The 'Geminação' with Funchal

St Helier's twinning with Funchal took place in April 2012. Jersey has been home to thousands of Madeiran people, the first having arrived after the Second World War looking for work in agriculture and tourism, while the Island's population now comprises nearly 10% inhabitants with Portuguese or Madeiran parentage. In 2004 the Constable of St Helier suggested the twinning, or 'um accordo de geminação', between St Helier and Funchal. The St Helier Parish Assembly approved the idea in 2007, following the successful visit to St Helier by the then Mayor of Funchal, Dr Miguel Albuquerque. Rue de Funchal, in St Helier, was formally opened last year, and Rua de St Helier, in Funchal, followed in July this year. The Parish has an active twinning committee which organises festivals, cultural exchanges and the celebration of national days, as well as the annual 'Portuguese Food Festival'.

History of the twinning

Jersey has been home to thousands of Madeiran people, the first having arrived after the Second World War looking for work in agriculture and tourism. In 2004 the possibility of 'um accordo de geminação' between St Helier and Funchal was suggested to the Madeiran authorities, a Friendship Agreement having been signed by the Bailiff and the President of Madeira in 1998. The St Helier Parish Assembly approved the idea in 2007, following the successful visit to St Helier by the Mayor of Funchal, Dr Miguel Albuquerque. A twinning agreement was signed in Funchal in 2008, but for various reasons including the disastrous floods which occurred at the beginning of 2010, it has taken until Easter 2012 for St Helier's third twinning to be formally created.