"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."