£1,000 needed to restore storm-hit Plemont's puffins

Thursday, 5 February 2026 07:00

The popular puffins at Plemont have been battered by bad weather this winter, sparking a fundraiser to restore the sculptures.

The willow sculptures on Jersey's north coast headland are repaired every spring, in time for the summer season, but extensive damage has been found following recent storms.

Originally erected in 2022, the puffins are nearing the end of their lifespan due to the natural decay of the materials used to build them.

However, the National Trust for Jersey wants to preserve the much-loved sculptures for future generations to enjoy.

An online fundraiser is being set up to raise £1,000 to use towards the cost of repairs.

Organiser, Liana Summer-Shaws, says the puffins have held up well considering their exposed location:

"They were built around a steel frame to help withstand the weather conditions, but they are made out of willow and, after four years, the willow has naturally started to weaken.

"That has increased its vulnerability to the winter storms and, as we've seen, there's quite a bit of damage to them now.

"The repair work will be a little bit more to get it ready for this season."

She says the reaction from the public has been amazing.

"We've had so many kind comments, so many people wanting to help, so many people looking to see how they can give physical help, or financial support and donations.

"For us, at the National Trust, as a charity, it really highlights that Jersey truly comes together, and for us it was really meaningful to know how much these sculptures meant to islanders."