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 old Guernésiais nickname for people from Castel was ânes pur sàng.
The parish plays host to both Le Viaër Marchi and the North Show which includes the Battle of Flowers annually. It also produces a regular magazine called Castel Matters.
The postal code for street addresses in this parish begins with GY5.
Parish church
The statue menhir overlooks the Bas Pas
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 neolithic menhir 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.
The church is thought to be built on an ancient fort, hence the name Castel or Câtel,[2] possibly a corruption of the Roman Castellum or castrum. Broken Roman roof tiles and pottery have been discovered in the area, indicating Roman occupation.[3]: 116
In the 2016 Guernsey general election there was 3,262 or 73%, turnout to elect five Deputies. Those elected (in order of votes received) being Richard Graham, Chris Green, Barry Paint, Mark Dorey and Jonathan Le Tocq.
References
^Berry, William. The history of Guernsey from the remotest period of antiquity to the year 1814.
^ abDuncan, Jonathan. The History of Guernsey: With Occasional Notices of Jersey, Alderney, and Sark, and Biographical Sketches. Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, 1841. p. 394.
^ abSebire, Heather. The Archaeology and Early history of the Channel Islands. NPI Media Group. ISBN978-0752434490.
