Signs of the Times

A comet before, a conjunction now. Do not let astronomers let you hear about astrological predictions, but it is sometimes good to recall ancient ways of seeing the night sky, and reflect on the more poetic aspects of times past.

Signs of the Times

The comet comes, baleful, green
Casting misfortunes in its wake
Far away in the night, almost unseen
Yet mortals still fear it and quake

Jupiter meets Venus in the night
A conjunction, a bringing close
Dance in the heavens, a delight
Sign of reconciliation to engross

The starry messengers, so long ago
The portents of a hidden hand
Seen by that astronomer, Galileo
Shone down upon this troubled land

I glimpse signs of the times in the stars
In Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars

The Coronation Year 70 Years Ago - February 1953 Part 2

 

By a curious coincidence of dates, the coronation year 2023 will be 70 years after the coronation date in 1953. I thought it would be of interest to look back during this year of some of the events taking place before, during and after the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

February 1953 Part 2

18.—Roya1 Netherlands Air Force Dakota lands at Airport and leaves with second consignment of clothing for flood victims. Annual general meeting of Mechanics’ Institute.

19.—States : Senator Philip Le Feuvre appointed to the presidency of the new Defence Committee ; the new Beautés Naturelles Committee was also named ; a proposal by Senator J. J. Le Marquand to alter the present system of election of Jurats was rejected by 32—17 ; the Control of Civil Service Report was adopted without division ; objections were raised to the regulations to permit the Sunday opening of shops and the debate was adjourned. Serious farm fire at The Poplars, St. John, the outbuildings being destroyed; arson was suspected as two masked men were seen on the premises just before the outbreak.

20.—Verdict of death caused by drowning recorded at inquest held 'on the body of 83-year-old Mrs. V. P. L. Renault, whose body was found in a muddy pool near her residence, Meadow View, St. Saviour.

21.—-Full Court sits to admit Mr. L. M. Gould as a member of the local Bar. Annual dinner of St. Brelade’s Honorary Police. Channel Islands boxing championships held at Springfield, Jersey winning the Cleveland Trophy.

23. Amateur Dramatic Club present “The Rivals” at The Playhouse.

24.—States: The Sunday Trading Regulations presented by the Tourism Committee and due for debate today were withdrawn; various. measures for the control of infectious diseases in animals were approved, a Bill to regulate cremation was adopted, and the Law on the Commutation of Seignorial Rights was amended. Annual meeting of Jersey Rifle Association, at which a plea for new blood was urged.

25.—Full Court : Alfred Parr (31) appealed against a sentence of £40 fine and two years’ suspension of licence passed on him at the Police Court, judgment being reserved ; at this sitting tributes were paid to the memory of Advocate Philip Le Maistre (former Bétonnier) by the Bailiff and Crown Oflicers. Local Labour Party hold “ Any Questions ? ” night at The Plaza. Annual meeting of Les Amitiés Franco-Britanniques.

26.—States : The Committee of Agriculture made a statement on the sale of potatoes on commission ; a proposal by Senator J. J. Le Marquand on the setting up of machinery for referendums by electors was rejected 32—14 ; at the commencement of the sitting tributes. were paid to the late ex-Deputy Bertram of Grouville. Verdict of accidental death recorded at inquest held on the body of Mr. Francis Amy, who died as the result of injuries sustained when knocked down by a car in Don Road. “ Evening Post " annual staff dinner and dance held at Merton Hotel. Farewell presentations to the Rev. S. Wheeler (Incumbent of St. Paul’s Church) and Mrs. Wheeler.

27.—Jersey Debating Club votes emphatically «against “That this House would welcome Continental Sunday.”

28.—Inquest held on the body of four-year-old David William Carter, who died from injuries received when knocked down by a car near his home in Brighton Road, a verdict of accidental death being recorded. The rainfall for the month was an inch below average.

The Troubled Heart

This is very loosely based on Psalm 77, a psalm of Asaph, which I have been reading recently. The songs of anguish as just as important as the songs of triumph. And this is also why it is very different from my usual poems. This is a journey of the heart.

The Troubled Heart

The cold waters enclose me
And I shall surely drown
I am falling, falling, in the sea
Far from my home town

I remember, long, long ago
The warm amberic lights glowing
Cobbled streets I used to know
So well, when life was dawning

Rain shining on cobbled stones
My playground, a place to roam
And returning, taking chill off bones
Comforting fireplace within home

So long, long ago, and now I fall
Far down into that great deep
And who can hear me, when I call
Amidst this cold and deathly sleep

But I will remember the days of old
I will recall the joy breaking as light
And ancient wisdom that I was told
This will sustain me in this night

The waters will not hold me, I arise
Storms rage and thunder in the sky
But words of power are still wise
The seas are still, they hear my cry

And I give thanks for my salvation
On the shore, warm in a rising sun
The new day, and a new creation
Amen! All is finished, all is done.

The Coronation Year 70 Years Ago - February 1953 Part 1

 

By a curious coincidence of dates, the coronation year 2023 will be 70 years after the coronation date in 1953. I thought it would be of interest to look back during this year of some of the events taking place before, during and after the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

February 1953 Part 1

3.—States: The preamble of the Control of Public Service Bill, presented by the Civil Service Board, was adopted ; a statement on the marketing of the potato crop was made by the president of the Committee of Agriculture. The appeal for clothing and bedding for relief of the East Anglia flood disaster victims brings an. Immediate response, the first pantechnicom of gifts being despatched the same day ; a fund was also opened at “ The Evening Post ” offices.

4.—Annual general meeting of the Jersey Cage Bird Society, it being decided that poultry classes be discontinued.

