Hints over future access to Guernsey's Rousse Tower

A Guernsey tour guide has called for action over the continued closure of one of the island's historic coastal defences.

Olga Mitchell says Rousse Tower has been shut to the public since before the Covid-19 pandemic, leaving visitors and locals unable to access what was once a popular heritage site.

The tower is one of a series of loophole towers built in the late 18th Century during the American War of Independence, when fears of a French invasion led to new coastal defences being constructed across the island.

Guernsey's head of heritage said work was ongoing with the States' Property Unit to enable the tower to reopen more fully.

In 2024, after making inquiries about the tower, Mitchell said she was told tower figures had been removed and placed in storage due to their poor condition, with no plans for restoration.

"It was often a highlight of the tour," she said, adding visitors were once able to explore the site and view a display depicting members of the Guernsey militia and their families.

In response, she helped bring together a group of 11 volunteers to restore them.

"We sacrificed a lot of weekends and evenings," she said. "It was a lot of time spent on the site and in the workshop."

However, despite completing the restoration, she said the figures were returned to storage.

"That's very disheartening," she said. "We're missing an opportunity for visitors and for locals, it's a very educational site."

Mitchell said she was looking to understand why the tower remained closed, with no clear timeline for reopening.

"We just want to understand why it's not open, why the figures are not on display, and how we can assist."

In a statement, Helen Glencross, Guernsey's head of heritage, including museums and galleries said she welcomed discussions with community groups and would consider requests for access.

She said no formal request had been made so far, but added the organisation would be willing to facilitate access, including for guided tours.

She also said work is ongoing with the States Property Unit to enable the tower to reopen more fully, with essential conservation work currently under way to ensure the site can be safely preserved.

In the meantime, the external area around the tower is open to the public.

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