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Escape to the Countryside

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Beautifully kept and distinctive in style, words like ‘secluded’ and ‘exclusive’ don’t even begin to do this estate justice. Set amongst seventeen acres (or around 39 vergees, if you speak the local patois) of woodland, agricultural land and domestic curtilage, access is via a lengthy driveway that affords the residential complex within the grounds a high degree of both privacy and security.

The main residence was completed in 2001, making it relatively new in terms of other local properties of this magnitude. Entering through a jaw-dropping double-galleried reception hall featuring a marble staircase, this mansion boasts a further four principal reception rooms, six bedroom suites, a cinema room and an indoor swimming pool complex.

Although when I write ‘boast’, of course, I mean in a most understated way. The grand entrance hall is a beautiful focal point, but the remaining rooms also have a certain warmth about them, a cosy feeling – the feeling that really makes a house a home.

Increasingly, something else that doesn’t quite make a house a home but is high on people’s property checklists is a suitable workspace, and as you might expect, this property doesn’t disappoint on that front either thanks to a large outside office with a kitchen and WC so that your workflow needn’t be interrupted when distractions must be kept to a minimum. Anyone who works from home even infrequently will know first hand that the ability to detach your work life from your home life is paramount, and this set-up is the perfect solution when it comes to doing just that.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy though, so once you’ve clocked off for the day there’s always the indoor swimming pool mentioned earlier, as well as a wellness centre and games room in which to switch off and unwind.

On the other side of the forecourt area sits the original 18th Century granite mews, currently used as two self-contained, two bedroom cottages so you can provide guests with their very own private accommodation while visiting as well as making provision for separate staff accommodation, if required.

Elsewhere amongst the gardens, terraces, woodland and fields you’ll also find a hard tennis court and a very large agricultural-style barn facility which could be used to store a private car collection or even horses, depending upon your requirements. For those who enjoy the outdoors but don’t want to be confined – and I use the term very, very loosely, given the sheer size of the grounds – a private path leads down into Waterworks Valley, perfect for long walks or a spot of nature bathing. That’s a thing, look it up.

To secure this generous slice of island life you’re going to have to speak to Savills. Granted, eleven million pounds isn’t pocket change for most of us, but given this property is essentially three houses (two cottages and the main house, which is absolutely deserving of the ‘mansion’ title) as well as a large agricultural building, swimming pool and wellness centre, office area with its own WC and kitchen, a tennis court, surrounding agricultural land, terraces, gardens and woodland, it looks like excellent value for money in the grand scheme of things. I suspect this one won’t hang around for too long.

St Lawrence 6  Bedrooms / 6  Bathrooms / 4 Receptions

Guide Price £11,000,000

Savills 01534 722 227. Savills.je

The Glow Squad

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With ‘glow’ as our theme, it only seems fitting to meet some of the people who help the people of Jersey glow. We meet some of the queens of counter culture, tasked with choosing products that make your skin as soft as a fresh winter snowfall.

Adriana Laba

Creme de la Mer at Voisins.

I love giving gifts. I like to give a little bit to everybody. I never expect anything back. I love shopping, so Christmas is an excuse to go shopping for other people. I love the whole celebration–the decoration, the lights, the shopping. I’m a bit obsessed with shopping–even just seeing people shopping here at De Gruchy. The Christmas spirit is everywhere.

Recommendation for Glow:  La Mer Crème de la Mer

With a heart of renewing Miracle Broth™ and antioxidant Lime Tea, this ultra-rich cream delivers soothing  moisture, daily protection, and energised natural renewal. With daily devotion, skin feels firmer, lines and wrinkles appear diminished, and a more uplifted, rejuvenated look emerges. 60ml £214

 

Susy Barradas

Dior at FeelUnique

I love the Christmas season because I love being connected with people. Work is busier, and I love giving people advice on Christmas presents. Some people don’t have a lot for Christmas, so it’s the little things, even something as simple as the wrapping paper here at FeelUnique. If someone gets something wrapped up with a little bit of sparkle, it makes their day. It makes them feel special.

Recommendation for Glow:  Dior Prestige La micro-huile de rose advanced serum

Concentrates the double power of the Rose de Granville from the stem to the flower for intense revitalisation and visible youthfulness. 50ml £201.25

Kandis Barratt

MAC at Voisins

At Christmas you get to spend time with your friends and family. It’s a nice time to get everyone together. I love the atmosphere here at Voisins at Christmas. I love glitter, everything about glitter, and Christmas, I can wear glitter all the time and get away with it!