5.—States: The Control of Public Service Bill was adopted but lodged au Greffe with amendments; a contribution to the Lord Mayor of London’s Flood Relief Fund was agreed to in principle.

6.—The Island makes magnificent response to the Flood Distress Fund, more than £3,000 being received at “ The Evening Post ” offices in three days ; more than 30 tons of clothing and bedding were also shipped from the Island during the same period. Underwater fishing club formed, the inaugural meeting being held at the Chamber of Commerce.

7.—St. Saviour’s first municipal ball held at West Park Pavilion.

10.—States : The House discusses the powers of the Beautés Naturelles Committee, the debate being adjourned: civil servants’ sick pay and insurance benefits were also discussed; it was announced that-23 tickets to view the Coronation had been allotted to the Island ; a Bill to empower the Petty Debts Court to make orders in respect of the separation of married couples and the legal custody of children was adopted. Westerly gale strikes the Island, the incoming mailboat being two hours late. Total of the Flood Disaster Fund reaches £6,979—Island Players present “ Dark Victory" at Springfield. Jersey Musical Union annual meeting. Annual meeting of Jersey Maternity and Infant Welfare Centre.

12.—States : Deputy Troy's resolution regarding the powers of the Beautes Naturelles Committee carried by-25 votes to .23, and the Committee deferred their decision until the next sitting. St. Peter’s ecclesiastical assembly discusses tree felling, the report on same being adopted ; at the parochial assembly Mr. J. C. Vautier was appointed registrar.

14.—Netherlands Air Force Dakota attempts landing at Airport in snowstorm to pick up consignment of clothing for Dutch flood Victims but is forced to fly back; the Flood Disaster Fund to date totals: 
£9,346 45.

16.—New classrooms opened at Victoria College, the new de Carteret Building being named by the Bailiff. Skal Club of Jersey hold ladies’ night dinner, Sir Alexander and Lady Coutanche being the principal guests. College Preparatory cross-country races, new senior and junior records being set up.

17.—States: The National Service Bill came before the House today and was defeated by 25-23 ; Senator Collas, sponsor of the Bill, thereupon- resigned as did the members of the Defence Committee;

Deputy Hettich, president of the Beautés Naturelles Committee, also announced the resignation of his Committee following their defeat at the previous sitting and Deputy Baal was asked to form a new Committee ; the House also debated compensation awards made by the Committee of Agriculture in regard to foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks and these were upheld. The Flood Fund total passes the £10,000 mark, being now £10,192.

A Generous Soul - Part 14

John Watson (3 November 1850 – 6 May 1907), was a minister of the Free Church of Scotland. He is remembered as an author of fiction, known by his pen name Ian Maclaren. I'm currently reading his short story collection "St Jude", but am also fascinated by his life. Here was a man who stood out against a narrowness in his creed, and who was indeed "a generous soul".

The Life of The Rev. John Watson, D.D. "Ian Maclaren"
A Generous Soul
By W. Robertson Nicoll

Heresy Hunt

Watson found on his return from America that he was the object of a heresy hunt. It was never a serious affair, but I refer to it because it gives an opportunity for referring to his theological books. Of these the first appeared about the same time as the Bonnie Brier Bush, and under his own name. It was entitled The Mind of the Master, and was followed by The Life of the Master, the Doctrines of Grace, and several smaller volumes of a practical and devotional kind.

These represented the main elements of Watson's preaching, and the conclusions to which he had fought his way after searching inquiry. The mere titles of the books are enough to show the direction in which his mind turned. Christ was to him the centre of theology and preaching. He held that the older Presbyterian theology had done small justice to the humanity of our Lord, and that it had ceased to be useful in so far as it was not inspired by the Spirit of Christ. But he held firmly to the Catholic doctrine of the deity of Christ, to the Incarnation, and to the Atoning Sacrifice.

Some of his friendliest critics held that there were certain contradictions in The Mind of the Master. They were not backward in paying tribute to its literary power and beauty, and to its profound and constant sense of the incomparableness of Jesus. But they complained that Watson disparaged the Apostles as when he wrote, "St. Paul has touched excellently in various letters on the work of the Holy Spirit, and his words have fed many; but all the words that ever came from that inspired man are not to be compared with the promise of the Comforter given in the upper room."

They also compared phrases like "It must be remembered that Jesus had moods, and that He sometimes lost heart." They thought that theologians and the Church were unduly disparaged. It was the general opinion, however, that the book was to be welcomed for the emphasis it laid on the authority of our Lord's teaching, and for its brilliant and suggestive exposition of the Gospels.

The few ministers who took action complained that Watson leaned to Unitarianism. He himself did not attach great importance to the matter, though he was slightly perturbed. He held his peace till the prosecution, if it may be so called, had ceased, and then he made an explanation and modified a few sentences. He said that there were two grounds where he found himself in agreement with his critics :

"One is the style, which once or twice has been unchastened, and from which certain expressions, which to certain minds suggested irreverence, will be removed. And the other is the apparent denial that the sacrifice of Jesus, besides being an ethical power, had also a vicarious virtue, which were to ignore the deeper reference of certain of the Master's most solemn utterances. He were indeed a foolish and heady writer who did not learn something from critics who have been candid in their disapproval, but also generous in their appreciation."

On the distinction which he drew between the Gospels and the Epistles Watson stood firm:

“What about my sermons, do you say? They are composed in the train, in strange studies, early in the morning, between twelve and one at night, or during the chairman's remarks at public meetings, from which I always abstract my mind, as they are mainly taken up with references to the Brier Bush, and not to Westminster College, which is the only thing with which I am now concerned.”

