The next generation of Jersey’s sharp legal minds gathered last month to compare case notes over cocktails, as The Jersey Junior Lawyers Association (JJLA) held their annual Black Tie Ball, with sponsorship from Robert Walters. With over 60 attendees from the majority of firms in the island, this event is one of many exciting events lined up for the year by the organising committee. If you would like to become a member, get in touch with the JJLA.
Strong winds didn’t stop 150 guests from attending the launch party for Butterfield Bank (Jersey) Limited on 14 March 2019. Butterfield Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Michael Collins, welcomed guests, alongside newly-appointed managing director for Jersey, Noel McLaughlin. Also in attendance were employees from the new Jersey office, representatives from Butterfield’s head office in Bermuda, as well as colleagues from Butterfield Bank (Guernsey) Limited and Butterfield Mortgages Limited, based in London. Invitees were treated to a truly Bermudian evening, accompanied by Les Quennevais steel band and Bermudian-themed food and drink.
Recently launched Italian wine and food shop, Terre d’Italia, hosted a wonderful ‘Start of Spring Prosecco Party’ for selected guests and friends. Attendees delighted in sampling their cocktails, and of course their superb Prosecco, which comes from the steep hills of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene, just north of Venice. Since opening in December, Terre d’Italia has been gaining popularity amongst locals with their delicious and unique products, sourced from artisans who are passionate about the originality and quality of their products. Pop in and visit their brilliant team at 6 Caledonia Place.
Hatstone Lawyers celebrated the opening of its offices in St Helier in style. Will Gorman and his team provided delicious canapes and fine wines that were enjoyed by all. Guests got the chance to explore Hatstone’s well-appointed offices with exceptional views over Liberation Square and the harbour. Hatstone enjoyed the opportunity to thank their clients and advisers with staff and representatives from all of Hatstone’s offices in Jersey, South Africa, Panama and the BVI.
Fine Art Dealers, Private & Public, launched their fantastic exhibition ‘Pop Icons of the 20th Century British & American Pop Art’ on Friday 1st March. Hundreds of guests attended the preview, keen to see artworks by some of the greatest American and British artists of the last century, including Andy Warhol and David Hockney. Sales on the night were brisk and there was especially strong interest in new works by the musician and painter Bob Dylan. The party atmosphere was helped along by a curated soundtrack from the 60’s and video footage from Warhol’s Factory, as well as the many people who turned up wearing vintage clothing!
With a desire to tell stories, explore people, places and communicate passion, local filmmakers SlingShot films advocate the power of working with like-minded creatives to bring a vision to life. The premise behind their latest personal project, “Gold Dust”, came from the desire to explore the notion of skateboarding. With a particular interest in the visual impact of the sport, Mark Errington and his team worked alongside local photographer, Andy Le Gresley, to capture the colours, explosive movements and precise details that occur in the sport, but can often go unnoticed.
Through incorporating highly-saturated powered paint, the creative team were able to capture the sheer power and precision associated with skateboarding.
“We ended up with something far more visually impressive than we imagined,’’ says Mark, “the setting was incredibly important to us; we wanted to incorporate Jersey’s incredible coastline and juxtapose it with the traditional urban visuals of skate culture for a really impactful end result.”
For Mark, the collaboration with like-minded individuals to bring these types of projects to life is of paramount importance. Prior to filming, the team were introduced to local skateboarder and advocate for the Jersey Skateparks Association (JSA), Dillon Catney. Dillon later introduced the team to another JSA member, Eddie, who helped give further substance to the project in providing their ideas and helping translate the message of the JSA to the film.
“Collaborating with other creatives is very important for us. When you bring together different people with a variety of skill sets, it helps give more dimension to a project. We really thrive from working with other creatives who are equally keen and as ambitious as we are. For ‘Gold Dust’ in particular, the collaborations we had really enhanced the end result.”
No stranger to working closely alongside individuals from other creative industries, Mark advocates collaboration over competition as a means of professional growth.
“Having a good working environment on a set so as to share ideas is always beneficial, as it keeps you inspired and pushes you out of your comfort zone. In our experience, surrounding yourself with equally ambitious and creative-minded individuals can only lead to great things.”