Recommendation for Glow:  MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ (Shimmer)

Hydrates, primes, sets makeup and illuminates skin. Keeps makeup looking fresh up to 12 hours. This shimmer setting spray makes skin looks both healthy and radiant. £18

Nicolene Jones

La Prairie at de Gruchy

I am a Christmas person. I love how the whole town blossoms. This Christmas especially, I’ve noticed that there’s a more vibrant feel. The Christmas glow comes from smiling faces. We have so much happiness in De Gruchy at Christmas time—the staff, the couples holding hands, the children and the dogs walking through. Families together at Christmas really makes me smile.

Recommendation for Glow: La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Cream

Drawn from Swiss waters rich with life, La Prairie’s Swiss caviar is the essence of raw potential. The skin around the eye appears lifted and firmed, resulting in a total transformation. Features are supported, tightened and toned, while the look of puffiness is diminished. £260

Silvia Lima

Dior at Voisins

My favourite thing about Christmas is that everyone is sparkly, happy, and getting in the Christmas spirit. I love the decorations at home and at the store. I love the buzz and atmosphere. I love the glow at Christmas that people have from within and also putting on a little sparkle. It makes everyone smile.

Recommendation for Glow:  Christian Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette in Gold

The Dior makeup artists’ secret for adding instant radiance with professional results, from a natural healthy glow to an intense luminosity. £31.50

Linda Stark

Lancôme at FeelUnique

People are so happy at Christmas, and it’s a fun time for everyone. I love how busy it is here in the shop. People glow at Christmas, and it makes them feel better and makes them look better. When everyone is glowing, it’s a happier world!

Recommendation for Glow: Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate

A serum designed for every woman: all ethnicities, ages, and skin types – dry, combination/normal and oily. Contains Hyaluronic Acid for instant radiance, and the new formula is enriched with seven prebiotic and probiotic-derived extracts. Skin looks healthier and younger. 30ml £52.50

60 Years and beyond.

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Words by Joe Moynihan – Chief Executive, Jersey Finance

Whilst 2021 has been another challenging year for businesses generally, it’s also been a milestone year for the local finance industry, as we celebrated the 60th anniversary of Jersey’s finance sector.

Although this represents a tremendous achievement by all of those who have shaped the industry over the past six decades into what it is today, it’s also given us a good opportunity to reflect on the industry’s relationship with the Island’s community as a whole.

Island Life

We’re incredibly aware that our industry is integral to Island life – the people who work in it, the work firms do with community groups and charities, the investment they make in other local businesses – the industry is very much a part of the community in different ways.

We’ve tried to reflect that in our anniversary activity this year.

At the beginning of 2021, for example, Jersey Finance set itself the task of raising £60,000 for the Association of Jersey Charities (AJC), in a bid to provide a boost to local charities. Using the slogan ‘Together we Shine’, we held a number of events from family guided walks to abseiling off Gorey Castle as part of our dedicated fundraising week in September, whilst also encouraging our member firms to hold their own fundraising initiatives.

We were also incredibly proud to support this year’s Jersey Charity Awards, organised by the AJC, which recognised excellence within the local charity sector. I am pleased to say we’ve made significant headway towards reaching our fundraising target.

As part of our celebrations, we also worked with the fantastic Jersey Uncovered – a group of professional guides offering tours to highlight the wealth of Jersey’s touristic and historical sights – to encourage professionals in the finance sector to step away from their desks and enjoy some of the rich heritage that makes our Island a truly unique place. The ‘Together We Shine a Light On’ series of events took place in locations from St Ouen’s Bay and Noirmont in the west, to Seymour Tower in the east, with expert guides offering their insights into the wealth of history and our natural surroundings.

Finance may not be a sector commonly associated with the art world, but undoubtedly creative thinking is instrumental to innovation – something fundamental to any business wishing to stand the test of time. That’s why 2021 also saw us team up with ArtHouse Jersey – a charity that supports the Island’s artists – to promote opportunities to support the local arts and creative sector.  We also spoke with ArtHouse Jersey on their ‘The A Word’ podcast about the importance of the creative mind, which undoubtedly enriches life both in and out of work.

