Guernsey has a deep tradition in sport and with a population of only 65,000, can put claim to a number of high-achieving sports personalities – tennis player Heather Watson, Captain of Manchester United Ladies Maya Le Tissier and world bowls champion, Alison Merrien, to name a few.
Guernsey Cricket is another recent success story and with the local team currently ranked at 37 in the world, the island is certainly punching above its weight. Guernsey became an associate member of the International Cricket Council in 2008 under the guidance of Guernsey Cricket. Up until that point, local cricket had been run by the Guernsey Cricket Association which was formed in 1927 and was manned by an enthusiastic group of volunteers. Now Guernsey Cricket employs four full-time staff in coaching, grounds management and general administration roles (supported by a team of volunteers) and it’s based at the recently renovated premises at KGV in the Castel parish.
Captain Ollie Nightingale has been playing for the island on and off for 11 years and has been wielding a bat since the age of seven. Ollie took over the captaincy at the beginning of the last season. Ollie, together with Director of Cricket Jeremy Frith and coach Craig Hogan, have been working as a unit trying to develop the talented young island squad to maximise their potential as well as establishing a longer-term strategy to secure the future of the sport locally.
“Craig was tasked with looking at everything we were doing, and he fed back that there were plenty of talented local youngsters out there so it’s all about getting them interested in cricket. Our age group coaches have told us that participation has definitely grown and that’s through word of mouth, advertising and general awareness through social media.
“The number of girls taking part this year has increased massively and there is a big push on inclusion. We are trying to get a pathway and age group structure for the girls that mirrors what’s there for the boys, which is really positive.”
Last summer the focus for the team was to qualify for the world cup through the European divisional qualifiers. Guernsey hosted one of the three qualifiers and beat Denmark in what was undoubtedly the team’s greatest achievement to date. The other two were won by Jersey and Italy. The three will now go on to the final European qualifier, joining Scotland and The Netherlands in a group of five, from which two teams will go through to the world cup in 2026 taking place in Sri Lanka.
“The Denmark match was definitely the highlight of the year for us,” said Ollie. “It was the most important and biggest game we’ve played. There were about 1,500 people watching the match. It was a lovely sunny day; there were families and lots of young children asking for autographs afterwards. It finally felt that as a team we had totally engaged with the public. It was just the perfect day for Guernsey cricket.”
As with any local group, team or individual trying to compete at national or international level, funding to attend away fixtures and competitions is always the biggest challenge. Guernsey Cricket team members were individually tasked with seeking personal sponsorship as a contribution towards the ever-escalating costs. This funding supplements the team’s headline sponsorship from Darwin Escapes and funding from the ICC itself and the approach seems to have been successful.
Swoffers is proud to sponsor batsman Josh Butler (who opened the batting against Denmark scoring an impressive 43 runs). Guernsey’s very own ‘Butler and Stokes’ partnership at the wicket made a 65-run stand that day that built the foundation of the team’s victory.
Josh said: “I am extremely grateful to Swoffers. It’s particularly nice to have a local company as my sponsor and this additional funding is a huge help towards our off-island trips.”
For Ollie, the biggest challenges of his role as captain are off the field.
“I am lucky in that I have had some captaincy experience at club level. The on-field role is more instinctive, and I feel I can do that pretty well. Off the field the more challenging aspects are things like taking decisions on who is going to play; telling others they’re not playing; and generally just keeping people happy and motivated.”
Ollie has always been passionate about Guernsey sport and representing the island. He was brought up in a sporty family and went to a school with a strong sport focus. His sporting prowess is not limited to the cricket pitch as her represented the island in swimming at the Island and Commonwealth Games.
2025’s European qualifier is an enormous step up for the squad. Scotland and The Netherlands rank 12 and 13 respectively, Jersey ranks 27 and Italy 30. But the team is looking forward to the challenge and will give it everything they’ve got.
Feng Shui – more science than spiritual.
Tanya Hames is the founder and owner of Perfect Sanctuary. Using the principles of Feng Shui, Tanya offers services to transform your residential and commercial spaces into the optimal spaces for your life.
Having been brought up in Asia, and living in Singapore, Tanya has always had an understanding of Feng Shui.
“I had a background in Feng Shui, and I followed it for most of my life with quite good results – looking at magnetic directions, always tapping into the energy and spaces. Then I went back with my husband to Singapore in 1992. We were intending to be there for two years, but we stayed there for 20. I was a senior analyst in education and I worked at the world’s largest international school.
