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Understated elegance

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Built around 1849, the residence is a wealth of character and charisma, central to which is the recently refurbished farmhouse kitchen. This spacious and distinctive galley, with its magnificent exposed stone fireplace, AGA and wood-burning stove, is the perfect place in which to entertain large gatherings of friends and family. From the beamed ceiling to the backsplash tiles and marble worktops, it’s a room with an undeniably homely and welcoming appeal.gallery_109_property_review_SAVILLS_Picture_317

Approached by a discreet tree-lined country lane, Thornhill poses as somewhat of a hidden gem. However, on entering the commanding gravel driveway – which houses parking for at least ten cars – you’ll find it hard to ignore this superb detached granite property. Its unique setting is particularly private, yet despite this, it sits just a stones throw away from the much sought after parish of St John and the pretty, chocolate box harbour of Bonne Nuit Bay. In fact, Thornhill’s pleasantly peaceful and rural location would have you believe you’re anywhere but close to civilization.
A superb feature of the property is its some 3-4 vergees of land, which sit alongside four ample-sized stables and the residence’s very own sand school, which makes Thornhill a wonderful opportunity for buyers wishing to acquire an equestrian-minded family home.
Combining Georgian and Victorian architectural styles, the property exhibits an array of impressive rooms and distinguished period features in the shape of the traditional Jersey arched fenestration, deep skirting boards and oak floorboards. From the enchanting window seats to the original Georgian sash windows – which reveal picture-perfect views of the surrounding land and serene scenery – Thornhill is a lure of personality and enticement.gallery_109_property_review_SAVILLS_Picture_311
The stunning hallway – with its Victorian, black and white tiling resembling the marble checkerboard of a dance floor and again, is another of the residence’s many unique allures. With its countless doors and windows, Thornhill sets the stage for a very open and warm house, yet one that feels slightly separated from the outside world. The garden is a vision of colour and enchantment. Home to flowerbeds, fruit trees and a veritable pavilion draped in foliage – it’s the perfect place in which to enjoy a spot of alfresco dining come the summer months.
Currently forming five bedrooms with an adjoining flat, in the shape of a substantial, self-contained wing, this particular establishment is an ideal investment for those wishing to become not only the proud possessors of a rural farmhouse, but also, the owners of a home with scope for potential income. Or otherwise, a space in which to entertain multi-generational living.
On top of this, all rooms in the house could easily be incorporated to provide a more extensive six bedroomed family home with the enhanced luxury of a rather grand reception area on the ground floor.
With a definite affinity for warm and serene interiors and an ardent love for the landscape, this bright and sunny Jersey property perfectly personifies good cheer, a friendly feel and a relaxed draw. Thornhill is much more than just a charming family home; it’s a residence with great potential.

Surf, snakes and psychology

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“My heart is in Jersey but my future lies in Australia,” confesses Vanessa Birkinshaw (née Rowe), a former-banker-turned-psychologist living in Perth, Western Australia. 

In this single sentence, Vanessa sums up her situation poignantly. But this is a woman who has overcome many challenges and, just like the Chumbawamba song: I Get Knocked Down, Vanessa always gets back up again.
Take, for example, her introduction to university in Perth eight years ago. Vanessa began the course on crutches while recovering from a car accident, but she can still joke about it. She recalls, “The car rolled downhill and ended up suspended by two trees making it look a bit like a gull-winged version of a Vauxhall Zafira!”
Earlier in Jersey – and encouraged by a former lecturer, Gillian Bunting – Vanessa had already completed the first year of the Combined Social Sciences degree at Highlands College.
“I actually fell asleep at the end of the psychology exam,” she says, “given that I’d given birth only a few weeks earlier, this was unsurprising!” Nonetheless, her excellent results drove her to continuing her studies in Perth after moving there with her young family.
The transition to Perth wasn’t an easy one, however, and Vanessa found herself homesick for Jersey. “I cried every day for about six months”, she admits. “I missed the familiarity, the smallness of St Helier. It was like a culture shock”. Then she bumped into a Jersey girl at a leisure centre and felt she could finally share everything she missed about Jersey.
Her first day at Murdoch University in Australia was a weird experience. She notes, “I’d never been surrounded by so many people yet not know anyone!” Sitting in the first lecture among 300 students, Vanessa decided to post an electronic note on the local noticeboard inviting anyone else who didn’t know anyone to meet at Walter’s Café – a campus café coincidentally run by a Jerseyman.  Several people turned up and remain in touch to this day.
After finishing her degree, Vanessa signed up for a post-graduate Diploma in Education and School Psychology at the University of Western Australia and was fortunate enough to find work straight away, and at one point was juggling several jobs. Currently, Vanessa is employed as a ‘provisionally registered’ psychologist working with students with challenges on a two-year internship.

