By the Lieutenant-Governor, General Sir John McColl
THE weather experts tell us that in the last century only four Novembers have been warmer, nature is understandably confused; the garden has camellias flowering, rose bushes resplendent with beautiful buds, and a complete bank of daffodils in full bloom!
However December has now arrived with a chill in the air ushering in more familiar weather for Christmas, but whatever the weather Christmas is a time of year that comes with a sparkle and a sense of anticipation that lifts the spirits.
It is also a time to look back on the year that has passed, and what a year it has been.
In 2015 Her Majesty The Queen became our longest serving monarch surpassing Queen Victoria, and Princess Charlotte arrived as a sister to Prince George.
In January the Standing Committee of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth came to Government House.
The reception offered the opportunity to recognise the important work that CSPOC does in support of democracy.
In March HRH The Princess Royal visited Durrell to maintain a strong relationship that began in 1972 when she became Patron.
In May HRH the Countess of Wessex joined ‘Liberation 70’ and charmed all those she met during a hectic but truly memorable day.
At the beginning of July the streets of St Helier were enlivened by brightly coloured tracksuits with words such as ‘Hitra’ and ‘Saaremaa’ emblazoned on the back.
The NatWest Island Games was a geographical pub quiz challenge, and a triumph for Jersey.
The organisation was immaculate but the really striking aspect of the week was the wonderful atmosphere of friendship and fellowship through sport.
During the course of the year Gene and I have been involved with a large number of the charities and community activities that are an essential aspect of Island life.
The continuing economic hardship is placing a strain on many in the community, particularly the elderly, the vulnerable and the less well off.
The support provided by our local charities is not a ‘nice to have’ element of support but a critical part of the social provision that the Island needs.
Each year over Christmas and the New Year our family gathers and we make resolutions which we write down for the next twelve months while reflecting on how we have fared against the goals of the previous year.
Looking back through the book the children’s aspirations have included, ‘achieve my 10 yard swimming certificate’, moving on to ‘earn place in the under 15 rugby team’.
In later years the goals have become more serious including ‘obtain required grades for University place’, and ‘get a job’!
In contrast to the children’s ever changing aspirations Gene and I have rather mundane and repetitious lists of resolutions which have been annual failures; ‘get fit’, ‘read more’, ‘lose weight’ etc.
This year however we have agreed that there will be a new addition which is simply to try to be thankful every day for the freedoms and security that we enjoy.
Sadly the most harrowing images of 2015 have been those of the appalling impact of extremists on nations across the world.
The UN estimates that in Iraq and Syria alone almost 15 million people are displaced and many of them are living in abject misery.
The torrent of refugees flooding into the neighbouring countries of Jordan, Libya, and Turkey is stretching these fragile states beyond endurance.
The flow, fuelled by conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa, extends beyond the Middle East and up into Europe threatening the cohesion of our societies and fuelling fear and racial divisions.
The brutal attacks in Tunisia targeting British tourists, and in Paris on 13 November, brought terrorism closer to home.
The struggle against extremism, and the fear and racial tension that it spawns, is the security and social challenge of our age, it threatens to undermine the liberal values of our democracies.
The message of Christmas is one of love, hope, and peace and these aspirations seem more important than ever within the context of world events.
Christmas is a time for families to come together where they can and enjoy the warmth and magic of the season.
It is also a time to think of those who work on our behalf both at home and abroad to try to protect that which we hold dear.
These include our emergency services in Jersey and our Armed Forces abroad.
This Christmas as we are lucky enough to be joined by our children we will spare a thought, and a prayer for those who are less fortunate than ourselves, and those who are separated from their families and loved ones as their duties demand.
Gene joins me in wishing them, and all the readers of the JEP, a happy Christmas and a successful and peaceful New Year.
