Heritage Survey

A questionnaire, which will go to 2,000 randomly selected households, has been developed by the States of Jersey Statistics Unit working with Jersey Heritage, Education, Sport and Culture, and Planning and Environment.

ESC Minister, Deputy James Reed warmly welcomed the research:

“One of the messages which emerged strongly from last year’s Council for Culture conference was that we don’t know enough about what value people place on their heritage and why they think it’s important. .Such information is essential if we are to further develop policies on our heritage and cultural identity. As the department responsible for the cultural sector, it is important that we know what people think about their Island’s heritage, and this survey will help to guide future policy development.”

The questionnaire probes issues like what it is that gives Jersey its special sense of identity, what aspects of Island life people regard as their heritage, and how often they visit different sites and take part in activities like historical walks and tours.

It also explores attitudes towards the protection of the historic environment and how change is managed within it, issues especially relevant to the Planning and Environment Department.

“Our heritage buildings define our character and frame the identity we pass on to future generations. It is important that the views of the public are fully appreciated and incorporated in this vision.” commented Senator Freddie Cohen, Minister for Planning and Environment. “It is likely that St Helier, in particular, will face change in the next few years and this survey will help inform how change can be managed in the town.”

Heritage expert Kate Clark, who was a speaker at last summer’s Council for Culture conference, drew attention to the need to capture information about the value the public puts on its heritage. The organiser of a major London conference on the public value of heritage held in 2006, Ms. Clark explained that this approach had become an increasingly important in helping measure the success of cultural policy and in guiding decisions about project funding within the heritage sector.

To maintain the integrity of the survey, it is being conducted and funded by the States of Jersey Statistics Unit.  Questionnaires will be received by the selected households this week, and the results are expected in late June or early July.

                                                                                                                    21 April, 2009. 

-ends-

Notes to Editors:

For further information please contact:

Deputy James Reed, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture (tel. 449437), or Rod McLoughlin, Cultural Development Officer (tel. 449285)

Senator Freddie Cohen, Minister for Planning and Environment (tel. 07797 714550 or Kevin Pilley, Assistant Director, Planning and Environment (tel.: 448441)

Jon Carter, Director, Jersey Heritage (tel. 633336)

Dr Duncan Gibaut (tel.: 440403), or Helen Hale (tel 440465), Statistics Unit