Discover - Autumn 2015

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HERITAGE | WILDLIFE | ENVIRONMENT | LIFESTYLE | CULTURE

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Champions of our Countryside Jersey Farmhouses Moulin de Quétivel Valuing what makes Jersey Special

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The Magazine of The National Trust for Jersey « Autumn 2015 »

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Discover

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The National Trust for Jersey, The Elms, La Chève Rue, St Mary, Jersey JE3 3EN Telephone 01534 483193 enquiries@nationaltrust.je

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Design and Production Team Fishmedia Limited 01534 619882 admin@fishmedia.biz Editorial Team National Trust for Jersey, Charles Alluto, Sarah Hill, Donna Le Marrec, Catherine Ward, Jon Rault, Tony Gray, Dominic Jones, Graham Le Lay, John Garton, Alan Rabet, Hans Van Oordt, Peter Houguez, Conrad Evans, Mike Stentiford, Chas Quénault, Rosemary Collier, Joe Freire, Darren & Julia Quénault, Jenni Liddiard, Richard & Sarah Matlock, James Godfrey, Marcus Binney, Fiona Reynolds.

Photographers Julian Hart, John Lord, Romano da Costa, Jon Rault, Visit Jersey, The Jersey Evening Post, Société Jersiaise.

Special thanks go to Julian Hart who spent time during his summer holidays taking some fantastic photos around the island to help illustrate this edition of Discover. ©2015. Discover Magazine is published

by The National Trust for Jersey The publisher, editor and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services which may be advertised or referred to in this magazine, or for any errors, omissions, misstatements or mistakes in any such advertisements or references.

Contents 4-5 6 8 - 10 12 - 15 16

View from the Top In the News Comment – Are Farmers still the Custodians of our Countryside?

Dates for the Diary

18 - 21

Champions of the Countryside

22 - 23

Men at Work

24

Our Beautiful Jersey – The Cow (of course)

26 - 29

Go Forth and Diversify

30 - 31

Comment - The Future of the Countryside

32 - 33

Bricks and Mortar – The Evolution of Jersey Farmhouses

34 36 - 37

Discover is printed using only paper from FSC/PEFC suppliers from well managed forests.This magazine can be recycled and we encourage you to do so at your recycling point. Passing the magazine onto a friend counts as recyling too!

Typeset in Slimbach and News Gothic

Foreword - HRH The Prince of Wales

Making the Wheel go Round at Moulin de Quétivel Valuing what makes Jersey Special

Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales

Foreword from the Patron of the National Trust for Jersey, HRH The Prince of Wales

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VIEW FROM THE TOP

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edicated to permanently protecting Jersey’s natural beauty for the benefit of the Island, the future of our countryside looms large on the National Trust agenda. We are fortunate that 76% of our island’s land area still remains free of buildings, and with 71% of this land being classified as under cultivation, the role and importance of farming to the future health, appearance and management of our countryside is abundantly clear. As the farming industry becomes further consolidated and corporate in nature, this begs the question as to whether it can remain the careful custodian of our countryside and is able to meet increasing public expectation, higher environmental standards, and long term stewardship whilst remaining economically viable. In some ways the jury is still out on this issue as the Island continues to grapple with the health of its water supply, reducing biodiversity, surplus production, untargeted area payments, and the continuing erosion of ancient roadside banks and hedgerows. We are not alone in facing such challenges, with soil scientists in the UK having recently estimated that Britain has only 100 harvests left in its soil due to intense over-farming. Such stark forecasts will inevitably necessitate a complete rethink and

remodelling of agricultural practices, including subsidies, in the not too distant future.

However, we also have much to celebrate in Jersey with a reinvigorated dairy industry, increasing diversification and entrepreneurship, a plethora of countryside champions whose activities help protect and maintain Jersey’s rural character and sense of place, and a beautiful landscape rich in agricultural heritage, which continues to win the very heart of our visitors.

This edition of Discover does not profess to provide all the answers but it does seek to raise some important questions about the future of our countryside, whilst still celebrating its exceptional qualities. We all have a part to play in ensuring that our countryside remains in good health and at the very heart of Island life, whether this be through supporting local producers, lobbying our politicians or simply acting as advocates for the natural beauty we are fortunate enough to enjoy. As Bill Bryson recently commented the greatest risk to the countryside is when we simply take it for granted!

Charles Alluto Chief Executive, The National Trust for Jersey

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IN THE NEWS

Award Winning Recognition NGO IMPACT AWARD On Thursday 25th June, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens played host to this year’s prestigious Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management (CIEEM) Awards Ceremony. A day to celebrate excellence in the fields of ecology and environmental management, honouring individuals, organisations and projects that demonstrate exemplary and inspirational best practice in their industry.

Award winners of the Insurance Corporation Conservation Awards

The Trust entered the “Love Plémont campaign”, which detailed how the Trust and its supporters campaigned for over 14 years to safeguard the site before finally acquiring the headland on the 25th July 2014. The submission included photographs of the demolition and clearance works as well, as the initial landscaping to enhance wildlife value and public access. Our hard work was rewarded by winning the NGO Impact Award.

INSURANCE CORPORATION CONSERVATION AWARDS Shortlisted for the Insurance Corporation Conservation Awards, Jon Parkes and Christopher Harris, attended an awards presentation at the Durrell Conservation Academy on 24th June. The Top prize for the Best Conservation Project was shared between the Trust for our “Love Plémont” Campaign and Little Feet Environmental, for removing marine debris from Jersey’s beaches.

To be recognised on a national and local scale by some of Britain’s leading ecologists and environmentalists was an enormous tribute to everyone who has helped in our efforts to safeguard Plémont for the benefit of the Island. These awards will also serve to inspire us in our continuing efforts to protect Jersey’s beautiful coastline.

Tony Juniper, Charles Alluto, Celia Jeune, Claire Wansbury

Choughed that Manx Loaghtan are flourishing on the North Coast Having been established back in 2009 with just 20 breeding ewes and 2 rams, Jersey’s conservation grazing flock of Manx Loaghtan sheep is now almost 200 strong. The Manx Loaghtan, a hardy rare breed thought to be the closest living relative of the now extinct Jersey sheep, originate from the Isle of Man. Since their introduction, the flock have been invaluable in addressing the widespread ecological degradation that has taken place along Jersey’s north coast.

Historically, the coastal headlands and slopes on Jersey’s north coast were grazed, however changes in Jersey’s economy during the early 20th century led to the cessation of traditional mixed farming practices on marginal land. When active management ceased, the semi-natural open grassland and heathland habitats characteristic of traditionally farmed marginal areas began to be invaded by bracken and

scrub. The invasion of Bracken in particular, which now blankets vast swathes of land along the north coast of the Island, has sadly led to a widespread decline in biodiversity.

Reinstating active management is the key to the restoration of species-rich semi-natural maritime grassland and heathland habitats. The Manx Loaghtan flock contribute enormously in this respect. Through the action of trampling the sheep help to reduce the cover of bracken, while grazing controls the growth of competitive plant species, prevents scrub invasion, and facilitates the development of diverse plant communities with a varied sward structure. The Manx Loaghtan grazing area at the National Trust site known as Le Don Paton is an especially important resource for the recently reintroduced Red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) as these iconic birds forage for invertebrate prey

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in areas of short turf maintained by the grazing sheep.

The increase in the size of the flock is fantastic news as it will allow this highly effective and sustainable management technique to be more widely applied. The flock have proven to be extremely popular with both visitors and local residents to the extent that they are now something of a visitor attraction. In addition, the increase in flock size will mean increased production of high quality meat for the local market as well as wool for craft knitting.

IN THE NEWS

The Foot Building Project – Funding Challenges Further to recent reports in the local media, we felt it was important to clarify to members the recent events leading up to the withdrawal of a grant from the Tourism Development Fund for the creation of 18 self-catering beds at the Foot Buildings.

On the 1st May the Trust was verbally advised that it had been awarded a grant of £100,000 because the Tourism Development Fund Advisory Panel, which includes representatives from Jersey Business, considered the Trust had a robust business case and that the project fulfilled the funding criteria.

This was subsequently confirmed in writing and then in early July, some two and a half months later, the Minister requested a meeting with representatives from the Trust to discuss the grant. During that meeting the Minister was advised that fund raising for historic building projects was incredibly challenging and that the grant from TDF would be instrumental

in helping to generate momentum and credibility for future fund raising efforts.

It was also pointed out that the Trust had suffered annual deficits in the past and had a repair backlog of £3m, and that a grant from TDF should also be seen as an investment in the future work of the National Trust for the Island. Subsequently the Minister chose to withdraw the grant upon the basis that he did not feel it would be in the best interests of the Island’s tourism industry to provide such support and that he had every confidence in the National Trust being able to raise the

balance of funding without any support from TDF. The Minister’s decision is undoubtedly a significant setback but due to the immense generous bequest of the late Mrs Houston, who also helped us to save 16 New Street, together with donations of over £125,000, we have to date raised £750,000 for the project.

This still leaves us with a substantial funding gap of £450,000, but it is our hope that with your support, we will be able to raise these outstanding funds in 2016/2017.

New Vehicles for the Trust Further support for the Lands team came from a benefactor whose generosity enabled the Trust to purchase a second hand tractor. The Tractor is already in use and is being used for the management of wet meadows, grassland and grazing areas.

