Message from the Connétable
Dear Parishioner,
We are holding an Assembly in the Parish Hall on June 19th 2025 at 7pm to discuss whether the Parish should take over the lease of the Sandy Park play area.
I wanted to explain why this is required.
First of all, where is it?
This is the Play area at the northern end of Longbeach Car Park.
Why are we asking to take it over?
Up until now the States Department for Infrastructure has had this lease and therefore been responsible for its maintenance and upkeep.
They intimated last year that they were considering withdrawing from this responsibility and the Chef Tenants, who manage this area, needed someone else to take it on.
The Chef Tenants manage the whole of the Gorey Common and provide many facilities to the public, tourist and villagers alike.
They also have been kind enough to let the Parish use the Common for recent celebrations like the Platinum Jubilee, Coronation and Liberation 80 events. They are also home to other events like Car Boot sales, Jumilage Games, Grouville Petanque Club etc.
I gathered the political representatives of St Martin and Grouville, Deputies Labey, Luce and Rose Binet, to a meeting. The conclusion of this was that the Sandy Park Play Area must remain open and so options were discussed with all parties and the conclusion of this was for the Parish to apply for this current opportunity.
We have gathered all the cost implications together and will make those public soon.
The lease expires on 24th June so the timing of this Assembly is crucial as it falls between the AGM of the Chef Tenants on 12th June and the expiry date.
Other Parishes in Jersey maintain the play areas within their borders, especially Elephant Park in St Brelade, so we feel that this is the way forward.
Regards
Mark Labey
Connetable of Grouville