“Then we came to Guernsey in 2010 and I started to do renovation projects using Feng Shui principles and was quite successful. So I then went to study with the London School of Feng Shui, which is a gold standard school. I completed a two-year course but it was something that was already familiar to me and I already had some knowledge so that helped.”
Now Tanya is the only registered member of the international Feng Shui Guild in Guernsey and has the advanced Red Ribbon exam status (held by only 5% of members).
Tanya explains that there are many misconceptions about Feng Shui, particuarly within western cultures.
“A lot of people in the west think of Feng Shui as something spiritual. They imagine people in a back of a shop with a crystal ball or at a fair with tarot cards. But actually, it’s a 4,000-year-old science based on the energy in the atmosphere. It’s linked to quantum physics and is a hot topic in Silicon Valley. Basically, Feng Shui harnesses the positive Chi energy and deactivates negative Chi. Homes, offices, new builds, commercial spaces, gardens, or outdoor spaces can be arranged so that the individuals using the space can experience an energetically balanced environment.”
Tanya has both private and corporate clients and regularly makes presentations to companies looking to optimise their space. And those which follow her guidance are in good company with global giants such as Apple, Nike, Microsoft having adopted the principles to create the ideal environment for their staff.
As far as homes are concerned, Tanya has lots of tips on how to sell your house, how to choose a house, how to make a house homely.
“It’s not about having the best house in terms of interior design because I have been brought into houses which have been done by top interior designers and the owners tell me that they don’t feel right and that they feel that something’s “off”. So I rearrange the property (using the five elements of fire, water, earth, metal and wood) to help them improve their space – that’s my slogan – ‘improve your space, improve your life.’”
As far as selling a property is concerned, Tanya works with clients to create a visually appealing environment which can help the property to sell more quickly, attract more potential buyers and maximise the price. But whether you’re looking to sell or not, Tanya’s starting point is to find out what her clients’ own goals are and what they want to achieve.
“‘The best rooms have something to say about the people who live in them’, is my favourite quote.” said Tanya. “It’s from interior designer David Hicks. Ask yourself what is your home is telling you. Identify what you want to achieve and then ask whether those two things marry up.”
Equally for those who have recently moved to the island and bought a new property, Tanya helps them settle in and to create their own ‘perfect sanctuary’.
The position of a hob in your kitchen, the type of headboard on your bed, the direction your desk faces in your home office, the choice of colour scheme, the shape, design and materials of your furniture, your choice of artwork – all these elements can make a massive difference to your living environment according to Feng Shui principles.
A highly complex fascinating topic and we’ve barely scratched the surface.
Tanya says in summary: “It’s the comfort, it’s the harmony, it’s the balance, it’s creating a really positive lifestyle that people are really interested in, and I think the people in Guernsey are very open minded to it.”
A first-hand account from somebody who has recently relocated to Guernsey – with help from us at Swoffers – what’s great, what was not so straightforward, what was learnt along the way, and why the island is not just a place to live, but a place to belong
If someone had told me during Covid that I’d be moving from Hong Kong, an island in the South China Sea, to a small island in the Channel Islands, I’m not sure I would have believed them. But here I am, settled in Guernsey, and I can honestly say it’s been a great decision, despite initially being a bit of a rollercoaster ride for our family.
Moving anywhere new comes with its challenges, but Guernsey has a way of making you feel at home. From the stunning coastline to the incredibly welcoming community, life here is different in all the right ways.
Why we chose Guernsey
There were a few key reasons that drew us here. The first, and perhaps most obvious, is the sheer beauty of the island. I had seen photos before arriving, but nothing prepared me for how breathtaking Guernsey’s coastline truly is. The island has a charm that’s hard to describe until you experience it for yourself – rugged cliffs, golden beaches, and hidden coves that make everyday life feel like a holiday. One of the most apt descriptions I read of Guernsey was ‘It is akin to the most beautiful parts of the Devon or Cornish coast that broke away and floated off, far enough away to avoid all the traffic, crowds and politics of England.’
Community
Besides the physical attributes, the sense of community makes Guernsey stand out. People here genuinely look out for one another, and from the moment we arrived, we all felt welcomed. Whether it was a simple conversation while out shopping, a neighbour offering local tips, a gardener offering to lend us mattresses until our furniture arrived or being invited to community events, I quickly realised that Guernsey isn’t just a place to live – it’s a place to belong.
Of course, practical factors played a role too. After years of city life, we were ready for a slower, more balanced way of living, although I didn’t realise it at the time. The idea of short commutes by bike, fresh sea air, and a more rational work-life balance was incredibly appealing. And, I’ll admit, the financial benefits were an added bonus: sensible income tax (top rate 20%), no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, no VAT; Guernsey’s tax system is certainly attractive, especially for those looking to make a long-term investment in their future.
