The heritage year

Militia, 1781 at Grouville Church - by John Lord

2012-01-16T12:47:00.001Z

Battle of Jersey Re-enactment Royal Square St Helier 2012

2012-01-10T16:32:00.000Z

The re-enactment of the Battle of Jersey painting by John Copley took place at the weekend on the original site of the battle in the Royal Square.

Here and the posting by Cedric Bird below are records of that event.

Battle of Jersey Re-enactment - Royal Square St Helier

2012-01-08T21:27:00.000Z

The Battle of Jersey (January 6, 1781) was an attempt by France to invade Jersey and remove the threat the island posed to American shipping in the American War of Independence. Jersey was used as a base for privateering by the British, and France, engaged in the war as an ally of the United States, sent an expedition to gain control of the island. The expedition ultimately failed, and its commander, Baron Phillipe de Rullecourt, died of wounds sustained in the fighting. The battle is often remembered for the death of the British officer Major Peirson, and a painting based on his final moments by John Singleton Copley.

Marching down King Street

Entering the Royal Square next to the Pierson Pub

The media are here too

Who is shooting who

Mind your ears it was loud!

Simon Crowcroft and the Dean address the large crowd

Familiar face in the crowd

Another snapper

Old meets the new

The Honorary Police out in support

Re-enacting the famous painting of the event in 1781 by John Singleton Copley

St Helier Constable - Simon Crowcroft in support

2012-01-04T16:52:00.000Z

Stepping Out Walk - Ramsar Ramblings

2011-12-15T16:04:00.001Z

WOODLAND WANDERS WITH THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR JERSEY

2011-11-16T14:30:00.000Z

16 NEW STREET OPEN

2011-11-15T16:30:00.000Z

BLACK BUTTER MAKING AT THE ELMS 2011

2011-11-15T15:37:00.000Z

SURF & TURF WALK TO SEYMOUR TOWER WITH BOB TOMPKINS

2011-11-15T14:56:00.000Z

STEPPING OUT WALK - BOOTS AND BEAUPORT WITH JOHN PINEL

2011-11-15T10:05:00.000Z

Cider Festival at Hamptonne 2011

2011-10-18T18:19:00.004+01:00

As I'm short of time I'll let the pictures tell the story from festooned rides with "Honest Nev" to loads of fun and food washed down with lashings of cider.

Hamptonne echoed to the sounds of squeals of surprise and delight from all ages.

There is still time to catch the Black Butter making at the Elms.

And another Autumn begins...

National Trust Open Day 2011

2011-09-18T18:29:00.003+01:00

The 10th September and on a damp, blustery day the National Trust Jersey opened its doors for free to everyone.

So I visited 2 sites not usually seen. Le Rat a small beautiful cottage in St Lawrence and further around the lanes Le Morel Farm. Both beautiful reminders of what Jersey's rural areas used to look like.

You meander through tight lanes not built for modern traffic down in to a verdant valley and tucked away is Le Rat.

Cars skitter through the autumnal lanes.

Which way? French visitors provide directions.

Quiet on-lookers.

Visitors gather at Le Rat Cottage.

Le Rat lays hidden in the valley.

The winsome Le Rat cottage.

A volunteer gives a cheery welcome.

Malcolm answers visitors questions.

On the way to Morel Farm I pass this sign. More conservation.

Morel Farm and Terry Grimshaws Pedigree chickens

Children and parents love this farm.

Running to find something new.

A hangdog moment.

This little piggy goes to market.

Eye to gimlet eye with chickens.

This little piggy loves Nasturtiums.

I'm sure it's this way...

Asses abound...

And this little piggy went...

Everywhere holds a child's delight...

Rockpool Rambles with the National Trust for Jersey 2011 photography by John Lord

2011-08-26T15:59:00.000+01:00

National Trust for Jersey Bug Safari August 2011

2011-08-26T15:25:00.000+01:00

Elizabeth Castle.

2011-08-23T21:47:00.003+01:00

On the 10th of September there will be another great opportunity to take the kids on a Discovery Day at the beautiful castle that graces St Aubins bay.

