Three OE’s have recently ‘retired’ having given 99 years combined service to three Guernsey parishes - all served various roles, ending their service as their parish’s Dean.  Richard Heaume MBE (5043) first joined the Forest Douzaine 48 years ago and he of course founded and owns the Occupation Museum in that parish.  Richard will remain as president of the parish’s welfare committee, a role he has undertaken for 36 years.  Richard’s role as Dean included supporting douzaine members, closing parish meetings by reading the Lord’s Prayer, and keeping the parish tidy.  ‘One of the most important things to me is the welfare of people in the parish’, he said.  Richard hoped to see work continuing towards Forest’s part in Britain in Bloom, an end to neglect in the green lanes, and the establishment of a community centre at the douzaine rooms to boost public engagement with the parish.  Mick Fooks (5050) joined the Castel parish in 1998 which, like many parishes, has been served by a number of OE’s.  He is also chairman of the Douzaine Council (representing all 10 douzaines).  Andrew Sauvarin (6070) completed his final term of office after serving in Torteval for 17 years.  He was also a States Deputy for a number of years.  Both Richard and Mick were involved in the original concept which led to the Ruette Tranquille network being set up more than 20 years ago. 

Nearly 77 years after the end of the Occupation, new information is still coming to light about the experiences of the people who lived through it.  Channel Islands Occupation Society president Phil Martin (5668) is researching the lives of slave workers who were brought over to build the fortifications.  ‘We have had some members who go back to Germany and look in the German archives and the information that they come back with helps broaden the story,’ Phil said.  ‘We have a review that we publish every year, Jersey does it one year and we do it the following year.  It’s about 150 pages, normally all stuff that has never been in print before.’  The society had humble beginnings.  It started when Phil and Richard Heaume (5043), now the owner of the Guernsey Occupation Museum, were just young lads at Elizabeth College.  The young Richard decided to start a Friday afternoon school club because someone had collected some relics.  Phil went along and it all progressed from there. 

Ernst & Young LLP (EY) has announced multiple management promotions across the Channel Islands.  Amongst them, Thomas Harris (10543) has been promoted to assurance manager.  ’This is a significant career milestone and a reflection of his dedication to delivering exceptional client service and high performance,’ said EY’s Channel Islands Managing Partner Andrew Dann.  Thomas regularly leads training sessions for junior team members.

Two Guernsey-based consultancies have joined forces to deliver strategic support to forward-looking Channel Islands organisations facing the challenge of business transformation.  UN1TY has been formed by Mike Ozanne (8044), founder of technology consultancy Metapoint, and strategic marketing specialist Rollo De Sausmarez (8204), founder of Beyond Strategy.  UN1TY say they are launching early in a year which promises unprecendented challenges for business.  They expect more digital transformations, automation projects and ESG demands while covid disruption and supply chain concerns continue to take up business leadership time.

Henry Freeman’s (8761) appointment as strategic advisor at Guernsey Finance adds strength to its strategy and technical team.  Henry has held several senior and board-level roles over a 20-year career in investment banking, fund management and fintech in London and the Channel Islands.  He has also been appointed as an independent member of the new States Investment Board, helping to provide independent investment expertise and governance to all States funds, monitoring investment strategy and performances. 

Blue Ormer Publishing founder Steve Foote (7003) has been appointed as the Priaulx Library’s new chief executive.  Steve is also editor of the Guernsey Society Review, a magazine collecting articles about the island’s history, published three times a year.  Some of the island’s oldest archives and records are stored at the library, which opened in 1889, along with hundreds of artefacts and books.  Priaulx Library Council chairman Nik Van Leuven (5229) said he was delighted to welcome Steve to the team.

Will Booth (10746) is amongst eight staff receiving promotions at Saffrey Champness and now holds the role of Trust Officer. Nick Batiste, Managing Director of Saffrey Champness Registered Fiduciaries, welcomed the promotions.  ‘I extend my warmest congratulations to them all on their well-earned promotions,’ said Mr Batiste.   

