There’s far more to us than birds and booze
Fiona Hardcastle repeats the old calumny about alderney, attributed to a Guernsey local, that it’s good for little more than puffin-watching and is like ‘2,000 alcoholics clinging to a rock’ (Mail). it’s true there is great rivalry between the channel islands. When one of alderney’s more colourful presidents found himself attending a function in Guernsey, the local governor accosted him with: ‘You have to agree, sir, that alderney is the cinderella of the channel islands.’ to which our president replied: ‘Yes, i totally agree. she had two ugly sisters.’ alderney is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt islands on earth, with a wealth of wildlife rarely seen elsewhere. Puffins, yes, and so much more. it’s aiming to host the first new bird observatory in the British isles for 70 years. although it started operations only last March, alderney Bird observatory received a visit from the BBC’s countryfile team in late april. Matt Baker and his colleagues caught on film just what a spectacular place alderney is for bird migration. it’s surpassed all expectations, with more than 13,000 birds ringed last year. Warden John Horton and the alderney Wildlife trust team explained how they aim to become the 21st accredited bird observatory as it develops over the next two years. the island is riddled with history: the observatory headquarters itself hosts the best preserved small roman fort in the British isles. it has also been the home of many famous writers, artists and musicians, from elisabeth Beresford (of Wombles fame) and legendary cricket commentator John arlott to, currently, multi-million selling novelist rachel abbott and upand-coming artist nic West. it’s a place where people still know each other, care and look after each other. it’s a place of true grit and determination where, against all the odds, we’re building a community swimming pool and gym; a place where people judge you by what you do, not what you say. there are no fancy cars or jobs here. drop by for a drink and see this magical island for yourself. We may enjoy alcohol, but we’re certainly not defined by it.
JANE AIRETON, Alderney, Channel Islands.