Like many people it's been years since I visited Elizabeth Castle so with some spare time and a fair wind I headed out to reacquaint myself with its charms.

Ticket bought I trundled off on the little blue ferry to the strains of "Mission Impossible" (it does make you smile) to the castle entrance. If the tide is out it's a short walk along an historic causeway.

I'd forgotten how far the castle grounds extend. Like a lot of Jersey's historical sites there is evidence of many periods scattered around from an ancient hermitage home of St Helier, through the Elizabethan period to its life as a barracks for both the Jersey Militia and German occupying forces.

Built in 1594 and named by Sir Walter Raleigh as "Fort Isabella Bellisima" it remains one of Jersey's major attractions but because of a small stretch of water and a sense of it always being there we locals rarely visit.

Authentically garbed Jersey Militia men bring the whole place to life as they drill sullen recruits in the parade ground, fire an authentic period cannon and interact with visitors to add a touch of realism and a splash of colour within the castle walls.

It's a lovely safe environment for the kids to explore. A lovely place for a picnic or there's a cafe situated in the barracks.

Just being there gives you a whole new perspective on the island.

Find out more about the first people who lived in Elizabeth Castle and the fascinating people who have stayed there – from a saint and soldiers, to nurses, surgeons and Germans. Discover the amazing war trophies and militia silver from the troops that have been garrisoned there and why they have pieces of silver as decoration.

They will be making medals, meeting the characters from the past, following the silver trail around the site.

Take some time out to rediscover another place that time forgot. Bring your kids, tell your friends, take a picnic and just relax. This volunteer's smile says it all. Enjoy.

Surf and Turf walks

2011-07-12T15:41:00.000+01:00

Sunday 10th July

Photographs by John Lord

Walks by Bob Tompkins

Walking and talking on the old German railway track

Got It!, Arrrrr! it tickles!

Bob and the walkers in the wilderness

Discovery Day 2 - Sunday.

2011-07-11T22:23:00.001+01:00

Another lovely day to delight the kids...

A smiley welcome.

Mum helps out.

Sponsors of the event.

Mum's there again.

The hunt begins for this little soul.

Time to get mucky.

Dinosaur impressions.

Two mucky monkeys.

Dad reads and feeds.

Sand for the girl...

Soil for the boy.

You can't discover something unless it's lost.

Dad's on duty.

Paul regrets cutting corners on his new conservatory...

Looking for the perfect fit...

Finding it.

Two heads are better.

Duck and move.

Winded but happy.

Three heads are better than two.

Dad's jumper keeps her warm...

Too many cooks...

A parting word...

Discovery Day - Saturday.

2011-07-10T23:11:00.004+01:00

A beautiful Saturday morning and the dappled shade of Hougue Bie welcomes junior archeologists to a Discovery Day.

Discovery on so many levels, finding coins, digging for bones, fossil hunting, the hidden delights of Hougue Bie, rediscovering the joy of just playing with your kids, eating a picnic, running free, dressing up, stamping your book...

The whole event is mapped out to keep everybody moving,searching, looking for that elusive stamp and discovery...

Waiting for the adults to get their act together can be frustrating.

The hunt begins.

Even the people are hidden.

But some are unmasked.

Just space to play.

Time to start stamping.

Job done, move on.

Dinosaur prints.

Keeping track.

Bone diggers.

Clay makers.

Dressing up, dressing down, having fun.

Keeping track. If you don't have a book get one.

Template time.

Stamping is everywhere.

Safe play.

Getting tired find a ride.

Find a bone complete the picture.

The Chapel.

Brenda spreads her smile.

Time to go. But we'll be back. So will I.

The National for Jersey Sunset Concert in association with Ashburton

2011-07-08T09:56:00.001+01:00

Photographs by John Lord

Friday 1st July 2011 -Kevin Pallot and the Pinnacles

The National for Jersey Sunset Concert in association with Ashburton

2011-07-08T09:35:00.002+01:00

Saturday 2nd July 2011 - Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends

Eve Evans and her school mates did a fantastic job collecting donations

Capacity crowd of over 2,500 enjoyed the Fisherman's Friends for both their vocal ability and their wit.