Vanessa says, “a cleaning lady said to me last year, ‘oh i’m just a cleaner’, i replied that the previous year i too was a cleaner, worked in the body shop, t2 and as a teaching assistant. No-one’s just anyone.”  

Meanwhile, her marriage came to an end and one of the conditions of the divorce is that she has to live no more than three hours away from her children’s father. She says it’s been not easy raising the children on her own and there probably would have been more emotional support for her as a single parent in Jersey.
However, she says there are many opportunities to stretch oneself in Perth and her children have taken this on board. Her daughter became a State champion in Latin and Ballroom dancing and her son is a talented drummer in a band.
It’s not all work though and in her spare time, Vanessa enjoys surfing. The main difference between there and surfing at St Ouen’s Bay?  Sharks! But more people’s lives are lost on the roads than in shark attacks, she points out.
As an alternative to Perth’s beaches, Vanessa and her family often head south to the famous surf spot at Margaret River where they enjoy camping out. Although she has camped many times, putting up a tent single-handedly is one challenge Vanessa admits she has yet to master.
In these more rural areas they frequently see kangaroos and kookaburras. And snakes too. “We saw one on the road just a few months after arrival and thought it was just another speed bump … then someone shrieked, ‘No, it’s a Dugite crossing the road!’“ , says Vanessa.  (NB: A venomous snake native to Western Australia).
Bushfires are another hazard and last February a fire came so close it was just over her garden fence. She says it was a surreal experience and rather chilling to hear the emergency service’s automated telephone warning: Prepare to leave or defend your home.
“I was trying to catch the cats and carry the goldfish,” explains Vanessa. “My daughter, having gone to safety, was texting me requesting I pack her laptop and make-up, my son was texting me to pack his drum kit and my youngest son wanted his teddy bear!  I must have provided on-street entertainment to the TV crew outside my house when I staggered out with a pile of photo albums, laptop leads, the cats …and my surfboard!” (Not covered by home insurance).
Even her Jersey friends, the Minty family, contacted her at the time urging her to get out. They are among the close friends she misses from home, although she has made some good friends in Australia too.

 

What else does Vanessa miss from Jersey? The Island’s proximity to France, as the gateway to Europe, she says. “And, I know it sounds weird”, she adds, “But I really miss the rain!”

From Island to Atoli

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Breathing slow and steady. Gentle kicks of my fins. Brightly coloured fish frolic on the reef. A school of spotted eagle rays momentarily startles me. I check my pressure gauge. 1,500 psi, plenty of air left to catch my target. A large coral overhang looms before me. I round the corner and peer into a small crevice in the coral. There she is, a beautiful hawksbill turtle with a shell as valuable and sought after as ivory.

I signal to my team to move into position. A team of free divers are waiting above. I signal my dive buddy to cover the back entrance of the cave, but he won’t be needed this time. I reach in, careful not to disturb the coral with my scuba tank, and grasp the turtle by the front and back of her shell. She immediately struggles but her swimming only helps me remove her from her hiding spot. A free diver descends and I pass the turtle over to him and watch him ascend and swim the turtle back to the boat while I continue searching for more.

