Flash Fiction
The Story of Jersey Gallery at the Jersey Museum took part in a project developed in partnership with the Jersey Festival of Words, ‘Words, Words, Words’. Twenty-five local writers – authors, poets, playwrights and journalists – were given a random exhibit with the challenge of writing a 60 word label and I was lucky enough to be one of those asked.
My object was a flattened musket ball that had been shot into the shoulder of a Mrs Fiott when she looked out of her window to see what was going on during the Battle of Jersey on 6 January 1781.
My story is called, The Keepsake.
Mrs Fiott was looking out of the window of her house in Rue de Derrière when she was hit in the shoulder by a musket ball. This squashed musket ball was takenout of her shoulder and she recovered. At some point a hole was drilled into the ball and a piece of ribbon threaded through it so it could be worn as a keepsake
It was an exciting experience to see my words printed and shown next to the objects that I’d been asked to write about (the musket ball and a small painted miniature of Mrs Fiott). The labels were on display at the Jersey Museum in 2016.
Although this exhibit is no longer there, you will find many other intriguing pieces to explore. The museum is a ‘must see’ if you live on the island, or visit here. I’ve eaten lunch at the brilliant brasserie there and had drinks, I’ve also attended talks with the Jersey Writers in rooms at the museum but it was a long time since I took the time to look around the fascinating history of this island and thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone else’s exhibits, as well as rediscovering the treasures displayed at this wonderful place.
