Effie

Effie

Early morning, the sun later and later,
And in the cool breeze, I am a waiter
At the bus stop, seeing lights of cars
On their way to work. Now the stars
Have faded, and only Venus bright
Still shines high in the dawn sky;
Rain forecast, but it is still dry,
And fortunately the bus is here;
Pulling into the stop, good cheer
For us waiting, and we get aboard;
It takes off, heading on towards
Corbiere, the lighthouse, the sea;
Such a lovely view and it is all free!
And there is Guernsey, Herm, Sark,
Distant but clear, up with the lark;
As the sun rises, round past rocks,
Seaweed strewn bay, red pillar box;
And rising back up the hill inland,
Away from coast, the sea, the sand;
And stopping again, the petrol station:
Empty, deserted, closed, desolation;
But a bus stop is there, and once again,
The dog, the friendly face, fluffy mane,
Gets on with his owner, loves patting;
Some talking now, and some chatting:
But I just enjoy seeing Effie, lovely dog,
Out for a bus ride, and a morning jog;
Another stop, goodbye Effie, as she
And her owner disembark for a walk;
It’s quiet now, headphones, no talk:
I read my magazine, enjoy the ride,
And memory of Effie, that to abide.

Snippets from the Actes des Etats - 1780-1800 - Part 1

Snippets from the Actes des Etats - 1780-1800
Translated by Francis Le Cornu, Comments by Tony

Tightening up on absences

In 1780, various States members were absent:

Clement Picquet, Esquire, Chief Judge, who remains exempted due to illness.
Mr. David Hoequard, Esquire, Master Chief Judge, who remains exempted due to illness.
The Reverend Monsieur Charles De la Garde, Rector of the Parish of Grouville, is excused due to absence.
The Reverend Monsieur Jean Du Parcq, Rector of the Parish of St. Owen, is excused due to absence.

Apparently the number of absences had grown to the point where the States decided to ensure that anyone absent should, in effect, have a medical certificate: “The States have decided that a Member of the States, when prevented from acting due to illness, shall be required to send a certificate by oath.” It would be interesting if this applied today!

Militia – A Change of Uniform

“Today, the States have deemed it expedient to order that all members of the Militia shall, at their own expense, be provided with, by no later than the 20th of April next, a waistcoat and a pair of long white trousers, instead of the red coats and white stockings to which the inhabitants were previously subject; To this end, Monsieur the Lieutenant Governor is requested and authorized, along with the Colonels of the Regiments, to determine the details of this change.”

However, the States were mindful that not everyone could bear the cost:

“By way of addition to the Act of the States regarding the waistcoats and long trousers with which the inhabitants are to be provided for the service of the militia, it is ordered that those individuals who are not able to bear the cost themselves, a list shall be submitted by the Colonels for consideration by the respective Parish Assemblies, so that those judged incapable of providing for themselves may be supplied at the expense of their parish rate. The Colonels shall ensure that this part of the attire is made from the same material and cut to the pattern they have established with Monsieur the Lieutenant Governor so that everyone is uniformly dressed, with the cost of cutting being borne by the constables at the expense of their parishes.”

Traitorous Fires?

In 1778, France had declared war on Great Britain, no doubt hoping to profit from the American War of Independence. The following extract shows that some individuals were lighting fires at night, and it was suspected they were sending messages to French ships:

“On the representation of Monsieur the Lieutenant Governor, that for some time there have been night-time fires on the parts of the coast of this island that are the highest and closest to that of France, which have been responded to by others on the enemy's coast, giving rise to the fear that there may be individuals on this island who are engaged in the most criminal and dangerous correspondence with the enemy, detrimental to the security of the country and contrary to the interests of our benevolent sovereign to whom fidelity is owed, for which the inhabitants of this island have always been distinguished. These fires have been followed several times by movements in enemy navigation, leading to the conclusion that they are taking advantage of the intelligence provided in this manner, which is certain to be disastrous to the country by thwarting the most effective measures that can be taken for its defence:”

“Today, the States, in an extraordinary assembly, met to deliberate on the most appropriate means to halt such a dangerous course and to uncover the culprits of such a dark betrayal, have pledged and promise by this present act a reward of two thousand pounds, payable by order, to anyone who provides information about the person or persons engaged in this practice in a manner that leads to their conviction. In the event that the informers have been involved, they can also be assured of their pardon and non-disclosure. Likewise, individuals who may be involved in such a practice or merely know the authors thereof are hereby warned that their silence is extremely criminal when the salvation of the homeland calls upon them to come forward and that they are punishable by the laws for this negligence, as consenting to and favouring treason. This shall be published both in the usual place and in the parishes and posted in all guardhouses around the island so that everyone may become aware and be encouraged to be vigilant and make every possible effort to apprehend and discover the culprits. The Rectors are also requested to read this from the pulpit in their parish churches to the people.”

