Occupational Hazards

The Occupation saw many people struggling to survive, and just get on with their lives at a time when food and fuel was severely rationed. But quite a few people did listen to Radio Sets to the BBC news, even though that was illegal - one of the States Occupational Committee, Edward Le Quesne, was imprisoned because he had a wireless set.

But when Denis Vibert made a spectacular escape from Jersey in October 1941, he mentioned that while "Crown Officers were directed to remain at their posts", and that they were "doing their best to safeguard the interests of the Islanders" and "that their difficult position had not been clearly understood by some of the evacuated Channel Islanders". But he also criticised a number of States officials, such as the Attorney General, Duret Aubin,  who he said were "co-operating to an unnecessary extent" or "going out of their way to co-operate".

What I have done for this Liberation Day is to provide three dramatised stories which shows how much this was the case. The basic events narrated are all historically verified; they can be read in Paul Sander's book "The British Channel Islands under German Occupation 1940-1945" and in "The Memoirs of Lord Coutanche". Two show, I think, something of Vibert's concerns; the final one, shows how, nonetheless, the authorities could at times be said to act as a buffer against the German forces.

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Occupational Hazards

Act 1: The Law of Expediency

Scene: A study. The blackout curtain is over the window. The light is poor, from a dim bulb in the centre of the ceiling. The lampshade looks dusty, neglected, as do the shelves of legal books, thick with dust. Behind a desk in the room sits a man, writing. There is a knock at the door.

Narrator: A time of war. Jersey is under German Occupation, and under German Orders. Wireless sets have been confiscated, and possession of a set, to listen to the BBC, is now a criminal offence.  The authorities are obliged - under threat of punishment - to signal to the Germans all information which came to their attention bearing a relation to infractions of German orders.

Attorney General: Come.

The door opens and two men enter. They are wearing suits, which are shabby and have seen better days; their shoes look worn. On the lapel of their jackets is a small badge, the insignia of the Honorary Police. They stand beside the desk.

Policeman 1: Sir, we have a situation, and we'd like to approach you about it, but off the record, informally..
(he pauses, uncertain of what to say)

AG: Yes. Spit, it out, man. I haven't got all the time in the world. It's already past curfew. My work as Attorney-General is the more onerous because of the German Occupation. So what is so important it brings two Honorary Police to my door?

Policeman 2: We were following up information regarding a robbery, and we received information from neighbours in the vicinity about a wireless set held by an individual. That man had nothing to do with the robbery.

AG: Was the wireless set there?

Policeman 1: Yes sir, we did discover a wireless set belonging to a Mr Frederick Page.

AG: You do know that wireless sets are illegal. The German Order expressly forbids the Civilian Population to keep an unlicensed wireless set.

Policeman 2: We know that sir, but the owner of the house hasn't committed any other offence; it was quite by chance we discovered the wireless set. It is not an ordinary criminal matter as such, and  we wonder if we should perhaps forget all about it. I've very disturbed in my mind as to the correct course of action.

Policeman 1: We know the man involved; he's an honest man. It just doesn't seem right that a man who is innocent of any real law breaking should suffer. That's why we brought it to your attention. We don't know what to do. After all, he's not really a criminal.

AG: In the eyes of the law, he is. We can make no distinctions here between our laws and the laws of the occupying German forces. There has to be one rule of law. Consider this: what would happen if you had not told me, and it later emerged that you had concealed a crime against the German forces? What do you think would happen? Well? But it is for you to decide: I am not disposed to give you an order one way or the other in a matter into which considerations of conscience entered so strongly. You must see where your duty lies to the wider community.

Policeman 2: I supposed we'd be guilty of covering it up. But can't we pretend we never saw it, turn a blind eye?

AG: You would be accessories after the fact. You could well end up imprisoned. And now you have told me. Now I know. If I concealed this, and it came to light, I too would be guilty of a felony. I could end up imprisoned.


Policeman 1: So what are you going to do, sir?

AG: Now that I know, I must inform the German authorities. That is my duty,..

Policeman 2: But it seems harsh, sir; it just doesn't feel right.

AG: When have feelings ever come into matters of law? But look at it this way. We are under an Occupying force. If we fall, then the Germans will govern directly. They will mete out the law with much more brutality, make no mistake. And the situation will worsen for the great majority of law abiding Islanders. If they are dealt with directly, there will be more summary justice. We stand as a buffer between the German command and the people of Jersey. If we fall, who will protect the people.

Policeman 1: So what you are saying is this: It is better than one man should suffer for the people than the whole Island suffer. Seems I've heard that said before.
(sounds cynical)

AG: I can understand your frustration, but you must understand my point of view. We cannot allow ourselves the luxury of feelings. The law, such as it is, even if you feel it may have been twisted by the Germans, is our only defence against matters getting out of hand. We have due process of law, of trials, and these are our only means of resisting the Germans. Direct action is not possible; this is a small Island, cut off from the sea, with no hiding places. I have not the choices I would like in these matters. We live on a knife edge.

Policeman 2: I don't like it sir, but I suppose we are stuck with it. But it isn't why I joined the Honorary Police, to enforce German Orders. It was to keep ordinary decent people safe, no to arrest them for possession of Radio sets.

AG: I think I have made my views plain. There is no more to be said on the matter. Now gentlemen, if that is all, I have work to complete. I shall expect a full report, which I shall duly pass on to the proper authorities.

Policeman 1: The German authorities?

AG: Of course.

Policeman 2 (subdued voice): It shall be done.

They nod and file out, as the door closes, he resumes his paperwork.

Narrator: Frederick Page, whose wireless set had been discovered, was tried and was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment. He died at Naumburg prison, Germany, on 5 January 1945. He was only 45 years old.

On 11 December 1945, in the Honours List, Attorney-General Charles Duret Aubin was given the Order of the British Empire.

Curtain.

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Act 2: An Orange Order

Scene: An office. There are two desks, telephones on the desk. A filing cabinet in the corner. A man is sitting at the desk. A woman comes in and places a file on the desk.

Narrator: The Civil Service in the German Occupation carried on much as before. We are in the office of the Aliens Officer, Clifford Orange.

Woman: Mr Orange, these are the figures that you requested.

Clifford Orange: Ah, thank you. We are doing well. We may be commended for our efficiency, you know. At this rate, we should have all the names of Jews in Jersey collated before the month is out. A great achievement.

Woman (sits at her desk, starts sorting papers): But should we be doing this? Collating all the names of the Jews in the Channel Islands? What do the Germans want it for?

Orange: That's not for us to know. Our job is to be efficient, whosoever our masters are. I am in charge of the aliens office, and before the war, I was collating names. Different names, to be true, but names none the less. That is the function of our office.

Women: But what are the Germans going to do with those names? I've heard horrible rumours. Are they going to take them away and kill them. I don't trust the Germans; I don't know if we should be doing this.

Orange: We can't pay attention to every piece of tittle-tattle that we hear. Our job is to make sure that no one is missed out. What happens after that is none of our concern. We cannot predicate our lives on rumour and gossip.

Woman: But should we be doing their job for them? I'm worried that we may be seen as collaborating with the enemy. We are helping them round up the Jews.

Orange: We are simply providing a service. Hitherto, it was a service provided by the Civil Service to the States of Jersey; now it is provided to the Germans. It's just a service, nothing more. It had no consequences then, and I fail to see how it could have consequences now. Anyone could do this. It's just paperwork.

Woman: I think that some of the Jews may have gone into hiding. I was speaking to a Jewish lady last week, a friend of mine. I've not seen her since; I don't know where she is. I think that's true of a lot of the Jews in Jersey. They are scared, Mr Orange.

Orange: They've no need to be. We are just collecting names, that's all. That's what we did before the Occupation. Nothing has changed. And your friend is very foolish. Where can she hide? This is a small island. Even if someone hid her, sooner or later, she would be found. It's much better to come and have your details recorded. It's a system. And, if I may say so, a remarkably efficient one. I've heard of German efficiency, but I think our Civil Service is actually better organised.

Woman: But they are scared. They've lived in this Island for a long time; it's their home, and they know they may have to go away, and they don't know where they will end up. They've grown up here, they've always been able to do as they liked, but now they feel they come here, and others will take them where they don't want to go.

Orange: But they are aliens, after all; they are not native to this Island. They can't have any claim to the Island. Surely you must see that? We've always tracked the aliens coming here. We've allowed them to come, but they don't have a right to be here. They are not Jersey born. And so if the Germans take them away, it will, I am confident, be for the best. They will be happier with their own kind.

