The Victoria Tower Astronomical Society

From "The Victorian", 1974

THE VICTORIA TOWER ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (Vic T.A.S.)

The Pioneer group has for the last four or five years been converting the Victoria Tower at Gorey (an early Martello tower) into an astronomical observatory. At the end of last year the project was nearing completion, and it seemed time for a society to be formed for people interested in astronomy. This would instruct them in the use of the observatory, with its ten-inch Newtonian reflector telescope (donated by Old Victorian Mr. Robert Le Rossignol), and give them the opportunity. of hearing lectures and seeing films on the Apollo programme, and talks on telescopes, comets, satellites, the sun and the planets.

The society is open to all secondary schools in the island, most of them having representatives who, together with the President, the Secretary and the Treasurer, form the committee which organises the Society.

The committee is as follows:—

President: Mr. E. Le Quesne.
Secretary: Marion Le Cornu.
Treasurer: Christopher Parlett.
Representative for Victoria College: Gary Misson.
Representative for Jersey College for Girls; Kim Turner.
Representative for Hautlieu: Angela Long.
Representative for De La Salle: Keiron Casey.

The Society has so far 32 members. The committee has, decided that there should be an annual subscription of 25p to cover the cost of films and observatory expenses. In the near future the Society will be showing more N.A.S.A. films and giving talks on radio astronomy, cosmology, and a summary of the Apollo mission. The Society usually meets every alternate week, either on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Up till now the meetings have been in the lecture theatre at Victoria College, but next term each meeting will be at a different school.

Since Christmas, on nearly every clear, calm weekend evening, there has been a group of people up at the observatory looking at various celestial objects, notably the nebula, in Orion, Saturn and the moon.

Electricity is now being installed at the observatory so that by- Easter there will be an efficient lighting and heating system; there will also be power to turn the telescope to that it can track any star it is pointed at. This enables time-exposures to be taken, and an accurate photographic chart of the night sky can be compiled.

Once the electricity is installed a weekly observing session will be held on Fridays or Saturdays, weather permitting.

Plans are at the moment being drawn up for a radio telescope to be built on the Science block roof, which will receive pictures from weather satellites orbiting the earth.

C.B.P.

Hotel

When you have dementia, you may be confused about your surroundings, piece together fragments of memories like crazy paving, and although you are well cared for, not everything may be as it seems in your memory.

Hotel

This is a nice hotel, and I came to stay
Some time ago, memory slips away,
And I can’t always remember everything;
And visitors come here, they often bring
Flowers, nice to see, and have a chat,
And from time to time, I see a cat;
I may go home sometime, but here and now,
The food here is good, I must allow;
And I’m not sure why I am staying here,
And worry sometimes, dear, oh dear;
I shan’t get up much, in case I fell,
So if I move, a sensor sounds a bell,

And nurses come, help me to bed;

Nurses or staff, I've lost the thread

Of that memory, that stray thought:

A nagging feeling that I ought

To remember, about this hotel;

Oh never mind, it's just as well!

I have to take my pills, every day,
Or so the nurses always say;
The staff are very nice, bring meals,
And the food is very tasty and appeals;
Sometimes I eat in the dining room;
Sometimes I stay in my bedroom;
Nice photos on the shelves, and I know
I should know them, but memories go:

Old age, I suppose, a twilight zone;

Then I remember some I've known,

Like a blind opening, just one crack:

Before it closes, names come back;

I can’t always hear people speak
When they visit, almost every week;

But I enjoy to chat and and to smile: 

I lip read a bit, so it is not a trial;
Time passes, I lose track of each day,
As glaciers melting softly, wash away,
In a blaze of autumn sunshine;
So thank you, and I feel quite fine,
Only a little tired, so if you don’t mind
I’d like to sleep, if you’d be so kind:
Hand me my blanket, nice and warm;
No rage at dying light, anger at a storm,
But fading in the limelight, still all is well
Goodbye, and for now farewell

The Coronation Year 70 Years Ago - June 1953 Part 2

By a curious coincidence of dates, the coronation year 2023 will be 70 years after the coronation date in 1953. I thought it would be of interest to look back during this year of some of the events taking place before, during and after the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Coronation Year 70 Years Ago - June 1953 Part 2

17.-—Interesting address given at Church Missionary Society luncheon held at The Forum, the Rev. J. Foxcroft being the speaker.

