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When your life is filled with the impending doom of GCSE exams and coursework a-plenty, you might not expect to have much time for other endeavours – but Victoria College student and Lions Club Young Ambassador of the Year Tanguy Billet-Masters manages to squeeze in a good dose of helping the community too.
Once a year, he runs a fun doubles table tennis tournament for the Love Hearts Appeal – a charity for children with heart conditions that he was inspired to help after learning that the founder would have nearly died aged 15 had it not been for a life-saving heart transplant.
“This touched me as this is exactly my age range and therefore I put myself in her situation and realised that it could be me. Then I started to think about the many children out there who have this problem and that will not be saved if it were not for fundraising events like this,” he said.
And his efforts didn’t go unnoticed – so inspired by Tanguy were the Lions Club, that he was recently named a Young Ambassador. After making it through to a district finals, he won a bursary of £500 towards his chosen charity.
After raising money to improve the lives of others, he’s now looking at the five things he would do to improve Jersey…
I believe that it is always good if there are at least two companies competing in any sector, whether this is for restaurants, supermarkets, banks or travelling in and out of the island. Condor Ferries have lately been the only competitor in the boat sector regarding voyages in and out of Jersey. I like Condor Ferries myself, but because there is so little competition, there is little pressure on prices – they can price whatever they want.
Pictured: Let's have competition for Condor, Tanguy says.
Frankly no one could do without Condor Ferries, so everyone has to rely on them. I believe tough competition will bring the standards up and people will be able to rely on whoever they think is best. I suggest that we need an inter-island ferry which is going to Guernsey, Jersey, Sark and Alderney. I furthermore suggest that the States of Jersey should subsidise roughly a percentage for a new ferry company so that it gives Jersey Residents an opportunity to invest in their own ferries, creating competition for Condor Ferries.
From my perspective as a 16-year-old boy, I believe that we should associate ourselves more with the French. We as an island are closer to France than to England, however nowadays most of our culture such as the language is orientated around England. I am also a proud member of the twinning between St John’s and Le Teilleul, however I have realised that there is a lack of young families, showing that our cultural exchanges outside the island is dying, which I believe is a great shame.
Pictured: Tanguy thinks islanders should pay closer attention to their historic links with France.
On the other hand, I have enjoyed Le Rocher, which is a French publication written by La Maison de La Normandie et de La Manche. I believe that it would be great if we could put more effort into this as an island, considering much of our history lies with the French.
The greenbelt that we have must be respected, and not move every 10 years, which has been happening. Moreover, the skyline of Jersey’s coast should be respected and not overlooked, like it has been in the past. For example, Portlet Bay and the East and the North coast of the island, where there have been many buildings which have been built, are destroying the character and charisma of our island.
Pictured: Tanguy receiving the club and district ambassador's trophies from the Jersey Lions President, Ian Barette.
The Island Plan needs to be respected in order to keep the green countryside and beautiful Jersey shores alive.
I believe that we should build a casino right next to the Radisson, as it is a prime sight for tourists. This would be perfect, as this is in St. Helier, next to the coast and therefore it would also be easy to control.
Pictured: A casino near the Radisson would be a winner for tourism in Tanguy's eyes.
Furthermore, as tourism is reviving, maybe this would also help boosting the thriving industry.
I believe that we should bring back good old power boat racing to our island. I suggest that it should take place in St. Aubin’s Bay and after the Jersey Boat Show, to once again increase our Jersey tourism.
Pictured: St. Aubin's Bay could be the perfect location for power boat racing, according to Tanguy.
Yes, I do know that there have been fatalities in the past, but there are always fatalities in every sport, including horse riding, Formula 1, etc. We need to bring the fun back to Jersey to attract everyone!
The opinions expressed in this piece are those of the author and not those of Express.
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