1965 - 60 years ago - March Part 1

1965 - 60 years ago - March Part 1 

1.—In the early hours of this morning, show-cases at the Quatre Bras Hotel, St. Saviour's Hill, were forced and watches, cigarette lighters and leather goods valued at nearly £60 stolen.---Jersey Green Room Club presents "Hobson's Choice " at the Opera House.—Jersey Welsh Society hold annual St. David's Day dinner at the Savoy Hotel.

 

2.—Hotel, Caterers' and Allied Trades Exhibition officially opened at West Park Pavilion, 49 exhibitors taking part. —Original Jersey Overseas Contingent (D Company 7th Bn. Royal Irish -Rifles) celebrate golden jubilee with dinner attended by His Excellency the Lieut.-Governor, the Bailiff and other distinguished guests.

 

3 Explosion which occurred this morning at Ronez Quarry, St. John, wrecked the boiler house of the asphalt-making plant.

 

4.—The 15-ft high cast-iron lighthouse -structure on Gorey Pier crashed into the sea yesterday evening when part of the jetty was torn away in heavy seas at the height of a Force 8 south-south-easterly gale; what remains of the pier is badly undermined and extremely dangerous. About 200 telephone lines were brought down and flying at the Airport was cancelled soon after 6 p.m. Buildings were shaken and people awakened by an earth tremor lasting 40 seconds in the early hours of this morning.

 

5.—Annual dinner of local branch of the R.AT., the principal guest being Air Commodore H B Martin, D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.C., A.D.C,, to the Queen.—Jersey Debating Club motion "That the attitude of the Church on the nuclear question is a breach of faith” defeated at fortnightly meeting held at the Pomme d'Or Hotel. Jersey Spring Flower Show staged at West Park Pavilion. -

 

10.--At the annual meeting between the Tourism Committee and the Island hoteliers it was announced that the committee was not unanimous in its views on the development of Fort Regent.—A hotel manager and his wife who sued the proprietors of l'Auberge du Nord for £428 10s. on the grounds of wrongful dismissal were today awarded £28 8s. by the Royal Court.—Verdict of accidental drowning recorded at inquest on the body of 23-month-old Kenneth Bucket, who fell into a. shallow fishpool in the garden of his home.

 

11.—The president of the National Union of Teachers' guest at Jersey Teachers' Association dinner at Hotel de France.--Following an-anonymous telephone call (which proved to be a hoax) the second house audience at .the Odeon Cinema was asked to leave temporarily while police searched the building for a supposed bomb.

 

12.—A verdict that she died from a pulmonary embolus following accidental burning recorded at the inquest on Mrs. M. Q. Pearson, of Noirmont View, St. John.—At St. Mary, Mr. C. C. de Gruchy was elected Centenier for that parish. —Strong team from the Plymouth Schools A.B.A. defeats Jersey Colts Junior A.E.C. by eight bouts to five at the Opera House.

 

16.—Combined Rotary and Inner. Wheel dinner-dance held at the Hotel de France.

 

17.—St Helier parish assembly approves Assistanse Board estimates totalling £151,175, an increase of £27,270 on the previous year.—Verdict of suicide recorded at inquest on, a 37-year-old French quarry worker, Rene Louis Faury, found hanged in the room he rented at St. Oxen.

Pathways to Spring

Although a bit muddy, the path to the mill is always a delight. Walking there recently, it is an old pathway, and many people must have gone that way in times past. The trees, birdsong and the way in which just for a short while, one is cut off from the world of cars, mobile phones and technology and just can enjoy nature in a small piece of wild. Here is a poem about the walk I did recently, and it is actually following the rhyming scheme of a well known Easter hymn. See if you can guess which one!

Pathways to Spring

To the mill, the rough pathway
The trees so very tall
Branches where the birds do hide
But we do hear their call

The ancient path, such tales must tell
If only we could hear
The whisper in the breeze for us
That meets us over there

The joy this dappled day has given
So beautiful and good
A glimpse in part of lovely heaven
The journey through the wood

Such small pleasures, just enough
That spring will now begin
The daffodils rising by the gate
And birdsong welcomes in

Our natural world enfolds in love
And hope is still there too
And trust in glory there above
As walk the path we do.

Corrine Le Marquand at The Windmill

A Topical Look Across the Bar
Corrine Le Marquand at The Windmill

(Jersey Topic 1967)

"ME? I like playing hell!". A blunt answer from the equally blunt owner of Jersey's 500¬year-old Windmill Inn, red-haired, mini-skirted Mrs. Corrine Le Marquand: "And a game of roulette when I get the chance," she added.

Gambling is a form of relaxation for her, she went all the way to Tangier to play her last game: "That was a holiday, but it made me realise the potential of opening a casino here."

And if the Bailiff was to give his kind per-mission, she would be just as successful at gambling as she is in catering for the thirsts of 1,000 tourists every day.

But the story of Corrine Le Marquand's success began indirectly 500 years ago, in 1472. This was the year some long-forgotten miller became a capitalist, and built a windmill that even the brave Don Quixote would hesitate in tackling.

Towering 75 feet in the air, and with foundations five foot six inches thick, the mill was built entirely of genuine Jersey granite. Inside, the original woodwork and beams can still be seen, although the first wheel was replaced 200 years ago.

Later, this massive wheel was to be dismantled, sawn in half and converted into two bars.

However, for years before this, the windmill had stood silent and empty. Then the Nazis arrived. They found a new use for the mill, as a watchtower—and then left in rather a hurry.

The mill had fallen into disuse again. In despair the owner was about to put an advert in The Times, when he had an offer. An unnamed price was agreed, and a piece of Jersey history changed hands.

