IN the lives of many Jersey residents, there are two towns of at least equal familiarity and significance.
One, of course, is St Helier, our own jumble of a seaside capital sprawling haphazardly towards the former home, now far from isolated, of the ancient hermit from whom it took its name. The other lies hundreds of miles away in the Atlantic but still represents the motherland for many thousands who have nevertheless chosen to make their home and their living here over the past few decades.
Today, Funchal is throwing a spectacular party as it celebrates its 500th birthday. Congratulations and good wishes will be making their way from Jersey to Madeira in an expression of the special bond that has developed between two islands with many differences between them but also much in common and a relationship which continues to develop as more years go by.
Funchal is rightly proud to recall that, in 1508, it was the first part of Portugal’s dominions to be granted city status, since when – not unlike Jersey – its industrious islanders have forged a living from the sea and the land and, in the process, created a distinct, independent identity for themselves as well as the bedrock for continuing prosperity.
It also has a rich history, encompassing such diverse figures as Christopher Colombus, Winston Churchill and Cristiano Ronaldo, which at some point about 40 years ago began to include what was then the unfamiliar and, initially, not always welcoming island of Jersey. With the passage of time, and with the recognition of the huge contribution made by expatriate Madeirans to this community in many ways, has come a fuller mutual appreciation and the start of a new era in our intertwined fortunes.
Jersey and Madeira are now linked by family ties running into third and fourth generations, by warm friendships, by the natural integration that comes from children growing up together and by the pride which many can now take in their dual heritage. In addition, genuinely close relationships have developed between the civic leaders of the two islands, crystallised by the plans now in train to complete a formal twinning between the two capitals when the Mayor of Funchal, Dr Miguel Albuquerque, pays a return visit to St Helier next year.
That twinning, which will build in practical ways on the ten-year-old Jersey-Madeira Friendship Agreement, must surely be the cue for at least one significant street or square in St Helier to be named or renamed in honour of our friends over the sea. And if we do not want to wait until then, a 500th birthday is equally undoubtedly a good enough reason to inaugurate a Funchal Street or Madeira Place somewhere in our town in honour of this special relationship.
Meanwhile, happy  birthday, Funchal, and may you flourish for centuries to come.