The Feast of Stephen

What’s the day after Christmas called? Your calendar will tell you it is “Boxing Day”. But on the Church’s calendar, from ancient times, it has been called St Stephen's Day or the Feast of St Stephen.

The church's first known martyr, St Stephen was a deacon of the emerging church. In those times deacons looked after the poor.

According to the Acts of the Apostles, Stephen aroused the enmity of members of various synagogues by his teachings: "for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us". At his trial, he made a speech denouncing the Jewish authorities who were sitting in judgment on him and was then stoned to death. His martyrdom was witnessed by Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee and Roman citizen, no doubt a moment that would haunt St Paul (as he came to be) throughout his life.

In Stephen’s defence he argues that God cannot be tied to a particular place or building. He noted that Abraham was called unexpectedly out of Ur in Southern Mesopotamia (modern day Iracq) a city hundreds of miles outside of Palestine. With no guarantee of success Abraham trusted in God’s promise and, in obedience, bravely ventured into the unknown. Furthermore, God uses unexpected people: Jacob won his father’s blessing (his elder brother’s birth-right) by deceit; Joseph was envied, hated and exiled, but God chose them and was was with them. Moses heard the voice of God calling him to action and obeyed, but he was rejected and insulted by those with no vision and wanted only security.

The Christmas message of King George VI, broadcast in 1939, echoes this when he quoted the poem by Minnie Louise Haskins:

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.
And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

It was also read at The Queen Mother’s funeral.

There is an echo of the poem in a familiar carol…



Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the Feast of Stephen
When the snow lay 'round about
Deep and crisp and even

Wenceslas was a real person: the Duke of Bohemia, a 10th-century Christian prince in a land where many practiced a more ancient religion. In one version of his legend, Wenceslas was murdered in a plot by his brother, who was under the sway of their so-called pagan mother.

Following his death, Wenceslas became a saint and martyr revered especially for his kindness to the poor. One account tells how “rising every night from his noble bed, with bare feet and only one chamberlain, he went around to God's churches and gave alms generously to widows, orphans, those in prison and afflicted by every difficulty, so much so that he was considered, not a prince, but the father of all the wretched.”

Almost a thousand years after Wenceslas lived a 19th-century Englishman, John Mason Neale, wrote the now-famous English lyric to an ancient melody “"Tempus adest floridum"

Its most basic message is summed up in its final lines:

"Ye who now will bless the poor
shall yourselves find blessing."

It reminds us that Wenceslas, like Stephen was revered as caring for the poor. This Christmas let us think of those less fortunate than ourselves. What can we do to help them?

Remembering past times of lost liberty

In these times of trouble when our liberties are curtailed because of the coronavirus pandemic, also the 75th Anniversary year of Liberation, it is worth looking back at the privations suffered by Jersey people in December 1944, after four long years of German Occupation.

The main supply lines for food and essential supplies had been cut on the 18 August 1944 when the German armed forces in St. Malo had surrendered to the Americans. This was the last trading port for the Channel Islands, and now all trade links to France had been severed.

Parishioner David George Vincent (born in St. Aubin in 1938) remembers those desperate times.

“Claude [Vincent, his father] shared a crystal set in the village with friends who each had a different part in their homes so they could listen to the BBC news in the hope of an early Liberation. By this time in late 1944 the shortage of all food and medical supplies was very serious.”

“We were spending Christmas 1944 at Grandpa Vincent's – 4 adults – 3 children and one scrawny chicken when Claude found the chicken was not cooked and there was no fuel left, The Royal Yacht Club was occupied by the Germans and there was a flagpole outside the building, in the most terrible temper Claude chopped the flagpole down under the Germans noses for fuel, Grandpa Vincent was terrified that Claude would be shot but somehow he got away with it.”

“There was still fun to be had by the children and shows were put on at the Hamon Hall close to St. Aubin's Church on the Hill with singing and dancing on stage. Family games were tantamount to life at home as in order to keep warm everyone one was in one room usually by candlelight. Of course there was a curfew to be obeyed.”

But the signs of salvation were at hand. On Saturday 30 December, the SS Vega arrived in Jersey, berthing at the end of the Albert Pier in St. Helier Harbour at 5.45pm. Red Cross Food parcels would be distributed to grateful islanders, and total starvation was averted.

An Aristotelian View of Schools: Why the Government Got Covid So Wrong in Schools.

Aristotle believed that objects fall at a speed that is proportional to their weight. In other words, if you took a wooden object and a metal object of the same size and dropped them both, the heavier metal object would fall at a proportionally faster speed.

Now there's a degree of truth in that because of air resistance. If you took a stone and a feather, outside of a vacuum, the feather would fall slower. But it is not true because two objects could have equal weight but be of different sizes and shapes, and fall at different speeds. That's a basic truism of fluid dynamics.

Why start with that? Well, why did Aristotle get it so wrong? He looked at a few objects, and he thought about it. He did not do detailed experimental work to see if his hypothesis was false. He did thought experiments.

The policy on schools being open, as it controls the mixing of pupils in a safe way is just like that. It is not actually based on any study of how pupils behave within schools.

Linda on Facebook comments on this:

"Should schools be reopening? What do you think?  The most recent estimates from the Office for National Statistics show that the prevalence of infection with Sars-CoV-2 – the virus that causes Covid-19 – is highest among secondary school-age children, which suggests they are a considerable source of community transmission, said Dr Stefan Flasche , an associate professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine."

And she goes on to say:

"The disruptions they’ve suffered over the past 6 weeks plus many are anxious about getting a call from the track and trace team. Some young people have spent many weeks in isolation, not only at home but stuck in their room, unable to spend time with their families."

"Unless this virus is well controlled we may see this happening again. There are certainly concerns for the mental health of young people if they are having to isolate for up to two weeks then return to school, only to be told 3 days later that they must isolate again as another friend has tested positive. This has been the reality for some and is far more likely to be harmful than organised online teaching while rates are so high?"

Now when schools originally re-opened it was staggered classes with 2 metre distancing. And that  might work while they’re sitting down, but as she points out "have you seen common areas in schools when the bell goes, they aren’t socially distancing at break times etc.?"

And I have it on good authority that at least one Secondary School sees the end of the day come at the same time for all pupils - not staggered in any way - so that the children all come out from different year groups at the same time, and mix together, again often without much social distancing or wearing face masks. 

Far from controlling the spread, experimental data, and looking at the actual behaviour of children - and how the schools do their exits - show that it increases the chance of transmitting the virus far more than would be the case otherwise. The government's though experiment - it controls children's behaviour and limits the spread of the virus - is as much a fantasy based on lack of experimental method, as Aristotle's theory of gravity. Far from "following the science", it is wilfully ignoring the science.

As a study reported by National Geographic points out:

"The takeaway is that a critical shift appears somewhere between the ages of 10 and 12. Around the time of puberty, the risk of teenagers both getting and transmitting the virus increases. The COVID Monitor, a group tracking information from more than 7,000 U.S. school districts, found that high school case rates are nearly three times that of elementary schools."

Will our Government take note? 

Covid cases surge suggests something has gone wrong

In last night's JEP, reprinted here:

Covid cases surge suggests something has gone wrong
Letters to the Editor

• Despite ‘being surrounded by sea and having no land borders... we now have the worst infection rates in the British Isles’
•From Mike Keeping.

AS the year moves inexorably to a close, I cannot help but compare where we were some months ago to where we are now in terms of Covid-19 active cases. Back in the summer we were in an enviable position with minimal active cases when compared with most areas in Europe and the UK.

Geographically the Channel Islands were in a perfect position, being surrounded by sea and having no land borders. Yet in spite of this tremendous advantage, we now have the worst infection rates in the British Isles.

