Just because I know a lot of you are really interested and love to hear about Guernsey, I thought I would be a doll and inform you... Feel free to thank me when you see me. Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey, is a possession of the Crown in right of Guernsey in the English Channel, off the coast of Normandy. As a bailiwick, Guernsey embraces not only all ten parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Alderney and Sark – each with its own parliament – and the smaller islands of Herm, Jethou and Lihou. Although its defence is the responsibility of the United Kingdom, the Bailiwick is not part of the United Kingdom but rather a possession of the British Crown. It lies within the Common Travel Area of the British Isles and is not a member of the European Union, but has a special relationship with it, being treated as part of the European Community for the purposes of free trade in goods. Together, the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Bailiwick of Jersey form the geographical grouping known as the Channel Islands. The name Guernsey, as well as that of neighbouring Jersey, is of Old Norse origin. The second element of each word, -ey, is the Old Norse for island, while Guern resembles the Spanish Cuerno and means horns.[citation needed] History Main article: History of Guernsey Around 6000 B.C., rising sea created the English Channel and separated the Norman promontories that became the bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey from continental Europe. Neolithic farmers then settled on its coast and built the dolmens and menhirs found in the islands today. Aerial view During their migration to Brittany, Britons occupied the Lenur islands (the former name of the Channel Island) including Sarnia or Lisia (Guernsey) and Angia (Jersey). Travelling from the Kingdom of Gwent, Saint Sampson, later the abbot of Dol in Brittany, is credited with the introduction of Christianity to Guernsey. In 933 the islands, formerly under the control of William I, then Duchy of Brittany were annexed by the Duchy of Normandy. The island of Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Duchy of Normandy. During the Middle Ages, the island was haven for Pirates that would use the Lamping Technique to ground ships close to her waters . This intensified during the Hundred Years War, when, starting in 1339, the island was occupied by the Capetians on several occasions. In 1372, the island was invaded by Aragonese mercenaries under the command of Owain Lawgoch (remembered as Yvon de Galles), who was in the pay of the French king. Lawgoch and his dark-haired mercenaries were later absorbed into Guernsey legend as an invasion by fairies from across the sea. Castle Cornet seen at night over the harbour of St Peter Port. In the mid-16th century, the island was influenced by Calvinist reformers from Normandy. During the Marian persecutions, three women, the Guernsey Martyrs, were burned at the stake for their Protestant beliefs. During the English Civil War, Guernsey sided with the Parliamentarians. The allegiance was not total, however; there were a few Royalist uprisings in the southwest of the island, while Castle Cornet was occupied by the Governor, Sir Peter Osborne, and Royalist troops. Castle Cornet was the last Royalist outpost anywhere in the British Isles to surrender. Wars against France and Spain during the 17th and 18th centuries gave Guernsey shipowners and sea captains the opportunity to exploit the islands proximity to mainland Europe by applying for Letters of Marque and turning their merchantmen into privateers. By the beginning of the 18th century, Guernseys residents were starting to settle in North America. The 19th century saw a dramatic increase in prosperity of the island, due to its success in the global maritime trade, and the rise of the stone industry. During World War I, approximately 3,000 island men served in the British Expeditionary Force. Of these, about 1,000 served in the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry regiment formed from the Royal Guernsey Militia in 1916. The island of Guernsey seen from 33,000 feet looking North For most of World War II, the Bailiwick was occupied by German troops. Before the occupation, many Guernsey children had been evacuated to England to live with relatives or strangers during the war. Some children were never reunited with their families. The occupying German forces deported some of the Bailiwicks residents to camps in the southwest of Germany, notably to the Lager Lindele (Lindele Camp) near Biberach an der Riß. Guernsey was very heavily fortified during World War II out of all proportion to the islands strategic value. German defences and alterations remain visible. Politics Main article: Politics of Guernsey The deliberative assembly of the States of Guernsey (French: les États de Guernesey) is called the States of Deliberation (French: Les États de Délibération) and consists of 45 Peoples Deputies, elected from multi- or single-member districts every four years. There are also two representatives from Alderney, a semi-autonomous dependency of the Bailiwick, but Sark sends no representative. The Bailiff or Deputy Bailiff preside in the assembly. There are also two non-voting members: H.M. Procureur (Attorney General) and H.M. Comptroller (Solicitor General), both appointed by the Crown and collectively known as the Law Officers of the Crown. A Projet de Loi is the