2008 Events
227th Anniversary of The Battle of Jersey - 5th January 2008
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The 1781 Jersey Militia's salute to the anniversary of the battle, which occurred on 6th January 1781, is held on the nearest Saturday to the anniversary. The Parish Constable, Dan Murphy, once again attended with members of the Honorary Police at Grouville Church. The Parish Rector, the Revd. Mike Lange-Smith held a short service and Terry Underwood gave a presentation of the events at La Rocque in 1781. A minute's silence then prevailed at 11 a.m. in honour of those Grenadiers from the 83rd of Foot who fell at La Rocque and Jersey Militiamen who died in the Royal Square defending the island against the French invaders.
Three volleys of musket fire ended the event which the small crowd in attendance enjoyed showing their pleasure with a long round of applause. The rain held off, which was a blessing, and the majority of the Militia marched off to the Pembroke pub for a drink and sandwiches. Our thanks to our Militia photographer, Graham Tolley, who was on hand with his camera and here are some of his photos.
Thanks also to all the local media for tremendous publicity and turning out in force.
Photographs by Graham Tolley
Photographs by Pete Laffoley
Elizabeth Castle 6th April 2008
Our first event at the castle this year started with a trip in the new ferry called the "Charming Nancy" named after one of Jersey's most famous privateers of the mid-18th century. We arrived in fine form but not long after we arrived the wind picked up, the ferry stopped running and we saw no visitors until the tide went down around midday. It was cold and windy but the ladies kept a welcoming fire in the guard house and despite the smoke most were glad of it. The afternoon picked up and people began to arrive our afternoon display went well. Our visitors enjoyed it and we went away happy. It was good to be back at the castle.
21st April - 21 Gun salute - The Queen's birthday
The Queen's 82nd birthday and 21 shots to celebrate it, plus a volley with 6 cannons, went well. We were lucky with the rain which stopped for the shoot and started again just after we had packed everything away to leave. A small crowd of the general public assembled to watch and then we took the annual group photo. As usual we had a good turn out and everyone enjoyed the day.
Elizabeth Castle 27th April 2008
A high tide with showers of rain kept the crowd numbers down but those who made it were treated to displays of cannon firing displays, drill and musket demonstrations. Two of the ladies, Martha and Alison, made the best of a damp 1746 Militia room with goods displays, some spinning and loads of hidden behind the scenes cups of coffee for the chaps. The Guard House was occupied by Polly demonstrating and talking about lace making and its origins.
Elizabeth Castle 18th May 2008
What a lovely gathering of our members and the public today. There were really cheerful crowds throughout the day despite the threat of rain which thankfully did not arrive. However, the high winds did commence resulting in the early closure of the Castle. There were good displays in the morning and Corporal Lees on good form giving his all to the crowd. The mid-day gun was received very well but we had to bring forward the afternoon cannon session because of the approaching tide which cuts the Castle off.
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All the ladies had a good day too. In the Militia Room Alison did her spinning and produced some wonderful soup for the soldier's repast. In the Guard Room, Nell demonstrated her cord making with her lucet, directing people to see the prisoner in his cell. Very quiet he was too - sleeping it off! Carolle and Polly made bobbin lace, and described their craft, persuading two visitors that it was not so difficult by their trying it out for themselves. The lace lamp in front of Carolle gives out a welcome glow when light is dim. It is filled with water and expands the light from the candle behind.
HRH The Queen's Official Birthday - Government House, Jersey
Friday 13th June 2008
An invitation is extended annually to all islanders to attend a garden party in honour of Her Majesty. For the second year running the Governor, Lieutenant General Andrew Ridgway, invited the 1781 Jersey Militia to fire a 21 gun salute at his official residence in St. Saviour. Proceedings began with a fanfare from the Caledonian pipers which was followed by an address by His Excellency. The 21 gun salute followed which went well despite a few mis-fires. Applause from the 850 or so guests at the end of the en report ending with all cannon firing was enthusiastic. The cannons were cleared from the lawn in record time for the Band of the Island of Jersey to present the retreat . Afterwards the cannon where lined up outside the lawn gate for the inspection of the public as they left. It was a very good evening with over many of over 850 guests extending their delight and congratulations.
