Admiral and Delancey set to get back monument
Thursday 11th June 2009, 11:30AM BST.
Admiral de Saumarez Trust patron Sir Fabian Malbon, left, and architect Andrew Dyke with a model of the proposed monument. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0787643)
A STAINLESS steel obelisk more than 100ft high could tower over the north of Guernsey following plans unveiled last night.
The Admiral de Saumarez Trust – set up to help community projects and regenerate parts of the island – has identified Delancey Park as its first project.
The main focus would be to replace the original obelisk, which was destroyed during the Occupation, with a pillar clad in stainless steel.
Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland and Lt-Governor Sir Fabian Malbon are both patrons of the trust and feel strongly about the new project. Mr Rowland believes it is a good time to replace the monument with a new design.
‘In uncertain times, it is all too easy to be conservative and unimaginative,’ he said. ‘But in times such as this there is a need to draw strength from the past, to be bold, to promote regeneration ventures and look to the future.’
Sir Fabian said it was important that islanders remembered their heritage.
‘Admiral James de Saumarez was one of the remarkable figures in Guernsey’s history. Honouring him by creating a charitable initiative and reconstructing the monument is an appropriate way of bringing some of Guernsey’s history back to life.’
The proposed monument was designed by Cresswell, Cuttle and Dyke and would use the two remaining steps from the original obelisk, adding a third step and granite plinth and then a 100ft obelisk clad in stainless steel.
Each side would display, lit from inside, its own constellation of Cygnus, Cassiopeia, the Southern Cross or Orion – the last sharing its name with one of the admiral’s commands. The SeaGuernsey mast is a replica of HMS Orion’s mizzen. The obelisk would also incorporate the four brass plaques about Admiral de Saumarez’s life from the original monument, which are currently at Castle Cornet.
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Spend the money on rebuilding the schools instead!!!
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I suppose we’ll need something tall and ugly in the north of the island to draw our attention away from something even taller and uglier – the incinerator at Longue Hougue!
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Not against the idea but building it in stone would be more appropriate to replace what was there before.
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Apparantly all the mobile phone companies are very much in favour
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I like it.
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Well said Paul – what a waste of money that could have been used to do some good to living people instead of commemorating someone long dead.
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Weeellll, whilst I agree with Paul and Paul Le P’s sentiments, provided it doesn’t cost “us” anything, why not? I too believe that the money could be better directed, but if they’re dead set on doing it, let ‘em get on with it!
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Has anyone looked into the possibility of a “virtual” monument controlled by lasers, visable at night. This would cost a lot less and be just as spectacular.
Also can we sue the German government for its demolition of the original ?
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Deepthroat – not sure how your idea would be visible during the day though, plus I assume that a “virtual monument” with lasers would create a lot more light pollution than a few pinpricks of light. One of the great things about this island is how little light pollution there is.
As for building it from stone, apparently they did look into using granite but the only source would be China and it would be too expensive.
I like it.
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Admiral Saumarez’ contribution to the final defeat of Napoleon ranks with that of Nelson but in a very different way. His restraint in the use of the vastly superior firepower of HMS Victory and the Baltic fleet achieved by his skilful diplomacy a result that brute force would not have – a lesson relevant to our own times. He deserves the restoration of his obelisk and Guernsey should be proud to have produced such a son.
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Dr Tim – Admiral de Saumarez is long dead. In what way does he “deserve” to have a large chunk of money spent building an obelisk when he isn’t here to see it? He did his duty for King and Country true, so have millions of others over the years, many of whom (some under his command no doubt) have given their lives.
He is already commemorated at Saumarez Park – that’s more than enough. Spending the money on a monument to a long dead aristocrat while servicemen today who have done their duty come home scarred or emotionally shattered and even end up homeless due to the lack of care is an insult to our armed forces. They are still here to benefit from such a princely sum – surely that is a more fitting tribute than a glorified lightning conductor?
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That’s a bit strong isn’t it Paul Le P?
Do you know that servicemen will consider it an insult or are you just making assumptions? From my experience, servicemen have a strong sense of military history and appreciate the value of the commemoration of historic military events. A commemoration for a military leaders is a commemoration for the men that served under them. Current servicemen know that and if their actions are commemorated by reference to their commander, they would take personal pride from it.
In any event, your point is irrelevant because this is not public money, it is money belonging to a trust that has a purpose – which it is fulfilling. I doubt that the trustees are even permitted to give the money to Help for Heroes or any other charity.
The Admiral may be dead but you only need to look at the popularity of Who Do You Think You Are? on TV to see that in general people like to know their personal heritage. The same applies to countries and this island should be proud of its heritage in all its forms. The trust obviously sees community value in doing something to mark that heritage.
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TL – I agree remembering heritage is good, I love history and like to know my heritage however my point was the excessive amount of money being spent. Surely there are more cost effective ways to achieve that than this?
Regarding the armed forces, you do have a point and it’s likely that some would react as you propose while some would consider the money could be spent better elsewhere. The armed forces are full of individuals so a generalisation on either side doesn’t paint the full picture.
Finally, you do have a point, my views are irrelevant – as are yours – yet we both chose to write them. This is a comments page to allow the public to voice their opinion on local matters. Does it make a difference? Probably not…
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but it keeps us occupied/amused!
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Quite so TL – I’m grateful we have the opportunity to voice our opinions….something for which we can all be grateful (in part at least) to our armed forces….whether they build a giant obelisk or not.
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