A transformation then took place. All three storeys were converted into bars; the cellar bar; wheel bar, and blue bar. A car-park and beer garden were added; floodlighting installed, and a playroom added for children.

Profits climbed higher and higher: "I never talk about money," she says, "I just like making it. It's my favourite occupation."

Flippant but firm, she has earned the respect and friendship of tourists and locals alike. Her only regret is that her husband is not alive to share her success. He died in 1961. A tragedy that would have seen a lesser woman shirk her responsibilities, and sell the Windmill Inn.

But she didn't. She was determined to make a go of it, and working a 15-hour-day, seven days a week, she more than succeeded.

Now, with Huck and Slush, a Norwegian Elk-Hound and Finnish Spitz respectively, she is beginning to relax: "I enjoy a spot of decorating even if I am lousy at it. I also paint, but I'm no Van Gogh. I also like gardening, but my hands were designed for pulling pints and not weeds."

A Message to the Stars

Listening to an Archive on 4, "Carl Sagan: A Personal Voyage". Professor Brian Cox looks back at the work of his all-time science hero, the American astronomer Carl Sagan. As well as a well respected science career, Sagan is best known for his work in bringing the joy and wonder of science to as wide an audience as possible. And who can forget that theme music for Cosmos!

Sagan was also responsible for the "message to the stars" records. Flying aboard Voyagers 1 and 2 are identical "golden" records, carrying the story of Earth far into deep space. The 12 inch gold-plated copper discs contain greetings in 60 languages, samples of music from different cultures and eras, and natural and man-made sounds from Earth. They also contain electronic information that an advanced technological civilization could convert into diagrams and photographs.

 

You can hear the show at:
Archive on 4: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00jkv2j

So today a more optimistic poem.

A Message to the Stars

The record sent off into deepest space
Within Voyager’s journey to distant star
A tale told of our earth, our own place
In the cosmos, a blue dot seen afar

A present from a small distant world
A token of sounds, science, images
Our thoughts and feelings unfurled
Into the vast cosmos, our seven ages

Music sounds across the ocean of night
Songs of distant earth, emotion’s voices
A glimpse of humanity, of a candle’s light
And pray that we make the right choices

A message to the stars, the cosmic deep
Rejoice! And Carl Sagan’s vision keep

Lt.-Col. Philip Le Gallais

Lt.-Col. Philip Le Gallais

A Topical series, by Andrew Gilliam, of the distinguished military men and women of the Channel Islands

(Jersey Topic 1967)

IT WAS A WARM DAY in St. Helier on July 19, 1871. A young boy stared at a group of brilliantly dressed officers and men of the Island Militia and in his mind were sown seeds of ambitious military ambitions.

Years pass. The sun slowly sets over the South African town of Pretoria. British troops are dusty and tired but elated. The year is 1900. The men, under the command of Lord Roberts, had taken the undefended town and this had given them a much needed taste of victory and a sense of satisfaction.

In the administrative buildings General Lord Roberts sits at a long table reading reports. He knows that the struggle is far from over. The Boers are the masters of commando warfare and they rarely risk fight¬ing a formal battle. They used their knowledge of the terrain to maintain a supremacy which is causing anxiety and embarrassment not only to Lord Roberts but also to the whole British nation. But the idea of British troops adopting tactics to suit the terrain is still foreign to the High Command.

Some miles from Pretoria a lone figure on horseback, wearing bush clothing and high riding boots, is observing the distant camp fires. Suddenly he hears a crackling amongst the trees some distance behind him. His hands move swiftly to his rifle. After a minute or two he recognises the silhouette of a known messenger. The man advances and salutes. The whispered message is in Afrik-aans .... papers pass between them. The horseman now knows that a force, under the British Commander, Ian Hamilton, is coming to Pretoria.

Lord Roberts was also studying a report which gave him this news. He recognises one name, the name of a man whose sole purpose would be to seek out one Boer general.

The general—the horseman who had earlier been spying on the camp—was Christian de Wet, and his appointed hunter was the Jerseyman, Lieutenant-Colonel Philip Le Gallais.

The wheels of fate had been set in motion and the two men were now set on an inevit-able and fatal course of collision.

De Wet had been harassed for several months by various groups under the command of General Lord Mathueu. But, in the hun¬dreds of square miles of undulating veld, de Wet had managed not only to avoid capture but also to maintain liason with the various groups under his command, and with the ever-moving Boer leaders. He hounded the British over a vast area: an unexpected swoop on a body of Imperial Yeomanry at Lindley, inflicting heavy casualties, cutting lines of communication, destroying railway lines and even ambushing and forcing the surrender of a militia battalion of Derbyshires near the Rhenoster.

Days pass, and soon various detachments of British troops are on their way out into the veld to begin the search for de Wet. Lieutenant-Colonel Le Gallais has decided to search the Valsch River area as intelligence reports have indicated that de Wet might be approaching the area with a view to raids into the Cape Colony area.

With great care, avoiding obvious trails and tracks, Le Gallais heads towards the Valsch River. At night they pass by small camps of Boers and make detours to avoid skirmishes. There are no other British troops in the area, and for once, the element of surprise is with the British. Le Gallais wishes to use this powerful weapon in a most devastating way—if only he can find de Wet.

Next day General de Wet and a detachment of commandos head off toward the Cape Colony. November 5, 1900. The sun has set and de Wet is giving orders for the setting-up of camp not far from Bothaville and within sight of the Valsch river.

There has been a slight skirmish with some British troops earlier in the day. De Wet was sure that they were merely a scouting party

he had had negative reports from his scouts as to the possibility of a large British detach¬ment in the area:The scouting party were seven miles to his rear and in the morning his troops were to split up.

