Loophole tower reopens after pre-pandemic closure

Rousse Tower has reopened after being shut before the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown.

It is one of 12 surviving loophole towers of the 15 built across Guernsey during the late 18th Century during the American War of Independence.

Previously the inside hosted panels and figures reflecting and explaining the aim of the towers and the lives of the militia men and their families who served in them. The reopening follows a programme of restoration and safety works.

Silver accredited tour guide Olga Mitchell said: "It has been frustrating knowing that our island had got such a remarkable landmark but unable to present it to public for a very long period."

She said: "Our group is absolutely delighted this finally had happened. All the visitors along with the locals are now able to visit Rousse Tower and learn a bit more about Guernsey's rich history."

Elements were added to the structure in the early 19th Century and it was restored to serve as a visitor attraction in the 1990s.

Mitchell said she was told in 2024 that the figures displayed in the tower had been removed and placed in storage due to their poor condition, with no plans for restoration.

A group of 11 volunteers set out to restore them as they felt they were a key part of the visitor experience and they were returned to storage before being returned to the tower.

Mitchell said: "The figures are now on a display in the tower and our group is very happy that our work on their restoration wasn't wasted with keeping them in the storage."

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