Latest news with #LaVallette
BBC News
23-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Guernsey suicide awareness walk raises thousands for charity
A walk to highlight suicide awareness and prevention has raised around £8, than 700 people set off on Sunrise Walk of Hope across Guernsey on Sunday in aid of mental health charity Guernsey in its fifth year, the four mile (six kilometre) trek has been described as a "real game changer" in encouraging people to talk about a subject still largely considered taboo, despite touching the lives of so many. Jo Cottell, the charity's chief executive, called the event "a testament to the strength and resilience of our community". The walkers set off at 04:00 BST from Vale Castle and ended at La Vallette Bathing Pools, where refreshments were provided and many took the opportunity for an early morning representatives from the Samaritans, the Sunflower Project and Guernsey Mind were on hand to talk to people. The Guernsey Suicide Awareness Group also set up a memory tree at the Town Church where people wrote the names of loved ones, along with messages in their memory. Members of the men's group Odyssey also walked the entire route barefoot as "a small but meaningful act" to raise awareness of male mental health. Ms Cottrell added: "Many participants walked in memory of loved ones, wearing signs on their shirts. "The atmosphere was one of compassion, solidarity and support, reminding us that no one has to walk alone in their journey."The funds raised from the event will contribute towards Guernsey Mind's ongoing work supporting mental wellbeing.
BBC News
31-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
More work planned to secure future of Guernsey diving board
More work is to be carried out in the hope an open air diving board in St Peter Port, Guernsey, can be saved from States issued a removal notice in February for the only remaining diving board at La Vallette pools over health and safety removal of the board at the Ladies Pool was halted following a public outcry and a demonstration against the the States of Guernsey has commissioned the removal of bedrock from the pool floor in an effort to meet the required depth to allow the platform to remain. The States has commissioned a team led by F Watson & Son Ltd which undertook voluntary work in April to remove silt and rubble from the pool said volunteers were also able to demonstrate that the bedrock could feasibly be removed. 'Positive outcome' A States spokesman said: "Achieving sufficient depth would be a significant step towards retaining and reopening the diving platform. "Further steps are being taken to address safety concerns which are not related to the depth of the pool, including signage, so that a package of measures can be presented to the Health and Safety Executive for it to consider whether the prohibition notice can be removed."Damon Hackley, director of operations for economy, infrastructure, environment and culture, added: "Thanks to the passion and proactivity of community volunteers, we are much closer to reaching a positive outcome regarding the diving board at the Ladies Pool than we were earlier this year."While there remains a good deal of work to do, including the production of appropriate operating procedures, the States of Guernsey will continue to work closely with the community in an effort to find an acceptable outcome."
