Packed to the battlements!

Monday 3rd April 2006, 12:00AM BST.

ISLANDERS rolled into Mont Orgueil in their thousands yesterday.

Around 5,000 people were there to see the Island’s iconic building opened free to the public after a five-year and £4.5m restoration.

Air Chief Marshal Sir John Cheshire, the Lieut-Governor, performed the reopening at his final official function before leaving Jersey on Friday.

He said that although he and Lady Cheshire were sad to be leaving, they was delighted to be part of such a historic occasion.

‘Today belongs to Mont Orgueil,’ he said.

‘It is a hugely important piece of your heritage and a part of Jersey’s history for more than 800 years.’ He spoke of the Queen’s admiration for and trust in the people of Jersey and her knowledge that the castle, once the seat of the Island’s government, was in the best possible hands – those of the people of Jersey.

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