2010 Events
Wherever you are we wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year and great re-enacting in 2011
Militia Christmas Dinner - 11th December - Mermaid Inn
The "best dinner ever for the fourth year running" was the consensus of opinion of this year's annual dinner held at the18th century Mermaid Tavern. It was a wonderful evening with good food, great company and friends old and new and of course the wine flowed. The table was decorated with lanterns and candles and the conversation and laughter flowed easily around good friends. Then it was on to our year end auction with the top item being an original copy of the 1881 Battle of Jersey centenary book generously given by Cassie Horton . The were so many items this year that the auction took about an hour and a half to complete, so grateful thanks to Terry Underwood for auctioneering. We raised £385.00 for the club.
Poppy Day Appeal
Saturday 6th November 2010
From 9 o'clock until 1.00 pm our last event of the year brought out Militiamen in force on a very wet morning. They were busy collecting for the Royal British Legion and selling poppies by the score. Six year old Samuel Arnold was especially popular with the public and must have doubled the intake this year. £1,416.32 was raised altogether in 4 hours. Our secret weapon, young Sam, proved invaluable. Thanks to all who came out to collect on such a wet day.
National Trust Open Day - Greve de L'Ecq Barracks
Saturday 11th September 2010
Sergeant for the day Dominic Egre gathered his men for numerous demonstrations for the public visiting the Barracks, one of a number of National Trust for Jersey properties open for the day. Sergeant Roger Guiton and Dick Gledhill were at Fort Catel further up the hill with just under 200 people visiting the site and watching the black powder 18th century cannon being fired on the hour. Our second youngest recruit, Sam Arnold, took some of the photographs, below, and looked smart in his new uniform. Dominic's wife, Jane, and daughter, Hannah, added to the 18th century scene.
Minden Day - Sunday 1st August 2010
Although a smaller public attendance this year, the annual service and parade in remembrance of the Battle of Minden took place again in Minden Place. The Very Revd Robert Key, Dean of Jersey conducted the service and the customary presentation of a rose to each man was made by the Connetable of St Helier's wife. The Band of the Islands of Jersey led the parade to Minden Place from The British Legion in Devonshire Place and the men quick marched to their music at the conclusion.
Elizabeth Castle 2010
Our first event due on 30th May was unfortunately cancelled due to bad weather, so there we all were all dressed up with nowhere to go. Still, we all gathered on board the castle ferry and talked for a while before we departed for home.
The 13th June event, with fine weather, was much more successful and was the first occasion we had put up our two tents together. Thankfully one of our number knew how they should be erected, otherwise we would all still have been there now. The day went well with an abundance of visitors taking transport and walking to the castle. We were pleased to welcome Gunner Blake's good wife, Gwen, for her first day's event where she learned the skill of making lavender favours from our Midwife.
The 11th July was also a fine warm and sunny day. The tents went up more rapidly this time. All the cannon displays were well received and the weather blessed us. Our newest and smallest recruit joined us on this occasion - three and a half months old Hannah with her mother, Jane. Hannah drew many smiles and gave many herself. The public were very generous in purchasing lavender favours and lace bookmarks all made by our ladies, the proceeds going to swell the group's coffers to provide gunpowder and the like. The infantry found two or three French uniforms and later in the day tried them for size in preparation for our 10th anniversary and the 230th anniversary of the Battle of Jersey next year.
22nd August saw good weather for most of day, with a little rain for a short time early on. Visitors were plentiful showing much interest in parades, cannon and musket firing and demonstrations throughout the day. Still bereft of a photographer we are unable to show you the excellent demonstration of firing 3 shots in 1 minute given to the crowd awaiting the ferry at the end of the day by Infantry Privates Kearns and Egre.
For our last event of the year at Elizabeth Castle 19th September was another excellent day for weather, sunny and warm with a goodly number of visitors. Thanks to Sue on reception for providing biscuits and sweets for us all on our last day. Although some of our members were scattered in France and Italy for their last remaining summer holidays those of us who were there were delighted to welcome Sam Wilson on his first event and sadly had to say goodbye to Paul Jasper who will shortly be taking the long journey to the new colony in Australia with his wife and worldly goods.
Government House 11th June 2010
Once again the 1781 Jersey Militia were privileged to be asked to fire a 21 gun salute at Government House in honour of Her Majesty the Queen's official birthday. The weather could not have been better and the salute itself went extremely well. This year Tom Arnold set up his video camera and the excellent result can be seen on Youtube at the following address:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNv2xShhTig
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZTEIRqNP94&NR=1
21 Gun Salute in Honour of Her Majesty the Queen's 84th Birthday
24 April 2010
This year’s 21 gun salute in honour of the Queen’s birthday was held in sunshine, with a stiff wind, but with the usual support from the public, of all ages, watching the proceedings. The smoke and flame of our cannon reverberated across the bay towards St Aubin’s Fort. All cannons performed well and the group photograph at the end of the event was taken advantage of by the many cameras amongst the public.
229th Anniversary of The Battle of Jersey
Grouville
As the anniversary fell on a Wednesday this year we commemorated the fallen at Grouville Parish Church on Saturday 2nd January.
The Parish Rector, Revd. Mike Lange-Smith, held a short service and a minute's silence prevailed at 11 a.m. in honour of those who died defending the island as the French came ashore in the parish. Within the service Gunner Underwood provided a short explanation of the events which led to the deaths of those commemorated on the monument. Three volleys of musket fire ended the event and the Militia retired to the Seymour Inn on the coast road. We thank the Constable of the parish for his enthusiastic promotion and publicity for this event.
