sites

Guardianship of sites

Progress was made with plans to produce building conservation plans for Elizabeth Castle, La Hougue Bie and Grosnez Castle. During 2005 we anticipate completion of the first stages of the plans that will inform future work on these sites. It is planned that Trust staff will work closely with the Société during 2005 to develop management plans for the Société’s collection of dolmens.

At the end of 2004 the Trust finalised a service level agreement with the Environment and Public Services Committee to maintain the Historic Buildings Register. The Trust works with the Planning Department, the Société Jersiaise, the National Trust for Jersey and the Association of Jersey Architects on the Heritage Advisory Panel which reviews work on the register. This is an important new role for the Trust. Over the next few years we aim to improve the level of research and understanding that informs listing, to increase public access to listing data, and to promote greater understanding and awareness of the need to protect historic buildings in Jersey.

States funding for the operation of the Fort Regent Signal Station was withdrawn during the year. The Trust undertook to operate the Station under an agreement with Jersey Harbours on those days when it is to be dressed overall. It is hoped that in time it will be possible to restore more regular operation of the station.

Mont Orgueil

The project to understand, conserve, repair and interpret Mont Orgueil castle continued.

Archaeological investigations and recording continued at Mont Orgueil under the direction of Warwick Rodwell. Investigations completed include the NE Passage and NE Tower, the Medieval Hall floor and vault, the Bell Tower, the Stable Store, De Carteret’s Rampart, level of Square Keep (Corbelled) Tower and Sir John Helie’s Tower. Amongst the most significant finds were sections of wall painting in the Medieval Hall. These were studied by David Parks and Sharon Cather of the Courtauld Institute.

Work on site to improve access included new entrance arrangements to create an access route through the Outer Ward, the removal of the 1930s gate and kiosk in the Lower Ward and the construction of a new ticket office in the Stable Store. Access has been created to a new Stuart garden in De Carteret’s Rampart. New wrought-iron handrails have been placed throughout the castle in locations agreed with the Planning Department.

The repair of the Medieval Keep was completed during the year. New stairs have been created in the repaired NE Tower allowing access to the Medieval Hall along the newly opened NE passage. The stair between the Medieval Hall and Undercroft was opened and restored. Also planned for completion, as part of the current project is the door between the Hall and the Corbelled Tower. Over £1 million of repair work is now planned for completion as part of the current project.

Consultation has become central to work on the castle. The Conservation Plan Scrutiny Committee is consulted on all matters that involve potential change at Mont Orgueil and the Société Jersiaise Archaeology Section plays an important role as the Planning Department’s external consultee for all SSI applications.

In December we obtained the final element of permissions for the enclosure of the Keep and this removed the uncertainties over the final scope of the project, which is now on target for completion in April 2006.