But Le Gallais had patiently waited all day with his unit on hiding, across the river in front of de Wet.

All day the Jerseyman had thought on the situation. To confront de Wet in open battle would be futile as de Wet would merely fan out his troops. The terrain did not even lend itself to an ambush that would work. De Wet's superior weapons and fresh horses gave him too many advantages. Le Gallais could not risk sending a messenger around to the scouting party which did not know of his presence. Capture of the messenger would remove any element of surprise.

So he decided on an early morning attack with his men in fixed positions on either side of the valley. He planned to take enough men across the river and station them on either side of de Wet's camp and to leave a front line of troops in his present position. He hoped to give the impression that the encamp-ment was surrounded and force de Wet to surrender. Le Gallais also hoped that the scouting party at the rear of the enemy would quickly appreciate the situation once the firing broke out and would advance.

Throughout the night the Jerseyman moved his men slowly down the slope, across the river, and up to the positions he had chosen. A hot sticky night with the threat of a storm in the air. With extreme delicacy Le Gallais' men moved amid the constant noise of bush animals and insects. Sweat pours down and soaks the men's tunics .... even the river is lukewarm and unrefreshing. Soon all is ready, Le Gallais is within sight of his finest hour.

There is a deadly hush over the valley. It is a few moments before sunrise and a slight steamy mist rises from the river. And then ... shots ring out. Bullets pour into the Boer camp from 300 paces.

Immediately the Boers are awake and seek-ing shelter as best they can. De Wet has hurriedly dressed and is out trying to organise his men. He fears the worst. He feels caught in a situation in which he himself has caught others. There is chaos everywhere .... men seeking shelter from the deadly rain, others trying to mount horses or trying to reach the heavy Krupp guns. Men fall about him. Bullets tearthrough the undergrowth, ricochet off tree trunks and hit his men with terrifying rapidity.

For five hours the battle rages .... the Boers fighting for their very survival and receiving no quarter from the attacking force. The three-quarter encirclement is slowly closing in on the Boers. Le Gallais is there slowly bringing de Wet closer to capture or a fighting death.

The air is full of smoke and dust, shouts and cries. Then, General de Wet gets a message. There are no British at his rear. There are no troops waiting to advance in on him. The way is clear for retreat. But word spreads fast and within minutes Boers are leaping onto horses and there develops even greater chaos. De Wet tries desperately and unsuccessfully to halt his fleeing men.

Le Gallais, seeing the enemy pulling back, instantly realises that his bluff has been called. The scouting party had long since withdrawn. His horses are across the valley. He now sees that de Wet is slipping away and he must make one last desperate attempt. He advances down the short slope and, in their hundreds, his men follow.

  

De Wet sees this and he himself retreats at a gallop. Le Gallais' men are unable to follow and, in that final charge the Jerseyman is fatally wounded.

Of Lieutenant-Colonel Philip Le Gallais Christian de Wet was later to write "Without doubt one of the bravest English officers I ever met."

Munich Revisited

A very pessimistic poem, contemplating recent world events, and looking back at the past. J.D. Vance in a speech in Munich has just said that "Democracy rests on the sacred principle that the voice of the people matters" in advocating that the strident far right parties in Europe reflect the voice of the people, and this is all that matters. It seems that nowadays, all kinds of hate speech, gross malice and intolerance are justified by freedom of speech.

He seems not to have read John Stuart Mill: “The will of the people, moreover, practically means the will of the most numerous or the most active part of the people; the majority, or those who succeed in making themselves accepted as the majority, consequently, may desire to oppress a part of their number; and precautions are as much needed against this as against any other abuse of power.”

Munich Revisited

Peace in our time, but the price of peace?
Maybe that the fighting will come to cease,
Only because the rise again of dark forces,
As if once more the stars in their courses,
Warned of evil times, of no friendly word:
But only that the politics of hate are heard;
Immigrants looked at with loathing, fear:
Violence erupts to destroy all we hold dear;
The strident tones of past dictator’s ghost,
Raising strange salutes, with a new toast
To a time of chaos. The centre cannot hold,
When the demagogue sounds forth bold,
To tear up the rules of law, and fight,
And like the red weed infested blight,
Spread across the world. Things to come,
Beginning with the beating of the drum,
And then war? Who can tell, who can say?
An avalanche tearing forth without delay,
Destroying all in its wake. Speak out?
Voices drowned with fear and doubt;
And no one to speak truth to power,
But to give obeisance, and just cower;
As into times of chaos we now fall,
Will not one person stand up tall?
The world carved up like a cake
And truth and justice do forsake.

1965 - 60 years ago - February Part 2

1965 - 60 years ago - February Part 2

15.—At a packed meeting at the Town Hall overwhelming opposition was expressed to the proposed yachting marina at Gorey. It was announced today that Her Majesty the Queen, on the recommendation of the Home Secret has approved the appointment of Mr. Herbert Vyvian Benest, Sergent .de Justice of the Royal Court,. to the office of Viscount of that Court.--A cave, hitherto unknown, was discovered by a party of rock climbers at La Belle Hougue, Trinity, yesterday morning, it is 20 ft. above high water mark and goes back into the cliff for 60 ft. ending in a small chamber.

17. In the election for Constable of St. Mary, rendered vacant by the death of Mr. A. G. Dallain, Centenier R. H. Le Cornu was elected by 222 votes to 162 over his opponent, Vingtenier F. J. de Ia Haye.—Annual general meeting of the Battle of Flowers Association, a. loss of £800 being announced for 1964.

19.—The motion “That drink is a curse " carried by small majority at fortnightly discussion by the Jersey Debating Club.

