The Island has undergone substantial changes since the end of the Second World War transforming it from a largely agricultural community, through the heyday of tourism to become the international finance centre it is today.
Notwithstanding, there is one element of Island life that has stayed constant over the last seven decades and that is the strong sense of community that binds us all together, no matter how long you have lived here or where you come from.
The term ‘Islander’ is not synonymous with being born here or belonging to a local family that can trace its roots back through the centuries.
It applies to all who consider Jersey their home and who play their part in Island life.
You don’t have to live here for long to feel part of a community that is a famous for its hospitality and friendly natives as it for a being the place where Jersey Royal potatoes come from and the home of the Jersey cow and Jim Bergerac.
That fantastic community spirit is underpinned by an equally impressive record of volunteering that has grown out of an honorary system of government and policing into all aspects of the community.
Every day, somewhere in each parish, among all the organisations, associations, clubs, charities and schools and on the sporting field you will find people from all walks of life selflessly giving their time for no reward other than to help others.
It doesn’t matter if that service is vital to the success of a major event such as the Battle of Flowers, keeping a bus shelter clean or simply making pots of tea and cutting up cakes to serve at a whist drive, the reason for doing it is the same, to benefit the community.
If you grouped them all together the total number would be outstanding.
And it all happens in a parish, church or school hall, community centre and clubhouse, or on a village green or common, near to you every day.
Add to that the Islandwide events, shows, meetings, annual fetes and fairs, concerts, competitions and sporting contests and Jersey has a thriving community life to be proud of.
The JEP has been reporting on Island life and all that comprises throughout its 125-year history because a local newspaper’s role is not just to cover the news stories and politics, it is also to let its readers know what is happening in their community.
And there’s so much more happening Islandwide than what goes on in the States and its national and international relations, and the business and finance sectors.
The JEP is launching a new fortnightly feature, Island Life, to tell the stories of Islanders and Island events, to put names to familiar faces, to ‘honour’, community stalwarts and pay tribute to the local characters who exemplify the sense of community.
Forget jam and Jerusalem, were all off to the pub…
THE ‘jam and Jerusalem’ stereotype of the Women’s Institute, couldn’t be farther from the truth.
As the UK National Federation of Women’s Institutes celebrates its centenary it is one of the nation’s most active volunteer forces and, with 212,000 members, larger than any of the the main political parties.
The Jersey Federation of Women’s Institutes, which was founded in 1949, plays a similarly key role in local community life with more than 570 members in18 WIs ranging in age from 19 to 90 plus.
With such racy titles as Hel’s Belles and St Helier Sirens, and holding meetings in pubs, you can forget any idea of old ladies making jam.
Nevertheless, they do make jam and bake cakes, but they also compete in an annual darts tournament and organise debating forums where they like to put politicians, architects and anyone in the public eye on the spot.
As Tony Blair discovered to great embarrassment in 2000 when he was heckled and slow-hand-clapped as he attempted to use an address to the WI for political gain, you should never underestimate this fiercely independent and non-party-political organisation.
Maureen Bougeard of La Moye WI is the current Federation Chairman and she has been a member for 22 years.
She says members can be as active as they want to be, joining for the companionship, to make friends or for some ‘me’ time away family life.
‘At the WI you are yourself; not someone’s wife, someone’s mother; someone’s daughter or someone’s sister. You’re just you,’ she said.
‘You get the WI you deserve. The more you put in and take part, the more you get out of it.’
Jersey’s WI is marking the national anniversary with a garden party at Government House, as well as attending a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
For further information call 731669) or email wi.jersey@yahoo.co.uk.
Name: Betty Hamby (née Hamel) aka ‘the entire history of Grouville in one lady’.
Parish: Grouville. Betty is Grouvillais born and bred, apart for marrying a boy from St Clement and living in the parish next door for the first three months of married life
Occupation: Wife, mother, ‘grand mere’, parish stalwart and community volunteer for more than 50 years
Voluntary service for the Island: Served on Education’s Children’s Sub-committee, Juvenile Court, Family Allowance Tribunal (appeals committee) and Social Security Tribunal, charity work and fundraising.