Woman: They say there is a boat being made ready for their departure.

Orange: Yes, there is a saying that there always a boat in the morning available for those who don't belong here.

Narrator: Clifford Orange retired from the Civil Service and became a Jurat of the Royal Court, a position of honour and prestige in 1954. He died in 1979, aged 85 years.

Curtain

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Act 3: Signs of the Times

Scene: An office. There are two desks, telephones on the desk. A filing cabinet in the corner. The German Commandant is sitting at the desk. The Bailiff, Alexander Coutanche opens the door and comes into the room.

Narrator: Acts of resistance did take place. There was a secret network hiding escaped Russian prisoners of war. Albert Bedane hid Jewish refugees during the Occupation Years. And two Jewish surrealist artists, living at St Brelade, used their knowledge of German to fight a propaganda campaign with leaflets, targeting the disaffected soldiers.

Commandant: Ah, my dear Bailiff. Take a seat.

Bailiff: Thank you, sir.
(sits down)

Commandant: I have called you here because I have a most serious case that I must bring to your attention. You know, perhaps, that there has been a campaign of propaganda against my soldiers.

Bailiff: I'm not sure that I do. Perhaps you could enlighten me.

Commandant: Ordinary soldiers, going about the town, have had papers carefully placed into their pockets. The miscreants responsible have been most subtle.

Bailiff: And what do the sheets contain?

Commandant: They contain propaganda, telling the soldiers about how the war is going badly, lies made up from the BBC. They are demoralising at an already difficult time.

Bailiff: Ah, you mean, since the landings of Allied forces in Normandy, perhaps?

Commandant: A temporary setback until out forces assemble, and regroup. Then we will force them back onto the beaches and into the water. It will be, how do you say it, your "Dunkirk", all over again.

Bailiff: Time will tell.

Commandant: Now the matter of these two saboteurs. What they have done is treasonable, and carries the death penalty.

Bailiff: Who are they?

Commandant: Two women, of Jewish extraction. They live in St Brelade's Bay, by the Church. They have disguised themselves, and pushed propaganda leaflets into passing German soldiers on busy streets of Town. These have taken the form of  news bulletins, slogans, tracts and short dialogues between soldiers written on thin cigarette paper from "The Soldier without Name"; they placed them in pockets, briefcases, parked staff cars and between the pages of magazines.

Bailiff: Women? You realise that there will be considerable upset at the execution of two women.

Commandant: That is why I have summoned you. Your position is one of importance; the people of Jersey tolerate us, but they look up to you.

Bailiff: So you wish for my advice?

Commandant: No - the penalty is clear. I wish to inform you so that you can arrange matters so that any unrest is minimised. After all, if we have crowds gathering in protest, my troops may be forced to take action. These are difficult times. There may be bloodshed. You need to ensure the people understand that these executions are necessary.

Bailiff: "It is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish", as the Scriptures say.

Commandant: Ah, I see we understand one another.

Bailiff: With respect sir, we do not. I cannot countenance such a severe penalty for two women. I think you do not judge correctly the temper of the Island. If they had been men, perhaps, but to take two women, whose crime has been that of propaganda, and execute them - I would have to lodge a protest in the strongest possible terms. No death sentence against women had been executed in this Island for time immemorial

Commandant: It is a pity; I had thought we might agree on this. But never mind; your protest will be duly noted.

Bailiff: I should also point out that if, and I think you would be wise to contemplate at least the possibility - I say, if the Allied Forces are not defeated, but the German ones are, then how will this decision look then?

Commandant: I hope you are not threatening me.

Bailiff: I am simply pointing out possible outcomes. If would be remiss of me, as a lawyer, not to do so. However slight the case may be, we are cut off from Germany by the invasion forces. If the Islands were retaken, then your record would be examined. The execution of two women would certainly feature strongly in the case against you. But it is, of course, your choice. You know, I am sure, better than me, the way the war is going; I am simply giving legal advice, to the best of my ability.

Commandant: But there must be a penalty. I cannot let them go free. If I commuted the sentence to life imprisonment, would that be held against me? Very well, that is what I shall do. A sign of the times.

Bailiff: That seems eminently wise, sir. Life imprisonment - a just sentence, that I can concur with. Yes, life imprisonment - for the duration of the war. Which, as you say, may be some time. Or perhaps not.

Narrator: Alexander Coutanche became Sir Alexander Coutanche after the war in the Honours List of December 1945. In his memoirs, he writes about how difficult it was to know when to hold back, and when he could instead act decisively to save lives.

The two women in question Lucille Schwob and Suzanne Malherbe were released from prison on 8th May 1945, one day before Liberation, along with other political prisoners. Schwob never fully recovered from the deprivation of her nine months in prison and died, prematurely, in Jersey, in 1954. They are buried in St Brelade's Cemetry, the only grave with a Jewish headstone. Barely three yards away, by an irony of fate, lies the grave of Clifford Orange.

Curtain

New Year Resolutions 2015

New Year Resolutions

Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts. But their New Year was in March, with an 11-day festival.

The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is name.

In America, a report stated that “overall, 57 percent of Americans report making health-related New Year’s resolutions in the past, while 52 percent say they’ve addressed their relationship with God. “

But many people no longer believe in gods or a god, so why do they still make resolutions? After all, should we fail, we will not incur thunderstorms, mighty winds, and floods. We know that those are not a punishment for keeping our promises, leading to increasingly violent weather.

Or perhaps they are, and we have forgotten the most important promise: to act as stewards of the Earth. Our use of the world as a consumer resource, and as a dustbin, our disregard for the consequences of our actions, all have led to problems, be it green sea lettuce fuelled by chemical nitrates we pour on the land, or the increases in carbon dioxide in the air and oceans bringing climate change. We have brought about our own nemesis.

Greed causes development on flood plains, with the approval and blessing of governments, who look for short term solutions, and ignore the greater picture.

The world’s resources are capital and interest, and as E.F. Schumacher warned us – oil is one of the capital resources. So too are those rare elements we need for our snazzy new smart phones. There will come a time when the capital runs out. But each successive generation seems to assume it is in the distant future, and by then we will have alternative technologies. What if we don’t have them in time?

Can we make New Year resolutions that help the planet? I hope we can.

Feeble though they are, my own New Year resolutions are an attempt to do that::

To strive to live more simply
To buy more local produce
To recycle more
To clear out a lot of stuff I don’t use
To finish that poetry booklet

And to lose 1 stone in weight by eating more carefully!

And lastly, the Medieval era saw knights take a 'peacock vow' at the end of Christmas season each year in an attempt to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry.

Of course life in the Middle Ages was largely brutal, even in warfare, but the notion of “chivalry” is a good one in its later manifestations: "to be representative of true culture means to produce by conduct, by customs, by manners, by costume, by deportment, the illusion of a heroic being, full of dignity and honour, of wisdom, and, at all events, of courtesy. ...The dream of past perfection ennobles life and its forms, fills them with beauty and fashions them anew as forms of art" as Johan Huizinga, described it in “The Waning of the Middle Ages”.

Somehow, I think we need to capture that ideal again, especially in public and political life, where it is so often sadly lacking.

Leslie Sinel

From "The Pilot",  1992 comes this obituary of Leslie Sinel, probably best known for his Occupation Diary, one of the first published.

LESLIE PHILIP SINEL, RIP

An address given by the Very Rev Basil O'Ferrall at the Parish Church of St Helier on 11th October 1991

Leslie Philip Sinel, born on Easter Day 1906.

We are here to give thanks for his life; to pray that he will be at peace, relieved from the stresses of this life; to commend Elsie, John, Mary, grandchildren Olivia and Rosalind, all the members of his family and his many friends to the loving care of God.

To speak of Leslie where does one begin?

Well, I first met Leslie in October 1984, when he was making up his mind as to whether or not I should be the Rector of St Helier. We met again when I came to take up my appointment. He had been talking about retiring from the office of Churchwarden, which he had held for many years.

Recognising how important he was to the life of the Parish I pleaded with him to stay in office for at least three more years to help me to settle in. This he generously undertook to do, and in fact did four more years before retiring in 1989. We were all pleased that he accepted the appointment as Churchwarden Emeritus, a small mark of recognition of his service.

Sunday School, choir, member of the Guild of Church Players. He frequently took Evensong during the Occupation years.

As Churchwarden he played his full part in the work of the Town Hall. Member of the Community Services Board, Grants Committee and various other committees associated with the welfare of the community, all in all a man committed to the Church and People. He would chat to anyone, and was a most interesting person to converse with. He loved his work with the Vingtaine de la Ville, of which he was Procureur for ten years.