We were delighted to receive a grant from the Association of Jersey Charities which enabled the Trust to purchase a new Toyota pick-up truck for our lands team. The truck arrived in May and was put to work straight away at Plémont. We would like to thank all those people who support the Association of Jersey Charities though the Channel Island lottery to enable grants such as this to be made.

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IN THE NEWS

News from 16 New Street We are delighted to announce the launch of a new Children’s Guidebook and Quiz at 16 New Street, generously supported by Stanley Gibbons.

Visit the house over half term and find out what it was like to live in New Street over 200 years ago. Meet the cook, taste some typical Georgian food and see if you can find a miniature tea set hidden in every room.

Entry to the museum is free to National Trust for Jersey members. Open Wednesday to Friday only until 30th October and Saturdays from 28th November to 19th December 2015.

The Shell Garden – A difficult decision to make Further to recent publicity regarding the sale of the property commonly known as the Shell Garden, we felt it would be beneficial to clarify to our members the circumstances leading to the Council’s decision as follows: 1. During the owner’s lifetime the property was put on the market without any stipulations in order to cover nursing care costs. Had it been sold at that time the Trust would have inherited nothing.

2. When the Trust inherited the property in March 2014 it was advised that unfortunately there were a considerable number of creditors in relation to the moveable estate due to Mr Soudain’s outstanding care and associated costs. It was noted that these outstanding liabilities needed to be discharged at the earliest opportunity to avoid the creditors taking matters to the Royal Court.

3. In his will of immoveable property Mr Soudain clearly stated that “it is my wish that the Trust shall make use thereof in such way as the Trust shall deem fit for the benefit of the Jersey Channel Islands branch of the Trust.” Unlike other benefactors of the Trust, Mr Soudain did not give any indication in his will or otherwise that he wished the Trust to preserve or retain ownership of his property.

4. In the above circumstances the Trust’s priority was to seek to discharge the liabilities against the estate at the earliest opportunity and given the extremely poor condition of the property, it was felt there was no option but to continue to market the property. This was not an easy decision to make as the Trust was conscious of the fact that many Islanders have considerable affection for the Shell Garden, but it was difficult to see a feasible solution with no access, no parking, and no available funds to meet the very considerable liabilities of the estate and for its immediate repair and future maintenance.

5. After all the estates creditors had been paid, the net proceeds of the sale received by the Trust amounted to less than £57,000. These funds were used towards the ongoing repair of Les Cotils Farm including the derelict pressoir.

The Trust considers benefactor’s wishes to be paramount importance in relation to bequests and on occasion has gone to the Royal Court to ensure that they are fulfilled.

In relation to the Shell Garden it was an unrestricted bequest and we are enormously grateful to the late Mr Soudain for his generosity and support in helping us to continue to protect areas of natural beauty and historic interest for the benefit of the Island.

Collas Crill 25th Anniversary Around Island walk We were delighted to have been chosen to be one of the main fundraising recipients form the Collas Crill Around Island Walk in June and receive a cheque for £20,000.

The route of the walk followed the Jersey coastline, and walkers had the opportunity to pass by the Plémont holiday camp site, acquired by the Trust in July 2014. The funds will go towards creating additional footpaths around the site and managing the existing grassland for wildlife and public enjoyment.

The Trust is extremely grateful to all the walkers who took part in the walk, including our staff that entered 3 teams and raised in excess of £1,300. As a result of everyone’s efforts our wonderful headland will be protected forever and for everyone.

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A PROFESSIONAL TEAM OF EXPERTS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST YOU WITH ALL YOUR ARBORICULTURAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FULL FACTS CONTACT JONO ON 867992 OR 07797 711762 OR LOG ON TO TREES.JE

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COMMENT

For or Against Dominic Jones, Director, Jersey Pottery and Graham Le Lay, President of the Jersey Farmers Union debate as to whether Farmers are still the Custodians of the Countryside in Jersey

Dominic Jones

ERSEY’S natural environment has been sculpted by man since our ancestors first farmed the land in Neolithic times. Our modern countryside with its narrow lanes, high earth banks, granite walls and branchage-shaped hedgerows has been in place for 500 years. This unique landscape, created and managed by farmers over the centuries, has become, along with our coastline and traditional local architecture, part of our cultural identity.

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needed, such as to control excess orchard planting, farmers where entrusted with the custody of our countryside. And they did a good job with our landscape gradually evolving but still in the mid 20th century as healthy and beautiful as it was in the 15th century.

Whist the structure of our countryside has remained the same for centuries, farming practices have evolved. In the 16th century most households were subsistence farmers meaning every Islander was a custodian of the countryside.

The entire population had a role in maintaining the beauty of the landscape they lived in, its ability to produce food and to ensure safe drinking water and a healthy environment through crop rotation, natural pest control and use of natural fertilizers. “Organic” farming was the norm and traditional farming had less impact on the natural environment.

As wealth in Jersey grew, food was imported and farming became an activity of the few rather than the many.

But whether it was cider, Jersey Royals or our worldrenowned cows, all of which created wealth through exports, until the mid 20th century agriculture was a key economic driver. And until the 1970s, farming was still carried out predominantly by family-owned smallholdings using methods that maintained the traditions of the past 500 years. So whilst regulation was sometimes

The economic importance of farming has dwindled so that it now represents only 1.5% of our economy.

Farmers struggle to survive and families have stopped farming, their children moving into other industries.

Traditional granite farm houses are lived in by islanders who do not farm and if they own agricultural land, they must by law entrust it to a bona fide farmer.

An increasingly small number of farmers have therefore greater influence over our countryside.

Modern farming has lead to 90% of farmland focused on the production of potatoes. This activity is dominated by two companies and only 2% of land is farmed to a recognised organic standard. The mono-culture of Jersey Royals, with little crop rotation and intensive farming relying on chemicals is impacting our environment, water supplies and coast. Tractors are increasing in size to drive efficiencies, changing the nature of our traditional landscape as ancient banks and hedgerows are damaged by wide vehicles. Lack of crop cover is causing damaging top soil run-off which increases the need for fertilisers.

Half of the Jersey Royal crop is grown under polythene which creates waste management issues and does not enhance the beauty of the countryside. It is not uncommon to see rolls of used polythene left year round in hedgerows and wind-damaged fragments hanging from trees. Larger dairy herds increase the challenges of slurry

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COMMENT

disposal and resultant pollution risks. Jersey also has a small amount of land allocated by farmers to encourage wildlife and biodiversity.

These issues while not the norm are increasingly blighting our countryside. And one could argue that without these changes to the industry and direct government support of the rural economy farming might not survive. Financial support includes £2 million of annual grants, price control of milk (equating to around £3 million of support) and indirect social support of the 2000 people employed in farming half of which are recent immigrants to the Island.

Few people would argue that we shouldn’t support farming but with agriculture representing just 1.5% of our economy, less than 1% of our population now involved full time in farming and even fewer making the key decisions that impact our countryside, is it still correct to say that farmers are, or indeed should be, the custodians of our countryside?

Until the 19th century, farming was necessary for food security and to ensure economic prosperity. Our present day industry, even with its financial support is struggling to survive and could not sustain us with food. So is it time to look at the wider implications of farming and use of our countryside?

Is it time to look at changing current legislation and Rural Support grants to ensure that the countryside is being managed for the best interests of everyone and not just farmers?

Should landowners be able to use their land in different ways and not be forced to rent to farmers if these

alternative uses enhance and protects the countryside and reduce some of the negative impacts such as chemical use, casual migrant labour needs, heavy equipment or polythene?

How do we encourage more farmers and landowners to follow the lead of local farms who have shown they can operate successful businesses and best practice in countryside management?

Should we attach different conditions to Rural Support grants and enhance compliance enforcement that would result in behavioural changes such as lowering fertiliser and chemical usage and reducing the negative impact of aspects of current farming practices on the aesthetics of our countryside?

Could tourism and inward investment including high-net worth migration be enhanced and more revenues generated through targeting legislation and financial support to enhance the beauty of our countryside?

Most importantly are we all prepared to support an increase in government spending to help farmers adapt and help us all achieve more sustainable land use though the encouragement of less intensive farming practices, alternative land use and land management to encourage wildlife and biodiversity and keep our countryside beautiful?

Perhaps we have come a full circle and it is time for the entire population of Jersey to take on the role as custodian of the countryside working with farmers, landowners and government to ensure we protect and enhance our unique and beautiful landscape for the next 500 years.

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COMMENT

Graham Le Lay

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N my opinion there is compelling evidence that farmers are still custodians of Jersey’s countryside.

The Island’s surface consists of 75% arable land all of which is farmed in an exemplary manner by the Island’s arable and dairy farmers. We must never forget that tourists and businessmen alike are not attracted here to view the high rise office buildings but by our green and well cultivated countryside and superb coast line.

Farming has changed completely during the past four decades. There is no longer in excess of 2,000 family run holdings. There are now less than 50 well run commercial operations with the time and finances to operate in a climate which has a far greater emphasis on the environment.

The romance of farming with a small parcel of land, keeping a small herd of cattle, a few chickens, four pigs and growing a whole raft of different crops is no longer financially possible nor is it socially acceptable in this modern day to be tied to your farm 365 days of the year at the expense of your family. You now have to specialise in a particular crop and invest and mechanise in order to keep up with the competition and make a living from the land and more importantly give time to your family and society.