22.—The West German Ambassador to London, Dr. Hasso von Etzdorf, made courtesy calls on His Excellency the Lieut.-Governor and on the Bailiff before leaving the Island at lunch-time.—Thieves who broke into the offices of the Jersey Steel Co. Ltd., at Goose Green arch, Beaumont, over the weekend stole 18 in cash and insurance cards belonging to employees.--The States Fire Service dealt with more than 1.000 calls of all types last year, but fire damage (estimated to have cost £73,000 was 14,000 less than the previous year.

24.—This morning the Full Court ruled that because Mr. J. J. Le Marquand, the former Senator, did not pay the fees until four years after he had successfully petitioned for admission as a member of the Inns of Court, he was not at present qualified to be called to the Jersey Bar.—Rotarians in Jersey today celebrated the 60th anniversary of the founding of the first Rotary Club with anniversary luncheon at the Hotel de France. At an electoral meeting at the Town Hall, Constable's Officer S. Gallichan was returned unopposed to complete the term or office of the late Centenier W. A. Parker

25.—Annual meeting of La Societe Jersiaise, plans being announced for taking over property adjoining the Museum— St. John's parish assembly votes £1,000 for repairs to the Rectory.—At the annual general meeting of the Jersey Hotel and Guest House Association, Mr. B. Binningtor was elected president.

26.—Guest speaker at the meeting of the local branch of the Royal Commonwealth Society was a well-known Island “originaire" Mr C. M Le Quesne, C.M.G., head of the West and Central African Department of the Foreign Office.

27.-----Large crowd at the Opera House see Leonis A.B.C. defeat a British Army team by nine bouts to three.

The Rule of Organic Law

This poem takes its title and some of its theme from Charles Williams "Many Dimension" when Lord Arglay is working on. Organic law is law that constitutes the 'organs' or instruments of governance themselves. This may be stricter or looser, depending on the state of law, and I have chosen to interpret it as the key underpinnings of justice itself, and how the natural environment has its own laws, which we ignore at our peril. We cannot order the earth to "obey", however many executive orders a President may give, and the dangers of climate change are ever present, however much we may wish them away.

The Rule of Organic Law

Deny nature, and pollute the earth,
And an executive order will give birth,
To the coming winds of change,
That sweep across the mountain range,
And right across the fertile plain,
Bringing devastation, loss and pain;
The earth rebels, as if an infection
Needs to be taught by its subjection
To the winds that blow, terrible, strong:
A sign of all that mankind does wrong;
And in their wake the floods and fire,
A melancholy note played on the lyre:
The funeral lament, towards last rites,
For those who dare ascend such heights
Of folly. Pride and avarice bring a curse,
And the angry earth will not disperse;
The dark shadows that will now fall:
Precious resources, a stolen haul,
That cannot be replenished again:
So foolish is the desire of men;
And so once more a wind is rising,
For there is no more disguising,
By clever words, by orders made,
How all will someday be afraid;
Tempests blow down frail house,
Fires burn no rains can douse;
And ice will come, deep snow,
Freezing certainties with woe;
And heat will come, and burn,
Unless we listen and return,
To the rule of organic law:
And close that deadly door.

1965 - 60 years ago - February Part 1

1965 - 60 years ago - February Part 1

1.—At the inquest held on the body of Centenier W, A. Parker, of St Helier, a verdict was returned that he died from injuries received when he was struck on the head by a metal traffic sign after it had been hit by a furniture van as he was walking along the pavement in Lempriere. Street. It was announced by the Motor Taxation Department today that 23,806 tax discs were issued last month ; this is almost 1,500 above the total issued in January last year. A shock for Jersey's business life came today with the announcement that the Jersey Tobacco Company will close at the end of March, the reason being that the factory is too large for its production and can no longer cover its overheads.

2.—At a nomination meeting .held in St. Saviour's Parish Hall, Mr. G. Gallichan, of La Tourelle, was returned unopposed as Centenier, replacing Mr. V. E. Collins (resigned).

3.—At the Royal Court today Mrs. M. O. Ozard_described as a "professional abortionist". was jailed for 18 months ; Alan Edgar Talibard and his wife Linda, who pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy to unlawfully use an instrument to procure a miscarriage, were bound over for three years and ordered to pay costs of £25,—After nearly 40 years as one of the Island's best known laundries, the Lilywhite Laundry Ltd., of Maison Labey, St. Aubin, is to close down for economic reasons.—The most famous of all hockey journalists, Mr. R. L. Hollands, guest of honour at annual dinner of Jersey Hockey Club.

[Before the introduction of the 1997 law, termination of pregnancy in Jersey constituted the crime of murder or manslaughter unless performed “in good faith for the purpose only of preserving the life of the mother” or “when the continuance of the pregnancy would make the woman a physical or mental wreck” The UK law came in 1967.]

5.—Jersey Blind Society's annual ball held at West Park Pavilion.—Jersey Debating Club motion "That all progress depends on the rebel” carried by 28 votes to 18 at usual fortnightly meeting.

9.—Copper piping valued at £580 and weighing more than a ton was stolen between midday Sunday and midday yesterday from a shed on a building site at Les Quennevais, St. Brelade.

10,—Thieves who broke into the warehouse of Burnhams Transport Ltd., Victoria Road, Georgetown, during the night got away with a haul of 150 dozen bottles of lager and a quantity of tinned foodstuffs.—Public meeting at St. Saviour discusses the possible development of Fort Regent and the island site at the Weighbridge by the Burley group of companies, many opinions being expressed.

12.—Annual dinner of local branch of the British Legion, the national chairman, Lord Carew, being guest of honour.

