The National Trust for Jersey's Discover Magazine, Spring 2023

In this issue

Matthew Slocombe MA FSA IHBC, SPAB Director

P30

LE RONDE PORTE An historic Jersey farm

P34

LE DON BRADSTOCK

P36

WILDLIFE GARDENING With Judith Queree

P37

CRAFT ACTIVITY TO TRY

P38

THE SIGNS, THEY ARE A CHANGING Countryside Signage

P40

WEDDINGS AT A NATIONAL TRUST SITE

P42

MAJA JEROMKIN National Trust Postcards

P44

MILLING AT LE MOULIN DE QUÉTIVEL

P46 EVENTS

Dates for the Diary

View from The Top

JOHN PINEL COUNCIL MEMBER - NATIONAL TRUST FOR JERSEY

Walking quietly along a sandy path, hidden from view by tall shrubs and grass clad banks, searching the undergrowth for sheltered, sunny spots - I suddenly see it. Over a metre long, it lies motionless, basking in the sunshine, dark green with faint black markings, its resplendent yellow collar, the colour of buttercups.

I stop and stand silently, unmoving, drinking in the sight of one of our rarest wild animals, the magnificent grass snake.

After just a few minutes, it flicks its tongue at me and silently glides away, inch by inch, into the undergrowth until it disappears from my view and I can't stop myself laughing in delight.

St Ouen's Bay is Jersey's last stronghold for our only native species of snake which testifies to the fact that the area is one of Jersey's greatest success stories. Restored from open rubbish tips in the 1980's, Les Mielles de Morville in the north of the bay is now home to a myriad species of wildlife, from insects to birds and from flowers

to mammals, the areas' wildlife clings on to one of our island's last areas of open landscape.

To the south, the magnificent system of sand dunes harbours a wealth of plants and insects and is recognised internationally for its rich diversity of these small and usually overlooked species of wildlife.

Carved out by higher sea levels in the distant past, the largely unspoilt escarpment forms the perfect backdrop to this intimate landscape. On a sunny August afternoon the long sandy beach attracts half of the island's population, whilst (it seems) the other half are exploring the network of paths and tracks which lead inland and up to the escarpment where the views across the bay and out to sea are outstanding.

The area provides a carpet of small fields, a network of refuges for nature, standing water which attracts thousands of birds, cafes, places to learn about wildlife and an almost endless set of historic features to explore, from ancient dolmens to the remnants of past wars.

Nestled within Jersey's National Park, St Ouen's Bay is highly protected by legislation and policy. Its wildlife is cared for by the National Trust for Jersey, the Environment Department and a number of other thoughtful landowners. Despite inappropriate developments marring the open landscape, all looks well in St Ouen's Bay, but without our care, this may not last.

Open quarrying, providing sand for our construction industry scars the landscape and continues to grow in scale. Pollution has poisoned the groundwater. Animals are increasingly isolated in small islands of habitat amongst the intensively farmed fields as the hedgerows fall into decay. Traffic fouls the roads and SUV's erode the grasslands.

The National Trust for Jersey has the vision to protect St Ouen's Bay so that generations of people can take as much pleasure there as we do today. We should not be idle, we should stand up to protect those places which we hold most dear.

Jersey's iconic grass snake is our only native snake. Despite its impressive size - It reaches over a metre in length - it is entirely harmless to humans. Its last stronghold in Jersey is in the dune landscape of St Ouen's Bay, but with a population estimated to be under one hundred individuals, it may not be long before it joins the ever-growing list of Jersey's wildlife which have become extinct in recent decades.

They are so rare that I am only lucky enough to see one every few years. Though even when I don't, I am happy in the knowledge that they still exist here. If we were to implement a plan to conserve Jersey's largest surviving native predator, we would also be protecting this outstanding landscape. As well as enhancing the health of our environment and our own health, we would be passing on to the children of the future the opportunity to pause in amazement at the sight of phenomenal wildlife, right here in our island home.

“The National Trust for Jersey has the vision to protect St Ouen's Bay so that generations of people can take as much pleasure there as we do today. ”

Inthe News _

During the last six months the Trust has been extremely fortunate in receiving a number of significant bequests. Whilst most attention will inevitably focus on La Ronde Porte, the Trust has also received a number of financial bequests to help its ongoing conservation work. These include a substantial bequest from the late Margaret Bazire, who also gifted two parcels of coastal land in St Ouen’s Bay to the Trust in 2019. Her generosity and altruism is much appreciated. In addition we received the significant sum of £50,000 from the estate of the late Agostinho Pestana, as well as a generous bequest of £2,000 from the late Dorothy Vincent.

Inevitably bequests come in all shapes and sizes but above all it is always

heartening when people leave the Trust a legacy as it demonstrates their support for the work of the Trust and ultimately their wish to protect their Island home. La Ronde Porte may be a visible reminder of such wishes but financial bequests are equally as important given that we are independently funded and have significant properties and lands under our care. Without doubt such legacies have helped us to save important historic buildings including New Street and the Foot Buildings, as well as coastal sites such as Plémont. Whilst we cannot thank our benefactors in person we can duly acknowledge their generosity and ensure that their legacies are put to good use in permanently protecting the natural beauty and built heritage of our Island.

Education programme looking for Young Volunteers

Are you aged between 12-16 years old, with an interest in nature?

The National Trust’s education programme is looking for Young Volunteers to help our Education Officer, Erin, deliver family activities during the school holidays. Please consider joining our passionate team of Young Volunteers to help run family nature-based activities and guide younger children to interact with the natural world.

You won’t need any experience or lots of knowledge, just an enthusiasm for the nature and some spare time. As we are a charity, the hours that you volunteer can count towards programmes such as The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and we are sure you will gain lots of new skills and have fun.

Please send an email to education@nationaltrust.je so Erin can send you an application form and a list of our upcoming activities that you can sign up for.

The Trust’s Council fully recognises that it is absolutely crucial that charities are well governed in a transparent and accountable manner. In this respect the Trust has always ensured that its annual accounts are independently audited and published in time for its Annual General Meetings. Also a code of practice and job description for Council members has been in place since 2005 and 2007 respectively. However, it is clear that enhanced measures are now necessary in order to meet both the requirements of local legislation and the recommendations of the Charity Commissioner. As a result the Trust’s Council has or is in the process of introducing the following policies:

i. A register of interests for all Council members and senior management

ii. A conflicts of interest policy for all Council members and members of staff

iii. A property management policy outlining clear methods of disposal which will aim to deliver best value and full transparency

iv. Revised terms of reference for Council members to replace the current code of practice

It is hoped that such measures will not only make sure the Trust has robust governance in place but equally ensure that the public trust and confidence in the workings of the Trust remains well placed.

Governance Update Memorials and Benches

The Trust receives regular requests to site benches and other memorials or plant trees in memory of loved ones. We understand that our members want to mark the passing of a loved one in a special place or at a location that holds precious memories. However, this can risk altering the character of these spaces especially when flowers and cards are left in situ making it rather awkward for people wanting to use them.

There is a more natural way of remembering loved ones and that is to consider supporting one of our existing projects that provides new habitats for wildlife. The Trust can plant a native tree, hedgerow or spring bulbs in memorium. Alternatively, we would also be extremely grateful for any donations that support our daily operations, such as maintaining a footpath, managing our woodlands or restoring historical buildings for everyone to keep on enjoying forever.

The annual INTO conference (International National Trusts Organisation) was held in Dundee and the National Trust for Jersey won the Excellence Award for ‘Highlighting Environmental Issues’. The Trust were Joint winners for the Puffin Sculpture Project at Plémont and for the Silent Garden Puppet Show which was staged throughout the summer at Le Moulin de Quètivel based on Penny Byrne’s book created for the Trust entitled

‘The Silent Garden with Cyril Squirrel and Friends’.

The Trust also fared very well at the Jersey Construction Awards again winning an award for the Puffin Sculpture Project and winning ‘Best refurbishment of an historic building Award’ for the conversion to selfcatering of Gréve de Lecq Barracks, St Mary in collaboration with Barnes, Collie and Fischer Architects.

