015.

Dominic Wheatley, Chief Executive of Guernsey Finance – the promotional agency for the Island’s finance industry, said: “It is encouraging to see strong growth in the Guernsey funds sector at the start of this

year – not only in terms of the net asset value of funds under management and administration but also in the number of new funds approved in the quarter.

From small Acorns...

A Channel Islands-based investment company listed on the Channel Islands Securities Exchange has acquired a 25% interest in Acorn Group Holdings Limited (Acorn).

BIL already owns shares in Jacksons CI Group, the Channel Islands Securities Exchange, Jersey Electricity, Jersey Water, Guernsey Recycling and aviation company ASG Group. Sealyham Investments Limited (Sealyham), a holding company for the Scott Family Office, has also acquired a 25% stake in Acorn, and the remaining 50% continues to be owned by Acorn’s Chief Executive Officer Richard Harrop who will continue to lead their senior management team.

Acorn is a profitable, well respected and market-leading Jersey-based asset and consumer finance business, which has built up its reputation for client service over the last 12 years. At present it has a lending book of £35.6m, and it is the intention of management to grow this significantly over the next few years. As a consequence, in addition to their equity investment set out above, BIL, Sealyham and clients of Ravenscroft Limited have agreed to provide future funding by subscribing for preference shares in Acorn.

David Lowe, Chairman of BIL, said, ‘The purchase of Acorn once again demonstrates BIL’s desire to acquire significant stakes in profitable and well run Channel Islandsbased businesses. We look forward to working alongside Sealyham and the senior management team lead by Richard, in growing the business over the coming years’.

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WHITE ROCK’S NEW LOCAL

The Guernsey ale producer White Rock Brewery now has its own pub from which to sell its popular range of beers.

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he young company, launched in May 2013, received its big break that December when The Cornerstone became its first stockist. And now White Rock founders Jack Gervaise Brazier and Ross Gledhill have taken over the successful Cornet Street pub with plans to create a haven for local produce.

White Rock Brewery has achieved unprecedented success over the last two years. Jack and Ross credit this to its ethos of establishing new niches to help complement and diversify the busy local ale market. In doing so it has avoided any rivalry and has been welcomed by all its local competitors. Bucktrouts and Randalls, both renowned for their own ales, also both stock White Rock in their pubs. Jack said: ‘From the offset we appreciated how competitive the market was, so we strived to create a niche to fill rather than producing more of the same and increasing the existing competition.

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Words Tom Bradshaw

‘Some people find it rather strange that White Rock has been appreciated by our would-be rivals, but they understand that we offer something a little different which can help the market segment. So we’ve tried to turn what could be a massive rivalry into a strength.’

Now at the helm of The Cornerstone, White Rock will continue this tradition by stocking a full range of local ales alongside its own.

‘Strategically as a business, having the pub now allows us to showcase our own ales alongside those of our competitors, to provide our customers with the best possible choice rather than shying away from any competition.’

He said it was the perfect merger of two likeminded businesses.

‘In our first year we pretty much focused on the brewing and the making of new and exciting ales. We had a great 2014 and then at the turn of the year we were asked if we’d be interested in taking over The Cornerstone. It made a lot of sense as we were expanding.’

The acquisition was completed in mid June.

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‘It was a dream of ours when we started the brewery to have a pub. But because of how difficult the market was we decided to focus on the day-to-day business rather than getting carried away. But when the pub came up we felt we had to seize the opportunity.’

The Cornerstone had been run by the Cann brothers since 2001; ‘They had established a very impressive business. We always liked the warm and traditional local feel of the pub, which fitted very well with our businesses culture.

‘We have a hardcore support group for the White Rock Brewery. In turn The Cornerstone also has a fantastic following. So this carries on with the trend of strengthening niches rather than head-to-head rivalry.

ale. The brewery’s next release was Pushang, a limitededition zesty pale ale which was launched in support of The Eleanor Foundation. The beer was a very popular drink at last month’s Sark Folk Festival.

Among its other creations have been Cow Tipper, a whopping 5.8% ale which was brewed especially for the Herm Real Ale and Cider Festival. Jack said: ‘One of our biggest strengths is our flexibility in that we can have four ales on at any one time. Being at events like those in Herm and Sark has been very successful for us and we plan to do a lot more of it, as well as staging some events of our own.

‘That said, we are creating a sustainable business and plan to be around a long time, so we’re not going to rush to do everything at once.’

‘Microbreweries in the UK and, more recently, the USA have been popping up everywhere. We know that there are some fantastic pubs in Guernsey offering cask ales from across the UK and the Channel Islands but at White Rock we like to do things differently.’

‘The Cann brothers were massively supportive of us from the start, and now we are delighted to be in the position to carry on their legacy.’

White Rock’s niche has been in bringing the microbrewery craft revolution to the Channel Islands; ‘We came to realise that there was a gap in the market for good quality, locally brewed craft beer. Of course it begged the question as to whether anyone was actually interested in drinking craft beer, but the consistency of positive interest and feedback was overwhelming.’

Ross, who had recently moved to the island, came up with the name after his relief of landing on the White Rock following a particular rough ferry journey from England. The branding has also provided a solid grounding for the brewery, which has come on from strength to strength since.

Jack said: ‘Microbreweries in the UK and, more recently, the USA have been popping up everywhere.