Photographs by Karen Evans

Tour Des Forts

2011-06-28T13:01:00.023+01:00

A beautiful weekend and time to ramble along with Arthur Lamy and Martin Walton, two Blue Badge Guides, visiting some of the forts that ring the isand creating different generations of defense.

Arthur Lamy


Martin Walton

The Blue Badge

Visitors and locals gather at the museums gates.

Roll call.

Our trusty guides lead us behind the museum and discover a large mural.

Painted by local artist Jason Butler and depicting a history of island life.

Fort Regent and the dedication stone.

Martin begins to flood our minds with knowledge.

Gun barrel of small cannon within the Fort.

Setting the scene and providing context to what lies in front of us.

The joys of Fort Regent's hidden treasures lie before us.

New angles are discovered.

We then coached our way to Noirmont Point to engage with the German fortifications known as Batterie Lothringen. This has been carefully restored and in some places skillfully reconstructed by the Channel Islands Occupation Society.

Martin begins to describe the massive feat undertaken by the Germans to create an Atlantic Defenses system and latterly the rediscovery by the dedicated members of CIOS.

Even the little people love its hidden passages.

There are plenty of descripitive signs around the site.

Down to the bunker.

Martin describes the comparison between the Napoleonic Martello Towers littering the coast and the more secretive but potentially more devastating German emplacements.

Opening the bunker is a difficult but effective process.

Evidence of the occupation and areas of reconstruction vividly bring to life what it must have been like during the occupation.

All the artefacts have been meticulously gathered and displayed.

Arthur calls us back to the surface. Time to move on.

Noirmont's Memorial

The Lewis Tower.

The Clameur De Haro

Birdsong at Eventide Walk at Trinity Manor

2011-06-10T12:40:00.001+01:00

Photographs by John Lord

Pirates...Aha me hearties...says Captain Jack Sparrow...

2011-06-05T13:26:00.003+01:00

Captain Sparrow shows us he has little patience..

Parental negotiations fall apart...

Ahhh little pirates appear...

Lady pirates smile but what is in their hearts...

Battle ensues..

Not everyone fights Captain Jack employs his native charm...

Even the small ones show their steel...

Big pirates ca be outnumbered...

Little ones flash their skills...

Inside we find a different world...

Pirate themes abound...

Some piracy raises a hearty laugh...

Le Noir Pre is now open until the mid June

2011-05-18T13:59:00.001+01:00

Photographs taken by John Lord

My Liberation Day

2011-05-12T13:52:00.000+01:00

Every year the people of Jersey join together to celebrate our liberation from occupied German forces on 9th May 1945. This is just a snap shot of part of the day I was able to join in with.

Any excuse to dress up in army fatigues

What a lucky poodle!

Waiting for a ride in a back of a vintage truck

Preparing to film the service in Liberation Square

Something interesting behind me!

Members of the Victoria College Cadet Force re-enact the landing of the first British troops with the traditional handing out of oranges and sweets

Plenty of flag waving when the Union Flags were hoisted at the old Harbour Office, the Pomme D'Or hotel, and Fort Regent

Listening to the service with the Guard of Honour in the background

Thirsty work playing the trombone

The Lieutenant Governor Andrew Ridgeway prepares to take his last Liberation Day salute

Crouds of people took every vantage point to watch the procession

Plenty of fundraising and cuddles

Beautiful vintage car caught my eye

The National Trust for Jersey - 75 Anniversary Spring Outing photographs taken by John Lord

2011-05-11T11:48:00.003+01:00

The Joy of Birdsong - with Mike Stentiford

2011-05-11T11:23:00.000+01:00

Stepping Out Walk - Capturing the Wild

2011-05-11T09:55:00.000+01:00

Spring at Hamptonne

2011-04-24T22:09:00.000+01:00

April and in brilliant sunshine the doors at Hamptonne were opened. Pollen filled the sky, blossom trembled in the orchard and chickens ruled the roost.

