Le Viaer Marchi founder’s family at half-centenary

The National Trust of Guernsey fundraiser is a chance to showcase some of the traditional crafts and food of the island.

It was started in 1969 by Peggy Carey, who was also a founding member of the local National Trust.

Her grandson, Andrew Carey, is the current head of the organising committee.

‘It has been going pretty well,’ he said on the evening.

‘People have said for the last week the weather was going to be fantastic, but you never quite believe it until you see it.’

A number of the Carey family attended the event, including Peggy’s daughter Jessamy Webster, nee Carey.

She said the family story was that Peggy and four friends had got together to try and look at how to protect local buildings and land for future generations. This led to the founding of the National Trust of Guernsey in 1960.

‘Then in 1969 my mother had the idea of the Viaer Marchi – the old market,’ Mrs Webster said.

‘The first one was held in the courtyard of the folk museum.’

Peggy Carey was made an MBE by the Queen for her work. She died in 2003, aged 89.

‘This is wonderful,’ said Mrs Webster at this year’s event.

‘I’m sure she is looking down on us today.’

There were an array of traditional crafts at the event, including willow whittling.

Harrison Menhenitt, 11, was whittling flowers out of willow, while his sisters were making wands.

‘My grandfather taught me how to do it,’ he said.

‘I have to do it very carefully because it is quite sharp.

‘A lot of people have been watching and I have given some flowers out.

‘I take part every year and I really enjoy it.’

Among the people enjoying the evening was Claire Amory and her children, Henry, 6, and Hannah, 4.

‘We come down every year,’ she said.

‘For us it’s about the doughnuts and the gache.

‘It’s lovely.’

There was a lot of local cider and jam, but it was the beanjar that drew the crowds.

The Guernsey Military History Company spent several days preparing for the event. About a dozen volunteers dressed in traditional woollen military outfits and served up beanjar from the hot stoves.

Member Shaun Marsh said this year they had made 80 litres – double what they made last year.

Within the first hour they had sold half their beanjar and the queue still stretched across the green.

This was the fifth year the group had offered the food, as part of its work to mark the centenary of the First World War.

Mr Marsh said they had been covering a lot of events and they were not sure if they would be back next year.