I simply cannot agree with the view that larger farming units dilute their role as countryside custodians and somehow are responsible for the demise of the small

units. You need look no further than to the heavy pressure imposed by the local Environment Department requiring growers to set aside strips around fields to maintain biodiversity or the pressure from UK supermarkets whom they supply with their produce, to supply crops grown with almost zero fertilizer, pesticide and fungicide applications. Farmers now have to record absolutely everything they do on the farm, how much organic and inorganic fertilizer has been applied to each field and if and when insecticides were applied. There must be complete traceability for food sold both locally and exported and all information is open to scrutiny both from the local Environment Department and the supermarkets who procure the produce. The implementation of Rules and Regulations require each farm to employ personnel to implement them. No longer can a farmer’s total time be spent out in the fields tending his crops.

These onerous demands on time and finances are something that the larger farms are able to implement by embracing and using new technology.

Look at the successful cooperation between conservation groups and the larger farmers who have set aside some of their land and sown seeds of wild flowers to attract small insects with the aim of encouraging winter migratory birds to stop over in Jersey. This has led to an 800% increase in these migratory and local birds. Vast amounts of trees have been planted on hedgerows by farmers in recent years with the cooperation of tree conservation groups. Some have created new footpaths over their land and they maintain these and old established ones for the

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COMMENT

public to enjoy. Smaller farmers with a limited parcel of land and resources would find it difficult to get involved in this type of project.

These larger units have the labour resources and investment in equipment to keep the hedges cut and the ditches clean. Jersey is unique in this practice with the two branchage visits each year checking that farmers and landowners have adhered to the ancient law, a task carried out at great expense by the local authorities in other countries. Our local system costs the tax payers in Jersey nothing.

The dairy industry too, now down to a handful of well-equipped farms with large herds of well-nourished and cared for animals has had to develop the way in which they operate. Farmers have to abide by all the rules and legislation imposed by the local Environment Department and the European Union. They too, contribute to the countryside employing best environmental practices and cooperating with arable farmers by swopping land so as to achieve crop rotation, a necessary requirement if land is to remain fertile.

Jersey has a well-regulated group of Organic farmers.

You will not find any better anywhere in the world.

They do a fantastic job for Jersey’s environment and furthermore, they give the consumer choice. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to make a living as the gap between organically produced food and conventionally grown food narrows both in price and the way in which it is grown. There is increased competition from very large

companies in Europe who do not have to adhere to the stringent rules imposed by the British Soil Association.

These companies have the choice of many organic accreditation bodies to choose from, picking the one which suits them best and switching if the rules get too tough.

However I would not want to see a position as in the US where very large corporate farmers have taken over totally. The corporation is actually controlling all the raw materials for the entire industry and they control the supply chain from there to the point of consumer purchase so taking away the ability of small farmers to work alongside them.

I firmly believe that the choice does remain in Jersey and this is endorsed by the fact that there are still small units springing up with new entrants at this level.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that the fertility of the land in Jersey is as good as ever and the large farms are to be congratulated on the way in which they have managed change which has been imposed on them by economic and social conditions beyond their control. I would contend that it is not the size of the farm that matters but the way in which it is farmed and would argue that the large farms we now have in Jersey have gone to great lengths to farm equally as well as the many small ones all can justifiably claim to be “Custodians of the Countryside”.

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FOR FURTHER DETAILS ON ALL OUR EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES PLEASE SEE OUR 2015 EXPLORE BOOKLET OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.nationaltrust.je/events

OUT & ABOUT

Dates for your Diary WE STILL HAVE SOME FANTASTIC ACTIVITIES LEFT THIS YEAR AS FOLLOWS:•

18th November - Dangerous Liaisons - A biting satire about love and lust, passion, wickedness and betrayal.

• 25th November - Amadeus - The incredible story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, told by his peer and secret rival Antonio Salieri.

Venue: 16 New Street • Time: 7pm - 9pm Price: £10 to include a glass of wine To Book: Call T.483193. Please bring a cushion!

WOODLAND WANDERS Children are invited to come and walk through crunchy leaves and squelchy mud in the beautiful setting of Hamptonne Woods.

With brand new activities for autumn 2015, children will experience the season in a fun and educational way. Meeting point given at the time of booking.

Date: Wednesday 28th, Thursday 29th and Friday 30th October Time: 10am and 2pm

LATE NIGHT SHOPPING EVERY THURSDAY Why not do your Christmas shopping in the National Trust shop which is laden with imaginative and inexpensive gifts.

Enjoy seasonal refreshments. Free entry to shop / museum closed.

Date: November 26th to December 17th Time: 4pm to 8pm

BIRDS ON THE EDGE AUTUMN WALK Join the ‘Birds on the Edge’ Project Officer for a walk through coastal habitats being managed to help our endangered birds, flowers, insects and reptiles. Meeting point - Devil’s Hole car park. Duration: approx. 2 hours.

No booking needed - just turn up.

There will be a retiring collection for Birds on The Edge.

Date: Saturday 7th November Time: 10am

NATURE COMES TO NEW STREET ENVIRONMENTAL TALKS Have you ever wanted to find out more about our local wildlife, but find you never quite have the time? Then join our Rangers and local experts who can tell you what you can find and how you can help protect our diverse environment.

NEVER FELT BETTER! Needle Felting for Christmas. Learn to create your own needle felted Christmas decoration in this fun taster session. You will make a Christmas decoration to take home. All equipment is included along with Christmassy refreshments! Booking essential.

Date: Monday 30th November Venue: Room 4, Greve de Lecq Barracks Time: 7pm - 9pm Price: £20 to include refreshments. To Book: Call T.483193.

CANDLELIT TOURS OF 16 NEW STREET Get into the spirit of Christmas in the beautifully decorated Regency property, brought to life by costumed actors. Enjoy seasonal refreshments by the fireside afterwards. Booking essential.

Date: Tuesdays 1st, 8th, 15th December Time: 6pm - 7.30pm Price: £10 to include refreshments. To Book: Call T.483193.

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3rd November - Anne Haden, of the Botany section of Société Jersiaise will be talking about the wonderful variety of Orchids that can be found in Jersey.

• 10th November - Ani Binet from the Jersey Bat Group will be talking about the 14+ species of bats we have living here in Jersey.

• 17th November - The Marine Section of the Société Jersiaise will be talking about rock pools and the plants and creatures you mightcbe lucky enough to see within them.

• 24th November - Denise McGowan of Natural Solutions will be talking about the various small mammals that can be found in Jersey, including the endemic Jersey Bank Vole.

Please feel free to bring your lunch.

Seats limited – first come, first served.

Venue: 16 New Street • Time: 1.15pm - 1.45pm • Price: £5.00 pp

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMASTIDE CELEBRATIONS AT 16 NEW STREET Experience the magic of Christmas past and visit Father Christmas in his apartment where children will receive a special gift.

Date: Every Saturday November 28th to December 19th.

Time: 10am - 5pm Price: £4 for children includes a gift to take home

FILMS BY THE FIRESIDE TURKEY BUSTER 2016 – (The walk that will leave you ‘Choughed’ to bits!)

Let the cares of the day fall away as you enjoy a fine period drama in front of a fire in the beautiful surroundings of 16 New Street.

Booking essential.

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4th November – ‘A Room with a View’. An entertaining adaptation of E.M. Forster’s comedy of manners about the Edwardian English upper class at home and abroad.

11th November - Howard’s End - an intricately woven tale of money, love and death that encompasses the country’s highest and lowest social echelons.

Once again, the National Trust for Jersey invites you to take an active part on the annual New Year’s Day circular fitness trail.

This time the route is between the Devil’s Hole and the Sorel headland with all things naturally coastal in between. 2016 will be an extra special year for The National Trust for Jersey as it celebrates its 80th Anniversary. What better excuse can there be in raising a glass to this major milestone and to the New Year than by joining Mike Stentiford MBE and the team on this two-hour coastal jolly.

The walk starts from La Mare Vineyards car park at 12 noon and everyone is welcome.

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CHAMPIONS OF JERSEY’S COUNTRYSIDE

Champions of Jersey’s Countryside I have been Chief Executive of the Association since 2008 and I am privileged to work alongside such an enthusiastic, passionate, loyal and committed group of people. I was always aware of the huge pool of talent in this Island and playing my small part in nurturing, mobilising and promoting that ability has been hugely rewarding. Jersey has championed the benefits of supporting local producers, products and produce long before ‘buying local’ became a popular movement. I like to think that Genuine Jersey is just helping to keep that important tradition alive.

THE TRADITIONAL POTATO AND VEGETABLE GROWERS Alan Rabet and Family – Beaulieu Farm John Garton

THE PROMOTER OF LOCAL PRODUCE John Garton – Chief Executive of Genuine Jersey Growing up on a farm in St Helier, I learnt the value of provenance at an early age. Our veg had usually been picked or dug that day, the fish and meat were fresh and the milk was still warm. Of course, back then I didn’t really consider such things as food miles, sustainability or job creation.

To me, it just tasted fabulous. I know a lot more about the importance of ‘buying local’ these days – the advantages of seasonality, of nurturing local talent, of protecting our distinct heritage and boosting our economy – but I never forget that childhood memory: that it just tasted so much better.