Back on the boat awaits Nestor ‘Matraca’ Marin, a once infamous turtle poacher who would ply these waters in search of these now critically endangered turtles to smuggle into British Honduras where they would be butchered and their shells turned into jewellery, guitar picks, rooster spurs and other ornate goods.

Today however, is a good day for this little hawksbill. Matraca now works with Littlefeet Environmental, a Jersey based non-profit focusing on marine turtle research and conservation. Based in the Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve, a coral reef atoll some 25 miles offshore from mainland Mexico, he knows these waters like the back of his hand. Missing half of his teeth but sporting a meticulously groomed moustache, he leads our team of international volunteers to remote patch reefs where he once made his living hunting these turtles.

His home, a rickety old palafita built on stilts above the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, now doubles as our research station. Crocodiles and Tarpon swim together just a few feet below our brightly coloured hammocks. At the end of each survey we return our catch of turtles to the station to record biometric data and administer flipper tags and a PIT tag for future identification. These tags will help us identify important migratory routes for these turtles as they are recaptured or observed nesting in other areas. We also take a small skin sample from each turtle caught for DNA analysis which will let us identify from which nesting beaches these turtles came from in the first place.

Not only are we pioneering a new area but also a new research methodology. By using a buddy pair of divers with scuba equipment we can more thoroughly search every nook and cranny of the reef for hiding turtles. The problem is that, because we are breathing compressed air, when we catch a turtle, we cannot shoot straight up to the surface as we could suffer from decompression sickness.

A chance meeting with Matraca in 2012 sparked my interest in the area. Until now there have been no formal studies of the marine turtle populations in Banco Chinchorro. He explained to me how he always found turtles there and how it had been such a lucrative area for his former trade. Almost everything we know about marine turtles comes from nesting studies of adult females as they come ashore to lay their eggs. The chance to be able to study juveniles and male turtles was very exciting.

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Not only are we pioneering a new area but also a new research methodology. By using a buddy pair of divers with scuba equipment we can more thoroughly search every nook and cranny of the reef for hiding turtles. The problem is that, because we are breathing compressed air, when we catch a turtle, we cannot shoot straight up to the surface as we could suffer from lung overexpansion or decompression sickness, commonly known as the bends. Being in such a remote area, this could have life threatening consequences. Instead, through a carefully coordinated protocol, a competent free diver will descend to a depth of between five and ten metres and retrieve the turtle. We have found this technique incredibly successful to date with over 65 turtles captured in this way in Banco Chinchorro.

So far, we have worked with an international group of volunteers hailing from Jersey, Isle of Man, Bermuda, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Venezuela and Mexico. Their ages have ranged from 19-52. Our volunteers have shown that it is possible to gather invaluable data while having the time of your life in a place that few travellers or researchers get to visit.

Francesca Stammers from Jersey, who joined the project in April with her fella, Loftur Loftsson, says “I never thought I would be able to gain such hands on experience with such a exceptional and rare animal, and at the same time have so much fun. I would recommend this project to anyone looking to gain scientific experience and expedition management in an extremely remote and beautiful area.” Loftur, originally from Iceland, says “Highlight of the trip? Too many to choose from. Possibly snorkeling face to face with American Crocodiles, or being in the middle of a bait ball of Macabis being corralled by dolphins or maybe having a school  of 15 Spotted Eagle Rays swim right past me.”

Now, with data from over 100 turtles of three different species, we will be returning to Jersey in July to write up our reports and offer presentations to interested groups. We will then be presenting our data at the International Sea Turtle Symposium in Turkey in the spring of 2015. We will be conducting further research expeditions to Banco Chinchorro in the near future, so if like Francesca and Loftur and our volunteers you would like to join us on an expedition, please check out our website www.littlefeet.org.uk and like us on Facebook to keep updated on our work.

