The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry

Dig Deeper - The Guernsey Folklore Map

Witches on the Catioroc. A headless dog at the Ville-au-Roi. A rock off Jerbourg that fishermen raised their hats to.

Our Guernsey Folklore Map has been released in time for Halloween and brings together 45 places where the island’s old stories are still attached to the ground, with seven walking routes.

But we can’t finish it alone. Help us keep Guernsey’s folk history alive: walk a route and tell us what you find, check the pins, and send us the stories and photos your family has kept. Every site has a “Tell us” link, or email [email protected].

In other news...

• Application to build a 202-square-metre partly underground pavilion set into a quarry face at the Vale Mill site
• The scheme includes a master bedroom suite, kitchen and living areas connected to the windmill by tunnel, plus floating sauna and summerhouse pods at water level
• The application replaces a previously approved scheme, omitting a two-storey glazed extension to the protected mill in favour of an internal spiral staircase
• Materials include reclaimed granite, Corten steel and anthracite aluminium, intended to distinguish contemporary work from the historic structure
• The applicant argues the single-level pavilion improves accessibility and adaptability while remaining subordinate to the protected windmill

• AI is delivering dramatic time savings across Guernsey's creative industries
• Panel concludes human creativity, storytelling and expertise will become more valuable as AI-generated content floods the market with mediocre work
• Creatives urged to think about keeping control of what they enjoy and not outsourcing those to AI
• Questions about intellectual property as platforms require designers to surrender design rights and copied work spreads globally
• The Quarry outlines how AI buys it time for the crucial human side of journalism

• Scrutiny Management Committee identifies £103 million in capital expenditure missing from 2027 Budget documentation, with total financing requirement of £75-80 million not disclosed to States Members.
• Committee demands five key financial documents be published before Budget debate, including consolidated capital expenditure forecast and cash-flow projections for 2027.
• Serious concerns raised about Pillar 2 tax revenue recognition on accruals basis before cash received, creating risk that expenditure commitments may be made on basis of uncertain revenues.
• Committee unable to obtain clear reconciliation of Chief Executive's £4 million 2026 savings target, whilst priority-based budgeting pilot produced net benefit of only £100,000.
• Approximately 40% of additional expenditure under Option B attributable to Policy & Resources Committee and Corporate Services, contradicting presentation of option as response to service committee demands.

• Guernsey Ports has switched Crown Pier marina facilities to renewable heating oil since April 2026
• Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) derived from used cooking oils now heats buildings and shower facilities for visiting boat crews
• The renewable fuel reduces carbon emissions by approximately 90 per cent compared to fossil fuels
• Three boilers were converted by Rubis to enable the switch to HVO
• Fossil fuels for heating, back-up generation and fleet vehicles account for approximately 50 per cent of Guernsey Ports' direct carbon emissions

• Passenger numbers between Guernsey and St Malo increased 56.5% since 2024, with 102,094 passengers travelling the route in the 11 months to 30 September 2026
• Routes serving Guernsey now carry 44% of all passengers on main UK and France sea routes to the Channel Islands, up from 33% in 2024
• Brittany Ferries attributes growth to better sailing times, more departures and joint marketing with Visit Guernsey since taking over services in 2025
• UK routes to Guernsey from Poole and Portsmouth also grew, with passenger numbers up 13.2% compared to 2024
• September 2026 passenger numbers on the Guernsey-St Malo route almost doubled compared to September 2024, up 95.9% to 12,806

• Millennium Walk closed after storm damage brought down trees and left dangerous branches hanging above the route
• Walk will remain closed until tree surgeons can clear fallen trees and make area safe
• Officials warn danger includes weakened branches still hanging that could fall without warning
• Guernsey Water competing with others for available tree surgeons following storm
• Public urged not to ignore closure signs; reopening date dependent on when work can be completed

• Guernsey Museum at Candie will host a two-day Halloween event on 30th and 31st October with a witchcraft and wizardry theme
• Activities include wand weaving, slime making, a Dragon Egg Garden Trail, and a Room on the Broom screening in Guernesiais
• Older visitors can view real grimoires and attend Dark Histories performances exploring local folklore
• Children in full fancy dress receive free entry, with all activities included in standard admission price
• The Brick History exhibition will also be on display during the event

