Island’s French link featured in first major castle event
CASTLE Cornet launched its season of major public events at the weekend by celebrating Guernsey’s extensive links with France.
HistoryFest was packed with displays, activities, shows, and visiting families, as the island marked the 140th anniversary of impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s famous stay in Guernsey.
The French tricolour was flown from the castle as it hosted French-themed music, storytelling, live shows, tours and a treasure hunt. French objects from the island’s collection were also on show.
The Guernsey Military History Company set up a French-themed First World War display on the shop lawn on Saturday and Sunday.
It showed uniforms, kit, equipment, a working kitchen and weapons, in conjunction with Guernsey Armouries, and told the story of French residents of the Channel Islands who returned to France to serve in the Great War.
Russell Doherty and Brett Leivars, from the company, said there was a lot of interest from local visitors and tourists, including those from the Hamburg cruise ship anchored outside St Peter Port Harbour, who came ashore on Saturday.
‘What is often forgotten is that the French carried the war effort for the first couple of years because of the numbers in their army,’ said Mr Leivars.
In common with most other continental European powers, the French still conscripted into the army. Each year, men who were 21 were inducted, and spent three years in active service followed by further years in reserve.
‘It is estimated that 8.9 million passed through the French military by war’s end, of whom 4.2 million were casualties at some point, and 1.3 million were mort pour la France [died],’ said Mr Doherty.
‘We know 300 men from the island who were lost as part of the French army. There could be as many as 800 in all. Some would have been from France and working here. Some would have been living here who had French parents.’
The company’s display at the castle included a Guernsey Press article from that time about a soldier, Sergt-fourrier Robert Bulteau, who was killed in action.
‘The first French piece I ever picked up about all this was in the Press. That’s what first got me really interested,’ said Mr Doherty.
The Amherst Room hosted a new show – For Art and For Love – commissioned to mark the anniversary of Renoir in Guernsey and the inspiration he found on the island.
The monologue was told from the perspective of Renoir’s wife, Aline Charigot, who was played by Cathy Gill.
‘It is a celebration of Renoir’s art and their love story,’ said Mrs Gill.
‘It tells the story of their life and his time in Guernsey, which was a highlight of his distinguished artistic career.
‘We have had a lovely audience and we were very busy on Saturday.’
The castle also provided an opportunity for the Victor Hugo in Guernsey Society to explain its work to visitors.
Two families visit on each of the three days
THE McInnes and Black families enjoyed the weekend’s events at Castle Cornet so much that they visited on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
‘Yes, we have been here for three days. We have tried to do one thing each day, plus the cafe of course,’ said mum Katie McInnes.
She lives in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region of south-eastern France.
She and her children, Elijah, 9, and Eben, 6, enjoyed the French-themed events of HistoryFest and many of the castle’s permanent attractions.
‘We have explored the whole castle – bunkers, history going back to Roman times, the prisoners’ walk, local wildlife, museum displays, the French activities and costumes and interactive displays.
‘There is so much here to see and enjoy,’ said Mrs McInnes.
Elijah, Eben and the Black brothers, Jack, 9, and Oliver, 5, had to think hard about what they liked best.
‘Our favourite was the 201 Squadron museum. We liked seeing the aeroplanes,’ they said, although the younger children added that some parts were ‘quite scary’.
Gran Val McInnes enjoyed walking around the grounds of the castle.
‘The gardens are amazing,’ she said.
They took advantage of the Discovery Pass scheme. Cards cost £22 per adult and are issued for 12 months. They allow unlimited visits during seasonal opening hours to Castle Cornet, Guernsey Museum, Fort Grey and the German Naval Signals Headquarters and free entry for all accompanying children.
