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."
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."
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