The Day the Earth Screamed

A powerful earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on February 6, and it is the subject of my poem today. To put it into a local perspective, it is as if the people living in the Parishes of St Brelade, St Peter, St Mary and St Laurence all suddenly died. That's a human scale to the large numbers of the death toll, and something we can get a handle on. A mother and baby were also rescued, incredibly, after 90 hours buried beneath rubble.

The Day the Earth Screamed

The death count is unknown
Lands disfigured that we see
Scenes of devastation shown
Where dead might buried be
Oh how I sigh
And cannot forsake
Where struck the quake
Where so many die

Sound cracked like a mighty gun
Destruction to bestow
The world turned strange, and none
Foresaw the tragedy we know
Each loved or friend
Buried indeed
And call for need
For our help to send

Sometimes rubble hides the way
The cries of despair do ring
Resounding all the day
Mourning song they sing
As wounded lie
And fading breath
Gives way to death
Some weep and cry.

Rescuers arrive and will have
Rubble and ruins made away
And they try to save
All the quake did slay
And some they see
As suffering goes
With ragged clothes
Dig that they might free.

In life, no house, no home
Remains become their grave
In death, no friendly tomb,
But broken buildings
And what the earthquake gave.
The judgement day
This sight of doom
The earthen tomb
Wherein they lay.

Here mourning songs they sing,
This patchwork shrine
As mother and child they bring
In grief, a hopeful sign
We make, we mend
And those we raise
In saddest days
As they ascend

Findus Orange Juice Comes to Jersey: 1966

In 1966, Findus, the food supplier, promoted its new orange juice range coming to Jersey food stores. Here are some pictures from the Jersey Topic of that time. Juice was still canned at this point! A freight report comments:

"Findus says that the transportation of juice canned by Golden Citrus Inc. in Florida is moved competitively by Sea-Land container services from Elizabeth, New Jersey, to Rotterdam and thence to Yarmouth, where Ferry Masters Ltd. are the agents."

But in 2015, a review of the industry showed a citrus industry in an accelerating tailspin. The estimate was that Florida's orange crop would shrink to the lowest in 52 years, according to a forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as damage from citrus-greening disease persists.

Orange juice faces attacks on a number of fronts, not just from greening disease but also from the rise of competing breakfast drinks, its consumer price, the loss of grove acreage to urban sprawl and past hurricane damages, as well as from dietary critics who say the juice contains large amounts of sugar.

A Generous Soul - Part 13

John Watson (3 November 1850 – 6 May 1907), was a minister of the Free Church of Scotland. He is remembered as an author of fiction, known by his pen name Ian Maclaren. I'm currently reading his short story collection "St Jude", but am also fascinated by his life. Here was a man who stood out against a narrowness in his creed, and who was indeed "a generous soul".

The Life of The Rev. John Watson, D.D. "Ian Maclaren"
A Generous Soul
By W. Robertson Nicoll

First Tour In America

Watson's whole heart went out to America. I question whether any visitor from the old country ever took more kindly to the great nation of the West. There was something in the atmosphere of America that was eminently congenial to him. He made some of his best friends among Americans; he looked with unbounded hope to the future of the country; he would have been more than content to spend his days there as a private individual, though he thought himself too old to take public office and begin a new career. He had two more visits to pay to America, and it was in America that he died.

To the problems of civilisation and Christianity in the West he gave close and continued study. He considered that there was an American type of character - a native-born American representative of a great, a coming, a fruitful, and a successful race. The most wonderful thing about the American nation seemed to him its almost miraculous power of assimilation.

If amongst those stirring and bustling people an Irishman, a Scandinavian, a Polish Jew, or an Italian was drafted in, there would be the beginning of a change in him, and in one half of those cases the child would be an American, while in the case of the other half the grandchild would be an actual American. This stock drew in, changed, and made its own that enormous mass of population that from year to year was flung upon its shores. The American influence was in general reforming and deodorising. People went over to America often very low in the social scale, and by and by they were fairly good citizens, while their children were excellent citizens.

There was the power of the salt of the sea in the nation which would take into it the refuse of a city, and purify it, and leave the sea as fresh as ever. Then again the Americans were a patriotic people. The Republic was twice baptised in the blood of its best citizens. He thought that the victory of McKinley over Bryan was decided by a genuine feeling of patriotism that rose throughout the American nation. While the election seemed to be fought on bi-metallism there was another question behind it, and that was : Could a State maintain its honourable position that proposed to pay its debts with 57 cents for a dollar? When the country realised that the victory of Mr. Bryan's party would mean the affirmation of a principle that would end in the repudiation of duty, there was no doubt about the result of the election. Over the whole country men forsook their party, and men who had no party gave themselves immense trouble in order to vindicate the honour of the nation, and in that they proved their patriotism.

Another danger he saw in the marked abstinence from politics, general and municipal, of the leisured and cultured classes in the State. They would bestir themselves and take part in any great crisis, but in ordinary circumstances they looked out on the public life through the loopholes of retreat. They refused to touch public service with their finger-tips, and so left it too largely to place-hunters, wire-pullers, and professional politicians, with results that might not be corrupt as some candid critics alleged, but were at least less than ideal.

"The patriotic spirit in America, and far too much in other places also, seems to exercise itself over great crises, foreign or domestic, and to be indifferent to the conduct of ordinary affairs. The worst feature in American politics is the ' boss,' who is the power behind the throne, and of whom no one says any good thing."