We know that there are some fantastic pubs in Guernsey offering cask ales from across the UK and the Channel Islands but at White Rock we like to do things differently.’

The brewery offers real cask-conditioned ales inspired by traditional recipes but adapted and modernised to create an infusion of flavours with depth and originality.

‘We are also big supporters of keeping it local and source whatever we can on-island. Think wheat beers, ales conditioned with fruits or blended with coffee, chocolate, honey or ginger, and you’ll see the direction we’re going in.’

White Rock’s first ale was Wonky Donkey, a new age best bitter, which proved an instant success. This was soon followed by Lost Tourist, a hoppy Indian pale BECAUSE DO BUSINESS QUALITY IN STYLE MATTERS

For now, the main focus is on developing The Cornerstone business; ‘Since we set up we have always tried to set ourselves challenges, be it the style of ales, delivery quantities, logistics, or in this case a move into the hospitality industry.’

He said customers can expect the same great pub, with just a few planned enhancements.

‘We have a huge amount of respect for existing customers and have a suggestions box in the corner to field any ideas. There are a few required upgrades within the pub which we will make and we have some ideas regarding the menu, to incorporate more local produce.’

‘Wonky Donkey pie and Pushang battered cod are likely additions – we will tie ales up with food where we can. Basically our dream is to create a pub which really celebrates local culture.’

Jack and Ross have recruited renowned local landlord Simon Allum as General Manager of The Cornerstone.

‘Simon initially set up the Randy Paddle and has more recently been at The White Hart. We are delighted to have him on board,’ said Jack. Also in the team is Matt Lane, their Technical Brewer.

As the business continues to expand, another area they are looking into is bottling.

‘We currently have a dilemma as to whether to bottle on or off-island. We are trying to find a way to do it onisland, which fits in far better with our company ethos, but it could prove rather expensive to do so.’

White Rock Brewery merchandise is also on the cards.

Branded caps, t-shirts and hoodies should soon be available. Represent!

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PEERING AHEAD

P

2P Lending is now an internationally established and recognised form of funding and has increased in popularity since the introduction of low interest rates on deposits and some restrictions on lending by high street banks.

P2P Finance is an innovative way of enabling consumers to borrow and lend money. P2P enables people who have money to put it to work for competitive returns through lending to other individuals. P2P was pioneered in the UK in 2005 and in 2014 on-line platforms have enabled lenders to provide over £1.2billion of funds to UK consumers and businesses, with expectations that the sector will continue to double in size every six months going forward.

Oracle Finance has pioneered Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending in Guernsey. Oracle Finance is a Non-Regulated Financial Services Business and is permitted to facilitate P2P Finance. Its team has in excess of 40 years’ experience in underwriting and are perfectly placed to arrange lending facilities via a network of private individuals. Cases include funding of development properties, bridging loan facilities and business development loans.

Our network of funders receive a full proposal detailing the purpose of the loan along with any relevant supporting documentation. Applications are assessed

by Oracle prior to being presented to a potential lender and then underwritten prior to any approval being given.

The difference between what Oracle can offer opposed to well known national websites operating on-line is that we speak directly with the funder and the borrower so all parties know exactly who they are dealing with. In most cases each funder has sole rights to that facility unlike products like crowd funding where a number of individual funders have an interest in the same deal.

UK. The rate of return is calculated on a case-by-case basis and is dependent on the loan to value calculation and risk profile, however, a funder will receive a rate of return well in excess of the Bank of England base rate. The return will be dependent upon the profile of the case and the requirements of the funder. Funders receive income from interest paid monthly or capitalised annually and paid on settlement.

The maximum loan to value and borrowing amount varies as this is dependent upon the funder’s appetite to lend. A funders profile is established at the outset in order to ensure the right deal is presented to the most appropriate funder.

Borrowers have the peace of mind that they can structure their loans over a period of 6 months to 3 years and they also have opportunities to extend their loan term should the need arise, as well as having peace of mind that the rate of interest is fixed for the duration of the loan.

Risks are controlled as the underwriting is based on ensuring the credit worthiness of the borrower and the security being available to the funder in the unlikely event of the borrower defaulting. Each proposition is different so whilst underwriting varies for each case, customers are always assessed for their credit worthiness through a form of vetting and properties are valued via a panel of reputable surveyors. Binding loan agreements are signed and formal security is taken. We also expect that all properties are insured and that individuals have suitable life protection in place. Full due diligence is taken in order to satisfy legislation.

EXAMPLE OF RECENT DEALS Client-owned local market property with planning permission to convert into flats Property value £350k pre development Funded £176k (50.3%V LTV) Security first charge on property Gross Development Value £790K Term 18 months with option to settle early Interest serviced and repaid monthly Facility to be settled on sale of flat/s Family-owned local market house needing extension, new windows and heating system.

Property value £450k Funded £105k (23.3% LTV) Security first charge on property Term 2 years with option to settle early Facility to be settled by traditional mortgage

P2P is not new but has certainly taken lending to a new flexible level giving borrowers far more options and funders far better rates of return.

If you are interested in borrowing, funding or wish to know a little more, call or email to arrange a meeting.