While now is not the time for recriminations or analysis as to what has gone wrong, clearly something has gone terribly wrong. One cannot help but compare us with Guernsey that has their number of active cases in single figures, three at the last count, whereas ours are nearly nine hundred.

The figures speak for themselves, clearly Guernsey got it right. What I find really tiresome are the veiled threats made by our Chief Minister and Health Minister that if we do not act responsibly even more stringent measures will be introduced, as if it’s all our fault.

The prime directive of any government is to ensure the health, safety and security of the community that it serves. With active cases crashing through the roof, businesses failing and a Chief Minister that can only answer his critics by saying ‘keep calm and stick to the strategy’, one cannot help but come to the conclusion that our government has indeed lost control.

Achieving the right balance between lives and livelihoods has often been the mantra of our government, which is political speak for a balance between ‘lives and the economy’ as it sounds better.

It is somewhat ironic therefore that our borders having been opened earlier than they should have been purely in the interest of the economy and not for the well-being of Islanders, set in motion a wave of infection that has ultimately done more harm to our economy than if we had kept them closed for longer, resulting in ruined Christmases, decimated hospitality, retail sectors suffering, thousands of pupils and some 80 teachers all in isolation and testing failing to cope, hardly the outcome of a government in control. 

As history has shown us pandemics keep occurring and, sadly, at some time in the future we will be faced with another. When we are perhaps lessons will have been learned, but until then it saddens me to say as a Jersey man our government should hang its head in shame in due deference to our sister island for showing us how it should be done.

A necessary change of direction

Here's the JEP Leader Column. In particular, note on mask wearing: "The delay, [The Chief Minister] said, was because the law proved hard to draft. The UK had made mask-wearing mandatory in shops in July, France at the end of August. Jersey is not short of lawyers or legal expertise."

A necessary change of direction
The voice of the JEP

IT is likely that Friday afternoon’s press conference evoked a mix of reaction and emotion. Hastily called after a briefing the evening before was cancelled, again at short notice, it saw Dr Ivan Muscat, the deputy medical officer of health, and the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, announce new, tougher measures to slow the spread of Covid-19.

It followed days of worry as infection numbers continued their climb, forcing yet more uncomfortable comparisons with our sister island. The first emotion for many must surely have been relief that, finally, ministers were listening to calls for tougher measures.

The new regulations allow just one gathering on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Households were told not to mix. Painful hindsight triggered by the widely ignored ‘strong recommendation’ to wear masks, plus the UK experience showing legislation and enforcement was needed to achieve compliance, meant nothing short of a legally enforceable order was necessary. 

Earlier last week, this column finished with the words that sometimes the courageous thing to do was accept that you had got it wrong and change direction.

Some credit, therefore, to the Chief Minister for changing course, albeit only when the bow was inches from rocks and when other places were also changing tack.

Once again the clear case for pre-emptive action, to go early and go hard, had been ignored. It’s a lesson this Island’s leaders should have learned by now.

Another reaction might well have been disgust and despair at what an undignified and poisonous circus these Facebook live briefings have become. The stream of invective which flowed like a mass-participation ticker-tape poisoned-pen letter threatened to upstage the speakers, even as they discussed matters of life and death. 

How did we get to this point? Robust challenge and holding power to account is an essential democratic right and need, but not that. That moved public debate on not one step.

Perhaps the strongest reaction was provoked following a comment by the Chief Minister, almost an aside as he turned away from the camera to hand the conch to Dr Muscat. In response to a question as to why mask-wearing had not been made compulsory earlier, he said that he had wanted to make it law as well. As we now know, that was also the advice of STAC in October. The delay, he said, was because the law proved hard to draft. The UK had made mask-wearing mandatory in shops in July, France at the end of August. Jersey is not short of lawyers or legal expertise.

In that moment – another in which the Chief Minister seemed to fill awkward, doubtful press conference moments by thinking, unfiltered out loud – he laid bare the extent of the indecision, lack of clear thinking and strategic insight that has so dogged his premiership.

The irony is that had his administration ensured that the STAC minutes were published immediately after meetings, as required by a States Assembly vote, there is every chance that the public debate that would have followed would have helped Jersey make the right decision.

Openness. Honesty. Getting ahead of the curve. Clear-sighted and empathetic leadership. Those are the cornerstones of an effective coronavirus response.

Unmasking the Sorry Delays and Confused Messages

Confusion, muddle, delay. Look at how we have variations on the theme of "We will review the result of these measures before considering the mandatory use of masks following a States Assembly debate"

By the time they did that, the figures were soaring!

Here's the timeline. We are told the law was difficult to draw up and get through, and yet in March, everything was passed extremely quickly. The various press releases and messages from Ministers reveal a very different story, of delay, of a marked reluctance to impose anything by rule of law, until circumstances dictated it - by which time it should have been in place a month before. 

There is a marked reluctance from this government to admit to making mistakes - instead entirely blaming others for spreading Covid around. The poor messaging had nothing to do with that, we are told. Quite frankly, I don't buy the excuses, unless they can produce documentary evidence in minutes showing the delays - but of course the STAC minutes have only been released up to 7th September, and are still being written from that date onwards!

In the meantime, some retailers took to say in public that they didn't think it their job to police what were no more than guidelines, and if people refused to wear masks, they wouldn't enforce it. No one from the Government spoke out against that! 

And mid-November, the Powerhouse was closed for several days following an outbreak of Covid. The writing was on the wall, but we had " if further action is needed to protect the public, by ensuring the strict adherence of measures, these Regulations will enable the issuing of Orders to enforce the guidelines."

31 July 2020. Richard Renouf 

“Wearing masks indoors in public, such as in shops, will help protect yourself and others so the medical experts encourage their continued use when possible. However, making this mandatory through legislation is not proportionate at the moment given our current situation. I want to give my support to the recent changes in guidance on public transport and I thank the members of STAC for their updated guidance which remains under review.”

23 September 2020: JEP 

NEW laws are being drawn up to make wearing masks compulsory in indoor public places as part of plans to help prevent a second wave of Covid-19.

Health Minister Richard Renouf said he hoped to bring the law to the States for approval at the start of October and politicians may be asked to debate it as soon as possible, scrapping the six-week lodging period usually required before a proposition is debated. New public health guidance from Monday 26 October, will strongly recommend that Islanders wear masks in public indoor spaces to protect the Island from community spread of COVID-19.

24 September 2020: Richard Renouf

"I want to emphasise that we must not be complacent as a community. Physical distancing, frequent hand washing, the use of masks where appropriate and consideration for others remain vital in our fight against COVID-19. RR

23 October 2020: Richard Renouf

“Ministers continue to support the preparation and the drafting of legislation for the mandatory use of masks. We accept there may be a short period of adjustment for customers and businesses in the coming days. We will review the result of these measures before considering the mandatory use of masks following a States Assembly debate.”

23 October 2020: John Le Fondre

"One measure, which many of you will have already seen reported and discussed, is the wider use of protective masks in indoor public spaces, including supermarkets, shops and the library. "

13 October: Government Press Release 

"The wearing of masks in public indoor environments has been introduced (effective from October 26). The Government hopes that all sectors affected will introduce mask policies on a voluntary basis, but Ministers will consider whether legislation is required to enable enforcement of this measure."

13 October: John Le Fondre 

"Today, we are updating our country and regional classifications and will implement those changes this week, before half term. We are also intending to require more mitigations in the Island, like the wearing of masks in indoor public spaces."

2 November 2020: COVID-19 Winter Strategy

"If we don’t make wearing masks the norm, if we don’t keep small social groups, if we don’t observe social distancing, then these measures will fail." (John Le Fondre)

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf will lodge a set of Regulations which will enable the Government to enforce COVID-19 measures by law, if it becomes necessary.

