26th February 1951
Gerald Durrell marries the woman who will help him found his zoo
Jacquie Wolfenden was a trained opera singer, and the daughter of a Manchester hotel owner, in whose establishment Durrell stayed at the end of an expedition. It was there that they met and started a relationship that culminated in marriage on 26 February 1951
They founded Jersey Zoo together and, with Durrell’s author brother, Lawrence, she encouraged him to write the series of world-famous books that detailed his adventures collecting animals. However, the stress of both his alcoholism and his increasing workload eventually drove them apart. They divorced in 1979, and Gerald married Lee Wilson later the same year.
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Other events that occured in February
Jersey’s wrists are slapped by the Home Office
- Jersey refused to pay for a census to be carried out when it felt that the only benefit would be to the mainland.
- Read more…
Wartime diplomat Arthur de la Mare is born
- Arthur de la Mare had a long and varied diplomatic career and was appointed High Commissioner of Singapore.
- Read more…
The government of Jersey is unveiled
- The council of ministers adopted the ‘Government of Jersey’ as the island government’s official identity at home and abroad.
- Read more…
HD Ferries confirms the end of all services
- HD Ferries provided express services between Jersey, Guernsey, Cherbourg and St Malo between 2007 and 2009.
- Read more…