Coronavirus: Eisteddfod finishes speech and drama, calls off exhibition

While the Eisteddfod had continued until yesterday with the speech and drama classes, they concluded last night but not before the usual concert of highlights was called off.

This gala event used to recall all the prizewinners from the music and speech and drama sections for a special concert at St James.

This was due to be held on 24 March.

The arts and crafts exhibition was due to take place from 18-21 March, but it, too, has been called off.

‘Sincere apologies are extended to all who have been preparing for these two important events but the health of the people of Guernsey has to be our overriding concern,’ said the society’s announcement.

The Eisteddfod’s adult Guernesiais classes, which were due to be held today, have been called off, but the committee hopes to find a new date later in the year.

The junior classes scheduled for next Monday at Forest School are still on at the moment, but participating schools will be consulted early this week.

Guernsey’s Workers’ Educational Association has also cancelled the last of its talks on Guernsey’s economy, which was due to be held tomorrow evening at La Villette Hotel.

‘The series of talks has been very successful this year,’ said course chairman Roy Bisson. ‘We have striven to describe our island’s economy with an excellent opening evening by economist John Ogier, followed by States committee presidents from the eight major departments. More than 50 islanders attended the series, many who will be standing for election later in the year.’

The final talks were due to be delivered by States’ Trading Supervisory Board president Deputy Peter Ferbrache, with more speakers to be confirmed.

In Alderney, the island’s theatre group has postponed performances of Annie Jr which were due to take place on 27 and 28 March. A new date will be announced as soon as possible.

Anybody who has bought tickets will be refunded and ticket holders are asked to pop into Shirley’s in Victoria Street after tomorrow between 9.30am and 1pm.

Industrial action by the local members of the Royal College of Nursing will not take place while the outbreak continues, it has announced.

A ballot authorised members to take action, but that had been put on hold pending the outcome of further talks with Policy & Resources on Wednesday.

‘However, the ongoing Covid-19 situation has led the college to confirm that any industrial action will not be held whilst the outbreak is being managed on Guernsey.’

Regional director Patricia Marquis said coronavirus presented ‘a public health event on a scale that we have not experienced in recent times’.

‘We recognise that it would not be helpful if we were to schedule a series of strike days when nurses are so desperately needed to look after ill patients.

‘We want to reassure the public that nurses are committed to the care of the people of Guernsey and will remain in their frontline positions whilst the outbreak is managed.

‘We call on Policy & Resources to bring a swift end to this dispute to improve the morale of nursing staff facing an unprecedented challenge.’

Smokers are at greater risk of respiratory infections

QUITLINE, which helps smokers rid the habit, is making some changes to the way it operates.

It will continue to support any smokers wishing to quit and actively encourages smokers looking to quit to contact them.

‘We will not be holding drop in clinics but arranging one-to-one appointments and offering some of the follow up by telephone.’

They advised: ‘Smokers are more likely to get respiratory infections and twice as likely to develop pneumonia as non-smokers.

‘The advice is that if you want to quit smoking, during the coronavirus outbreak is a very good time to do it as smoking is an added risk.’

The Guernsey Blind Association has stopped its Thursday activity group and all plans have been put on hold until further notice.

The Guernsey Down Syndrome Group’s fete has been rescheduled for the summer.

The raffle will still take place. A date has yet to be set. For information visit the group’s Facebook page.

The constables of St Peter’s have asked parishioners to visit the douzaine office in person only if it is ‘absolutely essential’.

The office is still open during its usual hours and vouchers for blue/clear recycling bags and replacement food waste bags are available to pick up from the porch.

For enquiries call 264638 or email constables@stpierredubois.org.

Anita Davies posted an update on Facebook informing her clients that all pregnancy yoga, postnatal mother and baby yoga, new antenatal courses, hypnobirthing classes, babycalm, mothers talking and breastfeeding groups are cancelled until the end of the month.

She will contact all groups next week to plan the next steps.

The Parkinson’s UK Guernsey branch has cancelled its Tuesday and Thursday activities until further notice in an attempt to protect their vulnerable clients and those who care for them.

‘We know this will be a disappointment for many, but we are acting on the basis of the best information available and with our client’s best interests at the heart of our decision,’ they said.

The decision will be kept under review and clients will be notified when activities resume.

Given the current situation, the Guernsey NCT committee made the decision to postpone its sale, which was due to take place on Friday.

‘We are currently working with the venue to get an alternative date and we will advise of this as soon as possible.’

Alderney’s Literary Festival has been cancelled as too many authors did not want to or could not travel. It was scheduled to take place next weekend and was sold out.