It was his deep interest in and knowledge of history that drove him forward to have at least sixty plaques placed on buildings of historical interest. He was of course a member of the Société. His wartime diary is a classic and much appreciated. This, we all know, was written at great risk. Some time ago Elsie told me that it was not until after the Occupation had ended that Leslie informed her that sometimes she had been carrying around, in the boot of the pram in which John lay, some of the pages of the diary.

Leslie was a meticulous man, impatient with anything, any work or behaviour, that was sub-standard. He liked to be sure to remember things that might be mentioned in a passing conversation, and he could always produce his short pencil and a piece of paper to make a note!

The splendid tribute to him published in the Jersey .Evening Post tells us much of his life and work, and there is no need now to go over it all at this time.

So we think of his contribution to the life of Jersey and something of what he achieved.

But what of the man? Essentially a family man, he and Elsie married in 1932 and they shared so much and did so much together. John, their son, can speak with: great affection of Leslie, his goodness as a person and, of course, his streak of stubbornness. Elsie and John were with him when he died. Leslie was very proud of his family, John, Mary and the grandchildren, Olivia and Rosalind. To the children he was always "Grandpa"!

My predecessor, Canon Tom Goss, has. spoken of him as "a most lovable man, very meticulous in. all that he did. Everything had to be right, but - without any fuss. Everyone liked him. He was a joy to work with."

Not long ago Maisie Ryan, the painter, painted a portrait of Leslie, and she has written, to me about how much she had enjoyed meeting with him for the various sittings. His anecdotal conversation and his sense of humour made a great impression on her. I would like to quote from her letter:

"Leslie was a determined and practical man, but the most important feeling that came to me about him was that he was a fulfilled person. He had done his best with his life and it had come off!"

Amen to that!

Sadly, this fine man has now gone from us after a long struggle with ill health in recent months, but he will be long remembered with affection, not only by his family but by his many friends and acquaintances.

But we can all say with confidence that he has been greeted by his Lord with the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter into the Joy of your Lord."

We can all echo with truth and affection, "Well done indeed, Leslie."

The Great Exhibition of 1871

From the Jersey Topic of 1967 comes this article. I had no idea that there was a "Great Exhibition" in Jersey. Apparently agriculture was still the most important sector of the economies of Jersey and Guernsey in 1871 and the centrepiece of the Great Exhibition, which was visited by 30,000 people at the Victoria College showground, was a cattle show, featuring cows from both islands.

But the loan collection on display was far wider in scope. In the loan collection were specimens of the delicate workmanship of China and Japan, comfortable furs and fossils of the North; jewels and gold of Australia and of Peru; and a thousand other things brought to our shores by enterprising seafaring men who have extended commerce to the most distant parts.

I've appended the lyrics for "The Chough and the Crow" by Joanna Baillie (11 September 1762 – 23 February 1851). She was a Scottish and dramatist. Scattered throughout her dramas are also some lively and beautiful songs, The Chough and the Crow in Orra, and the lover's song in Phantom.

The Great Exhibition of 1871 by Peter Cook

It was marked by 'a great and universal tide of successes'. In the eyes of Channel Islanders It rivalled the great exhibition at Crystal Palace.

Open for three weeks, it drew 30,000 visitors to the grounds of Victoria College and on the opening day the crush was so great that officials had to retire from the Bagatelle entrance "whereupon several people, it is believed, taking advantage of the confusion managed to enter without payment."

The purpose of it all was to encourage trade and commerce. But the Victorians were prudish about admitting it. The Jersey Express noted: "Such exhibitions will prove a source of pecuniary benefit, though this is but a narrow and sordid view which few will advance as a weighty argument in their favour."

More important than the `narrow and sordid' commercialism of it all was the pomp and ceremony. The scene on June 28th, 1871 was a splendid one. Mist and heavy rain had dampened everyone's spirits as workmen put the finishing touches to the great halls but the sun shone brightly on the day itself.

The gates of the College grounds opened to the public at 11. Banners floated from the College towers, the roof of the pavilions and the horticultural tent. There were gay decorations on the annexe and the annexe to the annexe which had been hurriedly erected, shedding for the cattle had been put up all round the school pitches and the College cricket field held an assortment of horses, cattle, poultry, dogs and agricultural implements.

Along Bagatelle Road a procession of officials lined up awaiting the Governor of Jersey, His Excellency Major-General Guy, who arrived with military punctuality at 12 noon. The procession then marched forward-the honorary police of St. Helier, the exhibition committee, secretaries of departments, committees of departments, naval and military officials, guests, visitors, Deputies, Constables, rectors, judges and both Bailiffs-and simultaneously the Jersey Philharmonic Society band struck up with Auber's exhibition overture, a performance which was reported as being `slightly marred by the high wind'.

When His Excellency entered the main pavilion the Jersey Musical Society choir sang the 100th psalm. Then there were speeches followed by the Hallelujah chorus from Handel's `Messiah', anthems and chorales by Bach, Handel and Beethoven, plus a piece called `It is a good thing' composed by a Jersey music teacher, Edwin Lott, who doesn't seem to have been overawed by the company of great composers.

When His Excellency declared the exhibition open, Colonel Touzel signalled the St. Helier battery of the Royal Jersey Militia who were stationed in the rear of the College. They fired a salute. At least those who saw the signal fired a salute. The rest followed soon after and the pavilions resounded to ragged gunfire for a full five minutes.

Afterwards His Excellency and the exhibition President, Mr. C. P. Le Cornu, marched through the halls. They admired the exhibits and also a Royal statue donated by Queen Victoria. The bust was a prize piece and :rested as such by the secretary in his report-'Her Gracious Majesty the Queen has signified her royal pleasure and readiness to take part in the exhibition and though, not able from State engagements and other important arrangements, to be Herself or any other member of the Royal family, present at the opening, yet most graciously gave directions that a Marble Bust (after a design of her Royal Highness the princess Royal), of the late Prince Consort, unnamed the Good, should be forwarded to race the exhibition." For three weeks Prince Albert the Good stared down on all-comers.

On the evening after the opening day a grand banquet took place at the Queen's Assembly room, room, Belmont Place. It was a stag party. 120 gentlemen sat down to mock turtle soup, filleted soles, boar's head with pigeon pies; mayonnaise of lobster or boiled chicken and bechamel sauce, gooseberry tarts and cabinet puddings. It was just as well there were no ladies. If they'd survived the meal, they certainly wouldn't have survived the speeches.

There were 25 Toasts to H.M. the Queen, H.R.H. the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Army, the Navy, the Jersey Militia, the Guernsey Militia and the Governors of Jersey and Guernsey, were followed by thanks and the mention of the Bailiffs of Guernsey and Jersey who then replied, a speech by the Attorney General in praise of the Dean and clergy to which the Dean responded, the President of the exhibition who stood up to loud cheers and gave a long, long speech, which was only punctuated by frequent cries of 'hear, hear', the Treasurer, G. Le Gros, proposed the health of the Vice Consul of France and Baron de Cussy, the Vice Consul, begged the company to accept his heartfelt thanks and a good deal more. then there were Col. le Couteur, Mr. Rouget from Guernsey, the Rev. Le Maistre, who was cheered when he called the exhibition a 'labour of love', Mr. Nicolle from Guernsey, Mr. Bishop and the Rev. Brehaut, Mr. W. H. Le Feuvre, Dr. Dickson, Mr. W. G. Reid, Mr. H. L. Manuel an' Capt. Sausmarez. Finally the President proposed a toast 'to the unity of Channel Islanders' and McKee's stringed band took over for the rest of the evening.

Interest in the exhibition continued though crowds began to 'tail off' towards the end. To the late Victorians it all represented an impressive sight. The inaugural pavilion had been set up in front of the College. It had a lofty pagoda-style roof and open sides, the pillars were gaily draped with foliage and ornamented with shields bearing the Island crests. Behind the pavilion was the horticultural tent and in its centre a massive fountain sending up continuous streams of water from four dolphins "each bestridden by a chubby little water cupid nursing a fish."

Then there was the show yard-Victoria College's cricket pitch---for the agricultural exhibits peopled by a raucous collection of animals including a laughing jackass and showing off to good effect the latest examples of 'agricultural machinery in motion'. Besides the agricultural and horticultural sections, separate pavilions were devoted to poultry and dogs, art and industry, and loan collections.