You need to be in it to win it!

2022 was a very good year for the Trust in terms of recognition for some of the projects undertaken.

a board for all seasons and reasons

by Mike Stentiford

Few would ever have envisaged the countless challenges awaiting the voluntary working group when the establishment of a Jersey National Park received official endorsement within the Island Plan 2011.

Suffice to say that, having faced and overcome a number of difficulties since that time, scores of targets and initiatives have been successfully reached and accomplished.

One of the most crucial of these has been the recent formation of a Jersey National Park Board of Directors, considered by all involved as essential if the future direction of the Park is to be determined

Following the completion of a raft of required legal documentation,

of The Jersey National Park

the Park’s first Board of Directors are comprised of many of the Island’s leading charities and institutions. Having full and official JNP representation are The National Trust for Jersey, Jersey Heritage, Société Jersiaise, the Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society, Jersey Diary, Nurture Ecology, Jersey Marine Conservation and an architectural representative for the Built Environment.

Island interests covered by such strong representations include the natural environment, cultural history, agriculture, biodiversity and the marine and built environment, a truly comprehensive gathering that offers many mutually beneficial opportunities.

It is envisaged that while such strong partnerships will assist in the promotion of the national park, it will also develop a powerfully collective voice when seeking and increasing further protection of the Island’s most precious attributes.

By far the most significant expanse of land mass within the Parks official designation is the great sweep of open landscape in St Ouen’s Bay. It is here, through a combination of protective and visionary intent, that the Board of Directors will have an opportunity to earnestly approach and collectively process a number of environmental and cultural challenges.

Volunteers network as they plant Jersey’s Green Grid

At JT we actively encourage our people to get involved in the community and we are delighted to be supporting The National Trust for Jersey, Green Grid Project, alongside, our colleagues from Jersey Electricity and Jersey Water. The Green Grid partnership will see volunteers from our three companies working together to plant and maintain over five miles of hedgerows, creating the largest continuous grid of hedge corridors in the island. It is a hugely significant project that will help sustain Jersey’s environment for many years to come.

Many of our people regularly give up their own time for causes that mean something special to them. As a business, it’s great that we can support such a special project that has already seen over 60 of our employees sign-up to the first round of planting, with many more to follow.

We understand and value the importance of protecting our green spaces so that they continue to thrive and contribute to the natural environment of our island.

With our willing volunteers joining those from the other companies, it is encouraging to see such a high level of collaboration between the utilities as they get out and brave the weather together, helping local species thrive and flourish. It’s an impressive example of people coming together to achieve great things.

Daragh McDermott

Le Bourg Transformer Station

Antony Gibb, Historic Building Consultants

Le Bourg Transformer Station is an unusual building to see on a country lane in Grouville. The small but distinctive building is a “Schalthaus” (“Switch house”) and was one of three constructed in the Island. Designed by the Swiss company Brown Boveri in a Swiss Alpine style, its purpose was to facilitate the distribution of electricity from the coal fired power station at Tesson Mill to the quarry at Les Maltieres and the Grouville area as a whole.

Le Bourg is the last remaining example in Jersey, the others having been demolished in the late 1970s.

The building is built in a mix of hollow brick, red brick and reinforced concrete. The exterior is rendered and the slated roof has projecting eaves and weatherboarded gables. It’s now in a poor state of repair. The original front door remains- off its hinges - but the windows are post-war replacements and the roof is starting to rot.

The question is always what to do with buildings like these. They can’t all become museums, and its original use has been superseded. Fortunately for Le Bourg, the National Trust for Jersey has recently been gifted the building together with an adjacent agricultural field by Mrs Sue Wheeler in memory of her late husband Laurence Wheeler. The possibility of it becoming another quirky holiday let is being explored. The bones are good: nice rural location, just room for a double bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and somewhere to sit, and the fun of it being an unusual home for a weekend.

£30,000 has already been raised towards the cost of repair, and initial enquiries with the Planning Department have been positive. Over the coming months we’ll be developing more detailed plans for conversion to a holiday let. As with all conversions, the use will change, as will what’s inside,

but the exterior will remain pretty much as it is now, albeit repaired and ready to stand for a further 80 years and beyond.

Not surprisingly Charles Alluto, CEO of The National Trust for Jersey is full of praise for the donor. “The National Trust for Jersey is very grateful to Mrs Wheeler for donating this important historic building to the Trust, together with the generous donors who are helping to fund emergency repairs. Whilst we already care for a number of Occupation structures, we were keen to ensure that this particular building was safeguarded given its distinctive architectural style, rarity and landscape value. It is one of those buildings which everyone knows of but very few appreciate its purpose or history.”

Within the next year or so we should start to see some construction work that will give the island another of its well-used heritage holiday lets.

MOREL FARM

In a previous article about Morel Farm, the beautiful farmhouse and range of outbuildings gifted to the National Trust by Arthur Morel in 1939, we posed the following question; “imagine waking up in a delightful bedroom in an historic early 18th century farmhouse, surrounded by lovingly restored antique furniture and paintings and perhaps even a traditional Jersey press in which to store your clothes.”

Well this imagining is now nearing reality as the main house, the ‘Bake House’ and the outbuilding known colloquially as ‘The Chapel’ have been refurbished and furnished with beautiful furniture repurposed and repaired from our store as a result of a fiscal stimulus grant from the Government of Jersey.

With almost one-third of the island’s population living in an urban environment, a stay at Morel Farm would be a peaceful escape. For others, time away from home would be in a unique farm stay vacation. Rural but not remote and of course visitors to the Island can enjoy a wonderful rustic experience in a stunning old farmstead.

We will be opening Morel Farm to our members and the general public at an ‘open day’ on Saturday 22nd April. Time slot ‘tickets’ are available on: www.nationaltrust.je/events

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Side door into the dining room in the main house

An Egg for St Ouen’s Bay

Alison Horton, President Association of Jersey Architects

One of the joys of being an Architect is every job is different, so when I had a call from Charles Alluto asking me if I would be interested in re-designing a Bird Hide, I agreed without hesitation. I visited the current building with Charles and Land Manager, Jon Parkes. It can be found a short walk from the Five mile road along a meandering path through a bracken archway, nestled between reeds with earth banking at the sides and a green roof above.

The visit highlighted the current problems. A ‘green roof’ had been installed but the membrane had failed, creating major leaks between the planks. The roof was leaking in the winter and became too dry in the summer, the timber floor was beginning to fall apart and the door let in shafts of light that could disturb the birds when opened. The hide had a good view looking north across St Ouen’s Pond and also to the east, but the view

has a blind spot obstructed by the corner construction. There is a flight path to the east of the hide and a pool to the south east which is difficult to view from the hide. So lots of issues….

The brief was to provide a slightly larger and more comfortable hide, with views to the south – east pool and to improve viewing opportunities with a higher viewing aspect. I also had to enhance accessibility enabling wheelchair users and young children to use the hide. The aspiration was to provide a beautiful addition to the landscape that would inspire future birdwatchers and would complement the Wetland Centre. The site is an SSI and in line with the objectives of both The National Trust for Jersey and myself, we wanted any new construction to be as sustainable as possible, using natural materials, and as little steel and concrete as possible.

I went back a couple of times and started working on concept sketches and site analysis. A priority in design terms was to create a viewing aperture, with

minimal structural obstructions, which was continuous and would allow (almost a) 270 degree view, without an obscured spot in the corner.

My initial sketches all resulted in a curved plan, which provided the view the pond in front of the hide and to the pool behind. I was a bit anxious at the initial meeting thinking that I had overstretched the brief, so began by presenting two versions of a slightly larger rectangular hide.

I tentatively pulled out sketch design number three (the wildcard), which without hesitation was immediately the favourite one to be developed further. Whilst delighted that the most innovative and creative of my designs had been chosen, I drove home knowing that I was would have to design the most complicated of structures.

The plan developed intuitively into an ‘egg’. The geometry of the egg had many benefits; as well an uninterrupted views, the proposed new footprint is not that much larger than what is there now. Once

the shape was determined, Alex Buxton (former ranger with the Trust and bird ringer) researched eggs produced by those birds viewed from the hide. The Marsh Harrier’s egg shape was adopted as the final form.