The realities of moving here
The actual process of moving was relatively straightforward, though there were a few things we had to figure out along the way. One of the biggest decisions was finding the right place to live. Guernsey has a two tier property market: the Local Market, which is primarily for people with local ties to the island, and the Open Market, which is available to anyone but tends to be (though is not always) more expensive. Understanding the differences took some time, but after some research, and help from Swoffers, we found a home that suited our needs and the needs of our three teenage children.
Settling in also meant navigating other aspects of daily life for us all. It was a matter of understanding the rules and regulations around working on the island, which took some effort but was manageable with the right advice.
What life is really like here
Now that we’ve had time to adjust, I can confidently say that Guernsey offers a lifestyle unlike anywhere else. My daily routine has changed in the best possible way, a shorter commute means more time for fitness in the mornings as well as a daily dip in the sea whatever the weather or temperature, something I never imagined would become quite so normal. I have become a huge fan of the Bathing Pools in St Peter Port (the capital), which have a real sense of community. The island is small, which means everything is within easy reach, eliminating long commutes and the stress that comes with them. There’s also an incredible sense of freedom here, whether it’s the ability to explore nature at any time or the simple fact that life moves at a gentler pace.
That’s not to say there haven’t been adjustments. The cost of living is something to consider, particularly when it comes to groceries and housing. As an island, Guernsey relies on imports, which means prices can be higher than mainland UK, though cheaper than HK where we moved from. However, with no VAT (including no VAT on school fees) and sensibly lower income tax, it balances out in other ways. Healthcare was another learning curve, as Guernsey isn’t part of the UK NHS, but the standard of care is excellent, and private health insurance helps cover any gaps. With three lively, outdoors-loving sons in tow, it was important to know that our A&E needs would be covered; and they have been.
Perhaps the most unexpected joy of moving here has been the people. Whether it’s through local events, clubs and societies, or even just casual conversations, I’ve met some of the kindest, most welcoming individuals. There’s a genuine warmth to the community, and it’s made all the difference in feeling truly at home.
Safety and security
One of the aspects often overlooked is safety and security; especially for children – if a place is safe they have freedom. If one is worried and concerned about a lack of personal safety, genuine day-to-day freedom is curtailed. There is no doubt that Guernsey is a safe place; many people do not lock their homes, keys are often left in cars, bicycles are frequently left without locks. It’s liberating. Household and car insurance rates (which are much lower than we were used to paying in the UK or HK) testify to the safety and security of the island.
A few challenges to consider
No move is without its challenges, and Guernsey is no exception. One of the biggest adjustments has been travel. While the island has good transport links to the UK and France, flights and ferries can be affected by the weather, so flexibility is key.
Housing, particularly in the Open Market, can also be expensive (although to some extent that depends on where one is moving from), so it’s worth doing thorough research before making any commitments. And if you’re used to the hustle and bustle of a big city, the slower pace of life here might take some getting used to; though I do not miss traffic jams, and I love parking by the beach even in the height of summer, and of course cycling almost everywhere in sedate traffic with invariably kind and courteous road users.
My advice for anyone thinking about moving here
If you’re considering the move, my biggest piece of advice is to visit first and get a feel for the island. Guernsey has a unique charm, but it’s important to see if it’s the right fit for you. Explore the different parishes to see what could work best for you and your family. Talking to locals can be incredibly helpful – people here are more than happy to share their experiences and offer advice.
In addition, get to know one of the local estate agents. We worked closely with Swoffers, the leading estate agent on the island. They take a tailored, hands-on approach, are locally owned and have long-standing relationships within the community, making them highly invested in finding the right home for you. In addition they will go ‘beyond the sale’ and assist with relocation logistics, from recommending lawyers and surveyors to advising on utilities and community connections. Their guidance can make settling into island life much smoother. And you’ll meet your agent later at choir, book club, swimming, the football pitch or the pub or in the street, so they have an on-going vested interest in your happy and fulfilling relocation to this quirky delightful island.
There are also great resources available, such as Locate Guernsey, which provides guidance on everything from residency permits to business opportunities. Most importantly, embrace every part of the lifestyle that Guernsey has to offer, there is so much here; sport, culture, music, literature – join a local club, try open-water swimming (cold but exhilarating), explore the coastline. Guernsey has so much to offer, but the best way to experience it is to dive right in.
Final thoughts
Stable, safe, secure and an adventure. Moving to Guernsey has been an adventure, and while there have been a few challenges along the way, the beauty of the island, the warmth of the community, and the quality of life here make it a truly special place to call home. If you’re thinking about making the move, my advice is simple: come and see it for yourself but please do not tell everyone.
