Heritage Open Day at Hamptonne

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

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

Heritage Open Day - Jersey

One day allowing access to private homes and sacred sites manned by 40,000 volunteers across the UK. Jersey opened the doors to some exclusive viewings. The two shown here are the working mill in St Peters Valley and the Church and Rectory in St Marys.

Jason Butlers illustrative painting.

Everyone welcome.

Tea and Jersey Wonders....

Quiet moments of contemplation offered everywhere. A sense of belonging to an older, wider community. And everywhere friendly people opening their doors to welcome you in.

As I walked away this polished beauty drove towards me carrying a young couple just starting out on their journey and somehow the day's circle seemed complete. Even a modern marriage can begin with a sense of history, a classic car.

National Trust for Jersey Heritage Open Day - Greve de Lecq Barracks

Heritage Open Day is an annual event organised in association with English Heritage to enable people to view historic properties which are not normally open to the public. Its purpose is to increase access to the historic environment so that people are actively engaged with their local heritage and can appreciate the reasons for its protection.

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So what have the Romans ever done for us?

Archers, Gladiators, Roman Centurians peopled an encampment at Hougue Bie. There were displays of cooking and spinning. Small children played games, helped to make bead necklaces and enjoyed the delights of a Roman feast.

There were archery and spear throwing displays along with the more cultured pursuits and pastimes of mosaic making or calligraphy.

There really was something for everyone and lots of opportunity to get involved.

 We can't time travel but these en-actors allow us a small glimpse of what it must have been like.