News Release
25th February 2014
New Occupation Stories Revealed as Jersey War Tunnels Re-Open
An ‘Occupation House’ will take centre stage at Jersey War Tunnels as they launch
for the season on Saturday 1st March.
The house replaces the ‘Daily Lives’ display, which has been in place for 12 years.
The new exhibition runs across four fascinating rooms and brings to life a number of
artefacts from the archive that have never been displayed before.
Visitors can explore the Occupation House kitchen, lounge, hallway and garden. The
rooms interlink with a story being told from the viewpoint of various family members.
Meet the Occupation Housewife who explains the trials of cooking for a family under
the constraints of rationing and faces the dilemma of what to do at Christmas for the
children. Then hear from Charlie, a little boy who tells the true story of a Jersey
family who hid a joint of meat under a baby in a pram so they could save their family
from starvation.
Each story in the new exhibition is drawn from real life events. Inspiration came from
the personal family stories of the Jersey War Tunnel’s staff, who have worked
tirelessly over the past two months to bring the house to fruition. Many of the
artefacts have been donated from the staff themselves and their meticulous research
to deliver historical accuracy is evident.
Visitors and locals alike will enjoy the new features; you can sit in the lounge and
listen to the wireless or even hunt for the hidden crystal radio set. In the kitchen you
can view an excellent collection of real 1940’s food items from Lyons Black Label
Tea, to Birds Custard Powder. The house culminates with a replica air raid shelter,
which was introduced to the Tunnels in 2013.
Kathy Bechelet, Operations Manager, Jersey War Tunnels, says:
‘Every year the tourism industry comes up against new challenges but each season
we continue to invest to keep our attraction relevant and engaging. The new
‘Occupation House’ exhibition has been a very personal challenge for the team,
encompassing a number of our own family occupation stories. We are very proud of
the results and hope it helps to communicate to visitors the trials faced by Islanders
of the time.
We have also implemented changes to meet the demands of the growing European
market; by May we will have updated audio guides in three languages and this year
we are also introducing the guidebook in French and German for the first time. We
won’t stop there, our local film competition to celebrate 70 years of Liberation is also
now in full swing and we look forward to hearing from more keen entrants too.’
For all media enquiries please contact Ed Le Gallais, The Refinery PR, Tel:
01534 720200, email: ed@getrefined.com
Notes to editors:
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Jersey War Tunnels opens on Saturday 1st March 2014. The attraction is
open 7 days a week until 31st October 2014. For more information please
visit: www.jerseywartunnels.com
For more information on the Jersey War Tunnels Film Competition please go
to: facebook.com/jerseywartunnels
Media Invite:
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Media are invited to a preview of the new exhibition on Thursday 27th
February or alternatively to greet some of the first tourists on Monday 3 rd
March.
Kathy Bechelet, Operations Manager, will be available for interview on site
from 10am until 12pm on both days. Please speak to Ed Le Gallais to
arrange.
New pictures have been taken of the exhibition and are available on request.