Jethou (/ʒɛˈtuː/zheh-TOO) is a small island that is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey in the Channel Islands. It is privately leased from the Crown, and not open to the public. Resembling the top of a wooded knoll, it is immediately south of Herm and covers approximately 44 acres (18 ha).
There is evidence of flint manufacturing in an area exposed only at low water between the island and Crevichon which shows occupation around 10,000 BC.[2] It is said that in AD 709 a storm washed away the strip of land that connected the island with Herm.[3]
The Vikings called the island Keitholm.[4] The island's current name retains the related Norman -hou suffix, meaning 'small island' or 'small hill'.
In 1416, it became part of Henry V's estate and still remains Crown property, now leased to the States of Guernsey.
On the top is a marker. It is said that in earlier times, pirates were hanged on it with chains, as on nearby Crevichon.
Modern history
An aerial shot showing Jethou centre right next to its bigger neighbour Herm, with Sark in the background and the east coast of Guernsey.
In 1867 Lt Colonel Montague Fielden became the island's tenant. However he was discovered using the island as a storehouse for smuggling brandy from France.[4]
From 1920 to 1923 it was leased by the Scottish novelist Compton MacKenzie along with Herm and remained part of that estate for years, although it is currently part of a different one.[4]
From September 1964 until December 1971 the island was occupied by the Faed family – Angus Faed, his wife Susan Faed and their four children, Colin, Erik, Colette and Amanda. Mrs Susan Faed was the 22nd tenant of Jethou.[4]
In the 1950s and 60s the island was open to the public. During that period postage stamps were issued. Local stamps on the Bailiwick of Guernsey were banned on 1 October 1969, and the Isle of Jethou was closed to the public from 1970.[5]
In 1972, Charles Hayward, founder of the Firth Cleveland Group of Companies, purchased the Crown tenancy of the island and lived there with his wife Elsie Darnell George until his death in 1983.
It was recognised in 2016 as an area of international environmental importance under the Ramsar Convention.[7]
It is flanked by two islets, Crevichon to the north and Fauconnière to the south. There is one house on the island and two cottages as well as a large garage where vehicles such as quad bikes and tractors are stored.
Governance
Unlike the largely autonomous islands of Sark and Alderney within the Bailiwick, Jethou is administered entirely by the States of Guernsey,[8] and elects members to the States of Deliberation as part of the St. Peter Port South electoral district.[9]
Wildlife
At the back (east) of Jethou, puffins can be seen swimming off the rocks.
