Review of 2021: July to September

Friday 31 December 2021

As 2021 comes to an end, Express looks back at some of the highs and lows of the year. From political controversy to new covid variants, the Tokyo Olympics and claims that Guernsey is in one of its periodic housing crises. These are some of the headline stories we covered.

Sark recorded its first known case of covid-19 in July this year.

“While this is Sark’s first positive case since the pandemic began, it’s a situation we are fully prepared for,” said Dr Nicola Brink, the Bailiwick's Medical Officer of Health.

"I want to reassure people that because we identified this person whilst in isolation there is minimal risk to the community.”

Also in July, the States' Assembly approved a new Government Work Plan proposed by the Policy & Resources Committee. It outlined a number of capital projects to be prioritised in the remaining four years of the States' term and others to be dropped.

Pictured: "The Government Work Plan focuses on our immediate economic, social and environmental needs while positioning islanders for a thriving, sustainable future,” said Deputy Heidi Soulsby, Vice-President of the Policy & Resources Committee. 

The producers of an ambitious adaptation of Victor Hugo's Toilers of the Sea confirmed that filming on the project would start early in 2022 and Sark’s Carl Hester took home a bronze medal from the Tokyo Olympics.

In August, the Policy & Resources Committee removed States' Chief Executive Paul Whitfield after more than seven years in the role. The Committee's search goes on for a permanent successor.

"The Committee recognised the need for a change in senior leadership and have taken action to bring this about," said Deputy Peter Ferbrache, President of the States' senior committee, which also acts as employer on behalf of the States.

Pictured: The Policy & Resources Committee refused to answer a series of questions on how much it cost the States to remove Paul Whitfield as Chief Executive. 

August was also the month of 'Farmhouse-gate' when Deputy Ferbrache's name appeared inconveniently in e mails leaked to the media. A local hotelier friend suggested that Deputy Ferbrache had provided him with highly confidential information on Guernsey’s covid plans, but later said he hadn't.

In other news during the summer holiday season, the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommended covid vaccination for 16- and 17-year-olds, which the Bailiwick soon followed, benches outside the Town Church were removed to create an alcohol-free zone and a traffic survey found out that - wait for it - Guernsey has a lot of cars.

Pictured: Internet sensation Jackie Weaver came to Guernsey in September. 

In September, one of the island's most popular politicians, Deputy Liam McKenna, resigned from the Guernsey Party only 10 months after joining it and reverted to being an independent member of the States.

It was also the month when the island's first cannabis clinic opened its doors.

Travel Trident decided to shut up shop for winter for the first time in 30 years. Relations between the company and Herm Island management had already become strained when the Island bought its own boat to compete on the Guernsey-Herm route. 

“Herm are going their own way and we feel like we are letting the public down – what is the point of us operating when they have their own vessel and we’re going backwards and forwards to Herm with three or four people on board?,” said Managing Director of Travel Trident, Peter Wilcox.

Also in September, the States' Assembly agreed that quarrying could be moved to Chouet headland in the Vale and a doctor at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital resigned after it was suggested that children as young as five could be vaccinated against covid-19.

The month ended with concerns about oil and gas prices as a global shortage temporarily forced a price hike locally.

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Review of 2021: January to March

Review of 2021: April to June