Sir Richard Branson visits Jersey.

[Dylan]

I was amazed last friday. I had hobbled up to quennevais to my appointment at the opticians and lo and behold right in front of me was one of the country's most famous entrepreneurs, no doubt getting a bit of kitesurfing in before doing the channel for his 60th.

Although someway off, I could not be in any way mistaken. The rose coloured hippy specs, the small goatee beard, blondish salt & pepper hair falling out from below the famous straw hat,  flip flops, designer jeans, flashy smile, o'brien shirt and shoulder bag. Nothing at all was going to stop me from at least saying "hi" to one of life's great heros. I was really excited but not in a Razzy mancrush sort of way. We had actually corresponded in the '70s when I was at College and he was setting up Virgin in the NME.

Having recently hurt my leg I couldn't keep up but was quietly pleased to see him dive into the party shop. At least I thought I would catch up with him when he came out (of the shop that is).

I waited a moment until he came out, well! Talk about disapointment!, closer up, the yellowing uncut toenails, jeans with a patch on them, the flip flops turned up at the back and worn to each side, the shirt was a cheap copy, the shoulder bag definately car boot, but worst of all the rose coloured Hippy specs were actually thick gold rimmed Aviators! My final clue was the Laithewaites wine gut, less of a sixpack and more of a party eight. Holy sh!t I though! Elvis has been reserected!, closer inspection led to greater disapointment, the shrugging pidgeon shoulders and piggy eyes were the final giveaway!

I'd just remembered two things, first, that Mike Vibert still lives around here somewhere and secondly, I was late for my opticians appointment!!

[ole razzy]

It sounds like a typically disappointing encounter, like so many we've all experienced when up close to those who have chosen to represent us, and one I thank you for notating.

Glory is vanquished and control and manipulation are often extended beyond human reach once one leaves high office. Gone are the ministerial privileges, the free parking, the long lunches, the extended coterie of civil service flunkies and of course the extended trips to far flung places - all in the name of 'good government'. Whilst one can take no pleasure from another's demise your encounter, rather like mine on the headland at Portlet Common, seems to have left you wondering 'what was the point of all that?"

If growing your own, or hanging out with vegetables, is a good thing, and I happen to think it is, then I am of the opinion that 'Vibe's' has actually found his level. And fair play to him. Whether he chooses to now dress in shoddy attire, unbecoming of a former minister but honestly reflecting his new found status as a ‘champion of allotments’ is now of no significance - other then perhaps to induce a rather slight but nonetheless unhealthy dose of 'schadenfreude' within those who felt the insensitive brunt of his brand of politics. 

The way I see it ‘Vibe’s’ was very much part of the problem and not able to provide a positive solution to the difficulties faced by a COM’s now widely regarded by all sections of society, regardless of status, as self serving, secretive, out of touch and mired in their own egocentric visions for Jersey’s future.  And the foot stamping lackeys who prop up this attitude to government should take note – for people like me have been taking many – and be aware that their careers could all too easily go the same way. 

[tonytheprof]

He was a very good Deputy, it was after he became Senator that his ego began to swell to match his vote, and he didn't want to know about Parish problems. Then he went on a freebie to Australia to see if Jersey people could go to Australian Universities (or so he said). An idea that was "a chop short of a barbie", as the Australians would say.

A very funny sketch of seeing him, Dylan. Brilliantly worked up to the punchline!

[Calimachon]

"Talk about disapointment!, closer up, the yellowing uncut toenails, jeans with a patch on them, the flip flops turned up at the back and worn to each side, the shirt was a cheap copy, the shoulder bag definately car boot, but worst of all the rose coloured Hippy specs were actually thick gold rimmed Aviators! My final clue was the Laithewaites wine gut, less of a sixpack and more of a party eight. Holy sh!t I though! Elvis has been reserected!, closer inspection led to greater disapointment, the shrugging pidgeon shoulders and piggy eyes were the final giveaway! "

He was never admired for his sartorial elegance.  Didn't he attend one of his companies flotations  in the 1980's wearing odd shoes(did not match).  When you are estimated to be somewhere in the region of 21st richest man in Britain I doubt if it matters one jolt what we think of him.  The Virgin founder is a maverick entrepreneur and hippy billionaire, adventurer and
philanthropist.  Says it all eh?  Good luck to him.

If he is in Jersey maybe he would consider becoming a resident and standing for election to help this god-forsaken island out of the doldrums.  No committees or chief officers puleeese!  Could be we are ready for a dictatorship.  Please tell me has a dictatorship been tried yet?

Cali