16 August 2006
14 August 2006
A Grouville barn that purportedly featured in escapes during the German Occupation, has been formally protected by the Minister for Planning and Environment, Senator Freddie Cohen. Fauvic Barn, at Belair on the Grouville Coast Road, has been added to the Island’s Historic Buildings Register as a proposed Site of Special Interest.
Interest in the possible historic associations of Fauvic Barn, which was built in 1887, surfaced last year during consideration of planning applications on the site. It came to light that the site at Belair – which included a main farmhouse and a number of outbuildings - has a significant historical association with the German Occupation of Jersey as it was the key place from which escapes were made from the Island – becoming known as the ‘Fauvic Embarkation Point’.
It is understood that the barn on the site, Fauvic Barn, was regularly used to hide escapee’s boats and equipment. And whilst further research by the Jersey Heritage Trust has failed to establish indisputable evidence about the specific use of Fauvic Barn during the Occupation, it is certain that Belair played a hugely significant role. There is a weight of evidence pointing to the barn (and other buildings on the site) being used to temporarily shelter escapee’s equipment and perhaps the people themselves.
“Fauvic Barn merits inclusion on the Historic Buildings Register based on its historic and architectural interest as part of a late nineteenth century farm” said Senator Freddie Cohen “But the added weight of historical and anecdotal evidence, suggesting that the building was used to aid escapes from occupied Jersey and the fact that the interior has been so little altered, has lead me to give the building a high level of protection. This significant historical association of the interior contributes to the building’s interest and is an important part of our heritage. Having personally spent many years researching aspects of the Occupation I am deeply aware of the cultural and historical importance of sites associated with the heroic Islanders who attempted to escape from Jersey. Many of course lost their lives during the escapes or through subsequent mistreatment if they were caught by the German occupying authorities.”
The significance of other buildings on the site will be reviewed as a result of this decision.
Contacts
Senator Freddie Cohen 07797 714550
Minister for Planning and Environment
gov.je