13.-0ver the period of the past three weeks tinned foodstuffs, fish and fruit, valued at more than £300, have been stolen from the store of A. P. Falle and Sons, the merchants of Commercial Street. At the Opera House the celebrated Amadeus String Quartet received a rousing ovation from .an. enthusiastic audience.

Time in Chains: my poetry collection from 2021-2022

 

Time in Chains: my poetry collection from 2021-2022

Copies in Jersey available for £5. (No P&P)

https://www.lulu.com/shop/tony-bellows/time-in-chains/paperback/product-g6kvkr.html

An Irish Imbolc

Imbolc or Imbolg (Irish pronunciation: [ə ˈmˠɔlˠəɡ]), also called Saint Brigid's Day (Irish: Lá Fhéile Bríde; Scottish Gaelic: Là Fhèill Brìghde; Manx: Laa'l Breeshey), is a Gaelic traditional festival. It marks the beginning of spring, and for Christians, it is the feast day of Saint Brigid, Ireland's patroness saint. Its traditional date is 1 February, about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

An Irish Imbolc

I weave crosses for Saint Brigid's Day
Hand over the windows and the door
Protection of the goddess they say
And healing for the sick and sore

The Mound on the Hill of Tara today
Where the rising sun at the entrance
Is a shining beam down passage way
Onto the chamber wall, to entrance

The fire at Kildare still shines bright
Abbey ruins come alive once more
Shadows of the past come into sight
Blessings of the goddess we adore

Now the lambs frolic and prance
And we join in the Imbolc dance

Victor Hugo by H. T. Porter

 

Victor Hugo by H. T. Porter
From Jersey Life, 1966

VICTOR HUGO, the celebrated French V writer, was born at Besancon, Doubs, on February 26th, 1802, and, comparatively early in life, achieved great success, his genius as a novelist, poet and playwright ' being widely acknowledged.

As a politician, however, although he became a Peer of France and a Republican Deputy, he was a failure.

After the French Coup d'Etat of December 2nd, 1851, Louis-Napoleon assumed dictorial powers. He thus in-curred the intense hostility of Victor Hugo, who, passionately devoted to the cause of freedom, took refuge in Brussels, having fled from France with a forged passport and disguised as a workman. Whilst there he wrote Histoire d'un Crime, a reference to the Coup d'Etat.

The Belgian Government, fearing the effect that the possible publication of another of his works, Napoleon-le-Petit, might have on its relations with France, requested him to leave the country. This he did, from Antwerp, on August 1st, 1852, and made his way, via London, to Jersey, where he arrived on August 5th of the same year.

Within a short time he succeeded in renting a furnished house in Marine Terrace by the sea at St. Luke's in the Parish of St. Clement. This Terrace was, at that time, detached, and from 1852¬1855, in No. 3, the house now known as the Maison ;Victor Hugo Hotel, he lived with his family and Auguste Vacquerie, a relative. Here Victor Hugo wrote, among other works, Les Chatiments and part of Les Contemplations.

Other French exiles in the Island printed a paper called L'Homme, Organe de la Democratie Universelle. On October 10th, 1855, it reproduced a violent and disrespectful letter addressed to Queen Victoria (Lettre a la Reine d' Angleterre), which had been read in London at a meeting organized by the Comite Inter-national et de la Commune revolution¬naire. The letter was written by a French exile Felix Pyat who had sought sanctuary in London and who was enraged by the Queen's recent official visit to Napoleon III—L'Homme du Deux-Decembre.

For reproducing this letter, a document which caused great indignation in Jersey, the proprietor, the editor and the distributor of L'Homme were expelled from the Island by the Lieutenant Governor.

Victor Hugo thereupon wrote and signed a Declaration in protest, as a result of which he and the thirty-five other signatories thereof were also expelled.

 

On October 31st, 1855, he arrived in Guernsey where he, his family and Auguste Vacquerie resided at Hauteville House which he, Victor Hugo, had bought and in which he lived from 1856-1870. It is now a museum devoted to him and his possessions, many of these being of great interest and value. It is in St. Peter Port and belongs to the City of Paris. After 1870 he paid three visits to Guernsey—in 1872 (nearly a year), in 1875 (a week) and in 1878 (four months). In spite of his long residence in the Chan nel Islands, he made no attempt to learn English and used to say `Quand l'Angle-terre voudra causer avec moi, elle apprendra ma langue'. ('When England wishes to talk with me, she will learn my language').

 

He had five children, Leopolkbharles, Francois-Victor, Leopoldine and‘ Adele. All but the latter, who lost her reason, died during his lifetime. In 1843 his eldest daughter Leopoldine, aged nine¬teen, to whom he was devoted, was drowned in the Seine with her husband Charles Vacquerie, brother of Auguste Vacquerie, poet, journalist and author, who shared the Hugos' home.

Victor Hugo, whose father was a general, died in Paris on May 22nd, 1885, and was buried in the Pantheon. His wife, Adele, died on August 27th, 1868—she being about a year younger than he.

At the base of his statue in Candie Gardens, Guernsey, is the following inscription, part of the dedication of The Toilers of the Sea, his great novel written at Hauteville House.

`Au rocher d'hospitalite et de liberte ce coin de vieille tarre normande ou vit le noble petit peuple de la mer a l'ile Guernsey, severe et douce'.

 The Roches des Proscrits, a large rock not far from the Maison Victor Hugo Hotel, was, at that time, a meeting place for many exiles; living on the Island.

 His son, Francois-Victor, translated in masterly fashion, the entire works of Shakespeare into French. He also wrote La Normandie Inconnue (another way of saying the Channel Islands), in which he describes his own and his father's de-parture from Jersey .. .

 `It was the 31st of October, 1855. It was, six in the morning. In spite of light rain, fine and penetrating, my father wished to proceed on foot along the road which leads from Marine Terrace to the Victoria Pier where we were to embark. This road is certainly charming, it avoids the town, which is an advantage; it also skirts the coast, passes through a fisherman's hamlet called Havre des Pas and is lost to sight under the trees of a steep hill. And many memories of the road drew us towards it. My father chose it because he preferred it and because he felt grateful. I walked with him, an arm on his, and in the hand of the other I carried a small suit-case containing various items which would be needed on the journey. My mother, sister and brother and the tireless friend, whom I likewise call my brother, were to rejoin us two days later. Having lived for three years in Jersey, we were leaving it forever'.

 But it was not to be forever, for in 1860 he returned to the Island and, in support of Garibaldi, made an impressive speech before a huge crowd. Later, at a banquet, in reply to a toast, he praised the Island and its people, giving various reasons why he had become attached to them, 'We all like Jersey'.

 

Touch

One from the archive today, from 21 February 2005.

One of the striking things about feminist theology, such as that of Moltmann-Wendel, is the rediscovery of the way in which the taboos about touch and being unclean are broken, particularly in the gospel of Mark; they are notably toned down or removed in Matthew. This poem is a reflection of my reading on this subject.

Touch

The woman came, bleeding, touched
The hem of his robe, and he stopped
Asked of the crowd, who just did so
Fearful, she came, trembling, in woe
Lest she be punished, unclean woman

Yet he reached forth, with an abandon
Held her hands, eyes locked together
For a moment; gently, he now tells her
That her faith has cured her, reach out
Touch, and be healed, and never doubt
That none will be excluded, and hands
Reach even over death, promised lands
In which we will know, touch, embrace
Pure, living, personal, loving grace.

Legends of St Marculf and the Seas

St Marculf is associated in later legends with St Helier, although that only comes into the much later Life of Helier which dates from the 10th century, around 400 years after the time of St Helier, and has scant historical merit.

Legends of St Marculf and the Seas
By Philip Ahier

"While St. Marculf stayed in Jersey there was a devastating raid upon it by the Northmen, which produced dire terror upon the few inhabitants thereof. Owing to the absence of any semblance of resistance, the greater part of the population hid themselves in grottos and caves.

"The chroniclers (i.e. the writers of the lives of the Saints) related that one set of raiders consisted of no less than 3,000 men, but in all probability there were fewer. Be that as it may, St. Marculf prevented a party of Islanders from fleeing; mustering a little army, he put himself at their head; astonished at his insuperable valour, they followed him. His courage, and his energy gave them new life, and marching with them, he cheered them on to win a glorious victory against their oppressors.

" 'Arm yourselves, keep more closely together, stand firm, and Heaven will come to your aid,' said the intrepid monk to them. `Remember how Pharaoh's great army was engulfed in the Red Sea while pursuing the Israelites, then you will behold your redoubtable enemies, scattered and annihilated.' "

"Hurling themselves with all their strength upon the pirates, they routed and overthrew them, because, being taken unawares of an unforseen attack, the latter hurriedly betook themselves to their boats at the moment when, it is said, a furious tempest arose and burst upon them, scattered their ships, flung them upon the rocks and swamped them."

The above has been freely translated from Mr. J. Le Bas' account given in the "Almanach de la Chronique de Jersey" for 1888 (pp. 162-163). He says his authorities were G. Dupont and Mons. L'Abbe Le Canu. This legend also appears in the "Acta Sanctorum" compiled by the Bollandists, and in Pigeon's "Saints ,du Diocese de Coutances," quoted by the Rev. G. R. Balleine in his "Biographical Dictionary of Jersey." (pp. 638-644).

Mr. Le Bas seems to have combined all the possible versions into one compact whole. From Pigeon's "Saints" we learn that "the Lord of the Island when he heard of the great victory of the Islanders over the pirates, gave the Saint half of the Island and here he built a monastery, in which he placed monks to form a Household of God." (B.D.J., p.. 638).

Mr. Balleine comments on this legend as follows:—

"The Pirate story is practically the same as the one told of St. Magloire in Sark. He too encouraged the natives to resist. He too received from the Lord of the Island half the land as a gift. He too built there (in Sark) a monastery. The legends of the two saints with somewhat similar names, have clearly become entangled. So the whole incident (of the Pirates) may belong to Sark." (B.D.J., p. 639).

The Biography of St. Marculf is given by Mr. Balleine in B.D.J., pp. 643-646.

A second legend relates of St. Marculf, which I have not seen elsewhere, is given by Mr. Le Bas in the same "Almanach," (p. 163):—

"One day as St. Marculf was seated on the seashore, in deep meditation, a woman of ravishing beauty appeared to him as she, siren-like, leapt out of the sea-water; her long tresses fluttering at the whim of zephyrs, her clothes streaming with the ocean spray, her eyes sparkling and beaming with impassioned and seductive love. In a voice throbbing, plaintive, tender, and sorrow¬ful, she asked for aid.

"Said she to him tearfully: 'I am a poor shipwrecked woman, have compassion on my misfortune, the relentless sea has flung me upon your hospitable Island; grant me hospitality by giving me nourishment to appease my ravenous appetite and some water to quench my insatiable thirst.'

"Without saying a word, St. Marculf turned towards the entrance of his humble cottage and consecrating some bread with the Sign of the Cross, held it towards the pretended shipwrecked woman and said: 'If you are what you appear to be, take the bread which I have blessed in the name of Jesus Christ.'