If you’re considering a move to Guernsey, drop us a line at sales@swoffers.co.uk or give us a call on +44 (0) 1481 711766 and one of our knowledgeable Open Market advisers will be more than happy to help.
It takes a degree of bravery to take on a new role in a new location without ever having been there. But that’s exactly what Daniele Harford-Fox did when she accepted the post of Principal of The Ladies’ College. Her final interview was due to take place in Guernsey, but plans were thwarted by the pandemic and so the school governors appointed Daniele without having met her in person, and she took what she describes as a ‘leap of faith’ and accepted. She has never looked back.
“There’s a phrase that says when you say no to something, you’re rewarded with safety. And when you say yes to something, you’re rewarded with adventure. And we just felt like it was time for an adventure.”
Prior to this new adventure, Daniele (pictured left) was Director of Studies and the Deputy Head of Innovation for a large independent day school near Birmingham. This time around she wanted to move into an all-girls environment.
“I had worked in co-education my whole teaching life and I knew I wanted to lead an all-girls school. I have spent my life watching girls come into year seven full of exuberance, interested in lots of different things. Quite quickly they start to ‘mute’ themselves a little bit. They smile more and say less and start to take a back seat sometimes to boys. So, I wanted to create a space where it didn’t matter that they were girls, where they’re not defined by their gender.
“We have so many different types of students – scientists and artists, introverts and extroverts and they do really extraordinary things because they just never question whether they should. A lot of empirical evidence demonstrates that girls academically perform better in single sex schools, and they also have a stronger sense of belonging. They have higher self-confidence and self-esteem. They stay in STEM subjects for longer. They stay in team sports for longer. And one of my favourite facts is that girls from single-sex schools are more likely to negotiate their pay in their first job. Basically, the research shows that they go on to have happier, healthier more successful lives.”
The Ladies’ College has around 540 students from pre-school to sixth form all based on a single site. The 140 girls in the pre-school and primary school, Melrose, is headed up by Mary Lawson (pictured right) who joined in September 2023. Mary also relocated to Guernsey from a prep school in the New Forest. Melrose has a single-form intake and has a focus on creating a collaborative, family-type environment, as Mary explains:
“We are single-form intake, but our year groups work together on certain projects. So, there is a collaborative element with students and teachers co-working. One-form entry doesn’t mean that a class is isolated. We have a real community, a lovely family feel and keeping the school small is really beneficial for the children and for the staff.”
Daniele’s passion for developing her students’ life skills as well as their academic and other achievements is almost tangible. She questions the validity of the current education system and explains how she aims to weave new technologies and developments into the school’s curriculum delivery.
“I think the thing that’s unique about us, apart from being single sex, is our focus on preparing young people for the future. AI and future technology are posing fundamental questions about whether the education system is fit for purpose. There are really big questions around that. The system was designed 150 years ago. It’s hardly changed. It’s a knowledge-based system designed at the time when there weren’t even public libraries, let alone the internet. And so, for me, there are really urgent questions to be asked about how AI is going to reshape the world and the world of work. What kinds of skills are at the heart of that?
“The students who are coming into my year seven now will come out of school or university in 2035 and everybody I speak to in all different industries say that essentially the world of work will be entirely different. And so, we’re asking really profound questions about that. And looking at what skills our students really need to have.
“Skills development is intertwined within the whole curriculum. So, we look at subjects across the board and think about how we can set them in a real-world context and how we get the students to start thinking about their community.”
Daniele has introduced a new ‘Pathways’ project this term. This gives older students the opportunity to work on real life projects alongside studying for their A-levels. Students are able to elect one of four options – change makers, business leaders, science pioneers or innovators & creators. Daniele is developing partnerships with local business leaders as well as UK universities to support the initiative and is delighted with the positive feedback and levels of support she has received.
“There’s such a wealth of expertise in such a small community. There has been real willingness of businesspeople to jump in to lead a workshop or give a paid internship or offer to help build the curriculum. It is amazing. There is a general community feel and people want to give back to the community that they live in.”
The Ladies’ College academic results speak for themselves – this year’s GCSE students achieved excellent results; 43% of all grades were Grades 8 or 9, 66% 7-9 (A*/A) and 97% of results were within the 4-9 (A*-C) range.
There is no doubt that alongside this, the school’s clear aim under Daniele’s stewardship is to develop rounded young people ready to face the outside world with confidence and the skills to succeed.
