THE Town Church is in need of more than a million pounds worth of TLC, according to the Dean, the Very Rev Bob Key.

It is, without any doubt, an important landmark building in Jersey and, as such, should be maintained properly — but the Dean’s request for the money, for the interior renovation of the building, has led to a less than enthusiastic response from the Constable, Simon Crowcroft.

In these straitened times, the Dean’s request could hardly have been made at a more inappropriate moment, and with the enormous financial demands (and constraints) within the parish, it is hardly surprising that the boy Crowcroft has asked the Diocese of Winchester and the Council of Ministers for assistance — and quite rightly so, in my humble opinion, even if, technically, the church is the responsibility of the municipality.

The residents of the town, certainly until recent times, have had to pay a fair whack more than most of the other parishes for the services we all use, such as street lighting and so on. And given that a big majority of those living in town are not regular attenders at any church, it seems hardly likely that they will want to hand over any money for the renovations even if they could afford it.

Now I have no idea what the ins and outs are of requesting money for ecclesiastical buildings, but there are many churches of all denominations in the Island, and I know that, partly due to a drop in numbers of those attending, but also because of a lack of money to maintain the buildings, quite a few of those remaining congregations have had to join up with others as those in charge of such matters simply cannot continue to keep the buildings open because the cost of maintenance is too great to bear.

But a number of other church buildings have, somehow, been renovated, and seem to have been able to raise the necessary funds — not least the parishes of St John and St Lawrence, where, to my knowledge, the churches have been renovated recently.

St Thomas’s Church, in Val Plaisant, has also had a major make-over recently (and a magnificent and very impressive one at that). So it appears to this simple Jersey boy that raising the required sum is not completely impossible, although doubtless it is a far from easy or straightforward challenge to meet.
There’s no doubt in my mind that the Town Church should — indeed, must — be renovated and maintained for future generations.

It is, after all, the nearest thing we have to a cathedral in our little ‘city’ — indeed it is a pro-cathedral — and has been in situ, in some form or other, since at least the 11th century. It is also where the Lieutenant Governor is sworn in, and an important part of the Assize d’Heritage, as well as the recognised seat of the Bishop of Winchester whenever he is in the Island.

It may be that a public appeal could help to raise some funds, but the financial situation for everyone is getting more difficult.

So I don’t suppose, even taking into account the Island’s famous generosity, that such a sum could be raised in the short term.

I hope very much that a solution will be found.

Perhaps, at the very least, the Dean could have a bit of a chat, if he has not already done so, with those other parishes in the Island which seem to have managed to raise the funds they needed.

AFTER my comments the other week about the sad demise of Woolworths, I was very sorry to hear that no redundancy money was to be forthcoming for all those who have now been rendered unemployed.
But I am far from surprised.

The Jersey operation was, apparently, one of the few in Britain that was making a profit, although I have no idea whether, like some of the other stores in King Street, it was a franchise or if it was regarded by the company’s top people as a part of the mainland chain.

If it was the former, I am quite sure that the administrators will use that as a reasonable excuse not to pay out any redundancy money. If it was the latter, of course, the staff should receive some financial recompense.

But don’t hold your breath.

Strange, isn’t it, that the British government expects the Channel Islands to provide something (in our case by maintaining the Jersey Militia — or TA as it is these days — and haven’t they had their money’s worth with the number of local members who have been serving in Iraq over the last few years?) as our contribution to the defence of the realm, and yet, when it comes to paying out a bit of redundancy money, the Woolies staff in the UK get it but the Channel Islanders can go hang.

AND finally . . . Hearty congratulations to John Grady, the former headmaster of Mont à l’Abbé School and, for a good number of years, the gymnastics coach for disabled youngsters, a number of whom have competed at the highest levels, for being awarded the MBE.

I have not had the pleasure of meeting him yet, but I am delighted for him — as are, I am sure, all his charges.

And on much the same subject, the receipt of deserving awards, I would also like to pass on my congratulations to the two gentlemen — Jim Hughes and Ken Moore — who were awarded letters of appreciation from the Jersey Humane Society for their rescue of people who had found themselves in difficulties off the Jersey coast.

We know just how hazardous our coastal waters can be, so it is most appropriate that their actions have been suitably recognised.