A SEASONAL worker at Elizabeth Castle has been dismissed after he published claims that the historic property had been damaged.
Terry Underwood, who performed to visitors as a living-history character, the regimental surgeon, for over a decade, told the JEP of his instant dismissal from Jersey Heritage last month.
Before being dismissed, Mr Underwood had taken to social media to claim, among other things, that Jersey Heritage had “unnecessarily” damaged the Grade I listed building by allowing a hole to be drilled through an original exterior wall for an art installation.
He said he was dismissed for gross misconduct just over a week later.
Although the organisation said it could not comment on the individual case, Jersey Heritage has since admitted the error took place on 4 June and explained that though they require contractors to follow “strict guidance”, a “misunderstanding on the part of someone unfamiliar with working at the castle” meant a galvanised steel bolt was drilled through an original stone.
The fixing was wrongfully inserted during the second installation of ‘Blowing Against the Wind’, an art installation of colourful flags around the monument.
In a statement, Jersey Heritage said that the usual practice for any fixings made to walls for banners and art installations at Elizabeth Castle, was for holes to be drilled into the mortar between stones.
Following the incident, Jersey Heritage confirmed the contractor had since removed the bolt and filled the hole.
“What happened was an exceptional mistake”, said Sarah Buckingham, Jersey Heritage’s director of historic property and environment.
Following Mr Underwood’s departure, the charity confirmed Islanders will no longer be able to experience the regimental surgeon display at Elizabeth Castle – leaving two living-history characters, Sir Walter Raleigh and the gunner.
Describing his departure, Mr Underwood, who has put his historic medical items back into storage, said “disappointed is an understatement”.
He added: “It’s a shame because the public won’t be able to see [the regimental surgeon] anymore and they really enjoyed it.”
