Jamie Le Tissier: Five things I'd change about Guernsey

Friday 27 July 2018

Jamie Le Tissier is as at home fishing for his dinner as he is on the dance floor where he shares his enthusiasm for ballroom and latin moves with hundreds of students every year - his passion for dancing is only matched by his passion for his home island.

With his partner Bonnie; Jamie teaches, choreographs and performs various routines while also sitting on the board of the Guernsey Amateur Dancesports Association which combined with his dance school, Lets Dance, raises thousands of pounds for various charities each year.

Pictured: Jamie Le Tissier fishing in Guernsey 

While he's not dancing he may be cutting someone's hair, walking his dogs, cooking up a storm in the kitchen or fishing.

As someone who clearly loves island life, we asked Jamie how it could be improved even further for him?

1) Health

I think Guernsey should focus on more natural products which could help people improve their own health and treat some illnesses and symptoms many people suffer. 

A lot of the products which many people are used to taking are full of chemicals and have lots of side effects that many people don't even realise. "Big Pharma" is not the answer to many modern ailments and these can be treated in other ways so I would like the States to look at natural products and treatments as an alternative or even the preference over pharmaceuticals in many cases. 

2) Travel costs

We travel to Canada to see Bonnie's family when we can but it isn't cheap to get off the island in the first place. I really think prices need to be brought down - and then more people will travel.

We should work on the numbers coming in, not just have a few paying loads. 

3) Plastics! 

We really need to cut down on the use of plastics - it is so bad for the environment, especially when you see it on the beaches or in the sea.

We need to work on plastic reduction - maybe even ban it or work on making more people recyle.

Plastic can even be used in road or house construction. It's a fascinating subject and something that Guernsey could do and be a front runner for.

4) Smoking

We used to have GASP which was a charity called the Guernsey Adolescent Smokefree Project which aimed to stop young people smoking.

I think we should adopt the old GASP strategy and work on stopping it completely. No one should smoke near children, there should be no smoking within 10 yards of any public building and other measures to stop it happening.

5) More emphasis on dancing! 

I would like dance to be taught in schools as a school subject equal to maths and English.

It is proven that dancing is really good for you - both physically and mentally. It is good exercise and can strengthen your muscle tone, it is good for the memory and it really boosts your mental health. Lots of children are already learning to dance and benefit from it so it would be really good to see more children given the opportunity to as well.

Pictured: Children performing in the 100 years of dance show which Jamie Le Tissier organised with GADA and Let's Dance

For more information on Let's Dance and GADA click here.