The Days of the Comet

Astronomers discovered the comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) in March 2022 at the Palomar Observatory in California. It has been visible to those in the Northern Hemisphere through binoculars for the past few weeks. But it will make its closest approach to Earth at around 41 million km (26 million miles) away this Wednesday 1st February 2023.

In the past, comets have often been seen as harbingers of doom. They portend evil days ahead, wars, plagues or even the end of the world. That's what is captured in this poem, which looks back at a Pagan society in which omens in the sky were taken seriously, and when animal sacrifice could be taken to abate the wrath of the gods. Temples and sacrifices to a pantheon of gods and goddesses abounded. Fortunately, these days, modern Pagans are more likely to be vegetarian., thank goodness!

The Days of the Comet

The comet comes for all mankind,
The starry, starry ways
The spectre of that sign in mind,
In that dark sky, there we find
In fearful reverence, gaze

In simple trust like theirs who heard
The calling now to flee
The endings of the wars by sword
Unsettled omens, untoward
A green hue now to see

The comet reflected in the sea
Shines on the hills above,
Priests in temples make their plea
In silence of eternity
They sacrifice a dove

With that deep hush subduing all
The sea to churn, and all to drown
The fearful cry of prophet’s call
The comet comes, the sky will fall
As shooting stars come down.

The day of the comet, the omen dire
Lamentations in a psalm
And sacrifices on the altar pyre
Now comes the earthquake, wind, and fire
And nevermore be calm

The Coronation Year 70 Years Ago - January 1953 Part 2

By a curious coincidence of dates, the coronation year 2023 will be 70 years after the coronation date in 1953. I thought it would be of interest to look back during this year of some of the events taking place before, during and after the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

January 1953

16.—Jersey Debating Club motion, “ That euthanasia should be legalized," defeated by 114 votes to 74.

17.—Municipality of St. Lawrence hold annual ladies' night at Portelet Hotel.

20.—States : Debate on Finance Committee's Report on the financial position, the Public Health Committee replying to criticisms contained in the Report ; £4,250 was voted as foot—and-mouth disease compensation; supplementary credits totalling £7,500 for milk subsidies were voted. Ten year old Joanna Le Brocq, daughter of Mr. E. H. Le Brocq, Chief of Police, seriously injured when emergency door of bus opens. the victim sustaining a suspected fractured skull. .Annual meeting of St. John Ambulance Association.

22.—States : The Report on the financial position was adopted following a statement made by the President of the Assembly and the Finance Committee was instructed to draw up rules of procedure for submission to the House .at a later date ; a petition from the J.S.P.C.A. relative to the export of horses for slaughter was tabled. A lad, 17-year-old Keith Hacker, severely injured in a shooting accident at the Jubilee Hotel. Esplanade.

24.—The collier SS Roman Queen commences to sink in harbour following flooding of the forehold, the Fire Service pumping out many thousands of gallons of water before the vessel was righted Victoria College cross-country races, a total of 264 boys being in the senior and junior events.

26.~First annual general meeting of the Skal Club of Jersey.

27.~States : The Assembly agreed in principle to effect improvements to St. Helier Harbour to permit safer manoeuvring of new ships of the St. Patrick class, this at a cost of approximately £100,000; a Projet of the Defence Committee regarding police pensions was adopted. Annual general meeting of La Société Jersiaise, Mr. H. J. Baal. being elected president. Officials elected at inaugural meeting of Jersey Farmers’ Cooperative.

29.—States : The Assembly re-voted the sum of £51,179 for a Girls’ Selective School at Rouge Bouillon, this following an. impassioned plea by Deputy John Le Marquand, president of the Public Instruction Committee; a debate on foot-and-mouth disease compensation to farmers followed, the necessary amounts being voted, ‘

30.—Annual general meeting of the Eisteddfod, Sir Alexander Coutanche (president) being re-elected.—Jersey Debating Club discusses the motion “ That the Welfare State is doomed to failure," which was lost by 69 against and 52 for.

31.—Full Court: Maurice Moyse, pleading guilty to the robbery of £250 worth of property from Costa Brava, St. Martin, is sentenced to 18 months’ hard labour. Annual general meeting of Jersey Farmers’ Union—St Peter Port A.B.C. lose by odd bout of seven to St. Helier A.B.C. at Springfield. His Excellency the Lt.-Governor attends municipal dinner at St. Ouen.

A Generous Soul - Part 12

John Watson (3 November 1850 – 6 May 1907), was a minister of the Free Church of Scotland. He is remembered as an author of fiction, known by his pen name Ian Maclaren. I'm currently reading his short story collection "St Jude", but am also fascinated by his life. Here was a man who stood out against a narrowness in his creed, and who was indeed "a generous soul".

The Life of The Rev. John Watson, D.D. "Ian Maclaren"
A Generous Soul
By W. Robertson Nicoll

"Beside The Bonnie Brier Bush"

Almost immediately the nom-de- plume which he selected, Ian Maclaren, was widely recognised. He took the Gaelic form of his own Christian name John, and the surname of his mother. There was very little mystification about the authorship. His own friends knew the tales they had heard from him. Dr. George Adam Smith sent him a post-card on the appearance of the first sketch, " Bravo, Ian Maclaren ! " and was answered by another post-card containing the words, " Bravo, Higher Criticism ! "

“Each one was turned over in my mind for months before I put pen to paper. It took a prodigious amount of labour before I even had a story formed in my head. Then I blocked it out at one sitting. Then the thing was put aside while I went over and over in my mind each detail, each line of dialogue, each touch of description, determining on the proper place, attitude, share, colour, and quality of each bit, so that the whole might in the end be a unit, and not a bundle of parts. By and by came the actual writing with the revision and the correction which accompanies and follows. The actual composition of the Brier Bush occupied fifteen months. They were the more difficult because in every case the character is revealed in dialogue exclusively. It is different when the writer has a plot, because then there is something definite to hold the attention, and one can dash ahead, but I was compelled to make slow progress.”