The Loan collection in the College's hall seemed 'like a fairy palace' to one newspaper reporter. It was full of objets d'art. Unfortunately the palace had its deficiencies. Paintings, antiques, statues and costumes were crammed into every corner though this wasn't the Committee's fault. The same newspaperman hastened to explain that "the defective light which in some places prevents objects being seen cannot be laid to the Committee's charge." Still it was a defect in the exhibition's fairy-like aura.

In the midst of all this magnificence the judges were faced with the job of awarding prizes. They did so with impartiality so that both Channel Islands had a satisfying half-share. And they backed up the awards with reasoned judgement. On one occasion the Jersey Express informed its readers that "one of the judges in this class, a gentleman eminently qualified to give an opinion, remarked that he had no idea that there was anyone who could prepare butterflies for the hair in the manner done by Mrs. J. Barnes."

If the judges were surprised by the standard of Channel Island artistry, some of the decisions they had to make seem even more surprising. No doubt the Mesdames Benest deserved a top prize for 'exhibiting some very elaborately embroidered underclothing' but who could really be expected to choose between the merits of Messrs. C. and J. Pallot's corn crusher and Mr. Thomas Corbett's oil cake breaker. And was Mr. Kilner's model grab link a superior example of craftsmanship compared with Mr. H. K. Lipscombe's collection of fancy biscuits in a tin?

If the choice was difficult, the judges did have some compensation. One morning's work included sampling exhibits of beer, liqueurs and wine, which was then spoilt by a combination of vinegar, confectionery and chewing tobacco. And still the judges emerged with sound, reasoned decisions. "In 'Ale and Beer' we highly commend Messrs. Quirk and Randall, the former for invalid pale ale, the latter for good, wholesome beer," they decided.

After due consideration, another prize went to Mr. Beaume because "we feel it our duty to award a silver medal for a collection of cordials and liqueurs of great excellence, manufactured by himself." One imagines Mr. Beaume's stock was somewhat depleted by the passage of this stimable jury.

To go with the exhibits, there were several grand spectacles. Pride of place went to Dr. Fournier, of Paris and St. Mark's Road, who lectured on agricultural chemistry. He won a silver medal but he was disqualified in another class on the grounds that "it was not practical to test the utility of his chemical products."

Agriculture as a whole was well represented. Altogether there were 550 entries requiring 2,446 ft. of shedding covering a total of 40,000 sq. ft.

There were also some bizarre exhibits. Two items in the agricultural tent were described as representing "the furs and fossils of the far north" and the "rude but useful implements of the all but savage tribes of the South Seas."

 The exhibition continued through the summer days of early July. It had been opened with a blaze of publicity and it had to be closed in the same manner. The great Channel Islands exhibition of 1871 ended as ceremoniously as it began. Each member of the exhibition committee made a final speech and their eloquence was only interrupted by the chanting of the Jersey Philharmonic Society's choir.

After the secretary had made his report, the company sang `See the conquering hero comes'; after the agricultural report, there was a rousing chorus of `All among the barley'; after the horticultural secretary's speech, everyone joined in 'the happy market gardener's song'; and after the last word had been said on the subject of dogs and poultry, the audience tackled the numerous verses of a song called 'The Chough and the Crow'.

THE CHOUGH AND CROW.
by Joanna Baillie

The chough and crow to roost are gone,
The owl sits on the tree,
The hush'd wind wails with feeble moan,
Like infant charity.
The wild fire dances on the fen.

The red star sheds its ray ;
Uprouse ye, then, my merry men !

It is our opening day.

Both child and nurse are fast asleep,
And closed is every flower,
The winking tapers faintly peep

High from my lady's bower ;
Bewildered hinds with shortened ken
Shrink in their murky way ;
Uprouse ye, then, my merry men !
It is our opening day.

Nor board nor garner own we now,
Nor roof nor latched door,
Nor kind mate bound by holy vow

To bless a good man's store ;
Noon lulls us in a gloomy den.

And night is grown our day ;
Uprouse ye, then, my merry men !
It is our opening day.

Excavation shows Fisherman’s Chapel Site was used before

Having a clear out, I came across this rather interesting cutting from the 1980s JEP. The wall paintings mentioned have indeed been restored, and are one of the finest in Jersey. Dr Rodwell looks very young!

Excavation shows Fisherman’s Chapel Site was used before

By Chris Lake

The archaeological dig at the Fisherman’s Chapel Brelade, is coming to an end.

Within the next few days the archaeologist in charge, Dr Warwick Rodwell, will be completing his work and the site will be filled in again and the flooring replaced.

Considering that a great deal of the history of the chapel was destroyed in 1926, when the Rector, the Rev. J. A. Balleine, removed most of the buried remains and replaced them with concrete to underpin the building's foundations, Dr Rodwell has been pleased with the amount of historical evidence that has remained.

Almost certainly the building was used in the 14th century as a mortuary chapel, where the remains of an influential Island family were buried. There is some speculation that this was a branch of the de Carteret family, but as yet this has not yet been confirmed.

Prayers would be recited daily for the benefit of the departed souls and their pictures were added to the mural on the ceiling above.

This will be restored to some extent in July when a team of experts from Germany visit the Island.

The biblical setting and the colours used over 600 years ago are still remarkably vivid. Below the paintings, deep in the day, are the skeletal remains of some of the people the mural portrays. Ten complete, or partly complete, skeletons have been unearthed, and the bones of three of them, including those of a young child, have been left uncovered at the far end of the chantry building.

Near to these bones is a large round pit, blackened at the edges, which was used in 1753 to cast the bell for St Brelade's Church. The bell was used until 1883, when a- replacement was needed.

The mouth of the bell, made by Jean Catel, has a diameter of 27 1/2 in. across. From the middle of the 16th century, and after Edward VI's government had forbidden the purchase of prayers and the use of chantry chapels, the Fisherman's Chapel fell into disuse.

Yet it remains as an important, piece to the jigsaw of the Island's past.

From an archaeological point of view, the most interesting evidence that Dr Rodwell has unearthed relates to the building's predecessor.

For, some way below the 14th-century stone floor, is another piece of flooring, older, and not as even, but undoubtedly evidence that the Fisherman's Chapel was not the original building on the site.

The scraps of an older grave also suggest that many centuries ago a man of importance was buried on this spot, which then' became sacred to his memory.

In time his name and importance were forgotten, but the use of the site as a burial ground remained until the prohibitive Acts of King Edward VI.

Junior Société: A Retrospective Look

Dr John Renouf - Geology Excursion at La Pulente

Here are a few extracts from the Bulletin of the Société Jersiaise regarding the activities of the Junior Société, and the few photos I have from those times..

I remember the Junior Société with great fondness during the 1970s, as a school friend of mine Gary Misson was quite heavily involved, and indeed it was because of his telling me about it that I joined the Société. Gary would later write a very good biography of Arthur Mourant, and became an Ophthalmic surgeon. (You can find 56 of his publications under Gary Philip Misson)

In those days, it was all rather stuffy. Your membership application went on a board on the Société Jersiaise HQ at the museum for members to see, and approve of – or not. Unlike today, when anyone can become a member on payment of a subscription, in the 1970s, the Société functioned like private club, and you needed to be proposed and seconded for membership. Fortunately I was accepted!

I’d been on various local history related activities, because one of the teachers at Victoria College, Charles Green (affectionately known for some obscure reason as “Gloop”) ran a Saturday history club when the weather was fine. He had been at one time the head of the Archaeology section of the Museum. I remember his dog Mandy who used to have water from an old Parazone bottle, and one trip to Seymour Tower, when he would get out his little notes on cards, in his scrawled handwriting, and tell us about them. I had great affection for him, and he also ran the Junior Chess Club. I can visualise him puffing away on his pipe as he played chess.

And then Stephen Lucas also started a Friday afternoon activity group called, initially, Museum Studies, but then Island Field Studies, which looked over three terms at the Island’s geology, archaeology and history respectively. I was in that on the first.

In fact, there was a huge influx of students into Island Field Studies, mainly members of Junior Société once they realised what it was! And meanwhile, I was joining the Junior Section.

The reader of the extracts below will note how there were fund raising jumble sales. What they will not be aware of was how Gary Misson, who had some input into the timing of these events, made sure one was booked in advance to coincide with the Victoria College Cross-Country – that took place on a Saturday. We could then all cheerfully plead a prior engagement and get off being there either within the race or shivering as markers for the course!

Locally, I remember going beneath the Pinnacle rock. I’m sure care was taken with the tides, but I suspect matters were a lot more free and easy than now, when a health and safety risk assessment would almost certainly be required!

