23/12/2016 Channel Islands News

Good evening, I'm Charlie McArdle, welcome to BBC Channel Islands.

A frenzied Friday for shoppers sees a buying boost

Bed shortages and cancelled operations Jersey's hospital

continues to struggle under pressure.

We count down the weird, the wonderful and heart

warming stories that got you talking in 2016.

We have quite a blustery Christmas ahead of us. Quite mild, but next

week it is somewhat colder. I will have all the details later in the

programme. It's frenzied Friday

for Christmas shoppers. And this year, while it may have

been a bumper time for people buying online in Guernsey,

it seems the High Street It's thought changes made to parking

in town at peak times has encouraged people to get out and go shopping

as Lucy Bickerton has With just two more sleeps

until Christmas, it's But how much present buying has been

done from the comfort of home? Half-and-half. This year we did do

some shopping online, but now we are doing more on high-street.

High-street mostly. Yes, for me as well. Mostly online. Definitely. You

won't be able to buy lovely jumpers like this here. On the high street,

because I prefer to see what I'm buying. If it doesn't fit, I take it

back and change it. Guernsey Post says they've

had their busiest December yet. And put the increase down to more

people buying online. But initial views are that shops

are also doing well this Christmas. The good weather may have helped,

but its thought relaxing some parking restrictions in town has

also meant more people It's one of those things

where you you do come with an initiative which this year

has been fantastic, you work on that and next time we'll perhaps get

through to the public who perhaps So has this really encouraged some

people away from their computers I definitely brought mum in today

knowing that we probably had a bit longer because it takes a longer

walk in and everything. It's a good idea. Anything to encourage people

to come into town and support local traders is a good idea. I don't

think so. I think shopping is a must, so if you need to come into

town, you need to park and that's it, really.

The festive retail number crunching won't take place until the new year.

But for now it seems many will be raising a glass

13 planned operations have had to be cancelled so far this week

as Jersey's hospital continues to come under stress.

Recent staff illness has added to the pressures of severe bed

shortages and it's not known whether the situation

Emma Chambers has the latest details.

As you see with all the lights on in the wards inside,

the hospital is far from closed, but it is under pressure.

Managers admit there is a strain on resources at the moment -

this week the hospital has been on red alert, the second highest

category, but has since stayed stable at an amber alert

That means there's a low number of beds available.

The situation hasn't been helped by higher than usual numbers

of staff off sick, which has led to the cancellation of a number

operations including six yesterday and two today.

The hospital says it's regrettable but unfortunately unavoidable.

In total 13 operations have been cancelled this week.

So with Christmas round the corner, what does the next few

Well, the good news is that there are fewer procedures planned over

Christmas until the New Year, so clearly fewer operations

But there also are asking people to act appropriately.

That means only using the emergency department if absolutely necessary,

cancelling appointments if patients have had flu or vomiting,

and contacting GPs and pharmacists for advice on norovirus type

It means using the emergency department just for emergencies.

A 31-year-old man in Jersey has been committed to the Royal Court to face

Wayne Highfield of Regent Road in St Helier is accused of sexually

assaulting a 25-year-old woman at the end of last year.

This morning he appeared at Jersey Magistrates' Court

where his case was committed to the Royal Court.

Fishing for sea bass has been banned in Jersey's waters.

The island's Environment Minister says he's made the move to ensure

the survival of the fish for future generations.

Commercial ships won't be able to fish for bass,

and recreational fishermen will have to put back any bass they catch.

It's the latest step as part of efforts to protect local stocks.

The latest figures have been released revealing the numbers

of births deaths and marriages in Jersey for 2015.

The annual report shows 1052 babies were born on the island -

the vast majority in St Helier, where the hospital is, with just 22

Almost 500 couples got married and additionally

778 people died - 96 more than the previous year.

Christmas not only dents our purses, but also our relationships.

Citizens Advice Jersey say January is the busiest month

for relationship advice because of the financial

and family pressures that come with the festive break.

It says there is lots of support and advice out there

for when relationships break down, but how you cope on the day can

Some children go up -- grew up hating Christmas because of

arguments and what happened in their household. Don't let that become a

legacy of the break-up of your relationship or indeed your divorce.