16 November 2020: Government Website:

Monitoring of support and up-take of mask use is underway and if further action is needed to protect the public, by ensuring the strict adherence of measures, these Regulations will enable the issuing of Orders to enforce the guidelines.

30 November 2020: Government Website:

A law to make masks compulsory will come into effect tomorrow (Tuesday 1 December) at 10am. The Health Minister has signed an Order that makes this change, after States Members voted overwhelmingly to support this stance.

 

The Shortening

The Shortening

We approach the shortest day, longest night
And it is so very dark this fearful year of blight
The turning of the wheel of time, again, again
And once more this marks a time of pain
The weaker sun, the colder days, this time
And fever ridden world grows cold this clime
We have all the glittering toys of the modern age
And for all that, the earth still cries out in rage 

As it has ever been, our generation no exception

And that was our very greatest modern deception
The ancestors fell, victim to scourges, in their day
And the stone cathedrals, sealed and put away
The plagues return, to best our race, once more
And even Pericles could not shut that door
Emperors of the Roman world were divine
And yet plague tarnished all their golden shine 

Black Death, Cholera, Influenza: each in turn

And a fever ridden people still can burn
The long spread of history, of disease and death
And the world struck again, gasping each breath
In our isolate tower, we look on a darkened sky
And beyond our understanding, countless die
The solstice comes, but a sign of turning point
And an omen when the planets now conjoint 

A new star: a coming together of new hope

And heaven's message when we cannot cope
Now in bleak midwinter, seek a candle’s light
And in the darkness, a sign of hope in light

Where does Winter come from?

Where does Winter come from?
A seasonal look at a traditional Jersey name.

A strange Christian name that emerges in Jersey families is that of “Winter”. Examples of the names are Alfred Winter Blampied (born 1879), Philip Winter Blampied (born 1904 Winter D. Blampied (born 1877) and Winter George Hamon (born 1878).

Marie-Louise Backhurst notes that “Winter” as a Christian name probably had nothing to do with the season and in fact derived from a family surname. "It does not follow automatically that children in Jersey were named after their parents, grandparents, other relatives or godparents; name choosing could be idiosyncratic, with names invented or chosen to commemorate an event (in Gorey there was a boy called Ypres). 

Children were sometimes named after famous people of the day, about whom we know little.” “Surnames are also used occasionally; the name Winter was very popular for boys in the Island in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; I believe that it started with the Winter family of St Brelade who had shipping interests in Newfoundland; a Philippe Winter was Constable of St Helier, and his nephew, Philippe Winter Nicolle (always known as Winter, perhaps to distinguish him from his father and grandfather), not only continued his family's interest in the cod trade, but was also leader of the Rose party. Other Christian names popular in Jersey at the turn of this century may also have derived from surnames, such as Hedley, Snowdon and Garnet” 

Brian Read suggests that “Winter” as a Christian name spread as it was associated with prestige:

"It must be remembered that in those days the population of Jersey was largely Frenchs peaking or Norman-French. This means that English names would have had a rather exotic look about them and may even have been considered somewhat 'upmarket' because it tended to be the monied or upper classes in the town who spoke English in those days.” 

And it soon became widespread, as Ann Le Masurier notes: “Winter was a very popular boys name in the Island. Many men in my father's generation born 1920-1930's were christened Winter and I'm sure this may have been the case for earlier generations. The popular boys name Helier also seems to have died out about this time.” 

One of the names on the St Brelade’s War memorial is that of Private Herbert Winter Potier, aged 21 years, 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, killed in action on 11th August 1918. He is buried at Bouchoir New British Cemetery, near Amiens. The Jersey Evening Post said “the deceased was in his 22nd year and was a very popular young fellow.”

The Unexpected God

The Unexpected God

Fine robes, music, ceremonial rites
The ancient pageant of the faiths
Outside, a world torn apart with fights
And the dying linger on like wraiths

Temples: worship of the gods above
The sacrificial animals are slain
But where is found a word of love
In world of pageantry so vain?

Unseen, unheard, a whisper in the sky
The smallest breeze across the land
And three stars converging upon high
A reaching out of cosmic hand

Seek the unexpected, follow the trail
Come to the humble, tell the tale

Faith and the Primary School Teacher: A Snapshot from 1964

The Pilot, the Magazine of the Anglican Church in Jersey, had a feature in 1964 about different professions, and this one is on teaching. It gives an interesting insight into the mind of a teacher about their faith and teaching back in that decade.


MY FAITH AND MY JOB.
V.—AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER.

The guide to my career as a teacher has always been my faith in the innate goodness in every child. I have set out to train children, be they boys or girls, to take their place in the world as useful citizens, to be observant of the Creator’s beneficent work, to seek always the good in their fellows.

No one can deny that home is the foundation of the character of each child, and it is therefore necessary for the teacher to have the goodwill of the parents. I dare to state that the atmosphere of the home has been changed for the better by the gradual influence for good exercised by the correct direction of the child-mind.

Education is a slow process—it begins in the cradle and is not fully complete on the death-bed - it cannot be measured in terms of scholarship successes. The happy teacher is one who can watch his former pupils making good in their employment, hear of them as respected business folk, or, what is more important, see them good husbands or wives.

My faith has led me to try to bring a sense of good citizenship into the lives of many children who were getting a tough time of it at home, living two families in one room in a London slum, or waking to find that big brother had not come home, and later learning that he had been “caught,” and was to do penal servitude for being a car-bandit. Life was tough for those children. How pleasant it is for the great majority of youngsters in this island of ours ! And it is perhaps towards the small minority, whose home life is so difficult, that. the teacher finds that the strongest expression of his faith is most needed.

In the schools, still dubbed “Elementary” in Jersey, it is compulsory for Religious Instruction to be given daily. This instruction, where the parent does not wish it to be according to the tenets of any particular faith, is given direct from the Bible - that Great Book with its wealth of stories in such delightful phrasing, that, even solely by the listening to them or the reading of them, the receptive mind of the child is bound to be led to appreciate the beautiful, surely a necessary attribute of all who call themselves Christians.

My job will not allow me to differentiate between those of one faith and another in the class-room or out of it (that being a reason for my refusal to undertake Sunday School duties). Come what may, they are all God’s created beings, and one must surely follow the Great Teacher who suffered little children to go to Him. He did not ask of what sect they were. He blessed them all!

How often, I wonder, do the critics of the teacher in his job as a reader of the Scriptures ponder on the unfortunate fact that Our Lord’s Word is seldom spoken about or read in the home ? Religion is too often taboo. It is kept in the majority of cases for the teaching of a simple prayer or two to the toddler, and then carefully put away, until the subject is broached just before the young toddler-that-was is getting married, and the Prayer Book appears for her to look over with mother, just to see what she has to say.

How can we bring Religion more deeply into the lives of the men and women of the future? This question has we know exercised great religious minds before, but little effect is apparent as_a result of their deliberations. The deepest religious memories of most adults are probably of their school prayers and hymns, and of the stories related to them in their class-rooms.

The question in my opinion is one for frank and open discussion by all interested in the subject, not by the few who, knowing nothing of the subject or being badly informed, remain dumb before the oratorical wisdom of the mighty.

My faith is strong, and it is my belief that, as Professor A. D. Ritchie said in a recent broadcast : “ God requires only three things of men, that they should do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly.”

A Hitherto Undiscovered Play by Beckett

Waiting for Godot 2

 It has not been realised but a sequel to "Waiting for Godot" was written by the late Samuel Becket. Called "Waiting for Godot and his Christmas Rules", it has two people meeting, wearing masks and socially distancing, discussing whether the Health Minister of the Country of Procrastinate will ever appear to give advice on rules for meeting up at Christmas during a plague. 