St James has formed an important part of the St Peter Port landscape since it opened in 1818. The brainchild of Lord de Saumarez, it opened as a place of worship for the Guernsey garrison. Having fallen into a state of disrepair, the building became redundant in 1970 and remained closed until a small group of local music enthusiasts began a tireless campaign and secured funding from the Guernsey States for its refurbishment. St James re-opened as a concert venue in 1983.
For many years the venue was known for its classical music events and with its beautiful acoustic, was the preferred performance venue for local and visiting musicians alike. But the challenge of running a profitable venue, with a finite local audience together with the ongoing upkeep and certain limitations of an ageing building has led to a re-think of how the venue is used. If you never thought that a classical piano recital could sit alongside a tattoo show (admittedly not at the same time) think again.
Director of St James Jon Bisson took on his role in 2018. With a background in organising large-scale festivals in the UK and bringing with him a passion for live music performances, Jon set about trying out different types of events to appeal to a wider audience and to improve revenues.
“When I first arrived back on the island, I was very keen on utilising St. James for our children’s charity Sound, which creates live music opportunities for under 18-year-olds. We wanted to run a festival and the team at St James agreed. I was then offered the role of director and here I am.
“I think people work to what they know. St James had delivered fantastic performances over the years, but the market evolves and that had crept up on St James a little. We started programming quite heavily for 2019. We included everything – comedy, theatre, music – just to see what worked just to try and prove the concept. Attendances went up considerably in 2019. But it wasn’t a profitable year. What we quickly understood was with a population of 64,000, the frequency of events is key as people won’t necessarily be able to attend three events in one month.
“Of course, then we had some fun and games for a couple of years, so it was in 2022 when we implemented what we had learnt – a reduction in frequency, so from 10 comedies to five only once a month for example.”
2022 was reasonably successful for St James but since the island – like the rest of the world – was still recovering post-Covid, lower attendance figures were a challenge. Corporate events and meetings previously creating some of the daytime usage of the venue had all but disappeared with companies having proved the efficacy of online meeting platforms and other sources of grants and sponsorships were under inordinate pressure.
Jon and his team set about working out a business model that would guarantee the venue’s future. Repurposing the Dorey Room and moving the bar facility into the main hall was a brave but seemingly successful move. Bar tariffs are kept low and ticket prices as low as possible. Jon has opened St James’ doors to a variety of other organisations to run events free of charge at times when the building would otherwise be empty. So, a motorbike show, a chess tournament and a tattoo show might not have gone down well with Lord de Saumarez but these type of event has expanded the venue’s market and generated café and bar takings from attendees.
Comedians are part of the regular fixtures now. Some great names have been on the stage at St James and this year Milton Jones and Dara Ó Briain have performed. Jon’s goal is to see St James on the list of ‘must include’ venues in the UK for this type of performer. The venue is increasingly being recognised by agents and artists and part of that is because of what Jon described as the traditional “Guernsey welcome” they get when they are here, as well as the venue itself.
The calendar also includes many live music performers including artists who have played at Glastonbury and other major events, as well as local musicians, mirror ball nights and much more. But there remains a strong tradition of classical performances too. Piano recitals, orchestras, choirs, and smaller solo performances in the café. Eclectic is putting it mildly, but this diverse range of styles and genres are co-existing harmoniously under Jon’s stewardship. Challenges are still plentiful with people ever mindful of the ongoing cost of living pressures. So, coming up with new ideas and balancing the books will aways be key. Many local people will feel a personal connection with St James for lots of reasons – whether they got married there, have performed there or had their school assemblies there for many years – it’s part of the fabric of St Peter Port and hopefully here to stay.
Guernsey is certainly not short of places to eat and for a small island of just 25 square miles, we are probably spoilt for choice. So, for a restauranteur, the challenge will always be to find a differentiator to help an establishment stand out from the crowd and offer something new.
Sam Jarrold certainly rose to that challenge when he opened The Hook in 2013. A lover of all things Japanese, the restaurant soon developed a great reputation for its sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese delights. At the time, Sam wasn’t convinced that Guernsey was ready for an all-in Japanese offering, so The Hook offered a hybrid mix of cuisines to cater to a wider audience with two kitchen teams working alongside each other.
Move on nine years and Fukku appeared in the Arcade in St Peter Port. Sam explained how his second venture came to be:
“We had a chef working at The Hook who was really keen on ramen, which is one of the main focuses of the Fukku menu. The concept behind Fukku was to create somewhere that was a bit more fun, informal and was more suitable for a quick lunch with a lower price point. Fukku was something totally new that Guernsey hadn’t seen before. It’s doing really well. We’ve built up a good lunch trade and the evening trade’s picking up too. The location is perfect for what we’re doing but it’s not big enough.”