I also remember the trip to Normandy, which was the only away trip I actually went on. There was an opportunity to go ice skating one evening, which I declined. I did not, however, decline the opportunity to sink several pints of beer, although I was not the one who walked into a lamp post. I’ll keep their name hidden,

Sadly, the rather stuffy executive committee of the Société did not think Dr Renouf should be engaging with schools, and he was dismissed as Curator [update: actually he resigned just before], although taken on by Education to provide teaching for Jersey students on the Island’s past and its geology. They also gradually strangled the Junior Société, and I remember hearing that Dr Arthur Hill – not one to mince words – had a very angry session with the executive.

It was probably this lack of enthusiasm from the top, and the gradually departure of a core membership to University, that led to its decline and it ceased, although I‘m not sure precisely when. There was an attempt to revive it around 1996, but clearly that didn’t work as it is not listed among the current sections

I still look back on those days with affection, and my interest in history, and especially local history, certainly began back then. It was days before the internet, before even much in the way of computers, but it was a glorious time none the less.

Junior Société

1968

The year 1968 saw the appointment for the first time in the history of the Society of a paid Curator for the Museum, in the person of Dr J.T. Renouf. Since the retirement of Mr E.F. Guiton, who has given a life-time’s honorary service to the Society, it was felt that the care of the Society’s collections as well as their display would be more than could reasonably be expected from an Honorary Curator. It was therefore decided to appoint a paid official and an amendment was made to our Rules to enable this to be done. The Executive Committee take this opportunity to wish the new curator every success

Commitee: Dr JT Renouf, Mr and Mrs G. Misson, Mr and Mrs G. Upton

1969

Since its inception a year ago, the group has grown in number and has engaged in divers and interesting activities. Unfortunately, Miss Jill Harris, whose enthusiasm contributed so much to setting the Group on its way, reluctantly had to withdraw because of increasing work commitments. A sincere vote of thanks to Miss Harris is recorded for the very much appreciated assistance she gave during the early months following the Group’s formation.

Welcomed on to the organising sub-Committee are Mr. and Mrs. G. Misson and Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Upton. Together we have continued the compilation and distribution of the News Letter with its detail of the programme of activities and contributions from junior members.

Last May the exploration of a cave near Greve de Lecq proved to be an exciting and testing project for our young members who afterwards voted the experience worth the effort in­volved in descending to the cave’s entrance.

A visit, in June, to the Museum was followed in July by the Juniors spending an afternoon at Mont Orgueil Castle and, although the weather was rather cold and bleak, it did not detract from the interest shown in the Castle’s history.

The outstanding event of the year’s programme was undoubtedly a day trip to Guernsey arranged by Miss Harris through Mr. Payne of the Société Guernsiaise. Sailing on the morning mail boat a group of thirty travelled to Guernsey where a very extensive programme was embarked upon commencing with a visit to Sausmarez Manor. The Group continued with the Folklore Museum, a visit to the Royal Court and Archives and then, following lunch taken at a quiet hotel in St. Pierre du Bois, a visit to Icart Point, to Professor Parkinson’s house, and finally, Castle Cornet.

The Autumn programme included a cliff ramble between Plemont and Grosnez with the exploration of another cave, a talk by Dr. Renouf of his experiences during his visit to Salt Lake City, and finally, a Christmas party organised for the Juniors and held at the Rectory Barn at St. John. Incorporated in the party activities was a quiz competition. Members were required to identify old Jersey photographs and objects of historical and nautical interest. In the field of competitions we hope to hold more in the future and we are also encouraging juniors to contribute further articles and drawings etc., for publication in the News Letter.

1970

The first major event of 1970 was an outing, The Day with the Dolmens. This included visits to many of the Island’s prehistoric monuments. Nearly 70 members filled two coaches and set off in a downpour for Corbière; fortunately the rain stopped and the day turned out fine and windy so that all could enjoy a picnic lunch on the sand dunes. A cream tea at Gorey added the final touch to a very full and instructive day enjoyed by everyone.

At the May meeting, following the dolmen excursion, it was decided to enlarge the Group Committee by inviting a number of junior members to serve on it. Five were chosen initially by the senior committee and have taken a very active part since in the planning and running of our activities. It is planned to have elections for the junior committee in June of each year. The 1970 committee was: Susan Blair, Carol Gaudion, Mary Gautier, Anthony Legg and Gary Misson.

The year’s out-of-the-island trip took the form of a day excursion to Sark in August. The state of the sea could have been better for some members, but in spite of this, the 40 strong party walked from the landing place to La Coupee, Dixcart Bay and the Eperquerie without any flagging. The geological finds in Dixcart Bay proved very interesting — and very heavy! Other outdoor meetings included a scramble over the low tide reefs at Petit Port with the examination of many marine animals and a nature ramble at Noirmont with the junior com­mittee heading groups in a competition to find various specimens.

Visits were made to the Police and Fire Station — a real emergency occurred while one group were examining the fire engines — and to the National Trust exhibition at La Valette. Competitions with prizes produced a fine response from members with a high quality in all cases. The year’s activities concluded with the annual Christmas Party, held this time at St Aubin’s Parish Hall.

Members at the Pinnacle and a glimpse beneath

1971

Variety has been the keynote of this year’s activities. One of the most successful and most enjoyed was the 'dig' at Mont Orgueil Castle in February. At the suggestion of the Department of Public Works, a bank of accumulated rubble and debris was sorted through one blustery but sunny day. An exciting and energetic day yielded pottery from the 17th century onward, 3 clay pipes two of which were early 17th century and an assortment of glass, bones, metal ware and mortar.

A coffee evening in March was well attended and gave the Junior Committee the chance to meet parents. Unfortunately a follow-up excursion to Guernsey arranged for July was very poorly supported.

The Spring day excursion included visits to St Brelade’s Church, Tesson Mill, Gigoulande Quarry and a ramble through Rozel Valley. The lack of a good botanist on this walk prompted the group to ask a botanist along on the September outing in the Belle Hougue area.

An adventure scramble at the Pinnacle in June introduced many members to a through-cave they had not known of before and the need to wade through a knee-deep pool in the semi-dark provided all the sense of adventure needed to give the afternoon its moments of both excitement and apprehension.

The autumn programme centred about the Committee’s efforts to raise money for an ex­cursion to France. In the event two highly successful jumble sales held at Glenham Hall raised a total of £75 and this has encouraged the Committee to press on with arrangements for a 3-day excursion in July of 1972.The Junior Committee would like to thank all those parents who have given help during the year’s programme of events

The high point of 1972 was the three-day excursion to Brittany in July. In spite of fog, which delayed us eight hours on the outgoing trip, and a wet Sunday, everyone arrived back in Jersey tired but happy. The programme included mineral collecting near Brest, fossil hunting in Plougastel, the sights of Brest and a number of interesting smaller towns such as Landerneau and Sizun. In Plougastel the party examined the famous Calvary and at Huelgoat the famous chaos of boulders fascinated all.

The Spring Day Excursion group visited Grouville Mill and the Lavoir at St. Cyr finishing the morning with an exciting up and down climb into the belfry of St. John’s Church. This exploit was followed in the afternoon by the long down and up scramble to the Wolf Caves. Both were noisy experiences, with the bell in one and the crashing of the sea in the other.

Another visit standing out in the memory is the wet afternoon spent at Morel Farm. Here Mr. George Le Feuvre held our attention throughout a couple of hours with his description of old farm activities and his account of the filming of Neither the Sea nor the Sand. It might be noted that Jersey doubled so well for the wild shores of Caithness that no less a newspaper than the Observer seemed to assume that both Jersey and Scotland were used for the locations.

Other outdoor rambles found the Junior group at Crabbe, scrambling into La Cotte Cave, and sauntering in Spring sunshine through Rozel Woods. The Post Office at Mont Millais was our host in November and indoor meetings included the usual gatherings at St. Aubin.

An unexpected feature of the October meeting was the filming of the group at the back of the Bulwarks for the Centenary Film prepared for Channel Television by Mr. Roy McCloughlin. The Junior Group was also honoured by the printing of a photograph taken at Huelgoat in the Centenary Appeal Brochure.

Ending on a sad note, the May excursion to Elizabeth Castle had to be cancelled as the result of an unseasonable storm. This is the first ever trip that had to be stopped because of the weather

1974

If the Alderney visit was the highlight of 1973, the three-day excursion to Normandy was the highlight for 1974. Departing from the usual procedure the Committee organised the travel and accommodation through Messrs Bellingham which meant that more time and effort could be put into the itinerary.