There’s no question that there’s no lack of creative talent on our island, but with the finance industry continuing to have such dominance over local graduates and school-leavers, Mark believes that more should be done to educate students on the availability of creative careers.
“We live in a time where people communicate in a much more visual way, whether that be through videography, photography, design, or any kind of visual medium. Even though I think Jersey’s creative landscape is definitely growing, I do think there need to be more opportunities for students and graduates looking to go into the creative sector.
There’s a lot to be learned from both training and working for bigger production companies – if this means working with off-island businesses to further young people’s knowledge and experience, it would benefit not just the individual, but the island’s creative sector as a whole. For me, working for both the BBC and the Olympic games in Rio gave me a real insight into the industry that you just don’t get to see on the island.”
Not only with the hope of seeing growth in our island’s creative industry, Mark hopes his business will be a catalyst for both his personal and professional growth.
“I want to see SlingShot become part of the bigger picture. We constantly strive to work with new and exciting brands, both on and off-island, to further develop our expertise and test our creativity in new ways. The realm of video is an ever-changing industry and one that we are constantly excited by. Personal projects such as ‘Gold Dust’ are hugely important for is, as it allows us to be ambitious with our ideas, help further develop our skill set, whilst being inspired and building strong working relationships with equally ambitious creatives”
To find out more, visit www.slingshotfilms.co.uk
By the time you read this, we should have Brexited. The dates were set, the time has passed, the money’s been spent, the politicians have flapped for long enough. I’m just going to predict that it hasn’t happened and won’t any time soon. I have no crystal ball. I’m pretty sure crystal balls are nonsense anyway and that circus folk can’t predict what’s going to happen to the country or the economy by rubbing a glass sphere. Fortune tellers are charlatans (sorry Madame Kwang).
Being in a permanent state of will-we-won’t-we has been pretty nauseating, but, whichever way it goes, we’re just going to have to live with it. A huge mess that’s taken place at a huge cost to us as taxpayers. Sort of like spending £60m deciding where to not put a hospital, right? Asking both sides of House of Commons to concur on Brexit is like asking the Crips and the Bloods to decide on a favourite colour. As I write this, EU leaders are agreeing to delay Article 50 and postpone Brexit. And laughing about it. It’s amazing that something so significant to so many can provide such a source of humour.
We’re a lifestyle title and I’m not here to sway you one way or the other. I have smart friends on both sides of the fence, or water, at least. It’s just worth noting that something so significant has become such a, well, meme of itself. The ‘Still M.A.Y’ Dr Dre remix shared on YouTube last week just goes to show how such a serious issue has become a laughing stock (link below) in popular culture.
We elect people who become our representatives and then watch them argue and spend money failing to make decisions. Ultimately, it’s our fault; we vote (or not) and allow the majority rule. Whether it’s being able to control the straightness of your bananas, the ability of your dog to travel to France without quarantine or whether you want a garden between the Weighbridge and Liberation Square – you have the power to guide decisions. If you don’t vote, others will. Therein lies the problem. I actually think it should be compulsory. If you’re a taxpayer, you should be made to vote. You’re buying your government, so choose what you’re paying for. Caveat emptor.
BD
Words & Photos: Russ Atkinson
YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO TOO FAR OUT OF YOUR WAY TO HEAR OR READ TALES OF MOTORISTS STRUGGLING TO MANOEUVRE THEIR OVERSIZED VEHICLES IN SCHOOL CAR PARKS IN THE MORNING, YET CROSSOVERS, SUVs AND FULLY-FLEDGED FOUR-BY-FOURS REMAIN INCREDIBLY POPULAR.
It isn’t too hard to see why though; their high-up, commanding driving position and an abundance of space for all manner of things (shopping, children, bicycles, white goods, cuddly toys) are big selling points when it comes to trying to find that often elusive Swiss-army-knife-esque vehicle that suits your needs perfectly. There are plenty of choices out there, with almost every manufacturer offering some sort of crossover or SUV model, but in Jersey, where it isn’t uncommon to see a Ferrari bumbling along at 20mph through St Aubin’s village on a Sunday morning, premium brands prevail, and, having made a comment in Gallery about Evoques years ago and being called out on it only to realise that there was a lot more to them than I’d imagined after finally driving one, it was with an open mind that I got behind the wheel of all three of the vehicles pictured above to see how they lined up.
