A rather large piece of the island he loves for Phil’s 60th
A TONNE of Guernsey granite was an unusual 60th birthday present for West Midlands man Phil Potter, a lifelong lover of the island in particular and the Channel islands in general.
He and his wife Sally had planned to spend it in Guernsey, but due to Covid-19 that was scuppered.
From his first visit when he was five, Mr Potter has been hooked on the islands, and hated the couple of occasions he holidayed elsewhere.
‘To say that my husband was disappointed was an understatement,’ Mrs Potter said.
‘You see, my husband loves Guernsey and the Channel Islands. There is nowhere else he would rather be.’
Holidays were rare and lasted four days maximum for Mr Potter, whose family ran a small bakery.
‘All the stays have been short and sweet. The Royal Hotel was the family choice. Phil stayed there even when he went for the first time without his parents, but with his friends, when he was 17.’
Securing money in a safe, dressing up for dinner and changing for the Savoy Hotel ballroom are fond memories, as well as various hotel stays.
For 27 years the couple have travelled to Guernsey together, cycling and walking.
‘It has been when Phil was at his happiest.’
Getting away has been difficult these past five years while caring for elderly parents.
‘But this year we would have been free to have spent a few more days in Guernsey and we were really looking forward to it. So I had a crazy idea – what if I could get a piece of Guernsey to Phil?’
Mrs Potter contacted Granite Le Pelley managing director Richard Breban, who agreed straight away, donated the rock and arranged transport.
‘I only had to pay the transportation fees. I cannot thank Richard and everyone involved at Granite Le Pelley enough. The day before Phil’s birthday, a very large beautiful piece of Guernsey granite arrived.’
It was kept secret until he uncovered it on his birthday morning.
‘He couldn’t even imagine what it was and was so surprised. He was actually reduced to tears, but don’t tell him I said that. Now every morning and evening we both have a look at it. Our next job is to get some lighting for it. It looks fantastic and Phil loves it, it is very special.
‘When we do eventually get to Guernsey, it won’t be a moment too soon.’
Mr Breban said: ‘We don’t get many requests like this.’
Granite mushrooms and a trough for the Chelsea Flower Show have been shipped before.
‘We placed the stone on a very strong purpose-built pallet and strapped it down. It was taken to Channel Seaways, who shipped it to Poole, and they arranged transport to Sally Potter’s address.
‘When the request came in and we were told the reason behind it we just had to help. They clearly love Guernsey and are missing their trips here due to the current situation. The arrival of a part of Guernsey has clearly helped cheer her husband up.’
