Eric Young Orchid Foundation curator wants more visitors
The new curator of a Jersey flower attraction has vowed to "spread the love of orchids" beyond the island.Greg Griffis, 35, has moved with his family from the United States to head up the Eric Young Orchid Foundation.He previously worked for an orchid farm in Hawaii and for the last 10 years managed a collection of the flowers in Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania.He said the Victoria Village site was one of the global leaders in hybridising species and making new ones throughout the last 40 years "because of the innovative work done here".
Mr Griffis said he wanted the foundation to "spread the knowledge and love of orchids" in Jersey and beyond.He said: "We are standing on the precipice of the opportunity to optimise everything we've been doing for the last 40 years - to make our procedures more efficient, to maximise and codify our mission and share it with the world."Mr Griffis said the display house, which featured ruins covered with 200 -300 flowering orchids throughout the year, was "one of Jersey's hidden gems" that he wanted more people to visit.He said: "It's a place to experience the beauty and joy of orchids and it's a place to experience warmth and light when it's cold and dreary."He added he was also keen to display orchids around the world at flower shows.
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BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
What is the future of the ID scheme for French visitors?
Thousands of passengers visiting the Channel Islands from France have used a scheme allowing them to use their national ID instead of a passport to cross the the future of the scheme could be in doubt after the UK government brought in new rules for non-British or Irish nationals needing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) when they and Guernsey's governments have both said they want the French ID scheme to continue, but would work with the UK on the issue. The scheme began in 2023 in response to a fall in day trippers from Brexit, rules meant visitors from outside the Common Travel Area (CTA) - an agreement between the governments of the UK, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Ireland - had to show their passports upon February 2023, French authorities said they would stop funding a ferry service to Jersey unless an agreement could be reached on travel documents, as it was difficult for many French nationals who might not possess a Manche Iles Express Ferry, which is partially funded by the Manche Département to run services between France and the Channel Islands, said it was losing money due to the post-Brexit government said the changes had also hampered the island's tourism market and the scheme was launched to help address the issue. Upon arrival at an approved port, French nationals can show their national ID cards if they are visiting the islands for a day Iles Express has day trip routes available from Granville, Barneville-Carteret and Diélette to Jersey, Guernsey and Ferries runs a day trip services between France and Guernsey while DFDS operates a Jersey to St Malo States of Guernsey said the scheme had been designed to be easy to police as officials could see if the French national had booked return travel on the same day. What form of ID is allowed to be used? Only one - a French national ID card has details including the holder's name and address along with a passport style photograph of them and are normally valid for 10 other form of ID such as a driver's licence is not valid under the scheme, said the States of States said the scheme was reviewed annually and, if renewed, was done so in States Assembly also reviews the scheme 4 June, the assembly unanimously approved a proposition to continue the scheme for French day trippers to the island. How popular is the scheme? Figures from Manche Iles Express show the number of French who have used their national ID to visit the Channel Islands for a day trip has grown since figures from the company showed the number of day trip passengers who used their national ID:2023: 11,588 - 30.94% of total passengers2024: 16,235 - 39.57% of total passengersJanuary-May 2025: 5,692 - 49.62% of passengersSeparate figures from the States of Guernsey showed 3,536 of the 10,381 French passengers from 28 March to 6 June who visited the island for a day trip had used their national ID card. What is the future of the scheme? There have been concerns following the introduction of the ETA 2 April, new rules came into force which required most tourists to have an ETA before getting to the UK Home Affairs Minister Deputy Mary Le Hegarat said the States had received a letter from the UK government which had raised concerns with the scheme. The BBC has requested a copy of the Hegarat said: "We will be speaking to the UK again about the matter in person, I will go with the external relations minister so we can have those discussions about Jersey's economy and our tourist industry and how we move forward, because it is important we do that."It's critical for us to manage our economy and I'm hoping that the UK can see the evidence from the years we have been running this that it works well and it's not a risk to the borders and safety."In her ministerial comments on the proposition, she said if the UK had concerns about the scheme, which Jersey was unable to mitigate, it could lead "in a worst case scenario, which is considered unlikely, in the implementation of a hard border between the UK and Jersey". Guernsey Border Agency said it wanted to extend the scheme for the bailiwick, but added the government would work with the UK to ensure any extension would not impact its membership of the said: "It is the intention in Guernsey to seek to extend the French Identity Card Scheme locally, on the condition it does not place our membership of the Common Travel Area at risk."Guernsey Border Agency Officers have been in contact with the UK to discuss the matter of the from a Bailiwick of Guernsey perspective, and will continue to work with UK counterparts around the introduction of ETAs."The BBC has asked the UK Home Office for comment.
