Loophole Tower No.10

15 loophole towers were built around Guernsey between 1778 and 1779 to protect some of the islands most vulnerable beaches from an invasion that never came. Of these 12 still remain. At least one of these now missing Loophole towers will feature on my next album Towers II, more on that in 6 months or so.

Loophole Tower No.10 stands on Chouet headland overlooking the entrance to Grand Havre bay. The whole headland is to be quarried soon and the landscape the tower sits in will be radically changed. Lets hope this one doesn't accidentally fall in the new hole like another famous Chouet tower did some time back.

Words by Shaun Shackleton, reading/performance by James le Page. I love what Monolith Cocktail had to say about Loophole 10 as part of their review "I would suggest all is not well with this restless spirit."

Shaun's words in full below.

1802 I curse those baiseurs, the bloody Militia, who drag me away from my hearthside, my table, my woman, my blanket, to this granite bird cage, this thrice-monthly gaol cell, to guard against a foe that graces to show not its gros chou, lest a sail, in this eleven years I’ve stood waiting on it. Just my tunic buttons rattling the carronade, the laugh of a corbeau, the chatter of bracken or wind humming a song are the only voices. Oft-times it rightly feels I’ll be here forever. If not me, then my ghost.

1982 These shores begin to choke, the salt breeze suffocate. The mailboat to Weymouth, then who knows? But before a visit to Chouet. A rattle of paint tin, a hiss, then the granite turns from pink to red, seeping into the years. I’m going but I know I’ll do nothing of worth and I know for sure that I won’t last forever; perhaps, though, my name will.

2022 All but alone now in its bitterness of weeds – drunkless, dog-pissed and butterfly-kissed. Useless. Granite already marked for a new-build in Town.”