Wartime Preparations

Meanwhile although hostilities had not affected Jersey directly, preparations against invasions continued. Public transport for troops and munitions had become difficult because the public carters who undertook such tasks were dragging their feet. So the States were forced to issue orders which forced them to do so – or face a heavy fine:

“On the application of Monsieur the Lieutenant Governor, who has noted that the service of His Majesty for the defense of the island is often delayed and harmed by the refusal of public carters to provide the necessary transportation for garrisons and troops in different parts of the island, as well as for the transport of war munitions to suitable locations, the States, having considered the matter, have deemed it expedient to order, for the advancement of His Majesty's service and the public good, that from the date of the publication of this ordinance and upon the notification of the Constable or Centenier of the parish, effective immediately and in urgent cases upon immediate notification, public carters shall be obliged to provide the transportation required for the defense of the island or for garrisons or troops stationed in the country. They shall be paid a reasonable fee in accordance with custom, under penalty, for those who refuse, of a fine of twenty pounds for each refusal, one-third to the King and the other two-thirds to be applied to the defense of the island. This shall be published in both the usual marketplaces and the parishes of this island so that no one may claim ignorance as an excuse.”

Training of the militia up to proper standards was undertaking by army trainers. But where should they stay, and who should bear the cost?

“The States, having considered that it will be necessary to provide quarters in various parishes for the individuals who are to be sent to the country to teach the exercises of artillery and infantry to the militia, according to the plan established by the Act of the States of the 25th day of October last year, have ordered today that the individuals appointed to teach the aforementioned exercises shall be provided with quarters by the Constables in the various parishes where they are appointed by Monsieur the Governor, as close as possible to the locations where the exercises will be conducted, so that these quarters may be provided by the licensed tavernkeepers, bakers, and butchers throughout the island. To this end, the Constables are responsible for providing these quarters and ensuring they are paid according to the aforementioned arrangement.”

Concluding Remarks

At the start of 1780, the close proximity of Jersey to France, and the declaration of war by France against the English, saw Jersey move to a war footing. What we can see in the Acts of the States for this period are the concerns that some inhabitants for Jersey may have allegiance to France, and even be communicating with them. And we also have a fascinating glimpse of the nuts and bolts of preparation and how that was set out to work - most often with the bill being footed from the Parish Rates. 

The Waterfront Refusal - Some Comments

Key reasons for refusal were:

The proposed development would fail to achieve the community expectation of reconnection between St Helier and the Waterfront.

The application provides insufficient improvements to La Route de la Liberation, leaving a largely untamed highway that separates the waterfront from the rest of town.

Taking these two objections, there is an obsession with "joining up" the waterfront to the rest of St Helier which has been an idée fixe since the earliest days of planning. 

One solution was a massively expensive sunken road which would continue the underpass until it came up near Gloucester Street, and have (in some versions) an underground roundabout, because of course you have freight lorries coming from the harbour which have to go from there to West or East, and currently go over the top.

There were never any feasible solutions to the issue of ventilation, although the increasing advent of electric vehicles might make that less of an issue, but cost of ventilating, and of probably pumps to keep it dry when there was excessive rainfall, was simply never part of the grand scheme of things.

And no consideration was given to the total disruption to traffic for at least almost a year while the whole scheme went ahead, and we have already seen how traffic disruption through works in the tunnel has a large knock on effect. A crash which put the road by the Old Harbour out of action about a decade ago also showed the dynamics of the traffic in that area - traffic was backed up to Bath Street. The disruption of a sunken road - with no underpass available while construction took place - would be indescribable and probably cause public anger and election suicide for any politician stupid enough to push for it.

The possibility of collapse of the scheme half way through, with the States picking up pieces (as happened with Queen's Valley), weighted heavily on Senator Philip Ozouf's mind so that the developers Harcourt had to stump up a bond to cover that eventuality as insurance. They could not do so, or decided not to do so, and the whole sunken road was put on the back burner.

The CEO of what became the Jersey Development Company (changing it's name from The Waterfront Enterprise Board) decided that the development could go ahead internally under the quango's auspices, self-financing, but not in the order originally planned (with the sunken road first, then partly built upon), which is why the International Finance Centre buildings had numbers which were completely out of order. But this did enable the development to go ahead - as it is still doing so - and the sunken road became a footnote.

