Latest news with #Jèrriais
BBC News
06-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Jersey school days under Nazi occupation relived
School days under Nazi occupation relived 16 minutes ago Share Save Robert Hall BBC News, Jersey Share Save Rod Bryans François Le Maistre shared his memories of German soldiers hunting through houses looking for hidden radio sets - such as the one his family had Starting school at any time is a daunting experience but when François Le Maistre started he did so while his island home was occupied by the Nazis and he did not speak a word of English. Now 88 years old he returned to Les Landes School to share his experience with the current pupils. "Bouônjour. Coumme est qu'ous êtes? I'm sure all of you will understand that is Jèrriais. That's all I spoke. That was the only language I spoke when I came to this school in January 1944," he told pupils. "None of us who came from the country spoke any English. We we were like friends, all of us in school, because we were all, and had been, occupied by this time, for a long time." Mr Le Maistre told the pupils: "Mum and dad, they had a vegetable garden. They had chickens. They grew things like swedes and carrots and potatoes and peas and beans. "Now, the people in town had nothing, and for a great part of the war, a lot of the people in town were starving. "I remember, we had five Red Cross parcels and you know the thing that I liked the best was a tin called Klim... it's milk spelt backwards, isn't it, and it was dried milk and we loved it!" He said: "When the Germans first came, all the radios were taken away. "They went through houses, everybody's houses and your radio was confiscated. "Alongside our big farm kitchen, we had a big fire. On each side, we had two big armchairs. Those armchairs were stood on carpets. "Underneath the carpet on the right hand side of the fire was a small trapdoor, and that's where my parents hid the crystal [radio] set." Rod Bryans François Le Maistre alongside his cherished tin of Klim, powdered milk Mr Le Maistre said: "Towards the end of the war, after the D-Day landing, the Germans knew that things weren't going well for them in France. They were much more mellow. Much calmer. "From my memory I never had a German threatening any of us kids, they never stopped us, waylaid us, nothing like that, and in the 1950s they came back to kind of apologise for what they had been doing during the occupation." He said: "[On Liberation Day] there was a huge crowd of people, lots of kids of our age. It was the joy of the crowd, you felt uplifted. There were celebrations by the school too. "I'm going to be 88 this year. I lived through it all, and its a great privilege to still be here". 'How lucky we are' For the Les Landes pupils of 2025, hearing the wartime stories from a former pupil, and seeing the objects that were important to him when he was their age, was something they said they would not forget. Orla said: "We hear the stories about World War Two, but we don't hear from the people who have experienced it. So it's really nice that they're sharing that with us." Milly and Dillan said they would remember the occupation stories Dillan said: "I think it's really important. To know how lucky we are, and also so we can't make the same mistake again." Evie said: "I think it's amazing that we can still hear about these types of things…and when they're gone, we can pass them down more generations. So it will never be a story that's forgotten." Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to
Telegraph
24-04-2025
- Telegraph
Jersey: a coastal enclave with astonishing tides (and awesome seafood)
Now here is a riddle for the well travelled. Which of the British Isles grows by 30 per cent, twice daily? And shares similarities with both California and Maine? The answer is the Channel Island of Jersey. At nine miles west to east and five miles south to north it is the largest of a small clutch of islands that cosy up to France's Normandy peninsula. It gains that extra girth twice daily through some of the biggest tides in northern Europe, bigger even than the largest on the US east coast at Maine, although both destinations are celebrated for their coastal scenery and their seafood. A great way to experience that tidal movement is to walk out through the shellfish-rich intertidal zone to Seymour Tower, a 250-year-old lookout which sits one-and-a-half miles out from dry land at La Rocque on the island's southern shore. The walk passes oyster farms on the Violet Bank and is best done with a guide, lest the returning tide catches you unawares. Contrast this rugged, reef-strewn seascape to the beach that runs the width of the island's western end at St Ouen's bay. This is something completely different and where Jersey feels like California. The broad, stunning strand runs for mile after immaculate mile, backed by a series of beach cafés frequented by surfers and sunset watchers, and the prevailing wind makes it the perfect spot for kite surfing. This is beach life with a French twist. The coast of Normandy is just 14 miles away, so it's just as easy to reach Jersey from France as it is from the UK. The island can easily be reached on a short ferry crossing either to Barneville-Carteret, which operates through the peak season, from April to September, or the year-round service from or more distant St Malo, making it a natural addition to any European trip. That proximity to France has also had a longstanding influence on local history and culture. Until not so long ago the spoken language here was a kind of Norman French called Jèrriais and, although few locals speak it any more, it shines through in all the names and the local cuisine. As for the island's topography, that is neatly defined with the north shore being wilder and higher, full of dramatic cliffs, coves and caves, and a coastal path that swoops and climbs like a rollercoaster. On a clear day you can easily see France. Meanwhile the south coast is sun-facing and more gently sloped so there are more people – and houses. One of the most immaculate and sheltered of the island's beaches is up on the rugged northwest corner at Plémont, its pink-tinged sand (thanks to the island granite) washed clean by the tide twice a day. In fact, come here at high tide and you wouldn't think there was a beach here at all. Plémont takes a bit of effort to reach, down flights of steps, and anyone making that effort should also walk the coastal path westwards through blowsy gorse-rich heathland to the ruined fort at Grosnez. From this viewpoint you can see the islands of Sark and distant Guernsey to your left, with Normandy to your right, beyond a