In this episode, our hosts are joined by Director of Archives and Collections, Linda Romeril, who talks to us about Jersey's Royal Charters. Taking us back to 1341 and and the first Charter issued to the people of Jersey by Edward II. Linda will explain what a Charter represents, and how they were used by the monarchy with the people of Jersey throughout our Island's history. Further Charters from Richard II and Charles II are explored along with the story around them, what was happenin...

In today's episode, hosts Mel and Perry are joined by Rouen Ollivier, the museum registrar. Rouen shares some insight into our weird and wonderful collection and some of the stories that accompany the items. From the day to day elements of caring for over 750,000 items to the events which bring forward memories of times gone by. Rouen talks about 'modern' items in the collection from Super Mario to Pokemon cards, to the 90 samplers in our textiles collection. She also tells the st...

Join hosts Mel and Perry for a 'Small Island's Big Stories Session' on all things conservation and restoration. Jersey Heritage Conservator, Harry Richards, talks about how the Conservation Team get involved in everything Jersey Heritage does, from working in the conservation lab, to preparing objects for exhibitions. With a wide variety of work, Harry talks about some of his recent work, including restoration on a 150-year-old stuffed fox, a new object in the Jersey Heritage collection...

In the latest 'Small Island Big Stories' episode, hosts Mel and Perry are digging into the story about Le Câtillon II - the world’s largest Celtic coin hoard. In 2012 on a cold January day by two local metal detectorists. This hoard surprised us all with its sheer size in contents. Neil Mahrer, Jersey Heritage's Conservator, shares his experiences of working with the hoard and the artifacts found within. If you've been inspired to find out more, then visit the e...

In today's episode hosts, Mel and Perry are joined by Dr. James Dilley, the founder of Ancient Craft. James is going to be taking us on a journey of craftsmanship and living history with specific emphasis on pre-history. They'll discuss the ancient landscape and how this entire landscape is hidden under the ground, and littered with fragments of people's lives from many thousands of years ago. Dr. Dilley talks about his origin story and what got him interested in ancie...

In today’s episode, The Small Island Big Stories host Mel, sits in on a fascinating conversation about Island life after Liberation between Jersey writer & researcher Mark Lamerton & Lucy Layton, Exhibitions Curator at Jersey Heritage. Not much has been shared on what life was like for the Island of Jersey after Liberation on 9 May. Jersey had been Occupied for 5 years by German forces and Islanders had endured isolation, tensions between town and country, financial debts and fe...

Have you ever wondered who changed women's rights to stand for election in Jersey? Caroline Trachy was a pioneering campaigner for women’s rights in the quest for equality in Jersey. In 1948 she was the first ever elected female States Member, but what about the work that was done to get her elected? Tune into this episode as we explore the life of Caroline Trachy. The first woman who braved the struggle and started a civil rights movement here in Jersey. Come and visit ou...

In this episode, hosts Mel and Perry are joined by Dr. Mariana Pereira, who is a post-doctoral research associate at the University of York. Mariana conducts her studies at the Heritage for Global Challenges Research Centre, and during our conversation, we will be diving into the complexities of migration and how the movement of people shapes our community landscape and traditions. Dr Perreira asks 'what it means to be local' and in order to integrate with the existing community and become pa...

In this episode of the *Small Island Big Story Sessions*, we're exploring the life of 'the Jersey Lillie' born Emilie Charlotte Le Breton on October 13 1853, Lillie Langtry has been famous for her acting career, her immense beauty and her presence, and often she's been talked about due to her somewhat scandalous affairs. Today we are going to be looking at the other side of Lillie, the entrepreneur, the witty woman of London's high society, we're going to be looking at her achievements and ex...

Described as "15 minutes of mayhem" by historian Doug Ford, find out more about Jersey’s famous battle which took place in the Royal Square in St Helier, Jersey on 6 January 1781. Hosts, Mel and Perry are joined this month by Doug Ford, who’ll talk through the battle, how French forces, led by Baron de Rullecourt, landed at La Rocque in the early hours of the morning and tried to take the Island by force and how the battle was won, with the loss of Major Peirson. If you want to discover the m...