Hamptonne has charmed generations and continues to do so even though it's a rare glimpse these days.

Cat is ready to welcome all comers.

These sunlit days pick out all the blossom to be found.

Chickens punctuate the site.

Sadie Renard quietly stitches, hidden from the days full heat.

The baleful stare.

Blossom and pollen fall like snow.

Spring at Hougue Bie

2011-04-19T15:56:00.002+01:00

Spring light, the gates swing open, visitors arrive and the trimming begins. A bite to the air doesn't deter Swiss visitors.

A full stock of new literature and umbrellas standing to attention ready for the odd April shower.

Even with all the close clipping there is time to relax, snap a mammoth and enjoy the scent of newly mown grass..

Pete trims the lawns.

Discovery Day at Jersey Museum

2011-04-15T10:23:00.000+01:00

Hundreds of children discovered Colours and Crayons at the first Jersey Heritage Discovery Day of 2011. Supported by Mourant Ozannes this Discovery Day is the first of many this year. Taking place in the art gallery at Jersey Museum the Discovery Day focused on the amazing modern art exhibition now on at the Museum.

Jersey Heritage have also introduced a scrapbook for all Primary School children this year which helps children on their time travelling through all the Jersey Heritage sites, events and Discovery Days.

Your child can pick up a My History Scrapbook at their local school.

Children at Grouville School

A Green Wedding at Le Don Hilton

2011-04-11T14:30:00.000+01:00

photograph by John Lord

Open Day at La Tour Carree & Lewis Tower - Five Mile Road

2011-03-26T19:39:00.000Z

Easy to find and a very welcoming staff

Expecting a busy day

Enjoying the view towards St Ouen's Pond from the top

Perfect location for a special occasion

Sharing a joke with a visitor

Squeeze - its worth it

Don't look down!

Early light at Le Moulin de Quetivel & Mont Fallu

2011-03-23T19:30:00.004Z

A Spring Walk...on Trust Land...

2011-03-21T21:41:00.002Z

A beautiful sunny Sunday calls to everyone to sample the spring delights in abundance on this island.

Daffodils are everywhere and so many varieties. They punctuate the landscape adding a pure hit of colour. Everything is perking up, pushing through, growing...

Made me smile...

Plastic covered field at St. Brelade

2011-03-21T17:06:00.002Z

Whilst it's all things agricultural, the sunset shows how photogenic these subjects can be.

Beaulieu School helping in The Elms Walled Garden - March 2011

2011-03-21T14:30:00.000Z

The 1st Outdoor Jersey Royals 2011

2011-03-16T10:37:00.000Z

Jersey Royals planted 10.12.10. Dug 15.3.2011 Farmer John Perchard

Stepping Out March 2011

2011-03-16T10:30:00.000Z

Winter Woodlands with Jersey Trees for Life - Adelina Wood

Fun week at the Museum

2011-02-27T14:26:00.018Z

Jersey Museum Fun Week

So many images to be taken on the way

Gateway to Fun Week

In the Edwardian studio

WWI Tommy

Jemima Houze shows interest in the latest camera (of its time)

Looked on by her mother, Linda

No not Dr Who but the Edwardian Photographer himself

The sitter has to keep still; as this shot was exposed for 8 seconds

Studio prop

Gems to be found in quite corners

The museum empties

Normality returns to the Museum

Half Term at the Museum

2011-02-23T22:22:00.003Z

So what's to be discovered at the Museum? A few moments of Peace?

Quiet contemplation of hidden treasures? Or...


A wily WW1 Tommy

An Edwardian Photographer

A Civil War Soldier

So get yourself down there quick and be snapped by an Edwardian dandy.

Listen to the bloodcurdling tales of battles won with musket ball, pike staff and a truly stout heart.

Hear the Tommy's tale of rat infested trenches deep, where soldiers die and widows weep.

Or just take time out to wander through the Museum and re-discover this Islands rich heritage on display.

These are all links in the same chain. Moments of contemplation, moments of fun, moments that won't be forgotten by all those involved for a long time...

Moments of pure bliss...

