What is a Vingtaine and Why Should You Care?
Echoing old Norman customs that have a stronghold in Jersey’s history, vingtaines are an element of the island’s past that have been brought forward into the modern island community. Quietly woven into the fabric of parish life, vingtaines have huge responsibility in the parishes and continue to shape the way communities operate, plan and police. The enduring presence of the vingtaine system in Jersey today remains highly important, with this ancient political structure still mattering in the everyday life of the island.
What Does ‘Vingtaine’ Mean?
With Jersey nestled close to the French coast, French continues to be a dominant language on the island. Literally translating to ‘group of twenty’ in French, vingtaine refers to the political subdivisions within each Jersey parish. Eleven of the twelve Jersey parishes have vingtaines with St Ouen the exception. Instead of vingtaines, St Ouen has cueillettes which operate in the same fashion as vingtaines. A vingtaine governs its particular section of the parish with vingteniers overseeing general policing and administrative tasks. They are members of the Honorary Police, a unique volunteer policing system unique to Jersey, and are elected at the parish assembly.
How Does a Vingtaine Work in Jersey
Jersey’s vingtaines are a unique system that further narrows down the operation of each parish. Overseen by the Connetable, elected officials of the parish, and operated by vingteniers, the vingtaine controls a specific area within a parish and in total, Jersey is home to a staggering 56 vingtaines.
Election of the Vingtaine
At the parish assembly, the vingteniers within a vingtaine are elected by the taxpayers of the community and attendees of the assembly. Elected for a term of three years, vingteniers take on a voluntary role within the Honorary Police. The Honorary Police is a police system that is exclusive to Jersey, maintaining order and overseeing a community alternative to court for minor offences. These vingteniers are elected to a particular vingtaine (or cueillette in St Ouen’s case) within the parish.They do not have to live within the vingtaine they represent but do have to be a resident of the parish. The exception to this rule is St Helier where ratepayers and mandataires are also eligible to stand. Constable’s Officers are also elected in the same way but hold a more junior position to vingteniers. Following election, vingteniers and Constable’s Officers must attend the Royal Court of Jersey to take Oath of Office. In addition, road inspectors are elected in the same capacity and also sworn in as officers of the Royal Court.
Vingteniers
The main responsibility of a vingtenier is to carry out general policing in the community, holding an important intermediate rank between Constable’s Officers and Centeniers. In addition to Jersey’s office police and judicial system, Jersey also operates the Honorary Police. A volunteer system that is unique to Jersey, each vingtaine has a Honorary Police force with Centeniers the highest position. Vingteniers undertake both foot and mobile patrols to maintain law and order for the safety of the parish. They also attend road accidents and police local events. This volunteer role is similar to what UK residents may know as street wardens but in a volunteer capacity with greater responsibility. Vingteniers also take on other administrative tasks that enforce law and order including Visite du Branchage which ensures property owners are compliant with national laws regarding vegetation encroaching on public roads and pathways. They are a vital link between the local community and the justice system that the island upholds.
Constable’s Officers
Constable’s Officers have a junior position to vingteniers and assist vingteniers with the policing of the vingtaine. They typically attend parish hall enquiries and court sessions as required rather than participating in patrols. In addition, they assist with road closures and support event marshalling. They act as trusted local representatives and play an important part in upholding Jersey’s tradition of community-based policing and self-governance.
Road Inspectors
Road inspectors are responsible for the maintenance of local roads and highways within the vingtaine. They report to the Roads Committee of the parish, acting as their eyes on the ground, and must also enforce any decisions that the committee puts forward. Road inspectors also assist the vingteniers with Visite du Branchage, the twice-annual inspection to monitor the trimming of hedges and plants overhanging onto public roads and pathways. A crucial part of the parish infrastructure, road inspectors ensure that Jersey can keep moving, ensuring roads and paths are safe, accessible and well-kept.
La Vingtaine de la Ville de St Helier
With every parish divided into vingtaines, Jersey is home to 56 vingtaines in total, including St Ouen’s cueillettes. One of six vingtaines within the parish of St Helier, it roughly covers the historic town centre and the harbours. La Vingtaine de la Ville is a unique vingtaine on the island as unlike out vingtaines on the island, La Vingtaine de la Ville has financial independence. In 1804, La Motte de la Ville was purchased by the British government for £11,280. This established the endowment that is now administered by the Procureurs of the Vingtaine with the vingtaine managed by two Procureurs. The funds available are still sufficient enough to develop and maintain smaller heritage projects. La Vingtaine de la Ville was divided into two cantons in 1813, known as Canton de Haut and Canton de Bas. The vingtaine also had its own banknote at one time that was printed to raise funds for the vingtaine but eventually, the States of Jersey took over the currency, enforcing the Jersey Pound across the island.