Fukku’s success has tested the marketplace sufficiently for Sam to take the next step. His head sushi chef is joining forces with him and opening a Japanese restaurant in Smith Street in the old Guernsey Post Office building – the second iteration of Fukku. The Hook will focus on its European menu and the Japanese kitchen team will relocate to the new premises.
“We’re nearly 11 years down the line and we don’t want to stagnate. We want to really focus our menus and step up to the next level and bring something new again to Guernsey,” said Sam.
The ‘new-look’ Hook relaunched earlier this summer with an adapted menu, focusing on open fire and grill Basque-style cooking.
Another key aspect of Sam’s food ethos is the provenance of his ingredients. Anything he can source locally he does, and then this is supplemented by carefully selected suppliers in the UK with sustainability being of paramount importance.
“The emphasis we place on the source of our ingredients is both from an ethical point of view and also with regard to taste. Farming techniques, grass feeding, slow maturing – all these are important factors when we are looking for suppliers.”
As far as the new restaurant is concerned, planning applications are in and work is set to start once the final obstacles have been crossed. Capacity will be around double offered in the current Fukku location and will include an informal eating area as well as a ‘dining room’ plus a takeaway facility. Whilst for most of us it’s the former Post Office, some may remember a café on that site some years back. Inarguable is the building’s ideal location and great open frontage for Sam’s Japanese venture. Fukku’s popular dishes – ramen and sushi – will stay on the menu with scope for the chef to develop and try out different elements of Japanese cuisine on Guernsey palates. Food will also be prepared on teppanyaki style grills. And with research having been done in various London restaurants to create a truly ’Japanese vibe’ we can expect something really exciting from day one.
And 11 years on from the inception of The Hook, Guernsey seems ready for Fukku phase two.
“I think there’s definitely scope to broaden the cuisine offering in Guernsey,” said Sam. “There are a lot of good restaurants here and we’re looking to add something new. We could keep going with our existing concept but eventually it will become tired.”
Sam has worked in the hospitality sector for most of his adult life – as a youngster during his holidays in Christies and then as a young business owner when he ran The Townhouse bar in the High Street. He doesn’t see himself as a serial entrepreneur but more as someone who saw opportunities and seized them when he could.
Does he have anything else up his sleeve in the longer term? Nothing concrete but the words ‘breakfast’ and ‘good coffee’ were mentioned – watch this space!
Guernsey is one of those places that’s very easy to get to, but almost impossible to leave. As anyone who has moved here from elsehwere will tell you, the island has a magnetic charm that is impossible to ignore. Antonia Thomas, Local Market negotiator at Swoffers, came to Guernsey for a couple of months, a decade ago. The rest, as they say, is history.
“It was only meant to be for three months…”
As the saying going goes, if I had a pound.
Day-to-day, I so often hear this explanation as to why someone is living in Guernsey, and it always makes me smile knowingly. Just over 10 years ago, I left London for “the rock”, trundling down Brixton Hill with my huge, borrowed suitcase, having just told my flatmate that I would see her in a couple of months. However, the months flew by and before I knew it, I had permanently swapped SW2 for GY1.
I now proudly possess a Guernsey passport, but more importantly, an undoubtedly better quality of life. In 2020, the States of Guernsey produced a ‘Better Life Indicators’ report which gave an overall impression of quality of life in Guernsey compared to other jurisdictions, via a set of internationally comparable indicators. The island did incredibly well across the board, but frankly, nothing beats the feeling of successfully escaping the office at 4pm to make it to the beach fifteen minutes later. How’s that for a stat.
Let’s start with safety. Guernsey and its Bailiwick neighbours have some of the darkest night skies in the world – Sark was designated an International Dark Sky Community – but no need to be afraid of the dark, as our island is incredibly safe with one of the lowest levels of burglary, and other crimes in general. Amateur astrologists can venture out exploring without the need to lock, well, anything.
From bumps in the night to bumps requiring medical attention, our healthcare is quick to access. You can very often secure a primary care appointment within 24 hours. Our hospital, colloquially known as the PEH, is clean and safe, and whilst often at capacity, never ‘full’. No corridor wards, free parking, and an enviably available A&E.
Much like our famous Guernsey milk, our island politics has its own distinctive flavour, quite different to what is currently being consumed in the UK. Writing this on UK election day, whatever colour milk top the UK decides (did you know that whole milk here is red versus the mainland blue), change – and potential instability – is certainly on the menu. Guernsey is globally renowned for being politically stable; a favourable business environment that operates under its own, well-established jurisdiction.
I’m penning this whilst flying home. We’re coming into land, and I’m struck by the island’s beautiful coastline, the numerous bays and beaches. The distinctive shapes of the Bailiwick islands evoke such a sense of pride, each with their own traits and communities. There is a palpable sense of community serviced by numerous charities and organisations coordinating the efforts of an army of volunteers. The sporting opportunities here are endless; sea-swimming, cycling, running, football, boules and pétanque – sports clubs at all levels. Last year’s highly successful NatWest International Island Games were a showcase for local sporting achievement, exceptional considering the relatively small size of the island’s population.
I feel incredibly proud, and lucky, to call Guernsey my home. It’s not inconceivable that you could too. Place your trust in Swoffers to find your perfect home. See you on the beach!
Most people living in Guernsey will have been aware of the massive fundraising campaign and the subsequent total redevelopment of the Grow site in recent years. But most would equally be totally surprised (in a good way) at the scale, quality and ambition of the ‘new-look’ property, which aims to future-proof the charity for the next few decades.
Grow was established in 1984 providing sheltered occupation for adults with learning disabilities and difficulties who worked in the vinery learning horticultural skills, growing tomatoes and then flowers and selling their wares to the public. Parents and carers knew that attendees were in a safe secure environment. The vinery (the word used locally for greenhouses, emanating from their original use to grow vines) still remains at the very heart of Grow, but within the new development there is also a training café and a fully-equipped carpentry workshop where attendees – known as ‘the crew’ – develop, self-confidence, life and employability skills which will enable many of them to move on to full or part-time employment.
Marguerite Talmage, a director of Grow, explained how the new vision came about.
“About 15 years ago, the then board of directors realised that the greenhouses where Grow was operating were no longer fit for purpose. So, they decided that the best option was to redevelop the whole site.
“When the new development was being planned, we realised that there was an opportunity to include a lot more than just horticulture. So, we have the training café where the team is developing the crew’s occupational skills, both front of house and in the kitchen, plus the workshop. We take a holistic approach, developing life and personal skills in things like dealing with the public, communication, as well as the skills they need to work in the commercial sector such as handling the till and so on.”
The crew – currently totalling around 40 – generally work on a rotation basis, spending several weeks in the café, and then moving to the vinery and/or workshop. If they show a particular aptitude or interest in a certain area, they can choose to focus on that with the aim to move into longer-term employment.
The vinery itself is a hive of industry. The compost is made on-site, and all plants arrive as plugs to be brought on for sale individually or for inclusion in the fabulous troughs or hanging baskets for which Grow is renowned – all without the aid of herbicides or pesticides. In the workshop, crew members learn carpentry skills, creating everything from planters to on-site signage. Planters are created from re-purposed pallets alongside other items such as bug hotels and bird and bat boxes – showcasing the sustainability and environmental ethos that underpins the whole operation.
The perhaps unexpected element of the development is the extended facilities in the community hub. Small local charities linked with the disabled sector can rent office accommodation at affordable rates; there are meeting rooms for hire, an extensive events space, as well as a training kitchen for the crew to learn basic skills before heading to the café. There is also a chill out area for crew and a quiet room – all finished to the highest specification.
Marguerite explained that they make no apology for that:
“We wanted to future-proof the facility for the next 40 years. We knew that we would only have one hit at doing something like this, so we had to make it work and last.”
Things are still moving forward. There is a large retail space not yet open, which will create further potential employment opportunities for the crew. And while the new development is a world away from Grow’s origins 40 years ago, the organisation’s founder, the late Maurice Lihou MBE, will have an area dedicated to him and his wife when their ashes are re-interred in a dedicated memorial garden.
The obvious ongoing challenge for any charity, and particularly one of Grow’s size and type, is funding. Its annual operating costs are around £700,000. A grant from the Employment and Social Security Department, plus revenues from plant sales, the workshop, and the training café go some way to covering that sum, but fundraising, donations and legacies all still play a vital part. A 40th anniversary ball in September is one of the main fundraising events this year, and there are plenty of other ways to get involved.
Throughout the entire facility, there is a fantastic atmosphere. The commitment and positivity of the staff are tangible; the crew are demonstrably enthusiastic and proud of what they do. Plus, the café has a real buzz and serves a great coffee – definitely worth putting on the ‘must visit’ list.
Grow continues to fulfil an extremely important role in the Guernsey community. The new development has created an incredible facility of which the island should be proud.