13.—Sand race meeting at St. Ouen’s Bay, thrilling sport being seen.

19.—Licensing Assembly discusses monopoly agreements between brewery companies and wine merchants, commenting that restrictive practices were not in the public interest.

20.—Shocking road fatality occurs at St. Peter’s, a young motor cyclist. Mr. Stanley Le Marquand (21), being killed when his machine crashed into a lorry, the victim striking his head against a, milestone in the hedge ; two pillion riders, including one travelling on the dead man’s machine and the other on another machine involved, were injured ; a stationary delivery van was also involved in the accident ; at the subsequent inquest a verdict of death from injuries received was returned. Return inter-college match at the College Field ends in a draw. Over 100 deck chairs destroyed in flames on St. Brelade’s beach.

21. Annual handicap yacht race from St. Helier to Gorey won by Onyx (B. Morton). Annual church parade of members of St. John Ambulance Brigade. Heaviest rainfall for weeks, nearly .75 in. Being recorded.

23. There was a sequel to the recent motor cycling fatality at St. Peter‘s when Jean Ange Gouédard (20) was charged before the Police Court with dangerous riding.

24. Following complaints by residents of the district a pack of 18 dogs at Les Platons, Trinity, were rounded up and destroyed.

25. Record attendence at Gorey Coronation Regatta, but lack of wind spoiled the sailing events and thick fog the fireworks display in the evening. Town schools’ sports held at the FB. Fields, Halkett

Place retaining the Darby-Wade Trophy ; the country schools held theirs the following day, La Moye and St. Peter's winning trophies.

29. This week-end the busiest to date this year, nearly 9,500 passengers arriving and departing .by sea ; at the Airport on Saturday there were 250 movements, involving 3,421 passengers. The Island’s first A.A. box officially opened at Le Port, Five Mile Road. Annual meeting of Jersey Green Room Club.

30.—Special sitting of States discusses the appointment of directors of the Jersey Electricity Company., Deputies Candlin, Le Marquamd, Rumfitt and Senator Le Quesne eventually being appointed ; approval was given for the erection of 27 houses by the Midland Bank on the Headlands Estate, Corbiere; various minor matters were also dealt with. Constable of St. Peter’s unveils plaque commemorating the restoration of the ancient field-piece at the junction of New and Old Beaumont Hills. Jean Ange Gouédard, charged before the Police Court with dangerous riding in connection with the recent motor cycling fatality at St. Peter’s, is fined £10 and his licence suspended for nine months.

A Cautionary Tale Revised

With the Parliamentary committee branding Boris Johnson a liar, a suitable poem

A Cautionary Tale Revised

Matilda told such dreadful lies
And perished after calling "fire!"
And calling out the fire brigade
And laughing, sipping lemonade
So often that when a fire really came
She perished, just herself to blame
For when she called out "fire, fire"
They just called her a little liar
A tale design to create a shock
As told by writer, Hilaire Belloc
But Johnson told a sorry tale
False, of course, beyond the pale
When found guilty, said, I’m not
For it’s propaganda by lefty trot
The Express and Daily Mail rave
And say our Johnson is so brave
Pulled down by such jealous hate
This really mustn’t be his fate
Rees-Mogg says bring him back
Nanny is not needed for a smack
One day, he may return once more
Until then, off to distant shore
To give speeches, and money make
A portrait that was found a fake
Farewell, Boris, and sing your song
How everyone but you is always wrong
Unlike Matilda, who perished in fire
You were like Nero, playing his lyre
While Rome burned, not your fault
Truth is buried, the lies exalt.

The Coronation Year 70 Years Ago - June 1953 Part 1

By a curious coincidence of dates, the coronation year 2023 will be 70 years after the coronation date in 1953. I thought it would be of interest to look back during this year of some of the events taking place before, during and after the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Coronation Year 70 Years Ago - June 1953 Part 1

1.—Coronation Cavalcade opens at The Forum, Evelyn Laye and Leslie Sarony topping the bill.

