Weekly round-up: Stories you may have missed

Children in Guernsey have been reading to a rescue cat, plans have been approved for a new skatepark in Jersey and a former alcoholic has spoken about why wanting to be a better father encouraged him to quit drinking.

Here's our round-up of some of the stories which from the Channel Islands this week.

Rescue centres have raised concerns hedgehog numbers across the islands had "plummeted".

Guernsey Hedgehog Rescue Centre said it saw a "steep" decline in 2025, while the Jersey Hedgehog Preservation Group also reported a sharp drop.

Dawn Robin, from the Guernsey centre, said they had "empty hutches" for the first time, which she found "extremely worrying".

Dru Burdon, from the Jersey group, said she was "worried" about the fall and encouraged people to keep leaving food and water out for hedgehogs.

A man who was addicted to alcohol said he gave up drinking to be a better father to his children.

Damian Le Tocq, 38, from Guernsey, said he had been binge-drinking since the age of about 12.

The dad-of-two said he spent most weekends spending "stupid amounts of money" and doing "regrettable things which you would never do if you were sober".

Alcohol is blamed for 10 deaths a year in the island, according to Guernsey and Alderney's substance use strategy report for 2027–2032.

Students from a Guernsey secondary school are practising their literacy skills by reading to cats at the island's animal shelter.

Les Beaucamps pupils read to a cat named Mr B, who had been found as a stray with high blood pressure which led to him losing his sight.

Student Neva said: "It's been wonderful. He's been very calm and he's been purring."

Lisa Harvey, inclusivity manager at Les Beaucamps, said reading aloud helped improve students' fluency as well as their social communication and interaction skills.

A Jersey woman with type 1 diabetes says she received "so many messages" of support after she began sharing her experience of living with the chronic illness.

Beth Edwards, 26, was diagnosed in January 2023 after becoming seriously unwell shortly after moving to the island.

She said it was "so important for other people to raise awareness" and felt a responsibility to help others understand what life with the condition was really like.

Edwards added: "I think anyone with type one diabetes will tell you it is such a challenge to live with — it changes your life drastically."

Plans to turn reversing bays in Jersey into a new skatepark have been approved.

The plans for the site at South Hill in St Helier include moveable skatepark equipment, acoustic fencing, an accessible toilet, baby‑changing facilities and CCTV.

Infrastructure and Environment said once the Fort Regent site was redeveloped by 2028, the skate equipment would be moved there, and the South Hill area would then be turned into a cycle park.

Phil Minty, from Skateboard Jersey, said having a central site would benefit young islanders, while Constable Andy Jehan described it as an important addition for the community.

Opponents argued the skatepark would cause disruption for nearby residents and wildlife.

A building industry representative said the wettest February on record and winter storms have added to the challenges facing builders in Jersey.

Mike Osborne, chair of the Chamber of Commerce's Building, Housing and Environment Committee, said: "The weather has been against us, but the real impact is that there isn't enough work for the industry."

Jersey Met's Senior Forecaster Matt Winter said 180mm (7in) of rain fell in Jersey last month, which is double the normal amount.

Osborne said the heavy rainfall made it difficult for workers on site, adding to pressures in an already challenging economic climate.

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