Try and, you know, keep it civil for ever on's benefit and think of the

longer term goals. -- for everyone's So as we steam ahead towards 2017,

we thought it was a good opportunity to look back at the year's big

stories - but what were they? Penny Elderfield has the top ten

stories that got you talking and clicking on this year -

and there are some surprises. 2016 has a lot to be remembered for.

At number ten, it's the tale of this sick cat which was taken to

Guernsey's animal shelter. Things weren't looking good. Until, that

is, it had a good wash, when it became clear it was just a puppet.

Number nine, it is the five Jersey boys who went for the England

manager job. What are you doing in here? Eye after my job? They ended

up meeting the man who got it, Sam Allardyce. He is a big friendly

giant. Very friendly. We now know he wasn't there for long. The number

eight spot goes to Guernsey's election. With all be hellos,

goodbyes, highs and lows. That's politics. You know, move on to other

things. An appearance at number seven, although it is all about

where you do another one or two on board. The ferry operator had to

change its toilet signs from ladies and gents to symbols after a

complaint or transgender discrimination. Wrapping it up at

number six, it is the wrapping teacher from Jersey. Catching the

attention of American rapper 50 cents. He thinks he has some flow.

At number five, -- rapper 50 Cent. The greatest honour any diplomat can

display. This Jersey woman sheltered her Jewish friend for 12 months,

risking her own life to save his. Another act of wartime bravery at

number four. These men were deported to prisons in Europe for

distributing news sheets. After seven decades of searching, this

year their daughters finally found them. At last. I have found the

closure I was looking for. At number three, enjoying the December

sunshine may be the best option for pupils at this Jersey school. After

their annual summer beach trips were cancelled because of health and

safety. A nautical number two, and the quest to find a name for this

research vessel. Eventually, it was after Sir David Attenborough, but

the public voted for Boaty McBoatface, a suggestion from

Jersey. The chief Mr Hurd made headlines after describing the

island as Islamophobic when talking about the decision not to accept

refugees. He later apologised for his comments, but perhaps won't be

celebrating his win on this occasion. An eclectic win to say the

least, but bring on 2017 and all the weird and wonderful news we get to

hear about. Some great stories there.

Jersey's Christmas Day swim in St Ouen's Bay has had to be moved

for the first time because of Storm Barbara.

Stormy seas and strong winds mean the conditions are just too

dangerous so instead it will be held at St Brelade.

Scores of people are expected for the event which sees swimmers

take a dip in the winter waves without a wet suit.

This is the first time we've moved it. Obviously we've been looking at

the weather charts for the last week, and obviously the isobars are

tallying up. That rapper tightening up. The wind is increasing. With the

wind and the swell, the rips etc, it will be slightly dangerous for

swimming in the Bay. That's just one of the many

Christmas day swims taking place but will the weather help us

into the icy waters, Thank you. Hello, good evening. I

think that Christmas this year will not be too bad for the islands. It

will be quite blustery. Generally quite mild, and we will see some

showers dotted around from time to time. They're set up at the moment

is for quite deep areas of low pressure to pass between Scotland

and Iceland. One that is moving away through the night to come, and

another quickly follows. The races in the same sort of direction toward

Iceland through Christmas Eve and into Christmas Day. The weather

front that trails behind that will eventually get to us, probably not

until Christmas Day night and the small Isles of Boxing Day morning.

Until then, we have some patchy rain to get rid of first, and those

blustery winds, but they should die down later this evening and with

clear skies at times, tempered as well into single figures, down as

low as 7 degrees. Tomorrow, Christmas Eve, bright, dry and

breezy day. Some sunshine. Just the chance of a few passing showers, but

they will be few and far between. Still quite mild, ten or 11 degrees

I think will be the maximum temperature with a brisk west or

south westerly breeze. Our times of high water. St Hilaire 2:33am and

250 7p. Some big waves have been generated by those two areas of low

pressure in the Atlantic. I don't think the server will be that clean

with onshore winds. The winds are from the West tomorrow, Force five

and occasionally six. Generally fair with good visibility. Here is the

outlook of way to and including the early part of next week. Sunday

starts bright and dry. Christmas Day. We will see pretty good

temperatures on Sunday, 12, 13 degrees. A blustery south west wind

which will increase through the morning and become strong to gale

force in the afternoon. A front going through overnight, so Boxing

Day is bright and dry with lighter wind and then turning cold and

quiet. For the early part of next week. Have a good evening.