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Texas enclave is rivalling Napa with beautiful remote homes and the best kept secret wineries in the country
A sleepy Hill Country town with more than 75 wineries has caught the attention of Americans from all over the country. Fredericksburg, Texas, has transformed into one of the state's most buzzed-about travel destinations for its wine production and stunning views of nature — and it's quickly become a rival to California's Napa Valley. The town, which has also been compared to Aspen due to its wealthy clientele and beautiful mountain views, was founded in 1846 by German immigrants as part of the German settlement of Texas. The town became known for its distinctive blend of Texas and German culture, with settlers maintaining their German traditions, language, and architecture while adapting to American culture. 'It's a quaint little town. You go there and you don't expect to get so much,' local realtor Cesar Amezcua told the Daily Mail. 'You have a Main Street that is full of high-end shops and great restaurants and wine tasting rooms. And now you're seeing five-star hotels being built. Full-on high-end luxury.' Fredericksburg began as a modest winemaking region, but is now a paradise filled with local attractions like Enchanted Rock and spas that source their organic products locally. 'We used to go to the same two wineries — now I don't even know how many there are,' said Amezcua. He says the wineries started popping up when land buyers realized the clay-like soil was ripe for growing grapes. 'The soil is fantastic. Beautiful reddish color. Very rich,' he added. The Hill Country's year-round hot climate also helps. The many wineries don't just offer tastings and events, they're also full experiences. 'They throw parties with live music,' Amezcua told the Daily Mail. 'Many are kid friendly. Some have full kitchens you can rent out. Now we have distilleries. We have breweries. You can just show up at noon and by 5pm you've done some real damage.' There's even an urban wine trail visitors can follow for a day of tastings. Many of the vineyards paired their own chef-prepared bites (like locally grown peaches) with the wines they produce. Getting around the area to winery hop is easy and fun. 'There's little limos that take you around. You see the pink limos for the bachelorette parties,' Amezcua said. 'Then there's bus tours that take you from winery to winery.' But Fredericksburg isn't just for wine lovers. There's something for every kind of visitor. For families, there's a small waterpark and there are kid friendly games at many of the wineries. 'Mommy and daddy can go in and have some wine while the kids are splashing around,' he added. The area is peppered with plenty of AirBnbs, tiny homes, and cabins for rent. 'There's places that have treehouses, beautiful, beautiful architecture out in the middle of nowhere,' he said. Amezcua says investors and even celebrities are taking notice of the area and all it has to offer. Peach Haus, which offers unique jams and jellies made from locally grown fresh fruits 'There's some high-powered families. A couple celebrities,' he said, hinting that Fredericksburg's proximity to Austin's star-studded scene is a draw. Sandra Bullock and Willie Nelson have been spotted in the area, he added, but the A-listers can go unnoticed in its 'laid-back atmosphere.' Beyond the wine and luxury, nature lovers will also find plenty to do, like climbing Enchanted Rock, a pink granite mountain located about 17 miles north of Fredericksburg. 'Enchanted Rock — if you're into that — it's incredible,' Amezcua said. 'We go once a year. My children love it. I go up there, I take a yoga mat and people make fun of me, but I just take a nap.' Downtown, there are endless adventures to be found. Fischer & Wieser's das Peach Haus, which offers unique jams and jellies made from fresh fruits picked in the region, is a popular spot for tourists. With a local spa, restaurant, and peaceful cottages to stay in, the Hill Country Herb Garden is a luxurious retreat for visitors. All 14 cottages have their own special themes and décor, along with a front porch with rocking chairs and a swing. For history buffs, Fredericksburg's National Museum of the Pacific War displays preserved documents and art from World War II in the Pacific. Visitors are invited to picnic in the town square, called Marktplatz, in celebration of the city's German history. In the middle of the town square is Vereins Kirche, a replica of a 19th-century German church that is brightly lit with holiday lights from November through December. Antique shops and stores with locally made goods line Main Street. Local Texans love to make daytrips for the town's Oktoberfest. Fredericksburg is only an hour-long drive from Austin and San Antonio and a four-hour drive from Dallas and Houston. 'It's a very nice weekend getaway,' said Amezcua. Pleasant temperatures and wildflower season make March, April and May a prime time to visit. Fredericksburg's well-known fall festivals, including the popular Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest, make fall the perfect season to visit. 'There's a lot of tourism — that's their number one product,' Amezcua. 'That's where they thrive.'
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Football fans DENIED entry into the United States for the Club World Cup - and lose £700 - amid Donald Trump crackdown
A pair of Benfica fans have been left furious and out of pocket after being denied entry to the United States ahead of the Club World Cup – as visa rejections spike amid president Donald Trump 's revived hardline stance on immigration. Two Portuguese supporters, who had booked flights and secured tickets for Benfica's opening match against Boca Juniors in Miami, have seen their travel plans shattered after being refused electronic travel authorisation without explanation. One of the fans, restaurant owner Fabio Vasques, said he had completed all the required documentation – including the ESTA application, the standard online form needed for visitors from visa-waiver countries – but was stunned when it was twice rejected. 'I filled it out three weeks ago and the answer came back negative,' Vasques told Portuguese newspaper JN. 'I tried again, and the result was the same. No justification was given.' Vasques had arranged flights from Lisbon to Miami via Madrid and paid for match tickets at the Hard Rock Stadium, where Benfica face Argentine giants Boca Juniors on Monday, June 16. He has now lost €820 (£695) in flights and $150 (£118) for the match ticket – and is hoping to claim some of it back through travel insurance. The group of four supporters had planned to stay with a friend living in Miami, but only two were cleared for entry. The other fan who was refused a visa declined to comment. The ESTA programme – officially the Electronic System for Travel Authorization – requires passport details, trip information, and US-based contacts. It costs $21 and is valid for visits of up to 90 days. But legal experts say applications are being rejected with growing frequency under Trump's return to power. 'It used to be rare for Portuguese citizens to be refused entry into the US,' said Nelson Tereso, a Portuguese-American immigration lawyer. 'But the rules have tightened significantly since Donald Trump's changes.' Those changes, first introduced during his previous presidency and now being actively enforced again, form part of a broader, controversial immigration crackdown that has dominated the build-up to this summer's Club World Cup. Riot police, ICE agents and National Guard troops have already been deployed to cities including Los Angeles and Philadelphia, where mass protests have erupted over immigration raids. Just this week, US Customs and Border Protection posted – then deleted – a message declaring they would be 'suited and booted' at Club World Cup games, sparking fears that matches could be used to identify and detain illegal immigrants. Though FIFA say they do not expect such actions at stadiums, the uncertainty has heightened anxiety for visiting fans.
