SIX children from the Herm School last week took a trip to London to learn more about Tudor palaces.

Two years ago they took a similar trip to learn about Shakespeare, and a trip to the Globe taught them more than they could ever learn from books.  This year’s project has been the Tudors, so the trip was a search for the real Henry VIII.

The first day included a visit to watch Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. This admittedly has nothing to do with Tudors, but is a chance to get a little culture, which can sometimes be lacking in a little island. Griff Rhys Jones was a very entertaining Fagin and the reality show lovers in the group were delighted to see Jodie Prenger, the winner of I’d Do Anything, as Nancy.

The second day was spent at the Tower of London, which was much bigger than anyone expected. The children learned more about Henry’s relationship with Ann Boleyn, about Traitor’s Gate and the execution site on the hill. The children were, needless to say, fascinated with the gory details. There was also a photo opportunity with ‘Peter the Beefeater’, who was very welcoming when he heard of our tiny school and island.

After stopping to look at the Brian Catling sculpture that marks the spot where three queens were executed, with its beautiful poem surrounding a glass cushion, next came a visit to the tower that held Lady Jane Grey, complete with 16th-century graffiti bearing her name.

Day three took the group to Hampton Court Palace, where the real Tudor education took place. Luckily, they are currently holding day-long recreations of Henry’s marriage to Kateryn Parr.

At the start of the day, visitors are split into two groups, courtiers and servants, and are taken to various parts of the palace to learn of the preparations for the royal wedding.
The Hermites started off as servants, but despite a lovely tour guide, whose comedy codpiece was the subject of much mirth and giggles among the more immature of the group (i.e. the adults), they soon ‘ennobled’ themselves and joined the courtiers, who had much more access to the royal couple.

It was a very educational experience for all, and helped to see Henry as a real person and not just the bloated, beheading despot we are all so familiar with.

 
All in all, the trip went well for all involved, and as well as being a welcome break before the hectic days of summer, the children were able to literally see history come alive.
This article by Cheryl Latter first appeared in the Guernsey Press 26th March 2010

This species of berberis thrives on well drained soil and in full sun. It is an ideal hedging plant and easily pruned. Flowering in the spring this species produces bright orange flowers. The leaves are spiky and small. It is fully hardy and grows well in salt laden winds. It may also be used in a mid border planting scheme.  This one is growing near the steps to the upstairs hotel rooms in Foxglove.

Herm is the location for one of artist's Antony Gormley's statues.

The 630kg cast iron figure is number XI of the work called 'Another Time'.  It is standing on Le Petit Monceau and is looking away from Guernsey towards the open sea.  The work will be on Herm for the next 12 months so when you visit don't forget to take the route past Le Petit Monceau.

It was no easy feat to install the artwork as the photos below show.  The work was done over two very cold days!

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Thank you to Herm's technical director Simon George and island engineer, Peter Makemson for some of the above photos.

ST TUGUAL’S Chapel was the setting for Herm’s first special Mother’s Day service. The Rev. Richard Bellinger came over specially to take the service, which was in celebration of mothers everywhere.

This felt like the beginning of spring, with clean, yellow light filling the little church and the uplifting words of All Things Bright and Beautiful opening up the ceremony. Outside in the manor garden, the first flowers are opening, reminding us that this is the last service of the winter season.

Rev. Bellinger paid tribute to Mary, the first Christian mother, and seven-year-old Eden Latter delivered the reading, which was Mary’s Song from the book of Luke.

There were several island children present and each had the opportunity to make posies of wildflowers – including primroses and violets – for their mothers.

There was also the opportunity to light a candle for the mothers who were present, but also in remembrance of others who are far away and no longer with us.

It is only two weeks until the hotel opens and the summer season begins. Staff have already started to arrive and within the next couple of weeks the island population will double almost overnight.

The maintenance team has worked extremely hard this winter and there have been many improvements all over the island, including the renovations at the Mermaid Tavern and the updating of several self-catering cottages.

The island gardeners are already preparing for this year’s Floral Guernsey competition with the planting of hundreds of trees, and the completion of the new Woodland walk, an ambitious project that has been finished far sooner than originally planned.

This new walk and picnic area will be opening next month.

We are all looking forward to a busy and successful summer. With the guests comes the sunshine, so beach days aren’t too far away and we can all finally shake off those winter blues.