Aurigny airline staff clean Guernsey beaches during airport closure

May 10th, 2012 by Aurigny Air Services Ltd

Aurigny staff who took part in the Guernsey beach cleaning initiative (click image to expand - image courtesy of Aurigny)

Aurigny employees helped keep Guernsey’s west coast beaches rubbish-free with a community beach cleaning initiative on Tuesday 8 May 2012.

Due to the closure of the Guernsey Airport runway on 8 and 9 May 2012, approximately 75 staff took part in team building and community activities.

“As a company we have a number of staff working differing shift patterns which means it is difficult to get everyone together at one time. The runway closure on Tuesday 8 May has enabled us to bring staff from across the business together to take part in a beach clean for a few hours,” said Aurigny managing director, Malcolm Hart.

Six groups of Aurigny staff headed to various beaches along the coast from L’Eree to Port Soif armed with gloves and bin bags and collected any rubbish they found along the way.

Small island nations commit to increase renewable energy supply

May 9th, 2012 by United Nations Development Programme

The Achieving Sustainable Energy for All in Small Island Developing States Conference concluded on 8 May 2012 with the adoption of the “Barbados Declaration” calling for universal access to modern and affordable renewable energy services, while protecting environment, ending poverty and creating new opportunities for economic growth.

The declaration, adopted just weeks before the UN Conference on Sustainable Development ‘Rio+20’, includes an annex with voluntary commitments of 20 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to take actions toward providing universal access to energy, switching to renewable energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

The host country announced their plan to increase the share of renewable energy in Barbados to 29% of all electricity consumption by 2029. Continue reading

Guernsey branch of cancer support charity benefits from Marathon run

May 8th, 2012 by Saffery Champness

Lorna O'Donnell, Compliance Director at Saffery Champness, ran the Virgin London Marathon 2012 to raise money for CLIC Sargent (click image to expand - image courtesy of Saffery Champness)

Compliance Director at Saffery Champness Lorna O’Donnell completed the Virgin London marathon to raise money for children’s cancer support charity, CLIC Sargent.

Ms O’Donnell took up running about three years ago and was inspired to run the marathon by the son of a colleague who has been fighting leukaemia with support from CLIC.

“CLIC Sargent were a great help to the family during his illness and I wanted to do something to help this worthy charity,” she said. Continue reading

30 Rides in 30 Days Challenge to raise funds for Les Bourgs begins

May 5th, 2012 by Richard Lord

Simon Hancock is taking part in the 30/30 Challenge for a second year in a row (click image to expand - ©RLLord)

After a hearty breakfast at St. Emilion on the St Peter Port waterfront over 50 bicyclists set-off on their first bicycle ride of Ian Brown’s 30 Rides in 30 Days Challenge to raise funds for Les Bourgs Hospice.

After being photographed by The Guernsey Press Simon Hancock started his bicycle ride by heading north in the drizzle and into strong north-easterly wind to St Sampson.

Investec Chief Economist to give Guernsey presentation on Eurozone economic outlook on 15 May 2012

May 5th, 2012 by Investec Bank Channel Islands Limited

Philip Shaw of Investec (click image to expand - image courtesy of Investec)

THE Euro crisis will be at the centre of a presentation by Philip Shaw, Investec’s chief economist, who will lead a breakfast briefing in Guernsey on Tuesday 15 May 2012 focusing on fears over Spanish fiscal policy with key elections in France and Greece.

‘UK growth disappointed last year with a number of factors resulting in considerable volatility in the economic data,’ said Mr Shaw.

‘This year looks to be both uncertain and volatile with factors such as spending cuts, the Eurozone crisis and even drought playing a key role. I will also be raising the question over whether there is more traction to global economic growth this year,’ he said. Continue reading

Regular jogging increases longevity

May 4th, 2012 by European Society of Cardiology

Undertaking regular jogging increases the life expectancy of men by 6.2 years and women by 5.6 years, reveals the latest data from the Copenhagen City Heart study presented at the EuroPRevent2012 meeting.

