WHILE I was serving vegetarian bean jar at this year’s Viaer Marchi, a local couple ‘of a certain age’ commented to me that Guernsey had become an island of moaners. I agreed.

Of course, all three of us were being hypocritical to some extent. Them because they were moaning about the increasing tendency of Guernsey people to moan. And me because I write a weekly column that often complains about various aspects of island affairs and berates those responsible.

But I still think the underlining sentiment we were sharing was valid. For an island with remarkably few serious problems – certainly compared with most other places in the world – we do love to have a good whinge over anything and everything.

What had elicited this observation from my bean jar customers was the reaction of some islanders to the first Guernsey Festival of Performing Arts. ‘The music is too loud – they shouldn’t be allowed to disturb the peace,’ was the call from some.

I disagree. I certainly accept that the music was quite loud. Indeed, I can personally confirm this, having spent eight hours a day for two days serving veggie burgers, just about 30 yards from the dance tent on the festival site. But loud music is the essence of an outdoor festival and if it is not to be tolerated – even for one weekend – then we may as well close the event down.

That would be sad, as it would deprive thousands of our fellow islanders of a great deal of pleasure.

I confess that the entertainment on offer wasn’t really my cup of tea and if I hadn’t been serving the hungry masses, I probably wouldn’t have gone. I’d have been more likely to get a boat over to the Sark Folk Festival. But in a small island, we have a choice between tolerating, within reason, a few activities that are not entirely to our taste or else risk being complete killjoys.

Where will it all end? I personally always disliked the sound of whining marine engines during the now defunct International Powerboat Week. I don’t like the sound of the sprint at Vazon or the hill climb at Le Val des Terres. And my ultimate guilty secret is that I absolutely hate the Red Arrows. But I’ve never moaned about any of them because they are of limited duration and give huge pleasure to many fellow islanders.

Ongoing nuisances are a different matter altogether and can destroy people’s quality of life, but surely we can all put up with some disturbance for a short time so that others can have fun?

With our focus seemingly so often turning to the negatives in our island, let me offer 10 reasons for Guernsey folk to be happy…

1. Good access to clean drinking water – while millions around the world lack it.

2. No national debt – many other countries are struggling just to service their interest payments.

3. Very low risk of major earthquakes or a tsunami – you wouldn’t want to experience one, believe me.

4. Low taxes compared to other territories with similar public services.

5. Murder, rape and other serious crimes are still rare enough to shock the community.

6. A beautiful coastline – beaches and cliffs.

7. A sense of community.

8. Minimal corruption, while it is rife in many other countries.

9. Herm and Sark on our doorstep.

10. A relatively moderate climate.

Yes, I know. What am I wittering on about? We take all that for granted. But we really shouldn’t, you know. I am certainly not denigrating those in Guernsey who campaign for things they feel strongly about. But isn’t it great that – while elsewhere people have to protest and fight for the right to vote, the liberty of political prisoners or the right of ethnic minorities to live unmolested – in Guernsey the big issues of the day are saving the Beau Sejour flumes or reopening a pub in St Saviour’s?

So, by all means let us all carry on with our national sport of moaning. I certainly will in every Thursday’s Guernsey Press. But at the same time, let us remember, deep down, that we have it pretty good. In east Africa, millions are struggling for life in the face of the worst drought and famine for 60 years. We, meanwhile, take the basics of life for granted and moan about ‘the bloney IDC’.

Long may it stay that way.