On the election trail...

The rosettes are finally being worn! Bought four years ago in anticipation of my first election campaign, Elaine and I are wearing our rosettes and taking every opportunity to remind parishioners that there is an election for Connétable.
St Saviour held the first Hustings for Connétable on Thursday, 22 October, and we were delighted to see a good turn out to listen to Sadie Rennard and I answer parishioners' questions. The Parish Hall was virtually full and there was an enthusiastic and friendly atmosphere... after all, we all want the same thing: the best for our Parish.
I am already out and about in the Parish, as I so often am, meeting people, listening to your views and sharing mine.
There are some notable events coming up ... deliveries have begun of La Cloche, our parish magazine, and that contains a feature on all the St Saviour candidates for election, as well as lots of parish news.
On Friday, 7 October, between 9 and 10 am, Sadie and I will be taking part in a radio phone-in programme on BBC Radio Jersey and you will be receiving a copy of my manifesto in the next week or so.
I am trying to visit as many people as I can but, with more than 8,000 on the Electoral Roll, I am not going to get to everybody so do try and come along to my candidate's surgery on Wednesday, 12 October between 6 and 8 pm at Le Quesne's Garden Centre. There is plenty of parking outside and I will be happy to discuss any issues you may have.

Curtain up on Curtain Call

I can't believe that it is already a year since Elaine and I went down with all the other volunteers to help get the St Saviour's Battle of Flowers float 'Curtain Call' ready for the arena, but there we were again on Wednesday night, marvelling at the magnificent float that was already appearing from the bare bones. I have been trying to get down most evenings to help where I can...my green thumb nails show that I am learning my trade as a flower decapitator...and watch the float develop day by day. designers Jean Roche and Samantha Dean, Terry Gorvel, every member of the committee, their families and, it seems, half the parish are down at the Parish Depot at all hours. The number of volunteers and their willingness to put in long hours of work is remarkable and, whatever the results on the day, I shall be so proud to be there in the stands cheering on our entry.

Photo: Elaine Hanning

A blooming good result

There was a real sense of the right decision being made – I was delighted but not surprised – when I heard on 10th July that a gold medal and the award for Best Florally-Decorated Parish Hall had gone to St Saviour, and we had also achieved a silver-gilt medal in the Parish in Bloom competition. Every year I wonder how our dedicated parish team can do better and each year they have surpassed themselves. The award and the many visitors I see stopping to take photographs are a real testament to the effort and hours of work that have gone into making our parish hall look wonderful. Many comments have been made and I have been very pleased to receive many compliments on behalf of our St Saviour in Bloom team, led by co-ordinator Graham Langlois, our own parish workforce down at the Parish Depot and the many parishioners in the community who have taken on projects that have all helped to enhance our parish and involved friends and neighbours working together to make St Saviour a better place.
Photo: Elaine Hanning