While it is exciting to produce an egg shaped building, it has to primarily satisfy the initial brief of a ‘Bird- Hide’. Guidance has been followed for the height of the shelf that is beneath the viewing apertures enabling a resting point for elbows, with the height of the bench replicating that of the existing hide. An aperture has been included for wheelchair users and the hide will

be made fully accessible with a ramp. A corridor with entrance door and light lobby will be added to reduce glare that can startle birds.

After an initial conversation with an engineer, I constructed a series of sketch models using laser cut cardboard rings to prove and communicate the concept of the egg design to the client. If funding is secured, the ‘egg’ is to be constructed from a series of structural timber glulam rings and connecting fins fixed to a timber frame, below the floor. Geomarine are looking at a light touch foundation system possibly consisting of compacted hard core, with a footprint only slightly

larger than the existing original bird hide foundation. The ‘egg’ will sit on reusable adjustable pads (Jackpads) with some concrete blocks which could be removed and reused at their end of life. The external envelope will be clad with timber shingles.

While many hides resemble a shed, I wanted to create an exciting building that offers the best possible views enabling birds to be observed and photographed, with spaces for elbows, equipment, information boards and flasks of coffee, as well as sitting beautifully in the landscape.

The Egg Sketch design

Lime Mortar

It’s no accident that property is sometimes called ‘bricks and mortar’. Mortar is not just a filler, but an essential ingredient of any traditional building. One of the easiest ways to harm an old building is through the inappropriate repointing of mortar joints. A carefully formed traditional mortar joint is – in William Morris’s words – both useful and beautiful. It provides an attractive bedding for the masonry blocks but also a route through which rainwater and trapped moisture can evaporate.

Mortar has two main ingredients: aggregate and binder. The aggregate in an old mortar is generally a mix of sand and fine gravel, well-graded so that particles are of a range of sizes. The aggregate is held together by a

binder. In mortars used in modern building, the binder is normally Ordinary Portland Cement. Ordinary Portland Cement has been in common use for over a century. It’s the construction equivalent of fast food: easily acquired, simple to mix, useable at almost any time, but probably not good for your old building’s health.

Modern cement-based mortars tend to be very hard. Traditional buildings – and traditional mortars – are softer and more flexible. The softest traditional mortars are earth-based – and these are more common than was once appreciated – but equally common are lime binders.

Lime was produced by burning calcium carbonate in a lime kiln. The calcium carbonate came from

materials such as limestone and chalk, or even from oyster shells in coastal areas. In the kiln, the calcium carbonate was placed between layers of a fuel such as timber, coke or coal. Lime burning required careful temperature control, but ultimately produced a reactive calcium oxide or quick lime (‘quick’ meaning ‘live’, rather than ‘speedy’). This was sometimes slaked to produce a lime putty (calcium hydroxide), but it’s increasingly understood that much traditional building mortar was ‘hot mixed’, where the quick lime and aggregate were directly combined, generating considerable heat when water was added.

In rubble wall construction, lime mortar joints are generally wide and a suitable mortar will contain quite large aggregate particles.

- Jersey walling

- Coursed rubble with lime pointing

For ashlar stonework or gauged brickwork joints will be very slender and a finely-sieved aggregate will be needed. Choosing the right mortar, in terms of constituents and preparation, will be crucial to the end result. Even in a benevolent climate such as Jersey’s, lime mortars are vulnerable to inclement weather and need to be protected against rain or frost w and ideally work should be carried out when the weather is dry and mild.

Jersey does not have limestone, but lime was still burnt for mortar. Some limestone was imported but lime for Jersey’s kilns often came from shells, obtained on the island or imported as ballast. Lime kilns existed in many places in Jersey and can still be found at St Cyr in St John, and at Augrès Manor where the National Trust for Jersey carried out conservation work in 1977.

Pressoir window- Lime Mortar

Matthew Slocombe MA FSA IHBC, SPAB Director

Annual General Meeting & Annual Dinner

PTOLEMY DEAN - PRINCIPAL DIRECTOR BSc(Hons) DipArch(Edin) RIBA RIAS AABC FSA OBE

After leaving Edinburgh University, Ptolemy Dean won an ICOMOS scholarship to document mud adobe structures in New Mexico and Arizona. He then worked for Peter Inskip and Peter Jenkins Architects on a variety of Grade I listed buildings. In 1993 he was one of the SPAB Lethaby Scholars, studying active repair methods on some of the country’s most prestigious sites. The final three month section of this was spent researching the country houses of Sir John Soane. A fellowship to research the ‘minor’ country works of Sir John Soane followed and this research lead to an exhibition in the Soane Museum entitled ‘Soane Revisited’ and the publication of a book on Soane’s country practice, published in 1999, followed by a second volume on Soane’s London works in 2006. In 1997 he attended the Attingham Summer School for the study of the English Country House and was an architectural adviser to the BBC 2 ‘Restoration’ programme for three series in 2003-6

Ptolemy Dean joined Richard Griffiths Architects in 1994. He has been responsible for the £5m Millennium project at Southwark Cathedral, involving the cleaning and floodlighting of the Cathedral, the refurbishment of the vestries, and the creation of a major new building to the north of the Cathedral.

In July 2005 Ptolemy Dean established Ptolemy Dean Architects. The practice has continued to work with many of his established clients and seeks new challenging work both to and in the context of historic buildings. In March 2012 Ptolemy Dean was appointed Surveyor of the Fabric at Westminster Abbey. This appointment was followed by the successful delivery of the award-winning Westminster Abbey Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries project. Ptolemy has also recently been appointed Foundation Architect of Christ Church, Oxford.

In addition to his work in practice, Ptolemy has served on the London Advisory Panel of English Heritage and the Architectural Panel of the National Trust. He currently serves on the Salisbury Cathedral Fabric Advisory Committee, the committee of SAVE Britain’s Heritage, and is a Trustee of the Landmark Trust. Ptolemy Dean was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to heritage and design. Ptolemy was made an Honorary Doctor of the Arts by the University of Kent in 2022 in recognition of his significant contribution to architecture, conservation and heritage.

Ptolemy Dean Architects star-shaped tower at London's Westminster Abbey,

Notice Of Annual General Meeting

- 2023 -

The Annual General Meeting of The National Trust for Jersey will be held at La Mare Wine Estate, St Mary, at 6.00pm on Friday 28th April 2023. Attendance at this Meeting, for which there is no charge, is restricted to Members of The National Trust for Jersey.

AGENDA

1. To approve the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting 2022

2. To receive and adopt the Annual Report for 2022* Introductory comments from the President followed by a presentation from the Trust’s Secretary on work undertaken in the preceding year

3. To receive and adopt the audited Accounts for 2022*

4. To appoint independent Auditors

5. To elect Members to fill five vacancies on the Council Nomination application forms for Council Membership must be received by the Secretary at The Elms, La Cheve Rue, St Mary, Jersey, JE3 3EN by Thursday 20th April 2023. They must be seconded and the consent of the nominee must be obtained. Rule 6 (15)

6. To present plans for 2023

7. To consider any other business Any Member wishing to propose a motion must have it seconded by two other Members and forward it to reach the Secretary by Thursday 20th April 2023. Rule 6 (5)

Charles Alluto Secretary

*Copies of the annual report, accounts, minutes and nomination forms will be available to download on the Trust’s website www.nationaltrust.je. From 3rd April. Copies will also be available at the AGM or alternatively can be emailed or posted to members by contacting donna@nationaltrust.je

Starters

COD RILLETTE

Spanish gazpacho, basil cream, capers, squid ink crostini, aioli Or SYMPHONY OF DUCK

Smoked breast, parfait, fig, apple, cornichon pearls, truffle Or

SPINACH PATTIES

Baba ghanoush, chili, vegan yoghurt, herb oil

***

Main

ATLANTIC SALMON WELLINGTON

Dill pomme puree, asparagus, duxelles mushrooms, gremolata butter sauce

Or

CHICKEN SUPREME

Smoked potato dauphinoise, braised savoy cabbage, dill, lardons, shallots, chasseur sauce

Or

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER BAHJI

Bombay carrot, coconut rice, madras sauce, spring onion, chili (coconut/cashew)

***

Dessert

LEMON TART

Whipped chocolate cremieux, raspberry medley, crème fraiche Or

POLENTA BLUBERRY CAKE

Red berries, orange frosting, maracuja sorbet, mint tuile Or

CHEESE PLATTER

French artisan, British and continental cheese, classic accompaniments

***

Coffee £45.00 per Person ***

To

Marine protection in

In March 2022, the Bridging Island Plan (BIP) voted to develop ‘a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)’ within its upcoming Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) by the end of 2023. This decision marked a significant milestone in our efforts to protect 30 per cent of Jersey’s waters.