The fee for the evening is being donated to the "Raise the Flag" charity to help bring the Captain Henry William Pitcher VC back to Jersey. Any surplus will go on to help the boys of the British Army who have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Elizabeth Castle - Sunday 22nd June 2008
The Castle was surrounded by the tide for the first part of the day and this kept the crowd numbers down in the morning but there was a larger crowd in the afternoon that enjoyed the cannon drill and firing demonstrations. The infantry showed their skill at the 1764 drill and the firing of the muskets.
Our Sutler's tent was up and occupied by Martha for her talks as an 18th century Surgeon's Assistant. Nell and Polly were doing lace in the Guardhouse and Alison was spinning in the Militia room. Overall a lovely day that went all too quickly.
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Link to event at The American Museum - Claverton Manor, Bath 5th and 6th July 2008
Elizabeth Castle - Sunday 27th July 2008
The tide surrounded the castle all day but what glorious weather, with sunshine all the way combined with light winds. The crowds kept coming and we had good numbers throughout the day for all our demonstrations. We changed the cannon demonstration to begin with an explanation of how a team of six men would man and operate a cannon and this was well received and it was the first time we operated with linstocks at the Castle. The ladies spread themselves around the castle demonstrating their skills with the lucet, lacing making or talking about herbal remedies and all in all it was a very nice day.
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Samares Manor - Sunday 24th August 2008
This was the first time the Militia had attended Samares Manor. Unfortunately we were not able to use our cannon but the small crowds enjoyed the musket demonstrations and the duel went well too. The weather was not very kind to us first thing in the morning with a steady light rain which thankfully cleared ten minutes before our first performance late in the morning. The afternoon went somewhat better with larger numbers of public, encouraged by the now sunny day to come and see Samares Manor. We look forward to returning to this beautiful setting again next year.
Elizabeth Castle - Sunday 28th September 2008
Crowds of lovely people - that describes our last visit of the season to the castle. There was plenty of sunshine and perhaps because it was our last visit of the year we had a good turn out and everyone enjoyed themselves. Pictures by Allison Soulsby.
Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal - 11th November 2008
The uniforms of the eight 1781 Jersey Militia soldiers attracted a good deal of support from the public and the militia collection tins filled up quickly. One of the small Battalion guns was placed at the entrance to the Royal Square and King Street to add to the atmosphere. The rain early in the morning kept the crowds down but by 10.00am they were out with their generosity and our tins began to fill. We were all pleased with the very welcome cups of coffee, tea and support from Pearce the Jewellers.
Militia Christmas Dinner - 6th December - Mermaid Inn
The "best dinner ever" was the consensus of opinion of this year's annual dinner held once again at the18th century Mermaid Tavern. It was a wonderful evening which both members and their guests enjoyed, many of whom made a brilliant effort to attend in period attire. An abundance of food with great company, all washed down with a glass or two of wine. The table was decorated with greenery, lanterns and candles and conversation flowed easily around good company. After coffee, a speech or two and then on to our first year end auction. The top item of the evening was a Gold coin given to the Militia which has the British Legion poppy on one side and a impression of a 1781 Jersey Militia man with his modern counterpart on the reverse. On the edge was the number 3 (of 200) but with the date 1781 added by the maker which meant this coin was unique. The bidding was brisk and a good sum was raised for the Militia funds. Other items were a small cannon and various books. The auction finished the evening off nicely combined with a few group photos as we waited for taxis to arrive.
The setting, the dinners and friends
The unique Gold 1781 coin
Nearly home by moonlight
Where ever you are we wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year and great re-enacting in 2009.
e-mail <dp@dalecot.com>