If volunteering overseas is not for you, please consider adopting and naming one of our tagged turtles. For £50 you will get to name your turtle and we will send you a certificate, photo ID of your turtle and updates on future sightings. And please remember that conservation begins at home. Marine debris is a huge threat not only to marine turtles but to all sea life. Littlefeet Environmental conduct weekly beach cleans around the island of Jersey and are always welcoming more volunteers to help out. Please leave only footprints on the beach this summer!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: WWW.LITTLEFEET.ORG.UK  VOLUNTEER IN JERSEY, MESSAGE SADIE OR ASH: SADIE@LITTLEFEET.ORG.UK ASH@LITTLEFEET.ORG.UK VOLUNTEER ABROAD, GET IN TOUCH WITH COURTNEY: COURTNEY@LITTLEFEET.ORG.UK

Warship to fire on Jersey

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HMS Iron Duke is to fire a 15-gun ceremonial salute this evening (Friday 20 June) as she passes Jersey at the start of a three-month deployment.  The warship, which enjoys strong links with Jersey, is heading towards Corbiere where she will fire a 15-gun ceremonial salute to the Lieutenant-Governor, His Excellency General Sir John McColl, before continuing on her deployment to the South Atlantic. 

The salute is planned for 8.45pm and the 1781 Jersey Militia will fire a five-round salute in return. Guests at Corbiere by the Radio Tower will include His Excellency and Lady McColl; the Bailiff and Lady Birt, Sir Michael Birt; and the Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst. The public are also able to attend.

Before the salute, HMS Iron Duke plans to rendezvous with Wetwheels, a charity which allows people with disabilities to get to sea.

The visit comes at the start of a routine deployment across the Atlantic for the Portsmouth-based warship. She will be visiting various far-flung destinations in all seasons in both northern and southern hemispheres – enjoying summer and winter in the space of three months.

During six months away the Type 23 frigate will protect UK interests and promote the nation’s capabilities abroad. At times she will work with partner nations to develop their armed forces training to defend their own waters. She may be called upon to lend assistance for humanitarian disasters or tackle piracy on the high seas. Her recent visit to Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) in Plymouth has equipped her crew of 180 for every eventuality.

The deployment is the first for HMS Iron Duke since undergoing a major upgrade. She’s the first RN warship to be fitted with Artisan – a 3D radar which is five times better than the old version it replaces.

Commander Tom Tredray, the Commanding Officer said: “We have had a great deal of work done to upgrade the ship to be one of the most capable units in the Fleet. Also, the ship’s company have all put in a great deal of effort achieve success at FOST. I am very proud of my team and the ship and am looking forward to the deployment.”

HMS Iron Duke will also carry a detachment of Royal Marines to add to the delivery of training to other nations. The ship has embarked extra stores, equipment and specialist personnel to ensure that she is both fighting fit, flexible and expert enough to respond to any demand either from local activities in her area of operations or to respond to emerging world events as directed by the Fleet Commander.

For many of the ship’s company, this will be their first lengthy trip away from home. The crew of 180 men and women come from across the UK and commonwealth, with a range of expertise in seamanship, engineering and logistics, but all have the same skills in fighting fires and tackling floods to protect their floating home. Their recent training has taught them to deal with displaced populations, evacuees, hostile forces and friendly, visiting dignitaries along with the more common war fighting practice.

 

 

Bombay to JerseyLive

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JerseyLive will be welcoming London-based four-piece Bombay Bicycle Club to the festival for the first time, with the indie-rock outfit’s first number one in the UK album charts earlier this year (their fourth album So Long, See You Tomorrow) elevating them to the upper reaches of the British music royalty. Since first emerging on the UK music scene in 2006, the band have gone from strength to strength, with headline tours worldwide, an Ivor Novello nomination (for Best Album in 2011 for Flaws) and the Best New Band prize at the 2010 NME Awards. Their blend of electronic, folk and rock influences combines with an uncanny ear for a melody, resulting in numerous indie anthem, from ‘Always Like This’, ‘Lights Out, Words Gone’ and ‘Feel’ being just a few of them.

