Although geographically adjacent, in some
crucial ways Guernsey is very different
from mainland UK. The usual comment
is that it feels like it’s a few decades
behind, which is meant as a
compliment. Old fashioned
values such as good manners
are evident everywhere, cars are
driven less aggressively and the
nostalgic presence of pound notes
reinforces the time-warp effect.
It’s such a hospitable place that it treats
visitors much better than it does its own folk.
For example, if you live on this delightful Channel Island you can’t pay a green fee at the glorious Royal Guernsey Golf Club. You can wait a few years and try and join but not simply turn up and play. Societies are not wanted either. Visitors, on the other hand, are warmly welcomed. This somewhat strange situation is a consequence of the course’s enormous popularity and the need to restrict numbers.
Indeed, the course is so popular it even has two clubs attached to it, the Royal Guernsey and the L'Ancresse, each with its own clubhouse. Although one might expect that sharing a course with another club is a recipe for war, this is Guernsey where courtesy rules and the two enjoy a friendly rivalry. Although from time to time there’s talk of a merger,
at present it seems about as likely as Guernsey and Jersey themselves uniting under a common flag.