In the end, they die of the plague after Christmas comes and goes, and the advice given is so confusing with examples of grandparents being part of family gatherings that they all catch it. The Health Minister, Richard Godot, never shows up.

Snow White and the Silent Dwarves

Pantomime in which the dwarves, wearing masks and socially distancing, mime to Whistle While you Work, as whistling is forbidden during a plague as it spreads the illness. At frequent intervals, Doc gets out a graph to show how the plague is spreading. As Christmas approaches the Dwarves are confused because they don't know whether Snow White breaks the numbers of households mixing. And when the Prince turns up, is he one household too many, or doesn't he count as extra because Snow White is dead? And anyway it is outside and socially distanced? But can he kiss her awake, or is that forbidden under the rules?

Cinderella: The Stepmother's Revenge

Pantomime in which Cinderella can't go to the ball because it has been cancelled when the hospitality industry was closed until the end of the year because of a plague. The Ugly sisters rejoice and hold a huge house party, as the King's only issued strong guidance on how many citizens can meet up in one house, and they all sicken and die. Cinderella has been locked up waiting for test results, and as there are no balls to go to, makes herself pumpkin pie.

Jack and the Beans Talk

Pantomime in which Jack Le Fondre gets very annoyed with some beans who keep talking about his strategy for defeating the Giant Coronavirus by furloughing the Golden Goose so it can't lay any eggs, and keeping Schools open despite the plague all around. Widow Parker has a final role. Jack is saved by his cow, Vaccina.

The Good and the Bad in the Press Conference

It is strange how quickly a week can change things in politics. As Gary Burgess noted, last week's conference had a tone of impending apocalypse. It was like John the Baptist in the Covid wilderness, crying out to the people to repent and change their ways. This week was much more assured. The measures in place will work. The numbers will fall. We are monitoring everything carefully, and see no reason for more extreme measures.

One can't help feeling that the part of the press conference which was the cause of the returning optimism was not so much the strategy but the news that a vaccine will be rolled out - starting next week -to care homes, care home staff, and then to key frontline health workers. That is the game changer.

As far as the strategy goes, it is quite rightly too early to tell whether it is working or not. On that score, the Government were quite right. Numbers will rise, as will hospitalisations, and even deaths, before matters start improving. Any kind of measures to impede the spread of Covid will always have a time lag before they take effect.

But... on the bad side, not enough was given to the stress the testing system has clearly come under, with advice given that you don't need to self-isolate if an indirect contact if not contacted after 48 hours - and why that was originally just 24 hours. 

That will almost certainly let some cases slip the net. Tailbacks at the testing centre show that while the processing of results can be automated, the processing of people cannot - and can overwhelm the system. The 48 hours advice is an admission of failure.

And as for schools, the argument only counts figures of cases, not the knock on effect of a case testing positive.

Pupils testing positive means whole year groups going into the track and trace and self-isolation system, and that can mean as many as 150 at a time. The number of November school cases I got from my recent FOI suggests that 4-5 schools - and there have been more secondary schools, can bump up test and trace by at least 500 in one day. Given the large numbers of secondary schools effected, it is easy to see why the system is becoming overwhelmed. It's not the large numbers in schools: it's the consequence of any number having a domino effect on numbers sent home. Primary schools don't have as much classroom changes - so mostly one pupil means a classroom bubble of maybe 30 at most.

The argument that pupils at home will meet up and spread the virus more - which was made with all seriousness as an argument against closing schools - means it will surge after Christmas holidays by their own logic. And for all the "evidence", there were actually no detailed statistics on this: it was pure surmise after school numbers went up after halloween. And yet they also state it may have been adults passing it onto children. So which is it? And where precisely is the track and trace report showing that? We still have no minutes from STAC since September!

And we are also still awaiting guidance or law for Christmas so we can plan what we might do within the safe limits set out!

And finally, we are running a with a hypothesis which may or may not prove accurate. It is based on the current statistics coming through, although a UK infection expert who knows Jersey differs in his opinion of how successful it will be. It is Jersey's equivalent of a Tier system, which obviously would not be workable in a small area. If numbers do not start to drop, or if they surge after Christmas, at some point the hypothesis will have been falsified. It's a grey area as to when any such decision may be taken, and at present we just don't know. 

And one postscript: we should really do at least one clap for the contact tracing and testing teams who are working extremely hard and diligently at these difficult times. No one mentions giving thanks for them, but I will! They are polite, professional, and must have a heavy workload, but you don't hear of them complaining or losing their tempers. It is an incredibly difficult job at this time, and they are doing it brilliantly!

Army Game

Jersey's s Second Wave today: Overwhelming numbers of contacts, cases rising exponentially, "action" taken  just with "strongly advise", which is ignored by some until it is too late, and decisions made far, far, too late. We are lurching towards lockdown, and here's my take on it.

Army Game

“Don’t Panic, Captain” was the cry
As numbers rose rapidly, day by day
It really makes me want to cry
“You stupid boy”, I want to say

It was so well back in summer time
But the platoon was growing slack
And now we hear the midnight chime
And our enemy is once more back

This, you see, is our own Army game
“Would you mind terribly”, firm advice
And there’s no one to take the blame
Just saying “I’m sorry” would be nice

Sing “Who do you think you are kidding”
As the world grows dark and forbidding.

Track and Trace Overwhelmed?

Government Advice:

We are aware of some confusion around what to do when you think you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
If you get an exposure alert on the Jersey COVID Alert App, then you are a direct contact and you must immediately isolate.
If you have put your phone number in the app, await a call from the Contact Tracing Team
If you haven’t put your number in the app, phone the helpline and tell them you’ve received an alert
If you suspect you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, you must:
Isolate within your household, other household members do not need to
Not call the helpline
If within 24 hours no confirmation is received from the Contact Tracing team you can resume normal activity.

Direct Contacts of Active Cases: 3179

Facebook comments:

Increase the test & trace team numbers immediately. They are overwhelmed. People are not being traced as a direct contact for days & that’s causing the spread. The prediction for Boxing Day numbers if we weren’t to lock hospitality is going to be reached well before then!

Government of Jersey, the track and trace team are clearly struggling and need urgent help to cope with these numbers they are facing. There are three people in my household isolating for 2 days already, knowing we have a direct contact, but hadnt received any contact from track and trace until I contacted them today (after over 2 hours on hold). Was told I would be contacted this afternoon re testing but not heard anything. Please help them to help you with containing this virus!

You need to inform the people working on the helpline when you make updated as my friend was constantly getting told conflicting information every time she called, then the guidelines said if you don’t here after 24 hrs you can go back to work . She went back after 48 hrs, only to get a call the next day saying she needs to go for a test. You all need to be consistent with your information as she could have potentially infected people at work by following your guidelines. It has caused her allot of unnecessary stress.

I didn’t get an exposure alert on the App despite signing up or a call within 24 hours of knowing I was a direct contact of a person who had tested positive so per this GoJ guidance I resumed normal activity thankfully only doing school drop off this morning with no other human contact except for with my children and husband only to get a call at 14:50 this afternoon to say I must self-isolate pending negative test tomorrow and on day 10 Tuesday 8 Dec. Clear consistent guidance and complimentary action by the track and trace team is imperative right now otherwise we will be costing lives!

This isn’t what’s being communicated - there are people who are getting notifications from the CoVID app and when contacting the helpline are being told by one person that they don’t need to isolate (by email and telephone) and by another that they should isolate (again both by email and telephone). They were also told it would take up to 48 hours for the contact tracing team to contact them but the 48 hour timeframe has passed and they are still waiting. Your post says that if you are a direct contact and don’t get contacted within 24 hours you don’t need to isolate - clarity is definitely needed here!

This is misleading. Contact tracing took more than 24 hours to tell my husband that we needed to isolate. This is one of the reasons it’s spreading so fast. We still don’t have a test booked and we were exposed on Saturday.

If they closed the schools, it would cut the cases, because when a school child at a secondary school is positive, the whole year group has to be tested.

You need to update this, I am direct contact and haven't been contacted yet (more then 24 hours) and others who live in the same household as a positive haven't even, if people stick to the 24hr rule there will be so many direct contacts out and about. Are track and trace working all weekend?
Gary Burgess - Journalist

I too am in isolation as a direct contact from sunday. Didnt receive a call to notify me until this evening. Thankfully we have been in isolation since Wednesday because the individual kindly notified us. The track and trace team are so behind because this is spreading so fast. The government need to increase numbers working for track and trace immediately as they understaffed and working extremely hard. Telling people unless they are contacted within 24hours is extremely irresponsible given that 6 days later our whole household is now told to isolate, like many, many others.
We are heading for lockdown...

Extracts from The Jersey at Home, Jersey Young Farmers Club

Extracts from The Jersey at Home, Jersey Young Farmers Club, 1965
Jersey Young Farmers Club

At the beginning of the last Club year, it was decided that a new Section, known as the Agricultural Section, should be formed in place of the Cattle Section, and it would be responsible for organising all the Inter-Group agricultural and horticultural activities, including the Cattle Judging and Showmanship Competitions. Consequently, an inaugural meeting of this new Section was held, and the officers for the coming year were elected, the Chairman being Mr. John Gallichan, the Secretary, Miss Ann Barette, and a Committee of seven.

This new Section has had a successful first year, and the following is a resume of the competitions which it has organised. The first competition to be arranged was something new, namely a breezing competition, and this was held on December 2nd, at Mr. Edward Renouf's, Ville Bree, St. Martin. Each competitor was required to breeze one vergee with a twin breezer, the result being: 1st—Ted Vautier, 2nd— Norman Le Maistre and 3rd—Ken. Vibert.

Two weeks later on December 15th. A broccoli packing competition took place. Each competitor had to pack one crate of broccoli during a given time, and after the judges had examined the finished crates, they announced the results as follows: 1st—Philip Romeril. 2nd—Ronnie Renouard and 3rd—Robert Hamon.

The next two competitions to be organised were concerned with flowers. The first, an anemone bunching and boxing competition, was held on January 26th. Each competitor had to bunch and box one box of anemones, and the result was: 1st—Philip Romeril, 2nd—John Le Feuvre and 3rd—Ronnie Renouard.

The second of these competitions was a Daffodil bunching and boxing competition, which took place on March 23rd. Again, each competitor had to bunch and box one box of Daffodils, the results being: 1st- Robin Perchard. 2nd—Mary Perchard and 3rd—Julia Simon.

This new section was also responsible for organizing the annual Field Day, which was held on August 26th, at Mr. H. W. MaiI|ard‘s, Glencoe. St. Lawrence. During the morning, the Showmanship and Cattle Judging competitions took place. In the Showmanship competition, the competitors were given

30 minutes in which to trim and prepare an animal for a showring, and the results were 1st—Lewis Rondel. 2nd—Brian de Gruchy and 3rd—John Le Masurler.

This was followed by the Cattle Judging competitions. The competitors were required to judge four heifers and then four cows. after which they had to state their reasons for their order of placings of the latter. The results were: juniors 1st- Ken Vibert, 2nd—John Le Masurier and 3rd—Robin Perchard. Seniors: 1st—John Le Feuvre. 2nd—Lewis Rondel and 3rd—Margaret de Gruchy.

During the afternoon, competitions such as tractor and trailer handling, mounting of tractor implements, test in handling a fork-loader, milking machine assembly, etc., were due to be held, but we were unfortunately favoured with bad weather, and as a result, these competitions had to be cancelled. The competitions for the girls, which were held inside a large shed, included cake-making, jams and preserves, sewing, knitting, flower arrangements, tossing the pancake, etc.

This year, two new trophies had been presented to be awarded to the girl and boy who obtained the highest number of individual points in competitions held during the year. The Girls’ Trophy had kindly been presented by Miss Eileen Gallichan, the Chairman during the past year. and the Boys‘ Trophy had been bought with money donated by various merchants’ stores.

At the Annual General Meeting on August 27th, these trophies were presented to their respective winners, the Girls’ Trophy being awarded to Valerie Renouard who had won it with 13 points, reserve was Leonora Herve with 8 points. The Boys‘ Trophy was awarded to Philip Romeril, who had won it with 9 points and reserve was Ken Vibert with 7 points.

The Conference Cup was also presented at the A.G.M. This Trophy, which had been presented to the Club by Mr. E. Lea Marsh of the U.S.A. for the animal, owned by~a Club member. which had completed the highest record in a 305 day lactation or the first 305 days of a 365 day lactation. A slight alteration to the Rules this year, debarred previous winners from entering. The winner was Mr. John Le Feuvre, whose animal "Aimless Lady 9th " produced 10,889 lbs. milk at 5.02% butter fat. Reserve was Robin Perchard's cow “ Keeper's Dreaming Itaska ".

During the year, agricultural meetings have been quite varied, and they included talks by Deputy M. Letto, a member of the Committee of Agriculture, and Mr. D. Chalk, the local Horticultural Adviser.

We were very happy to once again welcome Mr. G. McCal|um, the veterinary surgeon, the subject of his talk being “ The Udder ". One of our Club members, Robin Perchard told us about his experiences of working on the Jersey Show circuit in the States last year, and Senator W. G. Perchard showed us the slides which he had taken on his trip to South Africa in April, 1964, where he had officiated as judge at the South African Jersey Championship Show in Bloemfontein.

We were also fortunate to have representatives of the Jersey Milk Marketing Board explain about the new dairy, which is in the process of being built and their plans for the future, and a “ Farm Forum " proved very popular, the panel consisting of both Club members and well known local farmers.

An Improvement: Seven out of Ten

 

I thought yesterdays press conference was an improvement on the previous one, and here's why.

On Monday, further measures were "under consideration" but just two days later, they had come out. That is a vast improvement in response times. Now we are promised information on "household bubbles" for Christmas "soon". Let's hope they keep up the momentum.

Actually the guidance for islanders at high risk should be the strategy for ALL islanders. This has a "bubble" idea already built into it:

• Choose a small number of family or friends, where needed, from outside of their household, that they choose not to maintain physical distancing with. This should be the same, small consistent group.
• Maintain a 2m distance from people outside their household wherever possible, other than this small consistent group.
• Avoid visits to other people’s homes, and limit having visitors into their own home, unless it is for delivering care or other essential services, or it is within the small consistent number of chosen friends or family.

What could be simpler? I've been using this strategy since we came out of lockdown, even though it wasn't official guidance. Why take risks? And Guernsey has shown that small bubbles work.

The lockdown on hospitality came after Gary Burgess quite rightly pinpointed on Monday that was where the biggest spikes were coming from. So that was taking on board criticism and acting on it quickly.

As John Le Fondre stated, there's a balancing act between acting swiftly and allowing some time for people to make arrangements. This was Wednesday night. It leaves one day and night before it comes into place, which hopefully will not mean idiots going out for one last binge before Christmas. But that timescale is far better than the adjustments on the test regime for flights - to self-isolate until the result of the first test - which took just over a week to bring into force. And by cutting off before Friday evening, it hopefully will prevent the pre-lockdown binge I mentioned.

There's no doubt that given the better protocols - and there are extremely robust ones - mean that doctors and dentists can continue. Also hairdressers, barbers, chiropractors etc etc now have robust coronavirus measures in place. Even if a household lockdown was needed, it need not mean closing those establishments.

Another plus - often not noticed - is that these press conferences as well as being on YouTube and Facebook simultaneously - are now held around 7 pm in the evening - a time when everyone can pretty well access them, rather than on a morning when folk are working. I do think credit should be given for that. 

So why just 7/10? I do think that some measures - mandatory mask wearing, social distancing to two metres, business having to have contact tracing - could have come in a lot earlier rather than just "strong guidance". The reduction to 20 people for gatherings should have come sooner, and I know of several cases where multiple bookings at restaurants were made to get round restrictions. That shows the need for the current circuit-breaker, because as always, there are idiots who seem to think they can get away with it. 

The exemptions system for masks does not seem as robust as they are for, example, not having to wear seat belts because of medical reasons. And the situation with hospitality was clear on Monday from the charts, so the decision could have been made earlier - maybe on Monday for Wednesday rather than losing a few days, remembering the virus spread expands exponentially.

A friend in the UK expressed amazement at how rapidly things had spiralled out of control. They are just coming out of lockdown, and can have 40 people in a church, where Jersey is now restricted to 20. More is slowly, but safely, opening up. And here everything is closing down.

Lockdown Beckons

Frank, I'm awfully cross about these people
who won't follow wartime regulations. Time
and again I say firmly "Wouldn't you mind
terribly making sure you follow the rules".

At the press conference, after John Le Fondre refused to give - as an example - the Royal Yacht event in terms of how many people had to self-isolate, Gary Burgess blew the gaff by giving the official statistics:

"In total, three parties were responsible for the vast majority of isolations. One widely publicised event led to more than 500 people being contacted and asked to self-isolate. A second event led to 630 people being contacted, with a third leading to 530 such cases."

That came to 1,660 of the 2,000 cases of contacts self-isolating from just 3 hospitality events! 83%! And as he stated, there was no evidence of breaking any laws, just not following "guidance"!

"Government sources have privately expressed their huge worry and anger that those partygoers have likely broken no laws, but absolutely broken the social distancing guidance, with many then going on to host or attend dinner parties the following night."

"There were a total of 34 ‘clusters’ discovered in November, ranging from incidents in homes to parties in hotels, as well as outbreaks connected to bars and restaurants."

These numbers explain why there were significant delays at the help line, and why Gary reported this:

"As I write this blog, the honorary police are messaging me to say the roads around the airport drive-thru testing centre are gridlocked. I’m getting messages from people on hold for over an hour trying to get through to the official coronavirus helpline."

As he put it succinctly: "This story is really about hospitality, parties and alcohol"

Meanwhile, the JEP reports that "further actions aimed at pulling Jersey back from the ‘cusp of lockdown’ will be considered during the first part of December, ministers have confirmed, with tougher restrictions on the licensed trade among the options being considered."

Note that word "considered". This is a government which seems to be reacting rather than acting, and taking action in every case too late. There's a great contact team, we have a great App, but we really don't need the kind of dithering leadership that we are getting. What we need to see is that further actions will be stated by the end of the week, to come in force the following week. What we are getting is the Jim Hacker approach to the pandemic. Lockdown beckons.. and before Christmas, I'd guess.

Jim Hacker:
You will agree that so far my premiership has been a great success.

Sir Humphrey:
Oh, indeed.

Jim Hacker:
Yes, and I have been asking myself: "What can I do to continue this run of success?"

Sir Humphrey:
Have you considered masterly inactivity?

Jim Hacker:
No, Humphrey. A Prime Minister must be firm.

Sir Humphrey:
Indeed. How about *firm* masterly inactivity?

Far Horizon

This is a poem about the pandemic, but it also references "a cloud no bigger than a man's hand" in the Old Testament, looking at how something distant - and didn't it seem far away in January, in distant China - can be the first sign of a great deluge later. Of course, in the Book of Kings, Elijah is praying for rain after drought, whereas our cloud on the horizon would turn out to be much more unwelcome.

Far Horizon

On day, it is just a clear sky
A blue horizon, clear, fine
Even drought if staying dry
Blue skies all day, sunshine

One small cloud can be seen
Just a distant spec, far away
Over distant hills so green
Nothing to fear, not today

Cloudburst: a raging storm
Flooding, tidal waves, fear
Now is a future taking form
Drowned world this year

Time to reflect and see the cost
As we now face a wintry frost

The Victorian 4: Snippets of Times Past

From 1983, some more snippets from the Victorian.

Temp Passe

DURING the coming issues of ‘The Victorian’, I would like to take the opportunity to comb our archives and write about what the magazine was reporting in past years.

10 YEARS AGO (November 1973):

It was all change in November with the following infonnation in ‘College Notes’:

“The College building programme has progressed. The old general science laboratory is now a geography room; the old biology laboratory a languages room bearing the name Moliere; the old chemistry laboratory is the new Masters’ Common Room; and the old physics laboratory a mathematics room bearing the name Eden."

[I remember that change well. It was just after the opening of the new "Science Block" which everyone called a "Science Block" and no one called "The Princess Anne Science Wing" - how do you write that mouthful out on timetables! Brian Tricker, head of science, oversaw the project and the time and energy cause him to have a breakdown, a pity because he was such a talented and brilliant educator.]

On the subject of cricket ‘The Victorian’ writes:

“It would be somewhat of an overstatement to call this season successful, particularly in the way of results, and there is no doubt that compared with previous seasons. this is a very young and inexperienced team.

Most members had in fact been blooded in previous seasons, but they now found themselves vital members of the team, despite being only in their fourth year at College.

“The team's results were: 1 win, 7 draws and 8 losses. Tait topped the batting averages with 18.20 runs and Le Brun the bowling averages with a wicket every 12.24 runs. Colours were awarded to the latter - St. George, Keylock, Sutton and Richomme.”

25 YEARS AGO:

Under the title “Men at Work", ‘The Victorian’ reported:

“At the beginning of last term strangely garbed persons were to be seen wandering about with brushes, buckets and mops. It transpired that these were the Literary Lower Sixth, who had temporarily become interior decorators. The ‘objet d'art’ was Room B. This dank, dark dungeon (we quote) “has now been transformed into a blue sun lounge”.

On another ‘cultural’ note.-

“A widely varied programme of songs and instrumental music was arranged by Mr. Sackett for the Summer Concert in the hall on July 26th. The performers were Mrs. Grove, Advocate Crill, B. J. C. Aldridge, Mr. Rowley, Dr. Carré, Mr. Sacket, the school string orchestra and junior choir, and the Preparatory choir: P. J. Lobb, P. F. M. Hanning. R. A. Fry, A. G. de Ste. Croix, P. M. Lear, R. C. Godel. R. A. Challinor and from the Prep., J. Herivel and W. Langley."

The report continues:

“The audience, which nearly filled the hall, took full part in the community singing, which as usual. brought the concert to an end. Mr. Sackett was particularly congratulated for organising such a successful concert.”

Another item from the same issue:

“After a cancellation because of weather conditions. the annual athletics match against Elizabeth College was eventually held on May 5th in Guemsey,"

The match was lost and the Hutchence Cup stayed in Guernsey. However, there were several good performers.

“It is difficult to single anyone out for special mention. R. W. Averty ran a very fast half (mile) to return a time of 2 mins. 6.5 secs. He also won the quarter. D. G. Carpenter. the captain. won the 100 yards and 220 yards against strong opposition, and R. Blair Hickman won the mile. with B. G. Heard a very good second."

50 YEARS AGO (1933):

“The Headmaster-elect, who takes over in the September Term is Mr. John Halliday Grummitt, M .A.. at present Head of the Classical Department. and a House Master, at Epsom College.” The article continues: "He is thirty-two years of age and married. Though a layman. he preaches occasionally in the Epsom College Chapel."

[He published Everyday Prayers. Compiled by J. H. Grummitt, Hugh Martin and M. I. Rogers Hardcover – 1 Jan. 1926]

Mr. Grummitt stayed at the College until 1939 when he left in a somewhat controversial way.

[In September 1940, about 40 boys with Mr. Grummitt, Mr. Hopewell and Miss Aubrey were accommodated at Bedford School. Shortly afterwards Mr. Grummitt left on his appointment as Principal of Belfast Royal Academical Institution, and Mr. S. M. Toyne consented to act as Headmaster of 'Victoria College at Bedford '.]

Adverts

The world was awash with cheap mini-computers, and trading on "Orac" in the TV show Blake's Seven, came the "Oric". Wow! Massive 48K RAM! But later this decade, the first IBM with MS-DOS would be released, and by 1990, all those tiny PCs had gone.

I remember getting all my first blazers and caps from this shop. Long gone now. That was in the days of a plain black blazer with a College badge, none of the stripey braid stuff which came in during my time - updating the image. I just wore a plain dark grey suit (the alternative) after that, which made playing truant and catching the bus home on games afternoons easier - I just removed my tie!

This one has either gone, or moved. Back in those days, in the playground of Rouge Bouillon School, they used to have Cycling Proficiency on Saturday mornings so children could learn signalling, the Highway code, etc. Judging by the adults who now cycle dangerously, we could do with it back again.

 

 

Narrow Ranging Responsibilities

Looking at Kevin Pamplin's offer to be Assistant Health Minister- an offer which was swiftly pulled back by the Government, the Health Minister said:

“These requirements demonstrated that our approaches to the role would differ and I felt the Deputy was not taking into account the wide-ranging responsibilities that arise from working within government."

Doesn't this sound assured and statesmanlike? It is wonderful how, as George Orwell noted, political language can actually say the reverse of what is meant.

Bailiwick Express notes:

Among his requests, which were described as "unusual" by the Health Minister, was confirmation that the Government would publish up-to-date minutes from its scientific advisers meetings on covid in line with a proposition he successfully pushed through the States Assembly in summer, but was not fully enacted.

And Kevin's own email (now published) has this at the forefront:

"As I mentioned to you and the Chief Minister failure to fully respond to my proposition and fully produce the STAC minutes with the issues around communication, which I also spoke to in my VONC speech is unacceptable. This has to be the first issue I have to try rectify. If this is going to cause an issue I would understand but I have to follow this up."

"My final option which I have considered is bringing the proposition back the assembly. I feel so strongly about being transparent especially with communication and if I can bring that change ASAP then this is a move I can fully justify and agree to."

Translation of Health Minister: You must accept the fact that you would be effectively gagged from raising such issues. And we are not going to publish the minutes. And when we use the term "wide ranging" it actually means "narrow ranging".

Small wonder that while the Vote of No Confidence was won in the Chamber, outside confidence is still ebbing in the shambles that passes for decision making. An example is mask wearing.

The law on compulsory wearing of masks is in place... It’s just not active yet! Never put off to tomorrow what you can put off to next week seems o be how the Health Minister operates. And he was saying... If you refuse to wear a mask, you can be fined. If you say you are exempt on medical grounds – no proof needed at present – this will be sufficient as otherwise it would be a breach of privacy about your medical history.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! That’s like exemptions on seat belt legislation which means if you are stopped by the policy, you just say "I have a medical exemption.... but I don't need to show you! That law doesn't work like that and neither should mask wearing! Totally bonkers!

Your doctor may say you don’t have to wear a seat belt for a medical reason. They’ll give you a ‘Certificate of Exemption from Compulsory Seat Belt Wearing’. You must: (1) keep this in your vehicle (2) show it to the police if you’re stopped.

The Return of the King

The Return of the King

The trumpets sound, the choirs sing
Come, O come, the returning King
On horseback he came, from far away
From Northern lands, as prophets say
The Fellowship of Nine, rose with him
Though Moira mines, so dark and grim
Where banged the drums, dark unseen
And Gandalf fell, down dark ravine
The Fellowship split, asunder broken
And Boromir dying, last words spoken
To Helm’s Deep he came, to battle strong
And fierce and savage, lasted long
He fought onwards, with noble band
Then paths of the dead, an evil land
Finally to Minas Tirith, the King came
To guardians of Gondor’s sacred flame
Fought the last battle, the final defeat
Sauron vanquished, victory sweet
And aftermath: they crowned the King
The Lay of Elessar, the minstrels sing
And this was the telling, the story told
Of men and elves, of hobbits bold 

Of dwarves, and Ents, of Wizard's sage

This was the ending of the Third Age

The trumpets sound, the choirs sing 
Come, O come, the returning King 
An echo of returns, and all put right
When our King returns in light.

The Victorian 1983 - Part 4: Some Obituaries

Today's post comes from a 1983 edition of "The Victorian", a magazine published by Victoria College

The Victorian 1983

CONNOR, Francis Hebbelthwaite Powell (VCJ: 1929-1936) died on 1st May 1982, aged 64, after a long illness.

On leaving College he joined the R.A.F, being commissioned in 1937 and trained as a pilot. Was in 22 Squadron (Torpedo Bombers) and in action over the North Sea, Belgium and Norway in early 1940. That June he transferred to 234 Squadron, flying Spitfires, and was in action during the Battle of Britain. At the end of August 1940 he was shot down over the Channel.

After recovery from injuries, he re-trained as a flying instructor and continued in Training Command until 1946. Subsequently returning to Jersey, he served at Jersey Airport for 16 years in the capacity of Air Traffic Controller.

RICHARDSON, William (‘Bill’) (V.C.J. 1924-1930) died on 5th July 1983 at his home in Lymington, Hampshire. He was 70.

Joining Vickers in 1931. He became a Vickers aircraft man for almost 50 years. Being three times managing director of various Vickers companies. In 1940 he was appointed assistant area manager of the Salisbury Group of Dispersal Factories which took over the building of Spitfires. Bill took over production at South Marston where he remained until 1963. During this period he was appointed a Justice of the Peace. He went on as managing director of factories in Glasgow and Bury St. Edmunds. From 1971, until his retirement in 1978, he was managing director and then chairman of Mitchell Bearings in Newcastle, having been the ‘architect’ of the complete redevelopment of the works.

DUPAYS, Andre Louis (V.C.J. 1939-1947) died in June 1983 at Leatherhead, Surrey, from a heart attack, after suffering a heart condition for some 18 months. He was 55.

He gained a Channel Islands Scholarship to Pembroke College, Oxford (Modern Languages), where he obtained an M.A. and Dip.Ed. He taught at the County Grammar School. Dorking, and subsequently became Head of Modern Languages at St. John's, Leatherhead and Commanding Officer of the C .C.F . Andre was accorded the honour of being chosen to command the C .C .F. contingents for the Special Queen's Jubilee Parade in London.

EPHRAUMS, W. Frank, Commander R.N., M.l.E.E.
(The following appreciation was written by L. L. Seigne. Esq. ).

Frank Ephraurns was at College from 1933 to 1939, where I was his House and Class Master, but it was during the holidays that we became close friends, for we shared a deep love of the sea. His wide knowledge of the Jersey mail boats whose movements he followed closely, stems from his boyhood. We were so keen on fishing that we would meet at dawn to sail my boat which he handled with skill while I tended the lines. In 1939 we left College and he went to Faraday House to gain an Honours Diploma and gold medal in electrical engineering. He joined the R.N.V.R. as a Sub-Lieutenant and in 1943 was engaged in minesweeping. After the war he was transferred to the Royal Navy and served in various ships and shore establishments. He was promoted to Commander in 1959 and retired from the Ministry of Defence in 1972 when he joined the RN Engineering Service. After a long spell of ill health he finally retired and died at his home in Bath on 14th August 1982. A staunch and unassuming friend, a born seaman and a keen O.V.

RYAN, Dennis William, Jurat (V.C..J. 1929-1937) died in Jersey on 8th August 1983, aged 64, after a prolonged illness.

This former head prefect and prominent figure in many spheres at V.C.J. was destined to become a States Deputy, the Constable of St. Helier and a Jurat of the Royal Court. On leaving V.C.J. he studied at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, before entering the family business of Ryan Holdings Ltd., which encompassed hotel, garage and building companies both in this Island and Guernsey. He became chairman and managing director of the group, besides being elected president of the Jersey Hotel and Guest House Association and vice-president of the Jersey Chamber of Commerce. His numerous interests and work included the Battle of Flowers Association, the Rotary Club, the Institute of Directors, the St. John's Ambulance Service, the United Club, the Jersey Island Cricket Club, the Caesarean Lawn Tennis Club and St. Helier Yacht Club. He served as a States Deputy from 1948 to1951 and from 1954 to 1956, when he resigned from the States following an illness. He re-entered Island politics when he was elected Constable of St. Helier in December 1961. He also served on many States Committees and became a Jurat in 1969, which office he held until 1976 when he resigned on grounds of ill health.

FERGUSON, Michael Richard (V.C.J. 1958-1963) died in Jersey on 14th September 1983 at the tragically young age of 36 after contracting a rare illness.

Mike was a fine all-rounder at V.C.J. but excelled at gymnastics, where he gained top honours in both 1962 and 1963. On leaving. he joined the family business of clothing outfitters. He leaves a wife and two small children. To them and indeed to the bereaved families of all O.V.s, The Victorian extends its sincere sympathy.

An Assessment of John Henwood's Letter

John Henwood recently had a letter published in the JEP giving an "inside track" on some aspects of the events leading to Charlie Parker's resignation. Here are are extracts and some comments by me.

 "On 29 October, Mr Parker wrote to the Chief Minister setting out the position from his perspective. The letter was released to the media, but not widely disseminated in full. In it he pointed out that since 2016 he had been on the board of the entity responsible for the refurbishment of Buckingham Palace, a huge undertaking." (Henwood)

But as Gary Burgess points out, we are only hearing this now. He also mentions "politicians and civil servants who regularly tell me of their frustration at getting access to the man at the top", something which John Henwood is seemingly unaware of.

Under Article 10 of the Employment of States of Jersey Employees (Jersey) Law 2005 (“the Law”), provision is made for the States Employment Board (“SEB”) to delegate any of its powers or functions under the Law to any of its members or the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”).

John Henwood states that: "In fact, the Chief Minister was entitled to give consent. While it is the case that the SEB is the employer, the Chief Minister is chairman of the SEB and has specifically delegated authority to act."

But this is clearly only under the terms of Article 10, and I would like to see the decision making the delegation which he says is the case in this circumstance. I can't see it anywhere!

"As often happens at such times, politicians’ instincts of self-preservation kick in and there was a brief period of who had said what to whom and who knew what, which the media duly reported." (Henwood)

There is no mention of the Communications Unit press release which was not authorised by any politician and yet somehow came out and completely muddied the waters for the media. That was nothing to do with politicians’ instincts of self-preservation. Why is that omitted from John Henwood's account?

 And finally, John Henwood says:

 "What has already occurred at a political level was not a debate, it was a farrago of misrule led by a few politicians who seized an opportunity to get rid of a chief executive who was making them uncomfortable by doing what he was employed to do – drive change in the public sector.”

 “There’s nothing new in that. Throughout history good people who have tried to transform things for the better have been brought down by those who oppose change, often for reasons of personal position.”

 Although he names no names, his descriptions make it clear where he think blame lies. For example, Kristina Moore is described as “a constant critic of Senator Le Fondré”

 "Mr Parker’s letter did nothing to lower the temperature and States Members were demanding action. On 1 November, Senator Kristina Moore, a constant critic of Senator Le Fondré, seized the moment to announce that she would be lodging a vote of no confidence against the Chief Minister the following day.”

 Deputy Morel is also clearly in the firing line:

 “Deputy Morel, impatient for action, demanded through social media: ‘There should be no “talks”. Any resolution that doesn’t involve CP leaving his NED role will have tremendous consequences.’” (Henwood)

 And yet ultimate responsibility must surely lie within SEB itself:

 “The most revealing part of the meeting was when the vice-chairman of the SEB, Constable Richard Buchanan, said that without a successful resolution he believed the vote of no confidence in the Chief Minister would succeed.” (Henwood)

 “Mr Buchanan later wrote to Mr Parker stating that the SEB was not minded to withdraw its permission for him to take on the NED role. However, it also instructed him to resign the NED position. In other words, you have permission to take on the New River post, but you must resign from it. How bizarre.” (Henwood)

 But that decision was from SEB – of which, let us not forget – as John Henwood omits to remind us here – where John Le Fondre is in the Chair, and not those outside the Government such as Kristina Moore or Kirsten Morel. In other words, if Charlie Parker was a sacrificial lamb, it was to prevent a vote of no confidence succeeding, and surely the Chief Minister must have been aware of that.

In conclusion, John Henwood gives us some extra background information, but that also raises other questions. I would like to be sure that some of the information he says was released to the media, such as Gary Burgess, actually was seen by them, and in what form.

Context is everything. In his version, the noble Charlie Parker, like the noble Julius Caesar, is brought down by the wicked Brutus and disaffected Roman Senators for their own political ends. That’s certainly playing to Shakespearean tragedy, but while the bare events described are not in dispute, the manner of their presentation, and the motivations assigned to others is certainly debatable.

Looking at it as if it was a narrative about historical events, and therefore embedded with a degree of interpretation, John Henwood’s remarks should not just be treated as an unvarnished “gospel truth”. All history, as historians know, except for bare chronology (and even there some selection is involved) is mediated through the lens of the writers.  

To say as the Jersey Evening Post does, “It has been said that falsehood will fly on the wings of the wind while truth lags behind” is to give his narrative a status which it may or may not deserve, and any investigation of what occurred must go further in speaking to other witnesses. 

For example, John Henwood presents the Buckingham Palace case as an argument, but we don't know exactly what form this takes unless we can see original source documents to the media (or at least a lengthy extract). It may have been omitted because it was not made strongly or not exactly the same situation of employment. Do we have the terms of engagement of that appointment?

And the New River blurb states that "In this role [CEO Jersey], he has led an ambitious programme to transform and modernise Jersey’s public services and developed a major infrastructure vehicle for funding the Island’s infrastructure and regeneration plans."

As Gary Burgess comments:

Interesting, in its own blurb, NewRiver REIT plc bigs up Charlie Parker for his “ambitious programme to transform and modernise Jersey’s public services”, but it also puts on a pedestal the “major infrastructure vehicle for funding” which, curiously, the island’s politicians haven’t even yet approved.

Also curious is the official statement from the government which not only says both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister approved his second gig which it claims he’ll be doing in his own time, but also that it “will inform Jersey’s economic recovery from Covid-19.”

Surely it can’t be both.

Somehow this was not on John Henwood's radar in his presentation. I'm not saying Charlie Parker is as black as some of his critics may maintain, but it is surely unlikely he is quite as wonderful as John Henwood makes out.