The decision was taken as a mark of respect for Queen Elizabeth II and to enable all Jersey Heritage staff who wish to watch this important event to do so. Sites will reopen as usual on Tuesday (20th).
Entry to Mont Orgueil Castle will remain free of charge to the public for the remainder of the national period of mourning. On Friday, it was announced by Deputy Kirsten Morel, Minister for Economic Development, during a special sitting of the States Assembly that entry would be free over the weekend at the request of the Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq, who is Patron of Jersey Heritage Trust.
This was to give Islanders the opportunity to view the unique holographic portraits of the Queen that are on display at the Castle and one of the ways they could mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Jersey Heritage Board of Trustees has decided to extend this gesture and entry remains free until Sunday (18th). The Castle is open daily from 10am to 5pm but will be closed, along with all other Jersey Heritage sites, next Monday. Usual entry fees will resume from Tuesday (20th).
The portraits include ‘Equanimity’, which was commissioned by Jersey Heritage Trust to mark the 800-year anniversary of the Island’s allegiance to the Crown in 2004 and was created by artist Chris Levine and holographer Rob Munday.
Although some of the events in Jersey Heritage’s schedule are continuing, such as the Family History Festival at the Archive this weekend, the charity is seeking to maintain a low-key presence that feels consistent with the national mood of mourning. With this in mind, ‘Endless Summer, which was due to take place at Mont Orgueil this Saturday (17th) has been postponed.