> ## 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-63/ - Published: 2026-09-09T15:59:13.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-09T15:59:13.000Z - Author: Nick Mann - Tags: The Briefing ### [E&I unveils four-year plan - Bridge flood defences, re-routing Fermain path on the agenda](https://www.thequarry.media/e-i-unveils-four-year-plan-bridge-flood-defences-re-routing-fermain-path-on-the-agenda/) Published 8 September 2026 - Environment & Infrastructure publishes 2026-2029 workplan prioritising flood defence, climate adaptation and infrastructure planning - St Sampson's enabling flood defences around Bridge area expected to begin construction in second half of political term - New combined waste incinerator at Longue Hougue will save States more than £160,000 annually, with full operation expected October 2026 - Fermain cliff path to be re-routed to new alignment following wall breach and ongoing erosion risk - Committee piloting priority-based budgeting approach to connect spending clearly to government priorities and demonstrable outputs ### [Creative leaders to explore opportunities and challenges of AI at local panel event](https://www.thequarry.media/creative-leaders-to-explore-opportunities-and-challenges-of-ai-at-local-panel-event/) Published 9 September 2026 - Panel discussion on AI's impact on creative industries to take place on 27 October at Frossard Theatre, Guernsey Museum - Event forms part of Chamber of Commerce's AI - All In Sprint running from 1 October to 12 November - Panel includes professionals from filmmaking, journalism, fashion design, creative communications and digital arts - Discussion will examine practical applications of AI, implications for skills and jobs, and how to ensure innovation complements human creativity - Event open to all with interest in creativity and technology; tickets available via Eventbrite ### [Guernsey Airport activates emergency plan as 70 passengers stranded by UK air traffic control failure](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-airport-activates-emergency-plan-as-70-passengers-stranded-by-uk-air-traffic-control-failure/) Published 9 September 2026 - Around 70 passengers stranded at Guernsey Airport after UK air traffic control technical fault caused flight cancellations - Emergency accommodation plan activated, with passengers housed overnight at Styx Community Centre - Only handful of flights operated on Tuesday, with last departure leaving at 8pm - Alternative travel arrangements made for stranded passengers by sea or air on Wednesday - Some knock-on disruption expected on Wednesday as UK airports work to restore normal operations ### [Health services highlight lifelong impact of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder during awareness month](https://www.thequarry.media/health-services-highlight-lifelong-impact-of-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-during-awareness-month/) Published 9 September 2026 - Public Health Services is raising awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder during FASD Awareness Month in September, marking International FASD Awareness Day on 9 September - FASD is a lifelong but preventable condition caused by alcohol exposure before birth, affecting brain development, learning, behaviour and physical health - The safest choice during pregnancy is not to drink alcohol, as there is no known safe amount, safe time or safe type to consume - Local health services have received 30 referrals for FASD assessments and have developed a diagnostic pathway for children at highest risk - The Substance Use Strategy 2027-2032 recognises FASD for the first time and acknowledges the importance of developing understanding of local need ### [Guernsey marks 20 years as Fairtrade island with fortnight of events championing fair pay](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-marks-20-years-as-fairtrade-island-with-fortnight-of-events-championing-fair-pay/) Published 9 September 2026 - Guernsey celebrates 20 years as a Fairtrade island with events running from 21 September to 4 October 2026 - Campaign focuses on fair pay for farmers and workers, with average non-Fairtrade coffee farmer living on £1.37 per day - Events include walking football tournament, photography exhibition, schools competition and film screening - Research shows seven in 10 adults purchase Fairtrade products regularly and 85% support fair pay for farmers - Island achieved Fairtrade status in March 2006 following States Requête led by late Deputy Mike Torode ### [GFSC proposes 4.3% fee increase in line with Bailiwick inflation](https://www.thequarry.media/gfsc-proposes-4-3-fee-increase-in-line-with-bailiwick-inflation/) Published 9 September 2026 - GFSC proposes 4.3% overall fee increase from 1 January 2027, in line with Bailiwick inflation - Insurance sector to receive one-off 17% rebate on annual fees following significant 2026 enforcement penalty - Amendments proposed to Lending, Credit and Finance Law fees to improve clarity for custodians - Consultation runs until 6 October 2026, with responses accepted via Engagement Hub or email - Proposed fees align with Finance Sector Strategy 