sandbar islet called Les Écréhous, which like Les Minquiers further south expands and contracts with the tide, and is crowned by a couple of fishing huts. Jersey Seafaris runs RIB boat tours around the main island's coastline and out to these islets – where you may well spot Atlantic grey seals and bottlenose dolphins. Plémont's corresponding beach on the south coast is Portelet, equally pink-tinged, also with a flight of steps to navigate, which makes it ideal for a self-guided snorkel trail around a tower named Janvrin's Tomb, the final resting place of a plague-stricken ship's captain in the 18th century. Just west of Portelet is the busiest of the family beaches, St Brelade's Bay, its sand backed by a mix of traditional and elegant resort hotels and restaurants. This is the place to try stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. Finally, the eastern end of the island has scenic beaches at Gorey (sand) and Archirondel (pebble), with defensive towers and the 800-year-old castle of Mont Orgeuil looming in the background. Popular with year-round sea swimmers, Archirondel is known for its historic red-and-white Martello tower and its Driftwood Café, serving delicious homemade food, many of the dishes using fish locally sourced by owners Leyton Hunnisett and Gabby Mason, who also run Jade-S Fisheries. Whichever beach you choose, there will always be a kiosk or a beach café to hand. A place to sit and maybe even have a cocktail as you watch the sun go down. Indulge in the sea's bounty Hand-dived scallops, farmed and wild oysters, creel-caught lobsters as well as multiple varieties of wetfish are widely available all over the island, both from fine-dining restaurants such as the island's sole Michelin-starred eaterie, Bohemia Bar and Restaurant in St Helier, serving modern European dishes and a delectable pescatarian menu from chef Callum Graham's kitchen, and from informal locations such as the kiosk in the harbour village of Rozel called the Hungry Man, known for its crab sandwiches. Popular locations such as St Aubin, with its extensive yacht marina, are well stocked with restaurants including The Boat House, with lots of seafood options. Look out for a speciality shellfish the locals call ormer – a type of abalone – which occasionally appears on local menus. Where to stay in Jersey Atlantic Hotel, St Brelade A sun-filled luxury resort hotel overlooking the dramatic sweep of sand that is St Ouen's Bay on the island's western end, with its own spa and emphasis on particularly fine dining. Longueville Manor, St Saviour A handsome manor house, partly 14th century, in lovely well-tended gardens on the sheltered southern shore. The only Relais & Châteaux property on the island, so even the French are impressed by its cuisine. Jersey's Heritage Lets, island wide An eclectic selection of self-catering options within heritage buildings, from rustic offshore towers to the aforementioned Radio Tower, to apartments in castles and in traditional farm complexes. How to get there and around The island is a short direct flight or car ferry ride away from the UK or Ireland and direct flights also operate from certain French and German airports during the busier months of the year. If you're travelling from France, regular ferries run from St Malo. Car rental is available at the airport, as are taxis, while the local bus network is a reliable and inexpensive way to explore, connecting Jersey's main locations and attractions. Jersey – where sea meets soul Imagine an island that blends rich history, stunning seascapes and an exceptional culinary scene. One that brims with beauty and year-round adventures, and is closer than you think. Whether you're looking for a food-filled escape, to unearth hidden history or an active break, Jersey offers it all and so much more.
BBC News
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Jersey students' film shown at international film festivals
A short film created by Jersey students will be screened at international film festivals in Louisiana in the US, Galway in Ireland and the Italian island of Sardinia this was written by La Passerelle Year 10 and Year 11 students Cameron Crocker, 14, and Megan McKenna, 15, with local student Melissa Dean starring in the main piece, titled Lé Viage in Jèrriais, or The Journey in English, has already won an award for best original score at the Californian Best Shorts Competition and received an honourable mention at the UK Film Awards in November 2024.Lé Viage is waiting for confirmation of selection for at least nine more international film festivals. The film is about a young girl's connection with her horse which helps her to get through bullying and isolation at described the film's success as "shocking".Cameron said: "It's kind of breathtaking to think that our work has gone so far."Both said they were inspired by "personal experiences" in education and Megan's love for horse riding, which she began aged 13."We wanted this film to go far and wide to help people who were in similar positions to [us]," Cameron added. La Passerelle School provides support to students struggling with education due to issues such as piece was produced by local production company Green Eye Productions. Green Eye CEO Julie Wallman said the students involved were "inspiring", having faced challenges at said: "I hope this will resonate with parents and children struggling with mainstream education."She added that creative learning styles should be embraced to help engage every child in education. Lé Viage is written and spoken entirely in Jèrriais, which Megan and Cameron said was a "special twist" to emphasise that communication could an take many head of services at L'Office du Jèrriais, Ben Spink, said he was "heartened" and "proud" that Cameron and Megan chose to "shine a light on the language". He said: "Without young people becoming interested in the language, then it won't survive, so I'm really heartened these two young people chose the language to make their film in."He added that access to entertainment content spoken in Jèrriais helped more people learn and keep the language alive.
BBC News
06-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Jersey deputies vote against compulsory language GCSEs
Politicians in Jersey have rejected plans to make learning a language other than English compulsory at Montfort Tadier had proposed making language GCSEs compulsory in 2023 after figures revealed the number of pupils taking them had fallen 10% within three means studying language GCSEs will remain optional for did back plans to support students in primary and secondary school who want to learn the island's native language, Jèrriais.