An alternative mooted at one point was a bridge over the top, but that didn't get off the ground either. It would have been fine for pedestrians - as long as they were not in wheelchairs or had mobility issues.

But no one has really checked this supposed "community expectation" or this "untamed highway". I have. I have parked for several years in the public car park by the Radisson, and never found any major issues with walking into St Helier on a daily basis. I would suggest just two improvements:

1) the reinstatement of the underground walk way (which also was a roadway) from that car park, currently blocked off because of the new development. Even if not used for cars, as a pedestrian subway it was excellent, and cut my journey time considerably. It really did "join up" the waterfront to the town well. The subway also has the advantage of cutting under the three lane above ground area at that part of the waterfront to town area. It is already there, so if once the building work is done, it could re-open it would be most helpful in improving access..

2) The roundabout area is well served by some zebra crossings, but going from by Cineworld along the outside and over to the harbour is not well served and you have to check as cars can zoom down towards the harbour. A zebra crossing there like the other ones would really improve matters considerably.

The zebra crossings that are there are excellent. Traffic does not rush past over the top, and they provide quick and easy access from the waterfront area to the main town area. 

This obsession with linking the two has I think come from those who never have actually on a daily basis come from the waterfront or gone back to it. They have simply looked at a map and decided that it is an "untamed" without ever having "walked the walk".  

I have, and I speak from the benefit of experience, not like a Great War general moving troops on a map, which seems to be the way in which thinking on this subject has been conducted.

As someone who did so on a daily basis for around 5 years, I can say categorically "untamed" is not the case. There is room for a few relatively minor improvements (as detailed above) but no need for major extensive, expensive, and ultimately unwanted changes to the road network.

Hougue de Vinde

A circular rubble wall 9m in diameter that has been badly damaged. Contained within was a ring of flat stones set on edge forming a circle of 6.7m in diameter. There was no evidence of a cist but the presence of stone rubbers, polishers and work flints found during excavations in 1881 and 1913 suggest a late Neolithic or Chalcolithic date. Location: In amongst trees east of Le Chemin de Noirmont.

Hougue de Vinde

The headland, and earth and stone
Piled up here, but not a bone:
For this is no funeral place,
But instead a look-out place,
Over the cliffs, and out to sea:
Warning for invasion, not to flee,
But to light a beacon, a warning
Between the dusk and morning;
And so the watchers sit and wait,
Wondering of the fickle fate
That the gods may someday bring:
Of waves breaking on rocks, they sing,
And pound the drum, on goes a beat;
These are brave warriors, no defeat
Will they suffer, but fight to the last;
But shadows of men fade to the past,
And trees grow, and hide the stone,
Just empty now, just all alone.

The Jersey Exhibition

From the early 1970s, Jersey Illustrated had this report on an “Ideal Homes and Trades Exhibition”. I remember going to one at Springfield, and then later at the Gloucester Hall. Interestingly they still had B&W Televisions for sale, colour TV had not become the de facto standard. Also worthy of note are the hairstyles and flared suits – and that’s just the men!

The Jersey Exhibition

For the first fortnight of November, the big attraction at Springfield was the annual Jersey Ideal Homes and Trades Exhibition and this drew large crowds each day between 2 and 10 pm. Some 70 exhibitors had stands and one of the main attractions was the fully furnished Guildway-bungalow situated in the feature hall. This was a Model 933 Long Island super version with three spacious bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, lounge. bathroom, toilet and hall. Erected by the local agent for Guildway, Mr. G. R. Langlois of Victoria House. Millbrook, the bungalow was beautifully furnished by Voisin 8: Co.

The exhibition as a whole was extremely interesting with a great variety of goods displayed . . . not only were these for the home but also for offices, sport. gardening etc. As is customary. Demonstrations on the various stands were a considerable attraction, exhibitors generally reported that business was good and the exhibition was undoubtedly an outstanding success.

Margins

Margins

People on the margins, bereft, lost
Flotsam, jetsam, wash on the shore
Economy in government claims a cost
The bureaucratic, the closing door

The world ending in floods or wild fire
Lost numbers, each man, woman, child
The impersonal upon the funeral pyre
Compassion costed, migrants reviled

Foothills of madness, life on the brink
A busy world, with no time to talk
Inner turmoil, lives lost in a wink
Eyes closed, turn away, just walk

How many people on the margins must die
Before a deaf world hears their cry?

