Henry Thomas Bosdet was born in Jersey on 7 January 1856, after spending his early years in the Island he moved to London around the 1860s.

By age 17 he was a student at the Royal Academy.  Bosdet’s seven year training at the Royal Academy was broad and included life drawing, fine art, architecture and glasswork at a time when Pre-Raphaelite art had become the accepted style. John Everett Millais was a founding member of the movement.

Bosdet later became the life drawing teacher at the Royal Academy.  In the late 1800s he started to delve into stained glass window design.  His stained glass windows can be found all over the world. 

Jersey is very lucky to have a number of windows, designed by Bosdet, in Jersey churches.

Discover the legacy of Henry Thomas Bosdet with former Art Curator, Louise Downie.

Tune in to explore local light, art and legacy, all in one listen. 

To support the work of Jersey Heritage you can make a donation here.

In today's 'Small Island, Big Stories' episode, hosts Mel and Perry pay tribute to the Occupation tapestry of Jersey. This incredible crafted legacy was left to Jersey Heritage  by a talented group of people who dedicated hours of their time to put together a momentous piece of art. The tapestry tells Jersey's unique story of the Island struggle during the Second World War. 

Three very special guest speakers join Mel and Perry; Wayne Audrain the person who created the designs. Clarissa Maine, the coordinator of the panel of St. Peter and Anne-Marie Willing, who stitched and documented the project of her home parish. 

You can see the Occupation Tapestry at the Jersey Maritime Museum.  There are stories about the Occupation and Liberation of Jersey available on the Jersey Heritage website.

If you would like to support our work please consider making a donation here.

In today's episode, hosts, Mel and Perry are talking all things Jèrriais, exploring place names, practical uses of our native language, and how Jèrriais helps us discover our Island's history.

From La Corbière to Rouge Bouillon, what do these Jèrriais place names tell us about the language and its use?

Tracy Peters, Jèrriais Language Officer, will share some interesting facts about our 'gem of the sea' and what more we can do to continue its legacy. 

Why did Jèrriais stop being spoken and where did the language go during the 18th century?  What is being done now to encourage new speakers?

To support our work you can make a donation at www.jerseyheritage.org/support 

In this episode, our hosts are joined by Director of Archives and Collections, Linda Romeril, who talks to us about Jersey's Royal Charters.

Taking us back to 1341 and and the first Charter issued to the people of Jersey by Edward II.  Linda will explain what a Charter represents, and how they were used by the monarchy with the people of Jersey throughout our Island's history.

Further Charters from Richard II and Charles II are explored along with the story around them, what was happening at the time and why the Island's people were issued the various Charters.

You can visit an exhibition about the Royal Charters at Mont Orgueil Castle | Jersey Heritage.  Or support Jersey Archive to conserve important documents my making a donation Fundraising | Jersey Heritage.

In today's episode, hosts Mel and Perry are joined by Rouen Ollivier, the museum registrar.  Rouen shares some insight into our weird and wonderful collection and some of the stories that accompany the items.  From the day to day elements of caring for over 750,000 items to the events which bring forward memories of times gone by.

Rouen talks about 'modern' items in the collection from Super Mario to Pokemon cards, to the 90 samplers in our textiles collection.

She also tells the story of one of the strangest items in the Jersey Heritage Collection,  framed fragment of Philip Carteret's hair. Taken from his coffin in St. Ouen's Chruch in 1869.  They also discuss more strange items dating from the 17th century called 'witches balls'.

Support our work caring for Jersey's collections by making a donation at Support | Jersey Heritage

Join hosts Mel and Perry for a 'Small Island's Big Stories Session' on all things conservation and restoration.  Jersey Heritage Conservator, Harry Richards, talks about how the Conservation Team get involved in everything Jersey Heritage does, from working in the conservation lab, to preparing objects for exhibitions.

With a wide variety of work, Harry talks about some of his recent work, including restoration on a 150-year-old stuffed fox, a new object in the Jersey Heritage collection to objects owned by surrealist artist Claude Cahun.

Some of Harry's favourite moments include; carefully putting back together a 2,000 year-old amber bead which was in 40 pieces and rediscovering a glass jar full of dehydrated sea creatures. His work has also included working on a vandalised  ancient standing stone, putting it back together piece by piece so it can be returned to the landscape.

Support our conservation work by making a donation on our website Fundraising | Jersey Heritage

In the latest 'Small Island Big Stories' episode, hosts  Mel and Perry are digging into the story about Le Câtillon II - the world’s largest Celtic coin hoard.  

Discovered in 2012 y by two local metal detectorists. This hoard surprised us all with its sheer size in contents.

Neil Mahrer,  Jersey Heritage's Conservator, shares his experiences of working with the hoard and the artifacts found within. 

If you've been inspired to find out more, then visit the  exhibition, ‘Searching for Jersey’s Celts’ is a story about the  Le Câtillon II – the world’s largest Celtic coin hoard.  You’ll learn what might have led people to bury a hoard of 70,000 coins and jewellery in Jersey 2,000 years ago. 

Or read more about this amazing story on our website. The Coin Hoard Comes Home | Jersey Heritage. 

In today's episode hosts, Mel and Perry are joined by Dr. James Dilley, the founder of Ancient Craft. 

James is going to be taking us on a journey of craftsmanship and living history with specific emphasis on pre-history. 

They'll discuss the ancient landscape and how this entire landscape is  hidden under the  ground, and littered with fragments of people's lives from many thousands of years ago.

Dr. Dilley talks about his origin story and what got him interested in ancient crafts, and how his work now is dedicated  towards educating and reconnecting people to their prehistoric heritage. 

Find out more about Ancient Craft here.

Visit La Hougue Bie to find out more about the Neolithic passage grave. 

Support our work by becoming a Member.

In today’s episode, The Small Island Big Stories host Mel, sits in on a fascinating conversation about Island life after Liberation between Jersey writer & researcher Mark Lamerton & Lucy Layton, Exhibitions Curator at Jersey Heritage. 
Not much has been shared on what life was like for the Island of Jersey after Liberation on 9 May. Jersey had been Occupied for 5 years by German forces and Islanders had endured isolation, tensions between town and country, financial debts and fears of civil unrest. What did the road to recovery really looked like?  Both Lucy and Mark share their research.

Tune into this episode to hear all about Jersey’s long road to recovery. 

Want to find out more?  Come to Jersey Museum and visit our FREE exhibition, Life After Liberation (until end December 2025).    Life After Liberation | Jersey Heritage

Have you ever wondered who changed women's rights to stand for election in Jersey? In our latest episode of our ‘Small Island, Big Story Sessions’ podcast, we explore the life of Caroline Trachy, a pioneering campaigner in the quest for equality. 

You can also discover more about Caroline Trachy on our website.  

Come and visit our exhibition – ‘La Tèrr’rie d’Jèrri – d’s histouaithes dé not’ Île / Being Jersey – stories of our Island‘   at the Jersey Museum which tells the story of Jersey’s unique and complex history, including the story of women's rights – this exhibition really does have something for everyone. It’s free to visit and open all year round.  You can also read about Caroline Trachy's life on our website.

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If not head to our website and sign up today. Your Membership unlocks the doors to all our sites, offers special discounts and benefits, but above all else it supports the important work that Jersey Heritage does to preserve and share our rich Island story.