As we head towards the year end, we are working with Jersey Post on a collection of stamps to celebrate 60 years of our finance industry.

Looking Forward

Of course, all this is against the backdrop of the continued upheaval caused by the global pandemic. Looking forward, the next 12 months promise to be just as busy and our hope is that the freedoms of pre-Covid times will once again be fully resumed, no doubt with a newfound appreciation.

Certainly, our focus will remain on ensuring that the finance industry continues to add value to the local economy and plays its part in supporting our community and local businesses as we get back to some semblance of normality.

And with our Jersey elections on the horizon in June, 2022 will be a big year for local politics too. There is a clear opportunity to have your say on how our Island is run to safeguard our heritage, while ensuring we are well prepared for whatever the future has in store – from pandemics to the urgency around climate change.

We live on an Island rich in character, history and good citizenship. It’s a message that has come out strongly from our anniversary activity this year, and it is vital we keep it that way to safeguard our future prosperity.

Sofia and Robyn

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All year we have been showcasing some of Jersey’s Cool Beans – islanders who do lots for the community, who show selflessness and genuine camaraderie and dedicate their time to helping others…For our final edition of 2021, we are thrilled to feature these two super cool, kick-ass women, Sofia and Robyn (and of course, beautiful baby Alfie)! Sofia and Robyn embarked on a twelve-month set of challenges in order to raise money for jersey Children’s Charity.

The fun thing these ladies didn’t factor in – pregnancy and the birth of baby Alfie! So, amongst the fund raising and challenges, Robyn had a momentous challenge of her own; preparing for motherhood.

What or who was the instigator of the challenge?

I decided that I wanted to use 2021 to get fit and set myself a different challenge each month. I then roped in Sofia, and we thought we’d do it together for charity. Then, oops, I got pregnant at the beginning of January. Sofia says it was an extreme way to get out of the half marathon in October (when little Alfie was due). When we were planning our challenges, we had to take into consideration that we were complete novices and the world of exercise was pretty new to us, with neither of us having ran more than a 5k before at the start of the year! The challenges were going to be tough!

Why Jersey Children’s Charity?

We chose Jersey Children’s Charity who support sick children in Jersey as we know the great work Robin Ward and the Special Care Baby Unit do for them. As we are both teachers, we wanted to support Jersey’s children in any way we can. We were hoping to raise £500 and so far we have raised more than twice that and we are currently on £1105. But there is still time to double it again…

Give us the lowdown on the challenges…

January: Complete a 10K run without stopping or walking any of it!

February: Do 50 squats every day for the whole month.

March: Do 50 sit ups every day for the whole month.

April: Cycle a total of 400K (unfortunately not on an Evie bike which would be our preferred choice!)

May: Run 3K in under 16 minutes.

June: Sea swim every day for the whole month.

July: Complete our first ever Jersey Super Sprint Triathlon.

August: By 31st August, be able to hold the plank for 4 minutes.

September: Complete half a million steps in the month.

October: Complete our first ever Half Marathon.

November: Complete 50 burpees every day for the whole month.

December: Complete 5K in under 26 minutes.

We both thoroughly enjoyed our sea swims, even though the 6am ones before we had to be in work were tough. Our biggest achievement was completing our first ever Triathlon. As we were both completely clueless (turns out a bike with a basket isn’t quite the right equipment) we both managed to complete July’s challenge! Robyn even managed to complete a deconstructed version being 7 months pregnant!

September’s challenge was clearly Alfie’s favourite after a Sunday stroll to get the steps up made Robyn go into labour 8 days early!

Would you do it again?

Whilst we wouldn’t do the same challenges, it has definitely made us think about future challenges and what else we might be capable of!

Where can we sponsor you?

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sofia-nicolle

If you’d like to donate, you can head to the girls’ JustGiving page – let’s see if we can’t boost those numbers!

Winter Glow

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Photography & styLing By Danny Evans. Make up By Sophie Cubbage make up.

Model Tilly

Dark shoppers.

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Our local retailers have had a terrible time over the last 18 months. Not only have the pandemic restrictions prevented them opening and being able to staff their shops, but Jeff Bezos’s dominance has grown more than ever, fuelling our expectation for half price goods to delivered direct into our houses by drones in thirty minutes. Or just about.