It’s even truer today when so much of what we import has been massproduced, enhanced with chemicals, manipulated under artificial conditions

or flown halfway around the world to get here.

There is, of course, a growing movement away from mass production and I hope Genuine Jersey has played its part, albeit – and appropriately at a local level. The Association was launched in 2001 by a small group of Island businessmen who recognised the value of offering distinct and unique local goods and who were keen to promote the diversity and quality of the Island’s produce and products.

It has been a great success and today we have over 170 Members, from farmers and fishermen to jewellery designers and cider-makers. Businesses that proudly display the distinctive Genuine Jersey logo include some of the Island’s biggest manufacturers but also hobbyists working from home.

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My family have been farming and growing Jersey Royal potatoes for over 100 years. Beaulieu Farm in St Peter has been passed down through the generations and my father Edmund 79, is still working on the farm and gets up at 5.00am every morning. We are firm believers that in order to grow the best tasting potatoes in Jersey, preparation of the land is key, so as to ensure that the soil is light and well drained.

This is achieved by ploughing and aerating the soil, digging ditches, weeding the fields and spreading seaweed, locally known as vraic on the fields as a natural fertilizer.

Historically, we used to plant in excess of 180 vergées of potatoes and export these to Covent Garden, but as the costs of shipping increased and as the Jersey Royal market became more competitive and prices began to fluctuate, we decided to diversify.

Reducing the amount of potatoes we planted from 180 to 30 vergées, we now grow main crop potatoes, onions, carrots, butternut squash, courgettes and melons and a few tomatoes.

CHAMPIONS OF JERSEY’S COUNTRYSIDE Our potatoes are sold to niche markets in the UK, including many top rated hotels in London, who are happy to pay a premium for early and great tasting Jersey Royals. By staying independent we are still able to exert some control over the price we charge for our potatoes.

I believe in the value of independent small holders and would like to see a scheme established which encourages young people to take an interest in farming, and question where their food comes from, as well as the importance of quality and taste. The issue of succession is crucial if we are going to ensure that smaller farms continue to be maintained and actively contribute to the rural environment of Jersey.

In my view young people should be helped to enter the farming industry by being able to apply for grants, thereby encouraging enterprise, diversity, as well as continuing the traditional farming methods adopted and espoused by my family over the generations.

Alan Rabet

THE JERSEY APPLE GROWER Hans Van Oordt – Jersey Apple Press A garden designer by profession I moved to Jersey 17 years ago and soon found myself planning orchards for a number of clients. It soon became apparent that very few orchards were being planted with traditional Jersey apple varieties and I felt it was a great shame that these ancient varieties were not being used. I was aware of the great work that had been done by Brian Phillipps and Rosemary Bett, who had formed the Jersey Cider Orchard Trust (JCOT) in the late 1980’s and been responsible for the planting of the crucial gene bank orchards in Trinity and more recently at The Elms.

With the assistance of the JCOT, I was able to start grafting such varieties as Gros Romeril, Nier Binet, Gras Binet, Cotard, Belles Filles, Tetard, Douces Dames, Museau d’Boeuf and Gros Pigeonnet, to name just a few and create my own nursery for onward sale and planting. Amazingly there are over 40 varieties of Jersey apples, the majority of which are bittersweets, but there are also a selection of sweets and sharps for eating. The best ciders are usually a blend of different cider apples.

Five years ago I also decided to practice what I preach by growing my own orchard in St John. It is slowly maturing and the trees are now producing a crop enabling me to launch a brand of pressed apple juice known as Jersey Apple Press. So far I have three types namely Early Season, Mid-Season and Late Season reflecting how different apple varieties strike different notes of sweetness, acidity and flavour during the harvest period.

Hans Van Oordt

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Looking ahead, I feel there is a rosy future for the old Jersey varieties with a renewed interest in cider making and consumers increasingly keen to try local products made from traditional apple varieties. In addition the DNA of one of these old varieties may one day hold the key to major developments in apple breeding or resistance to disease.

Watch this space.

CHAMPIONS OF JERSEY’S COUNTRYSIDE

THE TREE PLANTER Conrad Evans – Arboriculture Officer for Jersey Trees for Life Having worked for Jersey Trees for Life for over 20 years, the majority of my time has focused on the planting of whip sized (sapling) hedging plants and trees, with a modicum of time spent of cutting and pruning trees.

However, planting has changed tremendously over this period, with much of my work initially concentrating on the planting of larger specimen trees of 2 metres in height or larger around numerous municipal areas and properties like schools, churches, States’ owned and Parish land.

From the year 2000 onwards the focus of how and where trees were planted changed dramatically to the mass planting of whips around field boundaries.

Peter Houguez

THE LAST DAIRY FARMER IN ST OUEN Peter Houguez – Goodlands Farm, St Ouen It is now some 40 years since I took over the farm from my father.

He initially started keeping cows back in 1944, when food and milk were extremely scarce, and after the Occupation he increased the herd and also started growing Jersey Royals.

We have maintained this mixed farming system ever since and utilise the land equally for growing crops, including cattle feed, as well as grazing for the dairy herd. Through careful rotation we are able to maximise our land in a sustainable way.

However, with only 40 vergées our grazing is limited and so we only have 10 Jersey cows, 8 of which are in milk.

Milking takes place twice a day at 6.00 am and 7.00 pm and on average our small herd produces 120 litres per collection which occurs every other

day. Keeping a small mixed farm enables me to maintain tight quality control including the food I give to the cows. Initially I was going to grow turnips but these give the milk a bitter taste and so I then tried red carrots but unfortunately the carotene tinted the milk pink! Now I sow white carrots after the potato crop, and the cows absolutely love them. They have also proved popular with some local chefs as well as a few fellow parishioners.

For me small is definitely beautiful and I hope to continue farming in this way for the foreseeable future. With an increasing population there are increasing pressures on our agricultural land bank and I feel farmers have a crucial role to play in maintaining the value and future of our countryside.

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This was in part due to the recognition of how our hedgerows had deteriorated since the combined onslaught of Dutch Elm disease and the Great Storm of 1987. The Trees for Life Jersey Hedgerow Campaign was born out of a potential funding source made available by the States’ Environment Department called the Countryside Enhancement Scheme and from 2008 the team at Jersey Trees for Life have planted up to 6,500 whips per year to re-populate barren field boundaries and banks. Planting hedging whips at 0.75 metre centres, the miles soon stack up on an annual basis. This has equated to planting between 3 and 4 miles per year. It was always a policy to maintain other planting projects for a minimum of 3 years which means at any one time my team look after between 9 and 12 miles of recently planted hedge. With the assistance of numerous community groups and corporations including the Jersey Employment Trust and the Probation Service, the hedgerow campaign has gathered considerable momentum with aerial maps illustrating that the Island is slowly being filled in!

CHAMPIONS OF JERSEY’S COUNTRYSIDE Of course the greatest satisfaction from my work is looking back at the planting schemes to see trees that were once less than a mere 12 inches tall now towering up to 25 to 30 feet in height.

There are many jobs in Jersey where you have the opportunity to have such a significant and beneficial impact upon our beautiful rural landscape.

Conrad Evans

THE ENVIRONMENTALIST Mike Stentiford MBE – All Round Conservationist Over time, my own compass of discovery has led to the natural world which, against a fair bit of competition, nevertheless slipped neatly to the top of my personal must-do ambition chart.

What I’ve learned is that if it’s to develop and mature, then attaining an interest in wildlife and wild places requires real time and special moments.

My own sustainable connection with wildlife is entirely the fault of a family of badgers that captivated me as an eight-year old evacuee at a farm on Dartmoor.

question as to whether I currently consider myself to be an optimistic pessimist or a pessimistic optimist?

Doubtless better by far to stick to my true beliefs and remain the eternal optimistic optimist I think!

There’s certainly every cause to be upbeat knowing of the fervour of all

those new young local environmental educators and conservationists who clearly champion and value nature for what it is and what it so freely has to offer. It’s a fully endorsed guarantee that the results of their combined enthusiasm and achievements will leave the biggest, the best and certainly the most essential of all legacies.

It’s an awfully long time ago yet the ‘wild ticket’ those badgers unknowingly gave me has ensured the bargain trip of a lifetime. Ever since those days, juggling as much time as prudently possible between watching, listening, guiding, writing and tackling scores of satisfying hands-on conservation tasks has, in the simplest of terms, served me well.

The thing is that times for us, and especially society’s general attitude towards ‘wildness’, seems to have changed somewhat over the past half-century. Whereas at one time there was a tangible enthusiasm and public appetite for nature, maintaining a supportive appreciation of the subject these days appears, for many, to have become a little less important. More a case of economic value than intrinsic value. This then begs the contradictory

Mike Stentiford

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MEN AT WORK

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MEN AT WORK

Men at Work C

has Quénault, young farmer at Manor Farm St Peter, talked to Sarah Hill about how he became involved in farming and what makes up his typical day.

How did you become involved in Farming?

Farming has been in our family for several generations.

My grandfather, Charles Quénault, moved to Manor Farm with his family in 1982 as a tenant. My father and mother were lucky to be able to buy the farm in 1995, the year I was born. At first my grandfather did mixed farming but by 1987 the farm became totally dairy. In 2006 the farm diversified into processing our own milk and opening a farm shop and butchery. It just seemed a natural progression for me to follow in my father’s and grandfather’s footsteps when I left school.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking of pursuing a career in Farming?

