THE Active Retirement Club (ARC) heard a talk about Devil’s Island, the infamous penal colony in French Guiana at a talk on Tuesday 28th June.
The club report, “The film ‘Papillon’ which stars Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman was based on the experiences of life within this ruthless and brutal penal colony.
“The prison was active from 1852 until 1953 and new prisoners were lined up and told
escape was impossible, as if they managed to avoid the local wildlife and tropical diseases, the shark infested waters surrounding the island would ultimately seal their fate.
“A functioning guillotine in the centre of the square was periodically used to dissuade all thoughts of escape by slicing a melon in half before the assembled prisoners. Something for them to reflect on after a gruelling day in the sun.
“The film Papillon was based on the book by Henri Charrière – one of the very few prisoners who did actually escape. He, along with another prisoner Sylvain, leapt off a cliff into the sea each holding a sack off coconuts for buoyancy and managed to drift to the mainland after three days.
“Sylvain died in quicksand near the shore and Charrière was later captured. He was incarcerated at El Dorado and after eventually being released, he spent the rest of his life in Venezuela.”
On the 12th July, the ARC will be hosting a talk on the Festiniog Railway in Snowdonia at the Horse and Groom Pub, Westbury.
Guests can come along and enjoy two free meetings before deciding if they wish to join. Membership costs £10 per month.
If you would like to join ARC, or would like to find out more, please call Mark on 01373 823826.