The journey from St Malo to Caen was via Granville, Coutances and Bayeux. At St Pair, south of Granville lunch was had on the banded Brioverian sediments similar in age to those forming St Ouen's Bay. A halt in Coutances gave everyone the opportunity to examine the Cathedral and for Dr Renouf to explain the age-old ecclesiastical links between the See of Coutances and the Channel Islands.

At Bayeux the party visited the famous Tapestry and spent a fascinating hour, with headphones glued on, listening to the commentary. Time was also available for a look around the main museum nearby. In the evening, members had to opportunity to go to an ice-skating rink.

After a night in Caen Dr Renouf led the group through Caen to the Chateau where the chance to examine a moated castle was eagerly taken up. A finale to any visit to the Chateau at Caen is provided by the Musee de Normandie. The fine displays of local crafts were appreciated by everyone.

The afternoon was devoted to the collection of middle Jurassic fossils in an excellent state of preservation from the shore at Luc-sur-Mer followed by the ever fascinating tour of the Normandy landings Museum at Arromanches.

The last visit of the day, to a pottery works at Noron-la-Poterie, gave the chance to buy a piece of good quality and traditional Normandy stoneware. There was little time on the return journey the following day to visit other than the Abbaye de Hambye. Madame Beck, however, proved an interesting raconteur of both the history of the abbey and her recent efforts to have it restored

Other Meetings: The usual range of outdoor meetings was held and included visits to Rozel Woods, a day with the dolmens and a very wet afternoon at Les Ruaux on the north coast.

Mr Robin Cox led an excursion in St Brelade’s Bay and brought the attention of the party to many intriguing glimpses of the past including several aspects of the German Occupation.

A day excursion to Herm was blessed with fine weather and after a successful tour of the island a visit was made to Castle Cornet where the guardian, Mr Winfield, gave a guided tour

1975

1975 was an active year for the Group with a full programme of local events and two out of the island.

Visits in the island included an adventure outing through the cave from Greve de Lecq into Le Val Rouget repeating a successful scramble made some years ago. Also a repetition, but the more interesting for those attending the second time, was Mr Michael Ginns’ and Mr John Bouchere’s entertaining and informative excursion over Grouville Common.

More notable perhaps because of the element of the unusual in it was Mr Robin Cox’s guided tour through Green Street Cemetery early in the year. For those in search of something different to do of a weekend afternoon in winter, a graveyard visit is full of fascinating asides on human life— and death!

The day trip to Guernsey in July was as full of interest as any the Group has made. A cliff path ramble— endurance test some would have it— in the morning from St Peter Port to Jerbourg was followed by a visit to the nearly completed Fort Grey Maritime Museum on the west coast in Rocquaine Bay. Here, Mr Brian White, Secretary to the States of Guernsey Ancient Monuments Committee, told the party something of its history and showed the new exhibitions in preparation.

A drive along the west coast with a short cut across the northern end and the party arrived at the abandoned Chateau des Marais. This earthwork with more recent stonewalls sits on a rocky outcrop within the marsh area north of St Peter Port. It was the site of a considerable archaeological dig the following month and yielded early medieval potsherds at its lowest levels.

The year’s most exciting event was the French Excursion when a whole variety of topics and scenes filled the three days. A beach of geological interest investigated, a forest walk and a limestone cave explored were three of the activities, but the climax to the trip was at Jublains, east of Mayenne, where Monsieur R. Diehl, the local archaeologist-in-charge, took a personal interest in showing the Group the results of the excavations into the Gallo-Roman site inside the local church. A scheduled stop of one hour extended into three.

A walk through Fougeresby night with the castle and adjacent areas floodlit was most impressive for those who went out after supper. In the morning the misty rain did little to banish the rather medieval atmosphere of the night before

1976

Junior Activities Dr J. T. Renouf (Chmn), G. P. Misson (Sec.), Dr & Mrs A. Hill, Mrs M. Misson, Mrs A. Renouf, Mr & Mrs G. Upton

1996

The Junior Section was restarted in September 1995. The young members have been introduced to a variety of activities by members of the many Sections of the Société. Thanks must go to all those w ho have so kindly helped and continue to help with this very special Section. A visit was made to Guernsey in September where the young people were a e to see an archaeological dig in progress on Lihou Island.

Deirdre Shute

One of my original notes pages from an excursion to Rocco Tower

Personal Field notes made by me of a visit to Rocco Tower

A Visit to the Coronation

Queen Elizabeth II becomes Britain's longest-reigning monarch later when she passes the record set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria.

The Queen will have reigned for 63 years and seven months - calculated at 23,226 days, 16 hours and approximately 30 minutes at about 17:30 BST.

BBC News

To reflect today's news, I'm posting an article I wrote back in 2012 for the Parish Magazine of St Brelade, La Baguette. It came from an interview with a parishioner who had been over to England for the Queen's Coronation.

In passing, a memory of mine, of how things have changed. When Channel Television used to sign off for the night, they would always end with a clip of the Queen, saluting, on horseback, as the National Anthem played. It was an old clip, because the Queen, even then, looked much younger than she did in real life, but it was rather nice to see - it showed the youthful Queen, full of promise and hope. And I think that, by and large, that promise has been fulfiled. 

Perhaps the road has been rocky on the way, but today she is still here, and I think most people, apart from die-hard republicans, are rather glad. I had republican sympathies in my youth, but I think looking at other countries, where there is a President instead of a Monarch, provided ample evidence to dissuade me of that way. And we have only to reflect on England's own history under the Commonwealth to see that a "Protector" of a republic is not necessarily the best alternative.

A constitutional monarchy, which came by historical accident as the monarch's absolute powers were gradually lost, seems to me to have provided the United Kingdom with a good deal of stability. It could perhaps be summed up in the phrase "I maintain". It's not a flashy rule but it is not a monarch's business to be flashy. And Elizabeth II has maintained Queen for these many years, bringing a stabilising influence where needed, and a figurehead that was outside of politics.

And that also has economic benefits, because of that sense of stability, which of course the international business community desires. Fortune Magazine notes:

"Monarchs typically serve their respective nations longer than democratically elected heads of state: The recently abdicated Dutch Queen Beatrix was on the throne for 33 years; Elizabeth II of Britain has held her position for 61 years and counting. This kind of leadership stability gives these particular figures additional sway in the business community."

Parishioners Remember: Coronation Day 1953

Back in 1953, there was a special airline day trip to go to London from Jersey offering Islanders the opportunity to see the Coronation procession of Queen Elizabeth II.

St Brelade Parishioner Ann Shepard saw this advertised at the specially reduced rate of £6 per person, in the JEP. That does not seem a great deal now, but her weekly take home pay back in 1953 was just £5, so it was more than one week's wages. But it was a chance of a lifetime, and she decided to go with her friend Beryl.

Along with other Islanders, the two 19 year olds had to be at the Weighbridge at 5.30 in the morning, where a coach took them to the Airport. The trip was popular, and she remembers that the Dakota airplane was full.

In the middle of the flight to England, the Captain announced over the communications system that news had just been received that Sir Edmund Hillary had reached the summit of Mount Everest. He was the first climber to achieve that goal. The press called the successful ascent a coronation gift.

In London, they took a train to Hyde Park, where they saw the Queen and the Coronation Procession proceeding along Birdcage Walk, followed by all the other dignitaries, most notably Salote, Queen of Tonga, in her open carriage. After the Coronation, they saw the Queen again, now processing towards Buckingham Palace.

After the crowds had gone, Ann and Beryl made friends with two young South African men, who had also been watching the show, and they were treated to a meal out.

But all too soon, it was time to get the plane back to Jersey, and Ann remembers being so tired that she slept for the entire flight. But it had been a memorable day, and one she still treasures.

The Alhambra Hotel: a research note

James Mclaren from the Family History Society has been looking at the history of the Quakers in Jersey which I've recently put on my blog, and commented:

A fascinating series of articles, which I may have something to add to...

I did a piece of research for the current owners of the Alhambra Hotel in Roseville Street last year. In the course of this I discovered that the house was built around 1895 for one John Renouf and his ten children: the more I probed, the more obvious it became that he had to be a Quaker.

One of the things it also shows is that the contention about the first Quaker marriage in 1905 is wrong. The process of marriage by Acte de l'Etat was specific to Jews and Quakers, and assuredly John Renouf was not a Jew. John Renouf's marriage to Annie Stokes took place in 1898, which gives it a prior claim, but I'm not sure that there are not event earlier marriages. The relevant portion is the first six or seven pages.