The Coronation Year 70 Years Ago - September 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 - September 1953 Part 2

16. Gracie Fields flies to Jersey and is given big ovation at the Airport; on Thursday she appeared at a. midnight matinee concert given at The Forum in aid of the Battle of Britain Week, being acclaimed by the large audience. Mr. H. Ahier re-elected Constable of St. Martin.

17. Cardinal Griffin- the guest of honour at banquet given by the Roman Catholic clergy at the Merton Hotel. Hearing opens before the International Court of Justice at The Hague of the Minquiers-Ecréhous dispute, the British delegation being headed by Sir Lionel Heald (Britain's Attorney-General) and Mr. Cecil Harrison (Attorney-General for Jersey). In the final- of the CI Amateur (Close) Golf Championship, played at Grouville, D. Lowe (Guernsey) beat A. A. Collet (Jersey) by 6 and 5. Jersey Island Players present “ Dark Return ” at Springfield Theatre.

19, Bailiff of Jersey opens 18th Century Market in the Royal Square, held in connection with Battle of Britain Week, Miss Gracie Fields and her husband being interested spectators.

20.—Rally of Roman Catholics held at The Forum addressed by Cardinal Griffin. Battle of Britain Week concludes with service at St. Luke’s Church and commemoration ceremony in Garden of Remembrance.

21. Gale force winds with heavy rain squalls disrupts sea and air services. Huge seas pounding the coasts. Retirement presentation of radio set made to Mr. D. S. Simpson: M.A., B.Sc., Director of the States Experimental Farm, Trinity, for 33 years.

22,—Damage estimated at. £1,000 caused by outbreak of fire at Mr. C. L. Till’s butcher‘s establishment in the New Market during the early hours. St. Helier parish assembly discusses road widening plans, all being adopted. Framed photography of Jurat W. J. J. Collas, .D.S.O., unveiled at Police Force headquarters. Annual general meeting of Jersey Folk Dance Society.

23.—Sitting of Licensing Assembly, two licences being refused. Daylight boat St. Helier arrives in harbour 13 hours behind schedule due to the heavy gale. Rotarians hear address given by Sir John Wardlaw-Milne. HM. Attomey-General for Jersey, Mr. C. S. Harrison, commences his address on the Minquiers-Ecréhous dispute :before The Hague International Court.

24 —St. Peter’s parish assembly fixes rate at 2/— (no change). New local class record set up at Bouley Bay hill climb.

25.—-Inquest held on the body of Mr. L. A. Bryant, a visitor who collapsed while bathing at Gréve de Lecq, a verdict of death from drowning being returned. Judgment reserved in the case Convent F.C.J. v. the Public Health Committee heard before the Royal Court. Waterspout seen off Corbiére, this being followed by a cloudburst in the district.

26,—Arrival of the Rt. Rev. A. T. P. Williams, Lord Bishop of Winchester, on a first visit to the Island since his appointment to the see.

28.—Annual dinner of Jersey Rifle Association.

29.—Representative gathering of Island churchmen and women meet at West Park Pavilion to hear address by Dr. Williams, Bishop of Winchester.

30.—St. Saviour’s parish rate- fixed as last year, i.e., 2/3 per qtr. Inquest opened on the body of Mr. Pierre Gautier (79), who died following an operation for cataract at the General Hospital, a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence being subsequently returned. Conclusion of the French case in the Minquiers—Ecréhous dispute before the International Court at The Hague.

The Vote to Keep A Tampon Tax in Jersey

Jersey remains the only place in the British Islands to retain a tampon tax. A quarter of the entire world now has tax free menstrual products, but Jersey has voted against that.

Other countries that have made menstrual products tax-free include Kenya, Australia, Canada, India, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Tanzania, Lebanon, Malaysia, Colombia, South Africa, Namibia, and Rwanda. 

The realisation is long overdue: feminine hygiene is not a choice.

"For people who don’t menstruate, this may not seem like a big deal. Still, for those who do, it is huge. Particularly for menstruators who are living in poverty or experiencing homelessness, the tampon tax contributes to a phenomenon called period poverty." (Gabrielle Rocha Rios)

"An ITV News investigation has revealed that of the 32 locations where Jersey's government advertised free period products, only 11 had any available."

Confirming that, feedback I myself have received from a number of correspondents is that (a) the range of products is restrictive and (b) it is scarce (if it has not run out). How many people who voted for rescindment actually did some checking for themselves?

I wouldn't mind free period products as an alternative if it was done properly. The current scheme is a very restrictive "free", it is "free" on the cheap. It reminds me of when someone emails round in our office, saying there is "free cake" in the kitchen, help yourself - first come, first served. It's the same kind of mentality in "bargain sales" where people at the front of the queue get the bargains, and those further down get nothing. 

 How often are sites checked and replenished? Is there any way of reporting when they have run out? Who do you contact? I suggest you email your Deputy or Constable.

The recent ITV report shows that providing "free" is basically a token sop to the population, and quite honestly any politicians who believed the spin have, in my opinion, been taken in by a paper exercise which just doesn't work in practice. 

Free products can be helpful, but there are too few, too restricted locations (some closed out of hours), and this should, in my view, complement removal of GST from products. Putting a zero rate by retailers on products - as the Co-Op CEO has mentioned - is not complicated. Electronic stock systems are designed for use with the UK where there are a range of goods at different VAT rates, and also zero rated items. Most Jersey systems adapt UK software and use it for GST in place of VAT, so that really is a doddle.

Unless there is some mechanism - maybe via LoveJersey - for reporting when supplies run out of locations, and if there are locations readily available at weekends, bank holidays, and not just 9-5 (bearing in mind that some public toilets, if used, are often locked in the evenings, and others are regularly vandalised), then I really think it the "free products" will be a cosmetic plaster over a gaping wound, something that looks good on paper but is in practice not nearly as effective as it suggests. It is, to use your own expression, a blunt method of helping people.

An alternative, of course, would be a voucher system, whereby vouchers can be redeemed in shops, and individuals can have an allocation per month. Something like that was done in the past with gluten free products.

In the meantime, here is how the politicians voted.

The Minister for Treasury and Resources, Deputy Ian Gorst, proposed to rescind the States decision to exempt GST from menstrual sanitary products & continue to implement a scheme by the Council of Ministers to provide free products to those who need them.

The States Assembly voted to APPROVE Deputy Gorst's proposition, with 25 votes for, 21 votes against and 0 abstentions.

For, i.e, retaining a tampon tax. (including 14 women)

Deputy Steve Ahier For (Pour)
Deputy Rose Binet For (Pour)
Deputy Tom Binet For (Pour)
Deputy Alex Curtis For (Pour)
Deputy Louise Doublet For (Pour)
Deputy Malcolm Ferey For (Pour)
Deputy Inna Gardiner For (Pour)
Deputy Ian Gorst For (Pour)
Deputy Andy Howell For (Pour)
Connétable Mike Jackson For (Pour)
Connétable Andy Jehan For (Pour)
Deputy Hilary Jeune For (Pour)
Deputy Carolyn Labey For (Pour)
Connétable Philip Le Sueur For (Pour)
Connétable Deidre Mezbourian For (Pour)
Deputy Helen Miles For (Pour)
Deputy Elaine Millar For (Pour)
Deputy Kristina Moore For (Pour)
Deputy Kirsten Morel For (Pour)
Deputy Jonathan Renouf For (Pour)
Deputy Moz Scott For (Pour)
Deputy Lucy Stephenson For (Pour)
Deputy Barbara Ward For (Pour)
Deputy David Warr For (Pour)
Deputy Karen Wilson For (Pour)


And against rescinding the proposition to remove GST - i.e. to go ahead with scrapping the "tampon tax" (including 7 women):


Deputy Carina Alves Against (Contre)
Deputy Max Andrews Against (Contre)
Deputy Tom Coles Against (Contre)
Connétable Simon Crowcroft Against (Contre)
Deputy Catherine Curtis Against (Contre)
Deputy Lyndon Farnham Against (Contre)
Deputy Lyndsay Feltham Against (Contre)
Connétable Richard Honeycombe Against (Contre)
Connétable David Johnson Against (Contre)
Deputy Raluca Kovacs Against (Contre)
Connétable Mark Labey Against (Contre)
Deputy Mary Le Hegarat Against (Contre)
Connétable Kevin Lewis Against (Contre)
Deputy Stephen Luce Against (Contre)
Deputy Sam Mézec Against (Contre)
Deputy Beatriz Porée Against (Contre)
Connétable Karen Shenton-Stone Against (Contre)
Deputy Geoffrey Southern Against (Contre)
Deputy Montfort Tadier Against (Contre)
Connétable Marcus Troy Against (Contre)
Deputy Robert Ward Against (Contre)

Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache Ill
Deputy Philip Ozouf Ill
Connétable Richard Vibert En défaut

Addendum:

One of my correspondence says:

Like you I am cross and disappointed; the ‘free’ period products aren’t really addressing the need and I’m not sure it has been thought through .

