Seasonal Greetings from...the Bailiff

Wednesday 23 December 2020

With hope on the horizon in the form of a vaccine, the Bailiff has said everyone's "job now is to follow the rules and play our parts" to keep all islanders as safe as possible until "freedom comes."

In this year's seasonal greeting, Timothy Le Cocq pays tribute to those who have looked after the island over the course of the year, and looks ahead to "a much better 2021"...

"This is my second Christmas message to readers of Bailiwick Express. When I wrote my first, none of us could have foreseen what a year 2020 would be.

We have all experienced restrictions on our liberty not experienced since the Second World War and we are facing a Christmas very different from the Christmas’s that we might have hoped for. My thoughts at this time are very much with all islanders, but particularly those for who, because of their vulnerabilities or otherwise, this festive period is made so much harder by the constraints placed on us.

Video: The Bailiff praised the island's spirit of celebration during Liberation 75, which was celebrated virtually. 

We are all tired of hearing about restrictions and the virus but there is cause for optimism in the form of the vaccine that is even now being distributed and that this, perhaps, is the beginning of the end of covid-19’s sway over our lives.

So, as I write this, it seems to me that our job now is to follow the rules and play our parts to keep islanders, particularly the vulnerable, as safe as we can until that freedom comes. I know that we can do that because for the most part we have already shown that we can. Barring an irresponsible few who have not understood the bigger picture and have put their desires for entertainment and convenience first, we can all be proud of how we have acted during the trials of 2020.

I have had the opportunity to hear how islanders have faced up to the last few months. Individuals have found hidden resilience and determination to protect and support those in need. There have been many examples of selfless commitment. We have seen islanders rally together to do food shopping for complete strangers; make and give away masks; and hold back on the natural desire to socialise and see loved ones in order to protect some of the most vulnerable in our community.

Pictured: "We have seen islanders rally together to do food shopping for complete strangers; make and give away masks; and hold back on the natural desire to socialise and see loved ones in order to protect some of the most vulnerable in our community."

We can point to other good things.  Earlier in 2020 I set up a fund to meet financial needs caused by the response to the pandemic. That was well supported and that money was and continues to be put to good use. I have also heard many heartening stories through the response to the Bailiff’s Covid-19 awards, the recipients of which are shortly to be announced.

And, of course, we all continue to owe a huge debt of gratitude to those who are looking after us. Their service and yours is part of our Jersey spirit. So, if you are a nurse, a doctor, a paramedic, a GP, a States of Jersey or honorary police officer, a teacher, a nursery worker, someone who provides utilities for us; or someone who carefully keeps to the restrictions that protect us all – I want to take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of all Jersey people.

Pictured: "More recently, with Liberation 75 merchandise we were able to raise over £1,500 for the Royal British Legion as part of the Poppy Appeal, which reached an impressive £200,000 following 11 November."

So many events had to be cancelled or postponed during the year and we had, of course, to reduce hugely the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Liberation. However, Jersey people answered the call and the island was a sea of red and white flags and bunting in the run up to, and during, the Liberation weekend. Hundreds of islanders held their own household Liberation parties.

More recently, with Liberation 75 merchandise we were able to raise over £1,500 for the Royal British Legion as part of the Poppy Appeal, which reached an impressive £200,000 following 11 November. We did not let the virus keep us down and I hope that we can look forward to enhanced Liberation day celebrations, if not in an uncertain 2021, then certainly in 2022.  

As I said last year, now we are in the part of the year when since ancient times we have recognised the Winter solstice, the longest time of darkness and the coming of new light. That coming of light this year is a time to look with optimism to the year ahead.

Whether for you this is a time for the Christmas message of hope or whether you simply at this opportunity take the time to be still and be renewed, may I, in this my second Christmas message, wish all of the readers of Bailiwick Express a safe, peaceful and joyful Christmas, a Happy New Year, and a much better 2021."

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