With his permission, here is his article:

THE ALHAMBRA HOTEL: A RESEARCH NOTE

by James McLaren

Introduction

The road we know as Roseville Street has existed for some considerable time: it is present on the 1849 Godfray map of Jersey. However, at that point it was for the most part a rural lane. The most significant building on it was at the corner of Havre des Pas on the west side: this was the Fort D’Auvergne, built in 1756 to provide a guardhouse for the local shipyards.[1]

As St Helier expanded during the 19th Century, properties were gradually built along the road. Development spread down the road from the Colomberie end, such that by 1870 the stretch from Colomberie to a little above where Route du Fort now runs was urbanised, but the remainder was still largely undeveloped.[2]

The houses on the east side of Roseville Street at the south end were large houses – looking at the 1911 Census they typically have between 7 and 12 rooms (most ordinary families lived in three rooms). What is now the Alhambra Hotel is the largest of all of them: the 1911 Census records that there were no fewer than 18 rooms.

The first owner

We have a clear trail in the Jersey Land Registry back to the purchase of the land. The key contract was signed on 15 June 1895[3], whereby John Renouf, a hardware merchant then living further up the road at 35 Roseville Street, bought a piece of land bordering Roseville Street and had a house constructed upon it. This house – now the Alhambra Hotel – was originally known as Auckland House.

The description of the plot is as follows: on the west side (length 112 feet) was Roseville Street: on the north (119 feet) and east (78 feet) were 20-foot private roadways[4], to which the owner of the land had right of access, and on the south side (103 feet) at that time was Roseville Terrace. The boundaries belonged to the landowner on the west, north and east: the south wall was a party wall. The importance of this was that there had been a restrictive covenant placed on the land (one of the residents of Roseville Terrace had previously been the land owner), which forbade the owner from building any sort of retail or business premises on the site.

John Renouf purchased the land for £500 from Francis Edward Hyne. John Hyne and his family came originally from Plymouth, arriving in the late 1830s when Francis was a small boy, and setting up in business as wine merchants. They prospered and evidently decided that they liked the newly developing area north of Havre des Pas, as they seem to be linked to a number of addresses in the immediate area.

We can be reasonably sure that the house went up rapidly. The evidence is found in the Listes du Rât for 1895 and 1896. The foncier (ie owner’s) rates paid by John Renouf in the latter year are double what they were in the former – this leads to the inference that the house was constructed in this period, adding value to the land.

John Renouf most certainly needed the houseroom! In 1895 he was recently widowed, and had no fewer than ten children from his first marriage to Delahay Woods aged between fifteen and one (the photo below was taken in 1892, and shows nine of the children).

Delahay Woods was born in Auckland, New Zealand, which suggest the reason for the name of the house.

One very curious thing can be observed both from John Renouf’s purchase of the land and his sale of the house. Normal practice in the Royal Court is for both parties in a contract to swear an oath committing them to abide by the terms of the contract. However, both in 1895 and 1925 John recorded that he was unable to swear the oath by reason of his religion - he was a Quaker.

A number of facts lead to this conclusion. His obituary[5] records that he was a man of very decided opinions, had the courage of his convictions, and never faltered, despite the fact that he was often in the minority. It further records that he was strongly anti-Militia, and that he was one of the most regular attenders at Parish Assemblies. The combination of a strong business ethos, pacifism and a willingness to speak truth to power all fit with the Quaker way of life. His funeral notice on the following page requested no flowers, no mourning, and a private funeral, and again that would seem to fit the Quaker ethos.

There are also elements in John’s will[6] that are of significance: one is that the whole estate, mobile and immobile, be divided equally between the children (with grandchildren receiving equal parts of their parent’s share). However the first codicil specifically excluded any child who joined the Church of Rome from this distribution. And the final paragraph of the original will reads as follows:

I charge my children or … their issue to show a conciliatory spirit unto one another so that my last wishes may be respected and feelings of affection and mutual regard may be fostered and maintained between them.

Finally and conclusively, John remarried in 1898 to Annie Stokes, who was 14 years his junior. According to his will[7], the marriage took place on 11 March 1898 and was registered in the Public Register of the island by an Acte of the Royal Court dated the following day[8]. The record of the Superintendent Registrar states that John and Annie were married by certificate on 5 April 1898. The only provision made for marriage by certificate was to Jews and Quakers.[9] (There were no children from this second marriage)

John Renouf died in 1933 (by this time he was living in a house called Te Whare - the New Zealand influence again - in Mont Millais) and was buried at Almorah cemetery. Annie outlived him by nearly thirty years, finally dying in 1962.

John Renouf’s Family

All ten of John and Delahay’s children survived to adulthood, and their histories suggest both that there was money in the bank and that John had forward-looking views on the value of education which rubbed off on them. We know that five of the six boys attended Victoria College[10], and it is possible the sixth did so too, although the record is not conclusive.

The eldest son, always known as Fred, became a chemist. From shipping records[11] we know that he emigrated to Canada, visiting his father in 1929, and also visiting Jersey in 1935. Records suggest he married a Florence Le Blond, and there were children – the 1935 trip has Fred travelling with his 13 year-old son Philip. However, it appears that Fred subsequently returned to live in the UK, dying in Forest Hill in south-east London in July 1954[12].

His eldest daughters were twins – Lucy and Nora – and also had an interest in chemistry: both were listed as pharmaceutical students in the 1901 Census. We know that Nora attended the Pharmaceutical Society School of Pharmacy in London, and she has the notable claim of being the first pharmacist and the first woman awarded the Salters’ Research Scholarship in 1905.[13]

Nora was a career woman, but her sister Lucy gave up her career for family life. However, on the basis that like attracts like, it is of note that Lucy went on to marry Herbert Du Parcq (later Baron Du Parcq of Grouville) in 1911. While at Oxford Herbert (who would become a High Court judge and member of the Privy Council in later life) spent time in the university settlement at Toynbee Hall in London’s East End, alongside figures such as Clement Attlee and RH Tawney. He also chaired the Channel Islands Refugees Committee in the UK during the Second World War.

Mark, Arthur and Ralph were all recorded working in the family ironmongery business. In 1901 Mark and Arthur were both warehouse clerks; by 1911 Mark was a partner in the business and Ralph was a clerk. (Although it is of interest that the Victoria College register states that Ralph studied wireless telegraphy and went to America.)

Mark went to Yorkshire for his first marriage, marrying Elsie Denby at Ilkley in 1912. By 1927 Kelly’s Directory lists him living next to his father at Ben Rhydding, but John’s 1926 will already states that Mark was the proprietor of that land.

Ralph went on in the 1930s to found a left-leaning local newspaper, the Jersey Leader, with Ned Le Quesne.[14] He first married Florence Luce, who died in 1937; his second marriage to Winifred Devlin (originally from Skipton, up the valley from Ilkley and Bradford) took place in London in the spring of 1939. They lived through the war in London and were living at 191 Huntingfield Road in Putney in 1946, but Ralph subsequently returned to live at Beach Road in St Saviour where he died in June 1954.

The next son, Dennis, decided that there was more to life than Jersey. Trained as a mining engineer he spent much of his life between 1910 and 1950 working in mines in West Africa, although shipping records show periodic visits to Jersey. He retired back to Jersey in 1950, living first in David Place and later at Villa Koritza in Gorey, where he died in 1957.

Keith Renouf is an enigma. It appears that he left home as a very young man, and it is possible that he travelled to Canada and Hawaii before finally leaving for Australia and settling there in 1910; thereafter the details are sketchy. We know that there was more than one Keith Renouf in Australia, so the two major stories in Australian newspapers of the time may or may not relate him. These are that on New Year’s Day 1923, a Keith Renouf, formerly a member of the Australian Infantry Force, set out with a friend from Cooktown, Queensland and walked some 1600 miles across northern Australia to visit a friend[15]. The second story relates to the murder of a Keith Renouf on 3 January 1928, a case which was never solved[16]. Online family trees consistently claim that Keith Renouf son of John died in 1934, but there is no source material to back up that claim, and the government notice states that the murdered Keith Renouf was born in Jersey.

Doris married Harold Phillips in London in 1916, while Kathleen, the youngest, married a Yorkshireman called William Johnson Darnbrough, an engine fitter by profession. The Darnbroughs were very much a Bradford family, and there is a record that William married Hannah at Tong in December 1911. Hannah appears to have lived until 1974, so this might have been a bigamous marriage. There is no record of their being in Jersey during the Occupation, but like Dennis they subsequently lived in Gorey.

