Guernsey's new TV station
Channel Television took to the air this week in 1962. Its 5pm opening in the presence of the Bailiffs of Guernsey and Jersey was a low-key affair, which was swiftly followed - at 5.10 - by The Adventures of Robin Hood starring Richard Greene. It didn’t start broadcasting in colour until 1976.
Actor Oliver Reed was jailed in Guernsey this week in 1984 after smashing a window at the Duke of Normandie hotel while standing in the car park wearing only his underwear. The Gladiator actor was kept in custody for a couple of days and said, on his release, that while he’d been treated well the food could have been better.
Winston Churchill came to Guernsey with his wife this week in 1913 but insisted on playing a round of golf at L’Ancresse before calling on the Lieutenant-Governor. He inspected the coastguard station, but otherwise confined himself to his boat before leaving the following morning.
Six swimmers from Jersey set a round-Guernsey record when they completed a loop around the island in just under nine hours this week in 2003. They started and ended the feat at St Martin’s point, and swam the 21.1 mile circuit in relay, having put off the attempt by 24 hours in the face of stormy weather and choppy seas.
Philip de Saumarez was discharged as a Jurat this week in 1879 after petitioning the Queen to be released on account of his failing hearing. The Queen pondered for 16 days before agreeing, but allowed him to keep all the privileges that the role entailed. He died, aged 84, in 1895.
A Guernseyman cycled to Herm this week in 2017 on a craft called Boaty McBikeface. The crossing took a very respectable 40 minutes, which isn’t much more than twice what the ferry takes.
Guernsey’s laws were completely overhauled this week in 1948 with new regulations covering everything from what to do if someone was physically incapable to vote to how many people should sit in the States of Deliberation. It also finally allowed elections to be held by secret ballot.
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