Jersey already has a good track record of marine protection. A wildlife law exists (Wildlife Jersey) Law 2021) which provides numerous marine species such as seals, tuna, seahorses and dolphins with legal protections. Jersey is even home to the largest pod of bottlenose dolphins in Europe.

In addition to the protection of marine species, the Government has taken steps to protect marine habitats across it’s waters. Today,

6.5 per cent of its waters are protected from mobile fishing gears (such as trawling and dredging) in the form of MPAs. This network harbour beautiful seagrass meadows, fragile maerl beds and rich kelp forests and are essential in providing us with climate mitigation, food and biodiversity. Seagrass, for example, is capable of growing as tall as an adult human while also being 35 times more effective than Amazonian rainforests in taking up and storing carbon.

Jersey’s MPAs represent a gold standard approach to conservation and contrast with the UK where despite MPAs covering more than 38 per cent of the UK’s domestic seas a mere eight per cent of this network is fully protected from destructive fisheries such as

bottom trawling. These kinds of MPAs are known as ‘paper parks’. A report in 2021 by the Marine Conservation Societey found that between the 2015 and 2018, the very sandbanks and reefs being offered ‘protection’ by the UK’s offshore MPAs experienced nearly 90,000 hours of bottomtowed fishing.

Despite Jersey’s well protected MPAs, much of our Island’s marine environment remains unprotected and at risk from damaging fisheries and development such as offshore wind farms. Blue Marine is campaigning alongside The National Trust for Jersey and many other islanders and organisations to secure a Marine Park covering at least 30 per cent of Jersey’s territorial waters. The network of MPAs created

Jersey – where are we?

through the MSP is a brilliant opportunity to form the basis of a Marine Park.

We would like to see this 30 per cent prioritise the protection of important marine habitats which deliver for biodiversity, carbon and fisheries. The network would mirror the existing MPAs and be a space for low-impact, static forms of fishing such as potting, hook and line, netting and diving to operate and benefit from conservation.

The ambition to achieve a minimum of 30 per cent comes from a growing global movement to protect our oceans. Hundreds of leading scientists around the world have agreed that a minimum of 30 per cent of both terrestrial and marine environments must be protected

to tackle the ever- pressing global biodiversity and climate crisis, which we, as a small Island, are already experiencing. Over a hundred countries are signatories to initiatives which set out the goal of protecting 30 per cent by 2030. Initiatives such as The Global Ocean Alliance and High Ambition Coalition are chaired by countries such as the UK and France. More specifically for our Island, Jersey is a signatory (by extension from the UK) to the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD), which includes a section called ‘KunmingMontreal’ setting out the target of 30 by 30.

With the MSP in development, now is the perfect time for Jersey to deliver on its existing commitment to protect at least 30 per cent of its marine

environment. There is also a huge amount of local evidence showcasing how multiple habitats are important for biodiversity, fisheries, carbon and people. Habitats such as seagrass, maerl, kelp, sandmason worms and shallow reefs are great examples of this, and if pooled together with a small buffer, make up over 30 per cent of Jerseys territorial waters, acting as the basis of our Marine Park boundary.

With the climate and biodiversity crisis, we must act now and the 30 by 30 campaign in Jersey is an opportunity to secure a healthy sea around Jersey for future generations.

As the Chairman of the Development Applications

Panel, I am always mindful of the Trust’s core objective to permanently protect Jersey's natural beauty, rich wildlife and historic places for everyone to enjoy and experience. It is clear that Jersey’s rural character and built heritage remain threatened, possibly more than at any other time, as a result of the pressures of unsuitable development and creeping urbanisation. The case for keeping a watchful eye on development in the Island remains compelling.

As one of the main advisory bodies to the Trust’s Council, the Panel’s remit is to help the Trust fulfil its vision by advising

it on all matters relating to Jersey’s planning system. On a weekly basis, the Panel meets at The Elms and reviews all planning applications which have been advertised that week. Our particular interest is in reviewing those applications which may have a material impact on a listed building or its setting, or on areas of particular environmental sensitivity such as the Coastal National Park. On a monthly basis we review the applications which are to be considered at the Planning Committee’s meetings and consider whether or not to attend and speak at the meeting. On a quarterly basis we prepare a report to Council highlighting our activities and commenting on any trends or on specific issues which have arisen.

Our weekly meetings look at literally every planning application which is posted on the gov.je Planning portal. This in itself is a daunting task: in 2021 nearly 2,000 planning applications were made –an average of 35 per week (there has been

a slight respite in 2022 with only 1,700 or so applications.) However, a significant number of these are of relatively little concern to the Panel, typically being uncontroversial development in the builtup area. Of the remainder, our principal job is to review the applications in the context of the prevailing Planning law and policy and to comment on applications which in our view do not comply.

Such comments can range from the relatively minor (for example, objecting to an inappropriate design for a new dormer window in a listed building) to the more challenging (for example considering proposals for large residential developments around the coast) to very substantial schemes, such as the redevelopment of the various large sites currently taking place in St Helier. We try to make our comments as objective as possible, based upon our understanding of the law and the experience of our Panel members.

The work of the development application panel

Charlie Malet de Carteret

And what experience that is! The Panel currently consists of seven members, each with a general passion for the need to preserve the Island’s natural beauty and heritage but also with specific areas of interest and expertise including agricultural, historical, architectural and public realm issues. Our debates on the merits (or otherwise) of the various applications range widely and, whilst we do not always agree, our process leads to a consensus view which we then articulate by way of objection letters which are sent to the Planning Department for publication on their website. We always send these letters to the CEO for comment, and if necessary to Council for its review if the matter is particularly contentious. We are conscious that our comments can sometimes be controversial – we have increasingly seen our comments being reported in the Island’s mainstream media – but we do not shy away from controversy and remain convinced that

it is important for the Trust’s voice to be heard as an independent and informed champion for the natural environment and for listed buildings.

In addition to our routine application reviews we have undertaken work to comment on behalf of the Trust on Government planning policies. We spent considerable time reviewing the draft Bridging Island Plan and monitoring the subsequent process leading to its approval by the States in March 2022. We have given comments on other planning-specific matters, such as proposed new Supplementary Planning Guidance on housing densities and restrictions on larger developments outside the built-up area. We commented on the last Government’s failure to produce a robust Common Population Policy, believing that it was important for the Trust to do so because of the profound implications that such policy has on the requirement for housing and related

infrastructure, which underpinned the assumptions and ambitious targets in the Bridging Island Plan.

We have also engaged directly with the Planning Department and the Environment Minister to set out our views on specific issues affecting the planning system. We applaud the Minister’s recent decision to conduct an independent enquiry into planning services and we look forward to contributing our comments to this.

We hope that the Panel’s work leads to planning decisions which help protect and preserve the most important things – our rural character, our beautiful coastline and our heritage buildings – that make this Island so special. If any of our readers would be interested in learning more about our work, or would like to join the Panel, please do not hesitate to contact me at CharlieMDC@nationaltrust.je

Renewed Energy For The Trust's Education Programme

Three years ago, the National Trust for Jersey and Jersey Electricity (JE) embarked on a new journey together –to address the global climate change and biodiversity crisis that we are currently experiencing at a local level by expanding the reach of the Trust’s education programme.

With JE’s support, the Trust recruited Environmental Scientist and Conservationist, Erin Cowham, as its Senior Education Officer, who set about enhancing the existing programme by adding environmental and science elements to it.