There’s not long to go until the biggest weekend of the year in the Channel Islands for live music fans, and I’m over the moon to have added Bombay Bicycle Club to the lineup. We’ve been trying to get them to the festival for a couple of years now so it’s great to have them coming over to the island at last! A previous Grassroots Festival headliner, Newton Faulkner is another great addition – he’s a fantastic songwriter, guitarist and live performer, as I’m sure his many Jersey-based fans will agree. Co-organiser Warren Holt

 

Also performing on the Main Stage over the weekend is acclaimed guitarist and folk singer-songwriter Newton Faulkner . With four Top 10 charting albums to his name, including his 2007 debut Hand Built By Robots and 2012’s Write It On Your Skin, Faulkner’s heartfelt lyricism and idiosyncratic playing style have made him a huge star. Having performed at countless festivals worldwide, including Glastonbury, Lollapalooza and Isle of Wight Festival to name just a few, he certainly knows how to make the big stage his own, and with songs like ‘Dream Catch Me’ and ‘Teardrop’ awaiting our festival audience, this set has all the ingredients of a Jersey Live classic.

Jersey Live will also welcome legendary broadcaster, reggae DJ and Member of the British Empire, David Rodigan MBE. Having started out his reggae broadcasting career in 1978 on BBC Radio London, Rodigan has over 30 years as top dog in the bass-heavy atmosphere of Britain’s reggae dance halls, accruing an encyclopedic knowledge of Jamaican music along the way. His credibility was ensured when he began clashing with Jamaica’s champion DJ, Barry G on JBC Radio in Jamaica before going on to clash with all the top Jamaican sound systems in the West Indies, the USA and England, and in 2012 he won the ultimate clash victory when he took the Champion Trophy at World Clash Reset in New York. With a regular show on BBC 1Xtra and as a staple of the festival circuit, some might say that at the age of 63, he’s at the height of his powers. We’re stoked to have Dave Rodigan MBE, quite possibly the craziest dj on the planet, headline both the Hospitality and Par 4 Stages over the weekend.

The excitement for this years’ Jersey Live continues to build, especially with the exciting announcement of Bombay Bicycle Club and Newton Faulkner being added to the world-class lineup for the main stage. This is our 9th year as headline sponsor and we look forward to showcasing our new and exciting on site developments for this year’s festival, especially the brand new JT Beanshoots Stage which will host a diverse pick of local and international bands and artists. We’re also pleased to announce that JT’s FREE ticket promotions will start in July with our best ever packages of FREE tickets and exclusive JT VIP access on offer. Tamara O’Brien, Head of Marketing, Brand and Distribution for JT, Headline Sponsor.

New family friendly additions to the Par 4 Field:
Jersey Live Festival this year has an expanded Par 4 Field, with live shows, interactive installations and games galore for kids during the day, and more grown up entertainment after dark, with bands like festival stalwarts Dreadzone already confirmed. We’re pleased to announce a number of new additions to the area: Kids will hear storytelling from The Roald Dahl Museum with interactive performances of his famous ‘Revolting Rhymes & Dirty Beasts’, as well as being entertained by magician, musician and comedian Fred’s Flying Circus – whose varied audiences have ranged from Madonna to Prince Phillips! We’ve also added some unusual décor to the area, not least a 30-foot long whale, inside which is a museum of deep sea wonders!

Last, but by no means least, they’ll be welcoming back to Jersey Live global beatboxing star Shlomo who returns with his Beatboxing Adventure for Kids show after debuting here last year on the Dance Stage. Widely acknowledged as one of the most adventurous performing artists around, he’s collaborated with artists as diverse as Jarvis Cocker, Bjork, Ed Sheeran and DJ Yoda, appeared at Edinburgh Fringe with his one-man theatrical show ‘Mouthtronica’ and held the position of Director of the world’s first beatboxing choir. The grownups love him and we’re  sure the kids will too.

JerseyLive will take place on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August, subject to the organisers gaining the Bailiff’s permission. Tickets are on sale now from www.jerseylive.org.uk/tickets

#saidnooneever

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This has popped up as videos on Facebook, spearheaded by JT. You’ll see the ads that extol the virtues of updating your handset and the services of JT. ‘I don’t want the latest smartphone’ #saidnooneever for example! We love the idea and JT have offered us two JerseyLive tickets to give to the best #saidnooneever someone can come up with in Jersey. here are a few to get you started…. Visit our facebook page to suggest yours…. www.facebook.com/gallerymagazine

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STRONG GROWTH AT NEDBANK

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Nedbank Private Wealth, the multi-award-winning private bank and wealth manager, has announced strong growth in new business flows for 2013 and the first quarter of 2014.  

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Greg Horton

Business flows in 2013 saw lending levels up by almost 10 per cent, deposits up 12 per cent, and both assets under management and administration up 20 per cent.  The business also reported continuing positive growth in the number of new clients which surpassed targeted levels by 15 per cent.

Greg Horton, managing director at Nedbank Private Wealth, said: “It is certainly very pleasing to see such strong growth rates across all areas of our operations and praise is due not only to our staff, but also to both our clients and professional intermediaries who continue to sing our praises and drive the high level of new client referrals we’re experiencing.”  Horton reported that total holdings on the business’s award-winning integrated banking and investment platform, Focus, were continuing to grow strongly. As at the end of the first quarter of 2014, holdings had increased an impressive 11 per cent year-on-year rising to £2.3 billion and reflecting a new record high.

Horton sees the driver for this growth as being the bank’s consistent profile of success and excellent reputation for integrity and exemplary client service: “We have never lost sight of the fact we exist to serve our clients, not ourselves, and these are exciting times as our new brand is now becoming well and truly established in our markets.  Consistent upward momentum has been firmly established and we anticipate strong profitable growth in 2014, as the business begins to see the benefits from a growing footprint across our various geographical locations.”

With the vast majority of business emanating from existing client and professional intermediary referrals, Horton points to the results recently received from the business’s 2013 independently assessed client survey: “This was undertaken by the UK’s leading customer survey specialist, The Leadership Factor, and in terms of their overall Client Satisfaction IndexTM, it places our business in the top 10 per cent of all businesses across the UK.  We have also been advised that we continue to hold the UK record for speed of response to clients, an achievement we have held for the past five years. ”

To add the icing to an already tasty cake, earlier this year Nedbank Private Wealth achieved the maximum three star designation, rated “extraordinary”, from the UK Best Companies Accreditation.  It is one of only 123 companies from all sectors and sizes across the entire UK to obtain this coveted accolade. In addition, for a remarkable straight tenth year, the business secured a listing within the Sunday Times sponsored Best 100 Small Companies to Work For.

Another impressive performance from this multi-award winning business whose reputation as a bank focused on applying sound morals continues to grow.

Deskovery: Phone Doctor

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Having moved into the Wharf Street Offices in the first week of December, the Phone Doctor’s headquarters now take pride of place in Suite 4.

Having somewhere to meet, discuss concepts and work at any time of the day or night is imperative to a modern day business, and a space that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week is the ticket to success. This is exactly the case for Sarah Burns – the tech-savvy individual behind the Phone Doctor brand – a simple answer to those searching for a service that offers both gadget repairs and modifications, along with a wide range of accessories.

Specialising in smartphones, iPod’s, iPad’s, MacBooks and the MacBook Air, each and every repair is carried out by Miguel, the on-site Head Engineer. From replacing batteries and speakers, to fixing a cracked screen, customers can either opt for same day turnaround (a godsend to those unable to live without their phone) or the unique free pick-up and drop-off service.

So why 4 Wharf Street? Sarah chose this office space due to a number of reasons – the security factor – both cameras and motion sensor fitted lights make for a safe environment, regardless of the time. The reasonable rent – rates include necessities such as electricity and WiFi. There’s also a shower on site (which means Sarah can head straight to the office after a gym workout). The communal kitchen facilities, being able to enjoy a separate lunch area (it’s important to getaway from your desk every once in a while) and of course, the location. The Wharf Street offices are bang in the centre of town, and more importantly for Sarah, close to a number of her customers. There’s also the handy addition of a conference room, which can be booked out for client meetings.

