29th December 2009
St Helier brought to a standstill by 600 mourners
When Jersey artist Ralph Elliott died aged just 47, his funeral procession brought St Helier to a standstill. As reported by the Jersey Evening Post in its obituary of 9 February 2010, “up to 600 mourners attended Ralph’s funeral at St Helier Methodist Centre.”
Elliott was born and raised in Jersey but studied art in London for several years before returning to the island in the 1990s. He staged several exhibitions during his lifetime, establishing his reputation. Following his death, a posthumous exhibition was staged at the Jersey Arts Centre’s Berni Gallery, which included some of his best works from previous shows.
FREE Jersey history newsletter
Don't miss our weekly update on Jersey's fascinating history. We promise never to sell your data to anyone else, and there's a super-easy unsubscribe link on the bottom of each email so you can leave whenever you want.
Other events that occured in December
Jersey elects first woman to States Assembly
- In 1948, Ivy Foster became the first woman elected to serve in Jersey's States Assembly, although she was not the first to try.
- Read more…
Channel Island cargo ships collide
- Two British Transport Commission cargo ships serving the channel islands collided in December 1955 resulting in significant damage.
- Read more…
TV naturalist wades into seagull row
- Plans to kill a playful seagull called Gulliver attracted the attention of a television naturalist, and the States of Jersey changed its plan.
- Read more…
Maurice Gould is deported to Europe
- Maurice Gould and two friends tried to escape from Jersey during the Occupation. However, they were caught and deported to Europe.
- Read more…