Much-liked "Renaissance man" leaves Société £1.9m

Thursday 13 June 2024

The Société Jersiaise has paid tribute to one of its "most active members" and "greatest benefactors" who has left the charity around £1.9m to continue its archaeological work in the island.

It is hoped that the money left by Brian Phillipps, who died in October 2022 at the age of 96, will be able to provide for the continuing employment of an archaeologist "in perpetuity".

In a statement, the Société described Mr Phillipps as a "private man" who was "much liked by those who knew him".

Pictured: Mr Phillipps in 1990 in St Ouen’s bay during the excavation of peat beds. (Société Jersey)

The statement continued: "He was not only one of our greatest benefactors, but also one of our most active members, from the time that he first joined in 1977 until old age finally forced him to cease practical involvement with Société activities.

"He left sufficient funds to keep an archaeologist in employment for some time.

"In December 2023 the Société was informed that Brian had also left a half-share of the residue of his Estate to the Société which was estimated in the region of £1.9m."

The charity explained that Mr Phillipps was involved in many island activities, from the preservation of unique cider apples to showing orchids, but his interest at the Société was mainly in archaeology.

His concern that the island should have a field archaeologist led him to fund the provision for one from 2010, based at the Société in Pier Road, in what the Société described as a "generous gift" on a five-year rolling basis.

The initial incumbent was Robert Waterhouse, an English archaeologist, who oversaw various digs including the hunt for the priory in the St Clement churchyard and the work at St Lawrence Church to dig and analyse the area where the small extension was to be built.

When Robert Waterhouse left the Island, Frenchman Hervé Duval-Gatignol was employed, who was already working on the Iron Age links between the coast of France and the Channel Islands. His work put him in good stead to provide support and advice on Le Câtillon II hoard.

Pictured: Mr Phillipps's main interest at the Société was in archaeology. (Société Jersey)

The Société has said the money left by Mr Phillipps will be used to fund the continued employment of an archaeologist and their work, adding that: "Wisely invested it is hoped will provide for an archaeologist in perpetuity."

It added that it was "most grateful for this generous bequest which enables us to fulfill our mission".

The charity explained that Mr Phillipps also had a model ship, a Napoleonic prisoner-of-war made from bone valued at £8,000, which he had wanted to give to the Maritime Museum.

To honour his wish, the Société's executive committee decided to purchase the ship for the Museum Collection in memory of Mr Phillipps.

The Société said the decision was "a fitting tribute to this Renaissance man who gave so much to the charity he loved".