Traditions & Customs

Jersey has a number of unique customs and traditions. The fascinating background to some of them is told below.

Honorary officials

Thanks to its medieval Norman connections, Jersey has inherited a unique community management and policing system. It continues to be remarkably effective, even in the 21st century.

Jersey is divided into 12 parishes, the affairs of which are still based on the principle of unpaid service to the community. The civil head of each parish is the Constable (Connétable) who, once elected to the role, gives his or her time for free.

The title derives from the French term Conte de L'Etable, or 'Count of the Stable'. Holders of this post helped the King's Court move around France and ensured fresh horses were ready for the royal entourage.

Not only does the Constable represent the parish in the States Assembly, but he or she also controls the local honorary police. Known as Centeniers, Vingteniers and Constable's Officers, these are also elected from within the parish.

Centeniers are responsible for dealing with law-breaking up to a certain level of seriousness, and are empowered to fine guilty parties. Vingteniers aid Centeniers and have the task of collecting parish rates. Constable's Officers also act as assistants to Centeniers.

Other key civic positions at parish level include the Comité des Chemins (Roads Committee), whose job it is to ensure that both major and minor roads are kept in order.

Whatever the size of the parish, the interests of ratepayers are protected by an unpaid and elected watchdog, the Procurer du Bien Publique. Each parish has two procurers to ensure money raised from parishioners is spent in the correct manner.

Seaweed gathering

Particularly on the west coast, beaches exposed by the tide are harvested for seaweed. Vraic, as it is called by the islanders, is spread on the fields as a natural conditioner.

Snail adoption

The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust maintains a world-famous breeding zoo founded by the late Gerald Durrell. One of its more unusual attractions is a snailarium, a home for endangered snails. Snails, as well as other creatures at the zoo, can be adopted by members of the public in return for a financial donation towards their welfare.

Ormer farming

A shellfish indigenous to Channel Island waters, the ormer is related to the abalone but is smaller in size. A rare marine snail, also known as a mutton fish or oreille de mer (sea ear), it is regarded as a delicacy and the Channel Islands mark the northern limit of its habitat.

Due to the biology and the social importance of this species the fishery is carefully managed in an effort to preserve stocks. Strict regulations have been applied to the gathering of ormers.

• SCUBA Diving for ormers is not allowed.
• There is a Minimum Landing Size of 90mm.
• Fishing for ormers may only take place between from the 1st October until the 30th April.
• During the ormering season, fishing may only take place on the first day of each new or full moon, and the three following days.
• It is also an offence to either possess fresh ormers or export them at any time other than between the 1st October and the 30th April and then on the first day of a new or full moon and the five days following.

These rules are strictly policed and heavy fines are levied on offenders. At very low tide - the island has the second highest tidal range in the world, making the island 'grow' by up to a third on the lowest tide - during the allowed period, you will see Jersey men and women scouring the rocks to find the sought after ormer.

Once found, they are prised from the underside of rocks by hand and carried to shore in a traditional ormer basket. The ormer is cooked by being beaten, then cooked in the oven as a cassoulet or served with gravy, carrots and onions. The ormer shells would traditionally have been used as decoration on houses and for jewellery, due to their striking mother-of-pearl inner.

Ormers are so rare that you will probably not find these on the menu at Jersey restaurants at present. Local fishermen are extremely lucky to find ormers and when they do, they are often cooked up as a family feast and rarely shared. Jersey's Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has instituted a programme of ormer farming, so in a few years it may again be a popular dish in local restaurants and on dinner tables.

The branchage

Any visitor to the Island in July or September is likely to see an earnest group of men in each parish solemnly measuring the height from the ground of any overhanging tree branches.

Such a group will be formed of the Parish Constable, Centeniers, Vingteniers, Road Committee members and Road Inspectors. They will be checking that branches are no nearer than 8 feet (2.4 m) to a footpath and no nearer than 12 feet (3.6 m) to a road.

This bi-annual inspection is called a visite du branchage, and anyone found with branches on their property not cut to the correct height used to be fined 50p. Recent increases mean a first-time offender is now fined £50, and up to a maximum of £500 for subsequent breaches.

Clameur de Haro

The intention behind this ancient Jersey custom, which originated in France, was to help right a perceived wrong. It dates back to Rollo, the 10th century chief of Normandy, but has long since been abolished on the mainland.

The word Haro is believed to be a corruption of 'O Rollo', a cry which originated as a plea to the chief for swift and certain justice. The full entreaty, or clameur - which must be uttered in the presence of two witnesses, including the Attorney General - is as follows:

Haro, Haro, à l'aide mon Prince, on me fait tort.
This translates as: "Help, my Prince, I am being wronged."

The clameur has the effect of an immediate injunction. This restrains a person from committing an alleged wrong until an appropriate court has been able to consider the matter and pass judgment.

Jersey pullover

Knitting has been associated with Jersey for nearly 400 years. In the 16th century, many articles of knitted apparel, mainly stockings and men's waistcoats, were exported from Jersey to England and France.

There is little doubt that, around this time, the name 'Jersey' became synonymous with knitting. Indeed, all knitted articles became known as 'jerseys' - a term still in use for knitted garments for the upper body. Although Island farmers no longer rear sheep for wool, the traditional fisherman's jersey is still manufactured.

Cabbage walking sticks

The Giant Cabbage (brassica oleracae longata) has been cultivated in Jersey since 1827, and grows up to 10 feet (3 m) tall. They are made into walking sticks by the Jersey Woodturners, the exclusive retailer, who are based at The Harbour Gallery in St Aubin. Samarès Manor and Gardens sell the seeds for you to grow your own giant cabbages.