The popularity of Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush and The Days of Auld Lang Syne made a great difference in Watson's position. He became well known to the British and the American public. His services as a speaker were demanded from all quarters. In 1896 he arranged with the well-known American lecture-manager, the late Major J. B. Pond, to make a tour in America. Mrs. Watson accompanied him, and the three months that followed were perhaps the busiest and most exciting of all his life.

Immediately before leaving America Watson was presented with an address from the Brotherhood of Christian Unity in which he was thanked for doing " a work of unspeakable value in awakening and uniting the deepest sympathies of our common human nature. To this great blessing you have added another by formulating a Creed of Christian life which embodies the spirit and essence of Christ's teachings. The change of emphasis from doctrine to life expresses a demand of the age and will give a new spirit and form to Christian civilisation. We accept your Life Creed not as a substitute for the historic creeds, but as an interpretation of them." The Creed referred to in the address was as follows :

A Life Creed

I believe in the Fatherhood of God.
I believe in the words of Jesus.
I believe in a clean heart.
I believe in the service of love.
I believe in the unworldly life.
I believe in the beatitudes.
I promise to trust God and follow Christ; 

to forgive my enemies, 

and to seek after the righteousness of God.

Spring Arising

Imbolc, the Pagan feast and the Christian Candlemas are both the subject of this poem, although perhaps the Pagan more than the Christian.

Spring Arising

The sap is rising in the trees
Fields ploughed, seed is sown
Yet still comes a frosty breeze
Fires burn in the hearthstone

Mary’s lamb comes out to play
Straw dolls hung over the door
Ewe gives birth on Imbolc day
And goddess Brigid, we adore

On eventide, shines candle’s light
Home and hearth warmed by fire
Stars are bright this sacred night
They shine in glory to inspire

Now rising the green blade of spring
And let us chant, and let us sing

The Coronation Year 70 Years Ago - January 1953 Part 1

By a curious coincidence of dates, the coronation year 2023 will be 70 years after the coronation date in 1953. I thought it would be of interest to look back during this year of some of the events taking place before, during and after the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

JANUARY

1.-—-French colony’s New Year's Day reception held at the French Consulate, M. Leon Dubras being invested as a Chevalier de la Legion d‘Honneur.-The annual road races took place - records being shattered. At Springfield Jersey Island XI drew 1—1 with the visiting Delphian League team.

2.—Drainage scheme debated and approved at special topical sitting of the States. the Public Health Committee receiving a unanimous vote.

3.—A 24-ft. long fishing boat, the 222, with crew of three, goes aground off Ronez; efforts were made later to salvage the boat.

5.—Criminal Assizes: There was only one case on the calendar, that in which Derek Charles Durell was charged with the embezzlement of various sums received by him on behalf of his employer, Mr. R. H. Lawrence. Burglars break into the New Era Cinema. an unsuccessful attempt being made to open a safe.

6.—Unanimous verdict of not guilty returned in the Assize case in which Derek Durell was charged with embezzlement, and accused was. formally discharged. RMIJ. Association hold annual Peirson Day dinner, His Excellency proposing the principal toast.

7.—Presentation of cheque for £200 made by parishioners of Grouville to the Rector. the Rev. J. H. Valpy, who retired on January lst.

9.—Jersey Blind Society annual charity ball held at. West Park Pavilion.

10.—At the Royal Court today a Remonstrance was brought against Advocate P. H. Giffard by Messrs. G. A. Ameghino and R. P. A. Nelson alleging highly scandalous and defamatory charges. Inquest verdict of natural causes recorded in the inquiry into the death of Mr. A. G. Bisson, of 31 Hue Street. Amateur boxing championships held at Springfield.

11.—Annual Peirson Day memorial service held at St. Helier's Parish Church.

12.—Meeting held on the subject of civil defence at the Town Hall, few people attending.

13.—First sitting of States debates compensation for cattle destroyed under the foot-and-mouth regulations; the affairs of the Jersey Electricity Company were also discussed, a resolution presented by Senator Richardson on the matter being eventually withdrawn; the Public Instruction Committee presented an Act asking for a credit vote of £61,195 for a selective school for girls in part of the Town Arsenal, but a. decision on this was postponed until after the Financial Report. Meeting of farmers, merchants and other interested parties at the Town Hall decide to set up a co-operative scheme for the marketing of potatoes.

14.—Annual dinner of Trinity municipality.

15.—States: Senator Richardson re-presents his Resolution concerning the affairs of the Jersey Electricity Company, which was adopted unanimously ; the expiring Fiscal Laws were renewed, income tax again being fixed at 4/- ; the Report on St. Ouen’s Bay development was rejected by 31 votes to 14. Annual dinner and dance of Jersey Green Room Club. Annual prize-giving and speech day of De La Salle College. 

A Generous Soul - Part 11

John Watson (3 November 1850 – 6 May 1907), was a minister of the Free Church of Scotland. He is remembered as an author of fiction, known by his pen name Ian Maclaren. I'm currently reading his short story collection "St Jude", but am also fascinated by his life. Here was a man who stood out against a narrowness in his creed, and who was indeed "a generous soul".

