Author: lebrun.g@clicetcom.fr

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.

In Guernsey during 2014 there was a special celebration to mark 100 years since the statue of Victor Hugo was first unveiled. The island hosted a delegation of guests from France included the Conseil Générale of La Manche, the Vice-President of Normandy, a representative of the French Embassy in London, as well as descendants of Victor Hugo’s family. Chief Minister, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, said : “Our links with our neighbours in Normandy and France are undergoing a period of renewal, not least through the establishment of the Bureau des Iles Anglo-Normandes. Our long relationship with France is not just political or economic – it is also cultural and linguistic, and Victor Hugo is an important symbol of that. The great poet wrote ‘La réalité, c’est l’âme [The soul is our reality]’ and his statue reminds us that a large part of Victor Hugo’s souls found a home in Paris.”

On 6 December, Jersey’s Connétable of St Helier, Simon Crowcroft, attended the salon Nautic in Paris to attend the launch the Tour des ports de la Manche offered by Jean François LeGrand, President of La Manche. The event was also attended by representatives from the general council of La Manche and the Granville yacht club. The Tour, which is taking place for the 31st time, will depart from Barneville-Carteret on 5 July 2015, call into Jersey, then Guernsey, before departing Granville, Dielette, Cherbourg-Octeville and ending at St Vaast-La Hougue on 10 July.

On 18 November the Chief Minister of Guernsey, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, and Jersey’s Minister for External Relations, Senator Sir Philip Bailhache, met with the French Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Her Excellency Sylvie Bermann, at the French Embassy in London. Among the topics under discussion were the Channel Islands’ close links with France and the importance of maintaining this cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship.