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4.3 Deputy S. Power of St. Brelade of the Chairman of the Comité des Connétable s regarding the use of land donated to them for the use of families with limited means to use as allotments:
Would the Chairman confirm how many of the 12 Parishes still retain ownership and control of around 10 vergées of land known as Clos des Pauvres? It was donated to them in 1850 for the use by families with limited means to grow vegetables and fruit. Would he further confirm whether this land could be made available for allotment farming during these difficult times?
Connétable K.P. Vibert of St. Ouen (Chairman of the Comité des Connétable s):
I am afraid that the Deputy may have inadvertently confused the Clos des Pauvres lands with those which fall under the Don Gruchy bequest. The year quoted in his question, 1850, was the year of the bequest of Jean Gruchy. He is also under the misconception that the land was for the use of families, with limited means, to grow vegetables and fruit. In reality, the terms of the will stipulate that the income rental derived from the land is to be distributed among the poor of the Parish. In fact, the will says "les pauvres natifs de cette Île"; that is, Jersey born poor. Actually, all 12 Parishes have varying amounts of these lands. St. Helier has one field used by the Parish Parks and Gardens Department and one let to a bona fide farmer. St. Saviour has one field only, which is let to the Parish football club, as has St. Mary. All the other Parishes have fields let out to bona fide farmers on differing leases. Nevertheless, I take this opportunity to invite the Deputy to meet with the Comité des Connétable s on the matter of fields for the use of allotments.
- Deputy S. Power:
I thank the Constable for the history lesson and for clarifying the status of some of the land referred to. Can the Constable confirm whether at any time in the recent past the Comité des Connétable s have discussed allotment farming within their Parishes?
The Connétable of St. Ouen :
I do not know whether all the Connétable s have, but I certainly received a letter recently inquiring whether the Parish could identify land and, as yet, the Comité des Connétable s have not discussed it.
- Deputy S. Power:
Would the Constable not agree that the principle of allotment farming does provide fresh, healthy, organic food? It can provide for fresh air and exercise and can create a community atmosphere within a Parish?
The Connétable of St. Ouen :
As I said in my first answer, I have invited the Deputy to meet with the Comité des Connétable s to discuss this matter.
- The Deputy of St. John :
Would the Constable accept that time is quite urgent in this matter and that hopefully things can be moved forward because the potato planting and the crop planting season is coming on to us and these things need to be moved forward rather speedily?
The Connétable of St. Ouen :
As I have stated, I am quite happy to meet with the Deputy - with both Deputies, if necessary - to discuss the matter. As far as the lands which have been identified
within this question, those which are let to a bona fide farmer would require a 2-year
period to break the lease.