Lorna Brown 727347 Lorna@oraclefinance.gg

All loans are secured in the majority of cases by a 1st charge on property. All security is based on real estate located in Guernsey, Jersey and in some cases in the

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PEER2PEER LENDING AVAILABLE ON YOUR DOORSTEP • Local Company providing full Peer2Peer facilities • Earn income in excess of deposit rates • Lending secured against local property • Funding available to local borrowers • Development Loans • Lifestyle Loans • Bridging Loans MORTGAGES LOANS COMMERCIAL BESPOKE LENDING

T 01481 727347 LORNA@ORACLEFINANCE.GG WWW.ORACLEFINANCE.GG 26 GLATEGNY ESPLANADE ST PETER PORT GUERNSEY GY1 1WR

Oracle Loans and Mortgage Brokers Limited is a Guernsey Company that is registered with the Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC) as a Non-Regulated Financial Services Business (NRFSB) and is permitted to facilitate this type of transaction. Oracle’s Peer2Peer (P2P) facility is not an investment or a savings plan and Oracle is not a bank. As a funder you will be making a loan to an individual or a company and your capital maybe at risk in the unlikely event of the borrower defaulting. Oracle is not a Tax adviser therefore you should seek professional advice. Should a funder enter into a more commercial P2P relationship resulting in regular loans then there may be a requirement to register with the GFSC as a NRFSB. For borrowers your property is at risk should you be unable to repay any loan secured against your property.

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MOVERS&SHAKERS

JT’s Wholesale Division Grows JT has announced the internal promotion of Tom Noel to the role of Managing Director for its Wholesale Division based in Jersey.

Trust Corporation International Expands Trust Corporation International has appointed three new members of staff as it expands its management and client service teams. Katie Wallen has been appointed as Group Operations Manager and will oversee the finance, HR and support services areas. Miss Quayle has particular experience of complex trust structures and a track record in the family office environment. Nicki Garnham has been appointed as a Client Accountant and is responsible for overseeing the book-keeping and accounting for a portfolio of clients.

Amit Taylor, Group Managing Director, said: “Katie, Laura and Nicki join us with deep expertise and will complement our existing team perfectly.

CEO of JT Graeme Millar commented: ‘We have a very strong wholesale team which has been led successfully by John Diamond up to this point and I am delighted to announce Tom’s succession to the role of Managing Director. Tom’s promotion to this key role is representative of our commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and I wish him well as we continue to grow our wholesale business.’

Two New Premier Relationship Managers at Barclays

He’s Electric!

Barclays have appointed two new local Relationship Managers for Guernsey. Dan Smale is new to the business having joined in May while Emma Isabelle has been promoted following six years with the bank.

Julian Turner has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of Guernsey Electricity. In his role, Mr Turner will be in charge of developing financial policy as well as directing all aspects of financial management including the enhancement of financial processes and controls. He will sit on the Guernsey Electricity board as an Executive Director. Mr Turner is a direct replacement for David Hipple, the company’s former Finance Director, who left this year to return to the UK.

Mr Smale has over 12 years of experience in various personal banking and investment team roles. He will be working to enhance the firm’s relationship with premier clients, helping and advising them on their financial objectives. Mrs Isabelle will be responsible for ensuring all premier clients receive a high level of customer service. She has 15 years of experience in the offshore finance industry and joined Barclays in 2009. She has worked as an Account Executive and Service Team Leader where she dealt with local and international trading and fiduciary businesses.

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In his new role, Mr Noel will oversee JT’s continued delivery of innovative wholesale products and services across the CI, UK, Europe and US markets. His appointment follows the return of former Managing Director, John Diamond, to his native Australia where he will drive forward JT’s Wholesale division expansion into the Asia-Pacific market.

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New Chief Finance Director at Ravenscroft Brian O’Mahoney is Ravenscroft’s new Finance Director and Group Chief Operating Officer with more than 20 years’ experience in offshore finance.

Brian has built up a close relationship with the independent stockbroking and investment management firm in recent years and will be responsible for all group financial matters, also overseeing the group’s operations functions. Mr O’Mahoney will also be involved in the further integration of Vartan Ravenscroft, the Peterborough-based stockbroking and wealth management company Ravenscroft purchased a majority stake in earlier this year.

Wendy Makes Partner at EY Wendy Martin has been promoted to the position of Partner at EY. A specialist tax adviser, Mrs Martin joined EY in 2013 where as a member of the senior leadership team she has directed the firm’s corporate and international tax service offerings.

Mrs Martin said: ‘I am delighted with the promotion, it is a great personal and professional achievement. I am grateful for EY’s commitment to supporting and developing our people and allowing them to realise their potential and look forward to continuing to be a part of this.’

Saffery Champness appoints new Trust Manager Andy Russell joins Nicola Kendall in overseeing a team of 14 who have, for more than a decade, administered a small group of ultra-high net worth client relationships.

Bringing with him more than 25 years’ experience in the trust and company management sector, Mr Russell returns to Saffery Champness having previously spent several years carrying out the business and compliance reviews for the team he now manages.

Mr Russell said: ‘In the modern financial climate, an understanding of the challenges that face compliance officers is essential to the smooth running of a trust business.’

