GREATER use should be made of the area in which the Platinum Jubilee beacon-lighting ceremony was held, according to the candidates vying to be St Helier’s next Constable.
An estimated 3,500 people attended the event at Glacis Field, adjacent to Fort Regent, on Thursday, which featured live music, food and drink stalls and the lighting of a beacon to mark the Queen’s 70-year reign (full story p5).
Constable Simon Crowcroft, who is seeking re-election to the role he has held since 2001, said he had very much enjoyed the event, which was organised by the Bailiff’s Office, and felt Glacis Field was ‘under-exploited’.
He said: ‘I admit that it really never occurred to me, in spite of having lived and worked in the shadow of Fort Regent for most of my life, what an incredible performance space we have there.
‘We have the People’s Park, which is wonderful and is being well-used this weekend, but Glacis Field was a revelation – it’s a natural amphitheatre that’s almost tailor-made for concerts, or watching films, and the views across the town and the bay are fantastic.’
Businessman Mark Le Chevalier, who will stand against Mr Crowcroft when St Helier parishioners go to the polls on 22 June, said he would like to see other events staged at Glacis Field in the future.
He said: ‘I remember playing football up there with my step-father – it’s never seemed like an area that’s been very well-used, but you could have all sorts of events up there.
‘The area is tied in with Fort Regent, but if the future of the Fort can be sorted out, there would be great potential.’
Both candidates highlighted the accessibility of Glacis Field, with many St Helier residents able to walk to the site and those living further away able to use Pier Road car park or buses to Liberation Station. Mr Le Chevalier said he would like to see access to the site from Pier Road car park improved, either using steps or widening pavements on the approach roads.
