Bunkers open day important to get history message out
HUNDREDS of locals and tourists explored the Fort Hommet headland on Saturday, as Festung Guernsey and Richard Heaume, from the Guernsey Occupation Museum, opened up four bunkers that are usually closed to the public.
Visitors were given a map on arrival and set off on a self-guided tour, which included the bunkers which are usually locked up.
Festung Guernsey project coordinator Steve Powell said they had expected more than 400 people at the open day.
‘It’s great – we have seen a big shift in the last few years with people being more appreciative and supportive of what we have been doing,’ he said.
‘This is a lot of history on their back door step, and some local people in today might not have even realised this is here.’
Restoration work on various bunkers in the area has been under way for nearly 10 years.
‘We have had plenty of visitors. These open days are really important to get the message out,’ Mr Powell added.
The group has plans to unearth more bunkers on the headland. Currently, work is being done to enable mains electricity throughout the headland area, which could result in the bunkers being opened more often, as they would not have to rely on generators for power.
Tour guides would be able to just turn on a light switch to access the bunker, said volunteer Ben Drew.
‘We are trying to make them as accessible as we possibly can and making them available to the people of Guernsey,’ he said.
After serving in the armed forces himself, Mr Drew said it was important to tell the stories of the people who actually lived in bunkers, like the fully-restored personnel bunker.
‘This is not a fighting bunker – this is where people lived and had their down time, so it has a personal touch, for example there are marks on the floor where they chopped firewood.
‘The more we can learn about it, the more we can pass it on to others and tell the story.’
Festung Guernsey currently has 12 active members and more volunteers are being encouraged to join the organisation.