Hamilton Brooke acquires Coast Media’s Business Hamilton Brooke, one of Guernsey's longest established advertising agencies, has taken over Coast Media's business. Katie Blampied, Managing Director at Coast says of the move, "Advertising and marketing is a rapidly evolving industry and to stay ahead you need to continuously review your offering. Having done just that, we identified some areas that we felt would become less profitable and others that needed greater resources to develop than we were able to provide. This led us to conclude that it was not in the best interest of our clients and services to continue with the company in its current form. We were approached by Hamilton Brooke who was expanding and looking for new opportunities and as a result the core business and some of the staff will be joining them, enabling us to move forward, grow in the areas we identified and, of course, continue to provide an excellent service to our clients."

Global Promotions at Carey Olsen Carey Olsen has announced the promotion of seven senior lawyers across Guernsey, Jersey and the British Virgin Islands (BVI), further strengthening its corporate and litigation teams.In Guernsey, corporate lawyers Gemma Campbell and Alex Mauger are now Senior Associate. .Jersey Managing Partner Alex Ohlsson said: ‘These promotions reflect Carey Olsen’s commitment to developing its people.’

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Hamilton Brooke Director Efrem Cockett commented, "Hamilton Brooke is undergoing a period of growth and bringing the Coast business into the company fits perfectly with our plans. In addition to its clients, Coast also manages an interesting portfolio of publications and in the coming months we'll be examining options for their future development. In the meantime though we look forward to welcoming some much-needed, experienced and highly professional staff into the business to further strengthen our services."

Coast will fulfil all ongoing commitments and continue to operate from its current premises until 17th August when the business will be transferred to Hamilton Brooke.

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WIN A HOUSE VALUED AT OVER ÂŁ600,000*

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TRAVEL

Set your Watch to Fiji Time

Gallery Travel Journal

Words & Photography : Sarah Froome

Fiji

I

f your idea of paradise is crystal blue waters, white sandy beaches, delicious food and beautiful culture, then Fiji is everything you could wish for and more. It is a destination which has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember but one I had always thought unreachable...

As the small wooden boat which was my airport transfer pulled up on the beach of one of Fiji’s many paradise islands I was immediately greeted by a chorus of colourfully dressed locals singing cheerfully, accompanied by the enthusiastic strumming of a ukulele. The sand was a delicious pure white and the palm trees swayed lazily against the cloudless

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blue sky; I had arrived in paradise. My accommodation was the epitome of beachside living, a simple wooden hut on a sandy shore nestled beneath the palm trees. At night the stars twinkled vibrantly, uninterrupted by light pollution, as a light breeze carried the smell and sounds of the ocean through my little wooden hut.

One of the biggest draws to Fiji is the stunning marine life. All manner of species can be found amongst the coral and you don’t need to swim far to find yourself submerged into a stunning, bright underwater world. I didn’t waste much time in discovering it. On my first morning, as the sun was rising over the islands, it was joined by the sound of drumming and shouts of ‘manta, manta’ by one of the local divers. Half asleep, I threw on my bikini, grabbed a towel and made my way to the waiting boat, along with some of the island’s residents. Before I knew it I was donning mask and snorkel

GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

TRAVEL

The Fijians disregard the concept of time and everything is done when it’s done. It’s impossible not to follow suit in such a laid-back place so the only thing to do is embrace it and enjoy.

and diving head first into the sea, what a way to wake up! With a few kicks of my flippers I was soon faced with five huge manta rays barrel-rolling beneath me and enjoying a feeding frenzy on some unsuspecting fish. We managed to stay with them for over an hour, sometimes being no more than an arm’s length away.

Graceful and elegant, they seemed to fly through the water and soon disappeared off into the depths.

Apart from the colourful marine life, hiking was another great way to pass the day. An energetic climb to the various vantage points on the island allowed me to take in the beauty of the archipelago from a different perspective. With a 360-degree view, the azure sea stretched out before me, dotted occasionally with mountains of green, the many other islands of Fiji’s Yasawa stretch. Fiji offers much more than you see in the brochures or online, especially in the form of cultural experience. A hike through the jungle with a local guide one morning provided me with a beautiful trip to a local village. As we walked up towards the hillside, children came running towards us shouting ‘BULA’ (Fijian for hello), laughing and waving. The little houses nestled in the steep hillside

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

were a rainbow of colours. Pink, blue, orange, yellow, a varied palette electrifying the hillside. I was welcomed into people’s homes for coconut milk and conversation and spent hours going from home to home, dodging chickens, goats and dogs along the way. A beautifully painted church on the top of the hill overlooked the village and served as a reminder to this strongly religious community.

‘Fiji Time’ is a term that I heard every day.

If you get impatient waiting five minutes for your cocktail then this is definitely not the place for you. The Fijians disregard the concept of time and everything is done when it’s done. It’s impossible not to follow suit in such a laid-back place so the only thing to do is embrace it and enjoy. This relaxed attitude to life could be due to the local drink, Kava. It’s a local concoction which, although it sounds exotic, tastes a little like muddy water. I joined a few fellow travellers and locals around the fire one night to take part in a Kava ceremony which resulted in one of the best night’s sleep I’ve ever had. I think everyone could do with a bit of Fiji time every once in a while.

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SPORT

EDITO

Y E S R E J IN S E IV R AR THE GREEN ARMY

T

he ‘Games Makers’, with their huge, purple foam hands, have given us an incredible welcome to Jersey.