What is the level of provision? Is it expected that someone will only use what they need for a change at that time or is there provision for them to take enough for the duration of their period?

Surely there is no expectation that they will visit public toilets etc daily to obtain supplies? That just isn’t practicable and is demeaning.

The issue of quality and choice must also be addressed as a matter of urgency.

Finally, I believe that the basis for rescinding this proposition was that U.K. research indication that the reduced cost of tax exemption was often not passed on by retailers who simply increased their profit margins. It’s somewhat disturbing that the Government seems to be implying that they would prefer to pocket the tax than give local retailers the benefit of the doubt.

Either way, those experiencing period poverty are being badly let down. I’m appalled.

Heatwave

Heatwave

The sun: the heating of the day
Sweat, tiredness, so very hot
Back ache tightening in a knot
The jet stream comes this way

Saharan dust falls like fine spray
Or shotgun blasting out fine shot
The sun: the heating of the day
Sweat, tiredness, so very hot

Still no breeze to cool this way
Heat of the night: unhappy lot
My poor brain begins to rot
All too soon stars fade away
The sun: the heating of the day

The Coronation Year 70 Years Ago - September 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 - September 1953 Part 1

SEPTEMBER

1.—Jersey beats Guernsey in vibrant junior and senior water-polo matches held at Havre des Pas Pool.

2—-St Aubin’s landslide discussed by the parish assembly, it being decided that the attendance of a legal adviser was necessary. Annual meeting of Jersey Sea Fishing Club. .

3.—Farewell dinner given by Jersey branch of Royal Engineers OCA to His Excellency the Lieut-Governor, to whom presentations were made. Final of the Jersey section of the CI. Amateur (Close) Golf Championship played at Grenville, A. A. Collet (R.J.G.C.) beating E. W. Hebert (J.E.G.C.) by 3 up and 2 to play. Horse show, gymkhana and fete held at St. Ouen.

5. Farewell presentations made to His Excellency by the Boy Scouts’ Association at camp-fire held in a field below Government House.Band of the Royal Marines (Portsmouth Division) begin their week of concerts under the aegis of the Tourism Committee.

7.—Bailiff heads local delegation which travelled to St. Brieuc over the week-end to attend the annual exhibition. A number of road accidents reported during the week-end, the most serious being a car crash on Victoria Avenue in which the driver sustained multiple head injuries. Last of the season’s “ live ” variety shows presented at The Forum. Furze fire occurs in St. Peter’s Valley, a large area of cotils being burnt out.

8.—Inquest held on the body of Mr. G. V. Houguez, found shot in a loft at his residence, Rockstone, St. Martin, a, verdict of suicide being recorded. The 10-ton auxiliary cutter Illawara runs on to rock off Gorey but is later refloated and towed into Gorey Harbour. Guest speaker Mr. R. P. Biddle addresses Round Tablers on “The Docks at Southampton.”

9. Inquiry held into the death of a visitor from Canada, Mr Harold Boot, who died whilst on the operating table at the General Hospital, a verdict in accordance with medical evidence being returned. St. Brelade's parish assembly again discuss the St. Aubin landslide, it being decided to repair the High Street and to accept the offer of land.

10. His Excellency Sir Edward Grasett, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. relinquishes his office as Lieut. Governor and in- a. moving ceremony in the Royal Square takes leave of Island officials and representatives of various public bodies, later leaving for the Airport for his departure by air.—J.M.C. and L.C.C . 50-mile sand race meeting held at St. Ouen, the event being won by M. Daghorn.

11. Large crowd attend final concert given by band of the Royal Marines.

12. Three-month-old baby, twin daughter of Mrs. B. Costard, of Trinity Road, found dead in her pram, a. verdict of death from suffocation being recorded at the subsequent inquest.

14.—Mr. C. Le Vesconte returned as Constable of St. John, defeating Mr. F. Luce, the other candidate, by 309 votes to 243. His Eminence Cardinal Griffin pays visit to the Island, this being the first occasion that such a high dignitary of the Roman Catholic Church has visited the Island.

15. Special sitting of States: Fire Brigade to move to Town Arsenal, £16,470 being voted for conversion of the building; the gift of £150,000 by the Island to the Home Government was acknowledged ; new proposals on the C.I. Court of Appeal from the Home Office were submitted and referred to a special committee ; a request for £22,000 for the lighting of Victoria Avenue was refused ; a credit vote of £50,000 for the construction of a. new eastern telephone exchange was agreed to, as was a £40,000 vote for housing and £17,560 for Airport alterations and £9,500 for the enlargement of Elizabeth House; extensions and improvements to Brighton Road School totalling £39,000 was voted ; various other matters of a. Minor nature were also dealt with. Jersey Life Guard Club hold exploratory meeting.