With my mind fully-open, it’s important to make it clear that the specification and cost of these three commuter-colossi vary, with the Range Rover Evoque coming in slightly above the Audi Q3 cost-wise and the Porsche Macan commanding considerably more cash than either, as you might expect. They all serve the same purpose though, so how to they compare?
Starting with the Range Rover, the first thing you’ll probably notice are the quirky, pop-out door handles that sit flush with the bodywork until the doors are unlocked. Once inside though, in contrast to the out-there exterior handles, the stark interior seems to offer almost nothing superfluous, but this is a positive thing. You feel instantly at ease, with all of the controls easy to find and use. They’ve nailed the mix of materials too, contrasting perforated leather and light-coloured fabrics against a textured plastic upper dashboard that actually looks as if it’s been flocked. As a package, it’s sleek and timeless, with that high-gloss centre console underneath the panoramic roof and just a touch of chrome here and there; it’s very, very British. On the whole, the cabin is, put simply, a very pleasant place for one to be.
On the road though, I did find the automatic gearbox ever so slightly laggy from time to time, but the weight of the controls was excellent and there’s plenty of low-down punch from its very quiet diesel engine. I’ve said it before about the previous variant, and I’ll say it again about this, newer, second generation model – the Evoque will surprise you. It feels deceptively small to drive, no larger than the average hatchback, yet there’s certainly no lack of space inside.
Moving on to the Audi Q3, the cabin doesn’t quite match that of the Evoque in terms of luxury finish, but if I’m completely honest, it’s probably viewed by many as a more utilitarian vehicle in any case – one you’re not afraid to let your kids eat chocolate buttons in (admit it, you’ve found years-old, melted chocolate buttons in the back of at least one car you’ve owned, even if you weren’t responsible for them getting there), despite the addition of some alcantara to the bolsters. What does stand out about the Audi’s interior, however, is how ergonomically considered the navigation screen is, tilted slightly toward the driver for ease of use. Strangely, one other thing that I noticed was just how solid the rear-view mirror felt when I adjusted it. Solid enough to realise that it’s, well, solid. And I liked that.
On the road, I scarcely realised that it’d even changed gear, so smooth is the driveline. The entire driving experience can only be described as together. This trademark ease of use, with everything in the right place, doing the right things at the right time and with absolutely no fuss is something that I’ve come to expect from Audi, and it’s hard to fault them when it comes to the day-to-day driving experience.
What about the Porsche? Well, truth be told, as much as I claimed to go into this with an open mind, I actually don’t think I wanted to like the Macan. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big Porsche fan whether we’re talking vintage, classic or modern; the contemporary 911s are incredibly tractable and easy to at least feel like you’re driving well; the Panamera feels compact despite being as long as a container ship, with handling characteristics that defy its stature… But, a Porsche crossover? Surely it could never feel like a Porsche. Isn’t there a lot of Audi Q5 underneath that flowing, undeniably Porsche-esque bodywork, too?
It definitely feels like a Porsche. The steering is weighty, but perfect – the throttle response is tight. It comes with a lightning-fast gearbox that is an engineering marvel, known only by three letters outside of Stuttgart because the German words that the acronym is derived from are almost impossible to pronounce for the non-native; PDK. It’s a driver’s car, even though there’s enough room to pack in your family and enough luggage to keep you going for weeks, then hit the autoroutes of France or autobahns of Germany for a holiday road-trip. I’d recommend limiting chocolate button consumption to rest stops though, because the beautifully-stitched leather interior surely deserves better than that.
Admittedly, there are an almost overwhelming amount of switches, buttons and knobs to navigate your way around inside the Macan at first, but, just like distinctly remembering the Q3’s rear-view mirror, the tiny detail that got me inexplicably excited behind the wheel of the Porsche, was on the wheel of the Porsche. There’s a knurled sphere on each side of the wheel to control a couple of the myriad functions available to you, and it just feels so nice to roll underneath your thumb. The amount of unnecessary volume changes that took place during the test drive would’ve been notable to any passenger, so thankfully I was alone at the time and am not a huge fan of Jeremy Vine’s Radio 2 show in any case.
