Lift gives Kaylee school access

KAYLEE HUDDART'S beam of pleasure said it all when she used St Anne's School's new lift for the first time.

The lift means seven-year-old Kaylee, who uses a wheelchair, can visit everywhere in the school her fellow classmates can.

This term Kaylee started junior school, which means her classes are on the ground floor below the main entrance and reception.

The three-level lift allows Kaylee to go up to the library on the upper floor for the first time.

The lift shaft was constructed over the summer, using part of an office on the top floor, a toilet on the middle floor and a storage room on the ground floor. The lift itself was installed last week. The estimated £60,000 cost of the work was met by Guernsey's Education Department.

Junior school teacher Lucy Gillingham said: 'Kaylee knew the lift was being installed and she was looking forward to using it.

'She couldn't go to the library before so her friends would go and pick books for her – now she will be able to go up and choose them herself.

'It's nice that she can go everywhere that the other children can now and there are no physical restrictions governing where in the school she can visit.'

The lift has been planned for the last three years, but Kaylee's entry into junior school made this September a sensible date to have it fitted.

It means the school is now compliant with disability legislation.

*

States member John Beaman found himself a VIP for the day when a new training company for bodyguards held its open day in the island.

He was picked up from Connaught Square by Up Close and Personal Group trainees and instructors and closely guarded as the car swept through St Anne's and up to Fort Albert.

At the fort, where UCP trains recruits in driving skills and shooting, he watched as the Alderney flag was hoisted on the walls. UCP staff also took part in a question and answer session with around 30 residents.

Before driving Mr Beaman to the Victorian fort, his bodyguards had checked the route for hidden dangers in case their client wanted to get out of the car for a walk.

'They were very professional,' said Mr Beaman, who chairs the Policy and Finance committee. 'I can't say I would want to be a VIP and have people walking around with me all the time, but it was a good laugh.'

UCP has plans to develop Fort Albert into a space that can be used for adventure weekends. It has also announced its intention to install an indoor shooting range at the venue.

The firm is currently renovating the former Connaught Hotel, which it uses as a base to accommodate and teach trainees.

'Their plans seem quite straightforward and the plans for Fort Albert seem quite good – and they plan to gradually develop the Connaught,' Mr Beaman said.

He added that the project looked like it would grow 'at a typical Alderney pace'.