Stepping Out February 2011

2011-02-18T11:53:00.002Z

Stepping Out

Photographs by John Lord

Chairman of Action for Wildlife, John Banks, guided 30 people around Simon's Sandpit in St Ouen's Bay on Saturday 12th February 2011.

While the Jersey Museum is closed, the work continues

2011-02-01T12:48:00.002Z

Behind the scenes at Jersey Museum and the Maritime Museum is a hive of activity as we begin building the new exhibitions for 2011.
At Jersey Museum the Marilyn Monroe collection of David Gainsborough Roberts has been taken to the American Museum in Bath to help celebrate its 50^th anniversary. Our curators, conservators and technicians are now preparing the gallery for the new exhibition Hidden Treasures, Modern Masters to be launched in March. It will feature twentieth century art belonging to Islanders, including drawings by Degas, Matisse, Miro and Picasso, paintings by Hockney and Lichtenstein and a bronze sculpture maquette by Henry Moore.
In the John de Veulle Gallery the new social history show All our Yesterday’s is taking shape. Based on items donated by Islanders in collecting project last year, the exhibition will tell the story of changing fads and fashions in Jersey in the 1950s to the 1980s.

Societe Jersiase's 2010 Photographic Competition

2011-01-11T20:01:00.004Z

Every year the Societe Jersiase have a photographic competition open to all Islanders. Below are a couple of winners and a commendation.

This is the blogs own John Nasey with his winning landscape.

Here's another example of John's fine photographic skill in recording Jersey. Below is Sue Trower's winning portrait.

If you like these examples and are keen to see the other entrants and prizewinners then get yourself down to see the originals at the Societe on Pier road.

The Societe also have a terrific range of archived original photos that can be reproduced and hung in your home or office. they make brilliant presents.

Turkey Buster 2011...

2011-01-04T21:59:00.012Z

Mike Stentiford welcomes the New Year and gathers the hardy walkers...

January the first is cold and gray. There's no getting around this. But to blow away the cobwebs, chasten a hangover or christen the New Year, Mike Stentiford has organised a lunchtime ramble.

People arrive primed against the winter chill. Greetings exchanged, smiles passed around, hands clapped and feet stamped to gain warmth whilst waiting.

Mike describes the circular route from Big Verns, down the slip, along the beach to Kempt Tower. Over the road to the Orchid meadow, past St Ouens pond, along the road to the golf course and the back around to the White House where a special message will be revealed.

Little snappers arrive...

A lone walker brings up the rear...

The JEP records the event...

The annual pilgrimage moves on...

Following photographs by John Lord

Unfortunately due to a prior engagement and a weak will this was the last I saw of our intrepid group. So I missed the reveal of the White House being painted green but it was heavily reported in the JEP.

The reason for the green paint was to provoke people into understanding the green issues the Trust support. They also have created twelve pledges.

The Green House projects' own twelve pledges are:

1. Grow Your OwnThe Trust pledges to establish a Community Orchard with the RJA&HS and encourage tenants to establish vegetable patches.

2. Drip Dry
The Trust pledges to establish washing lines on all of its properties.

3. Keeping Warm
The Trust pledges to review and insulate all of its properties through its refurbishment programme.

4. Wildlife Garden
The Trust pledges to undertake measures to increase wildlife habitat on all of its tenanted properties through suitable planting and landscape management. And to facilitate the construction of 75 ponds Island wide.

5. Composting
The Trust pledges to install composting bins on all of its properties.

6. Bags for Life
The Trust pledges to offer all of its members a Bag for Life free of charge from The Elms.

7. Paper
The Trust pledges to reduce its use of paper by 25% per annum.

8. WaterThe Trust pledges to connect to mains water with metres as part of its refurbishment prgramme and review use of shower heads and toilets.

9. Rain HarvestingThe Trust pledges to install water butts on all its tenanted properties and if practical establish grey water systems as part of its refurbishment programme.

10. Energy Effiiciency
The Trust pledges to install energy saving light bulbs in all of its properties within the next twelve months and Eco Managers to illustrate home energy consumption.

