28/12/2011 BBC Channel Islands News

Good evening, welcome to the BBC in the Channel Islands.

A 29-year-old man has been remanded on bail in connection with a break

in at a Jersey shop. Paulo Moniz is accused of taking �15,000 worth of

jewellery from the Owl And Pussycat shop in Bath Street in the early

hours of Boxing Day. He's been put under curfew, must surrender his

passport, and will appear again before the magistrate on the 18th

of January. Legal challenges against the UK's

decision to end the tax-relief for online mail order firms could cost

the Channel Islands �5 million and take five years. That's according

to Jim Diamond, a UK costs lawyer. He thinks the initial trial alone

will cost each government �500,000. The redeveloped Les Bourgs Hospice

in Guernsey will begin accepting new patients in January.

Fundraising for the new centre is expected to reach �3 million by the

end of January. Another million is needed to complete the development.

12 months ago a charity was formed to help provide those little extras

for children and adults with a severe learning disabilities who

require respite care. And during the year it's helped The Croft go

from strength to strength, as Penny Elderfield found out.

Life for a busy mum is rarely quiet and Sue's family is no exception.

But unlike most families she has the challenge of having a son with

severe autism. My son is 12, nothing in our lines

is spontaneous, we could not go out, we could go out, I can plan for

Peter to go into the craft, he can have it any in the up. And we could

have a break with our daughter. The staff are wonderful, they're always

cheery and happy to see him, he loves going in its one will be

close go and to have fun. In fact this facility has helped

parents like Sue so much they decided it was time to lend a

helping hand. And 12 months ago a charity was set up. A charity which

has since made a huge difference. Many of the rooms have been spruced

up with new equipment and televisions, and this new sensory

room's also been created. We have got children that come in

that need Whilst she may be a busy lady, Sue has big plans for the

future of the charity. To help a facility that when added to the

lives of some families, makes for the perfect combination.

There are just a few days left of 2011 and what a year its been for

our islands! Over the next three nights, our presenter Clare Burton

will look back over the year, starting tonight with the stories

making the headlines in the first few months of 2011.

A new year brought a new Police Chief to Jersey. Mike Bowron from

the City of London Police brought back bobbies on bikes and spends

his lunchtimes on the beat in town. Also this month, Jersey actor Henry

Cavill was unveiled as the new Superman. The film 'Superman: Man

of Steel' is out in Summer 2013. And in Guernsey a year-long saga

over this field began. Airport authorities need the land to shift

and improve the runway. But the field's owners don't want to sell -

and nearby residents don't want the development either.

It will cause a lot of damage, it is 13 acres of land that will be

destroyed, we need to protect the are then.

Alternatives exist and we have not investigated them properly.

In February, we went wild in the aisles for a major UK supermarket

chain. Jersey got its first Waitrose in February - Guernsey got

its in March. February through brought scandal to Jersey's

education department, when it emerged the GSCE results from the

four states-run secondary schools - and they were way below the UK

average of 55% getting five A* to C - including English and Maths. From

just 18 to 38%. The Education Minister eventually promised to

publish the results. We have a very high selection of

education system of the island and to suggest that we can compare our

education system with that of the UK on a school by some -- school

basis is completely wrong. Towards the end of March, the

Condor Vitesse ploughed into this French fishing boat near the

Minquiers - killing its captain, Phillipe Le Saulnier.

Investigations are ongoing - but one report says the ferry was going

too fast in thick fog - and the crew onboard didn't realise they'd

even hit anything. Condor says lessons have been learned.

We do regular training with all our Mac Masters and they go through

ongoing training and this incident will form part of that training.

Guernsey's new Lieutenant Governor Air Marshall Peter Walker was sworn

into office in April. Jersey's new LG, Sir John McColl arrived in

September. Both men ready to serve their islands on behalf of the

Queen. Continue to serve her Majesty which

has been an important part of my life and it is an important part of

the history of Jersey. It is not only a part of the history but also

part of the current identity of the island.

And speaking of royalty - the Channel Islands went Royal Wedding

crazy at the end of April. There were Street parties, school fetes

and a day off work for everyone when Prince William and Kate

Middleton tied the knot. And we even joined a Jersey couple who

Absolutely amazing. I am so proud to be Mrs Stevenson.

As last, we have waited a long time. A I feel very privileged to have

shared the day with our lack future king and queen.

Just a few showers around us, the weather looking more unsettled. For

tonight one or two showers. We have high pressure to the West, the low-

pressure to the north will affect weather for the rest of the week.

Clear skies around. One or two isolated showers. Seven Celsius the

minimum overnight temperature. For tomorrow, or one or two showers

around. Quite quick moving with the brisket North wind. 10 or 11 Mac

Celsius. For the west of the week, Friday looks like we're going to