Reviewing the evidence of whether jogging is healthy or hazardous, Peter Schnohr told delegates that the study’s most recent analysis (unpublished) shows that between one and two-and-a-half hours of jogging per week at a “slow or average” pace delivers optimum benefits for longevity.

The EuroPRevent2012 meeting, held 3 May to 5 May 2012, in Dublin, Ireland, was organised by the European Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (EACPR), a registered branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

“The results of our research allow us to definitively answer the question of whether jogging is good for your health,” said Schnohr, who is chief cardiologist of the Copenhagen City Heart Study, speaking in the “Assessing prognosis: a glimpse of the future” symposium on 5 May 2012. Continue reading

Guernsey Smallholders host free presentation by Dr Brokenshire on food crop diseases on 22 May 2012

May 4th, 2012 by Events

Dr Terry Brokenshire, Head of Plant Protection, working in States of Guernsey Department of Commerce & Employment laboratory on Longue Rue (click image to expand - image courtesy of Dr. Brokenshire)

The Guernsey Smallholders Group invite you to a free Power Point presentation on pest control and diseases of food crops by Dr. Terry Brokenshire of the Plant Protection Service of the States of Guernsey Commerce & Employment Department.

Dr. Brokenshire’s presentation will begin at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 22 May 2012 at St Margaret’s Lodge Hotel, Forest Road, St Martin, Guernsey.

His presentation will focus on the common diseases and aids to identification.

He will speak about conventional disease control using pesticides and biological control where appropriate.

All are welcome to attend.

Making our community inclusive

May 4th, 2012 by Emilie Yerby

In our community, we all work together.

When your dream job comes up, you know you will be able to get into the office to take that interview.

When you start your job, you know your employer will value your skills and ideas, and will work with you to overcome any practical barriers that might stop you sharing them.

When you go to work, you know that you and your co-workers will be in an environment that supports your physical and mental well-being.

When you look for work, you know you will be given a chance to showcase your best and most relevant skills, through an interview or assessment tailored to the requirements of the job.

When you employ or work beside others, you too will treat them with dignity and respect. You will value the wide range of skills and experience they can offer. You will promote positive attitudes and take imaginative steps to overcome the barriers that stop some people reaching their potential.

In our community, we all live together. Continue reading

Forty-two Guernsey charities gain funds from Christmas Lottery draw

May 4th, 2012 by The Association of Guernsey Charities

Many Guernsey charities are set to benefit from last years record breaking Christmas Lottery Draw, and the Association of Guernsey Charities has announced details of the projects that will receive a grant.

Money raised from tickets sold in Guernsey is given to the Association of Guernsey Charities to allocate to local organisations, and the 2011 draw raised £213,897.

The Association has added some additional funds, which means that £215,196 has now been distributed amongst 42 local charities.

(click list to download PDF file of charitable grants)

The Channel Island Lottery has been running since 1975, and over recent years has seen a huge rise in popularity, both in terms of the winning jackpot, and also the amount of money raised for charities. Continue reading

Lord Norman Lamont and Stephanie Flanders discuss global economy at Guernsey Funds Forum 2012

May 3rd, 2012 by Guernsey Finance

keynote debate (left to right) Stephanie Flanders, BBC's Economics Editor; Lord Norman Lamont, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1990 to 1993; and moderator Alastair Stewart OBE of ITV News (click image to expand - image courtesy of Guernsey Finance).

The Guernsey Funds Forum 2012, titled ‘Shaken not stirred’, which took place at the Grange St Paul’s Hotel in London on 2 May 2012, attracted over 400 delegates.

The event was hosted by Guernsey Finance, in conjunction with the Guernsey Investment Fund Association (GIFA).

The half-day conference and exhibition included two panels sessions – one on regulation and another on manager/investor relationships – and was followed by a macroeconomic debate featuring former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Norman Lamont and BBC Economics Editor and Broadcaster, Stephanie Flanders.

The event was moderated for the third consecutive year by Senior ITV News Anchor, Alastair Stewart. Continue reading