From Centenier Tim Tindall.
THE cattle breeder that you pictured with a report on the vote to remove the long-standing ban on bull semen imports (JEP, 21 July) was my great-grandfather, Desiré Reynel.

He was a wonderful man who brought up my mother, Barbara Tindall (née Mourant), when she was a girl. Mum has told us some wonderful stories of this man. He travelled to America with his bulls, showing them. He was known as Pops Reynel.

His love for the animals was mirrored in their love for him. Once, when he was showing his bulls at Springfield and he’d had a tipple or two, the bull he was showing would nudge him all the way home.
These are truly wonderful stories and a lifestyle unfortunately long lost.

It is a shame that Jersey men and women don’t feel so strong about the lifestyle and ethics of our beautiful Island in times past. We need all Jersey-born or adopted locals, as my father was, to embrace our beautiful Island and move it forward, but in doing so to remember how very special Jersey is.

In 2005, the ‘Year of the Volunteer’, I chose to assist my parish of St Lawrence with a duty. At the time a father to a three-month old-son and with a business to administer, I gave a time commitment to my parish with the support of my partner that I have enjoyed from the very moment I started.

In my mind this is the first volunteer position to be considered for all like-minded people in the Island.
Sandybrook,
St Lawrence.