Although the 2020 pandemic limited the in-school activities we could provide, we were still able to deliver a full range of outdoor activities during the school summer holidays. As so many families were island- or even house-bound, the chance to explore our natural areas was gratefully received. The outdoor element for the majority of the programme and our appropriate, safe sites meant that, once schools returned to restricted activities, we were able to accommodate these and deliver a wide range of educational activities.

The programme then went from strength to strength. Bookings for school activities continued to grow, reaching nearly 3,000 school children by the end of 2022. The programme partnered up with YUNGA (Youth and United Nations Global Alliance) to offer the Power Rangers programme to young environmentalists. The Power Rangers and the education programme received a lot of media attention, from featuring at COP26 to an appearance on BBC1’s Countryfile.

Taking the lessons from the last three years and leveraging on our successes, a revamped programme for schools was designed for launch in early 2023.

We are delighted that Jersey Electricity

has renewed our partnership until 2025, so that together we can take the lead on educating local children and young people on key environmental issues, inspiring and empowering them to become agents of change.

JE’s CEO Chris Ambler recognises the value that Erin’s role plays in inspiring children to take action to preserve our Island. ‘Our children are our future and we should be investing in them. Erin’s programme engages children in some of the most important issues facing our community and the wider world in a fun and interactive way, so we didn’t hesitate to offer JE’s support for her role for another three years. The upcoming climate change programme includes activities that will help children to understand renewable energy by making waterwheels, windmills or solar ovens from recycled materials and investigating their carbon footprint and its impact on climate change. It’s fantastic that children are being introduced to these and other vital environmental concepts.’

The new programme invites teaching staff to book themed environmental education workshops, consisting of three specifically-designed activities that will encourage students to learn about, explore and take action to make a

difference on the workshop’s topic. These topics are Biodiversity, Seas, Pollinators, Woodlands and Climate Change.

In recognition of the importance of environmental education and to ensure price is not a limiting factor, we are offering our schools education programme free of charge to all school and home-schooled children. This is thanks to the increased support from Jersey Electricity.

We believe this programme will reflect the recent Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES) COP26 pledge to identify key climate change training resources to support schools and will also support schools in the ‘living in the wider world’ aspect of the PSHE curriculum, as well as many parts of the Science and Geography curricula. Using our already established environmental education programme and building on the partnership with Jersey Electricity, we aim to meet our joint goals by offering environmental education and resources that support teaching and learning.

Our family activities will also continue to have an environmental focus and will be developed from the school workshops.

To get involved, please see the events calendar for details of the upcoming family events, and for more information on the new education programme for schools please contact: education@nationaltrust.je

LA RONDE PORTE

BY ROBIN KELLY PROPERTIES MANAGERNATIONAL TRUST FOR JERSEY

In early August 2022, the Trust was advised that it had been bequeathed La Ronde Porte, a group of historic farm buildings and fields on the St Martin’s Main Road between Five Oaks and Maufant. The property was left to the Trust by Philip Le Sueur who had lived at the house since his birth in 1931. Philip (also known as Phil or Bunny, to distinguish him from his father, also called Philip) was the fourth generation of his family to live at La Ronde Porte.

Philip John Le Sueur was born on 13th January 1931, the son of Philip Le Sueur and Lydia (née Bree). He had a younger sister, Marguerite (also known as Daisy) who predeceased him in 1976. Philip’s paternal grandparents were Philip Le Sueur and Ada Jane Drelaud, whose marriage in St Saviour’s church on 1st October 1902, was commemorated with a marriage stone.

The farmhouse and outbuildings are listed Grade 3 and were shown on the Richmond Map of 1795. The name of the house may have derived from the single arch by the roadside, potentially part of an older house.

Like much of the agricultural land in Jersey in the 1800’s, the fields at La Ronde Porte were used to grow cider apples. Cider was not only a very popular beverage in Jersey at that time, it was also highly sought after

in England and was a very important export. Today, the apple crusher and cider press are no longer in use and the Pressoir is used for storage. It is a few years since a young Maurice Gautier spent several days persuading a horse to plod around the full apple crusher as the first stage in producing that season’s cider.

Like many Jersey farmsteads, very little if anything was ever thrown away and, in conjunction with the Société Jersiaise, who were bequeathed the contents, the Trust has gradually been sifting through the house and outbuildings.

Tucked away along a rutted farm track, the farmstead appears little changed since the 1800’s, although in 1936, part of the original house was knocked down to build an extension to create the scullery. The outside door from the scullery came from an older building on the farm – perhaps the part that was demolished – and may date back to the 1700’s

According to friends and family, Philip Le Sueur was a very practical man, who enjoyed working with his hands. He had a workshop in the outbuilding next to the house where his extensive collection of tools was used to make a variety of items, from crystal sets to the wooden pelmets in the farmhouse itself. He installed the kitchen and greenhouse, as well as doing all the wiring and plumbing in the house, replacing the original gas lamps. He never had a job outside the farm but in later years, enjoyed trips abroad to Europe, including Verdun,

Greece and Switzerland. Colourful paintings in his snug, bought on holiday and brought back to the house, attest to his love of travel.

La Ronde Porte was a traditional mixed farm with a small dairy herd of about 8 or 9 cattle, pigsties and more recently, a series of glasshouses in the fields to the south of the farmhouse. Opening a desk in the Pressoir, you come across some of the tags for market produce – Jersey capsicums and beans. Bunny milked the cows by hand, sitting on his traditional three legged stool. During the Occupation, the family used to put their hens into barrels and take them upstairs into the bedrooms to prevent the hens from being stolen. The windows

downstairs were drilled and pins inserted to stop intruders.

Looking at this image of the Bakehouse, it is hard to imagine that in more recent times, the Bakehouse was still in use, with groups of friends gathering together for the baking of cabbage loaves.

Philip began his school days as a pupil at Mrs Perredes’ Dame School alongside his friend and neighbour, Vivian Rive, who lived at Eden House on the other side of one of the La Ronde Porte fields. Vivian vividly recalls the day that a German plane landed on the field between their houses. At about 11 pm on 6th June 1944, Philip and Vivian heard a loud

- View of the roadside arch. In March 2016, the slates blew off the barn during Storm Katie, covering the road, which had to be closed temporarily.

- The track leading to the farmyard

bang. This was a German plane, shot down by the Fort Regent anti-aircraft battery. It seems that the plane may already have been hit by the RAF and was limping its way towards France or was unharmed and on its way back to base, but either way, the crew did not identify themselves as German when flying into Jersey airspace. As a result, the plane was shot down by their own side, crash-landing in flames in the field at La Ronde Porte, and killing 3 of the 4 airmen on board, the fourth later dying of his injuries. It took a little while for the German troops to arrive on the scene, by which time, Bunny and Vivian had been to have a look and to collect pieces of the fuselage and other souvenirs.

This gem of Jersey farming has been untouched for many years and so there is considerable work needed to secure the house and outbuildings, making sure that these are wind-andwatertight, repairs are carried out and the house connected to mains drains and water as well as being rewired to meet current standards for domestic use. The cost of this work will be expensive, and as a result, because the Trust is carrying out the work from its own resources, this will be done as funds permit.

This article owes much to the kind assistance of Bunny’s friends and family, to the Société Jersiaise and Jersey Heritage to all of whom, grateful thanks are given. We would be delighted to learn more about La Ronde Porte and the history of the house and the families who lived there as we piece together the story of this fascinating bequest.

- One of the workshops

- The scullery door

- The snug

The Pressoir

- The farmyard and barns

- The field between La Ronde Porte and Eden House

- Door to one of the barns

- Desk with produce labels for capsicums and beans

- The Bakehouse

- The pigsties, now overgrown, but about to be uncovered as part of the Trust’s work in the gardens.

Sustainability Partnerships Securing Jersey’s Woodlands For The Future

Jersey Electricity (JE) was delighted to join forces with the National Trust for Jersey in support of The Queen’s Green Canopy project and the Parish Earth Partnership, two projects focused on increasing woodland cover across the Island.