We have been marshalled and high-fived in equal measure coming off the boat and no one seems to mind that we’re from that terrible green island across the way.

hurt them to put up a Guernsey flag outside, or to wrap Guernsey bunting around the staircase, they certainly don’t show it. In fact by the end of the week they are serving our morning coffee wearing Guernsey shirts which have been donated by the athletes!

The only disappointment is my bed, a top bunk which squeaks and wobbles to such an extent that I fear it will give way in the middle of the night, ending my poor unsuspecting teammate’s tennis career...

Being back in the Green Army for my fifth Island Games is an incredible feeling - I am playing the best tennis of my life and I have never been so proud to be modelling another generation of green tracksuit, which I hope will earn its place in my wardrobe next to the others. Time has flown by since I competed in Bermuda 2013, but I keep reminding myself of all the hard work I have done in the meantime: the hours and hours logged on court, the new spins and shots I have mastered and the reluctant daily stretching. I have three performance goals scribbled on a piece of paper in the front pocket of my racket bag which I consult when nerves overcome me.

Whatever happens, whoever turns up, if I meet these goals, none of which involve specific results or medals, I can consider my Island Games a success.

OPENING CEREMONY The Opening Ceremony is a colourful affair.

We parade into Howard Davis Park in our islands - great bands of blue, red and green tracksuits, with flags waving high, and the odd competitor sporting patriotic deelyboppers. As we walk down the spectatorlined aisle we’re enveloped by clapping and cheering spectators. This is where you get a real idea of the scale of things for the first time, the quoted figure of 2,700 athletes from a total of 24 islands looks unbelievable and is spine tingling. We watch the iconic water ceremony, in which water from each competing island is mixed together as a symbol of unity between the islands. Less iconic is one of the athlete’s dodgy breakdancing; he obviously has more faith than I do that he won’t pull a muscle. The evening finishes with a flourish of confetti and ribbons in a beautiful half-light. It promises to be a glorious week.

When we arrive at Westhill Country Hotel, the staff are ready for the Games too - if it

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Words Jo Dyer

That night I dream of tennis. In the leafy green grounds of the Caesarean Club, under a clear blue sky, I hit a winning crosscourt volley against a faceless opponent, after a long, side-to-side rally. When I wake up I can still feel the sensation of the ball on my racket.

GUERNSEY TO SERVE...PLAY! The tennis competition kicks off with the Team Event, the highlight of the week, and is followed by individual matches. In the Team Event the number one player from each island plays a ‘best of three sets’ match, followed by the same for the number two players. If the score is tied at one match all a deciding doubles is played.

It proves exhausting, with emotional highs and lows of the kind that leave Team Guernsey feeling as though we’ve taken a long spin in the tumble dryer. The same goes for our long-suffering family members (in fact the tumble dryer analogy is a Dyer family favourite) and our poor team manager is physically shaking when he talks to us at the change of ends.

The first round of our Team Event is against Menorca, who boast a squad of young but also very consistent players, no doubt used to slogging out long rallies on clay.

Fortunately for us they lack partnership on the doubles court and leave us lots of openings in our deciding doubles match.

GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

SPORT

Gallery’s roving reporter, Jo Dyer, won the final doubles rubber with her partner Ella Taylor against our favourite rivals – Jersey. This month she provides us with an insider’s insight into the 2015 Natwest Island Games with her ‘games diary’…

Our semi-final is against the Isle of Man, who cut a far more fearful figure. Offering up the 2013 Ladies’ Singles silver medallist and a multiple medal-winning doubles tactician; they are seeded to win the tournament. After losing my singles rubber in a Championship Tiebreak, we are in the unenviable position of having to play our fourth match of the day. Just before we go back on court to play our deciding doubles match we see Jersey win their semi-final against the Isle of Wight. We know the challenge is on to reach tomorrow’s final and make it the ultimate Guernsey vs.

Jersey match-up.

I remember almost nothing of that deciding doubles rubber against the Isle of Man, except that we played it down to the wire.

In the third set Championship Tiebreak I remember watching the court lights come on above my opponents’ heads, and suddenly realising, to my complete surprise, that it had got dark. Otherwise my only memory of the entire match is the very last shot, which took an eternity to bounce upwards off our opponent’s racket frame and drop to the ground on their side of the net.

GUNNING FOR GOLD After what felt like a short nap rather than a proper sleep we were back on stage.

Indeed, in true dramatic style, the singles rubbers again left us one match apiece with Jersey. We trounced the Jersey pair in the first set, before slowing a little in the BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

second, but we manage to keep ahead. A frightening number of games hang on a pivotal point here and there. I keep telling myself to focus on just one point at a time and to go through the motions like every day in practice. Routine serve returns, even my favourite crosscourt backhands, have never looked so difficult. Every shot is tied up with making my family proud, proving to myself and to everyone watching what I am capable of, and adding a gold medal to Guernsey’s tally.

We win the match with one of my teammate’s (frankly beautiful) trademark lobs, and I have never been so pleased to see it. It arcs quickly over Jersey’s heads, but drops painfully slowly, albeit safely, a metre inside the line. I’m sure I stand still for what feels like an age, before I can register that our opponents have swung but they’re nowhere near the ball, and eventually it bounces twice... Gold!

decided on my plan of action to make the third more realisable.