"On hearing the Honoured Name, a transformation occurred in her figure; her features became hideous and livid, her form became converted into a phantom which vanished, while the Saint heard in the sea, a great noise as if a burning fire had been plunged therein."

“St. Marculf returned to the Monastery to celebrate Easter week and related the above story to his fellow-monks.”

Firestorm

The wild fires in Los Angeles were very much in my mind when I wrote this poem.

Firestorm

Flames lick, hungry tongues of fire
Burning trees, the forest is ablaze
Made easier as land grows drier
Smoking timbers message raise

Houses burn, wood cries in pain
And all it takes is just one spark
The endless sun, no sign of rain
Glowing embers leave a mark

Families flee, homes are lost
Their past has gone up in flame
Later count such dreadful cost
Climate change: we are to blame

The firestorm warns us: take care
Or Prometheus will bring fear

La Fontaine de Mirtre

La Fontaine de Mirtre
by Philip Ahier

Early Guide Book compilers dwelt upon the magical and medicinal properties of this Spring, which is also known as La Belle Hougue Spring and La Fontaine des Mittes.

The Spring itself is on the promontory of La Belle Hougue at the North of the parish of Trinity.

Two Guide Books of the Forties of the last century expatiated at considerable length upon it.

The anonymous compiler of "A Week's Visit to Jersey," compiled after 1844, wrote concerning La Fontaine de Mirtre (p. 162):—

"At the foot of Belle Hougue point, we are told by one authority, there is a miraculous spring, which has the power of loosening the tongue, nay, even of giving speech to the dumb, provided that the draught be taken before sunrise.

"It is a mineral spring, of a ferruginous quality, called 'La Fontaine de Mirtre,' to which some few resort; but being in a part little frequented, and at some distance from any house, it is not so much sought after as if it were placed in a more favourable situation, added to which it is but little known, except to those who reside in the neighbourhood

"Its waters are said to be also a beneficial for sore eyes. The whereabouts of this tongue-loosening spring, my dear sister, your not being with us, we did not take the pains to verify. In our case, its virtues would, of course, have been superflous."(!)

The above account of "La Fontaine de Mirtre" or "Fontaine des Mittes," appeared in many Guide Books after 1844, and, in 1856, our old friend, Mr. Octavius Rooke, in his "Channel Islands" (pp. 65) "dedicated the following legend" to it:—

"In ages gone by, when yet the world was young, two fairies dwelt there, together they lived, enjoying all that was glad and beauteous upon God's earth. There was then no sin to mar, no crime that could pollute earth, heaven, sea, air and sky; all sang the Almighty's praise; sweet sounds of music rolled from sphere to sphere, and bright glad spirits wandered where now man slaves to gain his daily bread by the hard labour of his toil-worn hands.

"Down mid the ever-blooming flowers, these fairies sat-Arna and Auirna were their names—together they had lived and loved for many an age, but now their state was soon to change, for they had passed the time allotted to them on earth, and soon their God would place them in a still higher sphere of joy.

"Together, hand in hand, they sat, and while they gazed, an angel's form swept down, and thus he spoke:-

" 'Arm and Aiurna, I come to take thee to a new bright home beyond the Stars, there wilt thou be nearer placed to the Almighty throne.'

"Joy flowed through all their veins, they raised their hymn of praise, aloft they rose, led by the angel, up to where their seats in heaven should be for ever fixed among the blest.

"But, ere they went, the recollection of their long loved ones came o'er them, and from each sinless eye, one pearly drop fell down, pure as themselves, . . . these tears were earthly, so to earth they fell. But springing from those who so immortal were, they could not die; so up again from earth they sprang, and the twin fountain flows for ever, fraught with twin blessings to mankind."

This, as can be suspected, is a fabricated or made-up legend; it in nowise bears any resemblance to the native types. It was "dedicated" as Mr. Rooke put it, to the guardian fairies of "La Fontaine des Mittes," at Trinity.

Its subsequent history is interesting; in spite of its being an "imported" legend, it was translated into French by Mr. J. Le Bas, and the French version appeared in the "Almanach of the Chronique de Jersey" for 1891. It was re-translated and adapted by Major L'Amy in 1927 in his "Jersey Folk Lore," (pp. 63-66).

The water from this spring is still used for bathing sore eyes. Chemical analysis has revealed that it contains a mixture of Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium, Chlorine besides small quantities of Sulphuric Acid and Carbonic Acid.

Memories

I really like this quote from Milan Kundera: "The brain appears to possess a special area which we might call poetic memory and which records everything that charms or touches us, that makes our lives beautiful." That inspired this poem.

Memories

Small times of joy, like crazy paving
Zig zag across the humdrum life
Times of happiness worth saving
In this world of fear and strife

Long summer holidays off school
Spaces and buckets on the beach
Fishing with nets in a rock pool
The past alive with strong reach

Joy of love, kissing, bed and hugs
Hand in hand, along country lane
Eating sandwiches on picnic rugs
Small memories, but so much gain

When dark futures seem tomorrow
Memories can help lighten sorrow

1965 - 60 years ago - January Part 2

1965 - 60 years ago - January Part 2

15.—A 34-year-old Scot with a long criminal record but who had once been in trouble for five years was sentenced to two months imprisonment and disqualification for three years by the Royal Court on charges of car " borrowing, he was Arthur Weatherall, alias Nell Rostron

18.—The week-end weather, gale force winds accompanied by terrific gusts and squalls of hail and sleet, brought more trouble to the Telephone Department with lines down ; both the Jersey and Guernsey life-boats were called out to the aid of a Liberian coaster in difficulties south of Sark and a Norwegian ship which later radioed that they were out of trouble.

