Parishes, Parties and the General Election in Grouville

The general election to be held on 22 June 2022 (five twos!) will be quite different from those which have gone before. The position described below is complicated and changing. It shows how complicated ( & undemocratic?) Island elections can be. Themes which may explain what is happening:   Uncontested elections are undemocratic. The incomplete Continue reading Parishes, Parties and the General Election in Grouville

On a Maritime Borderland; Overnight on Les Écréhous

On a neap (7.3m) tide on Monday 22 March with six companions, I made my first trip this year to the Écréhous, the reef 10 km North-East of Jersey and 15km from the French coast. See the Strava record of the trip below. A couple of things stand out. < First how close the reef Continue reading On a Maritime Borderland; Overnight on Les Écréhous

Paddling to the Dirouilles; the site of an unrecognised Megalithic Alignment?

The Dirouilles are the smallest and least visited of the three reefs north of Jersey. The largest the Écréhous are 10km to its north east, the Paternosters 4km north of Sorel.  The Dirouilles are 6km off Jersey’s NE corner, approximately two-thirds of the way from the Paternosters to the Écréhous. In Jersey Place Names [1] Continue reading Paddling to the Dirouilles; the site of an unrecognised Megalithic Alignment?

Parish Iconography; Trinity Part Two

This post is focused on roads and road names. However it starts with an update on parish boundary stones. The post on Parish Iconography in Trinity Part One mentioned boundary stones between Trinity and St Saviour.  A book style stone dated 1888 marks the boundary on La Rue de la Boucterie. The stone records the Continue reading Parish Iconography; Trinity Part Two

Parish Iconography; Trinity Part One

Trinity is outstanding, not only for some great parish boundary stones, but also for five vingtaine boundary stones, treasure indeed! Both parish and vingtaine boundary stones were required by law in 1799 where roads cross from one parish into another or from one vingtaine to another. This remains current law under Article 15 of the Continue reading Parish Iconography; Trinity Part One

Parish Iconography; Grouville Part Three

The two Posts so far on Parish Iconography have been concerned with road names and what they say about local history. This post explores other iconography in the landscape, reminding you that you are in Grouville. Following General Don’s improvements to the road system, mile stones were set up, marking the number of miles from Continue reading Parish Iconography; Grouville Part Three