Guernsey Deep Dive

Step into a micro-world where an itchy nose can mean misfortune, and putting your stockings on backwards might buy you a month of good luck. In this episode of The Deep Dive we leave the global headlines behind and enter the intimate logic of Guernsey’s folk beliefs—an entire system that turns the smallest sensations and household habits into a language for fate.

We begin with the body as oracle: an itchy foot signaling strange gro...

Welcome to the Deep Dive. In this episode we open on a courtroom in Guernsey where the law itself is the headline — old, creaking, and suddenly dangerous to liberty. At the centre of the story is William King, a defendant found unfit to plead. The familiar machinery of criminal justice grinds to a halt because human rights law — Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights — will not allow someone to be deprived of their li...

Welcome to the Deep Dive. In this episode we travel to 18th- and 19th-century St. Peter Port, Guernsey, to unearth a layered story about death, belonging and the uneasy boundary between remembrance and erasure. What begins as a practical solution to a public-health crisis — a new burying-ground for those who could not be accommodated in the overflowing parish vaults — quickly reveals itself to be a social instrument. The Cimetière ...

Welcome to The Deep Dive. In this episode we pull back the curtain on a single moment that rippled through a community: a 3:30 a.m. raid at the Vail Service Station that left a 60‑year‑old shopkeeper grievously injured and an island asking how justice should answer. Using only the court’s own sentencing remarks, we take you inside the Royal Court of Guernsey to witness how facts, harm and human history are braided together to reach...

When someone who is paid to care becomes the person you cannot trust, everything that holds a community together trembles. This episode opens with that gut-punch: Biljana Zekovica, a 53-year-old former carer in Guernsey, has been convicted of a calculated campaign of deceit that stole more than £230,000 from five vulnerable men. The headlines read like a crime brief, but the story beneath them is quieter, crueller, and far more hum...

He was the face of Guernsey abroad: a decades‑long career in public service, a family man whose campaign materials painted him as the island’s steady, reliable voice. In this episode of the Guernsey Deep Dive we trace the carefully built persona of Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq — the castel boy who rose through local politics to chair key committees, represent the Bailiwick on the international stage, and speak fluent Guernsey Norman Fre...

In this enthralling episode of Guernsey Deep Dive, we journey into the secretive depths of one of the island's most intriguing landmarks, known by many names: Pleneuf Court, Rosenheim, and, most captivatingly, the Chain House. Each name tells its own story, woven into the rich tapestry of Guernsey's folklore and history.

We'll unravel the layers of this private residence's past, tracing its roots all the way back to the 16th centur...

Embark on a captivating journey as we uncover the remarkable story of the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry, a lesser-known chapter of World War I history that unfolds on the tiny island of Guernsey. With a population of just over 30,000, this island bore the weight of the global conflict by sending 8,000 men to fight, demonstrating immense courage and a profound sense of duty.

Join us as we navigate through the poignant tale of how a...

Dive into the heart of Guernsey's most dramatic historical event in this episode of Guernsey Deep Dive. Picture the scene: it’s a stormy night in the late 17th century, the winds howling off the coast of Guernsey, when an immense lightning storm strikes. Witness the awe-inspiring power of nature as it lights up the skyline of the ancient Castle Cornet.

In a flash, the fortress's powder magazine explodes in a devastating event that ...

Step back in time with us on "Guernsey Deep Dive" as we unravel the hidden history of leprosy on this unique Channel Island. While leprosy, also known today as Hansen's disease, was a public health crisis in medieval Europe, Guernsey presents a peculiar challenge with its silent records. With no remaining leper hospitals or definitive records, how did this small island manage such a historical health issue? Join us as we piece toge...

Embark on a captivating journey with us as we delve into the life of Peter Henry Renouf in this episode of "Guernsey Deep Dive." Beyond the grandeur of the Titanic lies the deeply personal story of a man whose life was a tapestry woven with determination, love, and a resolve to seek better opportunities. This episode unfurls the narrative of Peter Renouf, beginning with his early roots in the Channel Islands, tracing his ambitious ...

Take the plunge and listen to Guernsey Deep Dive. Don't forget to like, share, and follow. Welcome back to another Deep Dive. Today, we're centering on the story of Jason Francis Tardif — a former prison officer whose actions illuminate the intricate dynamics between trust and authority.

Our mission today is to dissect these two distinct incidents, which both led to convictions for Tardif. We'll delve into the court proceedings, te...

Immerse yourself in the gripping narrative of two young men thrust into the epicenter of clandestine warfare during the German occupation of Guernsey. Join us as we unravel the bravery and heartbreak intertwined in the mission of Hubert Nicole and James Symes, daringly venturing into enemy territory with nothing but their will to fight and the clothes on their backs.

On the night of September 3, 1940, history took a fateful turn. N...

Welcome to another heartfelt episode of the Guernsey Deep Dive podcast, where today we unravel the tragic mystery surrounding the murder of Sarah Groves, a vibrant young woman from Guernsey whose life was unjustly cut short in Kashmir over a decade ago. Join us as we explore the perplexing journey of Sarah's family, battling staggering delays and relentless obstacles in search of justice for their beloved daughter.

At just 24, Sar...

In this episode of Guernsey Deep Dive, we step onto the pitch and into the past with one of the Channel Islands' most remarkable sportsmen—Len Duquemin, affectionately known as “The Duke.” From his early years growing up in German-occupied Guernsey to lifting the league title with Tottenham Hotspur in 1951, Duquemin’s story is one of resilience, talent, and quiet determination. We explore his wartime experiences, his rise to footba...

Welcome to Guernsey Deep Dive. In this episode, we uncover the touching tale of Barney the Cemetery Cat—a ginger tabby who spent twenty years roaming St Sampson’s Cemetery, offering silent comfort to mourners in their moments of grief. More than just a cat, Barney became a symbol of compassion in Guernsey, his quiet presence easing sorrow and reminding visitors they weren’t alone. After his passing at the age of 20, the community's...

Hey there! Get ready to dive into the intriguing and somewhat unsettling world of Guernsey's recent courtroom dramas. In today's episode, we put the spotlight on Jason Francis Tardif, a former prison officer.

We uncover two distinct yet equally troubling incidents. The first involves a young woman's pursuit of career guidance, which took an unexpected turn, exposing unsettling power dynamics and drawing a guilty verdict for sexual ...

Welcome to Cornet Street, a place where history leaps off the page and into the bustling lives of its past residents. Picture this: the street hums with life, yet underneath it all, there’s a medley of public disputes and private tensions waiting to be uncovered. Join us as we pull back the curtain on Cornet Street's rich tapestry of history, pieced together from reports and letters that offer a unique glimpse into Guernsey's bygon...

Have you ever heard about Linda Martel? This little girl from the Channel Islands lived just five short years, but she left behind a fascinating story that's captivated people for decades. We're diving into the life of young Linda, exploring the amazing tales of her healing abilities that have lived on far longer than her brief life.

Linda's story begins in Guernsey, where she was born on August 21st, 1956. She faced some significa...