Stepping into St. Helier's past...

Saturday 30 March 2019

From its famous women, to French connections and life under the Nazi jackboot, islanders are being invited to step into St. Helier's history with a new programme of walks.

The Parish has partnered with the Jersey Tourist Guides Association to launch a programme of free walks, every Thursday until the end of October.

A different guide will lead the walk each week to explore different aspects of town and introduce locals as well as visitors to the many "varied and fascinating" aspects of Jersey's capital.

As part of Zest festival, a special culinary tour of St. Helier is scheduled on 3 April at 14:30.

Pictured: Jean Treleven will take participants on a walk around the town's churches. 

The next walk, led by Jean Trevelen, will focus on 'The Saint, the Fish and the Rose'. Participants will learn about the Dolmen de la Ville, which is also known as ‘The Druids Temple’ - one of the earliest ‘churches’ in the island.

They will also be visiting the 12th century Abbey of St. Helier and hear about the political differences that led to the establishment of St. Paul’s.

The visit will also include a stop at the Town Church, St. Thomas and the St. Helier Methodist Centre, with a discussion on the impact these different denominations had and still have on the town and the island as a whole.

Pictured: Captan Brian Nibbs on his tour of the Harbour.

Future walks will include lesser-known areas of the Harbour, with a former Harbour Master of Jersey, an artistic and architectural tour of St. Helier, a Jèrriais walk, as well as a visit to sites linked with the Occupation.

The 90-minute walks will begin and end at the Town Hall, starting from 10:30. 

Constable Simon Crowcroft said: “I am delighted that the parish is able to offer this regular insight into the rich story of our town, and hope that the walks will be well attended.”

Tickets for the walks can be booked online.