SOCIETE JERSIAISE

HISTORY SECTION

Minutes of the Section Annual General Meeting held on

Tuesday 17th January 2017

5.15 pmin the Members’ Room

  1. Present:Mary Billot (Chairman), Jean Treleven(Minutes), Yvonne Aston, Ian Everson, Frank Falle, Sue Hardy, Frank Le Blancq, Georgia Le Maistre, Bronwyn Matthews, Rose Millow, John Osmont, Doreen Schofield-Fost, Shane Sweeney, Evelyn Tucker, Nicky Westwood.

Apologies for absence: Averil Arthur, Marie-Louise Backhurst, Margaret Cabot, John Clarke, Luke Davis,Stewart Hill, Sarah Jordan, Sally Knight.

  1. Minutes of the meeting of Tuesday 13th December 2016: Yvonne Aston noted as present.
  1. Election of officers for 2017
  2. Honorary Chairman : Mary Billot (this will be her last year)
  3. Honorary Secretary : Jean Treleven (this will be her last year also)

Frank Falleexpressed thanks to the Chairman and Secretary.

  1. Chairman’s communications

Regret was expressed at loss of Jonathan Sykes who will be leaving on February 17th to work with the External Affairs Dept. We wish him well in what will be an exciting new role.

Some members had responded Robert Waterhouse’s request for information on Les Landes.

Historic Buildings sub-section met last night; MondayMarch 6th is the next meeting. YA and ET expressed interest in joining. [From MMB : if you wish to join this sub-section, please let Jonathan Sykes have your email address so that he can add it to his group email list].

Dept of Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture is planning a Sport & Culture survey to review service delivery this year; please be aware of this and be ready to contribute to a submission from the SociétéJersiaise. See the notice in the JEP Jersey Gazette on November 29th 2016.

Jersey Archive online catalogue questionnaire, please complete online if you can.

Items for Spring 2017 newsletter required also for Section Annual Report 2017 by end of February if possible. Georgia and Frank promised items.

  1. Members’ contributions

MB passed on MLB’s information on the Charles Close Society, Col. Thomas Aspinwall, US Consul to the UK, married Louisa Poignand, in 1820. No other details known.

BM would like to know if anyone can spare a few hours in the library to maintain the JEP cuttings of interest to the Société - Historical features and significant events making a turning point. Last year's JEPs all need doing.

FF is researching honorary system. Looking at vingteniers and centeniers in the army e.g. 1355.In Norwich found constables and constable's officers. Suggested when Thomas de Ferrers came as warden on orders of Edward 3rd, he brought this system over here. Warden, Bailiff and Jurats came from system in existence at the Cinque Ports. This will be reported in full in the newsletter.

In 1618 military was placed under the Governor and policing under the Bailiff, though honorary police would have 2 roles.JT asked about honorary police batons de justices. SH said they originated with General Don and mentioned that the Viscount had a tip staff in the shape of a silver oar to arrest boats in the harbour.

GLM Vic Geary would like missing volumes from St Helier's cemeteries, especially early Green Street records. He has done much work on the Strangers' Cemetery at the bottom of Westmount. FF askedwhere garrison would have been buried. ET suggested records may be in a church such as St Luke's.

IE will be at the Local History Fair doing a 1 hour presentation on bus history on the Saturday at 11.30. He is producing albums of the advertising on buses(notably drink and cigarettes) and passed one around.

SH sent email to RM about flautist George Pinel(born 1899) who played with Royal Philharmonic. Had magazine with front page about Alfred Amy, a musician and composer who went to London.

YA hoping to publish her book this year. Referred to Friday's (bar),which was the Red Lion. Very concerned at the changes of names of pubs.GLM suggested this might be of concern to Historic Buildings sub-section.

RM wants to plug the 19th C newspapers now available in the Library, including The Jersey Independent. While in the library, Anna Baghianishowed her a poem by John Stuart Blackie called a 'song of delights.'. Printed 1883.Also found article including the Jersey Industrial School song written by headmaster Gavey, marking 30 years of the school with speeches about 1899.

SS copied into an email from Paul Harding. Sent scan of original drawings for Midland Bank Library Place. Being sent to the Archive.Also States Greffe is doing an exhibition on the history of the States Building; will try to find out more.

FLB found piece from JEP 1909 on drunk youths. Charged with breach of the peace knocking down stacks of vraic on the common in St Ouen's bay.

  1. Date of next meetingTuesday 21st February 2017, at 5.15pm, Members’ Room.
  1. Dates for your diary :

LOCAL HISTORY FAIR,Friday 27thandSaturday 28th January 2017

Venue: Jersey Library, St Helier.

SPRING LUNCHTIME TALKS, March1st to April 5th2017

Wednesdays1.15 – 1.45 pmfollowed by questions, in the Members’ Room