During the Second World War, the Channel Islands became an island prison. Now they're in trouble again…
Sercq, Friday,
Residents of St Helier port in Jersey awoke last May to dramatic scenes as French vessels staged a protest against post-Brexit fishing rules and British Navy ships patrolled the waters around the island.
The scenes were the latest development in an acrimonious exchange between France and the Islanders over fishing rights.
The new rules oblige French boats to prove that they used to fish in Jersey's waters in order to receive a licence to carry on. The French were furious that the requirements were sprung on them whilst not having previously been agreed on.
Situated in the Channel, between the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, the Cap de la Hague in Normandy, and Cape Fréhel in Brittany, are a group of islands which should, because of their location be part of France, but instead have belonged to Britain ever since the 12th century.
The explosive character of the 165 000 Channel Islanders was well described by the Governor of Cherbourg back in 1781 in a report to the French cabinet: "They have a very strong attachment to the British government which alters according to their own interests. They are good neighbours to France in peacetime, with strong and lucrative ties through smuggling to the Normandy and Brittany coast, but in wartime, they become extremely dangerous."
The fishing dispute seems to be bringing out the worst side of the Channel Islanders, made up of the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey. They have a combined population of approximately 165 000 and a combined GDP of approximately $7,5 billion or $46k per head, making them significantly richer than their French neighbours (at $34k).
Although the farming and fisheries sectors are less important than they were in the past, they remain a key part of the rural economy with many products exported to the EU.
The writer Jaine Beswick had stressed the centrality of "islandness" to the people saying that they feel different both to the UK and France and the European Union more generally, Folk songs and dances celebrating Norman culture are still performed at a yearly festival called Fete Nouormande. Entertainers dress in local costumes, recite poetry, tell stories and chant traditional songs, with toasts of wine and cider.
After about a millennium under the British Crown, Jersey, Guernsey, and Sark have gained an English flavour while still having kept their Normand heritage.
Crows, Toads and Donkeys
To this day, the French influence remains, particularly in the names of places and streets. Road signs are displayed in both English and French. One quirky tradition is the use of animals to represent the islanders. The people of Jersey are nicknamed "les crapauds (toads)" since the amphibians are only found there. The residents of Sark have the pet name of "les corbeaux (crows)" since flocks of the birds frequent its coast. Alderney people are called "les lapins (rabbits)", due to its many warrens and the inhabitants of Guernsey are "les ânes (donkeys)".
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