Following initial fruitful exchanges at the Saint Malo Boat Show on 25-27 May, Bretagne Plaisance and Guernsey Marinas visited the Jersey Boat Show from 3 to 5 May. A new opportunity to deepen exchanges on joint promotion and strengthen relations towards a solid cooperation.
From 28 to 29 April, the technical teams in charge of the Jersey and Guernsey wind farm projects travelled to Calvados for meetings with Normandy professionals. Under the aegis of the regional prefecture, this was an opportunity to meet with the Réseau de Transport d’électricité (RTE), the Normandy region and EDF Renewables, to understand the electrical connection of the Courseulles-sur-mer wind farm on land. During these two intense days, the teams from the Channel Islands were able to explore avenues for collaboration and learn from each other’s experiences.
As a result of cooperation with the Brittany Region, new links have been established in the yachting sector between the Ports of Jersey, Guernsey Marinas and Bretagne Plaisance. At the first Saint Malo boat show, the Channel Islands came together to promote their sailing area on a joint stand.
Over the course of the three days, a number of meetings with Bretagne Plaisance provided an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the infrastructures, respective ambitions and common challenges, through discussions and visits to the basins.
Next step: Bretagne Plaisance is organising its participation in the Jersey Boat Show in May.
With the Channel Islands facing the same challenges as the Manche coast, BIAN had the honour of representing them at the ‘Litto’Morphose Quand la mer monte – Quel futur pour notre littoral?’ seminar organised jointly by the Manche département and the town of Granville on 21 March.
It was an opportunity for speakers from all over France to share their experiences of climate change and rising sea levels. Gathered around different issues but united by a common desire to exchange ideas, the seminar provided an opportunity for staff, local authorities and elected representatives to share their experiences. Guests were able to exchange views in themed workshops, and ideas were exchanged on best practices. This theme, which is particularly relevant to the islands’ insularity, contributed to a better understanding of the issues facing the region.
Following on from the Parlers Normands Scientific Committee, which met for the first time in Jersey last September, the sixth edition of the Parlers Normands Scientific Committee was held on 1 February at L’abbaye aux Dames in Caen.
Chaired by regional president Hervé Morin, the meeting provided an opportunity to take stock of the work carried out since the last committee meeting and to set new objectives. BIAN had the honour of representing the Channel Islands. Since January 2019, the Normandy region has put in place a regional strategy to preserve, enhance and develop Norman languages. President Hervé Morin has reaffirmed his commitment to preserving the Norman language and continues his fight to integrate it into Norman schools.
Among the significant projects, the ‘Atlas numérique linguistique de la Normandie’ aims to increase the visibility of linguistic variations and has seen a growing interest from the student community in the Normandy language. Another important project is the establishment of a ‘Café Normand’ in Domfront, which attracts 150 to 200 people who meet 2 or 3 times a year. Proof of this enthusiasm is the newly created University Diploma in Norman Languages and Studies (DUEN), which is proving very popular every year, and the University of Caen now has to draw up a ‘waiting list’. The Parlers Normands (Normandy Speakers) have reiterated the importance of the Norman language as a common heritage.
As a reminder, representatives from Jersey and Guernsey are honoured to sit on the Parlers Normands scientific committee.