Arts and crafts in Jersey

(including Grouville, Saint Brelade, Saint Clement, Saint Helier, Saint John, Saint Lawrence, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Saint Ouen, Saint Peter, Saint Saviour and Trinity )It has a population of around 98,000 and covers approximately 11,800 hectares. Here is a list of nearby or neighbouring counties: Guernsey

Jersey is an island in the English Channel, approximately fourteen miles from the coast of a peninsula in the Normandy region of France. The largest of the Channel Islands, Jersey is a British Crown dependency which has its own legal system and issues its own pound notes, in a currency union with the UK. There is evidence of human activity dating back to the Palaeolithic period and artefacts have been found from the Bronze Age and Iron Age, including tools and coins. The history and culture of Jersey has been shaped over the centuries since Norman times by its links to Britain, as well as its proximity to France. Today the economy is dominated by financial services and tourism, with most of the hundreds of thousands of people that visit the island each year coming from the United Kingdom. Among the attractions in Jersey are the beautiful sandy beaches, with waters warmed by the Gulf Stream and activities including sailing, scuba diving and surfing. Each August the annual Jersey Battle of Flowers, which was first held in 1902, brings together people from the local community as well as visitors to enjoy an event that has a parade, music, dancers, fair ground and street entertainers.

Historic buildings and the collections of museums and art galleries are managed by Jersey Heritage, which is an independent trust established in 1983 and funded by the Jersey government. Located in the capital Saint Helier, the Jersey Arts Centre serves as a venue for a range of visual arts events and activities including theatre, film, dance and music, as well as running a range of performance workshops. Collections in the Jersey Museum and Art Gallery reflect the islands long history and the gallery has run exhibitions of artwork and crafts including paintings, photography and textiles. Hamptonne Country Life Museum in Saint Lawrence helps visitors to learn about agricultural history and traditional country crafts such as spinning and lace making. Mont Orgueil Castle, construction of which began during the early thirteenth century, was for several centuries the islands main defence against invasion and during recent years has hosted a variety of exhibitions and events. Other attractions in Jersey include St Helier Central Market, Elizabeth Castle and The Georgian House, which was built during the eighteenth century and renovated during recent years.