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The Little Chapel Foundation has thanked some of its former councillors for their service in saving the Chapel from disrepair and neglect.
It said 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.”
Mr Silvester announced his resignation from the charity yesterday, after attempts to trademark the Little Chapel, and a subsequent legal threat against a silversmith selling souvenirs, were met with despair by some in the community.
The Foundation now say it has reached out to silversmith Martyn Guille with a view to resolve the dispute “calmly and quietly”.
Mr Guille has declined to comment further until the situation is resolved.
Pictured: Tensions between Martyn Guille and the Foundation emerged last week.
The Foundation added that the Silvester’s 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.”
The ‘Guardian’ role is one I’ve never heard of; there are certainly no States’ resolutions dealing with it. I suspect it may have been more of a personal appointment. https://t.co/AB348J37ZM
Pictured: Deputy Gavin St Pier said he had never heard of the role of 'guardian' to the Foundation in a post on social media.
Earlier this week, assistant treasurer and fundraiser to the Foundation, Jack Honeybill, resigned from the charity.
He said he disagreed with the pursuit of legal action against Mr Guille and “took no part in the decision to send the letter”.
Mr Honeybill 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.”
Deputy Peter Ferbrache, President of the Policy & Resources Committee, also resigned from his role as ‘guardian’ of the Little Chapel yesterday.
He said he was unable to support the recent decisions taken by the Foundation but backs their continued custodianship of the attraction.
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