Jersey Reform Day.
This site is dedicated to the day, now officially recognised annually by the States of Jersey, to mark the anniversary of the events of 28 September 1769.
Jersey's own Independence or Bastille Day.
Derek Mason a Jersey architect of many years discusses the state of the design/planning process as it is now and was in the past - this video interview is about 15 minutes.
What is wrong with ugly buildings and why are pretty buildings better? These were themes raised previously with the Environment Minister Deputy Duhamel and posted on this site.
The recent Architecture Week was also featured here and criticised for being obsessed with "pretty" design awards rather than attacking the immense problems of the whole Island - especially with regard to housing demands. Here Derek Mason discusses the "ghetto" of St Helier and the failures of the Waterfront but expresses his support for the latest office development proposals from Dandara Ltd on the Esplanade. Meanwhile it is a critical Jersey Advocate who leads the Heritage group - not an Architect or Planner - but Architects are not visibly critical of the standards of legal services provided by advocates in Jersey...why not?
Part One Interview with Alan Collins (above) 22 August 2013 in Jersey - about 11 minutes
Part Two (above) about 14 minutes.
Alan Collins is the English Solicitor - Advocate from PANNONE LLP who has been engaged to represent 59 of the local litigants in the Compensation scheme of the States of Jersey (which he helped to set up) arising from the Hauth de la Garenne Childrens Home failures over many decades.
His involvement in the legal representation of child abuse victims is extensive.
It is especially interesting and significant that he is representing so many of the Jersey victims in this Island which claims its own unique jurisdiction and he plans to represent the 59 litigants before the States Inquiry that has been set up to examine the whole history of this tragic debacle.
He is to be paid for the Compensation scheme work out of Jersey public funds at an agreed rate but has so far receieved nothing. He expects to be paid for his Inquiry work in a similar way.
His role as an English lawyer acting in Jersey and being paid out of public funds amounts to "legal aid" whereas the "official" legal aid system that operates in Jersey is an antiquated mess and not fit for purpose. It is currently being examined.
Messrs Mourant Ozanne have been appointed to represent the States of Jersey in the Compensation scheme and Alan here explains how the system works.
Due to the illness of the appointed Chair for the Offiial Inquiry there will be yet more delay but Aland explains that he will be representing the abuse victims individually and as a group when it finally gets going under a newly appointed Chair.
Previous interviews with Alan can be found on this blog at 25 August and 15 December 2012 and we hope to continue to monitor progress with Alan but what a pity that Jersey lawyers and States' officials are not so willing to answer questions or to be interviewed.
As always, sensible comments are welcome and we extend an invite to any Lawyers or officials to record a response to Alan's interviews.
Unfortunately the IT gremlins are still making it difficult to set up these postings and several typos defy correction. This is the second attempt to post the whole things and it all takes time....
Annette du Heaume runs the CT Plus Complaints Group on Facebook. It provides a forum for discontent about the bus service in Jersey and is a response to a similar site created in Guernsey where CT Plus also runs the bus services.
In Jersey the layout of the bus service has not changed dramatically since before the war so it might be expected that any problems had been sorted by now.
Clearly the threatened strikes this week show that substantial grievances remain.
Annette du Heaume is the wife of a Jersey bus driver with CT Plus who worked for the previous provider (Connex). She experiences the sharp end of industrial action and reflects here on the worsening relationships between the staff and their employers.
If the promised arbitration does not resolve the problems then presumably the heat will return but is it the employers, the Union or the employees who should be showing the initiative here and what of our elected States Members - what should their participation , if any, be?
We had tried to interview a driver with CT Plus back in January this year about the deteriorating service and staff/employers relationships but that driver's voice was suppressed and that willing volunteer has left CT Plus employment through frustration.
What does this say about indsutrial relations, free expression and the public's right to know - esepcially since several £millions of Jersey taxpayers money is paid to CT Plus each year.
The provision of transport services in and around the Channel Islands is going through a time of difficulty and there must be common causes and threads that link the failures of air, sea and land services. Who knows what they are and can offer solutions?
Thanks to Annette for speaking frankly - the interview runs for 19 minutes.
We shall be pleased to record and publish a response from CT Plus, Unite the Union, a States' Member or anybody else who thinks they have something helpful to contribute.
Tony Vino appeared for CHOW in Jersey on Thursday 15 August and we interviewed him afterwards.
Its not often that a Human Rights lawyer/law lecturer and acedemic appears in Jersey at all but when he comes here as a comedian speaking for the local Christian missionary group "Business Connect" we felt duty bound to take notice.
Of course, he has given up on the law career and has joined the 600 or so other hopefuls that he reckons make a full-time living as comedians in the UK.
More details about Tony can be found on his own internet site; www.tonyvino.co.uk
The other interviews referred to here can be found on this tom gruchy blog - David Dale and the Cosmo Show at 28 July 2013 and Chris Larner with regard to his play "An Instinct for Kindness" on 26 May 2012.
Tony Vino's book "Does God LOL?" is in the bookshops now or you can contact him direct for details.
How about trying to push an unwilling body up an absurdly steep hill using a largely unsuitable carriage under unfavourable temperatures and competitative circumstances and creating a great deal of noise, smells and the occasional personal injury for no financial reward but at great actual cost whilst thousands of onlookers offer unflattering and sometimes critical comments.....
Takes all sorts.
This is Prescott Hill Climb just outside Cheltenham over the weekend of 3 and 4 August 2013 and its just great....
and politics - the Jersey sort at least - was not even being thoght about.
We recorded this interview with David Dale a few weeks ago. It was supposed to be just part of a look at the amazing little cabaret that is "Cosmo on the Pier" but once David Dale started talking we realised that it could not be cut.
So here in PART ONE is David talking frankly as he prepares to go on stage.
PART TWO will follow just as soon as we can edit all the bits of video to give just some idea of the work that Legs Up Lucy, JJ and Liisa and the rest of the team put into this David Dale presentation.
It will also feature artist Oscar Romp as he did his own Toulouse Lautrec take on the show over one weekend in June
If you have not already seen this show then contact the Ticket Hotline now on 01534 758988 - or just visit the Pier for a swim and a sandwich....
How sad that dancing groups and entertainers such as the "Showstoppers" featured on our previous posting have so few opportunities in Jersey to perform.
The first St Helier Fete took place under a roasting sun during Saturday/Sunday 20 & 21 July.
Don't know what Cyril Le Marquand would have said about the "Waltzer" positioned in the Parade just outside his memorial Treasury HQ but it seemed popular with the crowds....
As were the "Showstoppers" dancing girls shown in the video above along with Ollie and Tom playing rocking blues to a standard that was unheard of in my day this side of the Atlantic.
All the fun of the fair, food served from Type "H" vans (its a nurdy thing), the town more alive than would have seemed possible...and all organised by Deputy Rondel and his minimal team with an even smaller budget that would surely have impressed Senator Ozouf...
If Ollie & Tom care to provide their links we shall be happy to post them...for dancers contact www.showstoppers.je
hire either act and you are sure to wake up the neighbours.