equivalent of a UK Bill or a French projet de loi, and a Law is the equivalent of a UK Act of Parliament or a French loi. A draft Law passed by the States can have no legal effect until formally approved by Her Majesty in Council and promulgated by means of an Order-in-Council. Laws are given the Royal Sanction at regular meetings of the Privy Council in London, after which they are returned to the Islands for formal registration at the Royal Court. The States also make delegated legislation known as Ordinances (Ordonnances) and Orders (Ordres) which do not require the Royal Assent. Commencement orders are usually in the form of Ordinances. The Lieutenant Governor is the representative of the Crown in right of the république of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The official residence of the Lieutenant Governor is Government House. Since 15 April 2011 the incumbent has been Air Marshal Peter Walker. Each parish is administered by a Douzaine. Douzeniers are elected for a six-year mandate, two Douzeniers being elected by parishioners at a parish meeting in November each year. The senior Douzenier is known as the Doyen (Dean). Two elected Constables (French: Connétables) carry out the decisions of the Douzaine, serving for between one and three years. The longest serving Constable is known as the Senior Constable and his or her colleague as the Junior Constable. The legal system is Guernsey customary derived from Norman French customary law, heavily influenced and overlaid by English common law, justice being administered through a combination of the Magistrates Court and the Royal Court. Members of Guerneys legal profession are known as Advocates (French: Avocats), there being no distinction between solicitors and barristers as in England and Wales: Guernsey Advocates fulfil both roles. The Royal Court of Guernsey (French: la Cour Royale de Guernesey) is made up of the Bailiff (French: le Bailli), who presides and determines issues of law, and between twelve and sixteen Jurats (French: Jurés-Justiciers de la Cour Royale), who determine issues of fact and are elected to office by an electoral college known as the States of Election (French: les États dÉlection). Appeals lie from the Royal Court to the Guernsey Court of Appeal and thereafter to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Several European countries have consulate presence in the island. The French Consulate is based at Victor Hugos former residence at Hauteville House. The German Honorary Consulate is based at local design and advertising agency Betley Whitehorne Image. While Guernsey has complete autonomy over internal affairs and certain external matters, the topic of complete independence from the British Crown has been discussed widely and frequently, with ideas ranging from Guernsey obtaining independence as a Dominion to the bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey uniting and forming an independent Federal State within the Commonwealth, whereby both islands retain their independence with regards to domestic affairs but internationally, the islands would be regarded as one state. Geography The Bailiwick of Guernsey. Guernsey coastal rocks. At 49°28′N 2°35′W, Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands have a total area of 78 square kilometres (30 sq mi) and a coastline of about 50 kilometres (31 mi). By itself, the island of Guernsey has a total area of 63.4 square kilometres (24.5 sq mi). Guernsey is situated 50 kilometres (31 mi) west of Frances Normandy coast and 120 kilometres (75 mi) south of Weymouth, England and lies in the Gulf of St Malo. Lihou, a tidal island, is attached to Guernsey by a causeway at low tide. The terrain is mostly level with low hills in southwest.[14][15] The southeastern point is Jerbourg Point, used by the Germans during World War II. Elevation varies across the bailiwick from sea level to 114 m (374 ft) at Le Moulin on Sark. The highest point in mainland Guernsey is Hautnez (111 m (364 ft)), in Alderney at Le Rond But (101 m (331 ft)), in Jethou (76 m (249 ft)) and Herm (98 m (322 ft)). Natural resources include cropland. Guernsey contains two main geographical regions, the Haut Pas, a high southern plateau, and the Bas Pas, a low-lying and sandy northern region. In general terms, the Haut Pas is the more rural of the two, while the Bas Pas is more residential and industrialised. There is a large deepwater harbour at St Peter Port. The Casquets, a group of islets, are notable for the lighthouse facility constructed there. Climate The climate is temperate with mild winters and warm sunny summers. The warmest months are July and August, when temperatures are generally around 20 °C (68 °F) but occasionally reach 24 °C (75 °F). On average, the coldest month is February with an average weekly mean air temperature of 6 °C (42.8 °F). Average weekly mean air temperature reaches 16 °C (60.8 °F) in August. Snow rarely falls and is unlikely to settle, but is most likely to fall in February. The temperature rarely drops below freezing, although strong wind-chill from Arctic winds can sometimes make it feel like it. The rainiest months are December (average 108 mm (4.3 in)), November (average 98 mm (3.86 in)) and January (average 89 mm (3.50 in)). July is, on average, the sunniest month with 250 hours recorded sunshine; December the least with fifty hours recorded sunshine. 50% of the days are overcast. Climate data for Guernsey Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Average high °C (°F) 8.4 (47.1) 9.2 (48.6) 9.6 (49.3) 11.2 (52.2) 14.4 (57.9) 16.9 (62.4) 19.2 (66.6) 19.5 (67.1) 17.6 (63.7) 14.7 (58.5) 11.4 (52.5) 9.6 (49.3) 13.48 (56.27) Average low °C (°F) 4.7 (40.5) 4.4 (39.9) 5.2 (41.4) 6.2 (43.2) 8.7 (47.7) 11.1 (52) 13.2 (55.8) 13.7 (56.7) 12.5 (54.5) 10.5 (50.9) 7.7 (45.9) 6.0 (42.8) 8.66 (47.61) Precipitation mm (inches) 89.2 (3.512) 76.5 (3.012) 66.7 (2.626) 51.1 (2.012) 49.6 (1.953) 46.2 (1.819) 37.6 (1.48) 45.8 (1.803) 66.8 (2.63) 89.1 (3.508) 97.9 (3.854) 107.3 (4.224) 823.8 (32.433) Avg. precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 19.0 15.9 16.1 13.3 12.4 10.3 9.7 11.1 13.3 15.3 19.0 19.1 174.5 Mean monthly sunshine hours 59 82 134 193 232 240 258 226 164 121 70 52 1,831 Source #1: World Meteorological Organization,[18] Source #2: Climate Data for Guernsey[19] Parishes[edit] Main article: Parishes of Guernsey Guernsey is divided into ten administrative parishes for local government purposes. The smaller islands of Alderney and Sark are not parishes of Guernsey, except for ecclesiastical purposes. Like Guernsey, their Church of England parishes fall under the Bishopric of Winchester, and their respective parish churches are Saint Anne and Saint Peter. Parish Population (2001) Area (vergees) Area (km²) Area (sq mi) 1. Castel 8,975 6,219 10.2 3.9 2. Forest 1,549 2,498 4.1 1.6 3. St Andrew 2,409 2,752 4.5 1.7 4. St Martin 6,267 4,468 7.3 2.8 5. St Peter Port 16,488 3,914 6.4 2.5 6. St Pierre du Bois 2,188 3,808 6.2 2.4 7. St Sampson 8,592 3,816 6.3 2.4 8. St Saviour 2,696 3,900 6.4 2.5 9. Torteval 973 1,891 3.1 1.2 10. Vale 9,573 5,446 8.9 3.4 The parishes of Guernsey. Economy A Guernsey Post pillar box. Sure telephone boxes on Guernsey. Financial services, such as banking, fund management, and insurance, account for about 37% of GDP.[20] Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, especially freesias, have been declining. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular offshore finance centre for private equity funds. As with other offshore centres, Guernsey is coming under pressure from bigger nations to change its way of doing business. Guernsey is changing the way its tax system works in order to remain OECD (and EU) compliant. Tax revenues are 18.2% of GDP.[21] From 1 January 2008 it has operated a Zero-Ten corporate tax system where most companies pay 0% corporate tax and a limited number of activities are subject to taxation, including banking activity (taxed at 10%), regulated utilities and income from the sale of land or building (taxed at 20%). As a result annual accounts showed an overall a fiscal deficit of £24m in 2011, which it aims to eliminate by economic growth and government expenditure restraint. The deficit is currently supported by drawing funds from reserves built up during periods of surplus. At present the Island has no national debt. Guernsey also has a thriving non-finance industry. It is home to Specsavers Optical Group, which manages the largest optical chain in the UK and Ireland and also operates in Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Spain. Healthspan also has its headquarters in Guernsey.[22] Guernsey issues its own sterling coinage and banknotes. UK coinage and (English, Scottish and Northern Irish-faced) banknotes also circulate freely and interchangeably.[23] Public services, such as water, wastewater, the two main harbours and the airport are still owned and controlled by the States of Guernsey. The electricity, and postal services have been commercialised by the States and are now operated by companies wholly owned by the States of Guernsey. Gas is supplied by an independent private company. Guernsey Telecoms, which provided telecommunications, was sold by the States to Cable & Wireless plc, rebranded as Sure and was sold to Batelco in April 2013. Newtel was the first alternative telecommunications company on the island providing a range of residential and business telecommunication services as well as high specification data centres. Wave Telecom which became Join Together, owned by Jersey Telecom, also provides some telecommunications excluding local loop services. Newtel was acquired by Wave Telecom in 2010. Wave Telecom then became Join Together. Both the Guernsey Post postal boxes (since 1969) and the telephone boxes (since 2002) are painted blue, but otherwise are identical to their British counterparts, the red pillar box and red telephone box. In 2009 the telephone boxes at the bus station were painted yellow just like they used to be when Guernsey Telecoms was state-owned. During late 2011, the UK decided to end VAT relief on Channel Islands goods. This is no longer being contested by the Guernsey Government and several private firms.[24] Data centres are a growing part of the Guernsey economy and are helping it diversify away from mainly finance related industries. Guernsey now has the official ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code GG and the official ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code GGY; market data vendors, such as Reuters, will report products related to Guernsey using the alpha-3 code. In 2013 there were over 31,000 people employed in Guernsey, with 3,000 being self-employed. 2,038 employing businesses of which 20% are in the finance industry.[25]
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 16:30:01 +0000
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