So how does a customer book an appointment with the Phone Doctor? Well it’s simple really. From reserving an appointment online to visiting Sarah’s suite at the Wharf Street Offices, booking an abundance of gadgets into surgery couldn’t be easier. Once you’ve made an enquiry, you’ll receive a confirmation along with a quotation for the services required.

And as if this wasn’t enough, the Phone Doctor also offers a range of customisation services too – from different coloured housings and home buttons to a 24ct gold plating diamond embellishment service – all are guaranteed to make your phone stand out from the crowd!

Sarah certainly benefits from an easily accessible office hub – where she can both advise customers on repairs and display a number of must-have accessories. 4 Wharf Street is the perfect place.

For More Information, visit 

www.PhoneDoctor.je

 

 

The best of both worlds

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jeffJeff williams, executive director, branch and premium banking, natwest, discusses the growth of mobile and online banking and the role of the high street – ‘the best of both worlds’. 

If you think back to how you did your banking 20 years ago and compare it to the present day, it’s likely it has changed beyond all recognition. As technology has developed over time so NatWest has responded to the needs of customers to develop new and convenient ways of banking.

At the core of this focus, we make sure our teams are in the right place at the right time and doing the right things to improve the customer experience. This means that whilst, customers are increasingly choosing to manage their finances on the go; the traditional high street branch network continues to play a significant role.

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In a report by the British Bankers’ Association (BBA), mobile phone banking transactions made by British customers have nearly doubled in a single year, new industry figures compiled by the BBA show today.  Customers are now making more than 5.7 million transactions a day using smart phones and other internet-enabled technology.
At RBS Group in the UK, the busiest branch is now the ‘virtual’ one with over £30 million transferred every day through the mobile banking app.  By placing the power to manage their money in their hands, mobile banking service is transforming the way our customers do their banking. At the touch of a button personal and business customers can check their balance, transfer money between accounts, view their transaction history or pay their contacts.

Offshore NatWest was the first bank to provide mobile banking for smartphones. Since introducing an app for both personal and business customers, the Bank has continued to lead with innovations providing customers with choice and flexibility and today remains the only bank providing clients with a multi-currency app.

Among the latest app features for personal customers is ‘Get Cash’ which enables customers to withdraw money without using their bank card at an ATM.  The customer chooses the amount they wish to withdraw from the app and a secure cash code is sent to their phone which is then valid for three hours at any RBS Group cash machine.

Another new facility is the ‘Pay Your Contacts’ service which enables a customer to pay anyone with a Visa debit, credit or prepaid card using just their mobile number, even if they are not a bank customer. A revolutionary way of paying someone, it has countless uses; one of the more obvious is a quick and easy way of sending the money owed when splitting a bill with friends at a restaurant.

The NatWest offshore app, which is available to customers with accounts held in Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar, has been used in over 160 countries and had over 460,000 log ins in the last 30 days. Since the launch of the first mobile app in 2011, there have been two million transactions made using mobile devices. Since then, the bank has continued to lead with innovations providing customers with choice and flexibility and today remains the only bank providing clients with a multi-currency app.

Complementing mobile, is a preference towards social engagement. A dedicated team answer customer queries through the webchat service offered within online banking and answer customer queries received through the Bank’s Channel Island Facebook and Twitter pages.  Social media provides a proactive role of providing feedback quickly.  Across our social media accounts we engage with approximately 7,000 followers, focusing on their needs and providing excellent service. Over 77.5% of our most popular tweets relate to Helpful Banking advice for money management, how to bank on-the-go, security and saving tips.

With technology evolving the customer experience, how do these developments fit with branch based banking?

Traditional
The most important advantage of the digital revolution for the branch is that it has freed staff up so they can spend more time with customers when they need it in branch.  Deloitte recently found elderly and retired people were the fastest adopters of digital services, bucking a perception that younger customers are fuelling the appetite for online banking platforms.  By contrast younger people are increasingly meeting branch staff to discuss their financial needs.

