Violinists Louisa-Rose and Samuel Staples and pianist Nigel Hutchison, who raised £800 for Alderney Age Concern with a recital in the Anne French Room. (Picture by James Varley, 1009571)

A MEMORABLE recital at the Island Hall helped boost the coffers of Alderney Age Concern. The event was organised by Andy Staples, who owns a holiday home at Le Colin Bott.

Andy’s children – Samuel and Louisa-Rose, who are both violinists – played in the Anne French Room alongside pianist Nigel Hutchison on Tuesday night.

Both Samuel, 14, and Louisa-Rose, 10, attend the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School, where they study with Russian violin professor Natasha Boyarsky. They have given solo recitals in cities across Europe and Samuel recently shared a stage with Sir Cliff Richard. Nigel is presently an accompanist and coach at the children’s school in Surrey.

Barbara Benfield, who runs Alderney Age Concern, described the concert as ‘stunning’.

‘It was absolutely amazing,’ said Barbara. ‘Everyone who was there said it was mesmerising – and it really was.

‘I’m not a big music fan, but I was absolutely enthralled by this – I’ve never heard anything like it in my life. I’ve had phone calls from people all week saying it was fabulous.’

Barbara said Samuel and Louisa-Rose thrilled the 70-strong crowd.

‘They didn’t just play their instruments – it was as if they were living the music. You could see it in their faces. It was incredible.

‘The pianist was also brilliant, especially when you consider it was the first time they had played together in Alderney.’

The event raised £800 for Alderney Age Concern. The money will be put towards the charity’s community bus replacement fund.

‘The bus we’ve got is great, but it won’t last forever – that’s why we’re already raising money for a new one. Running the bus isn’t cheap, but events like this help pay for it.’

A Jerseyman is prepared to ask a spiritualist to help him unlock the secret of an Alderney MBE.

John Fage was bequeathed the gong by islander Bertha Quinan, wife of the late Jack. Bertha referred to the medal as ‘Jack’s MBE’ but never said who the silverware was awarded to.

John was planning to donate the medal to Alderney Museum, but didn’t want to pass it on without information – hence the reason for getting in touch with the media.

However, despite stories in newspapers, on websites and even a radio interview, John is no closer to solving the mystery.

John, from Trinity, said: ‘I had about eight phone calls and emails from relations of Bertha, but none of them had any idea who the medal belonged to. One of them suggested Sir Compton McKenzie, as Bertha’s aunt Laura McDonald looked after his house on Jethou during the Second World War, but the Chancery at St James’s Palace said he was given an OBE, not an MBE.’

John does not hold out much hope of finding out to whom the medal was awarded. ‘I wrote to St James’s Palace and asked them to conduct a search of various names linked to Bertha’s family. However, this ended without success,’ he said.

‘About 250,000 MBEs were handed out prior to 1990 and without a name and approximate date, it would be impossible to find the right person.

‘It now seems I am back to square one. I could do with a spiritualist to contact Bertha or John on the other side and ask them to direct. I’m willing to try anything as I’ve come up against a brick wall.’

l Anyone with information about the medal can contact John on 01534 863440 or email johncfage@jerseymail.co.uk.