You have to be willing to change your complete lifestyle for the job! Working on a farm means unsociable hours; you are on call 24/7. You can be called out in the middle of the night due to loose heifers, sometimes arriving to find out they belong to another farmer!

What sort of training do you need and where do you go to get this?

The majority of my training has been “on the Job” on the farm, there is always something to learn on a daily basis.

What would you say the biggest challenge is for a young farmer today?

Lack of sustainability in farming. As farmers we need to make enough of a return to ensure that we can invest in the business and keep it going, whilst looking after the natural environment for the long term and future generations.

Cows or Potatoes?

Cows are my love and passion but I still like growing a few spuds.

We have 60 milking cows, about 40 youngstock, dry cows and bulls, and around 70 beef crosses. The average daily milk production per cow is about 20 litres of milk. My favourite cow is ‘Hi Tech Cute Charleen’, who at 13 years old is the oldest cow in our herd. One of my favourite things is putting the cows onto fresh pasture and seeing them contented.

Massey Ferguson or John Deere?

You just need to look at the photo.

Early Mornings or Late Nights?

Late nights – it takes me a while to get going in the morning, but I can just keep going at night.

For specific agricultural training you do need to go off island, although trainers and instructors do come across from the UK for specific things like AI (artificial insemination).

What are the key tools of your trade?

You cannot live on a modern farm without a tractor but there is not a day where I don’t use a pitch fork.

Tractor – feeding and cleaning the animals, moving the silage bales etc. Pitch fork – feeding the silage to the animals and cleaning out.

What sort of activities do you get involved in on a typical day?

My main responsibilities at the moment are feeding, cleaning and general care of the animals. Our cows are milked at 6am and 5pm. The animals are fed twice a day, and all the animals in fields away from the farm need to be checked daily. The winter is mainly feeding and caring for the animals, whereas in the summer we are making silage and hay. The only other feed we grow ourselves is fodderbeet, which is a cross between sugarbeet and mangold.

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OUR 'BEAUTIFUL JERSEY' - the COW (of course)

By Rosemary Collier

WHAT would Jersey be without our beautiful Jersey Cow? Many informal and formal surveys have conveyed the attraction of the lovely brown Jersey cow to visitors and locals alike. From my experience when you mention you come from Jersey anywhere in the world the first thing people often mention is our cow. She is surely one of the iconic elements of the heritage of Jersey.

While we enjoy seeing brown cows in green fields as we are out in the countryside Jersey milk is also a benefit to the health of islanders being low in saturated fats and has 20% higher protein and calcium compared to milk from other breeds. The quality of the milk we drink is assured by the Herd Book kept by the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society, which shows the provenance and lineage of any individual cow back to 1866. This must be unique in world milk production. Additionally impressive the island's herds have been able to maintain an extremely high health status being free from TB, Brucella and all the main cow diseases.

There was a time when the supply of milk for local consumption was in doubt due to declining herd numbers.

However in recent years the industry has been able to expand the range of products to include cheese, yoghurt, ice creams, and creme fraiche. Jersey Dairy has increased their export market to Europe and the Far East, even opening ice cream kiosks in Myanmar!

The recent revival of the island's milk industry appears to have gained impetus from the resolution to import semen. Since the 1980s it was becoming increasingly clear that producing milk was uneconomical for the majority of farmers. The export of cattle and semen ceased as the Island’s

gene bank was no longer considered to be of value. The Jersey breed in the rest of the world produced more milk from animals in larger breeding programmes being a more economical animal to keep altogether.

The first proposition to import semen was brought to the States by the then President of Agriculture in 1983.

It was defeated 2:1 which mirrored a contemporary RJA&HS ballot.

The debate rumbled on for many more years. When Jersey Dairy had to make major decisions about it's future development in 2001 they developed a 'road map' to recovery which included the relocation to Trinity and also the acceptance of semen importation.

The RHA&HS felt that the Jersey cow had to become more efficient but some felt imported bull semen was not the way to go. There were understandable fears that the Island breed would no longer be unique and we would lose the heritage of the breed. It was also felt that the door would be opened to milk importation and risk the exceptionally good disease status of the herds. Over the next 7 years many local and international experts were involved in work to explore the issues.

To quote the late Anne Perchard the internationally renowned 'Mother of the Breed', “We have some great cow families but we need superior sires to enhance our dangerously narrowing genetic base".

After several Reports by the RJA &HS together with a States Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel a proposition to allow the import of bull semen was again taken to the States in July 2008.

The key reasons for the proposition was to improve the Jersey cow and farm efficiency, to support the majority of farmers who wanted to import semen (who produced 76% of the

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islands milk supply), and to complete a key part of the industry recovery plan. The 2:1 in favour result now gave farmers the choice of either local or imported semen with rigorous guarantees of pedigree being applied to the imported semen.

The results to date seem to have proved the benefits of using imported semen as milk production per cow has increased, functional type and health traits have improved and interest and enthusiasm amongst breeders has increased. In addition milk importation restrictions remain in place and the export market has enjoyed a resurgence. Some islanders have had concerns that the Jersey cow is turning black and this is all down to semen importation, however this is a completely different farming enterprise of beef production using imported Aberdeen Angus semen. Apart from diversification of the local meat market other benefits have been the reduction in slaughtering of bull calves, and the grazing of meadows and marginal land which has inherent conservation and biodiversity gains.

Sadly there was a scandalous 'blip' in 2010 when an import from the USA met pure Jersey parentage criteria but failed the ancestors check. Luckily the RJA&HS were alerted and all the animals in question could be de-registered from the Jersey Herd Book. DNA and genomic screening has become more advanced and there are systems in place so that potential mistakes can be identified earlier.

All in all the future looks rosy with many of the younger generation of established farming families having joined the dairy industry in recent years, while those wishing to maintain the traditional methods of breeding are also free to do so.

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DIVERSIFICATION

Go Forth and Diversify…

We caught up with 4 local producers who have chosen to diversify their business

JOE FREIRE FROM PERSON & FREIRE business. They were Mr Person’s pride and joy. Joe has continued to develop these wonderful plants and these prized peonies are now exported to several locations in the UK including Covent Garden.

What are you doing differently now?

The variety and diversity of crops now include Anemones, Asparagus, Raspberries, green beans, and a range of flowers including Ranuncula’, Pinks, Dahlias and sunflowers.

Joe works very much in the traditional manner – growing seasonally and sustainably. Anemones are grown from September to April then Asparagus from Mid-April to June, Peonies from May to mid-June, Strawberries from April to October, Raspberries from the end of May to October and a range of flowers which are staggered from May through to October. Winters – once a time when Joe and his partner Polly were extremely busy running their floristry business – is now a time to enjoy and relax especially at Christmas and Valentine’s Day!

Who are you/What is your Business?

Joe Freire arrived in Jersey in 1982 aged nineteen from Madeira where, like many Madeirans, the Freire family grew all their own food and kept a cow which Joe had to milk before school!

Joe loved Jersey the minute he arrived in the island and remains absolutely passionate about it and the land that he works on. Joe grows a range of fruit, vegetables and flowers.

When was your business formed? Is it a new business or has it been going for many years or from one generation to another generation?

Back in 1982 Joe worked for Mr Person - a farmer, who amongst other crops grew strawberries (Mr Person was to become Joe’s father-in-law). Mr Person established the business and Joe has continued and expanded it. Back in the early 80’s Joe also worked for two other farmers; Mr Agnes and Mr Le Feuvre – all grew a variety of different crops and from there Joe’s growing and propagating education and experience started. Joe was particularly inspired by Peter Le Feuvre who was passionate about farming and, from him; Joe learnt a love and a respect for the land.

If so who formed the original company?

Person and Freire was formed in 1984 a partnership between Joe and his father-in-law.

Have you diversified from your original core business and if so, why?

Joe started expanding the amount of strawberries he could grow as soon as he acquired more land. In 1986, he had a stroke of luck with the sale of the former ‘Strawberry Farm’ in St Peter – he not only acquired the necessary land but also skilled staff. Since then he has acquired even more land and has been able to expand the volume of strawberries grown.

Joe’s father-in-law, Mr Person started growing peonies 45 years ago - about 15 years before Joe started working in the

Has your new business initiative/s been successful?

Yes. Joe ‘feels’ his way’ with a new crop – he starts slowly and experiments initially on a small scale. Planning takes about five years and there needs to be a good market. He has to be careful about what varieties he grows. Joe also believes that it is not all about profit – positive feedback is always welcome and for him is ‘food for the soul’ such is his commitment and passion for what he does.

Do you have any regrets about diversifying from your original business model?

No. What have been the greatest challenges you have faced?

The greatest challenges are to do with the changing retail environment. Initially Person and Freire supplied small corner shops and hotels and guest houses. Nowadays Joe supplies the wholesale market; Fungi Delecti, Lucas Bros, Homefield, Holme Grown as well as exporting to the UK. Other challenges have revolved around packaging – consumers have very different expectations about how they buy their fruit given how products are packaged by the major supermarkets. Price is always an issue – local supermarkets stock imported fruit from countries such as Spain which can be cheaper than that produced locally because of mass production and cheap labour. The Co-op have been a great support over the years striving to support local producers even when they can buy cheaper from abroad.

