News Room

In the summer of 2007, as part of HSBC's support of the Jersey Coastline Campaign, over 170 staff from HSBC Bank International joined together on the cliffs above Ouaisne Bay on Jersey's south-west coast to carry out a project for the National Trust for Jersey at a historically important site known as 'No 14 La Cotte Battery'. The site is in a very sensitive area, located just above the Palaeolithic 'La Cotte Caves'.

Preserving this building forms a vital part of the Coastline Campaign, launched in 2006, under which the National Trust for Jersey set out to acquire and preserve areas of the Jersey coastline for public access and education, and encourage the preservation and recovery of flora and fauna.

Perched on the cliffs above the bay, the white building is an 18th century military outlook and former magazine and store. The building is currently being reviewed for 'listed' status and, more recently, had been used as a basic residence. The HSBC employees were asked to help restore the building to reflect its historical function more accurately.

After demolishing the modern additions to the building, the staff then helped clear the site, passing the rubble along a human chain to the common above, where the materials were separated for recycling. The National Trust for Jersey had wanted to complete this project for some time but, due to lack of resource, was unable to do so; HSBC staff therefore provided invaluable assistance in moving the project nearer to completion.

Reflecting the theme of this year's HSBC Bank International Summer Conference, 'Linking our Strengths', the staff contributed the equivalent of over 500 man hours to the National Trust for Jersey. And, after adverse weather conditions cut short the first attempt to clear the site, the staff returned for a second afternoon to finish the job. A number of staff then also volunteered to return to the site to paint the building and help the restoration process near its completion.