A wishing well built in 1993 to commemorate the life of a Crew member at Grow has been renovated – thanks to a family connection that links the past with the present.
Roger and Margaret Anne Higgs, and their children, originally asked architect Lawrie Ozanne to design the structure for Grow in memory of Richie, a much loved son and brother. When the job was completed Richie’s relatives, members of the Grow team and Mr Ozanne gathered to unveil the Well, an occasion captured in a photograph and recorded in the Guernsey Press.
Thirty years later, as the Grow site was demolished to make way for re-development, great care was taken to ensure the Well remained where it was. However, having been exposed to the elements over several decades the timber and roof tiles had deteriorated and needed renovation.
Step forward two of the Late Mr Ozanne’s children. Grow board member, Marguerite Talmage, asked her brother, Andrew, who is a trustee of Creative Learning in Prison (CLIP) if the renovation could be undertaken in the prison workshop. Mr Ozanne asked the Prison Authority who agreed, and prisoners restored the well to its former glory in partnership with Norman Piette who generously provided the materials.
Dalen Vile, Group Marketing Manager with the NP Group said: “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.”
Dave Le Feuvre, Head of Education, Training and Regimes at Guernsey Prison said: “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.”
Commenting on his family’s involvement Andrew Ozanne, who is also an architect, said: “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.”
The original photograph includes Crew members Simon Ozanne, who has been with Grow since day one and knew Richie well. The late Maurice Lihou, who was the inspiration and driving force behind establishing Grow 40 years ago, is also pictured.
Sue Brewer, Richie’s sister said: “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!”
