Guernsey Post is delighted to announce the release of stamps to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Alderney Week (4-11 August), the Channel Islands’ biggest annual festival (stamp issue date: 1 August).
This tranquil island in the Bailiwick of Guernsey comes alive for the eight-day spectacle, which features over 100 events including live music and children’s entertainment, and attracts people from all over the world.
The stamps
46 pence: A relatively new addition to the Alderney Week line-up is the Festival of Colour, which is based on the Hindu spring festival of Holi and sees hundreds of people throwing powdered paint at each other.
62 pence: Spectators line Victoria Street in St Anne’s to watch the Cavalcade and see the classic cars and brightly decorated floats, led by Miss Alderney as well as dancers parading and competing for Best in Show.
63 pence: A firm favourite in the calendar, the ‘Man powered flight’ is a madcap event that encourages people to dress up and launch their homemade flying machines – and themselves - into the Marina in an attempt to reach the furthest distance.
76 pence: Islanders spend many hours building and decorating floats based around the theme of Alderney Week before parading them through the high street then onto the green at The Butes for judging and prize giving.
85 pence: Locals and visitors carefully craft their wacky floats before embarking in the Daft Raft Race. Participants must navigate the two buoys whilst being pelted with flour bombs, water bombs and hoses from the lifeboat. Competition is fierce not only for the best overall raft, but also for the first one to sink.
94 pence: The climax to Alderney Week is the Torchlight Parade. Hundreds of people parade through the Island’s High Street carrying their flame torches towards a huge bonfire on the green at The Butes, which is followed by a spectacular firework display.
Bridget Yabsley, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post said: -
“The fun and vibrancy of Alderney Week has been perfectly captured by illustrator, Andrew Robinson, for our celebratory stamps. We are delighted that the event is still going strong 70 years on and this year’s theme, which celebrates ‘Myths and Legends’, is sure to be a great success.”
The stamp products are available to pre-order from 16 July by visiting www.guernseystamps.com or contacting Philatelic customer services on +44 (0) 1481 716486.