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Harriet Palfreyman, Student: Five things I would change about Jersey

Harriet Palfreyman, Student: Five things I would change about Jersey

Friday 22 July 2022

Harriet Palfreyman, Student: Five things I would change about Jersey

Friday 22 July 2022


Seeing more local produce in supermarkets, making milk cartons easier to recycle and giving all islanders free - or at least cheaper - access to doctors would be among 15-year-old Harriet's priorities if she were in charge.

At school, the JCG Year 10 student's favourite subjects are Geography, History, French, Italian and English.

When not studying, however, she spends her free time engaging in a variety of hobbies: reading, listening to vinyl records, playing guitar, baking and doing ballet. She also loves to travel and see shows on the West End.

After two weeks of getting under the skin of island life during Trident Work Experience with Express, she reflected on the ways she would like to improve island life for everyone.

"I thought it was really interesting reflecting about what I'd change about Jersey. There's so much I love about living here so it was odd looking at Jersey with critical eyes and thinking about the things I'd change," she said.

Without further ado, here are her 'five things'...

1. Make use of local produce

Every week when I go to the supermarket, what always astounds me is the lack of local produce that is available. For example, our apples are often sourced from New Zealand and our pears from South Africa.  

However, there are plenty of places in Jersey where apples are grown. And, if not available from Jersey, why is our shopping coming from New Zealand, not somewhere a little closer to home?

Jersey Royals potato potatoes.jpeg

Pictured: "Why is our food coming from so far away?"

Not only does this massively increase the carbon footprint of produce in a world where we have never been more concerned about climate change, but why wouldn't you prefer to buy the local produce that is available practically on our doorstep?

One thing I love about Jersey is going to the fruit and veg stalls on the side of the road - these only prove that strawberries and other fruit and vegetables can be grown in Jersey, so why are the ones in the shops sourced from places so far away? 

2. More theatre tours to the island

Something I love to do whenever I can is see musicals or theatre productions - whether directly on the West End or touring shows - but, living in Jersey, the price of seeing these is often more than four times the amount it would be if I lived in the UK, due to the cost of flights and accommodation.  

If it were possible, I would love to see some of these touring productions come to Jersey, so that islanders could have the opportunity to see these shows without having to travel so far.  

theatre.jpg

Pictured: "I would love to see some of these touring productions come to Jersey."

Not only would this benefit Jersey residents, but also those of the other Channel Islands who would face a shorter distance to see productions and could also avoid paying the cost of accommodation if they were to come on a day trip to see a matinee.  

This could also facilitate the reopening of the Jersey Opera House, which I would love to see. 

3. Recycling

Another area in which I would hope to see change occur within Jersey is recycling. I think that in order to achieve this, the process of recycling needs to be made easier and hassle-free. 

Under the same heading, I believe that we need to be more aware of the amount of packaging we use and aim to reduce it. 

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Pictured: "Milk cartons, which, despite the new look they were given a few years ago, remain unrecyclable."

Also, by becoming more aware of what we can recycle, we can eliminate from our shops materials that cannot be recycled, replacing them with greener alternatives. 

In particular, I would like to see a change in the materials used for milk cartons, which, despite the new look they were given a few years ago, cannot be placed in the usual household recycling.

4. Shopping in Jersey

I can’t lie, every time I go away one thing that excites me is the prospect of shopping – and although that’s great, I would appreciate being able to shop just a little more in Jersey.  

Walking down the Jersey high street, I can’t help but notice the number of vacant shops which I would love to see in business. 

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Pictured: "I would appreciate being able to shop just a little more in Jersey?"

I also wish online shopping was easier to do in Jersey...

Don’t get me wrong - I prefer shopping in person, where I can try clothes on and support local businesses but, living in Jersey, doing some shopping online is inevitable.

However, online shopping is also very difficult as one faces an additional challenge of many shops not shipping to Jersey: a challenge I wish was easier to avoid. 

5. Free/cheaper doctors' appointments

Lastly, I believe that medical appointments in Jersey should be free - or at least cheaper.  

The problem with a standard rate of around £50 for just the consultancy fee is that people, especially those less affluent, put off going to the doctor.

doctor.jpg

Pictured: "I believe that medical appointments should be free/cheaper."

Not only can this lead to people suffering unnecessarily but, thinking practically, it becomes more expensive in the long-run for the taxpayer. 

GET INVOLVED...

What five things would you change about Jersey? Let us know!

Email editor@bailiwickexpress.com.

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