Friday 29 March 2019
A rare opportunity to sponsor the Noon-Day gun at Castel Cornet has arisen with any interested businesses being asked to step forward.
The firing of the Noon-Day gun from Castle Cornet is a regular feature of Guernsey's tourist season, and is one of the island's most colourful and photographed features. For over a decade, the ammunition for the gun and the gunners' uniforms have been commercially sponsored but this arrangement has now come to an end.
The heritage of Guernsey benefits greatly from this support, as some 240 shots are routinely fired in a season, not counting Royal salutes. The cost of ammunition has been increasing steadily over the years and the firing of the gun relies on the support of a sponsor.
Sponsors benefit from daily exposure to the public during the summer months, with credits on the Castle's information boards and website. Members of the sponsor's staff will also be invited to join the gun crews on special occasions, with the highlight being an invitation to fire the opening gun of the season.
Committee for Education, Sport & Culture President, Deputy Matt Fallaize fired the first gun of this season. Afterwards he said:
"It was an honour to fire the opening gun of the season at Castle Cornet. I hope we can find some support within the business community to take over the role of sponsor of such an iconic Guernsey tradition. The noon day gun must be the most distinctive daily public event in the island during the spring and summer months and this is a great opportunity for a business to be associated with the event."
Any organisation wishing to discuss future sponsorship of the Noon-Day gun is asked to email Dr Jason Monaghan, Head of Heritage Services at jason.monaghan@gov.gg.