Savills has made two senior promotions in its Guernsey office.  Nick Paluch (9576) and Stuart Leslie (8929) have both been appointed directors in the residential sales team.  Stuart will oversee the day-to-day running and strategy in the local market section and Nick will perform the same role for the open market team.  Keith Enevoldsen (6173), head of residential sales at Savills Guernsey, said ‘I would like to extend my congratulations to both Stuart and Nick, whose hard work and dedication makes these promotions very well deserved.’ 

PF+A Architecture have expanded into Alderney.  Charlie Hodder (7599), who leads the initiative, will be a regular visitor with other colleagues from the Guernsey team to assist current and prospective clients with their projects. ’This is an interesting time for Alderney with more people moving to the island or looking to improve their homes and businesses,’ said Charlie.

Actor Harry Giubileo (10879) has found himself having a run of success recently - appearing in a film to be distributed by Sky Cinema, Last Train to Christmas, starring one of the UK’s leading actors (Michael Sheen), acting in a long-running drama series and being cast in a leading role in a forthcoming movie all in the space of about a year.  Harry was a regular at the Guernsey Eisteddfod and also trod the boards in Gadoc’s Christmas pantomime.  On leaving college he a one-year course at Mountview academy of theatre arts followed by two years at the Musical Theatre Academy.  It was not long before a chance to audition for a role in the BBC’s medical drama Holby City, and another self-taped audition and a Zoom call with the director, Harry found himself on set at BBC’s Elstree studios last October.  Harry will next to be seen on our screens in April, in a drama due to be shown on Netflix.  Perhaps more exciting, and also under wraps for now, is a lead role in film which is due to start shooting in the spring.

A group of friends have turned their home brewing hobby into a business after launching a new pale ale.  The beer - brewed by Second Meridian Brew Co., also known as 2M - was added to the menu at Fat Rascal and saw 600 pints sold in its first week.  Fat Rascal is the first establishment to serve a 2M local brew, named the Rascal Pale Ale.  2M was established in 2016 by Sam Hamperl (10127), Joe Baines (10141), Matt Ashworth (10140) and Will Steele-Moore (10159).  In part it was sparked by a lack of access locally to beers they liked from the UK.  The friends starting hosting an annual summer party to showcase their creations, and the 2M summer party has become a calendar staple for many.  

Avant Garden founder and owner Nick Martel (6958) has been selected to feature in the official commemorative album to mark the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.  Titled “Her Majesty The Queen: The Official Platinum Jubilee Pageant Commemorative Album”, the book will celebrate the remarkable life and reign of Her Majesty, as well as exploring developments in the UK and around the world over the past seven decades and showcase a range of outstanding individuals and organisations from across the country and Commonwealth, all selected for their transformational contribution across the spheres of culture, society, technology and business.  Nick is one of the individuals to be included in the album. The feature entails an interview exploring his life and work in Guernsey, how he founded Avant Garden, and how he grew the business from a charming shop in the Channel Islands to having an established national and international online presence selling exquisite garden furnishings specialising in fine cast bronze sculptures.  “Being in the only official book published for the Platinum Jubilee Pageant is amazing; it will sit in people’s homes for years and years and be a lasting commemoration of a momentous occasion,” said Nick.  “I channel so much energy and passion into Avant Garden and it’s incredible to look back and see how much the business has achieved and grown over the past 22 years. To have this recognised and celebrated in such a prestigious publication is an indescribable honour and something I’m incredibly proud of.”  The album will be launched on 5 June 2022 at a private evening reception hosted by St James’s House at Claridge’s. Nick, as a contributor to the album, has been invited to the celebrations.  “Being part of the official publication for the Pageant goes beyond a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”, added Nick. “To not only attend but contribute to what will be a historic celebration and tribute to the Queen’s phenomenal 70-year reign is an extraordinary privilege. I cannot wait to attend the launch event in June and be immersed in what is anticipated to be a reawakening of the creative sector.”

