Riddle of the MBE

INFORMATION is being sought about a mysterious medal once awarded to a Ridunian.

John Fage, from Trinity in Jersey, was bequeathed an MBE medal by late islander Bertha Quinain.

John, 76, takes up the story.

'My wife was the niece of Bertha, wife of the late Jack Quinain. Bertha died a couple of years ago but about two years before she died, on one of our many visits, she gave me a medal and said: "You can have Jack's MBE, as no one will want it when I'm gone,"' said John.

'We have kept the medal and decided to donate it to Alderney Museum, which wanted information on when it was awarded.

'I got in touch with the London Gazette, then the Chancery at Buckingham Palace, and learnt nobody named Quinain had been awarded the MBE. I now have a medal that was awarded to someone in Alderney, but I don't know who. It could be George Macdonald, Bertha's brother-in-law, or someone in the Mignot, Sebire or McLernon families, as they were all related to the Quinains.

'I'm hoping readers will be able to help me solve the case of the Alderney MBE.'

*Anyone with information about the medal can contact John on 01534 863440 or email johncfage@jerseymail.co.uk.

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The island's housing market was outlined in a recent national newspaper piece.

The Daily Mail article, written by Fred Redwood, said Alderney had more to offer than beaches and tax breaks.

He spoke to Gerry Clarke, Gerry Sarson, Caroline Ely and Andrew Eggleston for the story, which appeared in the paper's 9 July edition.

The piece centred on reasons people choose to live in the island. Mr Clarke said there was a distinct '1950s feel' to Alderney, which boasted low crime, cheap living and a lovely climate.

Mr Eggleston, meanwhile, said the island could do with a few more people to start up new businesses.

Mr Redwood suggested people running internet businesses could relocate here.

'Working on the internet from home with the occasional commute to the mainland is possible. The 15-seater Trislander flies into Southampton airport every morning, from where the train will get you to London for 11am. The downside is that the return flight costs more than £100.

'Opening a business is another option, but it's unlikely to make your fortune. A few shops have closed recently and when a new one opens it is often run more as a hobby.'

Mr Redwood also said the tourist trade – according to his article the island attracts 3,000 visitors a year – is growing. The Braye Beach Hotel, said Mr Redwood, is largely responsible for the number of tourists increasing.

Despite singing Alderney's praises, Mr Clarke, Mr Sarson and Mrs Ely all said they were planning to leave the island.

* Visit www.dailymail.co.uk to read the article.