1986 - 40 years ago - September - Part 1

 1986 - 40 years ago - September - Part 1

September 1-7

THE run of bad summer weather continues and Meteorological Office figures show that August was the worst for 23 years. Rainfall was slightly above average, sunshine figures were down by 20 per cent and the average temperature was just under 16 C.

The Defence Committee approves tougher penalties for drunken drivers, who could find themselves facing a mandatory two-year driving ban. The Crime Prevention panel supports the move but says that it is still in favour of introducing a maximum legal limit for blood/alcohol.

Levan Merritt, the five-year-old boy who fell into the Zoo's gorilla enclosure, continues to do well at Southampton General Hospital. Meanwhile, Jambo, the gorilla who stood guard after Levan's fall, is still the centre of Press attention.

A geologist working in Canada who has local family connections, Mr Hilary Stuart-Williams, is named as keeper of archaeology for the Jersey Heritage Trust.

An inquest into the death of a fisherman who fell into the harbour criticises malicious callers who telephoned the dead man's family to say that he had been pushed. The inquest jury decides that Mr Richard McMullen (49), died as the result of an accidental fall.

HM Solicitor-General, Mr Terry Sowden, denies that local bar examinations this year were made more difficult to limit the number of practising lawyers. The claim that the papers were tougher than usual is made after all six candidates sitting the examinations discover they have failed.

September 8-14

AN 18-year-old youth, Mr Kevin Glover, is killed when his motorcycle collides with a car on Mont les Vaux in the early hours of the morning.

The president of the Island's Centeniers Association, Centenier Alf Vibert, criticises Police Court delays. He says it's "just not fair" that prosecutions for offences committed at this time of year may not be tried until 1987. Public Works Committee members say that the gyratory traffic scheme planned for Beaumont will go ahead. Public Works president Deputy Don Filleul told a St Peter meeting that it would be abandoned when he was confronted by considerable public opposition, but he does not have the support of his committee on the matter.

Jewellery worth £1,000 is stolen during a daylight raid on a house in St Brelade. Airlines operating services to Jersey describe the season as disappointing so far. Bad weather and cheap flights to Continental destinations are cited as reasons for the poor figures.

The weather does not, however, interfere with another influx of visitors. An unusually large number of jellyfish are reported in local waters, but Sea Fisheries Officer Mr Simon Bossy says that they are harmless.

The police investigate arson attacks on two cars parked on Grouville Common. One of the cars, a Morris 1100, is completely gutted by fire.

A new Berlitz guide to the Channel Islands says that St Helier is "part Breton, part Brighton" and remarks on Jersey's "old fashioned patriotism