14

Historic St HelierELECTRIFYING EXPERIENCES by Geraint Jennings

It is difficult to imagine how we would manage without asupply of electricity, and yet a public electricity supplycame rather late to Saint Helier, and then to the rest of

the Island. Plans for providing a supply of electrical powerand lighting in Town had been discussed from the early yearsof the 20th century, but various legal and political wranglesover whether the utility should be private, public, a public-private partnership, a monopoly concession, or a free-for-allmarket, delayed the establishment of a reliable service. SaintHelier ratepayers voted against a project for a municipalelectricity utility.

Many deplored the way Saint Helier had fallen behind othertowns in the provision of electricity, but it was not until 1924that the Parish granted a concession to the newly-formedJersey Electricity Company for the supply of electric lighting.The first cables were laid on 12th November 1924 and withinweeks the company was advertising its services to privateindividuals wishing to be joined to the new service,encouraging the public to "get ready to use electricity". Allwas not without setbacks for the company and municipality.The Connétable, J. T. Ferguson, took action against a thirdparty who connected an electric cable across Beresford Streetin order to supply premises in the market. The Connétable'saction was narrowly upheld by the Royal Court, but the Statesdisputed that the Parish had any right to license publicutilities. Nevertheless, on the 27th July 1925 there was a grandswitching-on of the Jersey Electricity Company's newelectricity generating plant on the Albert Pier. Initial supplieswere extended to the Havre des Pas and Rouge Bouillondistricts.

Starting with only 200 customers, the demand for electricitygrew and spread beyond Saint Helier. But the Parish remainedthe base of generating capacity. New generators wereconstructed at Queen's Road in 1934, and in 1936 the States

took over the company with its 5,857 customers. By the end of1938 the customer base had grown to 9,003, and the companylooked to build a fitting and impressive headquarters in Town.

11 Broad Street may not look today like a vision of a glitteringfuture and technological wonder. The only magic there now tobe seen is that of Pound Magic, the current occupiers of thepremises. When the building was opened, literally in a blazeof light, by the Bailiff on 10th January 1939 it was as though avision of modernity had appeared in the centre of Town toreplace the old Mercantile Hotel. The façade retains some ofthe features incorporated by the architect Roy Blampied,although it takes some imagining to summon up the impact ofthe illuminations: the Art Deco "column of light" no longershines and its spurting sparkling jets are long vanished. Theeffect was like an electric fountain in the streetscape. Thebuilding's glazed roof tiles are still there, perhaps less shinythan they were, and the square set-back window bays on thefirst floor do not seem so modern and machine-age as they didto those present in 1939. "Electricity" in large bold letteringwas emblazoned over the entrance, where lamps of all shapeswere displayed glowingly in the window.

Inside, the staircase was a particular feature, with a greencarpet and rails in white bronze, framed with glass panelswith electrically lit designs. Described as having a "dignifiedand wondrous appearance" in the press, the staircase musthave seemed fit for a Hollywood star of the period to make agrand entrance.

However the electric displays and column of light that drewadmiring crowds to gaze in wonder in Broad Street in 1939could not compete with the gathering darkness across Europethat year. But for a brief time before wartime blackout and theend of the electricity supply during the Occupation snuffedout these electric dreams, the promise of a cleaner, brighter,smarter future shone in Broad Street.

23

Jersey 2013: Carers provideinvaluable help and assistance totheir children, friends, relatives, and

partners, but what happens when theirwork leads to back pain, compromisingtheir ability to care? Back pain isendemic among carers: a 2011 surveyfound that 70% of carers experiencedback and shoulder pain. This issueseriously affects the quality of life ofthose who should be most valued in oursociety, as well as impacting on theircaregiving work.

Back to Balance at the Lido WellnessCentre fully supports BackCareAwareness Week ‘Caring for Carers’.This is a National event to recognisepeople in our community who dedicatetheir time to care for others.

BACKCAREAWARENESS WEEK

‘Caring forCarers’

MONDAY 7TH OCTOBER TOFRIDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2013

When someone takes care of a dependentrelative or individual in their day to dayjob, it can be all too easy for their ownhealth and well-being to be overlooked.They may often have to lift andmanouevre a less able person which maylead to back pain.

Here at Back to Balance we recognise howdemanding and at times, challenging it canbe to care for someone and would like tooffer an opportunity to take a restorativebreak and at the same time, take advantageof our special discounted rates.

We are offering a 15% discount for newand existing patients who work in the

care industry (whether it be at home,hospital, care home, paramedic or other).This offer will run for the month ofOctober and 15% discount will beapplied to all Chiropractic andOsteopathy treatments during this timefor carers.

If you would like to book an appointment,please contact Back to BalanceChiropractic and Osteopathy at the LidoWellness Centre, Suite 2.8 Lido MedicalCentre, St Saviour’s Road, Jersey JE2 7LA,telephone 789367. Please mention thisarticle when making your booking.

During this event, take time for yourself!