2035 and support Digital Finance Initiative and Innovation Sandbox ### [Spaces filling quickly for 50th Skipton Swimarathon as countdown begins](https://www.thequarry.media/spaces-filling-quickly-for-50th-skipton-swimarathon-as-countdown-begins/) Published 8 September 2026 - The 50th Skipton Swimarathon takes place from 7 to 11 October, with spaces filling quickly one month before the event - A new Salty Swim option has been introduced at La Vallette Ladies' Pool on 9 or 10 October, alongside traditional Beau Sejour sessions - The event will raise funds for Les Bourgs Hospice, which is celebrating 35 years of providing care to islanders - Last year more than £67,000 was raised with over 1,700 participants - The Swimarathon has raised over £2 million for local causes since it began in 1977 ### [Replica of first ship to circumnavigate the world to dock in St Peter Port for public visit](https://www.thequarry.media/replica-of-first-ship-to-circumnavigate-the-world-to-dock-in-st-peter-port-for-public-visit/) Published 8 September 2026 - Replica of the first ship to circumnavigate the world will dock in St Peter Port between 7 and 20 September - Self-guided tours will be available on select dates between 10am and 8pm at the Cruise Tenders Pontoon on Albert Pier - The original Nao Victoria completed the world's first circumnavigation between 1519 and 1522 under Juan Sebastián Elcano - The replica was built in 1992 in Seville and completed its own circumnavigation between 2004 and 2006, visiting 17 countries - Tickets are available through the Nao Victoria Foundation's website at www.fundacionnaovictoria.org ### [Amherst Primary School headteacher Gary Hind to retire after 35-year career](https://www.thequarry.media/amherst-primary-school-headteacher-gary-hind-to-retire-after-35-year-career/) Published 8 September 2026 - Gary Hind will retire as headteacher of Amherst Primary School at the end of December 2026 after 35 years in education - He led the amalgamation of three schools to create Vale Primary School and was the first Guernsey headteacher to complete an Ofsted inspection - Since joining Amherst in September 2024, he has guided the school through a successful inspection and secured a UNICEF Gold Award - The school's governing body has praised his visible and approachable leadership style - A full recruitment campaign is under way to appoint his successor ### [Guernsey approves £50,000 emergency aid for Nepal flood victims](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-approves-50-000-emergency-aid-for-nepal-flood-victims/) Published 8 September 2026 - Overseas Aid & Development Commission approves £50,000 emergency relief award for Nepal flood victims - Funding will be channelled through ShelterBox to provide emergency shelter and essential household items - Flash floods have caused widespread destruction, forcing families from homes and disrupting essential services - ShelterBox is an established partner of the Commission with previous emergency relief funding experience - Aid will support communities as Nepal transitions from rescue phase to humanitarian response and recovery ### [Pride invites islanders to discover nature's queer side with new woodland trail](https://www.thequarry.media/pride-invites-islanders-to-discover-natures-queer-side-with-new-woodland-trail-2/) Published 8 September 2026 - Channel Islands Pride launches Queer Nature Trail exploring same-sex behaviour in over 1,500 animal species, starting at Fort George and ending at Pride Village - Trail offers alternative route through Bluebell Woods and cliff paths for those preferring quieter journey to Pride celebrations on 12 September - Examples include same-sex penguin couples raising chicks, long-term dolphin partnerships, sex-changing clownfish and hermaphrodite butterflies - Pride March leaves Market Square at 2pm with thousands expected; organisers ask non-attendees to avoid Town seafront between 2pm-3pm - Pride Village at La Vallette Bathing Pools runs 3pm-9pm with live music, drag, DJs, silent disco and family area ### [Registrations for primary school admissions in 2027 now open](https://www.thequarry.media/registrations-for-primary-school-admissions-in-2027-now-open/) Published 8 September 2026 - Registrations for primary school places in September 2027 are now open for Guernsey and Alderney residents - The deadline for applications is 3pm on Friday 23rd October 2026, with late applications receiving lower priority - Children turning five before 1st September 2027 are required to attend school or receive alternative education - Application forms are available online at gov.gg/schooladmissions and parents must provide proof of address, birth certificate and ID - Parents can request out of catchment placements but must still apply to their catchment school by the deadline ## This week's audio briefing The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry 0:00 /0 1× ## GFSC notices [Commission consults on fees for 2027](https://www.gfsc.gg/news/commission-consults-fees-2027?ref=thequarry.media) --- ### Games by The Quarry Try our weekly cryptic crossword and other puzzles. 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