http://guernseypost.com/index.php/tools/blocks/page_list/rss?bID=2045&cID=423&arHandle=Sub Menu Latest News from Guernsey Post http://guernseypost.com/news/lottery_syndicate_forms_now_in_all_guernsey_post The £1 Million Lottery promoters have ensured that Guernsey residents have the opportunity to organise their syndicates with ease, by making syndicate forms available at all ten Guernsey Post branches. These are: Envoy House, La Vrangue Smith St, St Peter Port The Bridge Cobo Stores Forest Stores L’Islet Checkers Store CoOp Fresh Food Store, Market St, St Peter Port Safeway, Rohais St Martins CoOp Fresh Food Store St Peters Post Office Paul McCormick, Marketing Manager for Guernsey Post said “Getting a syndicate together is a great way to get involved in the lotto and support Guernsey Cheshire Homes, so we’re pleased to make the syndicate forms available in our branches across the island and on our website, making it as easy as possible to get involved.” Tickets are £300 each and syndicate groups can be large or small. Payment options are by cash, cheque and credit or debit cards. Lottery tickets are on sale at: Lloyds TSB Smith St – Wednesdays 11am – 3pm, Lloyds TSB St Martins – Thursdays 11am – 3pm, Guernsey Cheshire Home shop – The Bridge – Fridays 4pm – 6pm, Le Friquet Garden Centre – Saturdays 11am - 3pm “If you can’t make a ticket sale time, give us a call on 07781 116 871 and we’ll arrange a convenient time to visit you at your home, or your place or work”, said Keith Birch, Guernsey Cheshire Home Million Pound Lotto Promoter. All profits from the sale of lottery tickets will go to the Guernsey Cheshire Home. “We’ve seen such an amazing response at all sales outlets and our volunteers had their work cut out to get tickets to people fast enough” said Home Chairman, Jurat Stephen Jones. The Lotto’s first prize is a guaranteed £1 million to one lucky winner (or syndicate group), with a further prize fund of £100,000 being split into 4 prizes of £50,000, £25,000, £15,000 and £10,000 each. The Guernsey Cheshire Home is a charity whose aim is to provide care and opportunity for people with a serious physical disability in as close to a family atmosphere as possible. The residents and day visitors may have a very high level of dependency but the philosophy ensures that they can enjoy as much independence as possible making their own choices and maintaining control of their lives. The Home relies on private funding and donations to top up the contributions from residents, as there is no direct funding from the States of Guernsey. Lottery winners will be drawn and announced on 16th October 2010. .... Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:23:00 BST http://guernseypost.com/news/guernsey_post_and_our_end_appeal Following discussions between Guernsey Post and the Office of Utility Regulation, an agreement has been reached which it is hoped will end the litigation over increased competition in the Reserved Area. Guernsey Post and the OUR have recently engaged in discussions in relation to the issues associated with the appeal. These discussions have been extremely constructive and the parties have been able to reach an agreement in principle regarding how the Reserved Area might change, which will now be progressed through a consultation exercise. To this end, a consultation document has been issued by the OUR today, setting out a proposal for a revised Reserved Area which would see all packet mail being open to competition and Guernsey Post having exclusive rights to supply all other postal items including items categorised as letters and large letters of less than £1.35 in value. Both the OUR and Guernsey Post have welcomed the agreement, noting that it demonstrates a constructive and progressive approach on both sides. John Curran, Director General of the OUR, said: “Our objective is to ensure that Guernsey’s postal market is as efficient and competitive as it needs to be to support the wider economy and to provide the important social service that all postal customers value. An important aspect of that objective is protecting the universal service which Guernsey Post has the responsibility of delivering. We believe that the agreed proposal represents a way forward which meets these objectives and as such is one to be welcomed. We are grateful to Guernsey Post’s Chief Executive Officer, Board and management for the constructive approach which it has taken during our recent discussions on this issue and which have helped bring about this resolution. We are optimistic that the constructive approach which both sides have adopted will continue and be consolidated in relation to future regulatory matters.” Welcoming the agreement Boley Smillie, Chief Executive of Guernsey Post said. “We are pleased to have reached agreement with the OUR, the result of which is in the best interests of our customers and Guernsey Post. We believe that this resolution maintains the Reserved Area at a level that should be sufficient for Guernsey Post to continue to sustain the universal postal service. It also allows us to move forward as a business and concentrate our efforts on delivering a quality, cost efficient service. Guernsey Post accepts that it is important for Guernsey’s economy that customers have access to competitive pricing. Whilst I believe that Guernsey Post can retain significant business in a competitive market, we are keen to ensure that any competition is fair and regulated. Guernsey Post’s business faces similar challenges to all postal providers. I am confident that my colleagues, our trade unions, and the Board are all fully focused on those challenges which include ensuring a sustainable universal service.” As regards the ongoing appeal, this will be stayed to allow the OUR to consult on the terms of the proposal for a revised reserved area. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the proposal will take effect soon after this consultation is complete. The OUR is also proceeding with its work on licensing arrangements for new postal operators as a matter of priority. As regards future competition measures, both parties have confirmed their hope that the constructive dialogue which has taken place recently will continue into the future. In this regard, Guernsey Post has confirmed that it supports a move towards full liberalisation of the bulk mail market, provided adequate measures are in place to protect the universal service which Guernsey Post is required to maintain. The OUR has welcomed this statement, noting that any move to full liberalisation in the bulk mail market would be prefaced by a full consultation exercise in which consideration will be given to all relevant factors. The factors to be considered will include measures such as licensing of competitors, greater pricing flexibility for Guernsey Post in a competitive market and provision for a compensation fund to support the universal service obligation, should that be required. The OUR and Guernsey Post have also agreed to fully support the work of the Commerce& Employment Department in reviewing the scope of the universal service obligation and expect to meet with the Department in the near future to progress this work. Further details of the proposed amendment to the Reserved Area are available from Guernsey Post’s website www.guernseypost.com or from customer services on 711720. .... Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:40:00 BST http://guernseypost.com/news/batif_competition_winner The lucky winner of our Summer Competition for a holiday for two in Turkey plus £500 of spending money is Mr Dale Guilbert. The Turkish Delights tour takes in the fascinating cultural centres of Ephesus, Troy and Topkapi Palace. Congratulations to Mr Guilbert from us all at Guernsey Post and our partners at Insight Vacations and Trafalgar Travel. .... Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:44:00 BST http://guernseypost.com/news/gordon_steele Gordon Steele has resigned from his position as Chief Executive of Guernsey Post. The mutual decision between Mr Steele and the Board has been taken due to a difference of opinion regarding the future direction of the Company. The Board has appointed Boley Smillie as the interim Chief Executive and will meet today to consider the appointment of a new Chief Executive, a process that is likely to take some time. Guernsey Post Chairman Dudley Jehan said: “The Board and I would like to thank Gordon for the valuable contribution he has made to this business over the last three years and wish him all the very best for the future..... Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:26:00 BST http://guernseypost.com/news/guernsey_post_remains_in_profit_despite_a_diffic Guernsey Post has delivered a profit for the people of the Bailiwick and met customer service and regulatory targets despite a challenging year. In the year to 31 March 2010, turnover rose to £45.4m following strong growth in priority services and UK and International bulk mail volumes. Underlying profit was £1.2m but this was reduced to £0.162m by exceptional items. However, the company will make a dividend payment to the States of Guernsey based on profit before exceptional items are taken into account. Guernsey Post continued to successfully drive down costs and improve efficiency after savings of £1m the previous year. The introduction of Pricing in Proportion in April this year has been managed extremely well, with the minimum of disruption to the company’s high standard of service.. The business has strengthened its account management and introduced downstream access products, offering very large customers the option of lower costs with a slower service by introducing mail further down the Royal Mail distribution chain. Chief Executive Gordon Steele highlighted that the company has faced one of the most challenging years in its history: “In the last year, we have had to address some very significant issues including a year-on-year 16 per cent decline in traditional mail volumes, large Royal Mail price increases, the frustration of our efforts to diversify into financial services and the ongoing and costly dispute with the Office of Utility Regulation.” “Despite this, I’m pleased to report that thanks to the efforts and dedication of our people and the continued good relationships with our main union, the CWU, we have met all of our service and regulatory targets for a second year in succession and delivered a profit for the people of the Bailiwick. Everyone in the business should be congratulated and I wish to thank all of our people and customers for their support in helping us overcome the issues faced.” Chairman of the Board Dudley Jehan said: “Guernsey Post has continued to perform well under particularly difficult circumstances and we are proud of the year we’ve had. We are addressing current issues through increased efficiencies, cost reductions and the continued pursuit of alternative revenue streams from non-regulated postal products and diversification into new, profitable markets where we have the relevant reputation and expertise”. Diversification into financial services is a key part of the company’s strategy but world financial events have raised regulatory concerns and the development has been put on hold: “Over the next year we shall continue to see if we can find a solution that will enable us to launch a range of savings products that meet a clear demand from the people of the Bailiwick,” added Mr Jehan. Mr Steele noted: “Issues that arose this year will impact us even more in the next 12 months and actions are being taken now to execute and drive the required efficiency improvements and cost reductions to protect the future viability of the business. I’m confident we have the right strategy and the full commitment of our people and stakeholders to continue providing a valued service to the people of the Bailiwick.” The exceptional items for the financial year were higher pension provisions and the product write-off of £860,000 of savings bank development costs..... Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:03:00 BST http://guernseypost.com/news/penny_the_postie_sets_sail_for_pirate_adventure A new Guernsey heroine has been delivered in the form of ‘Penny the Postie’ in her brand new adventure ‘Penny and the Pirates’. Illustrator Keith Robinson is creating a series of adventures for the new character who features on a range of stamps issued by Guernsey Post. ‘The Adventures of Penny the Postie’ is beautifully written and illustrated by Mr Robinson and is a delightful, locally set story that sees Penny set off on an amazing journey. Having come across a strange old post box, Penny decides to check inside and finds a crumpled piece of paper that transports her on a magical adventure. She soon finds herself on a desert island delivering post to a friendly pirate and she agrees to help him outwit the mean Captain Bullybones. Will Penny succeed in helping the pirate? And will she be able to get back home to Guernsey? Author Keith Robinson said: “The possibilities presented by a magical post box are endless. In this first adventure, Penny encounters pirates and hidden treasure. Who knows where she will end up next?” Mr Robinson will be in Guernsey on the 20th July for a special reading and drawing session at the Guille Allès Library’s ‘Story Stop’. The session is open to children aged three to five and runs from 11am to 11.30am. Dawn Gallienne, Philatelic Manager from Guernsey Post said: “This is the first time we have commissioned a book to accompany one of our stamp issues, but ‘Penny the Postie’ is such a great character we wanted to make sure local children got the opportunity to experience her adventures more fully.” A souvenir sheet of ‘Penny the Postie’ stamps appears at the end of each story as hidden treasure and act as a reminder of Penny’s amazing adventure with the pirates. “With a set of special stamps in every book, this is also a great way for new collectors to get started,” said Ms Gallienne. The Penny the Postie books are available now in most Guernsey Post branches, local bookshops and some tourist attractions and general shops priced £4.95. .... Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:49:00 BST http://guernseypost.com/news/guernsey_post_staff_in_beach_clean_up Guernsey Post staff took part in a beach clean at Grandes Rocques this weekend. A group of around 30 volunteers made up of Guernsey Post employees and their families followed the seashore round the bay and collected litter as part of the annual event. Last year staff took part in a similar event at Vazon Bay and this year they were joined by Richard Lord from Sustainable Guernsey. Mr Lord also spent time collecting litter from Grandes Rocques and Saline beach last month and was interested to compare the two samples: “It is surprising just how much litter is discarded on the island’s beaches. In my last beach clean I found a variety of items including empty drink cans, plastic bottles, fast food cartons, crisp packets, rope and even clothes labels,” said Mr Lord. “Thanks to the efforts of the volunteers from Guernsey Post, I will be able to analyse and compare the samples of litter and determine whether it has come from the sea or from local sources,” added Mr Lord. Jackie Wenman, Chair of Guernsey Post’s Environmental Committee, said: “Rubbish on the island’s beaches is a significant problem because of the dangers it poses to islanders, particularly children, and to wildlife. “As a local company we feel it is important that we encourage our staff to be more environmentally friendly and we hope that by helping to clean up Grandes Rocques we can contribute to keeping Guernsey clean and safe and reduce the impact of littering on the environment.” .... Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:22:00 BST http://guernseypost.com/news/guernsey_post_lends_its_support_to_bridge2haiti_ Guernsey Post is supporting Bridge2Haiti by helping Mourant Ozannes send surplus goods, which they are donating to the Caribbean country, free of charge. Mourant Ozannes had numerous items available following the local law firm’s recent merger and subsequent rebranding. These items include t-shirts, umbrellas, zip folders and sports bags. The goods will be going to members of the Haitian community affected by the earthquake in January this year. The cost of posting these items to Haiti would normally cost over £1,100 but Guernsey Post has offered to send them free of charge. The goods will take around 6-8 days to arrive in Haiti. The team at Mourant Ozannes were keen to ensure that branded items were not wasted and worked with Sarah Griffiths, of Bridge2Haiti, to ensure items sent would be of immediate use to the local population. Rob Shepherd, Managing Partner at Mourant Ozannes in Guernsey, said: “We are really grateful for Guernsey Post’s support in sending the items. It is important that local companies take a proactive stance in donating unwanted goods to worthwhile causes rather than sending them to landfill.” Caleb Zunino, Commercial Manager for postal-products at Guernsey Post, said: “We were more than happy to add our support to the Bridge2Haiti appeal by covering the cost of postage for Mourant Ozanne’s generous donation. This will allow the much needed goods to reach Haiti as soon as possible”. .... Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:40:00 BST