These three tiny tanks are all equally versatile and impressive in their own right, and it really is no wonder that crossovers have become such a popular choice for such a wide range of people in recent years. With plenty to pick from though, you’re most certainly spoilt for choice. But that choice, is all yours.
ALL OF THE VEHICLES TESTED ARE AVAILABLE FROM JACKSONS IN ST PETER. VISIT WWW.JACKSONSCI.COM OR CALL 497777 FOR MORE DETAILS.
Photography: Holly Smith
The arrival of spring welcomes longer days, warmer temperatures and seasonal changes in many of our island’s industries. To find out what the new season is set to bring, we profiled experts from the farming, fashion and food industries to hear what we have to look forward to in the coming months.
What does the new season bring to our island’s food industry?
I think the transition from winter to spring is quite a big change for the food scene in Jersey. It kicks off the start of the Jersey Royal season, as well as asparagus. It also brings a whole new feel to the food being produced and cooked. Dishes are more light and fresh with flavours, and it’s a sign that summer is on the way.
What can we expect to see on Samphire’s menu this spring?
People can expect to find things like peas, broad beans, asparagus, lamb, Jersey royals, rhubarb, wild garlic and plenty of lettuces and other leaves starting to come through. Scallops, monkfish and plaice are the fish coming into season, which we are lucky to have great fresh sources for in Jersey.
For you, that dish defines the arrival of the new season?
I think spring lamb is a sign for me that the warmer months are coming. You just know that when it’s available, everything you can imagine to compliment lamb like peas, beans and asparagus is also coming into season. These kinds of food start to bring different vibe into the restaurant as well.
WWW.SAMPHIRE.JE
What does the arrival of spring bring to Douet Farm?
We love spring! The longer days give us more daylight for our farm jobs and gives the grass a good dose of sunshine, which makes it grow faster. Our goats and sheep have babies in spring too, which is lots of fun! It’s also fascinating watching the hedging we’ve planted over the years come into bud and blossom. You can see it happening day by day – it’s so lovely to see and a reminder that summer isn’t too far away!
How does the change in season affect your animals?
This spring is the first time we’ve had goats on the farm, and they’ve just kidded! We’ve had 80 baby goats born in just 3 weeks, so it’s been very busy, but so much fun! Soon, our sheep will start lambing too and we’ll welcome even more babies to the farm!
How does your workload on the farm differ during the warmer months?
Winter is usually quite quiet on the farm, although this year we’ve been busy building a new shed for our milking parlour and dairy processing rooms. Spring is a busy time of year, keeping an eye on all of the babies being born, and this coming summer will be really fun and busy, as we’ll be launching our goats milk and cheese for sale! Exciting times!
WWW.DOUETFARM.COM
What does the new season bring to the fashion industry?
Fashion gives us our identity and a glimpse of our personality, so the new season always brings excitement with the intent to inspire us. We’re able to rethink what we wear and how to wear it.
What do you think will be a key trend for Spring/Summer 2019?
For women, love it or loathe it, animal prints are still a front runner. We’ll see these accessorized with macrame bags and woven sandals to complete the look. For men, denim is arguably the most classic trend that’s set to stay. Swapping out darker denim in favour of light washes give an instant wardrobe update. Teamed with a tailored jacket, crisp white shirt or a simple tee and he’s set for SS19.
What can we expect to see in Ashworth & Bird over the coming months?
We’ve changed direction quite dramatically this season. We’ve worked with Custom Made Menswear across our business for over 20 years and the growth we’ve experienced in Jersey has given us confidence to give Custom Made its own entity. Our new showroom is set up to inspire, with tailoring sampled in an array of cloths for business, formal and wedding suits. Our experienced team will guide customers through this experience from being measured, choosing fabrics and finalising every detail. All this can be done within an hour and the suit will arrive within 4 weeks Custom Made by us for you!
WWW.ASHWORTHANDBIRD.COM
The enchanting fishing village of St Aubin is a fascinating tangle of rich history, picturesque houses, charming shops and popular bars. Centred around arguably the most breathtaking of our island’s harbours, the properties dotted around this captivating seaside location are, unsurprisingly, highly sought after.
