Wednesday 14 June 2023
Guernsey's history with the Island Games is being marked with a special museum display.
This year Guernsey becomes the first Member Island to host the Games for the third time, the former occasions being in 1987 and 2003.
The current display at Guernsey Museum features photographs, objects, kit and medals from previous years. Equipment on show includes the badminton rackets used by Darren Le Tissier in 2003, where he secured four gold medals. Visitors can also see the Guernsey jumper with embroidered games logo, which formed part of the official kit in 1987.
Sophie Brehaut, Assistant Curator, said:
"This display marks a significant part of island history: it celebrates the story of the Island Games locally and recognises the positive influence on our community. We are thrilled to be able to highlight this aspect of our island's sporting history."
A poignant centrepiece of the display is an interview with the late Owen Le Vallee MBE, who sadly passed away in January of this year. Owen was a founding member of the Guernsey Island Games Association and had kindly lent several objects to the museum for this display.
Amanda Hibbs, Communications and Events Director for Guernsey 2023 International Island Games Organising Committee, said:
"The organising committee are very grateful to the team at Guernsey Museums and Galleries for putting on this exhibition. It is really interesting to look back at the memorabilia from the previous Games. Lots of people have many fond memories of the 1987 and 2003 Games that were hosted here in Guernsey and it's lovely to be able to see how the Games have moved on and developed."
The display will be officially opened as part of a private event for invited guests on Thursday 15 June in the evening.
The display is complemented by a football-themed painting from the museum collection by artist Larry Ham. Larry had a lifelong love of sport and his work 'Goal Save' captures the beauty and drama of athletic movement with striking colours and bold shapes.
The Island Games display is at Guernsey Museum until the end of the summer and normal museum admission applies.
