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
The States starts dismantling Jersey Railway
- After a fire, and facing stiff competition from road transport, Jersey Railway was sold to the States, which began demolishing the track.
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German staff wrongly dismissed during First World War
- The managers of a Jersey hotel were ordered to pay compensation after they dismissed staff when profits tumbled during the First World War.
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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.
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The National Trust for Jersey is formed
- The National Trust for Jersey held its first formal meeting on 3 August 1936 with Samuel Falle, the Dean of Jersey, in the chair.
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