Staying with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Ben Le Marchant (9745) has beaten more than 400 entries to win a competition to create a Platinum Jubilee flag for Guernsey.  Ben has created a bold and modern design using red and yellow from the Guernsey flag, and purple and white from the colours of the official Platinum Jubilee logo.  The flag will be flown from the Weighbridge mast and Castle Cornet over the summer, and a replica will be sent to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth to accompany Guernsey's official message of congratulations.

A time of mayhem and blood-letting in Guernsey is the latest subject for local filmmaker Alex Bates (10876).  The 22-year-old’s next project is called Born of Water, and will be set in 1372 when Owen of Wales arrived at Vazon with an army of men.  The Guernsey Militia met the men, but the local forces were badly outnumbered and after the battle at Vazon they fought a withdrawal action up to Town, where there was another big battle on the site now taken up by Elizabeth College.  Several decades ago there was an excavation at Cobo that uncovered some old silver coins that dated to the time of the raid which sparked Alex’s inspiration.  The short film is not going to be a war film, instead it will be more intimate, focusing on a personal story with the raid in the background.  Alex is casting for an actor to play the lead male, and interested male actors can email Alex on whiterockproductions@outlook.com.  Alex is also looking for people who may be interested in sponsoring the project. 

Honorary OE Mike Kinder has enjoyed quite the spell as a Guernsey sporting stalwart - nearly 40 years and still not out.  Renowned for his immense contributions as a coach in cricket and hockey, and now also a keen umpire, he has joined the select few to be named in the Guernsey Sports Commission’s exclusive Coaching Roll of Honour.  Before his diverse contributions to local sport, Mike was inspiring young people in England.  Always a cricketer, he noticed a lack of outlets for young players and started delivering coaching sessions for the whole of Sheffield.  ‘It was quite hard work, but very enjoyable, and eventually we managed to get people into the Yorkshire Schools selection processes,’ Mike said.  He took his advanced coaching award in the company of Sir Clive Lloyd and even had the great honour of delivering sessions at Lord’s.  One outstanding feat of Mike's was helping to develop a club side that won the U15 national championship.  Beyond prominent coaching roles, he also became chairman of the Yorkshire Schools Cricket Association.  So it was much to Guernsey’s gain when, in 1983, Mike came over with his family to teach at Elizabeth College.  Mike was head of PE and later became Guernsey Cricket’s first development officer.  Mike was also a successful bowler who enjoyed good longevity at Island senior and Channel Islands over-50 level - until a a knee injury sidelined him.  But he still coaches and umpires to this day.  Mike's hockey coaching career began modestly on the hard shale pitches of his former Sheffield school.  Surrounded by influential figures such as fellow Elizabeth College PE teacher David Wray, he became heavily involved as coach, umpire and player.  Over the last decade or so, he has been integral to Guernsey Hockey’s work in primary schools and serves as head coach of their successful outreach programme.        

Bart Stratford-Hall (8840) has finally taken top spot and paid off his entry costs after many years of dedication to the annual Guernsey Press Fantasy Formula One competition.  Nearly two decades after finishing runner-up in 2005, the annual entrant edged this year’s £200 top prize.  'It’s good to go one better all these years later,’ he said.  Bart has been an avid Formula One fan for 25 years and fondly remembers watching Hamilton’s iconic 1min. 8sec. victory at a rainy 2008 British Grand Prix.    

Two of Guernsey’s leading padel players will be representing Great Britain as they take on Europe’s best at veteran level.  Patrick Ogier (9161) and Rob West earned GB spots for the Veterans’ Padel Work Championships qualifying tournament in Dublin in February.  Patrick has represented Guernsey on the island’s tennis team many times at the Island Games and at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Tom Hollingsworth (9227) has departed these shores for a long spell in Australia - but he still has his eyes on one specific prize.  Tom sees the Guernsey 2023 Natwest International Island Games as a ’nice finishing point’ to his decorated career, being exactly 20 years after he debuted at the last home games.  And what better occasion to bring his all-time Island Games medal tally from 49 to an astounding half-century?  'The 50th in Guernsey would be amazing - I definitely think it’s achievable,’ he said.  Having long discounted the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, he has two more relaxed years and latterly spent six months volunteering in Indonesia.        