• Home Affairs submits three budget amendments totalling between £2.28m and £3.94m depending on budget option
• First amendment seeks funding for increased police, firefighter and prison officer numbers to maintain frontline services
• Second amendment proposes funding to protect vulnerable groups including Sexual Assault Referral Centre and Family Proceedings Advisory Service
• Third amendment aims to preserve investigative capacity in financial crime units and population management
• Committee says both Option A and Option B budgets risk compromising public safety and core statutory functions

• Guernsey's annual inflation rate reached 4.6% in September 2026, up 1.3 percentage points from a year earlier
• Fuel and light costs showed the largest annual increase at 16.6%, with electricity and kerosene prices driving quarterly rises of 2.8%
• Households with retired persons faced the highest inflation at 5.3%, whilst private renters experienced the lowest at 3.9%
• Housing costs contributed 1.1 percentage points to annual inflation, making it the most significant overall contributor
• Low income households experienced 5.2% inflation compared to 4.2% for high income households

• Electric van hire service EVie has opened a new location outside Electricity House on Northside, following a partnership between Guernsey Electricity, Guernsey Post and EVie
• The expansion builds on the original service launched in 2023, which has enabled more than 4,500 low-carbon journeys across the island
• Guernsey Electricity customers can use the service to transport purchases from the retailer's store, offering same-day, low-carbon delivery
• EVie's growing fleet includes electric vans and cars, with a multi-seater vehicle launching soon to provide additional options for hirers
• New users can register via the EVie app and receive £10 off their first booking using the code GEL2026

• Growing Gang initiative provides early years settings with resources to teach children about food growing through hands-on vegetable cultivation
• Programme expanded this year through partnership with Pollinator Project, introducing pollinator-friendly seeds and educational resources about insects
• Guernsey Men's Shed volunteers constructed four wooden planting troughs using timber donated by Norman Piette
• Le Friquet Garden Centre donated seeds and compost to participating nurseries and pre-schools
• Initiative brings together multiple local organisations to support outdoor learning and healthy eating habits among young children

• Storm Austin brought down a tree at the GSPCA, severing phone lines and internet connections
• Two aviaries and materials for the kennel build project were damaged in the storm
• All animals and staff at the shelter remain safe and well despite the disruption
• Emergency calls can still be made via 257261 or the emergency option on the main line
• Supporters have offered assistance whilst Sure and Clarity Communications work to restore services

• Winter Fuel Allowance of £50.48 per week will be paid automatically to eligible Income Support recipients from 30th October for 26 weeks
• Extra Needs Allowance of up to £20 per week available to those with illness, disability or health conditions requiring additional spending
• Reduced Winter Fuel Allowance available to households with income no more than £50.48 above Income Support limit
• Help with medical costs including GP visits, prescriptions and dental charges available to those whose income falls outside Income Support levels by up to £80 per week
• Income Support team available on 221000 or [email protected] for enquiries about available support

• Freedom of Information Appeals Panel dismisses appeal over withheld data about complaints against HM Prison Les Nicolles officers
• Home Affairs refused to disclose number of complaints from non-inmates and their outcomes, citing operational harm and privacy exemptions
• Panel rules exemptions correctly applied due to ongoing investigations at the prison, but suggests requester reapply once investigations conclude
• Committee took over 10 weeks to respond to panel's request for additional information, significantly delaying the appeal process
• Original FOI request submitted in March 2026 asked 10 questions about the prison, with six answered using exemptions

This week's audio briefing

The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry

0:00

/0

1×

Guernsey Gazette

RW Randall Ltd has been authorized to prosecute trespassers at The Dog House premises in Rohais, St Peter Port.

St Saviour's Parish is seeking ratepayer permission to sell the St Saviour's Rectory and its garden at a meeting on 4 November 2026.

St Pierre du Bois Parish is holding elections on November 4th, 2026 for four Douzeniers and two Constables.

GFSC notices

Commission event to examine practical readiness for AI