The Parish Earth Partnership is an initiative between the 12 parishes and Jersey Electricity to plant and maintain native trees and shrubs to increase biodiversity and aid carbon sequestration over the long term. Jersey Electricity committed £5k per parish (£60k in total) to buy trees, shrubs and to pay for other direct costs.

The Queen’s Green Canopy is the nationwide initiative created to mark the Platinum Jubilee and, together with The National Trust, JE aims to plant 700 trees and 700 shrubs as part of this initiative.

In May 2022, the former LieutenantGovernor and his wife, Lady Dalton, joined sponsors and supporters to plant seven ceremonial trees at a new site on Bouley Bay Hill, kindly donated to the Trust by Rupert and Anna Bradstock (known as Le Don Bradstock) and in January, a team of volunteers from JE returned to Bouley Bay with The National Trust for Jersey to continue planting trees at the site.

Volunteers from JE, including CEO Chris Ambler, the National Trust for Jersey's Lands team and Mr and Mrs Bradstock spent an afternoon planting 120 trees that will grow into a dense woodland area creating natural corridors for local wildlife and birds. It is hoped that, as the

trees mature, they will help to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a process known as carbon sequestration.

JE CEO Chris Ambler explained, ‘The Parish Earth Partnership aims to effect lasting change in every parish by increasing biodiversity and aiding carbon sequestration, which is one of several measures being taken to aid the Island’s journey to reducing its carbon emissions. We are pleased to combine our Parish Earth Partnership efforts in support of The Queen’s Green Canopy project to boost local biodiversity, create natural corridors for wildlife and contribute to a cleaner environment now and into the future.

‘Thank you in particular to Mr and Mrs Bradstock for donating the land to The Queen’s Green Canopy project and JE’s Parish Earth Partnership. Sustainability partnerships like this highlight just how much can be achieved when several initiatives and sponsors come together to make a positive difference to our environment.’

The National Trust’s Lands Manager Jon Parkes said, ‘Our hope is that a beautiful rich woodland will be standing tall providing shelter and food for wildlife in another 70 years’ time. Many of Jersey’s trees are now ageing so this planting programme will create succession in the area’s existing woodland cover, providing diversity in age, height and structure.’

Teams from JE are looking forward to returning to the site to continue planting the woodland during 2023.

Creating a garden with wildlife in mind

The key to attracting wildlife is to plant diversity, this opens up your garden to all kinds of wildlife. I am lucky in that I have different conditions in my garden, drier areas at the top of the garden provide free draining soil whereas down in the bottom garden there are underground springs so I created a bog garden. By embracing these different conditions it allows me to grow a diverse range of plants. However, it is important to do some research and find out just what condition your plants prefer. It is important to remember ‘right plant, right place’. Not everyone may have a ready-made bog garden but with a bit of work it is perfectly possible to create one.

Having lots of flower types is very advantageous to all kinds of wildlife, allowing a range of bees and insects that may require specific types of flowers to feed successfully. Try to have something in flower for as many weeks as possible. With a bit of research you should be able to have a succession of different plants in flower from snowdrops in January right through to plants like Salvia that will

continue to flower into late summer and early autumn. Winter can be a challenge but there are shrubs like Daphne or winter flowering honeysuckle that bees love and they will fill those lean months.

But don’t just think of planting on the flat, go up, climbers are fantastic to give height and interest. Clematis Montana with its tangle of stems provides a perfect shelter and place for birds to nest and raise young and the early flowers are a magnet for insects. Try to choose something that may provide fruit like small hips on a climbing rose or leave some Ivy to flower and fruit somewhere. The value of which cannot be overestimated.

If you only have enough room for one small tree then I would definitely recommend a crab apple. Our Malus John Downie is hard to beat, it holds its fruit well and the birds adore them providing valuable winter food for black birds, thrushes and other smaller birds.

Finally water is something that you should try to include. It doesn’t have to be a big pond, even a half barrel size is enough to attract a wide range of insects and if you make sure you have a stone or similar to allow the birds to drink it will give you hours of interest.

Spring Lanterns

Press flowers and some small leaves –if you don’t have a proper flower press, you can do what we did and carefully place the flowers between two pieces of paper, put between the pages of a thick book and place something heavy on top for a couple of weeks.

We bought seasonal flowers from an honesty box, as there weren’t many in bloom, or you can use blooms from your garden. Flowers with a single layer of petals work the best when pressing. Please don’t pick wildflowers, as they are an important nectar source at this time of year.

Make a glue mixture with equal parts water and glue. Then gather the following materials, and lay down some newspaper to make cleaning up easier:

• Small rectangles of tissue paper

Your glue mixture

Water and a sponge paintbrush

Pressed flowers and leaves

An inflated balloon placed on the opening of a jar (you can secure it with masking tape to stop it rolling away) – inflate it according to how big you want your lantern to be, we only inflated ours about halfway.

3

For the first layer, use plain water (so that the popped balloon will peel off more easily later). Lay the squares onto the balloon and dab in place using the paintbrush, starting at the top.

For your second and third tissue paper layers use the glue mixture to secure them. Try to take the time to flatten the tissue paper as you go using your brush. You can start to add flowers after you have your second complete layer of tissue paper on, or wait until the third and brush glue over the top to secure them.

Let your lantern dry (overnight). All of the glue mixture will dry clear.

Once your lantern is dried, draw a line to help you tidy up the top later. Then you can pop the balloon, which should shrivel up and fall out.

Trim the excess tissue paper at the bottom of the lantern (using your line), to give you an even top, and carefully dent the bottom of the lantern, so it will sit on whatever surface you choose.

Finally, use electric tea lights to illuminate your creations and add a warm glow to your home.

These beautiful and simple pressed flower lanterns will bring a touch of spring into your home and brighten a rainy day.

The Signs, they are a changing…

By Julia Clively MIPROW Senior Environment Officer – Access, Government of Jersey

Jersey’s countryside along with its wonderful wildlife is one of the Islands most treasured assets. An extensive network of around 200 km of paths, cross public and private land taking people into some of the Island’s most beautiful landscapes. It is estimated that the paths are used by around 100,000 people a year including local walkers and tourists and help to meet broader strategic agendas for healthy living and improved quality of life. In addition, results from Visit Jersey’s 2022 Exit Survey show that 62% of tourists went for a walk along a coastal or inland footpath, which indicates that the paths bring significant economic benefits to the Island.

The Government of Jersey, Natural Environment manages 70 km of public access to the Jersey countryside across public and private land. In addition, there are a number of other agencies that have interest in providing public access to the Island’s network of paths including the National Trust for Jersey, Jersey National Park and Jersey Heritage. The Jersey Access Service Providers (JASP) is a group set up to bring together stakeholders with the aim of working collaboratively to deliver the Countryside Access Strategy 2016 and to develop an improved network of paths and tracks to benefit our Island. By working in partnership, coordinated, targeted objectives can be achieved, and expertise, effort and costs shared.

Carefully planned signage is recognised as one of the most important tools for the management of responsible access to the countryside. In simple terms it is an effective method of communication between those who own or manage land and those who access it.

Much of Jersey's countryside interpretation is over ten years old. In many cases existing signs are in poor condition, and interpretation boards are faded or damaged beyond repair. A lack of joined up working by various service providers in the past has resulted in inconsistently branded information. In various surveys and consultations, poor countryside signage has been frequently highlighted by Islanders as an issue.

The Government of Jersey with the support of JASP commissioned the development of a signage toolkit and overarching countryside visual language for use by groups in Jersey who offer public access to areas of land (many areas which are protected under Site of Special Interest (SSI) designation due to their sensitive nature). The aim is to ensure that the impact of signs on the landscape is minimised and messages are consistent and positive.

The first signs are due to be installed at Les Landes Site of Special Interest in the spring.

Weddings at a National Trust Site

Awedding in a National Trust for Jersey property makes for a truly memorable experience. There is something special about getting married in a building which is steeped in history going back generations.

Beautiful landscapes, historic buildings and wild coastlines make the perfect backdrop for weddings with plenty of romantic spots for couples to take their vows (and photographs of their special day).

We have three designated sites for weddings; Le Don Hilton, the iconic building adjacent to the seawall overlooking the stunning expanse of St Ouen’s Bay. Known locally as ‘the white house’ due to its whitewashed exterior and dating back to the 1700’s. The service takes place within the seaward facing room and is perfect for a small intimate wedding. Guests can gather outside as

the couple exit as newlyweds. Le Catel Fort nestles on the hilltop overlooking Gréve De Lecq and is simply breathtaking for a private tucked away ceremony that you and your guests will just love. The building is in excellent condition and once your creative touches and decorations are added, the charm of the fort comes to life, add the impressive views out to sea and this really is something special.

Last but certainly not least is the jewel in our crown 16 New Street. This beautifully restored Georgian House certainly takes you back in time. It oozes with taste and elegance with two reception rooms over three floors adorned with authentic furniture, paintings, textiles and rugs. The ceremony can take place in the gracious Regency Drawing Room or in the panelled Club Room where sits the grandest of piano’s. It is such a romantic setting for your wedding day with a very special atmosphere.

The National Trust is a charity and every wedding helps to look after the places that hold your special memories forever.

Maja's Project

As an IB (international baccalaureate) student at Hautlieu, I was tasked with a personal project. This project is part of CAS (creativity, action, service) which is an integral part of the IB course. To complete the course, we must fulfil the requirements of CAS. These past few months I’ve had to focus on the subjects I chose for my course, none of which are art. During GCSEs, I had a lot more time to focus on my art but since starting the IB I’ve had to focus on my STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) oriented subjects. So I was really happy when I got to choose what to do on my personal project. I finally had a cut out slot to focus on something which would both be really enjoyable and helpful to the community. For the project I wanted to give back to the community, which is why I chose the National Trust for Jersey. Since I had volunteered there for a summer, I knew that the trust was something worth supporting. They do a lot of amazing work and really care for the environment. By combining my love for art and the environment I came up with painting postcards. I decided to paint six postcards, each with a different theme but all of them focusing on the places and things the Trust cares for. This included historic buildings, landscapes and wildlife. I had to narrow down my list to just six things to paint, I decided to focus on things which represent the Trust the best.

I found painting the cards really fun, I could finally focus on something that I really loved. The personal project required that I spent three hours each week but I'm sure that I spent more. Each time I really wanted to do my best and to make the cards look perfect. I decided to add some information about each card's subject at the back. It was interesting to research the things I was painting, and it really made the cards 'whole'.

I hope that the cards will be great souvenirs for those who have visited the many sites the National Trust cares for and protects.

The cards are slightly larger than post card size and the originals will be used to create notelets which will be sold through the shop at 16 New Street and at Le Moulin de Quétivel.

Maja

milled in jersey artisan

Flour

from local grain

Nestled in the heart of St Peter’s Valley, the Island’s only remaining working watermill, Le Moulin de Quétivel, has been milling flour for the people of Jersey in war and peace for more than 700 years. And for all that time millers have been using the same simple technology of water power. Streams descending from St Mary and St John are channelled into the beautiful millpond to the north of the site and from there the miller is able to control

the water pressure inside the leat or ‘Lé Bié’ using a series of hand-operated sluice gates to provide sufficient energy to power the mill’s great waterwheel and drive the millstones.

This year the Trust is delighted to be supporting local growers, John, Alan and Charles Le Maistre, from Le Tacheron Farm, who will be supplying around 300kg of high quality wheat for the Trust’s heritage

milling events.

One of seven historic mills in St Peter’s Valley, Le Moulin de Quétivel was rescued from ruin by the Trust in 1973. Today, 50 years on, the Trust’s volunteers are still milling flour using the same heritage techniques that have been practised by Islanders for generations.

Why

Choose

Quétivel Flour?

Support heritage milling and keep history alive by choosing Quétivel Flour for all your baking needs.

• Great taste: Our flour makes delicious bread, cakes, pastry and much more. With a rich, nutty flavour it will take your baking to the next level.

• Healthy: Our stoneground flour is packed with nutrients and fibre, making it a much healthier option than other types of flour. Zero waste: The Trust mills the whole grain, no waste – unlike white flour where the bran and germ are removed.

• Low carbon footprint: Sourcing grain grown close to the mill to support local farmers is very important to us. We are proud to use only the best locally grown wheat, sourced from Le Tacheron Farm – just 8km away in Trinity.

Heritage Milling in Action– Saturday 22 April Come and watch the whole milling process from start to finish at

Jersey’s only remaining working watermill. Count how many times the waterwheel rotates in a minute, observe the grain being fed into the eye of the mill stone and fill up your own bag of flour to take home with you. Warm up with a hot drink in our newly refurbished tearoom and enjoy cakes baked with our very own artisan flour. We even have homemade biscuits for dogs!

Le Moulin de Quétivel

Opening Times

We have extended our opening hours for 2023 and are now open five mornings a week: Monday –Friday from 10am – 1pm.

How to get there

The best way to get to Le Moulin de Quétivel is via the cycle track – and to encourage more cyclists this year we have installed brand new cycle racks in the meadow right in front of the mill. New for 2023 are free topups for anyone arriving by bike.

These digestive biscuits are as versatile as they are delicious. Either serve them with cheese or dip them in chocolate for an indulgent tea time treat.

You will need

150g cold butter, cut into small pieces

• 200g wholewheat flour, plus extra for dusting

• 125g fine or medium oatmeal (or jumbo oats, ground to a coarse meal in the food processor

70g muscovado sugar

• ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

2-3 tablespoons milk

Makes

1. In a large bowl, rub the butter into the flour (or do this in a food processor).

2. Stir in the oatmeal, sugar, bicarbonate of soda and salt.

3. Add the milk a little at a time and bring the mixture together to form a firm dough that is not too sticky or wet.

4. Tip onto a lightly floured worktop, and use your hands to form the dough into a flat disc. Wrap in greaseproof paper and chill for 30 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 170˚C and line two baking trays with parchment paper.

6. Roll out the cold dough on a floured worktop to a thickness of 0.5cm.

7. Cut out as many biscuits as you can using a straight-edged cutter, rerolling the leftovers and using those too. Arrange on the lined baking trays.

8. Use a fork to prick the biscuits once or twice and bake in the oven for 1012 minutes until golden. Set aside on a wire rack to cool.

- Quétivel Digestive Biscuits

Events

We would like to encourage our members to book events online. This helps us not only to monitor ticket sales more effectively, but also helps to manage our limited resource within our small office team.

Of course if you would prefer not to book online you can telephone 483193 or call into the office between the hours of 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Log onto: www.nationaltrust.je/events

april - easter holidays

Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 April

SPRING INTO ACTIONSHARK EGG HUNT

Join our education officer on an Easter Egg hunt with a difference. Children will learn about local ray and shark species, and help gather scientific information for the Shark Trust’s national database on the species that we have in Jersey’s waters. (Real Easter Eggs are also up for grabs!)

Meeting Point: Various

Time: 11:00

Price: £4 per child for NTJ Members

– booking is essential.

Kindly supported by Jersey Electricity

Monday 3 to Wednesday 5 April

ROCKPOOL RAMBLES

Join our Education Officer for a guided walk to the low-water mark and an exploration of the creatures and their habitats. See what you can find…. All equipment will be provided, advice on clothing etc. will be sent prior to event start, please ensure that children are accompanied by an adult.

Location: La Rocque and L’Etacq

Meeting Point: Carpark below Faulkner

Fisheries, or La Rocque Harbour

Time:

Monday: 11:30

Tuesday: 12:00

Wednesday: 12:30

Price: Free for NTJ Members – booking is essential.

Kindly supported by Jersey Electricity

Tuesday 6 April

BUG HOTELS AND EASTER EGG HUNT

Join our Education Officer in the woods below Hamptonne, to craft mini-bug hotels and take part in a fun Easter egg hunt. Please bring a clean tin can or milk carton for upcycling into the haven for your garden insects. Advice on clothing etc. will be sent prior to event start, please ensure that children are accompanied by an adult.

