WITH fewer than 75 days until the Tortoise Takeover hits Jersey, Durrell is on the hunt for ‘one of the final pieces of the jigsaw puzzle’ – a space in town to become the ‘heartbeat’ of the art trail.
It is hoped that the space will serve as a temporary headquarters for visitors to find out more about the trail, learn why Durrell is fundraising for a new tropical house and pick up official merchandise.
A total of 65 miniature tortoise figurines make up the St Helier ‘shop window’ Tortoise Trail, with the smaller tortoises hosted in shops, offices, cafés, restaurants and other indoor locations in town.
These miniature tortoises have been designed by different schools, community groups and charities across the Island.
The smaller tortoises can be seen from 16 June before the main trail – featuring giant tortoise sculptures created by artists – launches on 1 July.
After the trail has ended, all the tortoises will be united for a last farewell weekend in September before the smaller models are given back to the local groups who created them. The larger sculptures will subsequently be auctioned on 21 September to raise money for a new tropical house to home a variety of endangered reptiles and amphibians at the Jersey Zoo.
For the ‘hub’ in town, Durrell is ideally looking for a location either on or near King Street that is available from 28 June until approximately 3 September.
The hub needs to have electricity, lighting and large windows for signage and be a minimum of 5sq-m.
‘A space for secondary stock would also be a bonus.
Tortoise Takeover project manager Zoe Le Var said: ‘The hub will play an important part in bringing Tortoise Takeover to life for all Islanders.
‘It will be the heartbeat of the trail in town and act as an information centre for those wanting to get involved.
‘We have been overwhelmed by the support from Islanders so far for Tortoise Takeover and finding the perfect hub in town is one of the final pieces of the jigsaw puzzle.’
Any businesses or individuals that have a space they think would be suitable can contact zoe.levar@durrell.org. for more information.
