Castel | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
 Location of Castel in Guernsey | |
| Coordinates:49°28′26″N2°36′11″W / 49.474°N 2.603°W /49.474; -2.603 | |
| Crown Dependency | Guernsey,Channel Islands |
| Government | |
| • Electoral district | Castel |
| Area | |
• Total | 10.1 km2 (3.9 sq mi) |
| • Rank | Ranked 1st |
| Population (2019) | |
• Total | 8,795 |
| • Density | 871/km2 (2,260/sq mi) |
| Time zone | GMT |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+01 |
| Website | www |
Castel /kætel/ (Guernésiais:Lé Casté;French:Sainte-Marie-du-Câtel) is the largestparish inGuernsey in terms ofarea.
The parish has clear evidence of changes in ancient sea-levels, with trunks of an oak forest visible on Vazon beach at very low tide and at 8 m (26 ft) above sea level an ancient beach.[1]: 139
The oldGuernésiais nickname for people from Castel wasânes pur sàng.
The parish plays host to both Le Viaër Marchi and the North Show which includes theBattle of Flowers annually. It also produces a regular magazine calledCastel Matters.
Thepostal code for street addresses in this parish begins with GY5.
The parish church of St Marie de Castel, also known as Notre Dame de la Délivrance, was consecrated on 25 August 1203.[2] It is notable for its preserved medieval fresco.
A pre-Christian neolithicmenhir dating from 2,500-1,800 BC in the churchyard, carved to represent a female, with breasts and a necklace in relief,[3]: 81 is possibly a fertility symbol. It was discovered under the floor of the church in 1878, possibly buried there to rid the church of a link to the older pagan beliefs.
In the churchyard is the tomb ofJames Saumarez, 1st Baron de SaumarezGCB, anadmiral of the BritishRoyal Navy.
The church is thought to be built on an ancient fort, hence the name Castel or Câtel,[2] possibly a corruption of the RomanCastellum orcastrum. Broken Roman roof tiles and pottery have been discovered in the area, indicating Roman occupation.[3]: 116
Features of the parish include:
| The parish of the Castel hosts:
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The Castel comprises the whole of the Casteladministrative division.
In the2016 Guernsey general election there was 3,262 or 73%, turnout to elect five Deputies. Those elected (in order of votes received) beingRichard Graham,Chris Green,Barry Paint,Mark Dorey andJonathan Le Tocq.