| 1st | Top Ramsar sites in the Channel Islands |
| 19th | Top countries in 1660 |
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Aoeur'gny
Aurigny Alderney |
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| Capital | St. Anne | |||||
| Official languages | English, French | |||||
| Recognised regional languages | Historically Auregnais Now extinct | |||||
| Government | ||||||
| - | Head of Government | Sir Norman Browse | ||||
| Legislature | States of Alderney | |||||
| Part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey (Crown dependency of the United Kingdom) |
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| - | Separation from mainland Normandy | 1204 |
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| Population | ||||||
| - | estimate | 2,400 | ||||
| Currency | Pound
sterling1 (GBP) |
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| Time zone | GMT | |||||
| Internet TLD | .gg (Guernsey) | |||||
| 1 | Local coinage is issued, including the pound note (see Alderney pound). | |||||
Alderney (French: Aurigny; Auregnais: Aoeur'gny) is the most northerly of the Channel Islands and a British Crown dependency. It is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. It is 3 miles (4.8 km) long and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) wide. The area is 3 square miles (7.8 km2), making it the third largest island of the Channel Islands, and the second largest in the Bailiwick. It is around 10 miles (16 km) to the west of La Hague in the Cotentin Peninsula, Normandy, in France, 20 miles (32 km) to the north-east of Guernsey and 60 miles (97 km) from the south coast of England. It is the closest of the Channel Islands to France as well as being the closest to England. It is separated from Cap de la Hague by the dangerous Race of Alderney (Le Raz).
The island has a population of only 2,400 people and they are traditionally nicknamed vaques[1] after the cows, or else lapins[2] after the many rabbits seen in the island. The only parish of Alderney is the parish of St. Anne which covers the whole island.
The main town, St. Anne, or ('La Ville' or simply 'Town' in English) is referred to as 'St Anne's' (more accurately: 'St Anne'). It features an imposing, pretty church and unevenly cobbled high street. There is a primary school, a secondary school, and a post office as well as hotels, restaurants, banks and shops.
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Alderney shares a history with the other Channel Islands, becoming an island in the Neolithic period as the waters of the Channel rose.
The etymology of the Island's name is obscure. It is known in Latin as Riduna but as with the names of all the Channel Islands in the Roman period there is a degree of confusion. Riduna may be the original name of Tatihou, while Alderney is conjectured to be identified with Sarmia. Alderney/Aurigny is variously supposed to be a Germanic or Celtic name. It may be a corruption of Adreni or Alrene, which is probably derived from an Old Norse word meaning "island near the coast". Alternatively it may derive from three Norse elements: alda (swelling wave, roller), renna (strong current, race) and oy or ey (island).
After choosing independence from France and loyalty to the English monarch in his role as the Duke of Normandy, in 1204, Alderney developed slowly and was not much involved with the rest of the world. That is, however, until the British government decided to undertake massive fortifications in the 19th century and to create a strategic harbour to deter attacks from France[3]. These fortifications were presciently described by William Ewart Gladstone as "a monument of human folly, useless to us ... but perhaps not absolutely useless to a possible enemy, with whom we may at some period have to deal and who may possibly be able to extract some profit in the way of shelter and accommodation from the ruins." An influx of English and Irish labourers, plus the sizeable British garrison stationed in the island, led to rapid Anglicization. The harbour was never completed - the remaining breakwater (designed by James Walker) is one of the island's landmarks, and is longer than any breakwater in the UK.
At the same time as the breakwater was being built in the 1850s, the island was fortified by a string of 13 forts, designed to protect the harbour of refuge. The forts now contribute greatly to Alderney's unique charm. The accommodation quarters of several of the forts have been converted into apartments; two are now private homes; and one, Fort Clonque, situated at the end of a causeway which is flooded at high tide, now belongs to the Landmark Trust, and can be rented for self-catering holidays. It was at Fort Clonque that the film "Seagulls over Sorrento" was shot in 1953. Some of the forts are now in varying stages of dereliction: the most ruined being Les Hommeaux Florains, perched on outlying rocks, its access causeway and bridge having been swept away long ago. Perhaps the most romantic of the forts is Houmet Herbé, looking more like a Crusader castle with its squat round towers. Like many of the forts it included such apparently anachronistic features as a drawbridge and machicolation, which were actually still common in military architecture of the period.
The last of the hereditary Governors, John Le Mesurier, resigned his patent to the Crown in 1825, since when authority has been exercised by the States of Alderney (as amended by the constitutional settlement of 1948).
During the Second World War, the Channel Islands were the only part of the British Commonwealth occupied by Germany. The German occupation 1940–45 was harsh, with some island residents being taken for slave labour on the continent; native Jews sent to concentration camps; partisan resistance and retribution; accusations of collaboration; and slave labour (primarily Russians and eastern Europeans) being brought to the islands to build fortifications. In Alderney, before German troops landed in June 1940, the entire population, save for six persons, left.
