Guernsey Past

The Great Orange Peel Outcry of 1898

 

Step back to 1898 in Guernsey, where a surprising public safety concern was taking center stage: orange peels on the streets. In this episode, we explore a letter to the editor from "The Ferret," which pleads with citizens to keep the streets safe from these slippery hazards. Discover how this community-wide issue reflected the societal values of the time and the unique solutions proposed to tackle littering before the convenience of modern trash disposal. Join us in unraveling a quirky tale from Guernsey's history and ponder what lessons it might offer for today's world.

Spirits of the Drowned: A Folktale from Guernsey

Join us on the Guernsey Past Podcast as we explore a chilling folktale from Guernsey, an island rich in maritime tradition. Delve into the story of a fisherman who discovers a washed-up body on the shore and faces a moral dilemma between greed and the duty to honor the dead.

This narrative unfolds the haunting consequences of neglecting burial rites, drawing eerie parallels to similar tales across cultures that reflect our universal fascination and fear of the afterlife. As the story reaches its spine-tingling climax, it poses a critical question: are such tales mere superstitions for social control, or do they hint at deeper truths about the afterlife?

Reflect on these ancient beliefs and their lasting impact on our rituals today. What do they reveal about our fears and the rules we live by? Tune in to ponder the mysteries of life, death, and what might lie beyond.

John Tapner The Last Hanging On Guernsey

Today's podcast delves into the historical account of John Charles Tapner, the last person executed in Guernsey. In 1854, Tapner was convicted of murdering 74-year-old Elizabeth Saujon, who was found unconscious in her ransacked and burning home in St. Peter Port. Despite petitions for clemency, including one from author Victor Hugo, Tapner was hanged on February 10, 1854. His execution was notably botched, leading to a prolonged death by strangulation. This case remains significant in Guernsey's history, as no further executions occurred on the island after Tapner's death.