The island of Guernsey is a island in the Channel Islands, thirty miles west of France's Normandy coast and seventy-five miles south of Weymouth, England. The ancient roman knew the island as Sarnia. It is the largest island in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
The history of the Channel Islands is long and full. It was part of the Duchy of Normandy until 1204 when King John of England lost the Duchy of Normandy along with most of his other French land to King Philip II of France, the Guernsey and the other Channel Islands remained part of the Kingdom of England.
Along with several nearby islands, the island makes up a jurisdiction in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, which is a Crown dependency. Its capital is St. Peter Port, and the official language is English. The jurisdiction consists of ten parishes.
The northern part of the island is lowlands, while the southern portion is littered with coastal cliffs and plateaus to up to 90 metres (300 feet).
The population of Guernsey is mostly of Norman descent. Dairy farms, with the famous Guernsey cows, are found in the southern highlands of the island. In the norther, greenhouses are used to grow tomatoes, grapes, and flowers most of which are exported to markets in England.
The British government is in charge of the defence of Guernsey as well as most foreign relations, however, Guernsey is not part of the United Kingdom.
St. Peter Port became the seat of the economy, and soon privateering and smuggling as well as the industrial development of the industrial revolution kept the feudal lords weak.
Adolph Hitler decided that the Channel Islands would be a valuable strategic group of islands for his planned invasion of France. Winston Churchill, however, did not think they were of any value and demilitarised the islands, leaving them defenceless.
As the German army marched through France in June of 1940, approximately 30,000 Channel Islanders, one-third of the population, evacuated to England.
On June 28, 1904, both Guernsey and Jersey were bombed by the Luftwaffe, killing 44 people. The Germans had no clue that the islands were undefended. On June 30, they took control of an airfield in Guernsey, whereupon the police chief informed them that the island were not defended. The next day, troops arrived on Guernsey, and by nightfall, the German flag was flying. The German army occupied the Channel Islands from July 1940 to May 1945.
During the 20th century, tourism became a large part of the economy. Author Victor Hugo's home from 1855 to 1870 has been turned into a museum which is well-trafficked, and the fortifications built by the slave labour during World War II are also popular.
Countless journals and books were written by Islanders about the Nazi occupation.
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Recommended Resources
GIACC offers support for all types of athletics, particularly track and field, road and cross country running, and provides organised training sessions at its club room at the Footes Lane Athletics Track in St. Peter Port, Guernsey. Club and contact information is presented, with details of its principal events, fixtures and results, performance statistics, blogs, and other resources.
http://guernseyathletics.org.gg
Guernsey Biological Records Centre
GBRC is operated by Environment Guernsey on behalf of La Société Guernesiaise and the States of Guernsey, working with a variety of other organisations, people, and governmental bodies to provide information about the species and habitats found on the islands. Its services, data, and advice are provided.
http://www.biologicalrecordscentre.gov.gg/
Operating as part of the States of Guernsey Education Department, the Careers facilities are located in St. Peter Port, Guernsey, offering career guidance, information about education, employment and training opportunities, support with job applications and interviews, advice about courses and applications, and coordination of work experience.
http://www.careers.gg/
Established in 1808, the Chamber's history and objectives are discussed, including its sub groups, the benefits of membership, publications, and events, along with a directory of members, contacts, and advertising details.
http://www.guernseychamber.com/
Meeting and tournament schedules are posted, along with the club's officers, locations, and contacts. Other resources include statistics and results, featured players, reports and other information.
http://www.guernseychessclub.org.gg/
Guernsey College of Further Education
With five locations on the island of Guernsey, FE offers a programme of further education tailored to individual needs. Campus locations and contacts are presented, with details of the college's adult education and student service programmes, staff listings, and job vacancies.
http://www.guernseycollege.ac.gg/wp/
GE is the sole provider of electrical energy to the island of Guernsey in the Channel Islands. Its site features information about its products and service, as well as online services that permit customers to view statements, pay their bills, and submit meter readings online. New service applications are also available.
http://www.electricity.gg/
The Festival Chorus is an inter-denominational choir with an evangelical approach, and comprised of voices from all of the churches and parishes on Guernsey Island. Diary dates, photographs, achievements, and sponsorship information are presented.
http://www.festivalchorus.org.gg/
The GHA is responsible for the operation and administration of the port facilities in St. Sampson and St. Peter, on Guernsey Island, in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, Channel Islands. Harbour information includes approaches, speed limits, maps, tides, weather, arrivals and departures, port control, and a description of the facilities.
http://www.harbours.gg
Guernsey Island Games Association
GIGA represents all varieties of sport competition on the island of Guernsey, serving as portal for information relating to participation by the Island of Guernsey in the Natwest Island Games. The GIGA committee is identified, with contacts, diary dates, and sport-specific details.
http://www.giga.org.gg/
Based in Guernsey, the company specializes in residential and commercial sales and lettings, as well as property management services in Guernsey, Channel Islands. Available properties, auction schedules, and general information about Guernsey are featured.
https://www.martelmaides.co.uk
Guernsey Finance is a joint venture of industry and government, intended to promote the reputation, stability and development of Guernsey as an international centre for financial services. Its support services are detailed, along with a business directory, events diary, and contacts.
https://www.weareguernsey.com
