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 is granted its own flag
- Although it had flown a red saltire for some time, it wasn't until the 1980s that Jersey finally, officially, got its own flag.
- Read more…
Author and Chinese army chief William Mesny dies
- William Mesney was born in the Channel Islands and became a distinguished officer in the Chinese army.
- Read more…
Lifeboat rescues crew after mine strike
- Jersey lifeboat rescued 11 crew members after their cargo ship ran aground and hit a mine left over from the Second World War.
- Read more…
Jersey’s German post delivered 71 years late
- Ninety letters written by German soldiers stationed in Jersey during the Second World War took 71 years to be delivered.
- Read more…