2.—Coronation Day a memorable one in Jersey : The morning celebrations began with: a. parade through the town by the band of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps ; in the afternoon an Elizabethan fete was staged in the Howard Davis Park, Whilst in the evening a fine cavalcade paraded the town, the theme being mainly historical ; the day concluded with a grand display of fireworks from the Albert Pier at 10.30; most of the principal streets had been decorated and presented a magnificent appearance; the parochial authorities had arranged teas and games for the youngsters at various locales and these were much enjoyed; the weather was fine, though a cold wind prevailed. ’

4. An unusual “seller” on the ’Bridge- this morning was the Rector of Trinity, who having received some 40 barrels of potatoes in aid of the church restoration fund, sold these- at 4/’— above- the ruling figure. Inquest opened and adjourned on the body of 74-year-old Mr. T. R. Gibbs, who died- following a motor cycling accident at First Tower. J.MC. and L.C.C. second scramble of season held at Blanches Banques.

5.—The Coronation arch near the Town. Hall, erected by the parish, suddenly catches fire- and is largely destroyed.

6.—Central A.B.C. beat St. Servan in tournament held at Springfield. .

7.—Annual Corpus Christi procession through the streets of St. Helier.

8:—Before the Police Court today David Jack Proper (20) was charged with the manslaughter of Thomas Richard Gibbs, who died from injuries received after being knocked down by a motor cycle ridden by the accused, who was remanded on bail. Two robberies reported over the week-end, one at First Tower involving nearly £60 in cash and the other at the Gunsite Café, Beaumont, where only a few shillings and chocolate were taken;

9.—Special sitting of States unanimously votes £150,000 as Jersey’s contribution to Britain’s defence effort ; the sum of £30,000 was granted the Housing Committee for the construction of States houses at the Troglodyte Caves, Five Oaks; £1,000 was also granted the Beautés Naturelles Committee for the provision of a suitable dumping site: new rates at the institutions were agreed upon ; the free import of eggs was permitted. A stoppage of work occurred at the Ann Street Brewery at midday, but at 2.30 the men returned, the company having agreed to their demands. At the Jersey College for Girls, Miss E. G. Barton, former headmistress, unveils teak bench in commemoration of the Coronation.

11.—Verdict of accidental death recorded an; inquest held on the body of Mr. Richard Sagar, who died from injuries received through a fall into a soakaway on which he was working at his property, Isla Villa, Five Oaks. Government House levé in honour of the birthday of Her Majesty, the weather being ideal for the occasion. R.J.A. and HS. flower show held in Howard Davis Park.

12.Serious accident occurs at the Gas Works, an oil drum which was being cut exploding and causing multiple injuries to Mr. Harold Marie, an employee. The Rev. T. E. Fowler instituted as Incumbent .of St. Paul's Church.

13.—Serious motor cycling accident at St. Ouen’s, 29-year-old Mr. Frank Carré (who was to have emigrated to new Zealand shortly) sustaining a fractured spine when his machine overturns.

14. Underwater Fishing Club commences activities, thirty members “diving ” at Beauport.

15. Large audience at Springfield Theatre when the Elizabethan Singers, with Denis Matthews (pianist) give enjoyable concert. Victoria College defeats Forest School by 36 runs in match played at College Field. .

We are working on that: Kirsten Morel at the Chamber Lunch

"We are working on that..."

Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Dep. Kirsten Morel – keynote speech on the future direction of the economy gave a talk, mainly of platitudes.

There is a demographic challenge, and one way to solve the dependency ratio would be a population of 150,000. Of course that would mean - as the Minister said - the same problem as immigrants aged would be passed onto the next generation as they got older, and the strain on the Island infrastructure would be at breaking point - it's not viable.

At last a politician who understood that increasing population to deal with dependency ratios is effectively a population Ponzi type scheme.

