For immediate release: 19 October 2011

Guernsey Stamps is delighted to announce that it has, once again, produced Christmas stamp issues for Guernsey and Alderney.

This year, Guernsey Stamps ran a competition inviting local photographers - both amateurs and professionals - to help create its set of Christmas stamps, as Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic at Guernsey Stamps, explains: -

"We invited photographers of all abilities to submit their favourite Guernsey 'Winter Wonderland' scene, where the overall winner and six runners-up would see their image depicted on this year's Guernsey Christmas stamps.  The response was overwhelming with some truly spectacular images submitted."

L'Ancresse Common (36p) was selected as the winning shot and was taken by Mr Nigel Byrom and also features on the presentation pack.

The other images selected for the issue are a snowy St Peter's Church, taken by Jason Bishop (61p); John Shakerley's image of Forest Church (31p); Sarah Plumley captured a Guernsey Cow (47p); Sue Daly submitted a shot of La Coupée in Sark (52p); Eric Ferbrache chose Cobo Bay as his winter wonderland scene (65p); and Karen Millard presented a festive image of Guernsey's capital St Peter Port (48p).

For its Alderney Christmas issue, Guernsey Stamps has adopted a different approach to its Guernsey set whilst choosing the same winter wonderland theme, as Dawn explains: -

"We wanted to create a fantasy-looking winter wonderland for our Alderney stamps. Taking real landmarks of Alderney, the images on the stamps have had atmospheric light and snow added to create an almost magical feel, which really comes across when the complete set of seven stamps is seen together.  The typography on the stamps is printed with a gold metallic to add to the festive feel."

Accompanying the presentation pack and First Day Cover is a short story written by Charlotte Barnes. 'The Santa Special' tells the tale of Santa's sleigh breaking on his arrival in Alderney. How will he deliver all the presents in time to the children of Alderney?

The 31p stamp shows Victoria Street in a snow drift; St Anne's Church (36p) - often referred to as the Cathedral of the Channel Islands - is pictured with its stained glass windows lit; the 47p stamp depicts Les Estacs Gannet colonies in a misty haze of snow clouds; the Mannez lighthouse provides a beam of light for Santa and his reindeer (48p); The Alderney train is depicted in festive red on the only railway in the Channel Islands (52p); children are busy building a snowman (61p); and a snow stormy looking breakwater and harbour are also depicted (65p).

The stamps are available to purchase online at www.guernseystamps.com or by calling Philatelic Customer Services on +44 (0) 1481 716486.

-End release-

Press enquiries to:
Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic, 01481 733524

Specification details:
Date of issue:  27 October 2011
Designer:        The Potting Shed
Printer:           Southern Colour Print
Values:           31p, 36p, 47p, 48p, 52p, 61p, 65p
Process:         Offset lithography
Stamp size:    30mm deep x 41.5mm wide
Paper:           104 gsm unwatermarked/PVA adhesive
Sheet:           50P
erforation:     13.33 x 13.33C
ylinder:          A

-ENDS-