I would like to point out that I took a BBC team to the island by Whimbrel and then to the grave by dinghy during September 2020 – film is on Youtube with link on my web site.
I said it was doubtful that I would go back: I said, I hoped that the grave would be left in peace – the view of programme presenter too.
Clearly, this view is not respected.
I was in two minds about doing this for the grave should not be used as a ‘destination’.
I wrote about the sad story in my book, ‘Swinging the Lamp’ published in 2016 – which awoke the BBC.
For the book, I was sent a picture for use, of the grave taken by an ‘army’ team in early 1950s courtesy of Historic Collections of the Institute of Naval Medicine. I noticed there is a cropped picture in the film – no acknowledgement appeared to be given. Where was it obtained…
The film’s maker also says the grave is sinking into the ground. This is incorrect (apart from the fact that the whole southern end of country is sinking, yes.) As stated in my book, the land has been flooded for one hundred years and in that time silt deposits have raised the ‘land’ level (saltings) year by year. The 1950’s visit made by the army team found the silt depth at around 150 mm over the grave stone. That was after thirty years of inundation – 70 years on, just the tops of the railings can be seen, which amounts to around a metre in one hundred years. It is a well known fact that the wild saltings will rise with rising sea levels. Just look at saltings levels outside walls compared to land inside – although shrinkage adds to lowering levels.
The film does not appear to reference the background information about the grave’s whereabouts – it can’t just be found – i.e., no provenance to the information…
Nick, thanks for your response. Following convention on a web page, your previous contribution and video on this site is acknowledged by the link in the first line of the article. You are right about the mud rising (through accretion) rather than the grave sinking but, hey, it’s all relative. Both Nicola and you were careful not to give the precise location of the grave and expressed the wish that it is left in peace. I think we can all hope for this.
Tony
Hello Nick,
Thank you for your comments.
If you watch the video you’ll see that I did credit the source of information and also the photos. You’ll also see that I went to great pains to make sure I gave away no location whatsoever. I didnt even mention the name of the island. I love your video it’s great. I watched it several times. My video does not detract from what you do. You’ll see I released my video on the anniversary of Sidney Bernard’s death 9th October. There’s nothing wrong with honouring someone. Im as passionate about local history as many others. And fear not, no-one will ever know where the grave is from my video.
With very best wishes
Nicola
Ps Nick all the photos I used are on the Internet archive in the medical journals documenting the death of Bernard. If you’d like to see them I can email them to you.
Nicola
Ps Nick all the photos I used are on the Internet archive in the medical journals documenting the death of Bernard. If you’d like to see them I can email them to you.
Nicola
I would like to point out that I took a BBC team to the island by Whimbrel and then to the grave by dinghy during September 2020 – film is on Youtube with link on my web site.
I said it was doubtful that I would go back: I said, I hoped that the grave would be left in peace – the view of programme presenter too.
Clearly, this view is not respected.
I was in two minds about doing this for the grave should not be used as a ‘destination’.
I wrote about the sad story in my book, ‘Swinging the Lamp’ published in 2016 – which awoke the BBC.
For the book, I was sent a picture for use, of the grave taken by an ‘army’ team in early 1950s courtesy of Historic Collections of the Institute of Naval Medicine. I noticed there is a cropped picture in the film – no acknowledgement appeared to be given. Where was it obtained…
The film’s maker also says the grave is sinking into the ground. This is incorrect (apart from the fact that the whole southern end of country is sinking, yes.) As stated in my book, the land has been flooded for one hundred years and in that time silt deposits have raised the ‘land’ level (saltings) year by year. The 1950’s visit made by the army team found the silt depth at around 150 mm over the grave stone. That was after thirty years of inundation – 70 years on, just the tops of the railings can be seen, which amounts to around a metre in one hundred years. It is a well known fact that the wild saltings will rise with rising sea levels. Just look at saltings levels outside walls compared to land inside – although shrinkage adds to lowering levels.
The film does not appear to reference the background information about the grave’s whereabouts – it can’t just be found – i.e., no provenance to the information…
I only hope that it is now left in peace.
BBC film on my web site: https://nickardley.com/films-and-clips-to-be-savoured/
Nick, thanks for your response. Following convention on a web page, your previous contribution and video on this site is acknowledged by the link in the first line of the article. You are right about the mud rising (through accretion) rather than the grave sinking but, hey, it’s all relative. Both Nicola and you were careful not to give the precise location of the grave and expressed the wish that it is left in peace. I think we can all hope for this.
Tony
Thank you…
Hope keeping well.
Hello Nick,
Thank you for your comments.
If you watch the video you’ll see that I did credit the source of information and also the photos. You’ll also see that I went to great pains to make sure I gave away no location whatsoever. I didnt even mention the name of the island. I love your video it’s great. I watched it several times. My video does not detract from what you do. You’ll see I released my video on the anniversary of Sidney Bernard’s death 9th October. There’s nothing wrong with honouring someone. Im as passionate about local history as many others. And fear not, no-one will ever know where the grave is from my video.
With very best wishes
Nicola
Ps Nick all the photos I used are on the Internet archive in the medical journals documenting the death of Bernard. If you’d like to see them I can email them to you.
Nicola
Ps Nick all the photos I used are on the Internet archive in the medical journals documenting the death of Bernard. If you’d like to see them I can email them to you.
Nicola