Parish constables U-turn on artist’s mental health signs
ST PETER PORT constables have backed down after initially trying to block the display of artwork promoting mental health because Christmas was a ‘joyful time in the main’.
Local artist and campaigner Sian Jones was told that her positive slogans, currently on display at her Mill Street studio, had already drawn complaints from parishioners and would not be appropriate for display in the Town centre at Christmas.
However, following a huge response from people on social media and via email, St Port constable Dennis Le Moignan said they were hoping to be able to display the signs after all.
The slogans in white text on coloured backgrounds include ‘the fog will lift’, ‘storms don’t last forever’ and ‘life is a beautiful mess’ with the Instagram tag ‘notes to islanders’ underneath.
They had previously been on display in the summer.
Ms Jones had approached the constables a few days ago and asked for the chance to repeat the installation over the Christmas period. She was told in an email from the constables office later posted on Facebook that it would not be possible.
‘Although we do recognise that Christmas can be a difficult time for some, it is a joyful one in the main.
‘We do not feel that the signs should be put up for the Christmas period and also, it should be reported to you that we have had complaints from parishioners about them. It was felt that the message was wrong and could suggest to visitors that we are an uncaring place to be,’ it read.
After posting the response onto Facebook, nearly 100 people showed their support in the comments and many by emailing the constables.
‘It does beggar belief, let alone on a freedom of speech front, who gets upset about positive mental health slogans?’ said Paul Brehaut.
‘I was just talking to a friend who’s a police officer only the other day who had just been attending a suicide scene and he said most of their week is taken up with mental health related cases.
‘It totally baffles me that they could see a problem with your project,’ said Elliott Mariess.
‘What an awful bunch of conservative primates,’ said Luke Kershaw.
Ms Jones will be meeting with the constables today to discuss the possibility of installing the signs.
Constable Dennis Le Moignan said they had received a large number of emails from members of the public in support of the artwork.
‘We’re going to talk about it [today].
‘We did have some complaints in the summer.
‘The constables have received many emails on the subject and they have all been replied to personally. Hopefully we can get the signs displayed over Christmas,’ he said.
Ms Jones declined to comment.
