Squirrel Red Alert!

The officials on the island of Guernsey have issued a RED alert for all ten parishes. Last seen on the cliffs of St. Martin, a giant squirrel has been terrorizing residents. Fisherman Clive Derainey said, “I was out on my boat when I saw something coming out of the water. At first, I thought it was a bunch of seaweed, but I was wrong…a giant squirrel…maybe 14 stone…emerged from the water.  I didn’t know the damn things could swim! From the direction it was coming, I could tell it had come from Mainland Britain.”

Squirrels are normally docile, and the Guernsey squirrel is known for being especially easy to tame, however, the extremely large squirrel which has invaded the island  is NOT friendly at all. Many residents have complained of it chasing them, snarling, and exhibiting other aggressive behavior.  Mary Barnes of Saint Peter Port described an encounter she had with it: “I was at Fermain, having a bite to eat, when the squirrel approached me. I was scared at first—it’s about the size of a large man, so I sat very still, thinking it would leave. As it closed in on me, I knew my life was in danger, so I started hissing at it to scare it off. The thing just looked at me and spit on my sandwich!”

If you see the squirrel, it is best not to approach it or try to capture it. Contact the authorities and keep away. At this time, they are beginning to set up a squirrel spotting hotline. When the number has been established, we will pass it on.

Stay safe!

The Guernsey Squirrel Parade

The people of Guernsey welcome Spring with The Guernsey National Hill Climb. They kick off the racing season with The Guernsey Squirrel Parade!

Fans of the Guernsey squirrel come out in their favourite squirrel costumes.

This young lass was the belle of the Guernsey Squirrel Ball that  evening.  She is a celebrated example of beauty and fitness that can be found in the typical Guernsey gal. 

 A few of the tamed and trained squirrels take part in the actual parade. Since the parade route snakes from Le Bouet to Saint Peter Port, it’s a long and taxing walk for the squirrels, so the handlers carry them for part of the way.

The Guernsey Orange

As well as exporting nuts and squirrel fur, Guernsey is the largest exporter of citrus fruit in the United Kingdom. It is estimated that 1/10th of the island is covered in orange groves. Because of salty winds blowing off of the ocean and the rocky soil, Guernsey oranges have a distinct flavor. Often described as having a hint of lime flavour, the Guernsey orange is coveted among mainland chefs in France. 

If you've never tried a Guernsey orange, chances are you won't unless you visit the United Kingdom. The Guernsey orange is taxed at such a high rate, that it is considered a premier gourmet citrus. Since the island itself is so small, there is a limit to what how much is produced each year as well.

Guernsey Squirrel Festival 2012

This week, we will celebrate the 75th annual Guernsey Squirrel Festival.  This family-centered events includes fun events for the kids during the day and after dark activities for the adults. During the day, grandma can enter her best bean jar recipe, and at night she can take it all off on the stripper pole in St. Peter Port Square.  

The events kick off with a squirrel shearing contest, and will wrap up Monday night with an awards ceremony.

Recipe-- Guernsey Squirrel and Dumplings

Hearty country recipes like Bean Jar are the standard traditional fare featured on the island of Guernsey.  Prior to the Guernsey squirrel's protected status, Squirrel and Dumplings was served nearly as often as Bean Jar.  Due to the lack of available squirrel meat, the tradition lives on, but is now substituted with hare or chicken.

SQUIRREL Dumplings
From:

    This is an excellent way to cook old squirrels which are too tough for frying.

        * 2 dressed squirrels, 2 to 2½ lbs
        * 2½ cups water
        * 1½ tsp salt
        * Dash of black pepper
        * 2 tbsp
        * Parsley
        * Dumpling Recipe 

       1. Wipe thoroughly with a damp cloth and pick off any hair .
       2. Remove any shot
       3. Then wash well inside and out with warm water
       4. Cut into serving pieces
       5. Put squirrel into a kettle, add water and salt
       6. heat to boiling, then reduce heat
       7. cover tightly and simmer until very tender, from 2 to 3 hrs the time depending on age of animal
       8. The meat should be almost ready to fall from the bones
       9. Add pepper and butter
      10. Increase the heat until liquid boils
      11. Lay the rolled dumplings over the top of squirrel, cover tightly and cook for 12 to 15 minutes

          Do not lift cover during cooking

Fur Spinning...A Guernsey Tradition

Every April and October, the Guernsey people gather to help shear the Guernsey Squirrels.  Dozens of small squirrel farms host weekends where community members are welcomed onto the properties where they join hands and circle around the squirrels, gathering them into caged domes where they await careful hand-selection for the shearing of their pompadours.
Unlike other livestock, the Guernsey squirrel enjoys being sheared.  Skilled hands can shear over forty squirrels per minute!  It is, after all, just one quick sweep across the forehead with a pair of clippers to yield a lop of silken fur.

The shorn pompadours are collected on a table and prepared for spinning

After the fur is prepared, the women of Guernsey Squirrel Farms spin the fibers into a silken yarn.

Gender roles are blurred on the island of Guernsey, and men tend to be the ones who knit the fibers from the Guernsey squirrel into products which are sold around the world.

Pictured here is a typical Guernsey lad creating a final product out of the dyed fibers!

Quick Facts: The Guernsey Squirrel

Name: The Guernsey Squirrel
Scientific Name: Sciurus Guernseris
Weight: 2 kg (4.41 lbs.)
Length: 0.61 m (2 feet)
Color: Golden fawn- deep bronze rust, gray tipped fur, cream underbelly, black eyes
Temperment: A social working class animal, docile and easily trained.
Food: Prefers the Guernsey Hazelnut
Uses: A non-pelt rendered animal, it is more profitable to shear the silken pompadours biannually and use as gathering livestock for nut harvesting.
Location: The Bailiwick of Guernsey, The Channel Islands, UK

Status: Protected Livestock
Notable: The national animal of Guernsey: