Jersey Reform Day.
This site is dedicated to the day, now officially recognised annually by the States of Jersey, to mark the anniversary of the events of 28 September 1769.
Jersey's own Independence or Bastille Day.
This is the time of year when Jersey's memorials - mostly to those who died in war - receive a deal of public attention.
But how is it decided which events or individuals should be "remembered" at all in public places?
As I keep posting here, the events of 28 September 1769 - Jersey Reform Day and all that - have no plaque, statue or street name although it is supposedly an "official" date in the Jersey calendar.
The Piratical Bailiff George de Carteret has a statue and pub in St Peter whilst war-time Bailiff Lord Coutanche warrants a small bronze bust that serves as a resting place for pigeons in the Royal Square and he can oversee the Peirson pub, the statue of King George II and the "V" sign in the square..
But what of more recent heroes or people of "significance"?
Cyril Le Marquand "the founder of the Jersey finance sector" is currently remembered with a Soviet style inscription on the States office building opposite the Cenotaph. But this building is planned to be demolished soon. Shall Cyril have a replacement statue erected in his honour? Would he want one?
He was a "political leader" of course and founder of the Progressive Party after the Occupation and was elected with 10 others of that party to the States in 1948.
On the other hand Norman Le Brocq, was also elected to the States and founded a political party of the left in opposition to Cyril's after the Occupation.
Norman has no memorial on land that I know of and once described the "finance sector as a "parasitic activity."
But does he deserve a memorial now?
Jersey cows have their own bronze memorial in St Helier and various other sculptures are scattered about the Island and Geraint Jennings has described the history of some of these in the past.
Most places have their military heroes mounted on horses cast in bronze and Jersey has produced plenty of warriors - but is the whole memorial thing just an historic dinosaur now in the 21st century?
I am not proposing to answer my own questions but attach this interview link with Cyril Le Marquand which is interesting in the context of Jersey politics and government today. Whether it or he or his views are relevant today are matters to be considered elsewhere.
The Jersey part of the AGM for the CIs Cooperative Society Ltd was held at Hautlieu School 13 May 2014.
Unusually shareholders of this "society incorporated under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1765-1978" were met with a "political protest" at the entrance regarding the restoration of the old properties in Pitt Street and Dumaresq Street, St Helier.
We took the opportunity to video record a brief report and interview with Ms Foot - whose family used to own the properties behind the HMV advert many years ago.
Following that report we have posted interviews with Ben Shenton - formerly a Senator in the Jersey States - now Vice President of the CIs Coop and with Peter Roffey - formerly a "radical" Deputy in the States of Guernsey - and now President of the CIs Coop.
All is not well in the Cooperative "movement" in the UK and that choice of description is - or was - particularly relevant years ago when the COOP was a "way of life" for shareholders with overtly political agenda.
The CIs Coop was never so blatantly political but the fact is that local politicians have always played a prominent part in its management.
Deputy Norman Le Brocq being a particular example who served for many years but it was noticeable that shareholders in Jersey voted against Deputy Kevin Lewis being appointed as a Director at this meeting....
There are many issues arising in this "business" which has 77,000 Jersey and 41,000 Guernsey shareholders (or "members") who all have the right to attend the AGMs, to have their say and to use their vote. A strange mix of business and democratic principles and a packed house of interested participants at this Hautlieu meeting...
Ben Shenton above - Vice President
Peter Roffey above - President
"Footnote" below shows the regeneration of the Southampton Hotel site at the "Weighbridge" aka "Liberation Square" and wonders what "history" actually means....
Are the Pitt Street/ Dumaresq Street circumstances any different...?
"Mike" Le Cornu left Jersey in 1965. Here he describes his evolving life before and during the Occupation and the process by which he became politicised.
This is part of a project to record and promote the "other history" of Jersey that tends to be overlooked in so many official publications.
Those who campaign for change deserve to be recognised and applauded alongside the conservatives who resist reform yet seem to receive all the official praise and awards.
Further extracts from this video will appear in due course together with interviews with some of his compatriots and those who continued with their reforming efforts after Liberation in 1945.
More information will be researched and published about those from the more distant past too who have walked the same lonely Jersey path of dissent. If you have any knowledge or photos etc please make contact and share it with us...
On Saturday 28 September the Island will have the opportunity to celebrate and remember some of those from the pages of Jersey history who have been forgotten or not been previously acknowdged as part of the first official "Jersey Reform Day".
This site is dedicated to those brave Jersey people who initiated change back in 1769 and all those such as Mike Le Cornu who have followed in their footsteps.
