by herm, Thursday 9 February 2012 19:25
This pictures were taken from a Herm holiday brochure from 1947, and offer a fascinating insight into how the island has developed over the past 65 years.
The 34-page brochure has photos of well known fixtures such as the White House Hotel and the harbour, and the short-lived golf course. The photo of the Mermaid Tavern actually shows the hotel rooms in the Mermaid Cottages and states that there are tea gardens in the back and a paddock next door. The paddock contains a ‘mini Grand National Course’ to exercise the island’s 12 donkeys!
At the time, there was both ‘White House and Mermaid hotels’. Bookings for holidays were taken in the Herm office in Guernsey, and there was a cafe at the pier in St Peter Port that only catered to Herm visitors.
Passports weren’t needed, but all guests had to bring their ration books. There is also an ad for 'Bobby Ale', which is apparently what all good Hermites were drinking in 'the old inn'!