> ## 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-67/ - Published: 2026-10-07T09:28:07.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-07T09:28:07.000Z - Author: The Quarry - Tags: The Briefing ## Dig Deeper ### [Storms, death, desertion and drunkenness: Guernsey’s forgotten connections with Cutty Sark](https://www.thequarry.media/storms-death-desertion-and-drunkenness-guernseys-forgotten-connections-with-cutty-sark/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/2026/10/cutty_sark_montage-1.png)](https://www.thequarry.media/storms-death-desertion-and-drunkenness-guernseys-forgotten-connections-with-cutty-sark/) Able Seaman H. Hall of Guernsey, aged 28, died in Shanghai of cholera, 7 September 1881. This is just one line now on a display board inside the most famous tea clipper of them all, Cutty Sark. It is where this story of discovery begins, a story that contains tantalising glimpses of a time past, of adventure, of hard times, of laughter, of loss - and of miraculous escapes. For the last four months *The Quarry* has been researching [Guernsey's forgotten connections with Cutty Sark](https://www.thequarry.media/storms-death-desertion-and-drunkenness-guernseys-forgotten-connections-with-cutty-sark/), please [subscribe](https://www.thequarry.media/#/portal) to read the full story and support independent journalism that digs deeper - including into our incredible maritime heritage. ## In other news... ### [Guernsey's new IT system led to £3.3m in transition expenses and a £652,000 legal bill, staff feedback is positive](https://www.thequarry.media/guernseys-new-it-system-led-to-3-3m-in-transition-expenses-and-a-652-000-legal-bill-staff-feedback-is-positive/) Published 7 October 2026 - Guernsey spent £10.1 million in the first year of its new multi-vendor IT model, with £38.5 million estimated over four years and £25 million already committed in contracts. - The States spent £652,000 on external legal fees relating to the termination of its contract with Agilisys between August 2025 and July 2026. - Transition costs totalled £3.3 million, including £1.4 million in professional fees and £1.9 million in vendor payments, with an additional £1.5 million approved for 2026 operations. - Government says the new model costs "broadly the same" as the previous single-vendor arrangement but refuses to provide detailed supplier spending breakdowns citing commercial confidentiality. - Twenty-nine staff transferred from previous provider Agilisys, whilst new internal roles cost £811,011 annually in salaries plus £187,350 for external contractors. ### [Budget reveals £79m tax windfall with States given option to relax spending control](https://www.thequarry.media/budget-reveals-79m-tax-windfall-with-states-given-option-to-relax-spending-control/) Published 6 October 2026 - Pillar 2 global minimum tax revenues revised upward to £79m for 2027, representing a £63m increase across 2025-2026, though authorities warn these revenues should not fund ongoing commitments - Two budget options presented for first time: Option A with £4.2m surplus requiring 1% real savings, or Option B with £11.5m deficit but addressing priority pressures with 1.3% cost increase - Funding gap remains at £47m under Option A or £63m under Option B despite £91m improvement in 2026 forecast - New vaping duty of £2.20 per 10ml introduced alongside 6.3% alcohol duty increase, though new tap relief scheme reduces duty by 9.7p per pint for qualifying draught products in hospitality - £15m economic growth fund proposed for 2027-2029, with tax cap increases and new entrepreneur tax cap to attract business, whilst charitable donation limits rise from £10,000 to £50,000 --- ### **A special report from our independent partner publication** [**îles anglo-normandes**](https://www.ilesanglo-normandes.com/?ref=thequarry.media) [France | National day of protest to support schoolchildren rising for their futureThousands are marching today for France’s democracy, against the largest government crackdown on protest since May ’68, with 5000 schoolchildren arrested and France’s government turning its explosives onto children: a schoolboy’s hand was ripped off after an officer fired a grenade on Monday.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/icon/ILES-ANGLO-NORMANDES-UPDATED-4-9d58d731-b058-433b-a374-db1f0d15f380.png)îles anglo-normandesîles![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/thumbnail/20261001_190930-1-19418198-a05a-4863-969d-5cfcd01d1263.jpg)](https://www.ilesanglo-normandes.com/france-national-day-of-protest-to-support-schoolchildren-rising-for-their-future/?ref=thequarry.media) --- ### [Aurigny forecasts £15m loss over two years - sets out actions to reduce costs](https://www.thequarry.media/aurigny-forecasts-15m-loss-over-two-years-sets-out-actions-to-reduce-costs/) Published 6 October 2026 - Aurigny expects to report more than £15m losses over 2026 and 2027 - Main pressures include fuel costs up more than 50 per cent, taking over Blue Islands' routes, and competition from the new Heathrow service - The airline has carried a record number of passengers while keeping average fares around 15 per cent lower than last year - Aurigny has reduced costs by ending wet-lease contracts, retiring Dornier aircraft and matching capacity to demand - Summer 2027 schedule includes extended airport opening hours four days a week, allowing nearly 7,100 flights with five aircraft — a 15 per cent productivity improvement ### [States backing sought for Ladies' College and Elizabeth College independence following major donation](https://www.thequarry.media/states-backing-sought-for-ladies-college-and-elizabeth-college-independence-following-major-donation/) Published 6 October 2026 - Anonymous philanthropist offers substantial endowments to The Ladies' College and Elizabeth College, contingent on independence from States administration - Current States grant of £2.2 million per annum to both colleges will cease from 1st September 2027 if proposals proceed - States would transfer land ownership to The Ladies' College subject to agreed purchase price, and repeal legislation governing the college - Both colleges will continue providing pupil data and maintaining educational and safeguarding standards under Independent Schools Inspectorate Framework - Blanchelande College funding arrangement remains unchanged under current terms ### [Guernsey Airport terminal roof repairs to cost £6.1m](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-airport-terminal-roof-repairs-to-cost-6-1m/) Published 5 October 2026 - States' Trading Supervisory Board seeks approval for £6.1m repairs to Guernsey Airport terminal roof, addressing defects dating back to 2004 construction - Roof panels have been repeatedly detached by high winds since terminal completion, most recently during Storm Ciaran in 2023 - Safety scaffolding installed last year has already captured one dislodged panel, preventing it from falling - 2016 structural survey identified design flaws and construction defects as root cause of ongoing problems - Repairs could take up to 18 months to complete and would allow permanent removal of scaffolding ### [Breast cancer awareness month highlights prevention and early detection](https://www.thequarry.media/breast-cancer-awareness-month-highlights-prevention-and-early-detection/) Published 5 October 2026 - Public Health marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month with campaign focusing on alcohol reduction and early detection through regular self-checks - Research shows even one alcoholic drink per day can increase breast cancer risk by 7 to 10 per cent, with risk rising as consumption increases - Breast cancer is the island's third most common cancer, with an average of 12 to 13 deaths annually between 2020 and 2022 - Health officials urge islanders to become familiar with what is normal for their breasts to enable early detection of changes - Warning signs include lumps, skin texture changes, nipple discharge, swelling in armpit or collar bone area, and sudden changes in size or shape ### [Six more staff to help population management service to tackle significant permit backlog](https://www.thequarry.media/six-more-staff-to-help-population-management-service-to-tackle-significant-permit-backlog/) Published 5 October 2026 - Home Affairs has agreed to grow the Population Management Service team to address a backlog of 3,886 permit applications - The backlog increased earlier this year after initially showing signs of reduction at the end of 2025 - Increased complexity of applications, including the three-year STEP limit and expiry of transitional arrangements, has driven demand and created processing pressures - The committee introduced temporary extensions to short term permits over summer and is working to identify deliverable targets and timeframes for clearing the backlog - A population policy review will commence in the coming weeks to streamline application processing and provide greater confidence to the business community ### [Lego exhibition to bring history to life at Guernsey Museum](https://www.thequarry.media/lego-exhibition-to-bring-history-to-life-at-guernsey-museum/) Published 5 October 2026 - Brick History exhibition opens at Guernsey Museum on 16th October, running until 31st December 2026 - Features historical moments recreated in Lego by Warren Elsmore Ltd, from the Big Bang to mobile phones - Display includes miniature models of Concorde and Titanic, plus a 1.5-metre medieval castle - Adult admission costs £7, with reduced prices for children and students - Exhibition replaces previously advertised Take Note exhibition ### [R H Gaudion wins approval for contemporary development with strict expansion controls](https://www.thequarry.media/r-h-gaudion-wins-approval-for-contemporary-development-with-strict-expansion-controls/) Published 5 October 2026 - Gaudion Properties Ltd wins approval to demolish dwelling at Longue Rue, Vale, and replace with contemporary retail unit and two-bedroom flat - Strict conditions prevent commercial expansion, limiting overall indoor retail and storage increase to 13.4 per cent across entire site - Residential unit must be completed before retail unit can operate, ensuring housing commitment is honoured - External retail display prohibited in specified areas and retail premises cannot operate as separate independent unit - Contemporary design approved despite contrast with traditional area, with landscaping required to soften visual impact [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/2026/10/guernsey-record-3--1.png)](https://record.thequarry.media/?ref=thequarry.media) ### [Parkinson's Guernsey marks six years with special anniversary event](https://www.thequarry.media/parkinsons-guernsey-marks-six-years-with-special-anniversary-event/) Published 5 October 2026 - Parkinson's Guernsey celebrates its sixth anniversary with a special event on 8 October 2026 at The Peninsula - Helen Matthews, CEO of Cure Parkinson's, and Sophie Priestley, Head of Philanthropy, will speak about latest research into finding a cure - The free event is open to all but requires booking via Eventbrite, with doors opening at 10.00am - Parkinson's Guernsey provides free classes, transport services, and support to those affected by Parkinson's in the Bailiwick - Cure Parkinson's is the only UK charity solely dedicated to finding a cure for the condition ### [Guernsey attends 2026 Normandy summit at Caen University](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-attends-2026-normandy-summit-at-caen-university/) Published 5 October 2026 - Guernsey attended the 2026 Normandy Summit at Caen University alongside Jersey, Alderney, Sark and La Manche representatives - Discussions covered energy, environment, maritime links, immigration, sea rescue and Millennium 2027 celebrations - Summit marked ten years since Normandy region reunification and praised UNESCO listing of D-Day Landing Beaches - Millennium 2027 European Year of the Normans will see Norman heritage flag flown across participating European nations - Guernsey will host the next Normandy Summit in 2027 during the major cultural celebrations ## This week's audio briefing The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry 0:00 /0 1× ## Guernsey Gazette [Guernsey Electricity introduces a new two-rate heating tariff offering cheaper electricity for 19 hours daily starting November 2026.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/9118?ref=thequarry.media) [Two properties on Rue des Villets in Forest have been added to Guernsey's Protected Buildings List.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/9117?ref=thequarry.media) [Guernsey taxi fares are set to increase by 5.17% starting November 23rd, 2026.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/9129?ref=thequarry.media) --- ### Games by The Quarry Try our weekly cryptic crossword and other puzzles. 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