The Life of The Rev. John Watson, D.D. "Ian Maclaren"
A Generous Soul
By W. Robertson Nicoll

Boy and Pepper Pot

He wrote to my husband offering to preach for him, and gave us a memorable day both at Church and at home. During dinner on Sunday, our six-year-old boy, who was sitting next to Dr. Watson, upset his glass of water, and overcome with shame, took refuge under the table weeping and saying " I can't come out, I'm far too ashamed."

Watson, seizing the pepper-pot and a broken piece of bread for purposes of illustration said, " Athol, here's a shipwreck! Look how the waves are creeping over the vessel. Ah ! it's going to be wrecked. See, there's a lighthouse, come and see if we can't save this poor ship," and by degrees the sobs ceased, and a tearful but deeply interested face appeared from under the table. 

Not a glance was cast in the boy's direction, and the rescue of the vessel proceeded, till all was peace and joy. He understood the boy's nature so well even during that short visit, and urged us not to let him work too hard when he went to school.

At home he was the soul of good humour and kindliness. He possessed the habits of a business man, and nothing fretted him like casualness. Morning prayers over, he read the paper and his letters either before or during breakfast. At nine he was ready for his study. He typed answers to his correspondence, and then worked on till lunch. The afternoon was spent in visiting the congregation, or in fulfilling some business engagement. His evenings latterly were almost always occupied, but in the earlier part of his ministry many were free. He loved to see his young men, and he was especially successful in winning their confidence. He used to say : " If you get young men into your study, let them smoke. It is as a man lights his pipe that he gives you his confidence." 

In his library he was perfectly happy. He loved books, and he bought them. He had some dozen or so valuable first editions, and a fine collection of beautiful art books, though he was never extravagant in his hobby. He had the book-collector's reverence for books. He never marked a book all his life, and could not bear to see one ill-used, ill-cut, or in danger of getting soiled. He could not read a dirty library book; in fact he was altogether aesthetic as a reader or collector. He never tired of imploring young men to read, and regarded systematic reading as a great factor of success.

Soundings

This poem is a reflection on losing one's hearing, sign languages, with a nod to Walter De La Mare's poem.

Soundings

The knock on the door was unheard
And the traveller left on lonely road
Inside noises were muffled, blurred
As if the sounds found no abode

Silence: lips move but nothing said
Gestures, faces, but never a sound
An inner ear, the destroyed thread
Voices speak but they are drowned

Gestures flow, and gestures speak
No spoken words, but silence voice
Another language, and it’s all Greek
Another culture, and another choice

I take soundings, as I lose my hearing
A different landscape now appearing

A Day in the Life of An Ambulance Driver

[Note - if a copy appears on Jerripedia, it was my transcription stolen from here without credit]

A Day in the Life of An Ambulance Driver
By Lou Chalkley
Jersey Topic, 1966

In 1965 the States of Jersey Ambulance Service conveyed 9,275 patients. The nature of the cases included special treatments, X-ray, maternity and accident patients. August was the month with the highest accident figures. Car crashes, accidents involving motor cycles or motor scooters, pedal cycles totalled 306. Other  topical classifications included treatment for injuries in the home or at work, in the street or on the beaches. In addition 1,043 journeys were made by members of the Voluntary Hospital Car Service in transporting patients to the General Hospital and returning them home after treatments. Transport was arranged with Ambulance Services in England on 23 occasions, and 35 escorts were provided from the St. John Ambulance Brigade's Male and Nursing Divisions.

What kind of men operate this essential service on the island ? Calming the nervous. treating the injured, dealing with the mentally ill—these are but a few of the problems which face an ambulance man each day. Very often a life is at stake. Qualifications must therefore include a calm temperament, proficiency in first-aid and the capability of handling any situation from an air crash to the delivery of a baby. Jersey Ambulance Service Men must be first-class drivers and have a better knowledge of the highways and by-ways than a local taxi-driver. Above all they must be dedicated to their chosen profession.


Lou Chalkley and Philip Attenet are two such young men who work as a team. For them an early-shift day starts at 6.45 a.m. Upon arrival at the Midvale Road Ambulance Station their first duty is to complete an intensive check of their vehicle. The States now own four large Morris Ambulances and one hospital car. Lou and Phil are responsible for the maintenance of their general-purpose ambulance - code name A3. It is fibreglass (thus facilitating easy cleaning) and of the very latest design. The all-round vision windows provide an important safety factor.

The men carefully check the standard equipment which includes a Neal-Robertson stretcher, a conventional spare stretcher and collapsible carrying chair. There are ropes for cliff rescue work, wellington boots and safety helmets for other emergencies. Each vehicle is also required to carry an ample supply of blankets and pillows, with sterile sheets large enough to cover a person in the event of burns. The spinal fracture board is also on the regulation list. All States Ambulances now carry Redisplint—a quick, simple and efiective first-aid splint and pressure bandage. This Parke-Davis innovation promptly immobilises fractures. and helps to control swellings or venous bleeding in cut or crush injuries. This double-walled transparent plastic tube permits constant visual observation and X-ray examination while the limb remains protected. The first-aid box and British Oxygen ‘Minute Man' must be within easy reach of the driver or attendant.

The Station's Radio Room is the nucleus of the entire service. Direct 999 and hospital calls are received and transmitted by land-line. The contact between base and each vehicle is maintained by remote control via the States Telecommunications at St. Mary’s. There are four radio switches on the flashing blue beacon light and accelerates the vehicle along Victoria Avenue. Density of traffic drowns the warning bell and it is hoped that sirens will soon be installed.