However, from that point on, matters got fuzzy. A nice visual chart showed current productivity (of course as he later admitted, there is no way to measure this!), and on another line population. As he pulled up the productivity line, the 150,000 line moved down. What fun he must have had with that chart!

So the solution (according to the Minister) is each worker must increase productivity by at least  7.5. A nice figure plucked out of nowhere. Quite how a taxi driver or a brick layer or a waiter is to be more productive is another matter, especially as the Minister made it clear it would not involve increasing working hours.

And then the Minister said the hospitality industry has shown massive increases in productivity in recent years! What planet is he living on? Shops and restaurants are closing or operating at reduced hours or days because of a lack of staff. The area near the Radisson had been described as a "ghost town" as so many businesses have closed. Increased cost of supplies mean that some fish and chip shops are on the brink of closing - what on earth does "increased productivity" mean in that context? 

How can hospitality staff be "more productive"? Employing "Billy Whizz" would seem to be the only way, but unfortunately for the Minister, Billy is a fictional character from the Beano.

When I spoke to an acquaintance, he said that statement by the Minister was probably due to the way they were measuring productivity. But it turned out there was as the Minister, when questioned said there was a "a lack of data" in knowing how things are doing.

The model for productivity is clearly an office environment, where tasks can be done in more efficient ways, or better alternatives found (AI anyone?) and yet it is being applied to every worker. 

The issue of childcare came up, as it is needed to get more women back (and productive!!!) in the workplace - but the childcare providers can't because of the way their business is coded for immigration, bring in skilled workers - and there are not enough here to go around. What was the Minister going to do about it. Look into it....

The only concrete proposal was to turn grants into loans if students don't return for five years to work in Jersey. I think that's far too long. Someone specialising in medicine will probably need extra training in the UK, especially if having qualified as a doctor, they want to be a surgeon or a vet. A one year stay in Jersey would make more sense. Many students take a year out - a "sabbatical" before starting a degree course. Making this a mandatory year afterwards would not be such a great inconvenience and they may even stay.

In conclusion, a speech by Kirsten Morel which would have made Jim Hacker (of Yes Minister) proud. A lot was said, but there was very little in the way of concrete substance or examples.

No wonder Murray Norton rather brutally said "To be honest, Minister, your talk lacked focus". Brutal, but what most of us were thinking.

The Incinerator

One from the back catalogue today, first written in 2014. A soliloquy that is a pastiche of William Shakespeare's "All the World's A Stage".This is about our wasteful society.

The Incinerator

All the world's a tip
And all the men and women merely dumpers;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time fills many bins,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Using many thousand disposable nappies
And then the whining school-boy, with his crisps
And coke cans dumped, dropping his chewing gum
On the roads to school. And then the lover,
Leaving pizza boxes and discarded beer cans
Drunk with his girl. Then a driver,
With gas guzzling cars, cigarette smoked at speed
Thoughtlessly thrown onto pavements as he goes
Even in the road sweeper's mouth. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
And dustbins full of empty vintage wine bottles
Full from Vin d'Honneurs and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the obese and slipper'd pantaloon,
Leaving dog mess on green paths as it has always done
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too short
For his vast shank; and his big manly voice,
Lost in grunts as he sits on the sofa, eats
And channel hops the day away. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is house clearance to incinerator of lifetime junk
False teeth, contact lenses, moth balls, and everything
Excepting the deceased, burnt himself elsewhere.

New Boy at College House

From The Victorian 1974, an account of what it was like to be a boarder at Victoria College. I remember boarders from this period, although by my time, most boys were day students. College House was also used for school dinners, and I had a year of those. You would assemble outside the entrance door at lunchtime, file in, and sit at tables. Food would be some kind of meat (I could never really identify it), vegetables and potatoes, followed by a desert - the only one I recall was prunes (which you did Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor, Richman, Poorman... with the stones, and usually covered in custard, a thick, glutinous mass ladled onto the plate. 

As soon as I could persuade my parents, I moved to packed lunches where you could sit outside in the College grounds. 

At the school lunches, however, a master would usually be on one table, and I invariably ended up on that table. I remember Colonel Finch (mentioned below), who had a great bald dome of a head which would go red when he was angry, usually when boys misbehaved, but I always found him interesting to talk to - he was keen to know about how well I was doing in mathematics, and when I came 2nd in the whole year's exams, just missing a prize, he gave me an old fashioned, beatifully crafted, geometry set in a case. A kind man.

NEW BOY AT COLLEGE HOUSE by M.S.C.S.

During the Christmas term my parents left the island for some weeks and I became a new boy at College House at the age of eighteen. The oaken main-doors swung open to reveal hallowed flag- stones . . . or does that sound too much like Frank Richards ?

In fact any preconceived misconceptions I may have nurtured of a Greyfriars-like community isolated from the nineteen seventies by a haze of fagging and midnight feasting were indeed pre-conceived misconceptions. The true picture which emerged was one of a moderately progressive and very sound home from home for about forty boys.

The day at College House starts at 7.30 with a morning call by some sadistic first-former armed with a hand bell. This leaves one ample time to wash, dress and tidy up the dormitory before breakfast at eight o’clock. In practice I, together with the rest of my dormitory, perfected the ability to rise at 7.56 and still arrive in the dining room in a punctual if dishevelled manner.

Breakfast, like other meal-times at the House strikes a curious balance between formality and the feeding of a shoal of piranha fish. My awesome prefectorial status was never more tested than when it came to acrimonious disputes about the distribution of cornflakes. In fairness I must say that politeness usually overcame young appetites. Lunch was also an amusing interlude, as the various religious taboos of the Commonwealth boarders strained the most efficient meal plans.

I should add, just in case anybody is taking this article seriously, that the cooking and other service facilities at College House are of the highest possible standard. Furthermore, the guidances of the Finch and Buckland families and of Mrs. Causton, the Matron, were always most efficient and sympathetic. This is a very important factor when one considers that many of the junior boys are children away from their parents for the first time.

In the evening after tea the juniors attend a supervised prep. period whilst the College House prefects—in effect the sixth formers—disappear to their clandestine holes to study. The homework of these senior boys is not rigidly supervised but by this stage in one’s school career one allegedly has a certain self-discipline anyway. Thus despite sharing a study with an insane Welshman cum hi-fi unit I found myself working far better than I do at home. This, together perhaps with the feudal seating arrangements of the T.V. room, highlights the greatest gift that College House gives to its inmates. The system of respect and mutual dependence generate a spirit of independence and strength in the boys.

M.S.C.S.

The Chimes at Midnight

A poem reflecting on key moments in the Orson Welles masterpiece, which has recently been shown again on "Talking Pictures". I saw it years ago, and watched it again, and as amazed and in awe of it now as I was then. Shakespeare's words, but from five plays, and so visually cinematic. The Battle of Shrewsbury is still once of the most amazing sequences I have ever seen, and without all the modern CGI effects, just wonderful editing and camera work.

As one reviewer said: "Orson Welles’ adaptation of both parts of Henry IV (incorporating bits of Richard II, Henry V and The Merry Wives of Windsor, some Welles and Ralph Richardson’s narration of Holinshed’s Chronicles) was made under near-impossible conditions yet remains arguably the best screen adaptation of Shakespeare."

The Chimes at Midnight

We have heard the Chimes at Midnight
Say Falstaff now to Master Shallow
The Battle of Shrewsbury, such a fight
Arrows rain down, lances death blow

Mistress Quickly fusses in great hall
Prepares the flagon, fulsome sack
Falstaff holds court, mirthful sprawl
Laughs with Hal, falls on his back

The new King Hal arises on his throne
Banishes Falstaff, old man, go home
In stature as a monarch, he has grown
No more the wastrel set to roam

Falstaff is dead, Justice Shallow’s reedy cry
Losing Merrie England, breath left with a sigh

Everything You Wanted To Know About The Victorian But Were Afraid To Ask

From "The Victorian", 1974, comes this piece by "J.W.W.C", whom I can remember as the initials were quite unusual, as was his name - John White Winter Cousins. We were in the same class for a number of subjects, and I remember his younger brother, Bruce Cousins. Although neither had a Scottish accent, I recall (although I don't know how accurately) that his mother did have. A search of Companies House shows that he had moved to the UK, living in Bedforshire, and was for a time a director of a company there. Being my age, he's probably retired now!

Also mentioned here is Derek Cottrill, who wrote a history of Victoria College, and who was my history teacher, and gave me the nickname "Fred", which I had during my time at school. He read as chapters of Macauley about the "Black Hole of Calcutta", and also I remember gave as a remarkably good rendering of "Hearts of Oak". He later became a clergyman in the UK.

Also Spencer Prior, who I think was a year or two above me at school, William Sutton, and Alan Dart, about whom I recall nothing.

BTW: I'm looking to borrow old copies of "The Victorian" from the 1960s to the 1980s if anyone has them.

"Everything You Wanted To Know About The Victorian But Were Afraid To Ask

Seven of us now serve on “ The Victorian ” staff, excluding our most highly esteemed General Editor, Mr. Cottrill, a man in far too lofty a position to be considered a mere member, So it is under his eagle eye and persuasive guidance that we gather every Friday afternoon in Room Two to work industriously at our respective duties. Our aim, of course, is to produce a magazine covering school events, highlighting its achievements and forgetting its disasters.

The most exasperating and sometimes almost impossible problem to overcome in producing the magazine is the collection of material from the staff and other members ’of the school. House reports and other articles requiring inside knowledge cannot be written by outsiders like ourselves.

However, we are taking steps to remedy this and A. O. Dart, our activities correspondent, at high risks to himself (even threatening to jump on to backs of departing coaches if need be) is bravely taking part in many activities to gain a better insight into topics such as Marine Biology and Island Field Studies. Once all this information has been gathered, deciphered, and in many cases neatly rewritten, it is sent to the school office to be typed out. At all stages grammar, punctuation and spelling are supposed to be checked and corrected if necessary, and the articles are constantly re-read to try to ensure a flowing piece of prose, even if it is positively boring.

The business side of the magazine depends upon the prowess of W. Sutton and S. Pryor, who realise that the very existence of “ The Victorian ” relies upon their financial expertise. Prepared to walk the length of the town come rain or shine, they maintain good relations with businesses whose advertisements probably provide the only glamour throughout forty-odd pages. But this is not all ! It is they who have set up a means of communication with the printers, and during the actual printing make certain that the material is printed in the correct order, and that no intended articles are excluded or indeed any alien material from “ Playboy ” erroneously inserted.

There comes a time when all, the articles and advertisements are in order for publication. By now everything has been at least triple-checked and we know the contents so well that we are able to recite them in our sleep. All is in readiness for the sifting of suitable from unsuitable material and as the staff are a democratic society we have little, or nothing if we wish to remain in favour with the General Editor, to say in what goes into the magazine and what goes into the rubbish basket (and there’s precious little of that).

So the coveted task is left to Mr. Cottrill, overjoyed at seeing so much written work at one time. Once the order for printing has been decided upon, the material is transferred to the printers with much hesitation and left in their hands. Proof reading in pencil the occasional printers’ inadvertent howlers which would look in some cases better left as they are. The abbreviation J .R.A. was printed as I.R.A. in the COP. section, a slip that could have caused many surprised and angry eyebrows to be lifted. Then with our fingers crossed, and the General Editor desperately trying to retain his composure, the proofs are returned to the printers.

All that remains is the laborius distribution to the Old Victorians and the School. Fortunately for us the envelopes for magazines requinng postage to the Antarctic and Inner' Mongolia are pre- addressed, which means we have only to package them. This process is carried out one Friday after- noon with the aid of a few conscripted extras in a spacious room with such alarming haste that I shudder to think in how many parts the final dog-cared copies arrive. The remaining issues are distributed around the school within the next few months. Naturally many duller but important details have been omitted from this account, such as how to make an inconspicuous profit on each issue, and the electric tension between M. Camus-Smith and the General Editor. Under the present management no fatal calamities have occurred, such as a libel suit or embezzlement of the funds.

J.W.W.C.