History Meeting Minutes - September 2008

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2008 IN THE MEMBERS’ ROOM AT 17:15

Present:
Frank Falle (Chairman), Jean Arthur, Marie-Louise Backhurst, Mervyn Billot, Bertram Brée, Francis Corbet, Anne Corbet, Mary Gibb, Anne Herrod, Sarah Jordan, Nick Jouault, George Langlois, Georgia Le Maistre, Bob Le Sueur, Elinor McFadden, Pat Maindonald, Rose Millow, Will Millow, Ian Ronayne, Doreen Schofield-Fost.
1. Apologies for absence:
Mary Billot, Guy Dixon, Anita Fell, Sue Groves, Christopher Harris, Frank Le Blancq, Mike Lees, Danny White.

2. Minutes of the Meeting of 19 August 2008  and amendments
7.5 Marie-Louise Backhurst speaks … in Granville on September 20th 2008 (not Sept.27th).
 

3. Matters arising from the Minutes – not covered by the Agenda
3.1 3.4.5 - FF advised that it has been discussed at the Societe Jersiaise Executive Committee whether a comprehensive list of Section activities should be printed in the Newsletter.  This is under review and FF will report back in due course.
3.2 4.4.3 - The subject was discussed as to whether FF was speaking on his own behalf or on behalf of the Section the establishment of a sculpture of long horned sheep in the Royal Square. FF is pursuing this particular theme on his own behalf.  However, it was decided that in future FF would bring to the Section’s attention various activities with which he is involved which may be of interest to the Section.  If FF is looking for the Section’s support on an otherwise personal matter or if the Section feels it is something it wishes to support, it will be discussed separately as an Agenda item.
3.3 4.4.6 – the Museum at Cancale does not indicate that oysters from La Rocque, Jersey are exported to Cancale.
3.4 7.5 -  NJ - It was clarified that M-LB is talking in France on Saturday 20 September 2008 & taking a walk (in conjunction with NJ) on Saturday 27 September 2008 at 14:30 from the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club (RCIYC), St Aubin.  She is also giving a talk on St Aubin at 12:30 in St Brelade ‘s Parish Hall on Sunday 28 September 2008. 
3.5 7.6 - The Museum of London Archaeological Service recently conducted a survey in Hue Street which has now in the evaluation stage to decide whether to proceed with a further dig on the site.

4. Chairman’s Communications
4.1 Outside meeting with supper - FF/DS-F confirmed that the next Section Meeting will be held at 16 New Street at 17:15 on Tuesday 21 October 2008.  This will be followed by a “Winter Warmer” supper at the Pomme d’Or Hotel @ 19:30. 
4.2 FF passed around the Pitcher VC that has been purchased by ‘Raising the Standard’.  It will in due course be presented to the Island and be on display in the Museum.
4.3 FF thanked BLeS for his interesting walk to Seymour Tower indicating in particular the “P” rocks and detailing the long history of the La Rocque area from St Sampson to the four German soldiers who drowned during the Occupation.
4.4 FF thanked BB for the well organised and enjoyable study tour to Normandy, which was interesting and well researched in particular the Jersey connections  (details of which will be in the next newsletter).  BB said he would be happy to arrange another study trip in 2010.  FF thanked MB (in her absence) for the administration of the trip.
4.6 After discussion, it was decided that BLeS would contact Prof. Michael Jones to check his availability to accompany the Section on the 2009 study trip.  It is planned that a company like GO FRANCE be approached to carry out the administration/organisation of a trip, possibly to the Loire.

5. Military History Group
 Mike Lees had sent his apologies so he was not present to report.

6. Local History Teaching Group
 Nothing to report.

7. Members’ Contributions
7.1 FF passed around 2 sets of photographs for comments.
 i) WW1 - BLeS commented on the photo of a coffin draped with a Union Jack being carried by German soldiers.  It looked as if it was a funeral at Mont at L’Abbe.  As the authorities deemed that too many local people were attending funerals during the occupation, which could have resulted in trouble, it had been decreed that only a few dignitaries would be allowed to attend.  Nevertheless, the Germans ensured that the ceremonies were carried out with dignity.
 ii) Another photo was taken by A Laurens of Jersey with the words Crescent Wet Hospital.  The 2nd photo appears to be the Proclamation of George V in 1910.
7.2 SJ passed around a postcard written by Herbert Le Dain (Headmaster, St Mary’s School) dated 14 May 1945, which had been returned via the London Refugee Committee on 9 June 1945.  It appeared that the reason was that the P O Box to which it had been addressed was no longer in service. After the Occupation he was headmaster at Vauxhall School which was attached to St Mary’s & St Peter’s Church.
7.3 IR advised that Gareth Syvret (Photographic Section) has been photographing a photograph album that is in the hands of the Town Hall.  It details Islanders decorated in WW1.  These photos will soon be available to the Société.  Peter Tabb and Howard Baker are intending to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the end of WW1 in November.
7.4 JA circulated 2 copies of prints and asked for information re location/name.  GLeM suggested La Frênaie at the end of La Longue Rue/Grande Route du Faldouet in St Martin, once Thomas Sohier’s house.
7.5 RM has been researching in the Public Records Office and established an antecedent who was involved in the murder of Thomas à Beckett.  R M Brett seems to have founded the Le Breton family in Jersey.
7.6.1 M-LB advised that the Times (newspaper) free archive on the internet ceases on 18 September 2008, after which there will be a fee (approx £4.00 per day).
7.6.2 M-LB mentioned that the blocks of flats at Castle Quay are to be named Millais and Le Capelain.
7.6.3 M-LB suggested a future Section Meeting may be held looking at the streams of St Helier/Tunnell Street - Jack Burch may be willing to assist.
7.7 GL passed round this month’s copy of Dowsing and advised that his daughter also seems to have the gift of dowsing which had been handed down to GL by his grandfather and father.  He had discovered a well in Rue de l’Eglise, St Saviour.
7.8 BB talked about some Normandy magazines that have references to Guernsey.
7.9 BLeS advised that he took a group to La Rocco Tower in August this year and noticed a sign at the top of La Braye Slip which mentioned that the Tower had been used for target practice by the Germans - this is a myth.  It was in fact hit by accident.  However, as the Germans were of the opinion that if a commando raid were to be carried out the most likely place to land would be the Tower, they had installed a French shell, which was primed, under the paving stones of the Tower.  There was a switch at the top of the slip that could be used to activate the shell if the need arose.  A person was sent daily, with his dog, to the Tower to check for commandos. FF/FC suggested he write something for the Bulletin on this.

8. Date of next meeting 
 Tuesday 21 October 2008 at 16 New Street, courtesy of the National Trust for Jersey via Christopher Harris (NT for J Council), followed by supper at the Pomme d’Or Hotel (La Petite Pommier).