Before we go, just a reminder there are regular news,

travel and weather updates on BBC Radio Guernsey

From all of us here at BBC Channel Island News,

finish it off. Enjoy. I will, probably too much. That is very nice

actually. I do have to go back to work boat. See you in a bit, go on,

go. Still to come in

tonight's programme... Join me for corals and horses at

Bigley barracks. -- carols. And a blustery Christmas I had. Quite mild

but next week at a somewhat colder. Now the last of our

Santa Steam Train series. Given the time of year we've been

taking some special journeys on the railway and tonight we travel

between Paignton and Kingswear. On the Spotlight Express we meet two

young passengers whose lives are affected by illness this

Christmas. Our reporter John Danks

followed their trip Welcome aboard the spotlight express

on the Dartmouth steam railway. As the train steams on towards

Kingswinford Dartmouth the excitement is on board is building.

One passenger trying to take it all then is four-year-old Flynn who is

here with his grandparents. Flynn's is with us today because his big

sister has been rushed to Children's Hospital. She is being treated for

cancer at the moment and has been fighting for 15 months. Her third

session of chemotherapy so she is away for three months now. Doing

events and trips like this with the little one is very special to him

because he misses his sister and his mum. And soon it is time to meet

Santa himself. I like your jumper! I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Thank you very much. Flynn's trip was paid for by the Torbay holiday

helpers network, a charity that specialises in days out for families

with seriously ill children. I wish you a very Merry Christmas. Also

getting into the festive spirit is four-year-old Harry from Newton

Abbot. Is ticket provided by a cancer charity. He has been

undergoing treatment for leukaemia since April. It is one of those

little things, it is very small and it means so much to them. He has

been so excited. Because Father Christmas is here so it is brilliant

really. Magic of it. And Flynn already knows what he wants for

Christmas. To play with Allah. -- for to play with Ella. It looks

like these two have headed off. In the run up to the big day we've

seen families reunited as servicemen and women return from tours of duty

- others of course won't be home We'll hear their Christmas

message in a moment. But first military families have

gathered to sing carols at the home Johnny Rutherford is

at Bickleigh Barracks. A carol service with a bit of a

difference, isn't it? Actually we are at Bickleigh Barracks but have a

look around, this is in fact the stables at Bickleigh Barracks. Where

22 horses although they are not quite military forces but I will

explain that in a second are here at Bickleigh Barracks. Earlier on I had

a look around the stables. The stable club was founded in 1961 but

the horses aren't actually military working horses, no Trooping the

Colour here. Some are owned by military personnel and some by

Republic. Cathy Gillespie runs the stables. Who are the stables

actually for? They are here for families and their children and not

just the military but also be public as well so anybody can come up and

have riding lessons and see the work that we do, our primary purpose is

to provide riding lessons and horse care for military families. Would

you like to have a look around? That would be great. Let me put Bob to

bed and there will be right with you. This is thin. Hello. He is

still a baby. Here we have grace. Hello. She is wondering what is

going on. She is gorgeous. And then we come to my favourite because he

is my horse. This is labour. The stables here, we work very closely

with soldiers who have PTSD and problems like that so we are doing

therapy with them. We're going to be extending that into 2017. Quite a

big thing because back in May the stables were close to closing and

within two weeks, and now all good to go. 2017 is definitely for you to

be our year. Something special going on? I am not going to say, watch

this space, but there is going to be something very special happening

over 2017. The commander of 42 commando is here. What does this

mean having the stables here? It is wonderful, it brings great warmth

and character to the unit. We are having the carol service this

evening not just to get into the Christmas spirit to remember all the

people at 42 Commando deployed at the moment. Members in the Middle

East but also people in the Naval service and wider Armed Forces

working for Christmas and means we can figure them. There are some

families here this evening? Yes, the stables live with us here at

Bickleigh Barracks but they work with servicepeople from all over the

Naval service and give a lots of the community so we are bringing in the

family is deceiving to say thank you. It is always a difficult time,

to be away from families. Yes, as I said we have people away and it

gives us a moment to think of them. The stables are all about a

community and family spirit and there is no better time than

Christmas to have that. Hopefully we will hear some music later on.

