Joan grateful to remember cherished times with family

With four generations of family on-island and the dawn of stage three, a big surprise get-together is planned.

Born in Guernsey as one of five Besnard girls, Mrs Dean went to Melrose briefly before moving to Vauvert Primary School.

At what was De La Mare’s on the bottom of Fountain Street, aged 14, she started work as a dressmaker – a profession she continued until 1994. During the Occupation Mrs Dean swapped clothing for food.

‘Because we had no food, especially towards the end, my sister had little ones which I would walk in their pram from Town to L’Ancresse to sell dresses,’ she said.

‘I was asked if I would prefer vegetables to pay, I said “oh yes”, and had runner beans, cauliflowers and all. Mum said it was great that I helped out my sister.’

While working at the Airport she met her husband, Harry Dean, and married in 1949.

Together they had three children – Shirley in 1950, John in 1953 and Chris in 1957. Now Mrs Dean has eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

For two years Mr and Mrs Dean tried their hand at growing, but did not take to it. With their home in Vauvert, she and her husband ran The Plough Inn from 1953 until 1966, taking over the White Hart in 1970 for a short while before returning to The Plough.

‘It was a very popular pub with good clientèle, the same people used to come in every week,’ Mrs Dean said.

‘My husband’s father owned The Plough, and when he died we took over. I had never poured a pint or anything and had to learn. When we retired Chris took it over. It had been in the family since 1910, and is the oldest pub on the island – 1810 when the bar was established.’

To her delight, the current manager Richard Skipper keeps photos on the wall of their time there to show to visitors.

Along with her children and family, overall Mrs Dean said she is most proud of her singing.

‘I always used to sing Vera Lynn. Billy Shephard, the band master, used to announce me as Guernsey’s Vera Lynn. He had a harmonica band for all the boys aged 16 and 17, who were too old to be evacuated, so Bill had them in his band with 30 musicians all together.

‘I sang when we were liberated, on the ground by the Ship & Crown. I was in the crowd watching the soldiers coming off the boat, and someone said “come on Joan, sing Sarnia Cherie”. Everyone was so pleased to see the soldiers, we were so happy to be free. I doubt that people minded who was singing.’

On Saturday Mrs Dean and her three children enjoyed the sunshine at Candie Gardens.

‘We used to sing here, and underneath there was a changing room.’

Prior to and throughout the Occupation Mrs Dean sang in church choirs across multiple churches.

‘One of my children now sings – I think he can sing better than me.’

Aged 83, Mrs Dean upped and went to Australia to see a cousin, returning aged 84.

On the journey she was the only one awake and spoke to the steward, who co-incidentally formerly worked in Guernsey, renting a flat in Vauvert just a few doors up, and knew her son, Chris.

Having never learned to drive, Mrs Dean said her secret to long life is pushing prams for miles around the island, with some particularly fond memories walking from the Last Post to Town with her late grandson and stopping to buy white chocolate buttons.

‘When I look at my three children I can’t believe how old I am.’

Mrs Dean is grateful to remember cherished times with her family.