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DIVERSIFICATION

DARREN AND JULIA QUÉNAULT AT CLASSIC HERD art of cheese making and with significant investment in new machinery, they started making their award winning cheeses with the surplus milk.

Have you diversified from your original core business and if so, why?

From producing milk and cheese, the business has further diversified and now produces a range of ice creams, yoghurt and crème fraiche. It made sense to start keeping pigs as pigs could be fed with the milk by product and their diet supplemented with cooked potatoes in the traditional style.

Who are you/What is your Business?

Darren and Julia Quénault from Classic Herd are the Island’s only independent dairy farmers producing milk, creams, yoghurt, ice cream, crème fraiche and award-winning cheeses at Manor Farm in St Peter’s Village.

Classic Herd also raises pigs, Jersey and Jersey-Angus beef.

Their products are available from the shop at Manor Farm, selected retail outlets, supermarkets, restaurants, pubs and cafés around the Island.

They choose sustainable practices for the well-being of their 60-strong herd of milking Jerseys and other livestock, to protect the natural environment of their 400 vergée farm and to deliver very high quality products. Their son, Chas has joined the family business.

As a small-scale artisan producer, Darren and Julia devote a great deal of time and effort to achieving and maintaining the consistency and quality of their products.

When was your business formed? Is it a new business or has it been going for many years or from one generation to another generation?

The Company – Classic Herd – was formed by Darren and Julia in 1991. Before that, Darren farmed with his father.

Formerly tenant farmers, they purchased their farm – Manor Farm – in 1995.

Traditional farmers supplying the Jersey Milk Marketing Board, it was on a visit to South Africa when Darren and Julia ‘saw the light’. They came across artisanal cheeses made from Jersey herds in Stellenbosch and decided that they wanted to be more responsible for their own destiny.

At that time, the only way to improve profitability was to increase their herd of cows and there wasn’t the legal framework to produce their own products – a situation that changed with the establishment of the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority and a change in the law.

What are you doing differently now?

Since the initial foray into keeping livestock for meat, Darren and Julia now breed Jersey, Jersey Cross beef and Jersey Blue Cross beef. Another venture is keeping rare breed chickens and table birds – along the likes of the French ‘Poulet de Bresse’.

Has your new business initiative/s been successful?

Classic Herd’s business model has changed and the wholesale market now outperforms retail sales. Customers include the Co-Op, Liberation Group and high quality establishments including the Grand Hotel, the Atlantic, Sumas restaurant, the Club and Spa Hotel and Bohemia Restaurant amongst many others with over 150 deliveries made each week.

Do you have any regrets about diversifying from your original business model?

No, but Julia explained that the work is relentless with only Sunday off for the family although they still have to milk the cows and clean and feed all the other animals! Milk is processed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with yoghurt being made on Tuesdays and ice cream on Thursdays. As farmers they calve all year round.

They employ 10 staff with two full-time butchers.

What have been the greatest challenges you have faced?

Aside from the significant investment over the years, the greatest challenge has been continually satisfying and meeting customer demands. Initially Julia worried about every pot of cream and bottle of milk! However, Darren and Julia have always received wonderful feedback and they both feel that they are lucky to be so well supported and for their products to be so well received.

The idea was further developed after a visit to Sharpham Dairy in South Devon and the Royal Farms shop at Windsor.

These businesses all made a range of cheeses, ice cream and other dairy products from Jersey herds –so why couldn’t they?

In 2006 Classic Herd started processing and selling its own milk and, after Julia spent a week in Germany learning the

«27»

DIVERSIFICATION

JENNI LIDDIARD – FIELD FARM with her animals – She even had to book her holidays to coincide with lambing! Field Farm was formally established in 2008 after a long period trying to find a suitable site and then the ensuing issues with planning and building control.

Have you diversified from your original core business and if so, why?

Along with the pre-butchered and packed lamb and free-range eggs, the original intention was to produce pure apple juice from Jenni’s orchard which she planted in 2009 - after extensive research to find the juiciest varieties.

Who are you/What is your Business?

Born out of a passion for producing top quality local products from animals that have a really good quality of life, Jenni Liddiard is the force behind Field Farm. Jenni was, until quite recently, a Radiographer who worked for the Health department for over 30 years. However, as the daughter of a sheep and arable farmer from Lincolnshire and the granddaughter of an orchard owner – farming was always in her DNA! Field Farm is a smallholding with around 23 vergees from which Jenni runs the only flock of Pedigree Welsh Lleyn sheep - renowned for their superb flavour. The lambs are reared naturally off grass. ‘Grown here not flown here’ is her motto and she prides herself on the high standard of welfare, which is reflected in the quality of the lean, tender lamb. Her ‘Unique Selling Point’ is that she sells ‘half lamb’ boxes in the autumn. Each box comes butchered, wrapped and ready to pop in the freezer.

Jenni also sells fresh free-range eggs all year round at the farm gate, as well as ‘point of lay’ chickens and runner ducks of various breeds and colours.

When was your business formed? Is it a new business or has it been going for many years or from one generation to another generation?

The business has been in operation since 1999. At that time, Jenni was still working as a Radiographer at the hospital and worked around the clock

However after a trip to Switzerland Jenni changed direction after drinking what she thought was a glass of mild cider! It transpired that she was drinking sparkling pure apple juice which made her re-think her long term business plan to produce apple juice, the production of which was planned around the maturing and harvesting of the apple trees in the orchard.

What are you doing differently now?

Jenni found a company in Southern Ireland which produced carbonated cloudy apple juice and could show her exactly how to produce it. The company also introduced Jenni and her partner (now husband) David to Vigo, a company that specialises in fruit presses etc. and after significant investment in equipment & a new Juice Barn, including bespoke stacking crates & trolleys designed by David, Jenni’s idea to be the only company in the British Isles to produce Cloudy Sparkling Apple Juice came to fruition!

It is 100% pure juice with no sugar or water added just fizz! It retails through various outlets including Classic Herd, Cooper’s at Castle Quay, Plémont Café as well as in farm shops, hotels & Government house.

Another diversification is that Jenni also runs courses for those who want a taster session of smallholding and animal husbandry. Her courses include ‘Lambing Live’, ‘Hen Party for Beginners’ and ‘Smallholding’. Details can be found on her website www.fieldfarmjersey.com Has your new business initiative/s been successful?

Sales of the ‘Pure Cloudy Sparkling Apple Juice’ have been so popular that

«28»

demand has outstripped supply so much so that Jenni and David are now having to supplement their own apples with apples from other orchards.

Do you have any regrets about diversifying from your original business model?

No. Jenni feels that they have achieved everything they set out to do and more! Jenni and David married in 2013 and having a partner has helped out enormously – especially when pressing the apples! The couple (are completely self-sufficient) only occasionally employ help during busy periods and occasional holidays (help in the form of a local post graduate- Ollie – in the holidays and a Duke of Edinburgh student who helps out on a voluntary basis).

What have been the greatest challenges you have faced?

The greatest challenges have been trying to create the farm and develop the business with all of the red tape that exists around planning and building regulations and business development.

Other challenges have been around maintaining really high levels of animal welfare and producing meat and eggs that are of a really high quality together with the weather and keeping the birds away from all the fruit!

However, the couple would never want to do anything else and the ‘cherry on the cake’ has been receiving a very coveted British ‘Great Taste’ award this year for the apple juice and new labels are being produced as this article goes to print!

DIVERSIFICATION

RICHARD AND SARAH MATLOCK - LA ROBELINE CIDER Shack’ and dealing with the marketing, promotion and administration of a business in this market.

Have you diversified from your original core business and if so, why?

The original core business was cider making, but this then grew to encompass Eau du Vie and the La Pomm’thie apple brandy.

What are you doing differently now?

Over the years, Sarah and Richard have invested in plant and machinery to streamline their cider production. Some of that machinery has been old and needed restoration and some has been purchased from specialist suppliers. This has allowed them to cope with the yearly increase in apples as new orchards have matured and started to produce a good crop. They continue to invest in new equipment in order to cope with the increase in production and sales. Each year they run out of cider before Christmas but hope that, now they are able to devote all their time to La Robeline Cider, they will be able to produce sufficient to satisfy year round demand and, in the next few years, start to export to the other Islands and the UK.

Who are you/What is your Business?

La Robeline Cider Company is owned by Richard and Sarah Matlock and is situated in a wonderful old granite house in the wilds of St. Ouen.

Richard learnt the art of cider making in Normandy where he found a very ancient cider press in need of restoration.

The press was brought over to Jersey, restored and La Robeline Cider Company was born! Originally Richard’s hobby, La Robeline has been at the forefront of a revival of orchard planting, apple growing and cider making in the Island - a hugely important part of Jersey’s culture and heritage back in the early nineteenth century. They currently manage approximately 30 orchards, (many of which they have planted) including the orchard at The Elms – the headquarters of the National Trust for Jersey in St Mary.

Each autumn, Richard and Sarah harvest apples from orchards around the Island, the juices of which are extracted to make La Robeline’s ‘Cidre dé Jèrri’.

