Constables of five parishes were re-elected unopposed at nomination meetings held on Wednesday night.

The five, re-elected for a further three years, and pictured, from left, are Silva Yates (St Martin), John Gallichan (Trinity), Mike Jackson (St Brelade), Peter Hanning (St Saviour) and Ken vibert (St Ouen).

Silva Yates
ST MARTIN Constable Silva Yates was proposed by Gerald Philip Le Cocq, who described the Constable as totally dedicated to the parish and dealing with any problems that parishioners may have to the best of his ability. Mr Le Cocq said that under Mr Yates’ leadership the parish had been run very smoothly. He added that he would not be proposing the re-election if he did not think the Constable could do the job.

Mr Le Cocq said that Mr Yates, who was an engineer and boat builder before becoming Constable, had plenty of experience with roles in the honorary police, as a rates assessor and as the Gorey Fete chairman before taking up his current post. Mr Le Cocq said that the Constable took great interest in the clubs and societies in St Martin which held him in good stead to hold the position for another term. He added that Mr Yates had surrounded himself with a very good team. Michel Philip Le Troquer seconded the proposal by Mr Le Cocq.

After being re-elected, Mr Yates thanked the parish and said that he had enjoyed his two years two months and two weeks as Constable and said that it was an honour and a privilege to continue serving the community in the parish.

Name: Silvanus Arthur Yates.
Address: Auvergne, Rue des Marettes, St Martin.
Occupation: Constable.
Proposers: Gerald Philip Le Cocq, Karen Jane Bravery, Nigel James Pallot, Nicola Jane Maindonald, Stephen George Luce, Monica Joan Bryant, David George Germain, Constance Norah Marett, Michel Philip Le Troquer and John Gerard Poole.

John Gallichan
JOHN Le Sueur Gallichan will be serving the parish of Trinity as Constable for another three years. Proposing him, Patricia Davis said that Mr Gallichan had already achieved a great deal for the parish, including refurbishing the rectory to a high standard and carrying out a vast amount of work on the parish church.
Mrs Davis said that Mr Gallichan had also managed to rezone fields for retirement homes and said that he was in the process of rezoning further land for homes for first-time buyers. In these last few years an awful lot has happened, and a lot of that is down to John,’ she said. ‘It is a wonderful parish to live in.’

Speaking after being elected unopposed, Mr Le Gallichan said: ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed being Constable for almost six years and I’m delighted to be elected for another three. I’ve got a wonderful team and a lot of supporters.
‘Trinity will be exactly the same in three years time as it is now, except maybe there will be a few more houses in the parish. We have to keep the parishes alive and strong, so we will be building high-quality houses.’

Name: John Le Sueur Gallichan.
Address: Jardin du Hurel, Trinity.
Occupation: Retired farmer.
Proposers: Patricia Davis, Lewis John Rondel, Lawrence Charles De Gruchy, Ruth Picot, Frederick John Benest, John Renouf Cabot, Michael John Vautier, Derek John de Gruchy, David John Picot and Charles Edward Ahier.

Mike Jackson
PARISHIONERS applauded on hearing the news that Mike Jackson was going to be the St Brelade Constable for a further three years.

Mr Jackson, whose proposal was uncontested at the parish nomination meeting, thanked his parishioners for their support and said he would continue to act in a ‘fair and balanced’ way. Mr Jackson said: ‘It was a great relief. We were anticipating someone else to come forward. A couple of forms had gone out, so that 20 minutes wais quite a nail-biting time.’

Over the next three years Mr Jackson aims to continue the work he started during his first term as Constable. ‘Plans to refurbish residential home Maison St Brelade went in today and I am keen to see progress on that,’ he said. ‘I plan to rearrange the traffic to make it easier for people to park, and put a pedestrian crossing opposite the parish hall.’
Mr Jackson’s proposer, Denise Waller, said he had a great understanding and interest in the parish, its people and their concerns.

In his time as Constable since 2005, she said, Mr Jackson had supported many parish activities, including the extension and refurbishment of Maison St Brelade, the parish’s Britain in Bloom competition entries, the Western Parishes Show and the Battle of Flowers committee.

Name: Mike Jackson.
Address: Braemar, Mont Gras d’Eau, St Brelade.
Occupation: Runs a yacht services business.
Proposers: Denise Waller, William Jackson, Frank Walker, David Cashel, Brian Le Boutillier, Ernest Quénault, Maxwell de la Haye, Alastair Layzell, John Le Bas, Jon Hackett.

Peter Hanning
A MAN who has served his parish for 34 years has been re-elected as Constable.
Around 40 parishioners and politicians gathered to see Peter Hanning nominated as the Constable of St Saviour for another three years.

Relief Magistrate Advocate Peter Mourant proposed the Constable by saying that he had represented his parishioners with commitment, honesty, courtesy and dignity. ‘Peter is a person whose heart is in the parish which he wishes to continue to serve,’ he said.

The nomination was seconded by Cara Lorraine Billot, who described the former Victoria College student as a keen sportsman and sailor who has helped to keep ‘community spirit alive and well in St Saviour’. Mr Hanning, who was born a month before Liberation Day in April 1945, has been married to Elaine for 40 years and they have two sons.

Although delighted to be re-elected, he said: ‘I have mixed feelings, as it would have been quite fun to have an election. We were all geared up and ready to go,’ he joked. ‘I think there is a great community spirit in the parish and I am honoured that you parishioners have asked me to continue for the next three years.’

Name: Peter Frederick Maurice Hanning.
Address: Le Perrotchet, Palace Drive, St Saviour.
Proposers: Peter Mourant, Cara Billot, Bryan Le Lievre, Josephine Moisan, Celia Scott Warren, Maria Colino, Bernard Connor, Richard Le Brocq, Francis Ozouf and Karen Stevens.

Ken Vibert
KEN VIBERT was re-elected unopposed for what he confirmed is to be his final three years as Constable of St Ouen.
Mr Vibert, who has held the post for 14 years, said that he was pleased to retain the position and is looking forward to his final period in the role.

Around 30 parishioners welcomed the decision when it was announced in the parish hall. ‘I originally planned to finish next year but then I very much supported the move to have the elections on a single day and felt obliged to present myself again,’ he said. ‘I think I have done more than I ever expected in my time in the post, and certainly didn’t think I would be here for 14 years, but it’s hard to leave a project once it has been started.’

Reflecting on current projects, he added: ‘I fully expect the village green to be ready by Christmas and would also like to get the building of homes for the elderly finished before I end my term.’ Mr Vibert’s proposer, Dennis Renouf, described him as having served the parish with distinction. Mr Renouf added that the Constable was a good ambassador for the parish and listed his additional roles, including being chairman of the Committee of Constables, and working for the Legislation Advisory Panel. ‘I don’t think we could do better than to re-elect him,’ he added.

Name: Kenneth Priaulx Vibert.
Address: Grosnez Farm, St Ouen.
Proposers: Dennis Renouf, Percy Le Masurier, Margaret Jenkins, Basil Carré, Richard Michel, Martin Pirouet, Kevin de Gruchy, Mandy Le Gros, Thomas A’Court and John Le Brocq.