There has been a collapse case at Quennevais School. Phil prepares a Brooks respirator—this is an easy-to-carry mouth-to-mouth device, which acts as a speedy substitute for the ‘Minute Man.‘ As it happened artificial respirators were not needed on this occasion. The patient was a young boy conscious upon arrival and was able to walk with Phil's aid. Next stop the casualty department of the General Hospital. From here further instructions to proceed first to Rouge Bouillon and then St. Peters.

At 1.30 p.m. the ambulance is driven back to the station. There is at last time for a welcome cup of tea. The shift technically ends at 1.45 p.m. but anything can happen—and the drivers are often required to work overtime at a moments notice. In major disasters standbys are called in. “Every single job is so different all require a sense of purpose. many a sense of humour" said Lou "It is always rewarding."

There is close co-operation between this service and those of the Fire Service and Police. The ambulance conveyance and possible first-aid service costs the patient nothing. Many people hesitate before dialling for the ambulance—often a life could be saved if only people were more expedient.

Prospects of promotion are reasonable—and, during the summer months the men can clock up overtime to their £14.00 weekly basic.

Lou and Phil are great friends both on and off the job and devote much of their spare time to voluntary ambulance work. Such friendships are vital in a job which is more than just a day of work.

Grand Vaux: Unprecedented Flooding - the Falsification from History

I see the investigation into the flooding is starting. The plan for Grand Vaux for 2018 was not updated. The last Island strategic flood risk plan of 2021 looked at the effect of climate change for coastal regions rather than inland, and stated that flooding at Grand Vaux was a once in a hundred years event - despite the fact there was flooding in 2015 impacting with flooding of homes.

See

http://tonymusings.blogspot.com/2023/01/grand-vaux-floods-still-1-in-100-year.html

for the last review which had it as once every 100 years!

The news last night had it as once in 30 years. 

Why don't people realise that one impact of climate change is AN INCREASE in severe weather events, be it high winds, or heavy rainfall. This government needs to revise mitigation to minimise flooding, the last one which ended in 2022 did nothing about it at all. Maybe former DOI Minister Kevin Lewis should answer a few questions? It really doesn't surprise me that the last government did little to deal with the issues involved.

Here are some stories which show clearly that "unprecedented" rainfall and flooding at Grand Vaux is actually far less unprecedented that is claimed! Doesn't anyone ever reseach the recent history of these events before coming out with what is palpable nonsense? If ever there was a falsification of the theory that these are once in a hundred years or even thirty years, the history gives clear evidence that it is false.

One more thing to add: flood contingency plans which involve how to evacuate are insufficient. It's like saying that we need more lifeboats after the Titanic. We do need more lifeboats. But we also need in place plans to stop them being needed in the first place. Flood plans should include measures to address and mitigate flooding, in the same way that shipping disasters don't get fixed purely by lifeboat evacuation plans but by better safety measures to ensure they are not needed. It is like saying of  the cruise liner which went aground in the Mediterranean - it doesn't matter if there is an inept captain at the helm as long as we have good lifeboat drills! Unfortunately, Jersey's government from 2018-2022 has had an inept captain at the helm.

And by the way, the clear up photo above comes from the 2015 flooding!

2015 - "Unprecedented Rainfall"

https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2015/08/14/we-were-given-these-daft-flood-barriers-which-just-do-not-work/

Five years ago, following repeated flooding, the most at-risk properties at Grands Vaux were given defence barriers to place at their front doors in the event of severe weather.

But one resident has claimed that water poured into his hall after water seeped in around a faulty rubber seal on the barrier, another claimed that although her barrier stopped the water entering the front of her house, the unprotected rear was left flooded. And several others said that drainage in the area needed to be improved.

Ten homes in Nicholson Close were flooded with water up to a foot deep during Wednesday night as almost a month’s worth of rain fell in less than 12 hours.

Nicholson Close resident, Rickey Lawrence (57), claimed that it was the fifth time that the area had flooded in eight years and that yesterday’s flood was the worst he had ever seen.

‘We were given these daft flood barriers which just do not work. They are poor quality and the water just comes in around the seal.’

Mr Porter [of Andium Homes] said: ‘Met office figures indicate that in just a few hours more than 40mm of rainfall fell, this is almost the entire average rainfall for August and is unprecedented.

‘At Nicholson Close residents report that the drainage coped well with the downpour until, it seems, the sheer volume of rain appears to have washed ground from neighbouring fields which entered the main drainage network resulting in water levels rising.

30 December 2021 - Flooded Roads

https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2021/12/30/call-for-action-to-end-frequent-flooding-of-valle-des-vaux-road

RESIDENTS are calling for the parish of St Helier to take urgent action to tackle flooding in Vallée des Vaux – claiming it has blighted the area for almost three decades.

Heavy rainfall can see parts of the road completely submerged, with water overflowing from an adjacent stream, creating a hazard for drivers and pedestrians.

Tony Allchurch, a member of the Vallée des Vaux community group, said one mother had had to be given a wooden board so that she could walk across her driveway with a pram.

‘They [the parish] were trying to direct the water down the side of the road until there was a place it could fall back into the stream, but a lot of the bollards have just moved out of position and the few sandbags that were trying to hold it in place just could not cope,’ he said.

St Helier officials are considering creating gulleys in the area to stop water overflowing from an adjacent stream and becoming a hazard to road users.

Silvio Alves, the parish’s head of infrastructure, said his team had been trying to direct the water back into the stream and had used sandbags to help mitigate the flooding.

He said: ‘Vallée des Vaux does occasionally flood when there is very wet weather due to the stream overflowing. There are a couple of bridges that are potentially causing the issue and the parish will be investigating this further in the new year. We have got a possible solution. We may add some gulleys down there, but we will work with the stream owner and the residents to find a workable solution.’