The Germans built four concentration camps in Alderney, subcamps of the Neuengamme concentration camp. Each camp was operated by the Nazi Organisation Todt and used forced labour to build bunkers, gun emplacements, air-raid shelters, and concrete fortifications. In 1942, the Lager Norderney camp, containing Russian and Polish POWs, and the Lager Sylt camp, a death camp [4]. holding Jewish slave labourers, were placed under the control of the SS-Hauptsturmführer Maximilian List. Over 700 of the inmates (out of a total inmate population of 6,000) lost their lives before the camps were closed and the remaining inmates transferred to Germany in 1944.
The Royal Navy blockaded the islands from time to time, particularly following the liberation of mainland Normandy in 1944. Intense negotiations resulted in some Red Cross humanitarian aid, but there was considerable hunger and privation during the five years of German occupation, particularly in the final months when the population was close to starvation. The Germans surrendered the islands on May 16, 1945, eight days after the Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany and the end of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. The German garrison on Alderney surrendered a week after the other Channel Islands and was one of the last German garrisons to surrender in Europe. The population of Alderney was unable to start returning until December 1945.
After World War II, a court-martial case was prepared against ex-SS Hauptsturmführer Max List (the former commendant of Lagers Norderney and Sylt), citing atrocities on Alderney[5]. However, he did not stand trial, and is believed to have lived near Hamburg until his death in the 1980s[6].
For two years after the end of World War II, Alderney was operated as a communal farm. Craftsmen were paid by their employers, whilst others were paid by the local government out of the profit from the sales of farm produce. Remaining profits were put aside to repay the British Government for repairing and rebuilding the island. Resentment from the local population towards being unable to control their own land acted as a catalyst for the United Kingdom Home Office to set up an enquiry that led to the "Government of Alderney Law 1948", which came into force on 1 January 1949. The law organised the construction and election of the States of Alderney, the justice system and, for the first time in Alderney, the imposition of taxes. Due to the small population of Alderney, it was believed that the island could not be self-sufficient in running the airport and the harbour, as well as in providing services that would match those of the United Kingdom. The taxes were therefore collected into the general Bailiwick of Guernsey revenue funds (at the same rate as Guernsey) and administered by the States of Guernsey. Guernsey became responsible for providing many governmental functions and services.
The 20th century saw a lot of change in Alderney, from the building of the airport in the late 1930s to the death of the last speakers of the island's language (Auregnais, a dialect of Norman language). The economy has gone from depending largely on agriculture to earning money from the tourism and finance industries. E-commerce has become increasingly important, and the Island hosts the domain name registry for both Bailiwicks and over a dozen gambling website operators. Due to these upheavals and large immigration, the island has been more or less completely Anglicised.
The States of Alderney is the legislature of the island; it sends two representatives to the States of Guernsey as well. The origin of the States is unknown, but it has operated from the mediaeval period.
The States of Alderney consists of the President, directly elected every 4 years, and 10 States Members, half elected every 2 years for a 4 year mandate. The President of the States of Alderney is Sir Norman Browse (since 2002). The whole island is a single constituency.
Until the reform of 1948, the States of Alderney consisted of:
The Court of Alderney exercises unlimited original jurisdiction in civil matters and limited jurisdiction in criminal matters. The Court sits as a Chairman and no fewer than three Jurats (out of the six Jurats). Appeals are made to the Royal Court of Guernsey (which also exercises some original jurisdiction in criminal matters in Alderney) and thence to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.[7]
Alderney is similar to the other Channel Islands in having sheer cliffs broken by stretches of sandy beach and dunes. Its climate is temperate, moderated by the sea, and summers are usually warmer than elsewhere in the British Isles. Trees are rather scarce, as many were cut down in the 17th century to fuel the lighthouses on Alderney and the Casquets. Those trees that remain include some cabbage trees (due to the mild climate - often miscalled "palms" but of the lily family.), and there are now some small woods dotted about the island.
Alderney and its surrounding islets support a rich flora and fauna. Puffins on Burhou and gannets on Les Étacs just off Alderney are a favourite of many visitors to the island. The Blonde hedgehog is a species native to Alderney. The island had its own breed of cattle, called the Alderney. The pure breed became extinct in 1944, but hybrids remain elsewhere, though no longer on Alderney itself. In August 2005, the west coast of Alderney and associated islands, including Burhou and Ortac, were designated as Ramsar wetlands of international importance.
The island is surrounded by rocks, which have caused hundreds of wrecks. There are two treacherous tidal streams on either side of the island: the Swinge between Alderney and Burhou, just outside the harbour, and Le Raz between the island and the Norman mainland. The Corbet Rock lies in the Swinge.
