Island needs to diversify for future growth
IS MORE retail development a long-term solution? Might we need alternative ideas on opportunities for Guernsey’s future growth and sustainable employment, particularly for young people who should feel (and be) important, that they are part of The Plan and The Future, to have a vested interest in their lives on Guernsey? Not more focus groups and discussions but practical action on skills and training – with support from the States, charitable foundations and individuals.
Perhaps establish a Guernsey College for agricultural/horticultural/vinicultural studies?
A catering and hospitality school might solve staffing shortages in the industry.
Consider an arts training centre to include painting/sculpture/ceramics/photography, which would not only foster creativity but could exhibit (and sell) with workshops open to the public (and tourists) – a showcase for local talented children and adults... one could just observe but also participate (tourism again)... as well as displaying works by international artists.
Might a gallery for Guernsey’s arts and crafts be included, as well as for Guernsey’s ‘industrial’ heritage – granite and stone, ships and sailing, trading, farming and dairy, tomatoes and vines etc as part of Guernsey’s story? What about using Quayside for this?
Help for young Guernsey farmers: grants to buy/rent land, livestock and equipment etc.
Tours of the Guernsey Dairy for locals and visitors?
Trips to farms, observe (and participate in?) hand-milking (another skill to be re-awakened?), see butter and cheese being made by hand, make Guernsey brie and Guernsey mozzarella (delicious with Guernsey tomatoes drizzled with cannabidiol) and let visitors make some too? The profile of working with and on the land should be raised – what more honourable, satisfying and essential occupation than providing food, especially if a surplus could be exported tariff-free to the UK?
Could we not encourage as much self-sufficiency and independence as practically possible, repair and restore the glasshouses and revive the growing industry, while being careful not to put all our eggs in one cannabis basket? We are now so used to being able to purchase everything in all seasons so let’s grow tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, leeks, apples, pears, melons and add lemons, oranges, avocados, peppers, chillies, pomegranates, aubergines etc. Meat and fish we have.
Finance and IT are at the economic forefront of course, but perhaps not everyone wants to work in this area?
ANN TAYLOR
Address withheld