2010 Questions in the States - Flooding a Once in 40 year Occasion after 2010 floods!

https://statesassembly.gov.je/assemblyquestions/2010/13.09.10%20questions%20to%20minister%20without%20notice%20housing.pdf

3.4 Deputy J.A. Hilton of St. Helier: Can the Minister tell Members whether he is satisfied that the flood-prevention measures that have been put in place by the Housing Department are adequate for flooding which has occurred recently at Grand Vaux? 

Deputy S. Power:

I am happy to tell the Deputy and the Assembly that both myself, my Assistant Minister, and a number of officers from the Housing Department, visited Grand Vaux on the occasion and then visited Grand Vaux afterwards. We had, just the previous week, fitted specially-designed aluminium shuttering that runs to the front door. 

It is only one small part of Grand Vaux that is affected. There was flooding. The volume of water that came down during that extraordinary downpour is not typical; I believe it is a once-in-40-year occasion. 

We have also been in touch with T.T.S. (Transport and Technical Services), we have examined the dimensions and the diameter of the main drains up there and we are now looking, with T.T.S., as to what else we can do. I believe I am correct in saying it is a 9-inch main which simply cannot cope with conditions that occurred on that afternoon. 

Grand Vaux Floods: Still a 1 in 100 year event?

Having the largest water catchment in Jersey the Grands Vaux Reservoir is critical to the Jersey Water Supply Infrastructure. It is periodically used to capture and transfer water to Queen’s Valley Reservoir and to allow general supply schemes to operate. This means that there is limited capacity in the reservoir to attenuate flood flows generated from significant rainfall within the catchment. ,

The Grands Vaux Reservoir basin is small and can fill very rapidly during a storm. The flood volume, in severe weather, can be greater than the capacity of the basin and, in combination with the steep topography of the land around the reservoir, the reservoir frequently overflows as it is designed to do.

The topography of the area immediately downstream of the dam consists of a steep sided, narrow valley which channels any overtopped water down the valley into St Helier. As a control measure, the downstream (school) bypass culvert is continuously monitored for level and blockages by Jersey Water’s 24 hour control room. The existing drainage network in St Helier can accommodate low return period events like the 1 in 1 year (100% AEP) but would be unable to handle events of greater magnitude (lower AEP)

Modelling of the Grands Vaux Reservoir indicates that a 1 in 100 year (0.1% AEP) return period rainfall event, with more than 53mm of rain within a 6 hour duration, could have significant effects on the area downstream. The latest States of Jersey Grands Vaux Flood Plan was updated in July 2018 and contains details of the multiagency response to flooding due to an extreme storm event resulting in an increase of water in the catchment and subsequent reservoir overflow. The flood plan details the triggers and activation process of the plan if a forecasted or un-forecasted flood event was to occur.

The flood plan also shows the area at risk of flooding if the reservoir was to overflow during an extreme storm event. It should be noted that a review of the treatment of reservoirs within a planning policy context has been undertaken to understand how the risks associated with the overflow of the Grands Vaux Reservoir during more extreme storm events might be considered within the Island Plan Review. This is of particular interest for Government of Jersey as St Helier is the primary urban centre in the island and may be the focus for growth within the Plan Review period.

https://www.gov.je/SiteCollectionDocuments/Planning%20and%20building/R%20Jersey%20Strategic%20Flood%20Risk%20Assessment%202021%20AECOM.pdf

Wolf Moon

I wanted something dark and even creepy for this January mood poem, so we have a variety of spooky comings and goings. There's a nod to the Wolf Man, Count Magnus, and Dracula (the 1930s version).

Wolf Moon

The dark cold sky, the bright wolf moon
Howling begins, children of the night
The wolf-bane blooms so very soon
And the time of the wolf is in sight

Shapes move in trees on a lonely hill
Screams, and mocking laughter heard
A dark pilgrimage casts shadows still
The beating of wings, the death bird

In the castle, the awakening starts
Deep in the crypt, where coffins lay
Movement in coffins, beating hearts
As those undead come out to play

The Grey King rises on mountain peak
His breath is ice, and he will speak

Le Moulin de Lecq: Jersey Topic Feature 1966

Le Moulin de Lecq: Jersey Topic Feature 1966

[Note - if a copy appears on Jerripedia, it was my transcription stolen from here without credit]

Le Moulin de Lecq was one of the many ancient water mills of the Island. It retains the topical name it bore over 600 years ago.

It was a working Flour Mill as late as 1929, commandeered by the Germans during the Occupation of Jersey, and used to generate power for their searchlight batteries in this part of the Island throughout the war years until the Liberation.

In April 1955 the ‘Mill’ was granted a licence, and it was decided to convert it into an ‘Inn’, restoring the original Outside Water Wheel, which weighs 18 tons and has a diameter of 21 feet and works entirely by the weight of water as it did hundreds of years ago.

  

Around the inside working Mill machinery a most delightful ‘Mill Room Cocktail Bar and Lounge’ has been designed. The 'Granary Cocktail Bar’ upstairs, where all the grinding took place, has an atmosphere of its own and contains many of the instruments of the old mill, with its parafin lamps and corn sack style cushions.

The ‘Inn' has become one of the show places of Jersey with its very attractive young ladies dressed in Breton costume to serve you. Standing in several acres of its own meadow and woodland, at night it presents a wonderful picture as it is beautifully floodlit.

The Inn is open all day during the season, from 11 am. To 11 p.m., except Sundays 12.00 to 1 p.m., and 3.30 pm. to 10 pm.

A very delightful and warm welcome always awaits you at Le Moulin de Lecq.