CASTLE Cornet was opened for its summer season yesterday with its cannon sounding for the first time this year. The honour fell to Eileen Gallienne, who works for Cannon Asset Management, sponsor of the firing of the gun for the past seven years.
Peter Sirett, Culture and Leisure minister, said there was a good atmosphere for the traditional ceremony and that Castle Cornet was an incredibly important symbol for the island.
‘I think the castle is a big attraction for locals as well as visitors. It’s a fantastic venue which was proved when we had more than 5,000 come to the HMV Castle nights in July. We need to keep re-inforcing that it is a nice place to visit. We would like to think that this year’s programme will attract even more.’
Cannon Asset Management director Jeff Corbet said it was a great day for the company’s workers.
‘It’s the sort of thing that is unique and it allows us to put a little bit back into the island, which I think is really important,’ he said.
‘It’s a superb location and we are thrilled to be able to do it. We will continue to sponsor it for as long as they want us to.’
The castle opens from April until October and Mrs Gallienne, who was chosen by her bosses at Cannon after seven years of service to the company, said she was delighted to have been given the opportunity at the ceremony in front of a crowd of more than 30 onlookers.
‘It was an honour to be picked because I will probably never get the chance to do it again,’ she said.
n History comes alive at Castle Cornet at the weekend.
The Culture and Leisure Department is staging the annual festival of living history from tomorrow until Monday, with live entertainment, re-enactments, sketches and games.
‘We always open the castle just before Easter: it has become traditional to highlight local stories. We began the festival as a two day event and now it’s four,’ said Lynne Ashton, education officer at Culture and Leisure.
‘It is always well supported and gives added value.’
Adults pay £6 to enter Castle Cornet, OAPs £4.50 , and children get in free.
Entertainment runs from 11.15am to 3pm.
Article posted on 5th April, 2007 - 12.00am
Loading ...
Most Commented: