Fort Henry on Gorey Common
That Was Jersey |
Local history for everyone |
CHANNEL ISLANDS |
Fort Henry lies on Gorey Common, just to the north of the Royal Jersey Golf Club House. It was part of the ring of forts and towers built to protect the Island from unwanted visitors!
La Route Orange may have lost many of its trees in the great storm of 1987, but some impressive houses remain. Les Lumières has been restored recently, and is an impressive example of 1930s architecture.
Samarès Manor has a long history. The oldest part of the house is the crypt dedicated to St Martha, dating from the 13th century. The Manor is often at the Centre of parish events, and is here seen on the day of the church fête.
The present Opera House rose from the ashes of the old Theatre Royal which was destroyed by fire in March 1899. Adolphus Curry was a civil engineer and was employed to design and build the new theatre. This was opened in July 1900 and renamed the Opera House. The first night production, The Degenerates, starred Lillie Langtry.
One hundred years later, after extensive refurbishment, the Opera House again opened with The Degenerates. In July 2000 a special version of the play was performed for the opening night.
The refurbishment included subtle lighting effects on the facade in Gloucester Street. The interior refurbishment covered the auditorium and front of house areas. It also extended much improved accommodation and facilities backstage. Access was provided for those with disabilities, and the whole experience of going to the theatre was magical again.
Situated in Bonne Nuit Bay, La Crête is one of the fortifications built against the French threat. This fort was built in 1835, and served for many years as the summer retreat for the Lieutenant-Governor. It never saw active service against the enemy, but it was probably a haunt of smugglers. It is now available to let as holiday accommodation.
St Matthew's Church in Millbrook, St Lawrence, is often referred to as the Glass Church.
The interior's glass features by Lalique were commissioned by Lady Trent, in memory of her husband Lord Trent, formerly Jesse Boot, who founded Boots the Chemists.
The building now known as Haut de la Garenne started life in 1867 as the Industrial School, for "young people of the lower classes of society and neglected children". Good behaviour was rewarded by treats, like cricket on the common and tea and cakes. Poor behaviour led to deprivation of some sort, with flogging or solitary confinement for the worst offenders. In 1900, it was renamed the Jersey Home for Boys.
During the Occupation the building was used as a signal station by the Germans. More recent uses have included playing the part of the "Bureau des étrangers" in the Bergerac television series, use by various youth organisations, and now it has become the Island's first youth hostel.
Grève de Lecq on the north coast has been a point of defence over several centuries. The Barracks were begun in 1810 when the Island was trying to improve its defences against a possible invasion from Napoleon. The building was completed in 1815, which was the year of the Battle of Waterloo, when Napoleon was defeated.
The National Trust for Jersey has its headquarters at the Elms in St Mary. This is a fine farm complex in a quiet rural parish. It is now the base for a range of activities of the National Trust as they work to protect some of Jersey's rich heritage.
St Ouen's Manor has a long association with the de Carteret family. There was a house on the site in 1135, but the earliest parts of the present house date from 1496. General Don, who was responsible for much road-building, put a road through the grounds of the manor, along the route of the present entrance avenue. This road continued in use for over 50 years. The gateway is an impressive sight from the main road with its weathervane and chimneys, while the house is seen only through the trees.
In 1856 the Manor was inherited by Malet de Carteret. The house was almost a ruin, and he set to work to rebuild it.
During the Occupation the Germans used it as barracks, and they accidentally burnt down the south wing. Francois Scornet was just 20 years old when he was shot in 1941 in the grounds of the Manor.
Near the centre of the sweep of St Ouen's Bay is the small white building originally known as St Peter's Guard House (La Maison de Garde et Magazin du Grand Boulevard dans las Baie de St Ouen, que appertiennent à la Paroisse de St Pierre).
It was built in 1765, and was altered after the First World War for use as a seaside bungalow; surfing had just become popular. The interior is currently plain, and appropriately painted in white. The building is also known as La Caumine à Mary Anne Best, although the reason for this has been lost.
One of the attractions of St Peter's Valley is Quetivel Mill, with its overshot water wheel. It was one of 38 watermills in the Island, and was first mentioned in 1309. It was in use from the 14th to the 19th centuries. It fell into disrepair, until the German occupying forces ordered that it should be repaired to grind grain again. It was fully restored in 1979 by the National Trust.
This shows just part of the impressive facade of St Saviour's Hospital. The "Mental Hospital" (as it was originally described) was opened in 1868, a time of awakening social conscience amongst the Victorians. The building was certainly on a grand scale, and remains impressive today with the large lawned area in front. It was situated at the head of the beautiful Queen's Valley, which was later flooded to create a reservoir.
Les Augrès Manor is at the heart of the Zoo (more recently known as the Durrell Wildlife Preservation Centre, now abbreviated to Durrell). The Manor is a classic Jersey house, and it has typically Jersey granite arches for access. Here you can see that the arch is rounded off on the outer side (away from the camera)
The AA box
The AA box in Trinity is the last one in the Island, and is therefore a solitary reminder of the earlier history of motoring. Members of the Automobile Association were given a key that would open each roadside box; this would enable them to make a call for roadside assistance, if their vehicle had broken down.