From Barrie Bertram.
I WAS interested to see Diane Simon’s article ‘Assets in the attic’ (JEP, 5 February) which was part of the feature ‘More for your money’. Noting the alliterative titles, I would like to offer another: ‘Heritage in hiding’.
The article referred to items such as letters, paperwork, postcards, photographs, cigarette cards, envelopes and the like, rightly pointing out that these may have a monetary value to individuals when they feel that the retention of those items is no longer justified.
However, while such items may be of no further interest to that person, they might have a broader heritage value to Jersey’s people, a value that may be inadequately realised if the item is acquired by a private collector or researcher.
Perhaps the route should be first to offer the item up for acquisition by the Jersey Heritage Trust; or, failing that, to allow the trust to take digital copies before the item’s sale elsewhere. A great deal of Jersey’s heritage is hidden in attics and private collections.
Keeping that material locked away can prevent others from using it as a key to open doors on long-forgotten Island history, whether it is related to simple family research or to the major events of the day.
22 Hornby Road,
Caton,
Lancashire.
