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Guernsey's most senior politician is among several guardians of the island's best-loved tourist attraction to have resigned amid backlash over a decision to threaten a souvenir seller with legal action.
Last week, silversmith Martyn Guille, whose shop is next to The Little Chapel, revealed that he had been accused of infringing intellectual property rights by selling merchandise featuring the miniature attraction and told to stop by the Little Chapel Foundation.
Yesterday, Deputy Ferbrache said yesterday that he was unable to support the recent decisions taken by the Foundation but backed their continued custodianship of the attraction.
It emerged shortly after the legal threat first came to light that the Foundation - which has been working on raising £500,000 to restore the chapel since being appointed the historic landmark's official custodians in 2016 - had applied to the Guernsey Registry to trademark the words 'The Little Chapel' along with some related images and logos, but these applications are still pending.
Pictured: Martyn Guille has been accused of failing to cooperate with the Foundation.
The news has resulted in significant public and political backlash. Some businesses decided to pull support for the chapel, while Economic Development Committee President Neil Inder said he was "unimpressed" with the situation, likening it to "hot dog van turf wars on Brighton Pier."
Assistant Treasurer and Fundraiser to the Foundation, Jack Honeybill, resigned from the charity earlier this week, followed by the island's Chief Minister, Deputy Peter Ferbrache.
Then yesterday, Chair of the Foundation John Silvester and his wife Eileen, who was also involved, announced they would be stepping away from the organisation.
Mr Honeywell said he disagreed with the pursuit of legal action against Mr Guille and “took no part in the decision to send the letter”.
He added: “Good relationships are at the very heart of any success in fundraising, and I find myself unable to continue as fundraiser for the Foundation under the current circumstances which has damaged my reputation in the island without any wrongdoing on my part.”
When Express contacted Deputy Ferbrache last week, prior to his resignation, he said he hasn’t been “party to this matter”.
“What I can say is that, like all disputes, I hope it can be resolved amicably,” he added.
In an open letter announcing his departure, Mr Silvester wrote that "the needs of the Little Chapel must always take precedence over personality."
"Common sense dictated that negotiation was the only possible solution to the third obligation but trying to negotiate in the face of wilful intransigence had brought the Foundation to an impasse. The Council’s unanimous decision to take positive action would appear to have achieved the desired effect.
"My decision to stand aside now will allow negotiations to proceed in a business-like manner without them being hampered by perceived historical grievances."
Pictured: The Foundation are attempting to trademark 'The Little Chapel; as well as logos and images of the building.
He also reflected on the challenges for the Foundation in balancing the "conflicts of interest" surrounding the chapel as a tourist attraction and a place of religious observance, given its historic link with the De La Salle brothers.
"This conflict between the religious and the secular role of the Little Chapel is not the first in its history", Mr Silvester noted. In fact, "in 1978, the Chairman of the Little Chapel Restoration Appeal wrote of his frustration at the unseemly behaviour of visitors to the Little Chapel."
He signed off by sharing his pride at what had been achieved since the Foundation took responsibility for the chapel, concluding that "the people of Guernsey can be assured that the Little Chapel is in good hands and I wish the Foundation every success."
The remaining members of the Little Chapel Foundation have since commented that “the whole island owes John and Eileen Silvester an enormous debt of gratitude”.
“When the Little Chapel was found to be on the brink of collapse in 2016 it was the small team of volunteers at the Little Chapel Foundation who came to the rescue together with the magnificent and generous help of the Guernsey people.
“John Silvester as Chairman and his wife, Eileen, as a Council member have taken the lead and played as great a role as anybody in saving the Chapel.”
Pictured: Guernsey's Chief Minister, Deputy Peter Ferbrache resigned as Little Chapel Foundation guardian, saying he was unable to support the recent decisions taken by the Foundation.
It also said it had reached out to Mr Guille with a view to resolve the dispute “calmly and quietly”.
Mr Guille has declined to comment further until the situation is resolved.
The Foundation added in its statement that the Silvesters had “selflessly devoted themselves to the Chapel”, spending many hours welcoming and assisting visitors, cleaning and caring for the attraction.
