Tributes
It was with the deepest regret that the Members of the Jersey Eisteddfod learnt of the death of Alan Le Breton.
Alan had been appointed the Chairman of the Jersey Arts Trust in 2010 when Colin Perchard, the husband of the Eisteddfod’s former Chairman of Needlework, Lis, retired, Alan having previously been its Vice Chairman since 2007. A Jerseyman, he had an illustrious career with the World Service of the BBC, of which he was the Managing Editor of News and Current Affairs at the time of his retirement.
After his retirement from the Jersey Arts Trust, he was approached to see if he would be willing to fill one of the vacant Vice Chairmanship positions of the Eisteddfod. Happily, though very busy as the Editor of the Parish Magazine of St. Clement, as well as a number of other magazines in the Island, he agreed and was duly elected at the next AGM. With his wide interest and knowledge of the Arts, he was an immensely helpful Member of the Executive Council and a source of wise counsel to all who sought his views.
Sadly, once he became ill, he became less mobile, but still continued in his post for as long as he could, a decision that was in character and very much appreciated. During this time, he was cared for by his devoted wife, Isabelle, to whom the Eisteddfod extends its deepest sympathy and grateful thanks for all Alan’s contributions to the well-being of the Association.
RMCB
Alan Le Breton
Joan Tapley
Joan Tapley, eune vraie Jèrriaise, eune raide bouonne maitrêsse des langues, dgide ès ètudgiants, anmine à tous. (A true Jersey lady, a really good languages teacher, student guide, friend to all). I returned to the Island in April 1987 after 15 years nursing in the NHS, bringing my wife Heather and four year old son Jonathan to live in our beautiful isle. That summer, my younger brother Graham asked me if I fancied doing a night class in the autumn…"What subject?” I asked. "Jèrriais", he said. And so we met Mrs Tapley that autumn in her Beginners Class.
You don't say no to Joan! Well, what I mean is, she won't let you! She had an innate ability to share her knowledge with such enthusiasm! She taught, encouraged, cajoled, teased, she didn't need to plead or beg as she invariably got her way! One example...we had been in class for some 6 weeks when she announced that we would all, yes all 20+ of us, be taking part in a short play, eune piéche dé thiâtre, in the then Jersey Norman-French Section of the Jersey Eisteddfod's Autumn Festival of the Performing Arts. Readers will know that the Section is still going after nearly 100 years.
I have the privilege of writing this tribute to Joan, our very own ‘JT’ as she has become known in our circles! A native Jèrriais speaker from St. John and Trinity, where her parents farmed, she first joined the Eisteddfod’s Jersey Norman-French Section Committee in 1990. She took the position of Honorary Secretary in 1997 for two years, and then became Présidente in 2005, following the late and great Eileen Le Sueur's retirement. That’s when I became Secretary, I couldn’t say no! Many will “fondly” remember Joan’s long involvement through Jèrriais within the Eisteddfod’s higher ranks, I am told with something of a reputation for her persuasive powers! She taught Jèrriais within Adult Education for many years, taking her rightful place as Adjointe (Asst. Adjudicator) four times, then Adjudicatrice (Adjudicator) three times at our Festivals. She was the worthy recipient of four JE Awards over the years. Ill-health meant she finally retired from Committee in 2024. Happily, she received her B.E.M. for her services to Jèrriais from our current Lt. Governor whilst still in fair health.
She had retired from teaching some years ago, but continued taking a small group at home each Tuesday evening, always accompanied with tea and frequently with her famed Mèrvelles (Jersey Wonders). She wrote over 60 individual pieces, many of which were plays for the Autumn Festival, reflecting Jersey life and its characters. She could well be that April Fool writer as her plays have included, amongst others, an airport offshore at La Rocque and murder on the train to Les Ecréhous! The “victim”, the late St. John Connétable John Le Sueur, appeared on stage popping out of a huge laundry basket! He couldn’t say no! She also translated many songs and Christmas carols, most of which can be found on Les Pages Jerriaises. She wrote a good number of stories based on tales her father had told her over the years of local characters and their antics, and I was privileged to have been chosen to present them for the first time in public as my prepared competition readings. A cat noisily stealing and eating sand eels from the low-water fisherman’s basket at night at Gorey; the family horse going vraicing then pulling his cart up the hill at L’Etacq, culminating in the pair snoring noisily in the stable – all with such wonderful Jèrriais vocabulary that risked being lost, but now safe on our hands, thanks to ‘JT’!
CI