HOLY Communion has been held at St Tugual’s Chapel for the first time.

The Rev. Richard Bellinger spent several days in the island on

retreat and decided to take the service, which was open to everybody.

‘It was a very moving experience for me as it is something I always wanted to do on Herm,’ said Mr Bellinger.

‘It gave everyone a chance, if they wanted to, to come along and receive Holy Communion.’

St Tugual’s has always been a non-denominational church, open to everybody. The idea has been to create an atmosphere in which all religions are welcome. It provides a quiet place for people to sit and pray or meditate.

Several islanders went along in the spirit of their own beliefs. Those who had been confirmed received bread and water and others were blessed.

‘As I like to say,’ said Mr Bellinger, ‘there is a place for everyone at Jesus’s table’.

Earlier that day he had written in large letters on Belvoir Beach: Jesus Loves You.

‘That was my message for the day.’

Another first occurred on Wednesday of last week when the school boat was escorted across the water and into St Peter Port harbour by a large pod of dolphins.

Around 10 of them surrounded the Trident about halfway into the channel. They swam alongside it, underneath it and seemed to be seeing it safely into the harbour.

‘There were eight larger ones and two babies,’ said parent Mark Latter.

‘The babies were enormous, bigger than some of the children.’

Everyone ran out onto the deck to watch the dolphins as they played and jumped in unison.

The children, who attend Vauvert School one day a week, were thrilled by the experience, many of them never having seen dolphins in real life. Neither had many of the parents.

‘It was amazing,’ said Rachel Tracy, who is originally from London.

‘Coming here from the big city, you don’t expect to see this kind of thing on your way to the shops in the morning.

‘It made my day. I was like a giddy schoolgirl…’