In 2011, ‘Sylvie’, a tried and tested wood-burning still that was used for 60 years to make Calvados in Normandy, joined the ancient cider press enabling Richard and Sarah to produce their very own ‘Eau de Vie’. Oak barrels of the aforementioned Eau de Vie have also been maturing in Richard’s bonded store and their “L’Esprit de Jerri”, colloquially known as ‘La Pomm’thie’ – an exceptionally smooth ‘Calvados’/apple brandy - has been produced, adding to the range of products that are made by La Robeline.

When was your business formed? Is it a new business or has it been going for many years or from one generation to another generation?

Although La Robeline was originally founded in 2005, Richard and Sarah have only just managed to commit fully to the business this year. Prior to 2015, they both worked full time in their marine engineering business which was sold earlier this year. Before the business was sold, they had to juggle managing their full-time jobs with making cider, Eau de Vie and latterly ‘La Pomm’thie’ as well as attending various festivals and events with their very popular ‘Cider

Has your new business initiative/s been successful?

Yes – the best seller is still the Cidre dé Jèrri’ as this is the product which they make the most of. However Richard and Sarah have subsequently sold out of the ‘La Pomm’thie’ – their apple brandy -such has been its success. It takes three years to mature the ‘L’Esprit dé Jèrri’ in the oak barrels so this is a difficult product to produce in large quantities, especially in a small family business such as La Robeline.

They supply various retail outlets in the Island including Waitrose, Co-Op Grande Marche (St Peter and St Helier branches), various farm shops including Classic Herd Farm Shop and Holme Grown, Corkscrew in the Central Market and Harbour News in the Elizabeth Terminal as well as public houses including the Lamplighter and their local – the Farmers Inn at St Ouen!

Do you have any regrets about diversifying from your original business model?

No and Richard and Sarah are really looking forward to launching new apple based products which will be on the market shortly!

What have been the greatest challenges you have faced?

The greatest challenges have been having sufficient time, especially when working in the marine industry, and trying to build up the business.

The challenges now revolve around resources – the ability to obtain sufficient quantities of cider apples as Richard and Sarah don’t want to compromise their local credentials by buying in apples from elsewhere.

Every year they plant more orchards so gradually more fruit is coming on line. Other challenges are the changing nature of the events calendar and the on-going financial impacts on event organisers which may result in less activity.

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COMMENT

What will the Future Hold for Jersey’s Countryside…

T

HE countryside is a working environment, the ‘shop floor’ of the farming industry, and as such it combines a fascinating mixture of change and continuity.

In Jersey, whilst the basic field structure has changed little over the centuries, a short study of the agricultural history of the island reveals how much change has taken place.

Historically important industries, such as sheep and wool or apples and cider, are no longer as significant as they once were in terms of land use, but they have left their mark in various ways. These include the remnants of stone walls on the north coast or the hedges planted in the interior of the island as shelter belts for tender spring blossoms. Today the dominant form of land use is associated with raising the Jersey cow and growing the Jersey Royal Potato. These two world famous products are exported to many countries and form the foundation of ‘brand Jersey’. They are the result of decades of hard work by the Jersey farming community and earn the industry premium prices that are necessary for economic viability in an island with high production costs.

Agriculturalists continue to occupy over half of the island’s land area and their work in maintaining the countryside is important for many reasons; the need to offset urban areas with rural for example, the attraction it provides for residents and visitors and the contribution it makes to the island’s environment and wildlife.

The farming industry has made great strides in

environmental protection in recent years, and I see this continuing as scientific research is applied to understanding complex biological processes and improving modern farming techniques.

Jersey has a distinctive and intimate countryside very different to other places. The most effective way to maintain the rural landscape as we know it today is to encourage a thriving agricultural industry in the island.

The countryside is special, and maintaining it comes at a cost that is not fully funded by the market place for island products. Support provided by the States of Jersey, through the Rural Economy Strategy, is recognition of these ‘public goods’ provided by the industry.

There are three elements vital to ensure a future for the industry; a set of skilled and professional agriculturalists, a profitable market for their produce, and a bank of land on which they can produce.

We are fortunate that the first two requirements are largely met. We have a committed community of farmers who have been at the centre of island life for centuries together with a healthy number of new entrants looking to make agriculture their career. In the dairy sector alone, over two thirds of the farms have succession options with the younger generation returning to join the business.

Profitability is a constant concern with the agricultural industry becoming increasingly globalised. Input and output prices are affected by worldwide events which is all the more reason to continue to invest in the product

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COMMENT

James Godfrey, Chief Executive of the Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society considers the future of Jersey’s agricultural industry

brands for which the island is best known and can achieve premium returns. The farming industry is naturally entrepreneurial and is constantly researching product innovation and new markets and we should support them in this.

The third element is the agricultural land bank. In recent years there has been a growing pressure to allow agricultural land to be developed. This can take the obvious form of building construction or the more subtle form of ‘garden extensions’, ‘community use’ or any one of a number of plausible reasons as to why agricultural land is lost to the industry. For many years, the Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society has highlighted this issue and been at the centre of the debate on land use in Jersey. We have published numerous papers on the issue, along with adopting a set of ‘tests’ against which it is possible to grade the importance of agricultural land to the industry and a scale of development ranging from benign to malign. The States of Jersey does offer protection to agricultural land through various pieces of legislation, however there is concern within the industry that these are not being enforced with sufficient rigour.

The number of farm units has declined over the years, in common with agricultural industries in many developed countries. The potato sector has largely consolidated already into two corporate marketing organisations, taking advantage of scale and with both having invested heavily in recent years to add value to the crop.

The dairy sector will also consolidate further but I think it will stabilise at around 15 to 18 holdings, however the overall number of cattle could increase. Jersey Dairy’s continued export success, based on the quality and provenance of its products, will result in an increase in local milk production. Suppliers to Jersey Dairy are required to keep their cows at grass during the growing season, supporting the wholesome image of island products, but it does mean that managing larger herds becomes more difficult and costly in an island infrastructure of fragmented land holdings and small fields.

There has been a growth in interest in small holdings in recent years, but in my experience they tend to either grow into larger businesses or cease operating. A sustainable farming business needs to be of a scale that allows people the occasional weekend off!

There will be new challenges in the coming years, some perhaps brought on by climate change; it could be a new disease or a change is rainfall, and there will need to adaptations with new varieties or cropping techniques.

There is scope for crop diversification particularly if the area of potato plantings reduces, but in the short term this is likely to be replaced by more home grown forage for the dairy sector.

The agricultural industry is resilient and adaptive, and changes will form another chapter in that history of Jersey farming.

In my view, subject to successfully dealing with the pressures outlined above, I believe the rural landscape of Jersey in 2050 will look similar to that which we admire today.

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BRICKS AND MORTAR

Marcus Binney takes a look and the evolution of the Jersey Farmhouse

J

ERSEY’S many beautiful farmhouses are an enigma. In one sense they are all very similar yet each is subtly different in myriad small ways.

John McCormack in his majesterial new book on Channel Island Houses has explored every single surviving old house marked on the Richmond map.

Some 1,212 pre 1787 houses have so far been identified in Jersey. In St Ouen’s, where Joan Stevens in her pioneering books described 16 houses, he has identified 147 houses that are pre-1787, using the Richmond map.

These Jersey farmsteads were far more numerous than in neighbouring Normandy and Brittany, indicating Jersey was prosperous more than a 1,000 years ago. During medieval times there were many hall houses – house like Wealden house in Kent with a great hall open to the rafters and sleeping quarters at either end at either end. Then in the 16th century Jersey

houses became more compact rather than larger, setting into the familiar pattern of a main front five windows wide with a central door. This is in sharp contrast to England where a larger house has often been the means to prove your family are a step ahead of the neighbours.

Another interesting factor is the number of hearths in Jersey houses – a key indicator of prosperity and comfort. Typically in 1550 a Jersey house had two hearths. By contrast in the prosperous village of Kenilworth in Warwickshire half the houses had no more than one hearth a century later.

In a very real sense Jersey’s granite farmhouses represent both the good life and a peaceful countryside secure from marauders and invaders.

Prosperity came from both land and sea. After King John lost Normandy in 1204 the Channel Islands were an important staging post to Plantagenet dominions in south west France.

In Jersey many more houses were conspicuously dated than in Guernsey, usually with initials on lintels over front doors. Over a 1,000 have been recorded, and three quarters of the occupants identified. Some evidently record a marriage or a change of ownership but many a rebuild or a renovation. But most of the evidence for dating and evolution has to come from examination of the standing stones themselves, both masonry and carved detail.

Almost all Jersey farmhouses face exactly south – very different to England where entrances were often on the north. Entrance fronts were most frequently altered. Paul Craig,

La Tourelle

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Date stone who assisted McCormack with his surveying work in Jersey, pointed out to me that gable ends and back walls are often older than entrance fronts as refronting was often carried out several times with changes in fashion and increasing prosperity. McCormack says look at the quoins (larger corner stones) which are often different at the front and back. Gable ends were left in place because they contained the chimney with large cantilever stones up to six feet long supporting the heavy granite lintels over the fireplaces.

As glass became affordable windows were increased in size. Early glazed window had rectangular leaded panes.

Sash windows came in after 1720 rather later than England. Windows were broadened and heightened and sills often dropped again later in the century to provide still more light inside. This is evident in the extra stones “pieced” into the surrounds or architraves.

