My Jersey TOM DR FAULKNER

Jersey-based entrepreneur Tom Faulkner is the founder chiropractor of Human Health - a ‘humancentric’ team that integrates a blend of chiropractic care, craniosacral therapy and functional health within their health centres in St Peters and St Helier. We caught up with Tom to find out what he gets up to outside of client time, his favourite places to unwind and a cryptic secret swimming spot

Interview: Becky Palmano Illustration: Emily Habin

Currently a lovely little cottage in St Peter with my wife Georgie and our son Frederik whilst we renovate an old dairy conversion in the depths of God’s parish. We’ve loved staying in St Peter thanks to the amazing garden which includes a pond. I don’t think our son will want to leave! It’s the perfect place to wake up on a Saturday morning, replace a ‘serious’ head with a childlike one and go have some imaginative adventures with our son. I don’t book a lot on the weekends to be honest, my weeks can be very busy and I love reserving quality time for family and having less structure, more nature and I’d be lying if I didn’t say more food!

Favourite island walk?

I’ve recently been training for my first trail ultra and whilst it shouldn’t be classed as walking, I’m finding the cliff paths tough and a lot of the routes I take do get walked! My current favourite would have to be the north coast stretch from Les Landes to White Rock. There is so much diversity in the surroundings despite it being cliff paths; the colours, sounds and views - it doesn’t seem to get old. As a family we love the little walks down in the Jersey National Park in St Ouens, Portlet Common and Jardin d’Olivet above Bouley bay. Let’s not forget the magical St Catherine’s Woods which our son loves!

The best brunch on the island?

We really are spoilt for choice over here and my preference would be based more on where I am then where to go. On a weekday it’s got to be Lockes, but on the weekend we head to Sands. And who doesn’t like a little nude beach…the cafe that is.

Any shops you couldn’t live without?

Coop, Waitrose, Scoop, 100% Health and The Heliers Farm in St Ouen.

Describe your perfect day spent on the island?

Whilst a spring sunrise surf may be few and far between, it’s without a doubt the best wake up and start to the day for me, followed by a coffee on the beach (maybe some banana bread too). Last summer we made our paddle boards ‘toddler proof’ and spent time exploring different areas around the island, especially the North West caves which Frederik loved. After a good swim, a spearfish to attempt to catch dinner, or the easier option of picking up a good steak from the butcher up in St John I’d finish the day cycling through our beautiful lanes down to meet friends and family on the beach for a surf and sundowner BBQ!

Any restaurant recommendations?

I know it seems biassed being a part of the clan but if it’s a lovely summer’s day and you enjoy seafood, you’ve got to try Faulkner Fisheries seafood BBQ at The Bunker at L’Etacq, St Ouen - you just can’t beat simple seafood done well with a drink and one of the worlds best views! Another has to be Portelet Bay Cafe, as there’s not many places where you can have a swim, pizza and wine in such a beautiful setting!.

As cliche as it may sound, our wedding meal! After a wedding venue fell through at the last minute, as often happens in sudden unforeseen circumstances, the good in humans came through and we were able to enjoy the most special and memorable day. With world class food delivered in the most relaxed and sensational way by Vicky and Chris from Binney and Border, in an amazing yurt from Cole at Jersey Tipi, in a field kindly offered to us overlooking the beach near La Saline, St Ouen, we enjoyed everything from African drumming and Latin Jazz to ‘Sweet Caroline’, accompanied with fluids flowing from the very helpful and knowledgeable team at Love Wine! We had 25 degrees all day and after sunset a large front of weather came towards us and seemed to pause a mile out a sea to leave a sky of stars and a full moon shining above. We couldn’t have asked for more.

Any secret swimming spots?

Well it wouldn’t be a secret if I shared but for a swim, here’s a clue… round the corner from the bay where the razor fish lay, is a spot named after a spice that you place in a pot! If you know, you know…

Any top watering holes?

The Farmers - St Ouen

What’s your favourite beach?

A tough one… probably St Ouen’s bay - essentially 7 main ‘spots’ and a rapidly changing tidal system which brings so much diversity and beauty and never remains the same. It’s a place that holds a lot of memories for myself, from travelling to the island to see family in my early childhood to learning to surf and hunting in rock pools.

Where on the island do you feel most inspired?

Just going for a walk on the beach, through the forest or especially jumping in any of our beautiful swim spots, awakens, refreshes and inspires me both personally and professionally. As much as I’d love to take a portable bench and work remotely from the beach, it might not always be the most practical for clients or the weather. So we’ve put a lot of thought and effort into making the surrounding and atmosphere in both of our offices calming, rejuvenating and I find, inspiring, to both help us do our best work as well as, I hope, allow people to enjoy peace and feel relaxed during their time with us.

What are you working on at the moment?

At the moment I’m working on a number of things, but most importantly, delivering the best possible care and experience we can through innovating Chiropractic techniques we use at Human Health.

Describe Jersey in 3 words…

Surprising, soulful and scenic.

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