Alliance launching to preserve Guernsey's hedge veg tradition

Wednesday, 22 July 2026 07:05

There's a warning that without collaboration and modernisation, Guernsey's Hedge Veg stalls could disappear.

Honesty stalls are a long-standing Guernsey tradition, with roadside setups selling eggs, flowers, jams and, of course, vegetables, with a small padlocked box nearby for cash.

The 'Hedge Veg' scene has changed over the years, with quirkier goods now on offer, from bath bombs and fudge to candles, alongside new ways to pay, such as QR codes.

If you take a walk around the lanes, you're bound to come across one.

But incidents of vandalism and theft are affecting sellers' confidence, according to Blue Chicken House Bakery owner James Manger.

One of his stalls was damaged last month, with the cash box, stock and camera all stolen.

After sharing his experience on social media, James says he was saddened to hear that others had faced similar problems, with some even deciding to shut up shop.

Now, he's setting up a new community group to help preserve the tradition, called the Guernsey Hedge Veg Alliance.

He's invited stallholders, both old and new, to meet for the first time on 23 August.

The group will share advice and look at ways sellers can work together.

James envisions a Hedge Veg marketplace:

"What we're hoping to do is empower people, provide the safety and actually grow this fantastic Guernsey heritage.

"The power really comes with us together, and if we could have, say, five, ten or fifteen stalls in one place that could make a real fun place to go and visit and pick up a load of stuff.

"That is something that we haven't really got in Guernsey at the moment.

"Potentially local businesses such as garages, which would benefit from having unique selling points to have people come to their locations where we can set up real security and have the police agree that if things are stolen or damaged in this location, they'll be able to act on that.

"This is something that we're known for; it'd be so sad to see it go.

"Tourists say that they've been coming here for years, and they love roaming and going around finding the different little treats."