In a few weeks time, the hype of Jersey 2015 will settle down, but I’m not quite ready to close the book on this fantastic week just yet. I will have a break from the court for a week or so, and then I will look ahead to Gotland 2017 on the horizon.

JO’S ISLAND GAMES GOALS: 1. Be aggressive on second serve returns 2. Increase consistency on rally balls by getting more height and more spin 3. 70% first serves in (this was the one I didn’t achieve, although by the end of the week I was much closer!).

CLOSING CEREMONY As the last fireworks melt away, the traditional kit swap has transformed us into a colourful patchwork of islands. The week has been a success; as a tennis team we have managed our best-ever medal haul (three golds, one silver and two bronzes) and Guernsey has finished third in the overall medal table.

As for me, I have met two of my three performance goals, and I have already

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Tony Bleasdale cyclist

C

ycling is one of Guernsey’s favourite pastimes and one that continues to grow in success and popularity. With professional riders now emerging from the local scene, more and more people are sure to be inspired to take up cycling and as new teams emerge, the future of the sport looks in great shape.

One stalwart of Guernsey’s race scene is Tony Bleasdale and he is at the heart of Guernsey’s first independent cycle team. Team Morgan Sharpe powered by Adventure Cycles has been formed with six cyclists who will compete together locally and across the UK and France.

Tony brings a wealth of riding experience to bear. He spent five years racing in the Isle of Man, where cycling is the national sport. He was crowned Isle of Man Road Race champion aged 17 and when he later moved to Guernsey Tony slipped into the velo scene here.

‘Guernsey is a naturally healthy island, sport in general is very popular and it’s the perfect place to cycle,’ explains Tony. ‘The roads are great, we have beautiful scenery you can see the whole coastline in an hour – we’re very lucky.’

After a short break Tony started cycling again in 1999, initially to keep fit, but the race bug soon bit. He confesses that he’s barely missed a race since but he also enjoys the social side of the sport.

‘I had a circle of friends who raced and some who just rode for pleasure but slowly

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Words Nichole Sweetsur

those two groups have merged and the Guernsey Velo Club is at the heart of it all.’

Tony’s race pedigree also includes two Island Games: ‘I won a bronze medal in the team time trial the year that Mark Cavendish won in Guernsey and of course I remembered him from the Isle of Man. He was a junior rider when I raced but along with another famous Manx rider, Peter Kennaugh, his success has been fantastic.

‘In 2007 at the Rhodes Island Games, Tobyn Horton won gold in the criterium, which was an amazing achievement in 47° heat. He is now a professional rider and, along with James McLaughlin, is helping to inspire the next generation of cyclists.’

The new Team Morgan Sharpe powered

by Adventure Cycles is the dream of James McLaughlin, with the intention that it will help to support and aid the development of Guernsey’s new generation of cycling talent. James’ role will be to help mentor and manage the team, alongside experienced riders like Tony.

‘Guernsey’s cycling community has to date been made up of individual competitors, rather than the teams seen in national

and international cycling. Team Morgan Sharpe powered by Adventure Cycles is taking a team approach to competitions and also aims to bridge the gap between high performance racing and Guernsey’s developing cycling talent.

‘Guernsey’s success at the Island Games is largely due to the team around the medal winners. People don’t always realise that cycling is a team sport, but riders work together to protect the leader, mark other riders out of races and make sure rivals don’t win.

‘It’s like chess on wheels.’

The new team includes Matt Osborn and Mike Serafin, both of whom have represented Guernsey at Island Games and Commonwealth Games level, and Alex Wilson. The two young riders, Seb Tremlett and Jack English, are both tipped as future Island Games stars and Tony is still very much holding his own, having recently become Guernsey’s 25 Mile Time Trial Champion and Channel Islands Veterans’ Road Race Champion.

All that racing takes a lot of dedication and Tony credits his family and work for being very supportive. ‘Morgan Sharpe genuinely care about work/life balance and if I need time away to race I can take it. My wife will tell you that I need to train, but I go out at 5am and am back to help at home before going to work.’

This autumn will see Tony compete in either the Duo Normand, a two-man time trial for elite riders, or the UCI Amateur World Championships in Denmark.

Wherever his bike takes him, Tony will race in the new team colours and will show the European circuit that Guernsey team cycling has a great future ahead of it.

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H O L D I N G

T H E

B A B Y

Inside the mind of a technology-loving, wine-swigging, stay-at-home Dad.

RIVALS Words Paul Chapman

C

oke vs Pepsi, Batman vs The Joker, Celtic vs Rangers, teenagers vs everyone else: these are all great rivalries and over the last few years a new, fierce rivalry has sprung up between the cyclist and the motorist.

Whilst great business rivalries drive innovation and sporting ones provide millions of people with an entertaining spectacle, this new rivalry between two and four wheels falls into the ‘unhealthy’ category. It seems to be one-sided too: in my experience it is the motorist who seeks conflict with the cyclist.

I try and cycle regularly and I can guarantee that on each lycra-clad ride I take, there will be at least one hairraising moment. I’ve been cut up on mini-roundabouts when it’s my right of way, overtaken on bends, overtaken whilst indicating I’m about to turn right, had cars at yellow lines wait until the last moment before pulling out in front of me, not to mention the people who overtake and leave barely enough room for a slice of bread between me and their car. And that was just last Saturday. We cyclists seem to be viewed as some sort of opposition that needs to be crushed.

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Conversely, I can honestly say I obey the rules of the road and don’t do anything to endanger or annoy a motorist. And why would I? I’m scared of cars. They’re big metal things that hurt when they hit you. I know, I’ve been knocked off my bike before (I was turning right at the time after making a clear hand signal).

Motorists seem to be under the impression that cyclists are going to slow them down and make their journey time longer. The ironic thing is, my average speed in my car is 16mph, and my average speed on my bike is 17mph. Drivers seem to forget that once they get past the cyclist inconsiderately holding them up, they’ve then got to contend with buses, hire cars, tractors, horses, mobility scooters, pedestrians who walk in the road when there’s a perfectly good pavement on the other side of the street, and drivers who stop their car anywhere because their phone is ringing (voicemail, anyone?). Not to mention road closures and diversions and the resultant traffic jams, new road layouts dreamt up by the States when they were clearly drunk and just the sheer number of vehicles on the road these days.

I’m not saying all motorists are at fault and I’m aware that there are some idiotic cyclists about. I just think motorists need to stop viewing cyclists as the enemy and remember that we all we have to share our island’s small and heavily congested roads. Let’s enjoy the summer and ride and drive safely.

GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

HARDWARE

PHONE HOME The Phone for Every Weather Dusty dry heat or windy driving rain are all much of a muchness for the Sony Xperia M4 Aqua, making it the perfect phone for both holidays in the sun and life on a windblown and occasionally wet island.

Following the success of the Xperia Z3, Sony’s designers have incorporated its hugely popular dust-tight and waterproof design features into the M4 Aqua, making it the ideal all-purpose handset. Being able to resist the elements means that M4 users can take advantage of either of the two superb 13 and 5 megapixel cameras regardless of the weather. You can even use the cameras whilst enjoying a swim as it lets you take selfies in depths of up to 1.5 metres!

That said, the M4’s story does not stop at its ability to withstand environmental extremes. Running the latest version of Android (5.0 Lollipop) on 1.5GHz quad core processors means that the M4 is fast and responsive, making it ideal for both business and leisure.

Crucially, whether you are using your M4 for its multimedia capabilities or as a vital business tool, you don’t have to worry about battery life because it can last for up to two days on a single charge, which is considerably longer than many popular phones.

You can check out the Sony Xperia M4 Aqua online at www.sure.com or in our new store on the corner of King Street and New Street - where it is available for just £27.50 per month, including 5GB 4G data to make the most of this fantastic smartphone.

On the + side Hannah Jacques, Channel Islands own superstar DJ - and Airtel-Vodafone Brand Ambassador.

Sony brings us a leaner, sleeker and improved upgrade to the Sony Z3 handset in the form of the Sony Xperia Z3+, a strong contender in the flagship market. The Xperia Z3+ is the same height and width as the Z3 but the handset is slimmer at 6.9mm making it easy to hold and sit comfortably in your hand, helped by the smooth curved corners and sides.

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Plus, with a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, switching between apps and multi-tasking with music, media and games is a breeze.

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Internal storage has been bumped up from 16GB in the Z3 to 32GB in the Z3+ giving you plenty of space. The handset runs on the Android 5.0 Lollipop and navigating the phone felt fast and fluid.

This is thanks to the 3GB of RAM and new octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor I’m told. The battery also has the quick charge functionality, something the Z3 was missing. I’ve also been told that the Xperia Z3+ can be dunked in water for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5m – yes that’s right and that’s perfect for someone who can be a bit clumsy like me.

There is an improvement in the front facing camera with a 5MP wide angled lens – letting more of your friends cram themselves in for those epic selfie moments.

Price for handset only £456 Price on Pay Monthly contract with Airtel-Vodafone, from £25.40

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W E

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G O T

G A M E

A R K H A M

K N I G H T

Words Nathanial Eker

W

hen Batman: Arkham Asylum was released in 2009, I remember people groaning, myself included. The thought of arguably the world’s best loved comic book hero being subjected to another lazy, uninspired action game made bat-fans everywhere cringe into their capes.

However, words were humbly eaten as Arkham Asylum proved to be one of the most inventive, compelling and masterfully told comic book games ever made. It spawned an even better sequel with a huge open world (Arkham City) and a slightly mediocre but still fun prequel game (Arkham Origins). Now, the fourth game in the series and the third in the official trilogy (Origins wasn’t made by parent company Rocksteady), Batman: Arkham Knight looks set to take the world by storm with a huge world, new game mechanics and, of course, the most intense storyline yet. But with so much hype and two years of anticipation, is it worth the wait?

Firstly, let’s talk storyline. All three of the previous games, even the less inspired Origins, excel in the story department.

