Archives for March 2010

The Durell Wildlife Conservation Trust have been writing on their blog about the amazement of seeing two of their collaborations featured on a BBC Two programme about the Natural History Museum.

The programme, called the Museum of Life goes out on Thursday's on BBC Two at 8pm and aims to go behind the scenes at the Natural History Museum to meet the people working there.

"Jimmy Doherty goes behind the scenes at the Natural History Museum to join the people who are uncovering secrets, solving mysteries and making discoveries among the historic collections."

In the Durrell blog post the author talks about "settling back on the sofa last Thursday to watch the first episode." and being "amazed not just one of our collaborations on the programme but two."

You can read more about the collaborations on their website.

One of the two collaborations was an interview with Durrell's Professor Carl Jones on Ile aux Aigrettes off the coast of Mauritius about the conservation work.

The other was a piece on the Floreana mockingbird, the original samples collected by Charles Darwin while on his Beagle Voyage are held by the Natural History Museum.

These are extinct in their native island but survive on two smaller islets - Durrell are working with the Charles Dawin Foundation and the University of Zurich to restore the species.

But it's not just watching TV, Durrell have also been treating their Meerkats to an early Easter treat.

You can watch the Meerkats on YouTube.

Jersey band Crowne spent the last weekend of March doing their bit for Jerri-Franco relations playing at a festival in Marseille.

Crowne are Rory, Marchin, Mirek and James, playing indie rock and played the festival which was filmed for a documentary for France 3.

On returning a tired band said on their Facebook fan page: " Thanks guys for a very warm welcome and positive energy you gave us !!! We are back home now - absolutely knackered :)."

But that: "Marseille was GREAT !!! We love you to !!!"

Jersey's singing farmer, Hedley le Maistre has released a new song - Recessionary Beancrock Blues, a pastiche of Bob Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues.

Members of the Planet Jersey forum have been discussing this and other musical tracks posted to You Tube in a 'music is subjective' thread.

You can watch Recessionary Beancrock Blues on YouTube.

The video was filmed, as with all previous Hedley le Maistre productions by Fortress Island Films.

This one was shot around the island with Clive Pearce resuming his role as the slightly grumpy St Ouen farmer.

Clive as Hedley is seen dropping sheets of paper with lyrics from the song in much the same way as Dylan did in his famous video for Subterranean Homesick Blues.

In the YouTube comments for the video Boysiesbargains has nothing but praise for the team behind the new song and video.

Saying: "Congratulations Andy, Clive, Hedley, Hannah and all the "production team" at Fortress island Films... looks GREAT in Black and white too!!"

Is there ever a situation where sharing information and the reason behind a delay isn't such a good idea?

Travelling back to Jersey by plane recently (naming no airlines or airports) the Captain came over the intercom and said the following:

"Not sure what's happening with the fuel.

"Fuel is a lot cheaper here than in the Channel Islands but we have made a decision.

"We've got enough fuel on board to get us there and we will buy some expensive fuel when we get to Jersey."