From John Falle.
FOR months now you have published many letters commenting on various aspects of Jersey’s cultural policy.

Without exception they have all strongly supported the work of the Jersey Heritage Trust in its efforts to maintain our museums and sites of historic interest. It is perfectly clear that the public deplores the possibility of closure of these facilities.

The response from the ministers of the States is deafening in its silence. It is perhaps fortunate that we are in a recession where funding is difficult, because that gives us an opportunity, not to press the exchequer for money, but rather to reflect on our position and consider a proper cultural policy for the future and make adequate provision for its funding.

It is far more important to get the whole strategy right in the planning stage than it is to deal with problems piecemeal (with the exception of critical emergencies such as a lifeline to the museums).

There are just two points to be made about where cultural policy should stand in an advanced community. First, it should be a mirror as well as a diary of the historic achievements of the community which it serves.

There are elements of heritage, education and commerce all bound up in the culture of a community. Jersey is particularly blessed with a heritage that goes back to Neolithic times, through its relationship with the Normans, the centuries of French invasive expeditions, the first Elizabethan era, the flight of King Charles to Jersey, the Cod trade with the Gaspé and ship building of the 18th and 19th centuries, the German Occupation and the development of financial services since 1973.

All these facets of Jersey’s past have thrown up individuals and characters of historical and international note, many of whom were artists. People such as Wace, the poet, Sir John Everett Millais, Lillie Langtry, Buffalo Bill Cody, Edmund Blampied and Jacqueline du Pré.

Currently our sports people are achieving new heights at regional and international levels far beyond expectations of a small community and Jersey has its own very fine symphony orchestra attracting international stars to perform with them. It is right to say that the funded facilities on the sporting side of the spectrum are well worthwhile, but are quite disproportionate to the commitment to the performing and visual arts.

Such is the mirror and diary of Jersey’s culture. However, the States as the elected representatives of the people of Jersey have a responsibility not only to maintain and protect the cultural heritage in all its forms, but also to promote it for the benefit of the Island in a balanced cultural policy.

The second point is both the problem and the solution. Funding. Sir Philip Bailhache in his letter published in the JEP on 25 August, has suggested an eminently workable solution to the problem of funding, especially for the performing and visual arts, which should be seriously considered.

If a proper and cogent cultural policy were ever to be adopted it would undoubtedly become an asset that would earn considerable revenue for the Island, through cultural tourism and further enhancing the perception of Jersey as a qualitative environment with which to be associated in the world of elite financial services, which would also add to the financial success of the Island.

One final aside. Did you know that the single most popular image to be sold in the Royal Academy bookshop is the image of Ophelia painted by Sir John Everett Millais? That indicates the universal appeal of the pre-Raphaelites and their founder was, of course, Millais, a Jerseyman.

What is it about successive States of Jersey both as a plenary body and its individual constituent memberships that fails so lamentably to acknowledge such an obvious asset as our precious and valuable cultural heritage? It is nothing short of a gross dereliction of a fundamental duty of care to the spiritual well being of the Island.