06/02/2012 BBC Channel Islands News

Welcome to BBC Channel Islands. On the programme today: Putting a

price on safety. Calls for Jersey Plus, as the islands mark the

Queen's accession to the throne, we look back at 60 years of royal

And, the occupation revisited. As this sealed bunker reveals its

MoTs are likely to be introduced in Jersey in the next few years for

people taking their cars abroad. Transport and Technical Services

say the pressure to change will come from outside Jersey. But, with

islanders footing the bill, would the compulsory tests be welcomed?

Beckie Williams has been speaking Getting the once over after an oil

leak. It's the sort of problem that would have been spotted during an

MoT, a compulsory yearly check-up used in the UK to make sure cars

are roadworthy. But should they be We should have them. We see a lot

of issues here in Jersey. There are major safety issues. We should have

some sort of annual check where everyone knows their car is

roadworthy. Some of these problems relating to insurance issues as

well. So why aren't there compulsory safety checks? This

garage owner says the practicalities would make it too

difficult. This particular kind of small

independent garage, you need special ramps, and we don't have

the room to do that. That includes me and many other independent

garages. How many on the island would be able to do these tests?

Maybe 10, 15, the main dealers. MOT test for this car like this

costs �55 in the UK. It examines all sorts of things, from vehicle

emissions to whether the seatbelts are working properly. If the

vehicle fails it has to be repaired and re-examined. But in Jersey,

those checks aren't necessary. But for how much longer? In future, if

you're taking your car abroad it may have to be it tested. And there

will be a commercial vehicle test in Jersey in the not-too-distant

future, but not for privately owned vehicles. There is a reasonable

expectation if you take your car abroad, those governments would

expect Tissier's certificate of roadworthiness. If MoTs were bought

into Jersey, the motorist will end up paying. But is that a fair price

to pay to ensure the cars on the island's roads are roadworthy? A

report on Guernsey's harbours says there's a lack of specialist

expertise, and too many political constraints, to allow them to run

effectively. The report by Fisher Associates has

been commissioned by the Public Services Department. It highlights

the difficulties of operating a 21st century harbour with old

fashioned equipment, and an out-of- date management structure.

You've got 19th century infrastructure.

Left by the Victorians. Guernsey needs to operate in the 21st

century. That is a different kettle of fish. Because of the way the

harbour is played out there, it is difficult. It means you have 20th

century working practices. 60 years on from the Queen's

accession to the throne. Celebrations got underway in

Guernsey to mark her jubilee. There was a special tree planting

ceremony in St Martins. Penny Elderfield reports.

It was a day of mixed emotions. A chance to remember a former king.

But also to start Guernsey's jubilee celebrations. Let's set it

out. It is a symbol of endurance, these trees, they will last long

after human beings do. For the young people, they will have a real

symbol of sustainability which Her Majesty's rain has proved. For some

of those watching, the memories were still fresh of this day 60

years ago. I know exactly where I was standing, when I heard the

announcement that the king was dead. 60 years ago. It is such an

important event. We were so interested in royalty in those days.

We all love Princess Elizabeth. was after the war that King George

made this visit to the Islands. Just seven years later, Princess

Elizabeth would become Queen or, for many Channel Islanders, the

Duke of Normandy. But that's a title some historians question.

is nice to recall our Norman connections but, in truth, Henry

III renounced the dukedom of Normandy by Charter in 1259. Even

if it is not true, it emphasises our difference, loyalty and history.

But what is clear is there is still a strong link between the islands

and the monarchy. One which some hope will grow with this years

celebrations. Two Jersey metal detector

enthusiasts have found over 60 Iron Age coins. Reg Mead and Richard

Mile won't reveal where they were found them, but think they may have

come from near St Malo where Celtic tribes were resisting Julius

Caesar's conquest of Gaul. Richard, my colleague, found the

first. It was amazing. You saw him waving his hand. "Got one!" After

that, every one gave you the same buzz. After 161 coins, and many

many pieces of rubbish. The search took 50 hours. Every one gave you a

buzz. You're watching the BBC in the

Channel Islands. Later, in Spotlight with Justin and Victoria:

The baby penguins getting used to their new mum, after the real one

Sports news. Jersey badminton player Elizabeth Cann won her fifth

English National singles title at the weekend. The 32 year old, who

won in straight sets, is hoping to qualify for this year's Olympics in

London. In rugby, it was another win for

Guernsey at the weekend, as they thrashed Beckenham 51-15, in the

London One South Division. They remain in second place, just four

points behind leaders Chichester. Guernsey Football Club remain top

of the Combined Counties League, as they beat Frimley Green at home.

Two goals from Dominic Heaume helped them to a 5-0 win. They

remain on course for promotion in their first year in the English

leagues. Guernsey tennis player Heather

Watson helped her Great Britain team mates through to the Fed-Cup

World Group 2 play-offs, after a victory over Austria. They are now

hoping for a home-tie in the play- German bunkers are a modern day

reminder of the Occupation, forming part of our landscape. And one

which has lain untouched in Guernsey for decades was opened at

the weekend by a group of enthusiasts. Mike Wilkins went down

They came with shovels and pick axe to take on the bunker at Vazon. But,

after a lot of elbow grease, a bit of technology was needed to tackle

the concrete boulder blocking the entrance. A small opening was

carved out, before a volunteer ventured inside. There is the

original gate. You can just about see here the telephone connector.

Once safety checks were done, more descended into the darkness to

begin the process of pumping out water. It wasn't long before I

followed, to see what still remained from the German occupation.

That is impressive. That is the original ventilation. Inside,

German instructions were still visible, imprinted on the decaying

walls. Communication and ventilation equipment were also

exciting finds for the Festung Guernsey volunteers. There was even

part of a winch system, still in working order after more than 70

years. It's hard to think how anything could survive in this

rusting atmosphere, but a live eel surprised many of us in the bunker!

I have to squeeze out of here and then I am clear. It is absolutely

fascinating down there, some authentic German equipment, German

writing on the wall. After hours of hard work getting into the bunker,

the entrance had to be filled in until it's ready to be revisited in

a few months' time when Festung Guernsey plans to take some of the

artefacts to install in other bunkers they're currently

Good evening, a relatively quiet week for the Channel Islands. It

may be chilly, with temperatures down to just three degrees. We will

see a drop in temperatures tomorrow. But, a lot of dry weather. The

reason, high pressure. We have a weather front giving some rain

overnight. It will retreat West. From Wednesday onwards, we have

high pressure dominating. Easterly winds. And low temperatures.

Tonight, we will see some low cloud. One or two showers are still

possible, down to one Celsius. Tomorrow, a cloudy start. Much

brighter in the afternoon. A drop in temperatures. Eight degrees

today, Calder tomorrow, five degrees maximum. These are the

With easterly winds, not much for our surfers to enjoy. The outlook

is for us to see a lot of cloud on Tuesday and Wednesday. Not much in

the way of precipitation. But rather grade, and easterly breeze

on Wednesday. Brighter by the end He tomorrow, we are marking a safe