With the writing crew from the beloved 90s’ Batman: The Animated Series, not to mention many of the same vocal cast behind the series, it’s bound to be fruitful in the plot department. The advantage here of course is that the game can be so much darker and grittier than the show, with its bright red ‘18’ ESRB rating proudly showing that this is going to be a violent and grim tale. In this aspect, the game is incredible; twists and

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turns keep even the most knowledgeable bat-fans on the edge of their seats as the game delves deeper into the supernatural, but features enough well-known Batman characters, albeit re-imagined slightly, to keep it feeling fresh but familiar. While I still think the story for the second game, Arkham City, is superior, this game gives the player an insight into the psychology of the dark knight as well as relying on the incredible and terrifying version of previously B-list villain Scarecrow as the main big bad. It’s a refreshing take as previously all three games had relied on the better known Joker as the main villain and while he does feature in a stunning postmortem performance, it’s nice to see Rocksteady taking risks and utilising some of Batman’s other incredible gallery of rogues.

However, what’s a plot without some decent gameplay? The Arkham series has revolutionised how combat and stealth can be used together with a level up system to create an incredible fighting system. Arkham Knight builds on this and perfects it with new ways of taking down foes balanced with new enemy types that make your life more difficult. Whilst the core mechanics of street fighting remain untouched, the most ambitious and gamechanging mechanic is the inclusion of a completely playable and free-roaming Batmobile at your fingertips. The car handles amazingly and is incredibly easy to use in both puzzles and combat. A quick toggle of your left bumper turns it from driving mode to combat mode, literally transforming it into a tank. While it is amazingly good fun, it kind of clashes with the tone, feeling not very Batman-ish, and owes more to something like the Battlefield series. Similarly, it has the tendency to feel

overpowered at times as you storm through waves of foot soldiers that would’ve taken a good five minutes to beat by hand. All in all, it’s a fantastic addition that us fans have demanded for years, but ultimately pales in comparison to classic hand-to-hand combat.

Of course, there is also tone, atmosphere and additional content to consider. The tone is even darker than its predecessors, with the stakes truly raised to their highest.

Gotham is a departure from the dreary Arkham City that could appear bland at times. With the new, much more powerful engine, the city looks bleak but also beautiful and vast. Every street is detailed and the map is about five times bigger than the City map, which seemed pretty huge in itself. Similarly to its predecessors, there are a variety of sidequests to take part in which are easier to assign than ever via the D pad.

A large number of Batman’s core villains appear in these extra quests with the only two notable absences being Mr Freeze and Bane, both of whom could turn out to be DLC at a later date.

All in all, Batman: Arkham Knight is a triumph of a game. Its well-paced plot fits in perfectly with the previous two games; the new mechanics, although sometimes perhaps feeling a tad ‘gimmicky’, complement the storyline and most importantly are fun, consistent and entertaining. At the time of writing, the PC version is currently still a buggy mess that awaits being returned to Steam, but pick up a copy of the PS4 or Xbox One versions now from your local game shop. You won’t regret it.

Gallery Score: 9.5/10 - Stunning.

Released: June 2015 Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One and PC. Available at: HMV, Just Games, The Games Lounge.

GUERNSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

A P P S F O R

When we’re not using our phones and tablets to take photos, check and update social media, read the news and watch videos, amongst a whole host of other things, many of us like to play games on our devices. There is an overwhelming number of games available so it can be difficult to know where to start when looking for something new to play. With this in mind, and in keeping with the ‘Rivals’ theme of this month’s issue, here we look at three games that let you pit your gaming wits against players all over the world. Plus they all have ‘Rival’ in the title.

R I V A L S

Words Paul Chapman

Heavenstrike Rivals (iOS, Android)

Rival Knights (iOS, Android)

Racing Rivals (iOS, Android)

An epic tactical card game.

Joust your way to glory.

Real-time racing.

A good-looking game, Heavenstrike Rivals (iOS, Android) is set in the kingdom of Lunnain which is under attack from a group of nightmarish monsters called the Fallen, which you must defeat. You can choose from a pool of over 200 manga-style characters to use in bite-sized battles against the enemy. You pick and assign units to areas on the battlefield grid and they will then attack for you in a turn-based system against your opponent. With the XP and gold you earn after each battle, you can level up your fighters, purchase items to aid you in combat and recruit new squad members. Along with the excellent graphics, the game also has a strong soundtrack which will be familiar to any Final Fantasy fans.

Rival Knights (iOS, Android) is an unusual sports simulator in that it covers the medieval pastime of jousting. You take the role of an unassuming knight who must battle his way through various jousting leagues to earn wealth and status. You can also challenge other players around the world and enter weekly tournaments. The 3D graphics, dynamic camera angles, impressive motion capture visuals and beautifully rendered environment make for a great looking game. Not to mention the satisfaction you get from shoving a well-placed lance in your opponent’s face.

Racing Rivals (iOS, Android) is a fun and visually appealing drag racing game which, along with a standard campaign mode, lets you challenge or be challenged by live opponents around the world. Races are fast and short, and if you’re feeling confident you can back yourself with a bet. There is a large collection of officially licenced cars to choose from, and if you know your big end from your custom rims, you will enjoy upgrading your vehicle with your winnings from the hundreds of parts available.

A bit of rivalry never hurt anyone, and what better way to blow off a little steam than to compete with strangers around the world for virtual glory and adulation? And the best horse.

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FEATURE

BOARDOM

boardom

Who are the greatest rivals of all time?

Tom and Jerry

Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed

Dan, 25

Obsesity and Chocolate

Livvy, 23

Jack, 26

Napoleon and Wellington ’ Rick, 60

Husband and Wife Sega and Nintendo

Emily, 22

Steve, 25

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