11. Use LocalThe Trust is to review procurement to ensure its building products are from sustainable sources and that it is using materials efficiently.

12. Architectural SalvageThe Trust pledges to establish an architectural salvage facility run by volunteers.

Halloween at Mont Orgueil...

2010-11-01T19:36:00.000Z

Zombie soldier...

Scary times at a scary castle...darkness fell and you could smell the blood and see the gleam in the wolf's eye.

Ghostly Dickensian Characters...

Glowing pumpkins, eerie screams, wailing women, all combined for the spookiest of events on the Heritage calendar.

A grieving woman in white...


Vampires...

Every candlelit nook and cranny housed grieving souls and earthbound spirits.

Keening vampires their lustful cries echoed through the halls as werewolves padded quietly past.


The storyteller...

Painted listeners...

The storyteller held his listeners spellbound as he spun his ghostly tales.

Grieving souls sought solace from passersby.

Witches come in all sizes...

Wizards and witches ran amok...

the hunter...

the hunted...

Spectral visions...

Black Butter Days...

2010-10-25T20:35:00.000+01:00

The apples are harvested, peeled and the Elms gets the fires burning. Once again it's Black Butter time. A unique Jersey event. 36 hours of continual stirring to produce small pots of a local delicacy.
The Elms also hosted a genuine Jersey mini village. Live music, delicious food, hot scrumpy and pumpkin carving.

Time for a visit...


The cauldron bubbles black butter...

Hamptonne - La Fais'se de Cidre.

2010-10-17T23:11:00.000+01:00

Finding Hamptonne...

The last two days have shown what happens when you re-discover a lost treasure. The enforced closure of Hamptonne removed one of Jersey's most cherished Heritage sites.

This week-end the doors were swung wide to invite islanders to witness the old traditional horse-drawn method of extracting apple juice for cider and crushing apples for black-butter making. The love for this place was palpable.

Everybody was catered for. Little people adorned with leafy crowns watched the Morris men or competed to spin plates. They guessed the weight of a pumpkin or munched their way through a Hog-roast bap. Crepes were a big hit as were the local sausages and burgers.

The apple theme ran through everything. Sadie cooked steaks in cider over an open fire for the cider-press crew. Camra provided cider and perry for the more seasoned drinkers. Sticky toffee apples and jars of home-made marmalade and Black Butter.
Warm autumn sunshine bathed the whole event. If you missed it there is still the Black-Butter making at the Elms next week-end. See you there.

Guess the weight?


Jersey Wonders

Heritage Open Day at Hamptonne

2010-09-28T14:24:00.000+01:00

Heritage Open Days celebrates fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. This annual event is run across England every year, and in Jersey The National Trust for Jersey open some of their very special properties to the public.

Aaron Le Couteur and his sheep

It is a once-a-year chance to discover hidden architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities which bring to life local history and culture. This year the National Trust for Jersey opened a number of properties, including Hamptonne Country Life Museum.

Bob Tomkins

None of this could be done without the fantastic support from volunteers and the friends of the National Trust for Jersey.

Mike Stentiford and Chales Alluto talk to Terry Grimshaw

Face painting to match the head scarf

A human fruit machine

Candle making

John Hackets pigs fight it out

National Trust voluenteers help out

Tom Matthews makes the traditional cabbage loaf

A budding tractor driver

Photographs by Karen Evans from the National Trust for Jersey

Fete de Dolman

2010-09-21T09:53:00.000+01:00

On Saturday 18 September people took a discovery bus with a difference and toured the Island for ancient sites. Olga Finch lead the explorers as they discovered the sites older than the Pyramids - with ice cream stops on the way.

At the dolman


Across the dunes

Each year Jersey Heritage organise the tour of these sites, which are looked after and owned by the Societe Jersiaise. For more information on the ancient sites in jersey go to the audio tours section on the Jersey Heritage website and download a free audio tour on Jersey's spiritual landscape. http://www.jerseyheritage.org/audio-tours

Finding out about these ancient sites

Meet the explorers with Olga Finch