19.—At a meeting at Trinity Parish Hall, Mr. J. Le S. Gallichan was elected unopposed as Deputy for the parish to finish the term of office of Mr. G, A. Vautier, deceased.

20.—This morning's high tide, combined with a near-record lieu barometric pressure, caused flooding at Beaumont and more coastal erosion at Le Bourg, a 25-yard sea wall being washed away.

22.—The motion " Parents with problem children have only them-selves to blame " carried by a substantial majority at Debating Club meeting at the Pomme d'Or Hotel.

23.—.During the night about £200 in cash and cheques were stolen from the safe at R. Le Bail and Co. Ltd., in Grenville Street.—The Bailiff opens Channel Islands & Aero Club's new premises on the Airport Road..

25,--Scottish Society of Jersey celebrate annual Burns' Night dinner at Hotel de France.

26.—At the annual general meeting of the Jersey Eisteddfod it was announced that for the first time in ten years a profit had been math amounting to £320.

27.—Before the Full Court a fine of £100 or three months' imprisonment was imposed on Brian Henry de la Mare for assault, the Assize case concerning accused having been adjourned for sentence, also before the Court was Edward Ernest Rampton, who was jailed for nine months and £75 costs awarded against him for indecent assault, this case also having been adjourned for sentence by the Assize Court. " Killer " dogs active in Trinity, where on Monday six hens were slaughtered at Coutanche Farm, and at two farms last night where 13 rabbits were killed.

28—Island service in memory of Sir Winston Churchill held at St Helier's Parish Church, His Excellency the Lt.-Governor, the Bailiff, Jurats. Crown Officers and States members leading the procession to the church.

29.—A Muirhead tractor-dumper valued at £7,000 badly damaged when it went out of control and crashed over the breakwater at the new power station site at La Collette this afternoon.

30.—Break-In during the night at Carter's, newsagents in Colomberie: confectionary, cigarettes, lighters and other items valued at £40 being taken.

31.—Memorial and thanksgiving services for the life and. work of Sir Winston Churchill held in Churches of all denominations through-out the Island. The rainfall for this month, 6.41 ins., was three inches above the average.

The New Face of Janus

As we start the new year, I see a darkening world ahead - America, the great democracy, poised on the brink of dictatorship, war in Ukraine, or a bad peace. The deaths in Gaza continuing to rise. The rise of the far right across Europe and even in Britain. And over it all, the existential threat of climate change. So this is a sombre, melancholy poem to reflect that mood. There's a slight note of optimism. Originally the final verse of each stanza was a rather pessimistic statement, but I changed it to a question in each case..

The New Face of Janus

It is the turning of the year
The old time passed away
Now comes a dawn of fear
Has Democracy had its day?

It is the turning of the year
Poised between light and dark
Danger present, ever near
Will the future be so very stark?

It is the turning of the year
Dark times are hard to cope
Threaten all we hold so dear
And where will we find hope?

Janus turns a dark face this way
And all we can do is hope and pray

1965 - 60 years ago - January Part 1

1965 - 60 years ago - January Part 1

1—Jour de l'An reception held at the Pomme d'Or, given by the French Consul, M. Alain Radenac. Jersey Drag Hunt and Chase Club hold annual races at Grosnez.

2—At the Royal Court today the Bailiff unveiled a portrait of the late Bailiff, Mr. C. S. Harrison. C.M.G., O.B.E., painted by the late Sir James Arran and which was the gift of the Harrison family.

3.—Two men who pleaded guilty to stealing postal packets from a mailbag on a postman’s bicycle at Springrove, St. Lawrence, Ronald Sutton and Terence Jennings, were jailed for six and nine months respective by the Royal Court—Verdict of accidental death recorded at inquest held on the body of Mr. Thomas McCarthy, found gassed in his home at 9 Savile Street.

4—A fine of £20 was substituted for a month's prison sentence on Stanley Philip Reynolds at the Royal Court today when he appealed against the sentence, which was imposed at the Police Court regarding the larceny of a motor tyre.

5.—ln the early hours of this morning fire gutted a two-storey building used as a loft and stables at Beauverd, St. John; a. timely warning to be alert. A passing policeman enabled the cattle to be released from the building.-

6.—The motion “That one Jerseyman is worth two Englishmen " was carried by 65 votes to 48 at Debating Club meeting.

9.—Verdict of accidental death recorded in the case of Miss E. B. Le Liévre, who was knocked down by a car on the afternoon of New Year’s Eve and subsequently died from her injuries. January Assizes: the first case to come before the Court was that of Edward Ernest Rampton (43), who pleaded not guilty to indecently assaulting a 13-year-old in Woolworth's on October 24th, the case being adjourned. At the end of last year a record number of 30,530 vehicles of all types, including cars and hire cars, were licensed for the Island’s roads.

10..—Continuation of the indecent assault case before the Assizes, the hearing being further adjourned.

12—Assizes: Edward Ernest Rampton was found guilty of indecent assault and was remanded in custody for a psychiatric report to be prepared. The second and final case, that of 26-year-old Jersey-born Henry de la Mare, charged with having assaulted Mr. A. Raine at Cathay Chinese Restaurant on October 31st last year, then commenced, the hearing being adjourned. .

14.—Assizes .- Brian Henry de la Mare was found guilty of assault with mitigating circumstances and a remand was ordered for a psychiatric report to be prepared. A case which was originally listed for the Assizes but was remitted to the Full Court owing to a. change of plea to guilty was that of Graham Edward Wynn and John McMarm, charged with maliciously setting fire to a load of hay and with assault; Wynn sentenced to two months' imprisonment and McMann to three months.