Vintage photographs of Guernsey fishermen to be exhibited and auctioned for RNLI
- Vintage photographs of Guernsey fishermen from the 1950s and 60s will be exhibited and auctioned to raise funds for the RNLI
- The collection features black-and-white portraits by late photographer Carel Toms, donated by former Mora restaurant owners Nello and Della Ciotti
- Subjects include well-known local seafarers such as Sydney Robilliard, Tom Le Prevost, Captain Fred Noyon and the Down brothers
- The exhibition runs at Sùla Framing & Gallery to 14th November, with a sealed-bid auction throughout
- Proceeds will benefit the Guernsey Lifeboat Fundraising Committee, reflecting the historical connection between local fishermen and lifeboat crews
A maritime heritage group has partnered with a national charity to exhibit and auction a collection of vintage photographs depicting local fishermen from Guernsey's past.
Les Gens d'la Maïr – The People of the Sea and the Guernsey Lifeboat Fundraising Committee are staging 'Carel Toms and The People of The Sea', an exhibition and silent auction of black-and-white portraits showcasing islanders from the Bailiwick's bygone fishing industry. The pictures were taken by the late Carel Toms, a former photographer and features editor with the Guernsey Press.
The series of photographs was donated for auction by Nello and Della Ciotti, with proceeds going to the local branch of the RNLI. The pictures were originally displayed on the walls of their restaurant, Mora, on the Quay, which closed in 2022 after 15 years of trading. The premises have since reopened as Sorrento.
Mr Ciotti said: "The large black and white prints were reproduced from pictures taken by one of Guernsey's great photographers, and feature well-known local seafarers from the 1950's and 60's.
"They were very popular with our customers, who often recognised them and in some cases were related to them. One man sat next to a picture he had never seen before of his father, Sydney Robilliard, ormering.
"That really made his night. Another popular shot captured Tom Le Prevost, with his dog, on a beach at low tide raising a huge pile of vraic on a garden fork. Customers said he was quite a character."
Marcel Lenormand, who launched Fête d'la Maïr this summer, said he was delighted to be coordinating the exhibition. "These images are authentic pieces of Guernsey's maritime history, when so many locals made their living from the sea.
"They offer rare glimpses of a bygone age that I think Islanders will really enjoy, with an opportunity to give them a permanent home.
"I'm hoping that families or friends of those portrayed will take the opportunity to visit the exhibition and perhaps take home a picture that means something to them."
Other portraits feature the three Down brothers and Douglas Girard, along with JW Hamon, Wilfred Gaudion and John Paint.
There is also a portrait of Captain Fred Noyon, who escaped Guernsey in his fishing boat during the occupation.
Most of the prints include captions reproduced from the photographer's pencil notes on the back of the original prints, including some nicknames.
Celia Allen MBE, chair of the Guernsey Lifeboat Fundraising Committee, said: "We are delighted that Nello and Della chose to auction these prints in aid of the RNLI, as so many local fishermen have served in the St Peter Port Lifeboat crew over the years.
"These really are exceptional pictures, and we're hoping they find new homes across the Island with people who love them."
The photographic prints will be sold through a sealed-bid auction running throughout the exhibition, with successful bidders informed soon after the display closes.
The exhibition will also include a selection of original watercolours and line drawings by Carel Toms, which will form part of the auction.
The 17 framed prints will are on public display at Sùla Framing & Gallery between 10am and 5.30pm until Saturday 14th November 2026.
The auction will consist of 11 large, three medium and three small pictures, all mounted and framed. Admission is free.
Carel Toms worked at the Guernsey Press for nearly five decades, rising from printer's devil to become features editor. For more than 30 years he travelled the islands in search of stories and photographs. In 1967 he wrote the bestseller Hitler's Fortress Islands, a photo history of the German occupation. He published many more local books, sometimes in collaboration with Victor Coysh. Carel Toms died in 2002, shortly after delivering his final work, St Peter Port, People & Places, to the publisher.
Sùla Framing & Gallery is located within the former Salem Methodist church at L'Islet, St Sampson at the junction of Sandy Hook and Route Carré. The gallery is closed on Sundays.
Q&A
Q: When and where is the exhibition taking place?
A: The exhibition runs from Wednesday 4th November until Saturday 14th November 2026 at Sùla Framing & Gallery, located in the former Salem Methodist church at L'Islet, St Sampson. Opening hours are 10am to 5.30pm, and the gallery is closed on Sundays. Admission is free.
Q: How will the photographs be sold?
A: The photographs will be sold through a sealed-bid auction running throughout the exhibition period. Successful bidders will be informed soon after the display closes on 14th November. The auction consists of 17 framed prints in total: 11 large, three medium and three small pictures.
Q: Who was Carel Toms?
A: Carel Toms was a photographer and features editor at the Guernsey Press who worked there for nearly five decades. He travelled the islands for more than 30 years documenting stories and taking photographs. He authored several local books, including the 1967 bestseller Hitler's Fortress Islands. He died in 2002 shortly after completing his final work, St Peter Port, People & Places.
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