Parishes of Guernsey facts for kids

"Chambre de la Douzaine" – sign of the Douzaine Room of the parish of Torteval.

The Bailiwick of Guernsey is a group of islands. It includes the main island of Guernsey and smaller islands like Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, Brecqhou, and Lihou. Each parish on these islands was likely created around the 11th century. They started as religious areas, each with its own church. Today, an elected council called a Douzaine manages each parish.

Guernsey's Parishes: Local Areas

The island of Guernsey is split into ten local areas called parishes. The wider Bailiwick of Guernsey also has parishes like Saint Anne, Alderney and Saint Peter, Sark. However, these are usually not counted with Guernsey's ten parishes. This is because their names are not used for administrative purposes in the same way.

The parishes of Guernsey

ⁿ These parishes are not used for local administration.

The islands of Herm and Jethou are part of the St Peter Port parish. Lihou island is part of the St Pierre du Bois parish.

Parish History: How They Changed

The number of people and the names of the parishes were written down in a book called The History of the Island of Guernsey in 1814. This table shows how many people lived in each parish back then. It also shows how some names have changed.

Parish Administration: How They Are Run

Population of Guernsey by parish

Each parish is managed by a group called a Douzaine. This council is made up of people called Douzeniers. They serve for four years at a time. Every November, one-fourth of the Douzeniers are chosen by the people of the parish at a special meeting.

Most parishes have twelve Douzeniers in total. The word "Douzaine" means "twelve" in the local language. So, three new Douzeniers are elected each year. The Vale parish is different, electing four each year for a total of sixteen. St Peter Port elects five each year, making a total of twenty. The oldest Douzenier is called the Doyen (Dean). To be elected, a person must live in that parish.

Douzaine members also represent their parish when a new Jurat is chosen. Jurats are important officials in Guernsey's legal system.

Two elected Constables help carry out the Douzaine's decisions. They serve for one to three years. The Constable who has served longer is called the Senior Constable. Their partner is the Junior Constable. Constables have been around since at least 1481. Their jobs have changed over many centuries.

Both Douzeniers and Constables can be removed from their roles if they do not do their duties properly. This decision is made by the Royal Court.

Parish Responsibilities: What They Do

Parish officials have many different jobs. Some of their duties include:

• Making sure hedges along roads are trimmed.
• Looking after water channels, called douits.
• Managing parish cemeteries.
• Keeping public water pumps and troughs in good condition.
• Collecting local taxes for the parish.
• Giving out dog licenses and collecting dog taxes.
• Managing places where parish boats can be tied up.

Parish officials also give advice to the government of Guernsey. They help with decisions about things like licenses for drinking places, entertainment venues, and betting shops in their parish.

Parish Nicknames: Fun Local Names

People from each parish in Guernsey have traditional nicknames. These nicknames are not used as much today by people who speak English. The table below shows these fun nicknames and what they mean in English.

See also

In Spanish: Parroquias de Guernsey para niños