1st June 1963
Colorado beetle arrives in Jersey
“Beaches along the north and east coasts of Jersey are being sprayed with insecticide after some 200 Colorado beetles were found on the shores,” reported The Times. The beetle, which is a parasite of tomato and potato crops, could have spelled disaster for both Jersey and Guernsey’s seasonal crops.
Colorado beetles had invaded the Channel Islands in June 1947 after being blown across from France. Many were washed up dead, but the 1963 infestation was possibly more serious because of the large number that were arriving still alive. Nonetheless, in 1947 Jersey’s potato exports to the mainland had been suspended after beetles were found in crates unloaded there.
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Other events that occured in June
Victoria College’s first headmaster is born
- William George Henderson was the first headmaster of Victoria College, having been ordained a priest in 1859.
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Jesse Boot, of Boots chemist, dies in Jersey
- Although founded by John Boot, Boots the chemist owes its early success to John’s son, Jesse, who died in Jersey, aged 81, in June 1931.
- Read more…
The king and queen’s liberation visit
- The King and Queen should have visited the Channel Islands on 6 June 1945, which Jersey had declared a public holiday.
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A Belgian airman is killed over Jersey
- St Ouen’s Rue Henri Gonay was given its name in June 2014 in honour of a Belgian airman who died when his plane crashed in Jersey.
- Read more…