The House becomes a Hotel 

John Renouf sold Auckland House on 10 October 1925 to Blanche Louise Hebert[17], who was then 44 years old: subsequently in March 1928 Blanche sold an indivisible half-share in the hotel to 42 year-old Esther Maddock.[18] John Renouf had become a Deputy for St Helier District No 1 in July 1924 (he took over the seat of Deputy JT Ferguson when the latter became Constable)[19], and it is possible that the house was by then an encumbrance (the youngest of his children would by then have been thirty).

To understand a little about the purchasers we need to look at the second of them first. Esther Maddock came originally from a village outside Northwich in Cheshire. Born into modest circumstances, she rose from being a laundry maid at home in 1901 to becoming the resident cook for Charles Behrens, a son of the wealthy Anglo-German textile merchant Sir Jacob Behrens[20] by the time of the 1911 Census.

Blanche Hebert was also in service in that household as a lady’s maid. She was born in St Martin in 1881, the first of her family to be born in Jersey (her parents and two elder sisters were born at Gouville, north of Agon-Coutainville on the French coast). Charles Hebert was a general labourer, so it is unsurprising to see that by 1901 she was in service at Thornton Hall, Upper King’s Cliff in St Helier. Though the question does arise: what took her from Jersey to Cheshire?

The timing of the sale is possibly very significant. Charles Behrens died on 25 September 1925. Probate on the will (which was valued at £177,047 6s 10d) was not granted until November[21], but I think it highly likely that two loyal servants both knew that gifts would be made to them, either from his estate or that of his wife Lady Emily, who died (of a broken heart?) on 8 October 1925, leaving £7700 of her own money. It is also of note that Blanche was represented in the transaction by her sister Angelina, a procuration having been made in Jersey on 22 August 1925. This might suggest that Blanche and Esther were making preparations in anticipation that the legacy would come soon.

It is therefore my guess that Auckland House was purchased on the strength of a promised legacy from the Behrens. That suggestion is strengthened by the way in which the purchase was made: the first instalment of £2000 was a cash payment to be made by 31 December 1925. There was also a conventional mortgage for £1600, which was paid off in September 1930[22], and a commutation of a rente for £16 payable to Walter Francis Renouf, payable at £25 per £1 of rente, the total price of the house coming to £4000.

Inspection of almanacs[23] shows that the 1926 almanac listed John Renouf at Auckland; however the 1927 issue shows both Blanche and Esther as the owners of a hotel. My understanding is that while the restrictive covenant barred the owner from building a hotel on the site, it did not prevent the conversion of an existing building into a hotel.

By reference to Listes du Rât it appears that Blanche and Esther ran the premises themselves and lived on the premises. It is interesting to see the rateable value steadily increasing up to 1940, then falling to about one-third of its pre-war value. We also know that they were resident there during the Second World War[24], and it appears that they were the only local residents. I have found no reference to German forces requisitioning the hotel, but it is hard to imagine that the occupiers would have allowed two elderly ladies to live alone in an 18-room premises.

After the occupation

The end of the war left many people exhausted and impoverished: however, some people did remarkably well out of it. It is a fact that black marketeers operated in Jersey, and rumour had it[25] that one of the biggest was a butcher by the name of Alfred Thomas Cornish[26].

Cornish bought the Auckland on 20 October 1945 from Blanche and Esther[27], and he owned it for exactly a fortnight before selling it on at a profit of £800[28]. The subsequent owner was a man by the name of Balthasar Serrano. Serrano was Spanish: born in 1906, he came to Jersey before the Occupation (his registration card[29] has him living at 6 Colomberie with two Italian men, which suggests that they may have been employed in a hotel or similar establishment). I think that as a neutral he may have made a significant amount of money during the Occupation years: he purchased a house for £1175 cash in June 1943[30].

Serrano owned the hotel for nearly thirty years, and from reference to the 1950 almanac produced by the Jersey Evening Post he had by then appointed a resident manager, a Mr Ramus, who was succeeded in 1952 by Mr GD Gay and in 1959-60 by Mr F MacDonald. The current owners say that stories circulated about the MacDonalds’ time: local taxi drivers would park up late at night and discreetly partake of a drink or two after licensing hours!

In about 1962 a new manager, Abbondio Sergio Bianchi arrived on the scene. Signor Bianchi was part of the wave of Italian immigrants who arrived in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and he soon diversified his business interests, opening the La Capannina restaurant in Halkett Place. Under his management the Auckland became the Asioli, and such it remained until the early 1990s (the Asioli name derives, I think, from the composer Bonifacio Asioli, one of the most famous sons of the small Italian town of Correggio which is between Modena and Parma). Sergio is now dead, but at least one of his sons is still in the hospitality business in Jersey. (A side note to this: the current owners redecorated the hotel when they bought it, and having stripped the wallpaper they found the heights of various Bianchi children inscribed into the wall on the staircase).

Balthasar Serrano sold the hotel to a company called Hotel Asioli Ltd, one of whose directors was Abbondio Bianchi, in September 1972[31]. Serrano was in failing health at the time; he died in January 1973, leaving his estate to his sister. The hotel later changed its name from the Asioli to the Alhambra in about 1985-86 (its telephone book listing was Hotel Asioli in the 1985 telephone directory, Hotel Alhambra between 1986 and 1987, and from 1988 it was listed as the Alhambra Hotel). The name change was made by the two gay gentlemen who were keeping the hotel at the time. It was done as a tribute to the Alhambra Picture House, then recently demolished and replaced by the Jersey Arts Centre.

The hotel was then sold to the current proprietors, Steven and Amanda Robertson, in 1989.

Notes

[1] The fort was demolished around 1900. 

[2] This information derived from St Helier Urban Character Appraisal (Willie Miller Urban Design, October 2005, pp27-62) which can be accessed at 

https://www.gov.je/SiteCollectionDocuments/Planning%20and%20building/StHelierUrbanCharacter%20%20EvolutionofCharacter.pdf -see in particular pp35-36 and 46-48.

[3] PRIDE, Table 317, page 105

[4] What is now Croydon Road (on the north side) did not become a public highway until after 1928.

[5] Jersey Evening Post, 7 March 1933, page 4 – accessed via Jersey Library.

[6] Reference D/Y/A/94/72, available via Jersey Archive

[7] Op cit.

[8] PRIDE, Table 325, page 72

[9] Defined in Article 44 of the 1842 Loi sur l’Etat Civil.

[10] Victoria College Register, 1852-1929

[11] National Archives BT27 and BT28 series, available via Ancestry.com

[12] Obituary in The Chemist and Druggist, August 7, 1954, available via Archive.org

[13] Rayner-Canham, M & G: Chemistry Was Their Life: Pioneering British Women Chemists, 1880-1949 (Imperial College Press, London, 2008), pages 409-10

[14] Jersey Evening Post, 11 September 2008 – see Temps Passé article

[15] Northern Standard (Darwin), 27 July 1923, available via Trove (the National Library of Australia online collection).

[16] Northern Territory Times, 13 July 1928, available via Trove.

17] PRIDE Table 396, page 182.

[18] PRIDE Table 402, page 159.

[19] For an interesting take on this election see Le Brocq, NS: Jersey Looks Forward (Communist Party, London, 1946), pages 57-58

[20] Sir Jacob was the first foreign merchant to export woollen goods from Bradford in 1838, and was responsible for founding the Bradford Chamber of Commerce in 1851.

[21] England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966, via Ancestry.com

[22] The mortgage was paid off in three parts – the repayments are documented in PRIDE Table 401, page 138; PRIDE Table 405, page 64; and PRIDE Table 409, page 86.

[23] Specifically the Jersey Directory and Express Almanac series published by JT Bigwood.

[24] References D/S/A/4/A5743 (Blanche Hebert’s occupation identity card) and D/S/A/4/A7407 (Esther Maddock’s card), available via Jersey Archive.

[25] See Sanders, P: The British Channel Islands under German Occupation 1940-1945 (Société Jersiaise, 2005), page 38

[26] AT Cornish was a relative by marriage of the author. His son Sidney married Rozelle Roche, whose mother was the sister of the author’s great-grandmother. Other members of that family he has spoken to tend to confirm the truth of the reference in Saunders’ book.

[27] PRIDE, Table 442/B, page 12

[28] PRIDE, Table 442/A, page 33

[29] Reference D/S/A/37/24, available via Jersey Archive

[30] PRIDE, Table 439/B, page 57

[31] PRIDE, Table 602, page 81