“They have opened up in the morning, swept the floors, cleaned the brass, lit the candles, closed up at night and out of their own pocket provided flowers for the altar,” it said.
“They have made sure that every penny of every donation has gone directly into the restoration work, and they will be sorely missed by the Foundation.
“It is no exaggeration to say that without their tireless and completely unpaid efforts the Little Chapel might no longer be there for us all to admire and enjoy - that is their true and lasting legacy.”
Former Little Chapel Foundation Chair John Silvester's resignation letter in full...
Five days ago, I tendered my resignation from the Foundation to the Council. I was asked to withhold my public statement to give the Council time to implement the transition.
"When we were first asked to assist in the campaign to ‘Save the Little Chapel’ six years ago, my wife and I realised that it was not going to be an easy task. A very small group of willing volunteers was facing an almost insurmountable amount of work. I was somewhat reluctant to become involved as I had recently chaired the Allied Aircrew War Memorial Committee that had successfully installed the memorial at the Airport and I had envisaged that this would be my final charitable project.
The Little Chapel was in a derelict state and there was very little money available for the work that needed to be done. It was a complex project that was bound to attract criticism from all quarters. Many refused to become involved but we felt a sense of duty to do what we could. It came as a great surprise when the Christian Brothers gifted the property to the Foundation but it did illustrate their frustration at the obvious neglect of the Little Chapel."
However, there were directions attached to their gift. The Foundation was required to restore the Little Chapel as closely as possible to that created by Brother Deodat. It was also required to implement a business plan that would ensure that adequate financing would be available for the future maintenance of the Little Chapel. The instruction was also specific in that the Foundation was not to allow any third party to make commercial gain from the Little Chapel. This was to protect its religious heritage. Accepting this gift was not an easy decision for the Chairman at the time nor of his Council. Whilst the Foundation has succeeded in its aims it has been achieved at personal cost to my wife and I, both financial and emotional.
Initially, public response had been fantastic. The very poor state of the Chapel was obvious to all and the emotional impact of the Little Chapel was strong. Having successfully completed the restoration, the Foundation had to address the second instruction from the Christian Brothers namely securing financial security for the Little Chapel. This was accompanied by a raft of States’regulations beginning with a 5-hour long Open Planning Meeting where we had to justify installing disabled access and conform to strong environmental requirements. These issues were not so obvious to the general public and support was not quite so forthcoming. Finding suitable volunteers to take on these complex issues was an uphill struggle. Fortunately, through persistence, we managed to create a strong, talented team. My wife and I have questioned our decision to become involved many times but no-one else was prepared to step in.
Fulfilment of the Foundation’s obligations was always going to need public support. The needs of the Little Chapel must always take precedence over personality. Common sense dictated that negotiation was the only possible solution to the third obligation but trying to negotiate in the face of wilful intransigence had brought the Foundation to an impasse. The Council’s unanimous decision to take positive action would appear to have achieved the desired effect. My decision to stand aside now will allow negotiations to proceed in a business-like manner without them being hampered by perceived historical grievances."
The status of the Little Chapel had been reduced to that of a commercial football being kicked around by unreasonable demands. This was both disrespectful and irreverent; the Little Chapel deserved better. The problem has been compounded by the dual role that the Chapel fulfils. The Brothers and many Islanders see it as a place of prayer and tranquillity whilst its many thousands of visitors come to see a tourist attraction. The Foundation is constantly having to resolve these conflicts of interest.
During the course of the renovation work, the Foundation has been able to refer to translated extracts from Brother Deodat’s personal diary as a guide as to what he wanted to achieve. Interestingly, this conflict between the religious and the secular role of the Little Chapel is not the first in its history. In 1978, the Chairman of the Little Chapel Restoration Appeal wrote of his frustration at the unseemly behaviour of visitors to the Little Chapel.
Guernsey has been my home for 76 years but the Little Chapel has overlooked Les Vauxbelets for 100 years. I am proud of my contribution in saving it for future generations. I am heartened to learn that almost all of the volunteer team will continue to work within the Foundation. I am most grateful for the support and encouragement they have given me. The people of Guernsey can be assured that the Little Chapel is in good hands and I wish the Foundation every success."
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