For business customers, the iPhone app enables them to easily access and manage their finances on the move.  Their relationship manager is on hand when they need to talk through development plans and lending requirements and provide support through difficult decisions but the app gives them greater control of their money so they can focus their attention on running their business and serving customers.

Balance and Choice
It is this balance between mobile and traditional that is designed to give the customer the best of both worlds.  There will always be a place for traditional banking, where branch and telephony teams and relationship managers are on hand to meet with customers and discuss their specific needs, for example whether may relate to a mortgage or account application or just a general question.  However, for everyday transactions, banking has changed beyond recognition and technology is driving this trend.

Our commitment will remain to serve customers through a wide range of channels and we will continue to invest in leading edge developments to enhance our proposition and our established branch network, which is by far the largest of any of its competitors across the Bailiwick.

This year the bank is supporting customers on this journey with live demonstrations available in larger branches to walk through its mobile service proposition, providing customers with opportunities to learn about the mobile revolution and how the new services can be used, in combination with the branch to  help our customers bank with us in the way most convenient to them. .

Pop in to branch to find out how we are making banking easier!

One of a kind

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green Quirky. Memorable. Exclusive. No end of superlatives can do this one-off establishment justice. In fact, the only way to really get a taste of the Green Rooster’s eclectic European vibe is to step inside.

From the super attentive staff to the laid back atmosphere, it’s hard not to feel at home here and the cherry on the cake? It’s not just another pub. It’s an enigmatic music venue, a hybrid, a café hub and a secluded hideaway – the perfect place in which to host a business meeting, relax with friends, dance the night away to a heady mix of music and even…to enjoy a cup of tea. We’re not talking about any old tea, but over 60 different flavours of mouth-watering, worldly blends. From black teas to white teas to real fruit infusions, to green Matcha, caramel and chocolate delights, the Green Rooster is home to an encyclopaedic selection. Sourced from various locations around the globe, each cup takes more than five minutes to brew, with certain concoctions claiming to give a bigger kick than coffee.

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Brandishing a European air, sipping on spirits alone certainly isn’t compulsory here, and the many tea tipples are guaranteed to satisfy even the most selective of patrons. However, if you do fancy a cocktail…there’s a mélange of options to choose from, comprising a number of all-time favourites, as well as an intriguing combination of newbies – all of which are prepared by the resident cocktail master and mixologist, who so I’m told, boasts Michelin Star knowledge.

Asides from a faultless fusion of drinks, the Green Rooster is also home to an equally pleasing décor. The snug, situated behind the bar, boasts a bewitching blend of artefacts – all collected by Pawel (the owner) on his travels. Comfy leather armchairs complement the rich décor, whilst the music can be regulated on request – making this the perfect place in which to host a low-profile business meeting.

Another of the ground floor rooms offers a rich tapestry of botanical plants; antique street lamps, shuttered mirrors and an all-encompassing 19th century beer barrel. Then there’s the ‘larger than life’ token rooster in the corner to consider – discovered in the local auction house.

One of the Green Rooster’s many showpieces is the quaint beer garden, a vision of earthy decking and green grass walls. After all, where else can you find a concealed suntrap in the heart of town?

Although deceptive from the outside, this venue is a lot bigger than first perceived and on climbing the stairs, you’ll not only ascertain an additional bar, but also, a live music venue – a treasure trove of memorabilia. From the photos of past acts that line the walls to the anonymous birdcage complete with taxidermised crow, to the DJ booth resting upon a tower of old trunks, the closer you look, the more you’ll see.

Live music takes place on a Friday and Saturday evening, with original voices such as The Cryptic’s and Kevin Bryan taking to the stage, whilst Delaney is rumoured to release his EP here later this month! Wednesday evenings play host to Cubana, an authentic Afro Latin endeavour, whilst other things to watch out for include a lunchtime special of all you can eat pizza and a film night, set to launch on the 13th May. All events and updates can be found on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheGreenRoosterJersey.