A TV crew from S4C was in Herm recently to film Welsh residents and staff for the show Wedi 3 and Wedi 7.  Although it has already been screened on terrestrial television it is due to be screened again tonight Monday 31st May 2010 at 19.00 on Sky Channel 134.  Last year White House Hotel manager, Sion Dobson Jones met some hotel guests who were interested in the move he and his family had made to Herm from Portmeirion in North Wales.  One of the guests knew a producer at S4C and thought it would make an interesting story.  Sion, his wife Lucy and children Catrin, 6 and Ffion, 3 were followed by cameras as they went about their normal routine for three days.

When Herm tenant John Singer read in the Guernsey Press that the only animal sanctuary on Guernsey was closing down he felt he had to offer to take on some of the animals.  Last week ‘Sweet Pea’ and ‘Honey Bun’ arrived on Herm – they are neutered male Anglo-Nubian goats.  They will be spending the summer months in the ‘Bird Cage’ which is the field at the top of the hill.  After you have walked through the new Woodland Walk make sure you look over the gate to see our new arrivals.  They are being looked after by Jane Makemson who is already by attached to ‘her boys’.

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It’s all beginning to hot up in the Herm gardens although the lack of rain means the gardeners are having to water some areas.  We last had ‘proper’ rain early April so everywhere is starting to look quite dry.  Brett has been leading large groups on his weekly garden tour.  The garden tour takes place every Tuesday at 11am and is of interest to everyone, even if you aren’t a keen gardener. 

This week Brett and James have been working behind the scenes in the nursery planting up the hanging baskets and tubs.  These will stay in the poly tunnels for a couple more weeks before being hardened off.  During the first week of June they will be distributed around the island.  Frost killing off the bedding plants isn’t a problem here but strong winds are!  Putting the baskets and tubs out any earlier means the plants run the risk of being battered, so over the years Herm gardeners have learnt not to be too hasty in getting the summer displays out!

The valley and woodland walk has had lots of favourable comments.  The bluebells have been fantastic but are now just about over for this year. 

Ceanothus arboreus ‘Trewithen Blue’ (Californian Lilac)

The Ceanothus is a large evergreen shrub that can grow to 8 - 10 foot. It produces beautiful dark blue flowers in the spring time, flowering only on one-year-old wood. Pruning the plant must therefore be undertaken after flowering so as not to disturb bloom the following year. It is a plant that thrives on Herm. The plant likes well drained sandy soil and full sun. This one is flowering in the garden of Harbour Cottage.

The telephone system on Herm has recently been upgraded.  The new numbers can be found on http://www.herm.com/contact/

There is a PDF downloadable document with all the contact details.

Don’t worry if you call the old numbers.  For a few months calls will be transferred to the new numbers.  Below are photos of the team at the White House Hotel.  Hotel manager, Sion Dobson Jones, head receptionist Linda Gijbertsen and receptionists Ffion Jones and Crystal Tinkler.

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Hermites love an opportunity to dress up so we decided to send Mel off in style.  His leaving party at The Mermaid coincided with his forty-something birthday and also LIberation Day so it was party atmosphere all round.  See blog below 'Last week on Herm for Mel' to read more about him.  Lucy Jones made his birthday/leaving cake which was decorated with three Herm tents, including one with a camper asleep with his head and feet sticking out of either end!  The detail of a pair of pheasants, signposts to the beaches and admin office was very clever. 

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If you can’t manage a visit to Herm this year did you know you can now shop online for many Herm items?  Have a look at the Gift Shop pages on this website where there are links to the Herm eBay shop and a page about the Herm calendar for 2011.

When I called into the Gift Shops this week assistant shop manager, Edwin, was pricing up beach towels.  They sold so many last year that extra have been ordered for this year.  Edwin had 240 to price up! 

Don't forget to use the discount voucher in the Herm What's On Guide - 20% off all purchases over £50 during May and June 2010 on production of the guide.  Offer does not include sale goods, phone cards and stamps.

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If you have called the Herm administration office recently the phone may have been answered by either Leana or Jenny who are both taking over from Mel when he leaves at the end of this week.  Mel has been working on Herm for the past 23 years so will be missed by residents and regular visitors to Herm.  Mel, Leana and Jenny have been working under trying conditions recently as the office extension reaches the final phase.  The reception desk in the new extension is being built by island carpenter, Richard Knight and should be finished soon!