> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thequarry.media/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry - URL: https://www.thequarry.media/the-weekly-briefing-from-the-quarry-61/ - Published: 2026-08-26T16:10:17.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-26T16:10:54.000Z - Author: Nick Mann - Tags: The Briefing ## Dig This We're delighted to be spotlighting a new bilingual newsletter focusing on the islands and France that will go live tomorrow. We spoke to Ellen Groves about her motivation for launching [îles](https://www.ilesanglo-normandes.com/?ref=thequarry.media) at our first anniversary event, which explored our cultural links with France, the opportunities they create and how they could be strengthened. Independent media is stronger when it works in partnership, and we will be doing just that with îles going forward. [*Sign up to îles, the new bilingual newsletter for the islands and France. A place for all that connects us. Tout ce qui nous relie. Starting with a Festivals special for the 50th anniversary of Guernsey's Vale Earth Fair.* ](https://www.ilesanglo-normandes.com/?ref=thequarry.media) ## In other news... ### [Guernsey and Jersey air ambulance provider turns to the court after losing contract bid](https://www.thequarry.media/air-ambulance-provider-turns-to-the-courts-after-losing-contract-bid/) Published 24 August 2026 - 247 Aviation Ltd selected as new air ambulance provider for Channel Islands - Company issued 'intention to award' letter by both Guernsey and Jersey - Service expected to begin in December 2026 when current contract ends - Current provider Gama Aviation Ltd has lodged judicial review of tender process - About 280 Guernsey patients transferred to UK annually via air ambulance ### [Beau Sejour needs major transformation as review warns 'patch and mend' approach risks closure](https://www.thequarry.media/beau-sejour-faces-major-transformation-as-review-warns-patch-and-mend-approach-risks-closure/) Published 24 August 2026 - Beau Sejour Leisure Centre requires major transformation, with review warning 'patch and mend' maintenance risks closure of the 50-year-old facility - Centre operates with annual subsidy of £900,000 to £1 million but delivers social value of £1.4 million per annum to the community - Two options proposed: major refurbishment with lower capital investment or rebuild offering strongest 40 to 50 year solution - Review recommends evolving facility into integrated wellbeing campus combining sport, culture, health, youth provision and civic services - Swimming pools and gym operating over capacity whilst sports hall, squash courts and tennis courts significantly underused, pointing to need for redesign ### [Rare medieval manuscript fragments reveal Guernsey's lost literary history](https://www.thequarry.media/rare-medieval-manuscript-fragments-reveal-guernseys-lost-literary-history/) Published 24 August 2026 - Seventeen medieval manuscript fragments have been discovered in Guernsey's Island Archives and His Majesty's Greffier's Strongroom, hidden as bindings for administrative records - The fragments provide the first real evidence of medieval literary culture on Guernsey, revealing that residents read primarily in French rather than English - One exceptionally rare fragment from L'Estoire de Griseldis represents only the third known copy, showing the text circulated beyond French royal courts - The discovery was made by Island Archives staff working with experts from the University of Kent and University of Oxford - An academic study day will be held on 10 September 2026, featuring expert discussions and a public talk about the fragments ### [Water reserves continue to fall](https://www.thequarry.media/water-reserves-continue-to-fall/) Published 26 August 2026 - Guernsey's reservoirs are currently 74.4% full, with storage levels falling by around 2% per week despite recent rainfall - Last week's 6mm rainfall was the wettest day since 1 June but contributed only 17 hours' worth of island-wide water demand - Island used 92.4 million litres last week but collected only 24 million litres, creating a deficit of 68.4 million litres - Storage levels are 10% lower than seasonal average, representing 400 million litres or a month's worth of summer usage - Guernsey Water is not currently considering a hosepipe ban but urges residents to continue reducing water consumption ### [Plan revived for bronze ormer shell sculpture on St Peter Port waterfront](https://www.thequarry.media/plan-revived-for-bronze-ormer-shell-sculpture-on-st-peter-port-waterfront/) Published 26 August 2026 - Planning application submitted to renew approval for 4.8-metre bronze ormer shell sculpture at Round Top Stores, St Peter Port - Sculpture would stand near Victoria Pier, featuring polished interior and textured exterior finishes to replicate natural ormer shell characteristics - Application by The Guernsey Ormer LBG seeks to revive previously approved consent that has expired, with no changes to original scheme - Ormer is a traditional Guernsey delicacy and symbol of island's maritime heritage, making sculpture culturally significant landmark - Period of exclusivity was first granted in October 2019 ### [Victor Hugo Centre given planning permission](https://www.thequarry.media/victor-hugo-centre-given-planning-permission/) Published 24 August 2026 - Development & Planning Authority approves plans for Victor Hugo Centre in former States Office Building - Planning permission includes change of use, western extension, southern alterations and landscaping - Project has raised over £5 million from private donors and charitable trusts - States of Guernsey providing matched funding up to £2.5 million, bringing total to over £7.5 million - Centre will serve as multi-purpose educational and cultural venue celebrating Victor Hugo's 15-year residence in Guernsey ### [Twilight cinema enjoys another successful year](https://www.thequarry.media/twilight-cinema-enjoys-another-successful-year/) Published 24 August 2026 - More than 2,300 people attended Twilight