Balcony Gigs to return this summer

Music to our ears as Balcony Gigs to return this summer

Having been cancelled earlier this year due to Covid-19, the highly anticipated Cobo Bay annual music festival, synonymous with summertime in Guernsey, will go ahead in August and September. The popular series of family-friendly, live outdoor music events, sponsored by JT, will resume with a fantastic line-up of local acts.

The return of the Balcony Gigs will be a welcomed celebration for islanders and a symbol of life returning to normal, having gone through such unprecedented times. This year, the free events will feature only local bands, highlighting the variety of talent we have right here on our doorstep. The festival’s programme has been built with the spirit of the ‘Guernsey together’ theme, which encourages islanders to celebrate together and support each other. The series kicks off on Sunday 2 August with The Big Band followed by four more events until 27 September.

David Nussbaumer, who organises the events for Cobo Bay Hotel, said: “Having gone through such challenging times, it’s fantastic we can come together and celebrate, we have a reason to party. We are thrilled to be able to put on the Balcony Gigs this year, working with our long-term partner JT to bring islanders of all ages together. It would have been really disappointing if the Balcony Gigs couldn’t have gone ahead when it’s such a big event in the island’s calendar year. Through our partnership with JT, we have been providing memorable community events that don’t involve travel or a ticket cost and we promise 2020 will bring a special close to the summer with a great atmosphere of local music, sun and fun for all the family.”

JT’s Deputy Managing Director in Guernsey, Tamara O’Brien, said: “For almost a decade now we’ve been partnering with Cobo Bay Hotel. It just wouldn’t be summer without Guernsey’s famous balcony gigs and we’re delighted the event series is able to go ahead. Bringing islanders together to enjoy the summer with free music and celebrate the place we call home, is what this is all about. This year, we will be celebrating everything that the Guernsey music scene has to offer with a local line-up of home-grown talent. Islanders have shown such resilience and a real sense of community throughout the pandemic, which is a cause for celebration as we ‘build back better’. This year’s event series will be one to remember.”

For those that are unable to attend, JT will be streaming highlights of the events on Facebook so islanders can enjoy the music from wherever they are. As always, given the beautiful location that these events take place in, and how lucky we are to benefit from them, we ask everyone attending to collect and take home their rubbish and leave Cobo Bay litter free.”

View the music line-up >>



Intelligent Sustainability for homes and businesses thanks to JT’s acquisition of technology automation company Zero1

JT has recently expanded its intelligent engineering and home automation service offering by acquiring Jersey-based company, Zero1.  Founded in 2010, Zero1 made its name as a leading designer and supplier of environment and entertainment automation systems for homes and business in the Channel Islands.

Partnering with industry-leading manufacturers and using Jersey’s world-class full-fibre network, Zero1 designs and installs intelligent lighting and shading, security, heating and entertainment systems which fit seamlessly into homes and businesses. As more homes become workplaces and home schools, they need to be capable of running the smart applications and connected devices needed to keep our lives and economy going. Zero1’s tailor-made solutions combined with JT’s world-class fibre network and resources, will support making those places more efficient, comfortable, economic and sustainable.

Daragh McDermott, Managing Director of JT Channel Islands, said: “JT’s purpose is to connect our customers and enable their sustainable future. We have a proven track record in bringing products and services to market before our competitors, and Zero1 provides us with an opportunity to move into the exciting and growing world of ‘Smart’, automated and sustainable living.  Having one of the fastest broadband networks in the world, JT and Zero1 can now bring our solutions past the router into homes and businesses, improving sustainability, efficiency, comfort and productivity.   Services like this rely on the superior connectivity our fibre network provides and this is just another way of maximizing the potential of our islands network.

“Amongst many benefits of this joining together, will be combining the knowledge and design expertise of Zero1 with the engineering resources and capabilities of JT.  For example we can now use green technology to create sustainable buildings that keep track of our energy and water consumption and then decrease it through automation and connectivity.  This will reduce environmental impact, contributing to the island’s target to be ‘carbon neutral’ by 2030.”

For more information on Zero 1 visit www.zero1.je



Macmillan Jersey volunteer

JT provides Macmillan Jersey with lifeline digital equipment to continue supporting vulnerable islanders

Research from Macmillan Cancer Support in the UK shows an estimate of around 2,000 people a week are going undiagnosed and nearly half of cancer patients have had their treatment changed, cancelled or delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Macmillan Jersey wants to remind islanders that health services are still open for other concerns and conditions too. With JT’s help, the local charity has made various operational changes and by using the powers of technology has continued helping islanders and their families at home and away throughout.

To be able to support Jersey patients and their families from a safe distance, JT has helped Macmillan Jersey by providing the charity with Cloud PBX technology, a phone system accessed through the internet, which enables the Macmillan Team to work remotely and continue emotional support and wellbeing services for patients and their families.

To make sure families stay connected to their loved ones while they undergo treatment and care away from home, JT will be loaning a number of basic mobile phone which will have incoming and outgoing calls and texts included free of charge. JT will also be loaning some portable mobile Wi-Fi devices which connect to the patient’s loan mobile phone to enable the use of free Wi-Fi.

Lauren Perchard-Rees, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey, said: “We are so thankful to JT for providing this lifeline equipment for our teams and patients to remain connected. It will make a tangible difference to their lives and improve the overall wellbeing of patients separated from loved ones due to self-isolating or ongoing treatment. Cancer affects the lives of so many of us, in so many challenging ways and we’re grateful at Macmillan Jersey that we can continue to operate. Charities have been hit hard due to Covid-19 and we need the support of our local community to enable us to continue helping islanders and their families living with and beyond cancer.”

Tamara O Brien, Group Head of Customer Experience for JT, said: “Part of our purpose at JT is keeping our customers connected and doing the very best we can for our people and our communities. We are all proud to support Macmillan Jersey, helping them to maintain their services in supporting islanders living with cancer and keeping patients in touch with their families. We know now more than ever how vital digital technology is, which, for many has been the only way of communicating with family and friends during lockdown. During such challenging times, it’s important we help those most vulnerable and raise awareness of the excellent work Macmillan Jersey does in caring for our loved ones within our community.”