Chris Jesson is particularly popular on Instagram and has promoted the island and the local horticulture scene on the platform since moving to Guernsey in November 2024.
But his bid to secure a long-term employment permit in the island failed and since then he had run another campaign on social media to attempt to reverse the decision.
However he has now admitted that he was ready to abandon his efforts to stay in the island and was exploring opportunities back in the UK.
‘It is clear that procedurally the island will never want me and has not tried to understand, while seemingly happy to let my health deteriorate,’ he said on social media.
‘I know I’m a complex individual but my favourite place in the world has let me down immeasurably several times over. If I do leave it is unlikely I will forgive it.’
He said that the reception he was given by his peers at last week’s Chelsea Flower Show showed how highly respected he was in the industry.
Lincolnshire-born Mr Jesson quickly became quite a prominent figure after his arrival in Guernsey, initially as a gardener for a local hotel. He secured private work and so started to work for himself as a garden designer and professional horticulturist.
Last September he submitted an out-of-policy application for a long-term employment permit but it was rejected in February, he claimed, because it ‘didn’t fit a neat scoring exercise’.
‘There was more interest in that I hadn’t filled in a box on the application form for my job description when I had clearly said “please refer to my business plan” where such detail was provided,’ he said.
Workers in industries like horticulture can apply for a short-term employment permit – S-TEP – in Guernsey, when local labour is unavailable. Such licences allow workers to live with a householder in local market accommodation for a period of about nine months to three years. After that, they need to take a recognised break in residence before they can hold another such licence, or live open market.
Mr Jesson said his reasons for applying ‘out of policy’ were clearly stated in his business plan – which showed a focus on local sourcing, a commitment to Guernsey labour and to training locals in horticulture.
But he said he felt that his profession was ‘not recognised by residency permit law here at all’ and that he was turned down ‘based on rigid policy’.
During his time in Guernsey, Mr Jesson has been heard giving monthly gardening advice on BBC Radio Guernsey. He has become a member of the National Trust and Plant Heritage Guernsey, and chairman of Floral Guernsey. But due to his situation, he has recently resigned from a number of local commitments, including his role at Floral Guernsey.
‘Considering Guernsey obviously has a major horticultural background, we are surprised that horticulture isn’t considered important enough for a housing licence,’ said a spokesman for Floral Guernsey.
The ‘Groovy Gardener’ Instagram account has about 14,000 followers, though Mr Jesson estimates that his digital reach is around half a million. He said he enjoys encouraging people to come to the island, and has worked with Locate Guernsey. He is also a passionate advocate for people with autism – having been diagnosed with ASD since the age of 10.
‘It hasn’t been a good way to treat or even communicate with an autistic man of profound uniqueness and genuine spirit to the island,’ he said.
‘I am making a huge effort here, it is my favourite place in the world. For £1,200 I deserved a better hearing and level of service. A priority job sector does not guarantee full commitment to this island and it is a shame horticulture in this and all forms appears to be banded as derisory.’
At the weekend he added on social media: ‘Guernsey has broken me by not looking after me. It is only paradise if you are in the right job, have the money, or keep yourself to yourself. I shall leave broken-hearted by an island I was utterly infatuated with.’