School Uniform vs Clothing Elitism

*It looks much smarter when all pupils are in uniform
*Uniform creates a kind of unity between students
*It prevents the whole judging thing that is so common in teenagers of one upmanship or looking down on people who can't afford certain brands or styles

"At my school we had to wear a school jumper (which was cheap) a white/grey/black shirt/polo shirt, black/grey trousers/skirt (not jeans), and black trainers or shoes. "

St Helier Deputy and former teacher Rob Ward has also called for the government to help make uniforms available ‘in the most generic form’ and for ‘the cheapest price possible’.

Deputy Ward is right. Branded school uniforms can be expensive, but, as a former teacher, he certainly realises why school uniforms are important.

As usual, a focus on one thing - price - which does need to be sorted - has led to a lack of focus on other matters. Non-uniform days exist, and the children (and probably parents) often go for the worst kind of one-upmanship. 

Children, as a group, can be extremely unkind to one another when it comes to making comments about another child’s mode of dress. They can be victimised by their peers because they are not wearing the latest fashion or designer label. Imposing a school uniform stops all of the above and is a great leveller that prevents what could be termed ‘clothing elitism’.

When you see the change in behaviour on non uniform day then you will realise why uniforms are important. A discussion across the internet reveals this, and talking to poorer parents will also reveal this. As a parent myself, when my children were growing up, I saw exactly this kind of behaviour on non-uniform days. 

Here's a selection of comments on what happens, gleaned not just from Jersey, but widely across the UK:

Comments

The "pushy parents", as we called them, liked to show off that, in addition to a posh SUV, they also had posh clothing at home.

The pressure on parents to spend £100+ on the latest trainers is fine when you’ve got expendable income. All this would do is cause those less fortunate unnecessary anxiety. I’ve worked in schools for 6 years and non uniform days are the hardest thing for so many, so much so attendance is often decreased.

School uniforms bring a sense of pride and belonging. Smartness and routine ready for work life. They also help because everyone is the same and not competing with brands or wearing new clothes everyday so the poorer kids don't stick out or get bullied because they can't afford designer or new clothes regularly etc

I wore a uniform at school and it made things pretty simple. My daughter wore one too in the countries we lived in, I liked it because it prevented oneupmanship, no designer jeans or designer trainers, etc.

No, it's awful for children who don't have the newest clothes or top brands. Uniform makes it equal for all, and a sense of belonging to the school in my opinion, children are all individuals of course but they do have the chance to wear their own clothes in the evenings, holidays and weekends


No I think school uniform is important as it makes sure all kids dress the same no competition for having the best clothes,no uniform would make it very competitive for children to keep up with their friends and the latest fashion trends.

Definitely not. Scrap uniforms and some children will go in designer clothes making the poorer children stick out like a sore thumb. So unfair

It only helps to show the levels of inequality. You end with Brand snobbery and this builds children’s anxiety. I know both my children hated none school uniform days. They always felt like they were being judged.

The first school I taught in scrapped uniforms in 1975. I was all for it at the time. What a disaster!! Such bullying about too posh, too scruffy, too old fashioned etc. We brought back uniform within ten years. What a relief..

Shockwave

A trip to the dentist. My dentist is fantastic, but I still feel terror building like a volcano about to erupt. I am not a brave person when my teeth need seeing to. Thank goodness my dentist speaks to me throughout, calming me down, telling me how well I am coping.

Shockwave

My blood pressure is surely high
As I sit back in the reclining chair
Terror consumes me; I cannot lie
Now builds a hurricane of fear

The drill bites deep into the tooth
I remember a phrase "change and decay"
Certainly the latter, that’s the truth
And I close my eyes, begin to pray

Gentle words of reassurance fall
Like gentle raindrops from the sky
I shake, so feeble, so very small
It is all over, it did not go awry

I trust my dentist, and I thank her
The terror gone, the hour a blur

OVs Here, There and Everywere: 1974 - Part 2

OVs Here, There and Everywere: 1974 - Part 2

John Arthur (1961—1968), a former general editor of “The Victorian” and Head Prefect in his last year, is studying at Warwick and has been in the process of submitting his MA. Thesis and of beginning work on a‘ Ph.D., both on aspects of French drama. Last year he married Hilary, sister of Christopher Guille-Marrett (1954—1960), one-time Captain of Shooting and Fencing, and, as they live only a few miles apart, they see each other quite frequently.