Location: Hamptonne Woods

Meeting Point: Le Don Sinkins (carpark in Waterworks Valley where large willow toad used to live)

Time: 11:00

Price: Free for NTJ Members

– booking is essential.

Kindly supported by Jersey Electricity

Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 April

SPRING INTO ACTION – SEEDBOMBS

Join our education officer to learn about sowing wildflowers for our precious pollinators. Families are invited to Victoria Tower to learn all about pollinators, and select and sow seeds to grow their own at home. Bring home seed bombs or plug plants to grow on and create your own Pollinator Patches (or even Pollinator Pots) that will become part of the growing Channel Island network of patches.

Location: Victoria Tower

Meeting Point: Victoria Tower (please park next to the Jersey Accommodation and Activity Centre and walk the short distance to the tower).

Time: 11:00

Price: Free for NTJ Members – booking is essential. Kindly supported by Jersey Electricity

Thursday 13 and Friday 14 April

WOODLAND CAPERS

Join our education officer on an Easter Egg hunt with a difference. Children will learn about local ray and shark species, and help gather scientific information for the Shark Trust’s national database on the species that we have in Jersey’s waters. (Real Easter Eggs are also up for grabs!)

Location: Jardin D’Olivet Woods

Meeting Point: Jardin D’Olivet carpark

Time:

Thursday: 13:00

Friday: 13:30

Price: Free for NTJ Members – booking is essential. Kindly supported by Jersey Electricity

Thursday 13 and Friday 14 April

SPRING WALKING FESTIVAL

Enjoy a series of guided walks around the Island walking to and nearby National Trust sites and properties. Enjoy themed walks such as wildflower walks, nature and bird tours and heritage and town trails. Visitors can enjoy ‘behind the scenes’ opportunities.

Meeting Point: Various

Price: Free for Members, £10 NonMembers per walk

Saturday 22 April

OPEN MILLING

Visit the only remaining working watermill on the Island and experience the whole milling process from start to finish. Meet our very own miller – and bag up your own flour to take home with you – and visit the miller’s wife in the historic kitchen. Tearoom selling hot drinks and homemade cakes open all day.

Meeting Point: Le Moulin de Quetivel

Price: Free for Members; Non-Members £4 Adults, £2 Children; Under 6s free.

Friday 28 April

ANNUAL DINNER AT LA MARE WINE ESTATE

The National Trust for Jersey Annual Dinner for members and their guests will follow the Annual General Meeting. Our guest speaker for the evening will be Ptolemy Dean.

Meeting Point: La Mare Wine Estate

Time: 19:00 - 22:00

Price: £45

Thursday 18 May GUITAR RECITAL AT 16 NEW STREET WITH DOMINIC PALLOT

This spring we are delighted to welcome local classical and flamenco guitarist - and former Jersey Young Musician of the Year - Dominic Pallot to 16 New Street. Join us for an intimate programme including works by Brazilian composers Pernambuco and Villa Lobos, classical pieces by Tarrega and Albeniz and a Flamenco set, including pieces by Paco de Lucia, Paco Pena, Sabicas and El Amir.

Meeting Point: 16 New Street Georgian

House

Time: 19:00 - 20:00

Price: £15 for members; £12.50 for nonmembers including a welcome drink

Sunday 28 May to Sunday 4 June

#LOVE NATURE FESTIVAL

The National Trust for Jersey is staging its annual environment festival #LoveNature over the beginning of the May half term. Set in and around St Ouen’s Bay in Jersey’s National Park and at other Sites of Special Interest owned by the Trust, the event coincides with and showcases the open afternoon at Le Noir Pré to see the wild orchids in all their glory. Participants are invited to enjoy a week of all things ‘green’ such as scenic walks, bird tours, dawn chorus and sunset activities, rock pool rambles, bug safaris, and a host of other wildlife activities.

Meeting Point: Various Full programme to be produced in due course

Friday 16 to Saturday 17 June SUNSET

CONCERTS AT MONT GRANTEZ

Enjoy live music in the beautiful setting of the natural amphitheatre at Grantez overlooking St. Ouen’s Bay. Bring a picnic and enjoy fantastic live music as the sun sets. Friday night sees Irish band 'Stray Melody' perform along with musicians from Hautlieu School. On Saturday local bands ‘Rood Mood’ and ‘The Jersey Bounce’ will perform. This is the ultimate way to experience the delights of Jersey at this very special time of year.

Meeting Point: Mont Grantez, St Ouen

Time: 17:30 - 21:00

Price: £10.00 Members; £15.00 Non Members (free parking but we would encourage attendees to walk, cycle or get public transport)

Saturday 1 to Monday 31 July 30 BAYS IN

30 DAYS

Jump in this July and swim in a variety of bays throughout the month. A fun way of making the most of our beautiful island and the feeling of having achieved something in the summer rather than it just flying by. Sea swimming has proven benefits for health and wellbeing and participants can visit new places or those bays they haven’t visited for years. Sea swimming makes you feel alive and loving life! Join the group swim at the start of the month then decide where and when to swim, joining the final group swim at the end of the month

Meeting Point: There will be a launch event and celebratory swim in St Brelade’s Bay on Saturday 1st July and Monday 31st July. We also hope to stage a mid-month swim at la Rocque. All details to be advertised nearer the time.

Thursday 20 July

Monday 24 July to Friday 1 September

SUMMER HOLIDAYS

The school summer holidays will see the weekly return of Bug Safaris and spiderhunting, Rockpool Rambles and WasteFree Wednesdays at The White House with our Education Officer.

We will also be offering some new exciting activities at our wonderful wild National Trust locations.

Kindly supported by Jersey Electricity.

Individual events will be published on our website during June for booking.

SUMMER

CONCERT

AT 16 NEW STREET WITH GEORGI MOTTRAM & LUKE BROWN

Classical charting soprano and Classic Brit Award Nominee Georgi Mottram joins Luke Brown in a special concert celebrating show-stopping favourites. From Freddie Mercury and Puccini to The Greatest Showman, Phantom of the Opera and the Sound of Music this concert has something for everyone.

Meeting Point: 16 New Street

Georgian House

Time: 18:00 - 19:00 or 19:30 - 20:30

Price: £12.50 for members; Non-members £15.00 to include a welcome drink

Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September

HERITAGE OPEN DAY

Many of the Trust’s properties will be open over the course of the weekend. The Open Days offer you the wonderful opportunity to explore and enjoy some of the Island’s finest historic buildings. Special events and activities will be organised at the key sites.

Meeting Point: Various

Time: 10:00 - 16:00

Price: Free

Helping

Nature…

Are you interested in helping to conserve our wildlife and natural spaces. If so we are looking for volunteers to help us conserve our natural environment.

CONTACT DISCOVER

Get in touch. We would love to hear your questions, comments and ideas.

The National Trust for Jersey

The Elms La Chève Rue St Mary Jersey JE3 3EN

Telephone 01534 483193 enquiries@nationaltrust.je

MAKING IT HAPPEN

DESIGN & PRODUCTION TEAM

The Idea Works Limited

Regency House Regent Road St Helier Jersey JE2 4UZ

Telephone 01534 755400 info@theideaworks.com

EDITORIAL TEAM

Donna Le Marrec and Charles Alluto.

Contributors: John Pinel, Erin Cowham, Mike Stentiford MBE, Darragh McDermott, Antony Gibb, Alison Horton, Matthew Slocombe, Ptolemy Dean, Freddie Watson, Charlie Malet de Carteret, Julia Clively, Maja Jeromkin, Robin Kelly, Jersey Electricity, Judith Querée , Catherine Ward

PHOTOGRAPHS

Credits to: John Ovenden, Sue Harris, Visit Jersey, Gary Grimshaw, Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, Erin Cowham, Robin Kelly

Front Cover: Archie and Arthur photographed by Erin Cowham.

©2023 – Discover Magazine is published by The National Trust for Jersey.

The publisher, editor and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any errors, omissions, misstatements, mistakes or references.

Correct at the time of print March 2023

Discover is printed using only paper from FSC/ PEFC suppliers from well managed forests. This magazine can be recycled and we encourage you to do so at your recycling point. Passing the magazine onto a friend counts as recycling too.