Volunteers’ historic forts work is recognised
A SPECIAL plaque has been presented to Alderney’s ‘volunteer army’ for its restoration work on various historic locations, including the renovations on part of Fort Tourgis.
The Fortress Study Group, an international society concerned with military architecture, presented the plaque at a ceremony held at Alderney Museum.
During a week-long visit by a dozen specialist enthusiasts and researchers from the group, local historian Trevor Davenport accepted the honour on behalf of the Alderney Society, the Alderney Wildlife Trust and all the volunteers who spent hundreds of hours clearing sites of historic interest to make them accessible to visitors.
The plaque was presented by Charles Blackwood, who represented the group members on the six-day study tour.
The Fortress Study Group, which was formed in 1975, is a charity started to help preserve, promote and provide information on historic fortifications.
It gives grant aid for publications on the subject and money for some structural work and signage.
Thanking the group, Mr Davenport paid tribute to the efforts of AWT director Roland Gauvain and Paul Veron, Alderney States’ economic development officer, who both worked behind the scenes to raise awareness of the importance of the island’s historic fortifications and to get official backing for the environmental works.
