10/08/2011 BBC Channel Islands News

Hello. I'm Edward Sault. Welcome to BBC Channel Islands. Your top

stories tonight: Smashed to pieces - the last house

on Guernsey's most controversial housing estates is raised to the

ground. Also tonight: A scooting success -

the shop forced to make a U-turn because of public pressure.

And stand by for battle - but find out why judges are in the firing

line. I think the Battle of Flowers Association are trying to please

tourism more than a scimitars and that is not sitting well with the

Good evening. It was Guernsey's worst housing

estate, where for some crime and antisocial behaviour were part of

everyday life. Well, today the final reminder of its blighted

existence was smashed to pieces. The last house on the Grand Bouet

was bulldozed this morning to make way for a mix of new social and

part-ownership housing. Mike The final destruction of a

troublesome past. The last house on this estate was demolished this

morning as the Grand Bouet and all its troubles were consigned to the

history books. If the area itself has had a lot of stigma attached to

it for reasons that are historic. That is no longer the case and we

are moving forward and looking forward to the future. A new

chapter has already begun. The first phases is complete - the

solar panels are on, the flowers are out and some have already got

the washing on the line. There's going to be a mix of rented

accommodation and partial ownership for first-time buyers, but with the

area's blighted past, how can the authorities ensure there will be a

sense of community and social cohesion? In terms of the designer,

we are mixing things in. We would try to break down any potential

damaging attitude. It has been done elsewhere but it needs careful

planning. But this latest phase has been delayed by forces of nature.

Swifts used to nest in the old buildings, so before the last

buildings could be knocked down, new nesting boxes were installed on

the new houses in a bid to encourage the swifts to return next

summer. In tis a long programme. I know it is going to get least five

years before we get the might of birds back that ought to be here.

But we would try and get something back next year if we can. The area

is unrecognisable to what it used to be. And as hopes are pinned on

the wildlife returning, there are others hoping the new estate

doesn't return to its wild old ways. The BBC understands that Jersey

police are reintroducing motorcycle patrols. The bike unit was

disbanded seven years ago in order to concentrate efforts on

persistent offenders. But it's understood that Jersey's new chief

police officer has signed off the purchase of the new bikes in the

past week. States Members in Jersey may not

get a pay rise next year. A review body is recommending the current

salary of �41,000 stays the same. But the expenses allowance may

increase by �350. The average price of a local market

property in Guernsey has risen by nearly 8% in the last year. The

average price of a house is now to just over �427,000.

Disabled customers in Guernsey are delighted after a shop brought back

its mobility scooters. The BBC contacted B&Q earlier in the year

to find out why it was advertising motorised scooters without

providing them. Emma Thomas reports. Gina Johnson has MS and can't walk

far without help, but today there was no stopping her, thanks to this

scooter. And while wandering around a DIY store might sound like your

idea of hell, for Gina there's nothing better. Crumbs, it's made

an enormous difference. I just love shopping and looking at stuff.

Earlier this year, we brought you the story that despite advertising

they had a mobility scooter, B&Q weren't providing one. After being

contacted by the BBC they've decided to bring them back after

nearly two years. It's a move that's delighted disabled customers

like Gina. Today the manager of the store apologised for the delay in

repairing the one that broke down. It's important to the customer.

They can get round the store much easier. And it's going to cater to

whatever needs they've got and it's going to make their experience

better. So anything that can make it simpler and easier for the

customer to shop in our store is going to be helpful. It means so

much to me because before I couldn't even walk around here, but

now I can go shopping independently and I just love plants! I tend to

buy too many plants, though! despite her obvious delight, there

is one word of warning for Gina's husband. Now she has the freedom to

shop, there'll be no stopping her. In two months' time, Jersey will go

to the polls and for the first time you'll be able to vote for Senators,

Deputies and Constables on the same day. But that won't be the only

change. A polling station will open for a month before election day in

an effort to get more islanders to vote, as Anisha Shah reports.

This is the front line in the fight against voter apathy. Islanders

need to register by 5th September if they want to vote. But will that

attract more people? I think it is important for a non-Josie Bon

person to have a say. It is important that my voice gets heard

as well because I'm paying taxes as well. If you vote for somebody to

get them in, hopefully you'll get changed. You need to vote. I don't

know anybody that votes either. I think we are all in the same bag. I

don't think it makes no difference how long you have got to vote.

think a lot of young people are not really interested. Young or old,

you're being encouraged to register your vote by filling out a form to

send to your parish hall. If you are 16 or over and have lived in

the island for two years, you can But once registered, many choose

not to vote. At the last election, the turnout was as low as 25% in

parts of St Helier. It's hoped opening a month earlier will

improve that figure. You can turn up for weeks prior to the election

or turn up on polling day or vote by post. Making the system as easy

as possible is one thing, but whether it gets your vote is

another. Guernsey FC drew their first away

match in the Combined Counties League division one last night,

Ross Allen scoring both Guernsey's goals. It's the Sarnians' first

season in the British League and they are now in second place.

You're watching the BBC in the Channel Islands. Later in Spotlight

with Justin and Rebecca: Wish you were here - how this summer is

shaping up for tourism leaders in Now, islanders will be working

through the night as they put the final touches to their floats.

Tomorrow is of course Jersey's Battle of Flowers, and while

sticking on flowers is the priority, for some vying for the Prix

D'Honneur, changes to the judging is more of a concern. Emma Chambers

has been to get a taste of the The race is on to finish the floats.

Jersey's Battle of Flowers is only hours away, and while the White

Rabbit is usually late, he's keeping an eye on the time - and so

is St Clements. They ran out of time and flowers last year, but

that didn't stop them from winning the Prix D'Honneur. It was an issue

in several people's minds. I know that is probably something they are

going to look out for this year, which is why we are pulling out all

the stops to make one of our best exhibits ever. The Optimists Club

came second, but changes to the judging this battle could work in

their favour. We built the roads that are fun to do. I will be

surprised if anybody puts on a better show than us. The awards

won't be given until the end of the parade - a decision that's not

pleased everyone. I thought we were asked to stage where the judging

was really great for the paying viewers. However, that is out of

our control and so we will have to wait and see. We will be to any in

to BBC Radio Jersey because we will be having as refreshing beer when

the judge in results come out. I think the Battle of Flowers

Association are trying to please tourism rather than exhibitors and

that is not sitting well with the exhibitors, to be honest. Everybody

involved in the Battle across the island get stuck in - even our very

own Pudsey Bear. Not sure how much And I'll be at Battle tomorrow to

bring you all the colour and excitement from this year's parade.

And if that's not enough, join us for a specially extended edition of

BBC Channel Islands on Friday when we'll feature every float from this

years parade. But will the There is a change to come by the

end of the week with wet weather heading our way. This cold front is

heading down from the North winning increasing cloud for the light and

rain tomorrow. Rain for a time on Saturday but dry by the end of the

weekend. For this evening, dry initially with some clear skies,

then increasing amounts of cloud moving in by the early hours of

tomorrow morning. Fairly mild overnight. 13 the minimum

temperature. For tomorrow morning, fairly cloudy and the rain will

arrive through at the morning. * Some Rain around for the afternoon

and the wind still from the south- west. Temperatures no higher than

20. If you are heading out for the Battle of Flowers tomorrow, I know

they say it never rains for battle but there is a chance for rain to

be at the start at 2:30pm. The Tomorrow will be quite cladding

outbreaks of rain at times throughout the day. Friday looks

Drive, they are still fairly cloudy and still with the breeze from the

south-west. By the time we get to Saturday, some rain initially in