Remembering Richard Rondel

Constable’s Comment, Town Crier, January 2024

Last autumn the Constable of St Helier was invited to Funchal by the Mayor, Pedro Calado, and among the official engagements was a visit to Curral das Freiras, a small town in the neighbouring parish of Câmara de Lobos.

The occasion was the unveiling of a plaque in memory of a former St Helier Deputy, Richard Rondel, by two of his sons, James and Jack. As well as being a Parish Deputy between 2011 and 2018, Richard was a farmer who had developed strong links with this particular region of Madeira from which dozens of his employees originated, and, during the visit, he met several people who had fond memories of their former employer.

Before his untimely death at the age of 54, Richard did a great deal to support the local Madeiran and Portuguese community and to celebrate the ways in which the lives of St Helier parishioners and all Islanders are enriched by Portuguese culture and heritage. He also was instrumental in the development of the Fête de St Hélier, St Helier’s annual street party, and enjoyed taking part in its opening parade, proudly carrying the St Helier flag behind the Band of the Island of Jersey and the brightly dressed street performers.

Last year the Parish unveiled a memorial bench for Richard in Broad Street near the Pierre Le Sueur obelisk and fountains, from where the parade starts. Le Sueur, a former Constable of St Helier, also died prematurely and his inscription tells us that he devoted himself to his people, an accolade which is also true of Richard. He continues to be missed, in both of the islands he supported with enthusiasm, commitment and cheerfulness.