Pride of Guernsey: Tina Jones

CARING for the dog, helping around the house, weeding and helping decorate are just a few of the factors that have inspired Rosy Harding to put her neighbour Tina Jones forward for the Guernsey Gas-sponsored Neighbour of the Year Award.

CARING for the dog, helping around the house, weeding and helping decorate are just a few of the factors that have inspired Rosy Harding to put her neighbour Tina Jones forward for the Guernsey Gas-sponsored Neighbour of the Year Award.

Miss Harding said that Mrs Jones lives right next door to her. Miss Harding has a five-year-old Chihuahua, Spud, which she said Mrs Jones often helps her with.

‘I can call upon her almost any time, if not text, about Spud, or a household disaster and be rescued every time,’ she said.

Spud stays with the neighbour while Miss Harding works late or double shifts, ‘him eating his way through her fruit bowl like he has worms’.

She has also offered guidance, since the dog has been ill with a liver condition: ‘She’s been there to offer advice, take him to the vet in a panic if he has a sudden problem when I’m working, checked on him throughout the morning if I’m concerned about something and kept me updated.’

Mrs Jones has helped Miss Harding around the house if she’s been unsure of how to do something, and has lent a hand when she cleaned the carpets or had to repaint the flat and couldn’t reach the high points in the stairwell.

Her husband, Dave, helped Miss Harding re-tile her bathroom after she messed it up and he and Mrs Jones are due to help Miss Harding re-concrete the courtyard to make it safe and level.

Mr Jones has also put curtain rails and blinds up, wall mounted a TV, changed light bulbs neither Mrs Jones nor Miss Harding could reach as well as other small tasks around the house. 

‘She’s been nothing but caring and supportive ever since I moved in,’ said Miss Harding. ‘I couldn’t it do without her, especially in my neighbourhood. I’m incredibly lucky to have her.’