I’m writing this at the end of November when we’re suffering from the blackness, the extension of ‘Black Friday’ into what has become Black Week, or to some ‘Black pre-Christmas time’. Retailers have reported shoppers avoiding them completely in November, in the hope that they’ll start pretty much giving their goods away in the run-up to Christmas to fall in line with the global retail curse of Black Friday. “Will this be on sale on Black Friday?’, ‘When does your three for two offer start?’, ‘When is everything 50% off?’.

The trouble is that Jeff and his pals in online retail that have low costs have squeezed super-tight margins and priced their own products with such strategies in mind. Fancy an Amazon Fire HD? Half price during the oxymoronic ‘Black Friday week’, a a five hour Happy Hour at the bar of retail. That term never made sense either (even though I obviously loved them as a student).

If you look in the description, the half-price deal on the Amazon Fire is the ‘with Ads’ edition. You’re basically buying a screen that lives in your house, listens to you and shows you adverts when it’s off or ‘sleeping’. Cheap exposure at half the price, as they’re selling those ads on your behalf. No wonder they’re such a cheap deal; they want ‘dark’ shoppers buying with Alexa ASAP.

That’s not normal though; our St Helier retailers don’t have a secondary income harvesting your data after you buy something from them. What they do offer is convenience and the ability to actually go and hold and see a gift for your chosen recipient. Sometimes that’s worth more than anything. We have over 100 items in our gift guide this month from local retailers and makers so support the local economy and go and actually pick something up this Christmas! See you in 2022.

BD

Spice Of Life Charity Buffet Event

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Spice of Life | 20th November

Staff and friends of The Spice of Life restaurant in Sand Street gathered together last month to mark the Thai Festival of Lights, Loy Krathong; one of Thailand’s most enchanting and the second best-known festival after the Songkran festival. Joy and her team all dressed in traditional Thai dress and cooked up a buffet of the restaurant’s most popular Thai dishes and invited contributions in order to raise funds for The Jersey Children’s Charity. 

RBC Race for the Kids launches Future Conservationists

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Durrell and RBC are delighted to announce that £33,500 has been raised to give young people the opportunity to take part in Durrell’s Future Conservationists programme. These funds enable 13 Jersey teenagers to receive funded places on this exciting new course, which represents the first steps in a career to helping save endangered wildlife. In addition, this funding has supported the development of an online training programme available to 15 international students each cycle.

Future Conservationists is aimed at teenagers who are passionate about wildlife and the natural world. Participants will take part in a three-day, face to face course based at Jersey Zoo that will give them the knowledge and confidence needed to begin their journey towards a career in conservation. The online course is accessible for six months for each cohort and is designed to fit around school, work and other commitments to make sure that teenagers interested in pursuing a career in conservation have the knowledge and the support to be able to do so.

Fiona Marchant, Durrell’s Conservation Learning Manager, explains why this course is so important:

“Our partnership with RBC has given young islanders opportunities to develop essential conservation knowledge, as well as receive career guidance and meet inspirational experts and work alongside Durrell’s conservationists. Empowering teenagers and ensuring that they are aware of the options available to them is essential to both the future of conservation but also to their future wellbeing. The support from RBC will have a lasting impact on the futures of these young people.”

David Bailey, Chief Operating Officer at RBC Wealth Management added:

“The RBC Race for the Kids goes from strength to strength in support of youth focused charities around the world. I am thrilled that this year’s event in Jersey can fund Durrell’s Future Conservationists and Nature Connection programmes and help young people realise their full potential on the Island. We look forward to deepening our relationship with Durrell and continuing to make a difference in the community.”

Brilliance Jewellery And Watch Festival Event

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Jersey Museum / 11th November

For two weeks at the end of October and beginning of November, Jersey’s jewellers united  to celebrate the local jewellery and watch industry. Retailers and the local maker community created a series of events for people to learn more about the production, materials and techniques used to create unique pieces. To mark a successful first year for the event, the organisers and sponsors gathered at Jersey Museum. The event was made possible through the support of Rossborough Private Clients, Genuine Jersey and Visit Jersey.

Corbett Le Quesne Fourth Birthday Party

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Barbera Corbett and Nick Le Quesne established Corbett Le Quesne as a specialist family law firm on the 1st November 2017. Four years on and the firm celebrated their birthday last month, marking both their fourth year of business and also the establishment of their private client department in March of this year and their new service to provide legal assistance to charities. The party, held at   Private and Public Gallery was shared friends and colleagues.