Typical Guernsey kiosk

SPECIALS are listed on a blackboard alongside the tide times and bait is for sale next to buckets and spades and traditional cream teas.

It can only be a good old Guernsey beach kiosk. A snapshot of simple island life and still an integral part of our heritage.

Dotted around the coastline these miniature treasure troves are essential to beach goers, but who keeps them going?

Philippa Ward, at Rousse kiosk

Philippa Ward recently returned to live in Guernsey after working off island for almost 15 years.

It is her first season as lease–holder of Rousse kiosk. Tired of the catering industries long unsociable hours, she swapped a hot, cramped kitchen for Rousse’s tiny kiosk, overlooking the sweeping bay to the north of the island.

‘It’s a pretty good view from the office,’ said Philippa.

She cooks everything on site and often has a queue of people waiting to tuck into her fabulous cakes – today’s specials include cherry and coconut, lemon and ginger and bakewell tart.

Guernsey’s traditional dish, beanjar, also features on the blackboard served with a roll for £4 along with homemade sausage rolls at £1.50.

All the specials are listed alongside the day’s high and low water tides.

‘It’s simple local food from local suppliers, that’s what people seem to want,’ she said.

Ok, so it’s not all local, but I defy anyone not to love the fact that this little kiosk serves up fishfinger sandwiches for £3.

Rousse kiosk is open seven days a week between 10am and 5.30pm.

Graham Garland has run two of Guernsey’s best–known kiosks for 40 years. He took over the lease for the Castle Emplacement café in 1970, and then, three years later, Portelet at Rocquaine.

Portelet bay is the most southerly of those on the west coast and is the gateway to one of the most spectacular walks around the island’s coastline. A winding route that takes you past the fairy circle and to the edge of the south coast cliffs.

‘It is a lovely setting, it really is beautiful. You can tell the popular seats at the kiosk by how worn out the grass is underneath,’ said Graham.

Portelet has a positive myriad of items for sale including cream teas and sandwiches, hot dogs and burgers and ice creams and milkshakes, alongside fishing rods and bait, buckets and spades and suncream and rain hats.

John Dodd, manager at Portelet kiosk

John Dodd has run the café for the past three years. All the seating is outside and it is open seven days a week from 10am until 6pm. That’s officially, but John is often there from 8am until 7pm, especially if the weather is nice.

‘Portelet’s success does depend entirely on the weather. If it’s cold and raining we can see hardly anyone all day, our record is one customer. But if it’s good weather, it can get very busy,’ said John.

Crab sandwiches and scones with jam and cream, home made cakes and Guernsey gache are the best sellers – and the kiosk attracts both locals and visitors.

‘There’s nothing fancy here, it’s just good straight forward Guernsey food and drink,’ said John.

Sharon Le Cheminant with youngest daughter Carlie at Richmond Kiosk

This is the fourth year Sharon Le Cheminant has raised the flag at Richmond kiosk. At the southern end of Vazon it is a favourite spot with the island’s surfing community.

The kiosk had previously been closed for 18 months and Sharon’s husband Paddy and children Thomas, 16, Nicola, 14 and eight-year-old Carlie all muck in and help out when it’s busy.

Richmond kiosk is open seven day a week, 10.30am to 6pm, up to 9pm if it is sunny.

‘We do get a lot of visitors in the summer, I have people who come back every day, and every year,’ said Sharon.

Guernsey gache and local ice cream are always popular, and the tiny kiosk also serves up a selection of hot food including chips, burgers and hot dogs.

locally made ice cream is a popular choice at kiosks

It’s not a bad place to sit with a cuppa and watch a spectacular Guernsey sunset on a warm summer’s evening.