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Castle Cornet will be brimming with things to see and do this Easter weekend. Storytellers and characters will bring history to life with activities, interactive presentations and talks based around the theme ‘Heroes, Myths and Legends’, which also echoes the focus of this year’s Channel Island Heritage Festival.
For the first time, the event will feature the professional storyteller Martin Maudsley. The Dorset-based performer has been telling tales for more than a decade, from fields to festivals and classrooms to castles. His wide repertoire of stories consists of fresh re-tellings of traditional tales from across the British Isles and all around the world. He has a particular passion for magical myths and tall tales of forts in the sky, which will fit perfectly within Castle Cornet.
Mr Maudsley says, “I’m really excited about visiting Guernsey this Easter (for the first time) and telling tales in the magical spaces of Castle Cornet... Listen out for stories of beastly kings and daring princesses, strange knights and enchanted castles, as well as a court jester’s passion for playfulness and participation!”
There will be a packed timetable of GHIAC performances throughout the weekend, featuring heroes from Guernsey’s history. Lord Eric de Saumarez will lead two 45-minute talks on his famous ancestor, Admiral James de Saumarez. He will also be on hand to guide interested visitors around the de Saumarez cabinets in the Maritime Museum.
Another first is an interactive interview with Major General Sir Isaac Brock, played by Dr Jason Monaghan. Audience members will be able to ask questions to one of Guernsey’s most famous sons and discover how he earned the title ‘Hero of Canada’.
The Amherst Room will become a shadow puppet theatre workshop, where children and adults can have a go at making and using their own homemade puppets, inspired by Guernsey folklore and myths. Families can follow a ‘Heroes Trail’ and discover the famous and unsung heroes who feature in the five different Castle Museums.
Special ‘soundscapes’ will be in place for just this weekend. Visitors can hear snatches of Guernsey folklore while wandering through the Castle’s alleyways. Page | 2
The Guernsey Military History Company will be present on the Friday and Saturday. Visitors can learn about the heroic acts of the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry and find out more about the First World War by looking closely at artefacts from the handling collection. The Company will mark 100 years since the RGLI marched to war and highlight the dramatic change for women in the war at the time, especially for nurses and the WAAC (Womens Army Auxiliary Corps). Weather permitting, the Company members will be teaching drill (to unsuspecting members of the public) and cooking their authentic meals over an open fire.
On Easter Sunday only children can join the popular Easter Egg Treasure Hunt, with a prize for those who find all the golden eggs hidden in the Castle.
HistoryFest takes place at Castle Cornet for three days: Good Friday 14 April, Saturday 15 April and Easter Sunday 16 April. The Castle is open 10am – 5pm each day.
Normal admission applies, but Discovery Pass holders and their children are admitted free.
