A little more local knowledge...

History

The earliest evidence of human activity in Jersey dates to about 250,000 years ago and it was only 6,000 years ago that Jersey was part of mainland Europe before rising tides cut us off and made us an island.

During the American Wars of Independence, two attempted invasions of the island were made. In 1779, the Prince of Orange William V was prevented from landing at St. Ouen’s Bay and on 06 January 1781 a force led by Baron de Rullecourt captured St. Helier in a daring dawn raid, but was defeated by a British army led by Major Francis Peirson in the Battle of Jersey. Jersey was the fourth-largest ship building area in the 19th-century British Isles, building over 900 vessels around the island.

Jersey was occupied by Nazi German troops between 1940 and 1945, with the Channel Islands being the only British soil occupied during World War II. This period of occupation saw about 8,000 islanders evacuated, 1,200 islanders deported to camps in Germany, and over 300 islanders sentenced to the prisons and concentration camps of mainland Europe. Many islanders remained and the island was liberated by British troops on 09 May 1945, now celebrated as a public holiday locally.

People

Mostly a mix of Norman French and British settlers, Jersey’s community has also been enriched by the influences of the number of Europeans who also call Jersey their home. If you hear anybody referring to a Crapaud (French for toad) or a Jersey Bean they’ll be talking about one of the natives.

Language

The native language, which you’ll see displayed in a few locations around the island such as the airport and harbour is called Jèrriais but you’ll probably not hear it spoken unless you find yourself in the deepest, darkest of rural parishes such as St. Ouen, where 8% of parishioners speak it according to the results of a 2012 survey. English is the most widely spoken language.

Jersey and its neighbours

Jersey has an interesting relationship with both the UK and Europe in that it’s a Crown Dependency, meaning that despite having our own independent government, locals answer to the King and the British military support our interests should the need arise. Despite being part of the British Isles, Jersey is not part of the United Kingdom. We’re also not part of the European Union but are a member of the EEC. Confused? You’ll fit right in!

Honorary Police

In addition to the States of Jersey Police force, who serve islandwide, each of Jersey’s twelve parishes has its own police service that only have jurisdiction within the boundaries of their own parish, also known as the Honorary Police, who are headquartered at each of the parish halls.

Economy

The local economy thrives from a combination of offshore finance, tourism, digital and agriculture. Bathe at our beaches, enjoy our local attractions, dine on our fresh produce including world famous potatoes and dairy products from the herds of local Jersey cows.

Tides

Jersey’s tidal range is one of the largest in the world with a range of around 12 metres. We’ve also got some of the cleanest water in the British Isles, which is a winning combination when it comes to keeping our beaches great. It’s worth noting that because of the huge tidal range that the sea level does rise quickly and it’s easy to get caught out. Be mindful that if you stray too far from the shore there could be a risk of tides cutting you off and leaving you stranded. Pay close attention to the signs and know the dangers.

Safe Swimming

The RNLI have lifeguards stationed at popular bays who provide cover between the red and yelow flags. For more information: www.rnlijersey.org.je