As we mentioned - many military families won't be

together this year - spending the festive

The men and women on board HMS Ocean which is currently out in the Gulf

have sung their Christmas wishes ? well, almost.

# Were going to have a party tonight.

# Snow is falling, all around me, children playing, having fun.

# The season, love and understanding, Merry Christmas,

everyone. And you can see the full video

on our Facebook page. Well, the big day really is almost

upon us now and here at Spotlight we're big fans of Christmas,

so our Christmas celebrations Here is a reminder. It is nearly

over, this stupid money spending bracket we call Christmas. The

pantries are stuffed with charities, cakes and puddings. Sellers are

dripping with... Sorry, I have forgotten it. Can we start again?

What a fantastic site. And Santa Claus has got 31 hours. How much do

you get paid? I think that is a personal matter, isn't it? Would you

do it for nothing? I would if they wanted me to.

I looked across the field. I thought I saw a rabbit, spiced the rain

gear. When we came close it was a baby reindeer! 531 hours and that

gives us the speed which is 6 million mph.

Looking at the plumpness of the breast. Do you agree? Yes.

The knowing nod. I think someone is following you around. I will miss

him after Christmas. It feels like Christmas eve, but that is not so

plenty of time to start the shopping! I would think about what

It looks like we will have a relatively quiet Christmas. There

will be some wind. Quite a strong wind. It is easing off a bit

tonight. It will return tomorrow. Generally it is mild and we will see

some showers dotted around. Compared to other parts of the country we are

doing quite well. That book of cloud to the north-east is one area of low

pressure. That is leaving Canada. Tracking across the Atlantic and it

has been given a name and it looks like that will head towards the

centre of Bavaria. Heading towards the far north of Scotland. For much

of Christmas Eve for tomorrow looks like it will be dry. A few showers

dotted around. That turns up through Christmas Day. The weather front

will arrive late in the day for us on Christmas day afternoon into

Christmas Day evening. Let's have a look at the rain we saw earlier

today because that is now clearing away from Dorset and the east of

Somerset and what we are left with is more broken cloud over to the

West. This was earlier today where is there was some pretty big waves.

Strong gusts of wind earlier today have whipped up the seas. Not too

bad for people other than the bug with the breeze nowhere near as

strong across the northern half of Britain. 40 or 50 mph. Those winds

have eased and I think for tomorrow it won't be nearly as windy and

actually quite a bit brighter too. This evening and overnight tonight

the first line of showers clears away and we are left with clear

skies. Just a few showers dotted around. In between some lengthily

clear skies which will it turns quite cold. Overnight temperatures

could well be as low as three or four Celsius. I don't think we will

see a frost but it will be a cold start. We should get some morning

sunshine before the cloud thickens and later in the day we will start

to see thicker cloud approach from the far west but most of the day

brightened dry. The chance for a few showers. Otherwise a dry story and

not as windy is today. Temperatures getting up to an around ten or 11.

For the Isles of Scilly bright and breezy then cloudy in the afternoon.

For other surfers the waves are going to be big. Very messed up

because of the wind. Ten feet along the northern shores of Cornwall. The

winds for the coastal waters are westerly. Forced 5-6. Mainly fair

with generally good visibility. Here is the Christmas Day broadcast. A

lot of cloud and also quite windy. Not strong to start with but picked

up and in the afternoon on the coastline we will have gale force

winds. Through boxing day and the early part of next week it is much

quieter but also quite a bit colder. The only white stuff we are likely

to see is a bit of frost from early next week. From all of us have a

lovely Christmas, back to you. Well, that's our last full

programme before Christmas - we will, of course, keep you up

to date in our bulletins We'll leave you tonight

with the sound of members From Arsenal, a very happy

Christmas. -- we leave you with Rudolph, the

red nose reindeer.