Occasionally they meet up with Stephen Woodward (1961—1967), winner in his last year of the Kenneth More Prize for Drama. Starting as an assistant manager with Centre Hotels in 1972, Woodward progressed through statistics and control at head office to become an audit controller. Since last September, he has been restaurant manager at the group’s Airport Hotel which, he writes, is most convenient as Heathrow is only about 15 minutes drive from his house in Middlesex.

Selected to act as a footman and under-butler at Princess Anne’s wedding celebrations, John Gamlin (1965-69 and 1970-71) has completed his two-year catering course at Thanet Technical College and is now taking a one-year course to obtain his diploma in hotel management.

At College from 1920 to 1924, W. E. Scott, though a Life Member, had been “lost ” to the O.V.A. for some 12 years until contact was re-established recently. Now living in Renmark, South Australia, he is planning to visit the Island with his wife this summer for the first time for 39 years.

Allan Bransbury (1954—1959), who was awarded the Barreau Art Studentship shortly before leaving and studied at the West of England College of Art and at the University of London Institute of Education, has achieved the distinction of having a film of his work allocated a week of showings at the Tate Gallery.

Senior Lecturer in Art and Design at the Stockwell College of Education at Bromley, Kent, he was responsible for the wall sculpture of the Madonna and Child at the new Convent F.C.J. school at St. Saviour and the film, “Form in the Making ”, is the story of its production.

Nigel T. C. Renouf (1960—1966), having previously completed a three-year contract with a hotel group on Kenya and Tanzania, has recently been appointed resident manager at the Coral Beach Club, Paget, Bermuda’s leading hotel.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Jonathon Osmont has qualified as a doctor, having obtained his Bachelor of Medicine degree at London University. His father is, of course, Dr. R. L. Osmont, currently a member of Council, and both trained at the same hospital, St. Bartholomew’s. Jonathon, married to a qualified nurse, is practising at a hospital in Ulster.

Another O.V. in the medical profession is Dr. Terence Marshall, who left in 1962 to begin his professional studies at Sheffield University. Now on the staff of Stoke Royal Infirmary, he has become a Member of the. Royal College of Pathologists. Known at school as Tezry, he was of course, Captain of the Shooting VIII which won the Ashburton Shield in 1961.

Three Old Victorians have been successful in the examinations of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Hugh Alan Le Vavasseur dit Durell has passed his Part I final and was one of three brothers at College. James Colclough (1961—1966) and J. J. C. Nugent (1958—1964) succeeded in their Part III finals.

Mark Boleat, at College from 1960 and later at Reading University, where he gained his M.A. in Economics, has had a number of specialist articles accepted for publication. The son of Paul, President of the O.V.A. in 1966 and ’67, he was selected to stand as a Conservative candidate in the elections for Westminster City Council in May but, at the time of going to press, the outcome is not known. Having worked as a teacher at Dulwich College and as an economist with the Industrial Policy Group, he is now an executive with a trade association in London.

Leaving College in 1966, Alan Webb worked with Marconi Space Systems before entering Pembroke College, Cambridge, from which he graduated in 1970 with a 1st Class Honours degree in electrical sciences. He then returned to Marconi, working in the satellite communications division, and then joined the British Post Office as an executive engineer. Now, he is with the European Space Research Organisation, based in the Netherlands, working on the development of a communications satellite for use by ships at sea.

The only professional institute concerned with careers guidance in schools, the Institute of Careers Officers in Southampton, has as its president Vyvyan Ahier (1924—1930). First a clerk and later secretary of Voisin and Co., he served with the Royal Artillery during the Second World War and then trained in youth work. He worked in the youth employment service in Surrey and then in the Bexhill area for several years before moving to Southampton in 1959. Author of several articles published in various educational and vocational guidance journals, he was granted in 1970 an award as the UK delegate for a Council of Europe Social Research Fellowship.

The ranks of Old Victorians have once again helped to fill vacancies on the Jurats Bench of the Royal Court. H. H. (“Skin ”) Le Quesne, whose brother was at College and whose two O.V. sons now serve on Council, was sworn in in January to replace another O.V., Jurat R. D. Lloyd, who had died. Jurat Le Quesne (1922—1929) has now passed the major part of the running of the family pharmaceutical business to younger son Graeme while Edward is on the College staff as Head of Science.