Jersey farmhouses are typically one room deep. The depth was dictated by the length of available timber which was always oak until 1600 when elm from the hedgerows around the newly enclosed fields came into use.

A remarkable number of medieval manor and farmhouses had a staircase in a circular tourelle attached to the back of the house or part embedded in it. McCormack illustrates La Tourelle which is well recorded in a rare group of early photographs and drawings.

BRICKS AND MORTAR sections would have been used for a permanent supply of hot water, also possibly for smoking food, and making ales (before cider replaced beer drinking in the late C16) Later on back ovens were abandoned, and bread ovens were often constructed to one side of the medieval fireplace. In many cases Laverie boulongerie's (separate wash house bake house buildings) were constructed away from the main house, presumably to reduce fire hazards.

sometimes with troughs, which are known in France as éviers or kitchen sinks usually within an arched recess.

McCormack points out that the majority of farm buildings – barns, stables and pressoirs (cider press houses) have been rebuilt since 1750. Pressoirs contained both the circular stone apple crushers operated by a horse (now almost all in gardens) and the presses, like cheese presses, which more rarely survive. The best example is at the National Trust’s Hamptonne.

Morel Farm As great halls went out they gave way to central cross passages with a flight of stairs towards the back rising in a straight line. In medieval times kitchens (with brewhouses) were often in an attached or separate building but, as cider replaced ale from the 16th century onwards as the staple drink, kitchens came indoors. The medieval Jersey kitchen fireplace often had multiple functions, a central fire for warmth and cooking with an oven of beehive construction at the back of the hearth used for baking both pastries and bread. The fuel was furze and after the ash had been raked out the loaves were placed on, and covered by, cabbage leafs to keep them clean. Craig explains that some of these early fireplaces were truly massive, up to 8 feet wide. Some were bi-partite (Two sections) and some tri-partite (Three sections) the extra

Bread oven Roofs were thatched. Evidence for this are the so-called witches’ seats (supposed to discourage the witch from flying down the chimney) which are the caps to the thatch which was higher than the slate which replaced it.

While the manor houses had colombiers or dovecotes as in England and France, Jersey farmhouses often had a number of nesting boxes for doves, set high in the gable ends or above the upper windows.

Apple crusher The conservatism of Jersey farmhouses is witness to islanders’ strong attachment to their place of birth and discouraged complete rebuilding. Here indeed are stones that tell a story. Once this was the field of the antiquarian but now it is the inquisitive owner, the building archeologist and the house detective who are opening eyes to the clues and details that the evolution of houses.

Indoors, many medieval houses had lavabos or wash places almost identical to church piscinae but without credence shelves. Some also possessed larger arched recesses over sloping drains,

La Vallette a C17 house refronted in 1796

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IN THE NEWS

Making the wheel go round and round Tony Gray describes the recent construction of a new mill wheel for Le Moulin de Quétivel…

In 2014 it was clearly evident that the water wheel at Le Moulin de Quétivel needed to be replaced given the rapid deterioration of the timbers. Unfortunately, the existing wheel which had been made from Pitch Pine had only lasted for 12 years, and so a more durable and long term option had to be found.

Having used a modified timber called Accoya, when I ran my owner joinery firm, I felt that it would be a suitable product given its stability, resistance to rot and long term durability.

The first stage of manufacture was to take detailed measurements of the existing wheel and prepare a two dimensional CAD drawing of the circular parts of the wheel and of the 30 degree segments that were to be laminated together to form the outer rims of the wheel. To save time and cost the timber was supplied ready planed to size by James Latham in the UK. The 72 curved segments (36 to each rim) were machined on a CNC overhead router along with 8 no. 90 degree arcs in MDF, which were glued together to make a very accurate former / template for the rims. This work was carried out locally by Heritage Joinery Ltd.

Back at The Elms workshop, Dean Le Bailly, a highly skilled local craftsman, began the process of laminating the rims together using an epoxy resin and testing the joints for strength and water resistance before final assembly. Once the rims were fully cured, the housings for the buckets were cut out using a hand held router and an MDF guide saved from the manufacture of the existing wheel. Each rim was left in 2 halves so that they could be passed over the cast iron shaft going through the mill wall and attached to the gearing and milling wheels inside. Once the new spokes had been fitted to the shaft housings, the rim halves were glued together and bolted to the spokes. This part of the operation required great care to be taken to ensure that the wheel rims rotated around the centre of the shaft. With little clearance between the wheel, the granite wall of the Mill and the bottom of the Leat, "wheel wobble" would have had disastrous consequences!

Finally the bucket components and back boards were taken to site and fitted into the rims. Stainless steel bands with threaded tension adjusters were made to fit the circumference of both rims and

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bolted in place. Tie rods running across the wheel help to keep the whole structure together.

Our thanks go to Dean Le Bailly for his commitment and craftsmanship in manufacturing the wheel. While this has been a very interesting and enjoyable project, we truly hope that we will not be making another wheel for a very long time!

Awarded APPROVED PROVIDER for the States of Jersey

A SPECIAL PLACE

Valuing what makes Jersey Special

by Dame Fiona Reynolds

WHETHER it was the sonorous rhythm of the waves in St Brelade’s Bay, the rugged skylines of Les Jeteuses and Noirmont which frame it and over which the sun rises and sets each day, or the tiny, winding, flower-strewn lanes and spectacular bays of La Moye that we first explored, within hours of arriving in Jersey for the first time it had won a little piece of my heart.

I love islands, and I leapt at the invitation to speak to the Jersey National Trust’s AGM last spring. And the reality was even more special than the promise. The ever-present sense of the sea, the ‘edge’ that provides the frame for a distinct culture and identity, combined with an interior full of mystery and secrets, characterful buildings and gentle pastures creates a place like no other. After my speech, we gratefully accepted the loan of the National Trust’s distinctive red landrover and set off to explore.

I’m a walker first and foremost, and my priority was to get off the roads and into the depths of the interior and the coastline. We’d begun by exploring the promontory of La Moye, close to St Brelade’s Bay where we were staying, but over the next couple of days we worked our

way round the coast: visiting the fabulous new mega-hide at the Wetland Centre in St Ouen’s Bay, where more Marsh Harriers than we’d ever seen before soared above us; buying freshly dug Jersey Royal potatoes from a tiny farm under the cliff west of St Ouen; walking out to Plemont, the site of the National Trust’s impressive recent campaign; and taking a long walk around La Falaise, including the spooky Devil’s Hole and a substantial section of the coast path. We ambled in the shade of the beautiful St Catherine’s Woods, ate ice creams at Bouley Bay and delicious crab sandwiches at La Crete, and admired the stunning landscape of the south east coast, its glittering sheets of granite forming a magnificent wave-cut platform which stretches, at low tide, far into the distance.

Our interior tours took us to the Jersey War Tunnels and Durrell Wildlife and a handful of National Trust properties: all, apart from the impressively refurbished Georgian 16 New Street in St Helier, medieval stone-built buildings nestling in the pretty Jersey countryside.

Les Cotils, under restoration, the magical Morel Farm and The Elms reminded us of the determination of the National Trust’s founders to protect the fast-diminishing stock of vernacular buildings in mainland Britain.

Here, there’s the added opportunity to sustain working farms, producing traditional local products like Jersey cream and black butter. As we wound our way through the pretty lanes, moon-eyed Jersey cows watching us

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A SPECIAL PLACE

over the newly-leafing hedgerows we had a sense of time stopping: it was a world away from the intensive farmlands of England, and the gentle warmth of the Jersey April sun a delightful contrast to the wind and rain we’d left at home.

It is, however, too simplistic to characterise Jersey as a place where time has stopped. It’s a thriving place, attractive to business, leisure and as a wonderful place to live. But that brings pressures. The suburbs of St Helier are expanding, and with that comes the subtle but permanent shift that marks a colonised landscape. Smart kerbs and mown grass replace untidy flower-rich verges; street lighting casts a sharpness on the gentle murkiness of dusk and dawn; roads are widened and straightened and the fingers of development creep into the intimate valleys beyond the urban area.

Development and change is, of course, necessary, but given its small size and special character Jersey has the opportunity to make every decision a good one: protecting the distinctiveness of building design and architecture; insisting on quality rather than standardisation; and valuing what makes Jersey special.

The work of the National Trust for Jersey could not be more important: not only do the special places it owns need to continue to be protected and shared with the public, it is the voice and conscience of Jersey’s beauty, and a vital partner in encouraging the kind of development that is right for Jersey’s future.

It was with great joy, therefore, that we heard of the victory at Plemont not long after our return home.

The former Pontins holiday camp was truly a stain on the landscape, perched awkwardly on the top of the Plemont promontory, a reminder of the days before we took coastal conservation seriously. The National Trust’s campaign to buy and dismantle the site was hugely challenging, but it worked for two reasons: first, because of the Trust’s extraordinary determination, energy and persistence, and second because it inspired so much public support. The impressive ‘line in the sand’ – a living snake of over 7000 people across St Ouen’s Bay – left politicians in no doubt as to the strength of public support for the Trust’s vision.

Our all-too-brief visit to Jersey has created a bond that we will never lose. When so many of our landscapes and townscapes have become homogenous and utilitarian Jersey still has something unique. Its diversity and distinctiveness deserve eternal vigilance. Its champion, the National Trust, deserves our undying gratitude and constant support.

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