herm

Herm is the smallest of the Channel Islands that is open to the public. Cars are banned from the small island just like its Channel Island neighbour, Sark. Unlike Sark, bicycles are banned too. However, Herm does allow quad bikes and tractors for the locals. The sandy white beaches make Herm a walker's paradise.

Herm won the 2002 Britain in Bloom competition in the 'Small Coastal Resort' category, despite not being part of the UK.

History

Herm was occupied in prehistoric times; the remains of Neolithic chamber tombs have been found in the island.

The first records of Herm's inhabitants in historic times are from the 6th century, when the island became a centre of monastic activity; the name 'Herm' supposedly derives from hermits who settled there (although an alternative interpretation derives Herm from Norse erm referring to an arm-like appearance of the island). However, the monks suffered from the inclement Atlantic; in 709, a storm washed away the strip of land which connected the island with the small uninhabited island of Jethou.

The most important moment in Herm's political history was 933, when the Channel Islands were annexed to the Duchy of Normandy (they remain a British Crown dependency since the division of Normandy in 1204). After the annexation, Herm gradually lost its monastic inhabitants, and between 1570 and 1737 it was used as a hunting ground by the governors of Guernsey.

In the 19th century, industry arrived in Herm with the establishment of granite quarries to serve the large scale military fortifications undertaken in the islands. The island was rented to tenants by the Crown and was generally off-limits to visitors. When Prince Blücher was Tenant before the First World War, he introduced a colony of wallabies to the island - none now survive.

Like the rest of the Channel Islands, Herm was occupied by the Nazis during World War II, although they left little trace of their presence in the island.

After the war, the States of Guernsey decided to buy Herm from the Crown in order that its pleasant atmosphere could be enjoyed by Guernsey residents. The States now rent the island to a tenant, who is expected to maintain the island for the benefit of its visitors. The most important tenant has been Major Peter Wood, who looked after the island from 1949 to 1998. The present tenants are Adrian and Pennie Wood Heyworth.

Language

Like the rest of the Channel Islands, Herm was formerly officially administered solely in the French language. It is presumed that, as in neighbouring islands, the population would have spoken a variety of Norman language, but no documentary evidence exists as to any distinctive dialectal features particular to the vernacular of Herm. The language is extinct there now, but a number of French placenames remain. It was eroded mainly by neglect, and also settlers from England. This erosion still occurs to a minor extent, in the replacement of authentic names, with new ones e.g. Alderney Point.

Politics

Herm is a dependency of Guernsey.

See: List of tenants of Herm

Geography

Herm is only 1½ miles long and less than ½ a mile wide. It is oriented so that its greatest length runs north/south. The northern half of the coastline is surrounded by sandy beaches, the southern half is rocky.

Shell Beach is one of the major tourist attractions.

The isle of Jethou is just to the south, and it is said that in 709 a storm washed away the strip of land which connected the island with Herm.

To the west is the channel Little Roussel (Petit Ruau) between it and Guernsey, and the Big Roussel (Grand Ruau) to the east, between it and Sark.

Economy

Tourism is Herm's main source of income. Money is also made from vegetable growing, occasionally issuing its own stamps, and the island's status as a tax haven.

Coordinates: 49°28′N 2°27′W