Situated in the heart of it all, sits Castle Combe; a spectacular three-bedroom home that encapsulates everything you could wish for from a home in this area. Completely renovated throughout to the highest standard, no expense has been spared to ensure this property maximises the full potential of its location. A subtle balance of both contemporary and traditional design, Castle Combe is for the homeowner who wants modern seaside luxury, but who still wants to enjoy a sense of our unique island heritage within their home.
Set back from the road, just before St Brelade’s Parish Hall, the clean white front facade of the property makes for a spectacular sense of arrival. As you walk through the front gate, you are met with a large garden with an immaculate lawn, gravel and patio area. With outdoor dining furniture in place, it’s not difficult to imagine this property playing host to a variety of alfresco get-togethers with family and friends during the warmer months.
A set of granite steps lead to the elevated front door. A lion-head door-knocker is married with the house name etched in gold on the transom window above, setting a standard for the level of elegance evident throughout the rest of the property. Upon entering the front door, you are then met with the bright and spacious entrance hall. Painted bright white throughout, natural light streams in from various sources, bouncing off the walls and filling the property so it’s light, bright and airy. The initial brightness of the entrance hall is contrasts beautifully with the slate-tile floor, with a school-style radiator to add a traditional and quaint edge. Straight ahead of you, a bespoke, handmade, floor-to-ceiling wine store takes centre stage, adding further depth to the space.
The hub of the house comes in the form of the large kitchen and living area. Illuminated by an enormous bay window, which overlooks the garden and St Aubin’s Bay beyond, the open-plan space has been cleverly designed to feel cosy, yet bright, spacious and contemporary. The grey shaker-style kitchen adds warmth and character, paired with modern luxuries including AEG high specification appliances, bespoke Corian worktops, Samsung American-style fridge freezer and Caple wine fridge. In the living area, a feature granite fire-hearth adds further character, with the Karndean Da Vinci reclaimed redwood flooring throughout which seamlessly blends the two function rooms.
Accessed from the hallway, a few steps lead you to the property’s basement bedroom. Immaculately presented and complete with an en-suite bathroom, it would make for an ideal guest suite, or an older child seeking a bit of extra privacy away from the rest of the house. Reminding you of its historic location, part of the original St Aubin’s railway track can be seen running through the bedroom ceiling, acting as a unique feature beam.
From the hallway, the mezzanine level offers access to the property’s private rear courtyard, as well as the spectacular house bathroom. Intricately detailed Spanish floor tiles are paired beautifully with gloss white metro brick wall tiles, lit by a large skylight which brings in copious amounts of natural light.
As you make your way to the top level of the house, and, much like the entrance hall, the same level of attention to detail has been applied to the landing area as it has to all other rooms of the property. A pair of ‘loveseats’ have been built into the window alcove, with an extended window ledge acting as a coffee table or bookshelf. With uninterrupted views over the bay, one could sit for hours immersed in a book, or watching the world go by with a coffee in hand.
With an attic suitable for conversion, subject to planning permission, there is great potential to convert Castle Combe from a three-bedroom to a four-bedroom property. Of the existing upstairs bedrooms, the first looks out onto the property’s rear courtyard. Smaller in size, it could easily convert to a house study, playroom or nursery. The property’s master bedroom is located next door; an enormous, luxurious space with the I-Sense Luxury deep carpet and Softwalk underlay further adding to its extravagance. Far-reaching views over the bay remind you of where you are, with the quaint cast-iron fireplace adding depth and character.
No detail left unconsidered, the master bedroom of Castle Combe comes complete with an outstanding, bespoke walk-in dressing room. Handmade wardrobes, a built-in dressing table and geometric Kelly Hoppen wallpaper make this space another meticulously designed, well-thought-out room in it’s own right.
Castle Combe is as enchanting as its location, with every effort made to ensure the property encapsulates a unique blend of the traditional and contemporary charm of St Aubin. New to the market with Wilsons in the last couple of weeks, the appeal of Castle Combe must be seen to be truly appreciated.
Castle Combe
St Aubin
£1,125,000
Wilsons
T: 01534 877977
• 3 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• Parking for 2 cars
• Open-plan living at its best
• Landscaped garden and rear courtyard
• Uninterrupted sea views
