The Archive was named ‘Record Keeping Service of the Year’ in the Archives and Records Association (ARA) Excellence Awards 2023, which were announced at the ARA’s conference in Belfast at the end of last week. Members of the Archive team were there on behalf of Jersey Heritage to receive the award.

The ARA Awards recognise excellence and contributions by individuals and teams in the archive, conservator and record keeper sector. Other awards include ‘Record Keeper of the Year’; ‘Distinguished Service Award’; and ‘New Professional of the Year’.

They are voted for by the public and Jersey Archive’s award is in recognition of the staff’s achievements and passion for their work. Jersey beat off competition from Wolverhampton City Archives and Edge Hill University Archive and Special Collections, which were also nominated and shortlisted.

Linda Romeril, Jersey Heritage’s Director of Archives & Collections, said: “We are over the moon to have won this national award, especially as it is voted for by the public and shows their support for the service we provide at Jersey Archive. We always strive to do our very best for anyone who contacts or visits the Archive. I am very proud of my team and feel the award is testament to their knowledge and commitment to both the preservation and provision of access to the unique records that we care for. It is also a fantastic way to mark this year’s 30th anniversary of the Archive service being established.”

The national ARA award follows news earlier this year that Jersey Archive had received a score of 9.8 out of 10 for overall service and 9.9 out of 10 for availability, attitude and quality of staff advice in a nationwide survey of visitors to archives throughout Britain.