Islanders invited to enter potato competition

BBC Loads of potatoes in the mud in a field.BBC
The annual Jersey Royal potato growing competition challenges various groups

Occupation VIPs have been invited to take part in the Jersey Royal potato growing competition as part of events to mark the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day.

The annual competition challenges people to grow the heaviest crop and greatest number of Jersey Royal new potatoes.

Occupation VIPs - those who were resident during the German occupation of the island in World War Two or who were evacuated, departed or served in the forces - can compete in their own class.

They must register with their parish by 24 January and potato growing kits will be distributed in February.

The competition is organised by the Genuine Jersey Products Association and a weigh-in will take place in May.

Mike Jackson, chairman of the Comité des Connétables, said they were delighted to offer a class for Occupation VIPs for the last time.

"Understandably, the number of entrants has declined since it was first introduced in 2022 and the Connétables have, regrettably, decided this will be the final year an Occupation VIP class is offered.

"We hope many Occupation VIPs will participate."

The Channel Islands were the only part of the British Isles to be occupied by German forces during the war.

Jersey celebrates the end of the occupation and the war every year on 9 May.

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