Jersey is a slightly confusing , split-personality kind of place. While driving – on the left – from the airport to the capital St Helier, the houses look like those you’d find in any British town . Then you’re sitting outside the Cock & Bottle – which comes over as very English – in a square that could easily be in Normandy .
Which is only 14 miles away, after all. A French food market with all the meats and cheeses is there and a big branch of Boots just beyond it. Then you charge your phone but it’s a French socket.
And then there’s an English one over there. The vibe, though, is predominantly British, from the rugged coastline, Elizabeth Castle – where Charles II holed up during the Civil War – to, possibly somewhere, local hero and actor Henry Cavill . I was in Jersey – the largest of the Channel Islands – to celebrate Pride.
Each year, Jersey and Guernsey take turns in hosting the festivities, organised by each island’s branch of Liberate, the equality and diversity charity. While the Channel Islands have a combined population of around just 170,000 (to put that into context, there are 9.7million people in London), the LGBTQ+ celebrations may be on a smaller scale – but they’re just as joyful.
As a seasoned Pride go-er I have travelled far and wide to celebrate with my community. I never miss London and Manchester, and over the years I’ve celebrated in LA, Toronto, Stockholm and Sydney – to name just a few. I couldn’t wait to see what.