It takes a performance of real quality to satisfy Joe Chadwick’s (11186) high ambitions.  But winning a British University indoor 60m title with a thrilling Guernsey record - 6.58sec. - did exactly that.  As the outdoor season draws closer and slightly longer focuses loom, the Loughborough University student further underlines his true potential in slashing another eight-hundreths from his own Guernsey 60m mark at the BUCS Championships in Sheffield.  He had hinted his outstanding form through two fast-but-controlled preliminaries, before finding a new gear entirely to win the final by two-hundredths from Sheffield Hallam’s own British international Joe Ferguson.  Following that success, Joe finished fifth in Britain - the cherry on top of an impressive indoor season.  Joe missed his own Guernsey record by the finest or margins as he sped to 6.69sec. clocking in the 60m final at the UK Indoor Championships in Birmingham.       

Joe Adams (11451) makes a dream start to his Wigan Athletic career.  The 17-year-old former Ormer FC player scored on his debut for the Latics Under-18’s.  Joe grew up in Guernsey before making the move to Southampton at the age of 16 to try to forge a career in the game.  His performances have been recognised on an international basis after Joe was selected for England Schoolboys U18s in December ahead of the Centenary Shield later this year.  ‘Joe is a very talented player and we are delighted that he has chosen Wigan Athletic for the next stage of his football development,’ said academy manager Gregor Rioch.

Luke Malcic (10965) has won the Marc Andrew Memorial Trophy at the Cobo Open, coming within just a few points of the record score set five years ago.  The annual air rifle and air pistol competition is run over a week, and each of the eight classes are hotly contested. Cobo United President and main organiser, Paul Guillou (7115), said that the competition "gives all shooters, old and new, the opportunity to test their abilities and pit their scores either against their own averages, personal bests and also against fellow competitors.  It is rewarding to see all shooters, whether very new to the sport or seasoned veterans, enjoying the competitive engagement." 

Sam Culverwell (11088) has been clocking up big weeks in Spain as a fresh - and hopefully full - race season looms.  His Trinity Racing Team have staged a training camp in the coastal town of Calpe with a view to selecting squads for the early season races in March.  He also made a surprise appearance for the first Guernsey Velo Club road race of the season last week, having represented Trinity in Belgium two days before.  He lived up to his obvious billing as favourite, but was made to work hard for his win on the L'Eree circuit.

Robin Smith (6648) was just a supportive parent with no coaching experience the day he jumped in to take charge of his daughter’s troubled basketball team.  Little did he know that, circa 14 years later, his team would be on the brink of title glory.  The team, now known as Praxis Pumas are the current clear favourites to win a competitive Women’s Division after ending Ravencroft’s half-decade of dominance.  Robin has some history in domestic basketball as a player with nearly four decades in the game.  He started playing for Giants upon their formation and now, at 64, he still trains with them and remains an option on their broader roster.  Looking back on his coaching career, the one that started with that impromptu decision many moons ago, Robin called it ‘one of the best things I’ve ever done.’  

Carl Hester (7519), the Olympic gold, silver and bronze team dressage medalist has won the Champion of Sport Award at the Betway Channel Islands Sports Awards 2021. 

Guernsey have named a full team of 28 athletes for this summer’s Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games which runs from 28 July to 8 August.  Track and field’s Cam Chalmers (9844), Alastair Chalmers (10185), cyclist Sam Culverwell (11088) and triathlete Josh Lewis (9804) all achieved early selection in November.  The five cyclists could potentially cover all cycling disciplines with all five supporting Sam Culverwell  as lead rider in the road race.  Josh Lewis will contest the triathlon after a very successful 2021 where his focuses ranged from sprint to half Ironman events, making the top five in five competitions.  Other OE’s making the team include Joe Chadwick (11186) in athletics, Charlie-Joe Hallet (11196), Ronnie Hallett (11111) and Jonathan Beck (9966) in swimming.