Parish roles: Many times presidents of Grouville WI, chief tea/sandwich maker, cake baker and dishwasher extraordinaire for various meetings/fetes/teas etc etc, event organiser, church volunteer, Grouville School PTA, Battle of Flowers and power house behind Grouville Parish in Bloom. Currently organising the catering for the Liberation Day lunch on Gorey Common and growing Grouville WI’s entry in the Genuine Jersey Royal Potato growing competition.
Greatest parish achievement: Knocking on just about every parish door to recruit more than 200 volunteers to ‘adopt a lane’ and keep the parish tidy for the Britain in Bloom competition. Today, her recruits are still active looking after flowers beds, picking up litter on the roads and the beaches and cleaning bus shelters. Betty and her hubby, Bob, never go out for a walk without a couple of carrier bags to collect litter.
Why do give your time to others? ‘I like to help people and I like to help them and make them feel welcome. It does not matter what I am doing, as long as it involves people.’
Claim to fame: making a large scale model of the Royal yacht Britannia, in flowers, and being presented to the Queen and Prince Phillip.
Lost for words: When Prince Phillip, with a crafty grin, asked Betty where the anchor was.
Liberation Day
The focus of Island life for the next 12 days is rightly on the 70th anniversary of the Liberation with a variety of events taking place in all the parishes and at visitor attractions.
The JEP’s day-by-day coverage begins on Saturday when a party of ex-internees leaves the Island from Germany for next week’s celebration of their own liberation from captivity in the spa town of Bad Wurzach.
For information about what is happening in your parish contact your parish hall.
A weekend for markets
Jersey’s public markets were first established in the late 16th century and the Victorian Central Market is an integral part of town life and the Island’s culture and heritage.
St Martin
Twinned with: Montmartin-sur-Mer
Address: Public Hall, Rue de la Croix au Maître, St Martin, JE3 6HW
Telephone: 853951.
Email: stmartin@posm.gov.je
Opening hours: 8.45 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 4.30 pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. 5.45 to 7.45 Wednesday.
Parish secretary: Jerry Collins
Constable: Michel Le Troquer. Telephone: 853951. Email: m.letroquer@gov.je
Deputy: Steve Luce. Telephone: 859295. Email: s.luce@gov.je
Churches:
St Martin, Rector: Rev Gerry Baudains. Telephone: 854294
Gouray Church: Rev Canon Dr Gavin Ashenden. Telephone: 853255
St Martin’s Methodist Church: Rev Liz Singleton. Telephone: 840793
Church of Our Lady and the Martyrs of Japan: Father John Lavers and Deacons Tony Ward and Christopher Walters. Telephone: 853953
Procureurs du Bien Public: Gerald Le Cocq and Peter Germain
Centeniers: Mo Gotel, Peter Searle, Paul Gaudin and Karen Gough
Vingtaines: Faldouet, Quéruée, L’Eglise, Rozel and Fief de la Reine
Kerbside recycling: Monthly glass collection
Recycling centre: Village Green car park
Parish magazine: Les Nouvelles de St Martin. Telephone: 866956
Community Facilities: Berni Centre at the Church of Our Lady and the Martyrs of Japan Telephone: 853953
Clubs and associations:
3rd Jersey Scout Group
Baby Clinic
Catholic Women’s League
Diamond Club
Gorey Boat Owners Association
Maufant Youth Centre
Messy Church
Rozel Rovers FC
St Catherine’s Sailing Club
St Martin’s Battle of Flowers – Junior Section
St Martin’s Battle of Flowers Association
St Martin’s Bonfire Committee
St Martin’s Conservation Trust
St Martin’s Flower Club
St Martin’s Football Club
Gorey Fete Committee
St Martin’s Housing Association
St Martin’s Jumelage Association
St Martin’s Methodist Wednesday Group
St Martin’s Parish Church Ladies Group
St Martin’s Parish in Bloom
St Martin’s Petanque Club
St Martin’s Rifle Club
St Martin’s School Children’s Gardening Club
St Martin’s WI
Toddler Group
Whist Drive
Young People’s Church Club
