forward

2004 was by any standards a difficult year, dominated by concerns for the future of the Jersey Heritage Trust and its
sustainable future in the light of increasingly difficult financial circumstances. Continued demand for stimulating
programmes, professionally delivered, had to be set against shrinking visitor numbers and reduced public
financial resources.

For many years the Trust had successfully responded to both these pressures but by 2004 had reached the irreducible minimum and tough strategic decisions had to be made. It is a great tribute to the management team that they did not shirk the difficult task and to the staff that they accepted the very heavy additional workloads that inevitably resulted, with both cheerfulness and professionalism.

I have been helped enormously by a board of trustees that has been dedicated and supportive, and their encouragement and vision has played a large part in helping the Trust to steer its difficult course. With the help of senior management, we believe that, at long last, there is some certainty beyond the immediate year end, and that a proper basis now exists for future planning. That will be of great benefit to the Trust, to its staff but, above all, to the Island and its unique heritage.

This report is just a snapshot of the most important achievements of the trustees and staff of Jersey Heritage Trust in 2004. The year tested the talents and commitment of everybody in the organisation. Jersey celebrated 800 years of allegiance to the Crown and Jersey Heritage Trust played a full part in the successes of the year. At the same time we strove to resolve the difficult long-term funding issues that faced the Trust. The Mont Orgueil project continued to attract debate, but by the end of the year the most significant outstanding issues had been resolved.

2004 was a very challenging year for the Jersey Heritage Trust, but we have emerged a stronger organisation, able to meet the needs of a changing environment and operate a sustainable level of service. Our success in this is attributable to the strength of the partnership between the trustees and the staff and to our bond with the Société. It also demonstrates the flexibility, adaptability and willingness to develop new ideas of everyone involved.

Heritage Trust staff, particularly at Jersey Archive, were tested by the uncertainty surrounding the events of the year. The fact that the Trust continued to operate and deliver an extended and improved service during this period is down to the loyalty and professionalism of the staff. The Trust, and its partners, are extremely fortunate to be served by such an able, skilled and committed group.

Looking ahead, and drawing on the experiences of 2004, the Trust will concentrate on a few strategic priorities.

Our changing audience - Tourism numbers continue to fall. We need to develop new ways to ensure that heritage plays a full part in attracting visitors to the Island and to keep heritage at the heart of the tourism experience of Jersey. At the same time we need to re-focus some activities in order to cultivate new local audiences and achieve a change in programmes that meet objectives for lifelong learning in the community described in the Cultural Strategy.

Our responsibilities for historic buildings - As we work towards the successful completion of the Mont Orgueil Project, the conservation needs of other sites in our care need to be addressed. We have taken on the management of the register of heritage buildings on behalf of the Planning and Environment Committee. This is an important new role for the Trust that we must support with progress in access to information on historic buildings and learning programmes to deepen understanding of, and support for, Jersey’s heritage buildings.

Our partnerships with other cultural providers - Developing the appropriate fit with other cultural organisations is an important consideration in our future development. We will continue to seek efficiencies by working more closely with colleagues in heritage and arts bodies both in Jersey and outside the Island.