With luck, this – the ninth in Express’s short series looking back at the comings and goings of island life during the 20-teens – will help jog a few memories.
Rarely had so many reporters tried to squeeze in the Magistrate’s Court, or had so many photographers mobbed the entrance, as happened in August, when rugby star, Danny Cipriani, appeared charged with assaulting a doorman and resisting arrest. In a very short hearing he pleaded guilty was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £250 compensation. He’d been in the island for pre-season training.
Pictured: The media scrum awaits rugby player Danny Cipriani outside the Magistrate’s Court.
Back in 2012, the States had agreed to build a new hospital. Health Minister Deputy Anne Pryke told members it was likely to cost up to £430m, but that no site had yet been allocated. By 2018, after a great deal of discussion, and with costs rising all the time, a site had been found – or at least seem to have been – the current site, but in January those plans suffered a setback when an independent inquiry concluded they were out of scale with the area.
Three World War II heroes passed away in 2018: D-Day veteran Clive Kemp was 98, Lancaster bomber pilot, Kent Trent, was 95; and Lancaster gunner, Peter Crow, 93. The island also said ‘goodbye’ to St Helier politician, Richard Rondel; career diplomate, Sir Nigel Broomfield; taxi driver and fundraiser, Bob Marie; and Jersey Evening Post journalist Phil Falle.
The island also wave farewell to the Roman Catholic Dean Monsignor Nick France – who was to be replaced by Canon Dominic Golding, and the nuns at the Little Sisters of the Poor, and at FCJ. Meanwhile, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich was given housing qualifications, as was the island’s new Chief Executive, Charlie Parker, and famed crime writer, Peter James, settled in.
Pictured: Jersey Government’s new Chief Executive settled into the island in 2018.
Ports boss for more than a decade, Doug Bannister, announced he was leaving to take up a new job with the Ports of Dover. And the then Bailiff, Sir William Bailhache, announced he was retiring
Thornton’s and Drivers also disappeared from the high street. But, in October, after years of uncertainty, it was announced, the harbour was to get a new restaurant. The Shipyard, promised to be up and running early in the new year.
In July, rejecting one of the suggestions of the Independent Care Inquiry, the States announced Haut de la Garenne would not be knocked down, but that a memorial would be erected – something that two years on still hasn’t happened. Meanwhile, after more than a decade of talking, the Pitt Street properties that back on to the Co-op’s Charing Cross complex were finally restored, complete with their historic wall painting of Nipper listening to His Master’s Voice. As part of the same development, tourism saw a boost, with the opening of the island’s first budget Premier Inn.
Pictured: Long-serving politician Senator Philip Ozouf decided to call it a day.
In March, Senator Philip Ozouf – one of the island’s most controversial politicians – announced he wouldn’t be seeking re-election. And in May, for the third time in a decade the island went to the polls, and for the second time, in theory, all the seats were up for grabs. In practice though that wasn’t quite how things turned out. Ten out of the 12 constables’ seats were uncontested.
And unlike the 2011 election which kicked the decade off and saw a host of new faces, there were few surprises this time round. That was until politicians came to choose whom they wanted as Chief Minister. Most pundits thought it would be the sitting incumbent, Senator Ian Gorst. But, in a turnout for the books, it went to senatorial newcomer, John Le Fondré. In part his election was secured by a deal he’d struck with Reform, which involved giving them places on the Council of Ministers. Again, many pundits were predicting the new administration would soon face a vote of no confidence and possibly lose. So far though they’ve been proved wrong.
Pictured: Senator John Le Fondré was elected Chief Minister.
But, for many people, 2018 was the year when football seemed to be coming home. Thousands packed the Waterfront to watch England’s World Cup semi-final fixture on a big screen. Sadly, though it wasn’t to be, with the team losing 2-1, after extra-time, to Croatia.