Cinema at Castle Cornet over 10 days - Almost 97% of available tickets were sold, with 17 screenings reaching full capacity - Family films Zootropolis 1 & 2 and Happy Feet sold out within days of release - Evening screenings including Bridesmaids, The Mummy and Ghost also sold out - Fine weather and spectacular sunsets contributed to the event's success ### [Road closures underway for essential sewer infrastructure improvements](https://www.thequarry.media/road-closures-underway-for-essential-sewer-infrastructure-improvements/) Published 24 August 2026 - Guernsey Water has begun essential sewer infrastructure works in Les Baissières, Rue du Friquet and Les Ozouets, with phased road closures until early November 2026 - Initial investigative surveys earlier this year allowed the utility to pre-fabricate replacement manhole covers offsite, reducing construction time and unexpected delays - Eight chambers have been successfully renovated or rebuilt in Les Baissières, with works progressing ahead of schedule - Summer scheduling takes advantage of lower sewer flows and groundwater levels, making excavation safer and more efficient - Road closures will run from 20th July to 9th November across the three locations, with works moving through phases ### [Attendance matters campaign launches to give every child the best start to the school year](https://www.thequarry.media/attendance-matters-campaign-launches-to-give-every-child-the-best-start-to-the-school-year/) Published 24 August 2026 - Education settings across Guernsey and Alderney are launching 'Attendance Matters', a campaign to build strong attendance habits from September - Research shows attendance patterns formed in the first few weeks of the academic year tend to stick throughout the year - Primary pupils with 95% attendance are 30% more likely to meet expected standards in reading, writing and maths - Schools are introducing measures including 'Back to School' guidance, clearer signposting for support, and improved staff training - The campaign focuses on partnership between schools, families and support services rather than rules or penalties ### [Channel Island artists urged to enter Fox art competition by September deadline](https://www.thequarry.media/channel-island-artists-urged-to-enter-fox-art-competition-by-september-deadline/) Published 24 August 2026 - The Fox Open Art Competition 2026, now in its 44th year, is accepting entries from Channel Island artists until 5pm on 8 September 2026 - This year's judge is Mary Kuper, an artist, illustrator and printmaker chosen from outside the Channel Islands for impartiality - Prizes total £2,000, including £1,000 for the overall winner, £500 for the Jock Russell Award for 12 to 18 year olds, and five prizes of £100 for highly commended artists - The competition is open to residents of the Bailiwick of Jersey and Bailiwick of Guernsey aged 12 and over, with entry fees of £5 for adults and £1 for students - Winning and selected artworks will be exhibited at Jersey Arts Centre and The George Crossan Gallery in Guernsey ### [Guernsey Arts and TISE launch virtual reality gallery to showcase local artists](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-arts-and-tise-launch-virtual-reality-gallery-to-showcase-local-artists/) Published 20 August 2026 - Guernsey Arts has launched a virtual reality gallery in partnership with The International Stock Exchange to showcase local artists online - The platform features a digital walkthrough of the Greenhouse Gallery's current exhibition, "The Bleeding Veil" by Etienne Marquis - The virtual gallery, produced by local media company The Quarry, removes barriers of location, opening hours and physical capacity - The initiative makes art accessible to people with additional needs who cannot visit in person and reaches international audiences - Etienne Marquis is the first artist featured in what will be a series of exhibition archives ### [The Quarry VR Gallery](https://www.thequarry.media/the-quarry-vr-gallery/) Published 20 August 2026 ## This week's audio briefing The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry 0:00 /0 1× ### Celebrating 50th anniversary of the Vale Earth Fair [The Vale Earth Fair](https://valeearthfair.org/?ref=thequarry.media) takes place on Sunday. We've been fortunate to catch up with collective members already this year, so to help you get in the mood here's what they had to say! ## Guernsey Gazette [La Jaoniere on Bailiff's Cross Road in St Andrew's has been added to Guernsey's Protected Buildings List.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/9069?ref=thequarry.media) [St Andrew's Church car park on Route de St Andre is now legally protected, allowing prosecution of trespassers.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/9067?ref=thequarry.media) [Land at Valnord Court on Valnord Lane has been designated as protected from trespassing under an 18th-century law.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/9076?ref=thequarry.media) --- ### Games by The Quarry Try our weekly cryptic crossword and other puzzles. [ Games by The Quarry The Quarry's weekly cryptic crossword. thequarry.media ](https://www.thequarry.media/games-by-the-quarry/) ### Information Hub **[Planning Applications and Decisions](https://www.thequarry.media/whats-happening-near-you-this-weeks-planning-approvals/)** **[Roadworks and Closures](https://www.thequarry.media/roadworks-latest/)** **[Weather and Tides](https://www.thequarry.media/weather-and-tides/)** --- ### VR Gallery Explore our virtual reality galleries. **[The Quarry VR Gallery](https://www.thequarry.media/the-quarry-vr-gallery/)** **[Ste Apolline's Chapel](https://www.thequarry.media/discover%5Fguernsey%5Fste%5Fapollines%5Fchapel%5Fvirtual%5Ftour/)** --- *If you'd like to back our independent journalism further please consider [becoming a paid subscriber or member](https://www.thequarry.media/#/portal/). It helps support our in-depth news and feature writing beyond the traditional headlines. There are monthly and annual payment options available.*