Swoffers has weathered various market conditions over the years, but the turbulence brought about by rising interest rates presented particular obstacles in 2023. The housing market faced increased pressure, affecting everything from property demand to mortgage affordability. But as Swoffers’ Open Market negotiator Alex Stuart explains, interest levels from relocators considering Guernsey remains high, and activity levels are increasing again.
Q: What was 2023 like for property sales?
A: Open Market sales were reduced in 2023, indirectly due to increased interest rates and inflation. But enquiries from people wanting to relocate to the island remained high but for some applicants the ability to do so depended on other factors such as selling their existing property or business, which was made more challenging due to the economic climate in the UK. Positively, Swoffers was still responsible for 64% of Open Market agency sales during 2023.
Q: What lessons did you learn?
A: That our unrivalled experience and having the largest team of skilled negotiators is invaluable. It is clear that Guernsey is still an attractive destination appealing to lots of potential relocators; we were in contact and did many viewings with applicants looking to move to Guernsey.
Q: Your sales figures were still remarkable considering the economic conditions, especially in comparison to the rest of the industry. What do you put this down to?
A: On the Open Market, we are a team of five experienced negotiators who work hard for our vendors. We have a substantial number of contacts and good relationships with all intermediaries on the island, which allows us to deal with enquiries across all levels of the market.
Q: What makes Swoffers different?
A: We have a deep understanding of the market we work within, as well as a very powerful website and marketing techniques that enable extensive reach. We are very proud of our global digital presence. Over the last twelve months our website had more than 1,000,000 visits. While modern technology is a great benefit to us, I feel it is important to say that we also still value using traditional techniques and pride ourselves on keeping in contact with our clients and applicants be it by simply having a conversation over the telephone or a face to face meeting.
Q: Does panic ever set in when the market drops? If not why not?
A: I don’t believe panic sets in when a market drop happens. Activity reduces as people take a step back to consider the situation, which is often a global event. Generally, the reasons for market activity reducing affects everyone. Vendors and applicants understand that market activity can be affected by external factors, panic does not set in, but people may be more considered before making moves within the property market.
Q: What have the first few months of 2024 been like for you?
A: The start of 2024 has been positive for us. Once again, we are proud to have dominated the open market and to the end of Q1 we have been responsible for 81% of agency sales, including the most valuable open market sale so far this year. As we head through spring and into summer, we expect activity to increase further.
Q: Why do you think confidence is returning?
A: After the unprecedented levels of activity during and after the covid pandemic, it was inevitable that activity levels would reduce. This reduction in activity was more notable due to the rapid increase in interest rates and inflation last year. Settling interest rates and inflation, and acceptance that rates are unlikely to drop to the ‘artificially’ low levels they were previously, helps confidence return to the market.
Q: As we approach the UK general election has there been more noise from relocators considering Guernsey?
A: Yes, this has been a factor for some of our relocators. Historically, the potential of a change in government to Labour has been positive for Guernsey. We expect enquiry levels to increase this year due to this factor, most likely once a firm date has been set for the election.
Q: How do you see the rest of the year and into 2025 looking?
A: Due to a culmination of the factors that I have touched on already, we are optimistic that the rest of this year will be positive for the open market. Guernsey is still a highly attractive destination for many people seeking high quality of life, safety and security, and a favourable tax position.
It’s been another successful Random Acts of Kindness Week. The Smile for Georgie Foundation partnered with Swoffers and Island FM to provide a different act of kindness on each day.
On Monday, it was free coffee for passers by in Town, courtesy of Dino’s Coffee Bike, with day 2 providing unsuspecting visitors to the Green Hut in St Martin’s with delicious hot food on the house.
On Wednesday love was in the air, as Swoffers staff handed out roses to commuters for Valentine’s Day, while on Thursday we were putting smiles on children’s faces. We were at The Mallard Cinema with Autism & Me Guernsey, where the children were treated to cartoons, movies, and as much popcorn as they could eat!
Finally, on Friday, we gave a donation to the GSPCA to help them take care of their residents.
Throughout the week there was also a competition on Island FM for a lucky winner to receive free flights with Aurigny.
The Smile for Georgie Foundation was launched in 2018 and aims to make a difference within the local community through random acts of kindness and ‘smile-raising initiatives’. We certainly saw plenty of those last week.
Swoffers has been involved with the charity from the beginning; the joint initiative has gone from strength to strength, with a greater public awareness and an increasingly impressive range of goodwill gestures that benefit the wider community.
Swoffers and The Smile for Georgie Foundation look forward to working together in future years to ensure each Random Acts of Kindness Week is more memorable than the last.
https://www.smileforgeorgie.org.gg/
