Sian’s positive signs are welcome in St Peter Port
A MISUNDERSTANDING between St Peter Port constables and a local artist has been ‘cleared up’, according to the senior constable of the parish.
The constables initially tried 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.
But after a meeting parish officials changed their mind.
‘We had a very successful and amicable meeting with Sian this morning and hopefully her signs will be up for all to see shortly,’ senior constable Dennis Le Moignan said.
‘The misunderstanding which caused us to initially give a refusal has been cleared up and we did in fact offer our services to help put the signs up.’
A huge response from people online and via email meant the constables met the artist in the hope of enabling the signs to be displayed.
Mr Le Moignan continued: ‘The good thing coming out from the Press and other media attention is that conversely it hopefully brought more awareness to the public that there are people for whom happiness at Christmastime can have quite the opposite effect.’
Ms Jones originally used the signs through the summer at music festivals and for Mental Health Awareness Week.
‘I thought it would be a good idea to put them up again at Christmas because mental health affects everybody and it doesn’t just stop at the festive season,’ she said.
Colourful signs with a positive message are designed to interrupt a flow of negative thoughts and brighten islanders’ days.
‘The constables apologised for their original email, which I appreciated, and I hope it makes them think first the next time something like this happens,’ Ms Jones added.
She had permission from Guernsey Electricity and Planning, but the constables were an obstacle.
‘People had been really supportive on social media and emailed the constables which has raised the profile and awareness of mental health in the island, she said.
‘I hope the signs work in a positive way to help change the stigma attached to mental health and encourage people to speak out because it’s something I wish I would have done sooner.’
