From L Banks.
I AM very relieved that common sense prevailed and that there were no violent explosions at the ‘Great War trench’.

We have been subjected to gratuitous disturbance and noise from explosions at Victoria College in the last few years and there is no doubt that they constitute gross disturbance of the peace.

The first explosions, if I remember rightly, were to commemorate an anniversary at the college. The explosions took place in the dark and as we had no prior knowledge we were very shocked and confused when we heard the horrendous bangs and flashes and what sounded like gunfire that went off, with us seemingly in the middle of it all.

To make matters worse we thought the terrace opposite our house was on fire because somehow or other streaks of light seemed to be passing down the terrace between the trees and the building. It was like being on the battlefield and we are approximately 500 yards away from the College. It seemed to go on for an eternity.

The second lot of explosions came from the college when they put on a play recently in the grounds. This time it was still light and I had heard lots of shouting and commotion the previous days as they presumably rehearsed so I wasn’t too surprised. But I was angry. Again I did not see any notice and the play with attendant sound effects of ‘gunfire’ went on for four evenings. It was all very frightening and incredibly noisy.

I would like to see notices of these events in the JEP in red print (so they stand out from all the other notices and adverts) for a period of three consecutive nights and for a week in advance.

I would also like to know why there is apparently no legislation and licensing for the control of the public use of high explosives in an urban residential environment for these events. Such environmental pollution and disturbances of the peace I am sure would not be happily tolerated by parents of the pupils or staff of the College so close to their homes. One can only presume that they are not aware of the extent of the shock and trauma inflicted in their name.

There can be no serious justification for gratuitous use of explosives in residential areas and there is no doubt that the money could be better spent in more tranquil, peaceable activities without detriment to the educational imperative.
20 Grosvenor Street,
St Helier.