It is hoped that 28 September might be a day of music and enjoyment with a dash of education amd contemplation. Volunteers and contributions and offers of support are needed NOW.
Full details will appear on this and other blogs in due course but in the meantime condider what Mike has to say here.
This video is about 24.5 mins.
At a simple ceremony in the dark, on 16 January 2013, the memorial to 19th century Constable of St Helier Pierre Le Sueur in Green Street cemetary was rededicated.
Here is a video of the proceedings led by Constable Simon Crowcroft, with a brief historical background from Geraint Jennings and a few words and prayers from the Dean, Bob Key.
Below are some of Pierre Le Sueur's own words from 1847 as published by Norman Le Brocq in his little booklet "Jersey Looks Forward" in 1946 just a year after the Liberation of Jersey.
Pierre Le Sueur and Norman Le Brocq are among those who had humble beginnings in Jersey but went on to achieve important reforms and improvements for "working people".
The Dean referred to "social conscience" and helping the disdvantaged as being the hidden side of so much that goes in Jersey society - largely unrecognised.
Both Pierre Le Sueur and Norman Le Brocq receieved some recogition within their lifetimes and afterwards but there are many hundreds of people who do not.
Jersey Reform Day on 28 September has now been officially recognised by the States of Jersey in response to the actions of a largely forgotten group of Islanders who campaigned for change during the 1760s.
That day should be an annual celebration and memorial to ALL those people who have fought for reform in Jersey over the years.
Nobody is perfect - we all have our flaws and it is necessary to see people within their own context and history is open to contradicting interpretations.
Pierre Le Sueur was not a saint but he clearly deserves to be remembered as part of the struggle for reform.
18 May 1847
Another Jersey day to remember!
Constable Pierre Le Sueur of St Helier issued this proclamation at 7.30am to the hundreds of starving protesting workers:
“To the Working Class,
All workers are commanded to return to their work immediately.
Measures are being taken to assure the distribution of bread to the working class at a reasonable price and to guard against all scarcity of essential foodstuffs.
A public assembly will be held in the near future to open a subscription for poor relief; but all aid will be refused to those who do not immediately return to work and severe measures will be taken against them.
Imprisonment with hard labour or banishment for five years is the penalty ordered in our Riot Act for all those who take part in riotous gatherings and who do not disperse when ordered to do so by the police.
If necessary, the military will be called out to reinforce the police.
The deserving poor will receive help; but all those who take part in any uprising will be severely punished.
Pierre Le Sueur
Constable of St Helier.”
Source “Jersey Looks Forward” by Norman Le Brocq published 1946
By all means remember Constable Pierre Le Sueur but who now celebrates the memory of the anonymous working Jersey people who bravely protested against terrible working and housing conditions and their starvation levels of wages in 1847?
During the 1847 protests, many hundreds - perhaps thousands – of working people joined in the marches and public protests associated with the strikes and food riots.
These protests took place over several months.
The protestors risked severe penalties. They had little protection against arbitrary dismissal from employment or their slum housing accommodation. Trades Unions were virtually non-existent. Democratic representation in government was unknown.
Similar protests took place with monotonous regularity in Jersey as in other places, over the centuries.
Similar conditions prevailed on 28 September 1769 when hundreds of protesting Jersey people overthrew the Royal Court.
That date is now officially recognised as JERSEY REFORM DAY and will be celebrated for the first time this year.
But where are the memorials to ALL the brave working peoples from the past who have risked their lives and property to improve social, employment and political conditions in Jersey over many centuries?
Who remembers now?
Jean Picot, George Sargent, Thomas Cundy, William Holland, Thomas Connor, Thomas Anthony, Frederick Pyke, Stephen Wilkins, Jean Le Gresley, John Dunn, Elias Selous, George Minton, Joseph Baker George Carter, Thomas Mouldoun, Denis Daly, John Gernam, Pierre Voisin, Richard Tucker and many others.
Most of those named above were charged with “forming part of an illegal assemblage of persons and for having caused a tumult in divers parts of St Helier etc”
Many were imprisoned and five years banishment from Jersey was the ruinous punishment commonly handed down by the courts.
Pierre Le Sueur’s memory for resisting the protestors was ensured by grateful parishioners who erected the grand Broad Street obelisk which remains to this day.
This year, on Saturday 28 September we shall all have the opportunity to join an OFFICIAL day of celebrations as JERSEY REFORM DAY to recognise the efforts of ALL those people who have fought to improve standards of living and democracy in Jersey.
