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If you have read Jenny Wood’s book ‘Herm our Island Home’ recently, you will recognise the name Bunty Ray. In 1951 Bunty and her late husband Mick and their three young children arrived on Herm to make a new life for themselves. They were friends of the later Major Peter Wood and had written to Peter asking if there was any chance of joining him and Jenny to live and work on Herm.
Peter and Jenny talked about it and decided that they were ready to develop the gift shop down by the harbour. As Mick ran a small antique and gift shop in Wiltshire they felt he would be ready to take on the task of running the Herm gift shop. So Mick, Bunty and their three young children all moved to Herm.
Jenny Wood explains in her book that they had to face up to the problem of how to keep employed during the winter months, those of the staff who were engaged primarily for summer activities. They thought of the shells which were found on the beaches and wondered if it would be possible to use them in a commercial enterprise of some kind. And so it was that Bunty found herself spending her winters making ornaments to be sold in the gift shops during the summer months. One of the first ones she made was a crinoline gowned lady, her skirt caught up with pink rosebuds, a basket of oranges held lightly under her arm, the other lifting her skirt to show a trim foot and ankle. However, only Bunty had the skill and artistry to make them so she showed the others how to make easier but still very attractive necklaces and brooches. Work was done in the various island homes and most of the families were involved in shell-working!
Bunty Ray, who now lives on Guernsey, celebrated her 90th birthday on May 6th 2008. Her birthday wish was to return to Herm. Bunty and her 3 children, Liz, Roddy and Martin and her extended family made the trip across the Little Russel on a beautiful evening on her birthday. Bunty was thrilled to be returning to Herm and enjoyed being taken along to Fisherman’s Cottage where she lived with her family. The group then carried on the birthday celebrations in The Ship Restaurant before returning to Guernsey on the late evening sailing. |