DESPITE Herself’s assertions to the contrary – expressed to virtually everyone who inquired – my recent absence from this regular Monday slot was not caused by a bad bottle, and nor indeed by a rotten apple that was used in the complex distillation process of the excellent bottle of calvados I was part way through drinking when the medics decided that a short stay in hospital might actually do me good.
I won’t say what did cause this minor medical hiccup but I have nothing but praise – and thanks – for everyone associated with the medical and nursing professions at the General Hospital. Their patience, tolerance and good humour in what are often the most trying of circumstances are, as far as I am concerned, exemplary, for without exception they all go the extra mile, with a smile.
Not a great deal happened in my absence, unless of course you count the small matter of the general election, which, while it produced a few minor ripples in terms of surprises, did not bring about the level of change which many thought – or at least hoped – might ruffle enough feathers to satisfy what seems to remain a very disgruntled slice of the population.
Of course, a lot of the general dissatisfaction might evaporate once the outcome of today’s election for Chief Minister is known and the successful candidate makes known the identities of his Council of Ministers.
That said, whether it’s fresh faces or more of the same will do a lot to determine the level of support from the likes of the thinkers and drinkers in the pub which will be needed to get this place back to a more positive attitude of mind does remain to be seen.
While Ian Gorst is very much a known quantity in terms of how he approaches the job of chief cook and bottle washer, he may well reflect upon his position in the poll, both in relation to his previous performance and in comparison to opponent John Le Fondré’s excellent showing at his first attempt at getting an Islandwide mandate.
I don’t know either candidate personally, although I admit that I was very much an admirer of the late John Le Fondré senior – a hard-working and quietly efficient politician who would probably have gone on to much greater things had he been spared.
He would have been quite extraordinarily proud of what his son has achieved. And while we’re on the subject of families, I might as well mention that I was also a very envious admirer of Senator-elect Le Fondré’s mother’s choice of cars, albeit quite a few moons ago know.
The one I particularly recall was a pale-blue Sunbeam Rapier, which made the then Jennifer Pallot the envy of most of her generation. Happy days.
By the time this is published, Sir Philip Bailhache will no longer be a Senator in the States of Jersey, thus bringing to an end a career in public life which has spanned almost half a century of often taxing and difficult circumstances.
The thinkers and drinkers at the pub reflected upon this the other evening and to the best of their recollection believe that the last occasion on which something similar happened was the retirement of Alexander Coutanche in the early 1960s.
While I am certainly not suggesting a life peerage for the former Bailiff – although Lord Bailhache of Queen’s Valley does have a certain ring to it – there is scope, I think, for a further recognition of lengthy public service both in breadth and depth which is unlikely to be matched in the foreseeable future.
We recalled in the pub that while he was Bailiff, Sir Peter Crill’s contribution to the Island in what we then thought the most difficult of circumstances relating to the ultimate sacking of his deputy, was recognised with the award of a KBE – a second knighthood.
In simple terms, that means the precedent does exist.
And finally…I thought the letter last week about the alleged lack of notice of the annual bikers’ ride-out from St Catherine to the Five Mile Road was a trifle churlish. Herself and I were well aware of when and where, as were the friends we always meet up with at a beach side kiosk to enjoy the spectacle while also enjoying coffee and bacon rolls. In an age governed by speed and greed it was refreshing to see nearly a thousand people doing what they enjoy just for the pleasure
and charity.
