Plaque marking Guernsey cows in US returns to view

A recovered historical plaque marking the arrival of Guernsey cattle in the United States in 1840 has returned to public view.

The plaque was gifted to Guernsey in 1960 by a group of American friends but the plaque was hidden as the Market Buildings in St Peter Port underwent renovations.

Bill Luff, President of the Royal Guernsey Agricultural and Horticultural Society, said the plaque was a "symbol of friendship, resilience, and the shared agricultural heritage".

An information board explaining its historic significance and the connection between Guernsey and the US has also been installed.

During the German Occupation, American Guernsey cattle breeders feared for the survival of the breed and established the American (Island Memorial) Gift Fund.

They made a donation of $22,294 (£17,000) in 1947, equivalent to almost $315,000 (£240,000) today.

The money was to "help rebuild what the Americans thought would have been a completely decimated island population of Guernsey cattle", Mr Luff said.

He said the herd remained intact and the money was instead used to establish a dedicated headquarters for the agricultural society.

Robin Alden, executive secretary of the American Guernsey Association, said they were proud of the Guernsey cattle breed.

She said the US has between 12,000-15,000 Guernsey cows from "Hawaii to Alaska" and she receives calls and emails daily from farmers looking to acquire the breed.

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to [email protected].