JERSEY

LOCATION

Jersey — an island in the English Channel which has given its name to a breed of cow, a potato, a lily, a pullover and even a State in America. It is the largest of the British Channel Islands.

The island measures 45 square miles (117 sq km) and is approximately 16 miles (25 km) off the west coast of Normandy. It lies in the Bay of Mont St. Michel, about 40 miles (64 km) north of the Breton port of St. Malo and 19 miles (30km) south east of Guernsey. The south coast of England is nearly 100 miles (160 km) away.

Jersey’s favourable climate is due to the Gulf Stream and to the land sloping from the precipitous cliffs in the north to sea level in the south. It has 50miles (80km) of coastline including 20 miles (32 km) of sandy beaches.

It has an excellent airport, with frequent flights to many parts of the U.K., as well as to the other Channel Islands and to France, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. There are also daily car ferry links to Poole in England and St. Malo in France.

POPULATION AND MAJOR CENTRES

The total population is about 85,000, of which 35,000 live in St Helier, the capital. The island is divided into 12 parishes; St. Brelade, St. Clement, Grouville, St. Helier, St. John, St. Saviour, St. Martin, St Mary, St. Ouen, St. Peter, St. Lawrence and Trinity. The two major centres after St. Helier are St. Brelade and the village of Gorey in Grouville.

HISTORY

Remnants of Jersey’s pre-history still remain — from when the island was part of the Continent there are black stumps of trees from a great French forest which can still be seen when there is a particularly low tide. There are also stone monuments from Neolithic times which were an integral part of burial rites and religious ceremonies. Around 250,000 B.C. Acheulean men were living in the island and circa 125,000 B.C. Neanderthal men were living in the Parish of St Ouen (some would claim they still are!).

Jersey was part of the Duchy of Normandy in 1066 when the then Duke of Normandy, William the Conqueror, defeated King Harold of England at the Battle of Hastings and became King of England as well. Ever since then Jersey has had a special relationship with the English Crown. At the beginning of the 13th Century war broke out between England and France . In the war King John of England lost Normandy and, in 1204, the Channel Islands were given the choice and elected to owe their allegiance to the English throne and to break their ancient ties with France.

The modern fortifications seen all over the island are German, dating back to World War 2, when the Channel Islands were occupied by the Nazis. The islanders suffered great deprivation and nearly starved before Liberation on 9th May 1945, when the Germans surrendered to the British Forces. The occupation had lasted four years and eleven months.

GOVERNMENT

Jersey is a self-governing crown dependency with its own government, laws and taxes. It is not part of either the United Kingdom or the European Union, but is within the E.U. customs territory. The United Kingdom is, however, responsible for defence and foreign affairs.

Each of the 12 parishes has its own unpaid Honorary Police force, headed by a Constable who is elected by the parishioners. There is also a professional police force.

The Legislature is called ‘The States’ and has 53 elected members, including the Constables. Its President is the Bailiff, and it sits every other Tuesday . The Royal Court is where serious civil and criminal cases are dealt with. It is also presided over by the Bailiff, who is also the Chief Judge.

The Queen of England has a representative on the island called the Lieutenant-Governor. It is largely a ceremonial role, normally filled by a senior military commander.

ECONOMY

Jersey has its own currency, but it has the same value as sterling and U.K. notes and coins are accepted everywhere. The main industries are finance, tourism and farming. Jersey’s finance industry is known worldwide and there are over 70 banks registered, handling more than £100 billion in deposits, investment funds and trust assets. All the major U.K. clearing banks are represented.

Jersey is a tourist location for about one million visitors a year and has about 22,000 hotel beds. Until about 20 years ago tourism was the most important element in the economy, but the contribution of the finance industry is now very much larger.

Nevertheless, tourism is still extremely important and considerable investment is being made in the infrastructure, to the benefit of both locals and tourists. For example, the ultra-violet sewage treatment plant has just beaten 21 entries to be named as the U.K. winner in a ‘Tourism for Tomorrow’ competition. Growing concern for sea water viruses and pollution generally has given Jersey’s efficient method of effluent treatment very favourable worldwide publicity.

Agriculture is heavily dependent on the Jersey Royal new potato and the Jersey Cow. Although a very colourful and important factor in the appearance of the countryside, agriculture is now a very small part of the economy.

LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

The main language is English, but several thousand people are still able to speak the local Norman-French patois. Portuguese is also relatively common, as many residents have links with Madeira.

Part of the island’s charm is its special blend of French and British culture. Thus many Jersey families have French surnames and many of the roads and place names are in French - but traffic still drives on the left, as in the U.K.

In recent years the Jersey Museum Service has improved enormously, winning National Awards in the process. The Jersey Museum, La Hougue Bie Museum and Hamptonne Country Life Museum are all outstanding and well worth a visit.

One of the most popular places for visitors is the Jersey Zoo. It is the Headquarters of the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, which is an International Centre for Conservation and Captive Breeding. Students from all over the world come here to study the techniques required to breed wild, endangered species in captivity for subsequent return to the wild and to conserve species in their own natural environment.

Another major place of interest is the Eric Young Orchid Foundation in Trinity. Orchids from the collection have won prizes throughout the world.

SPORT AND LEISURE

Over fifty different sports are pursued in the island. At the present time there are 26 sports associations affiliated to the Island Games Association of Jersey. The island was a founder member of the Island Games Association and has participated in every Games to date. It is an enthusiastic participant in other international competitions as well.

The island also has very active drama and music organisations. Their performances usually take place in either the Arts Centre, The Opera House or Fort Regent, all in St. Helier.

Derek Bernard