"Carel Toms and the People of the Sea" Exhibition & Silent Auction
Tom Le Prevost
Wednesday 4th November until Saturday 14th November 2026
10am til 5pm
at Sùla Gallery, L'Islet, St Sampson
We are delighted to present, alongside the Guernsey Lifeboat Fundraising Committee, an exhibition of black-and-white portraits showcasing Islanders from the Bailiwick’s bygone fishing industry. The pictures were taken by the late Mr Carel Toms, a former photographer and Features Editor with the Guernsey Press.
Carel Toms worked at the Guernsey Press for nearly five decades, rising from Printer’s Devil to become Features Editor and for more than 30 years 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.
The series of iconic photographs was donated for auction by Mr Nello and Mrs 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.
Mr Ciotti explained: ‘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.’
Ernie Down (of Smilax) mending a seine net on the Albert Dock slipway circa 1965
Eddie Down, a line fisherman and brother of Walter and Ernie
Walter Down, a line fisherman who worked with brother Ernie aboard Smilax
Ormering,
Sydney Robilliard
Marcel Lenormand, who launched Fête d’la Maïr this summer, said that 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.’
'Enough for a feed' — Islanders display their catch of ormers. The long gaff was used to pull lobsters and conger eels from their holes
Captain Fred Noyon S.G.M
(1879-1962)
Fisherman, pilot and Master Mariner. During the Occupation he escaped to England on his boat, Littlewood, with details of German defences. He was awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal for rescuing the crew of a stricken ship in the Thames estuary.
J.W. Hamon
Chair of the Guernsey Lifeboat Fundraising Committee Mrs Celia Allen commented: ‘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.
Perelle fisherman Douglas Girard with a catch of three crayfish, along with chancres and lobsters.
Ormers at 20p a dozen the Guernsey Fish Market
John Paint
The blacksmith, Sark
Wilfred Gaudion
a.k.a. Ginger (also 'pig killer')
Gathering vraic, Lampaul-Plouarzel, Brittany
The exhibition will be accompanied by a selection of beautiful, local, original watercolours and drawings by Mr Toms, which will be on sale in the gallery.
Wednesday 4th November until Saturday 14th November 2026
10am til 5pm
at Sùla Gallery, L'Islet, St Sampson