22nd May 2015
The Queen gives Jersey ownership of its beaches
Alderney has owned its beaches and three miles of the seabed in all directions since 1950, but it took until 2015 for Queen Elizabeth II to hand over Jersey’s beaches and the 12 miles of seabed stretching away from them. The States of Jersey immediately started to consider how it could monetise them, with leasing the submerged land to tidal energy generators high on the list.
The queen kept hold of Ecréhous and the Minquiers and, at the time, also hung on to Guernsey’s beaches, although the States of Guernsey was in discussions over whether it should follow Jersey’s lead. At the time, Guernsey’s territorial waters extended only three miles, not the 12 that Jersey enjoyed, although it had been in discussion with France and the mainland overextending them.
FREE Jersey history newsletter
Don't miss our weekly update on Jersey's fascinating history. We promise never to sell your data to anyone else, and there's a super-easy unsubscribe link on the bottom of each email so you can leave whenever you want.
Other events that occured in May
King of the Ecrehous is admitted to hospital
- Phillipe Pinel was known by many as the King of the Ecrehous, under which title he ruled the islands off Jersey’s north-east coast.
- Read more…
Channel Television fights for the right to continue broadcasting
- The biggest ever shake-up in the British commercial television industry saw several ITV franchise holders lose their licenses in 1992.
- Read more…
Discovery of The Jersey Mummy
- The Jersey Mummy was discovered in Egypt and brought to the island via Paris, but the man accompanying it died on the way.
- Read more…
St Brelade’s Church is consecrated
- Although the church at St Brelade was consecrated in the 12th century, evidence suggests a building had resided on that spot for some time.
- Read more…