Richie's wishing well renovated

Thursday 14 March 2024

Thirty years after a commemorative wishing well was built in memory of a Grow crew member, it has been renovated, with Richie Higg's relatives gathering for a new photo to mark the occasion.

Roger and Margaret Anne Higgs, and their children, had originally asked architect Lawrie Ozanne to design the structure for Grow in memory of Richie, their much loved son and brother.

The well had deteriorated over the three decades since it was built, and with the redevelopment of Grow's site at Les Coutanchez it was decided that the well's timber and roof tiles should get some TLC too.

The well has now been renovated through a true community project.

Pictured: The black and white image, taken in 1993, is shared with thanks to the Guernsey Press.

Grow board member, Marguerite Talmage and her brother, Andrew Ozanne are the late-Mr Lawrie Ozanne's children. 

Andrew Ozanne is a trustee of the Creative Learning in Prison (CLIP) charity, and he asked the prison authorities if the restoration work could be carried out in the prison workshop. They said yes and a team of inmates then got to work restoring the well to its former glory.

Commenting on his family’s involvement, Mr Andrew Ozanne, who is also an architect, said he was pleased to be able to help with the renovation of the well.

"Dad drew up the plans and then made the original timber structure in our shed at home using wood from our stables.  Being able to facilitate this refurbishment feels very special to both us and the Higgs family."

Dave Le Feuvre, Head of Education, Training and Regimes at Guernsey Prison said they are always happy to help out with projects for Grow.

"The prison has been involved in a number of projects with Grow over the years, most recently in helping their team set up their new greenhouse. So we were keen to help restore the well," he said. 

Norman Piette also became involved in this community project through donating materials for the project.

Dalen Vile is Group Marketing Manager with the NP Group.

"We are big supporters of Grow so when Andrew asked for our help with this project we were delighted to get involved by supplying timber and other materials," he said. 

Members of Richie Higg's family recently gathered at Grow so they could see the renovated well and recreate a photo from when the original well was installed.

Sue Brewer, Richie’s sister said they are grateful to everyone who has been involved in bringing it back into its original condition.

"Our family and the Ozannes have known each other for years and we were thrilled that the original collaboration could be brought together again in renovating Richie’s Well. 

"I know Richie would be delighted that his well is now back to its original condition. He would be rubbing his hands together in glee at the thought of being the centre of attention again! I can almost hear him giggling!"

The original photograph (provided by the Guernsey Press) includes Crew members Simon Ozanne, who has been with Grow since day one and knew Richie well. 

It also depicts the late Maurice Lihou, who was the inspiration and driving force behind establishing Grow 40 years ago.

The new image (provided by Grow) replicated the 1993 image as closely as it could with Richie’s parents, his sister Sally, and her daughter Phoebe (kneeling by the Well). Simon Ozanne is shown in both photographs.

Pictured top: Relatives of Richie Higg's and Grow crew members gather around the renovated well.