In this Christmas special we will be sharing our Jèrriais roots, which explore festive Jersey traditions, to how Christmas is celebrated by our vibrant multicultural community today. We want to give special thanks to our fantastic guest speakers; Tracy from Jersey Heritage, Lesley Katsande, Alex Silva, Marcel Bucur & Anna Jolda A very special thank you also goes out to our listeners! We have loved bringing you the Small Island, Big Story sessions this year and look forward to...

In the latest episode of our ‘Small Island, Big Story Sessions’ podcast, hosts Mel and Perry are joined by Dan Morrison, author of 'The Prince and the Poisoner'. When Dan visited Jersey recently, he came on the podcast to tell us about a murder in 1930s India that rocked the Raj and how the investigation was linked to Jersey through Deputy Police Commissioner E. Henry Le Brocq, who was in charge of Calcutta’s detective department. Dan is a former New York crime reporter and currently deputy ...

In this episode Mel and Perry welcome Jersey's very own British and European surf champion, Arlene Maltman. Arlene shares her incredible story of being a female surfer in a male dominated sport. Mel and Perry will talk about the heritage of surfing in Jersey, how the names of surf spots have become part of our intangible cultural heritage and how surfing has put Jersey on the map. Arlene shares how people's attitudes to women in the sport has changed and how the industry supporting women s...

How would you feel if your sexuality was illegal? How would you form relationships? Where would you go and what would you do? Hosts Mel and Perry read between the lines of the LGBTQ+ history in the Channel Islands. They speak to Vic Tanner Davy who'll be sharing some the stories of interesting characters, the challenges they faced and the history of legislation that make life difficult for them. Vic Tanner Davy is Head of Programmes for Jersey Heritage and ex-CEO of Liberate a charity ...

In today's episode, we are going to be exploring the lost dolmen of La Coupe, a series of ancient stones on the sea shore in Jersey, that have given local archaeologists and geologists much to deliberate. Are these stone just a jumbled mass on the sea shore, or are they actually a megalithic monument? If so, how did they get there? Where they carefully placed there in prehistoric times or did coastal erosion mean they tumbled from a hill top near by? Join hosts Mel and P...

From conger soup to pigeon pie, and everything in between. Mel and Perry are joined by food historian, Dr Annie Gray. Taking a tour through food from preparation to digestion, the pod takes you back through the history of food, how recipes have developed throughout the years with the introduction of new ingredients and how we eat food now. This is a mouth watering episode of The Small Island, Big Story Sessions. Annie works across TV and radio, and has been the resid...

Join Mel and Perry as they talk to Director of Archives and Collections, Linda Romeril, about a list people who were executed and the executioners themselves- a document that covers crimes and executions of the 14th – 18th centuries. Who were the executioners and who were they executing and why? This podcast episode contains discussions on sensitive topics which could be distressing to some listeners. The Executioners List is held at Jersey Archive. If you'd like to discover...

In today's episode, we are going to be diving into jersey's rich maritime history. We'll be focusing on the shipwrecks of the Channel Islands with local historian and former Jersey heritage curator, Doug Ford. We'll be sharing stories of life at sea and the perils of navigating our treacherous waters which take us into darker stories of cannibalism and survival. Support our charity by becoming a Jersey Heritage Member, why not visit the Maritime Museum in St Helier and join as a Membe...

In today's episode, Mel and Perry are going to be talking to Paul Lister, he'll be sharing first hand experience of what it was like to work in a Cold War bunker here in Jersey. Hidden in a street in the heart of St. Heller, this Jersey Command Center was used to pass and receive messages of potential nuclear fallout around the UK and Europe. We are really lucky today to be joined by Paul Lister, who worked in the Cold War Bunker in the late 1980s. If you'd like to visit the Cold War bu...

Join Mel and Perry as they talk to Harry Le Feuvre, Digital Access Manager at Jersey Archive. Harry will be sharing his research into the fascinating lives into Kenneth and Kathleen Le Sueur their collection of letters and photographs encompass their tales of distance travel, romance and possible espionage! If you are enjoying the Small Island, Big Story Sessions then consider supporting Jersey Heritage by becoming a Member. Your support will help us to continue to tell the...