16th April 1859
First Jersey Royals are exported to London
Jersey new potatoes only found fame on the mainland after the first shipment went on sale in Covent Garden on 16 April 1859. They were an immediate hit, and three further shipments were sent before the end of the season, plus a fourth to Swansea. That was just the start of their success. Less than 10 years later, Jersey was exporting more than 4000 tons of potatoes to the mainland, and demand has been strong ever since.
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Other events that occured in April
Jersey chooses a new anthem
- A handful of shortlisted entries for Jersey's new anthem were performed at the Opera House on 30 April 2008, and a panel voted on the winner.
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Civil partnerships are legalised
- It took civil partnerships almost three years to become legal in Jersey after they had been debated and approved by the States.
- Read more…
Plans revealed for bridge to France
- Plans for a 16-mile bridge linking Jersey to France, which would also carry fibre optic cables and fuel pipes, were revealed in April 2008.
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States votes to buy land to build Jersey Airport
- Prior to the opening of Jersey Airport, all aircraft serving the island took off from and landed on the beach.
- Read more…