Philip Surry: Five things I'd change about Guernsey

Friday 05 October 2018

As a Massage Therapist, Reiki practitioner and Life Coach as well as being the founder of Man Club - a monthly support group for men to speak openly and confidentially about their feelings - Philip Surry must be pretty busy, but that's before you even add his favourite role into the mix.

His two beautiful children, Ava (9) and Alfie (6), keep him occupied with sea swims, making dens and playing Minecraft - he said, "children are the best teachers and I love them so much."

He is also a keen artist and said, "Guernsey is incredibly inspiring, both aesthetically with its sheer natural beauty, and the good old 'Guerns' who live here that create a real tight and caring community. 

"I grew up in Australia and I’ve travelled the world and I can say hand on heart, Guernsey is to me, the best place I’ve ever been to. I feel incredibly blessed to raise my children here and to be part of such a vibrant community."

With all that positivity bringing a smile to our faces, we asked Philip, what five things would he change about Guernsey if he could, to make it even better?

Pictured: Who doesn't think the view is great from Guernsey's south coast cliffs? 

1. Children and young people should be given more of a voice. 

I’d reduce the voting age to the age of five. And I’d have a tier system, so if you are over the age of 16 your vote is one point. Ages 12-16 it’s two points, 7-12, three points, and finally under seven is five points. 

That way politicians will have to change their manifestos into some kind of kids book. (A bit like The Tiger Who Came to Tea). Perhaps a wonderful story about how one day Daddy came home with no more money, Mummy was crying and there were no more Waitrose avocados or easy peel satsumas left on the table....but luckily this Deputy will promise all the children that they will reduce the silly billy taxes. It could all end happily ever after because of course, what kind of person would break a promise to the children? 

Pictured: She'll be voting in the future, but should children be allowed to vote now?

2. People should learn to listen and not think about what they are going to say next. 

I am currently working on, and believe it is possible to integrate the Talking Stick into our culture and community.  

It’s an old Native American practice and one we use in Man Club. Basically you have some kind of stick (or object) and whoever holds it has the full right to talk and say their personal truth. (Important to talk about their own truth, and reality).  No one can interrupt until the Stick is put down.  

It’s incredibly powerful. I’d love to see this in classrooms, board rooms, even social gatherings. 

The talking stick is empowerment, and I love that 

Pictured: Philip would like to see "talking sticks" used more. 

3.  All education, work environments, pubs, clubs, cafes, everywhere and everything should be catered towards creativity and imagination. 

When you were a five year old and you painted a picture you didn’t really give a hoot about what it looked like.  You did it because it was natural.  We are all incredible creators and humans are meant to do it.  It’s only as we get older that we bring in ridiculous self judgement and limitation. Whatever it is, painting, drawing, sculpture, writing, gardening, even in its ultimate form; making love, it’s all creation - our lives are an ever evolving great big canvas.  What will you paint today? 

Picasso said; “Every Child is an artist. The problem is how to stay an Artist once we grow up.” 

Pictured: Picasso said; “Every Child is an artist. The problem is how to stay an Artist once we grow up.” 

4. Have an island wide electrical shut down for one day a year.  

All devices, all electricity, OFF.

For 24hrs.

Public holiday.

Bring out the board games, organised massive community feasts and dances with live folk bands (perhaps I’d allow a small amount of electricity for the bands...) and huge fires! 

Pictured: If we didn't have electricity for one day a year, Philip thinks more community events would happen. 

5. Legalise cannabis and all drugs. Addiction is a health issue, not a criminal one. 

That statement is all that is required as far as I’m concerned, and it’s all that is relevant.

Portugal have done it with huge success.  The potential financial benefit to the island, as well as the cultural one would be fabulous. 

Personally I’m happy with my lovely red wine, but if my friend wants to smoke the pipe of peace, good for him

Pictured: One for the road? 

6.  Educate the whole island on the value and MASSIVE health benefits of sleep.

I’d employ Dan White to do this.  We would all live longer, have better energy, mental health issues would be reduced, we’d make more love and spend less time on devices and even eat better food.  

Pictured: More sleep would bring benefits for everyone said Philip.