This year sees the parishes of St Helier and St Brelade welcoming the Royal Court to inspect their parish accounts and roads on 7th August and 21st August respectively. The tradition of the Visite Royale dates back centuries and the Court will deal with any encroachments or impediments from neighbouring land onto parish land.
It is also the time of year for occupiers of property bordering public roads and public footpaths across the Island to trim back any vegetation if they want to avoid a fine of up to £100 for each infraction.
All hedges, branches and overhanging trees must be trimmed to ensure a clearance of 12 feet over roads and eight feet over footpaths with all cuttings and trimmings removed.
A minimum of 10cm vegetation should be left on hedges, walls and banks plus the Jersey Hedgehog Preservation Group suggests checking for all wildlife before strimming begins.
‘If you find an injured hedgehog please pick it up with gloves and put it in a bucket, dustbin or box. If you disturb a nest with a mother and baby hedgehogs please cover it over with the material you have cut away and leave the area. If you need to move the family use gloves to pick up mum, then all the babies, place in a bucket, dustbin or box and cover with a much original net material as you can.’
In both cases phone the JHPG on +44 (0) 1534 734340 for immediate help or, if the hedgehog is injured, take it to the vet. For other wildlife phone the JSPCA on +44 (0) 1534 724331 or your vet for advice.
The 2024 Visites du Branchage and Visites Royale will take place on the following dates:-
Trinity Friday 28th June/Friday 6th September
St Lawrence Wednesday 3rd July/Wednesday 4th September
St Saviour Wednesday 3rd July/Wednesday 11th September
St Brelade Thursday 4th July/ Thursday 19th September/Visite Royale Wednesday 21st August
St Martin Thursday 4th July/Thursday 5th September
St Mary Thursday 4th July/Thursday 5th September
St Ouen Thursday 4th July/Thursday 5th September
St Peter Thursday 4th July/Thursday 5th September
St Clement Friday 5th July/Friday 6th September
Grouville Friday 5th July/Friday 13th September
St John Friday 5th July/Friday 6th September
St Helier Friday 12th July/Friday 13th September/Visite Royale Wednesday 7th August
One Response
Sir/Madam,
It seems that the attitude to removing all cuttings & trimmings is one of Nil Point.
Over the last couple of years, it now seems fashionable to leave it all to hopefully just blow away!
Perhaps a report in the media of roads & or who’s responsible for not doing so could be published?
Have a pride in our Island, please!