President's Letter

To members and prospective members:-

I appreciate the honour which the Société has accorded me in electing me President for the next three years. With the support of the Vice-Presidents, Executive Committee, Executive Director and staff, I shall do my utmost to further the aims of our ancient institution.

The preservation and enhancement of our natural and built environment is a very present concern, and it may be worthwhile to remind all who enjoy the benefits of our Island that the Société Jersiaise was founded in 1873 for the study of Jersey archaeology, history, natural history and language. It promotes the conservation of the environment.

The members of the various Sections work assiduously in their specialised fields, such as archaeological excavations of building sites, the recording of farm buildings, the preservation of the marine and terrestrial habitats of rare plants and animals, bird-ringing, and preservation of coins and artefacts discovered by members and others.

Academic research and the publication of books and articles on subjects relating to Jersey are other aspects of our work, and we also enjoy lectures and presentations on a variety of themes.

The Société is entrusted with the ownership of the dolmens, and some other sites, which we preserve and to which we permit free public access. We also provide most of the exhibits for the Jersey Museum, in which we co-operate with the Jersey Heritage Trust.

The work of conservation, maintenance and publication, which we undertake, is costly and we rely on membership subscriptions and voluntary donations and the unpaid work of our members to keep going. The membership and support of as many interested people as possible are therefore essential to our continued work.

As we share so many of our aims with the Jersey Heritage Trust and the National Trust for Jersey, we shall endeavour to work as closely as possible with these and other organisations whose objectives are the same.

Meanwhile we should all promote the idea that the natural and built environment of Jersey makes a major contribution to the quality of life of all islanders, and is our greatest tourist attraction, and it behoves the States as well as the general public to support our work.