Transformed, but still work to do on Lihou

The house on Lihou is nearly ready to be used. Gemma Hockey and more than 100 islanders braved the elements yesterday to take a look VISITORS to Lihou yesterday could not believe the island's transformation.

Less than six months after the charitable trust began the painstaking task of renovating the island's house and surrounding areas, the doors were opened to more than 100 people.

'One of the main aims of today is to raise awareness and money so we can finish off and get open for Easter,' said warden Richard Curtis.

'What you see here today is down to the tremendous work of the volunteers who were still cleaning the place at 2am for our opening. Without them this would not have been possible,' he said.

But there is still plenty to do, with little carpet or flooring, furniture or finishing touches.

The trust has devised a way to raise the much-needed cash.

'We have come up with 16 areas for companies to sponsor and that money will go towards kitting out the room of their choice.

'We have seven rooms sponsored so far ranging from £650 to £3,500,' he said.

The 21-year lease was signed on 14 August after the States agreed in December 2005 to lease the island to the trust rather than a private individual, losing potential income as result. The trust began its restoration days later.

Once the decorating and fitting work has been completed, attention will turn to developing an energy efficient building.

'We'll be installing photovoltaic cells which will generate electricity and the house will be battery-powered for 18 hours a day.'

* For more information about sponsoring an area of the house, email Mr Curtis on lct@cwgsy.net or phone on 07781 120421.