The geology of Alderney is mostly granites from the Precambrian period.
Auregnais, the local dialect of Norman French is almost extinct, with only one or two islanders being "rememberers". Also, French is no longer spoken in the island (except by tourists); it ceased to be an official language in 1966. French declined from neglect, especially in the education sector, but also because most of the population was evacuated in WWII. To this day however, many, if not most of the local placenames are in French or Auregnais. One or two words linger on in the local English, e.g. vraic (seaweed fertiliser), and the pronunciation of certain local names, e.g. Dupont as 'Dippoh' rather than the French way.
Golf, Fishing and other water sports are popular, though there are many clubs and associations for sports and other leisure activities (List of Clubs & Associations). Alderney competes in the biannual Island Games.
Due in part to the large numbers of tourists, there are many restaurants and public houses. There is a vibrant and lively nightlife which is enjoyed by many especially in the summer—such as the Quarry parties.
It is almost the only remaining place in the British Islands where it remains legal to smoke in pubs, shops, restaurants and other indoor public places (Guernsey, Jersey, the UK, and the Isle of Man all having outlawed this). The proposed imposition of such a ban remains controversial, and has provoked public demonstrations by smokers. The effect on Alderney's failure to implement a ban on smoking in enclosed public places is difficult to measure, and the idea of advertising 'smoking holidays' on the Island has even been suggested.
Alderney has an ageing population and is popular with people wanting somewhere quiet to retire. Because it is quiet and secluded, Alderney has attracted some famous residents, including authors T. H. White (The Once and Future King) and Elisabeth Beresford (The Wombles), cricket commentator John Arlott, cricketer Ian Botham, Beatles producer George Martin, actress Julie Andrews, and Olympic swimmer Duncan Goodhew.
Alderney Week is celebrated from the Saturday
before the first Monday of August, during which a number of events
take place. Each year the organisers pick a new theme, and there is
a local competition for a logo/mascot.
Regular entertainment during Alderney Week includes
Alderney is served by Alderney Airport. There are several flights each day from Southampton, Jersey (via Guernsey) and Guernsey (with links to many parts of the United Kingdom and Europe). Blue Islands and Aurigny Air Services both serve the island by air with Britten-Norman Trislanders.
Boats sail regularly between the island and France, as well as the other Channel Islands. There are also frequent boat trips available. Mainbrayce, a local chandlers, provides the water-taxi services as well as water and fuel to visiting yachtsmen. This can get quite hectic during the peak months of June, July and August as nearly 30,000 yachtsmen visit this harbour every year.
Due to the island's size, vehicular transport is often unnecessary, although taxis, cars and bicycles are often used. The Alderney Railway is the only railway now remaining in the Channel Islands, doing scheduled services to the lighthouse during the summer and special occasions such as Easter and Christmas. During the summer season, there is an occasional bus service around the island.
Alderney allows people to drive motorbikes and mopeds without helmets, and drive cars without seatbelts, (however it is compulsory for under 18s to now wear helmets under legislation brought in by the States of Alderney). The international vehicle registration code is GBA.
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Coordinates: 49°42′52″N 2°12′19″W / 49.71444°N 2.20528°W
Alderney is one of the Channel Islands, administratively part of the Balliwick of Guernsey.
There are no cities on Alderney. The island itself is only 3 miles long by 1.5 wide.
The main concentration of houses and shops is in the centre of the Island. This area is sometimes erroneously called 'St Anne' (alternatively St Annes). In fact the correct name is simply 'Town'. The Parish of St Anne's includes the whole of the Island.
Although the Auregniais (Alderney Norman-French) language eventually died out in the early part of the 20th century, the signs leading to Town are bilingual, reading 'Town/La Ville', presumably to assist visiting French yachtsmen and day-trippers. Locals sometimes refer to it, tongue-in-cheek, as 'The City'.
The parish of St Anne is served by a magnificent, almost cathedral-like parish church in the centre of Town.
Alderney is the third largest of the Channel Islands, and the most northerly. It is often said that Alderney is the only Channel Island since it is the only one that is actually in the English Channel/La Manche. (Guernsey, Jersey and the smaller islands are actually in the Bay of St Malo)
Like the other islands Alderney is a self-governing Crown Dependency. It has its own parliament, the 10 member States of Aldeney which sits 10 times a year. Alderney is also part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey which in modern terms is effectively a customs union including Guernsey and Sark (but not Jersey). In addition, because of an agreement made between Alderney, the UK and Guernsey after the Second World War, Guernsey takes responsibility for providing a number of public services on Alderney (e.g. health, education, the airport etc). These 'transferred services' as they are known, are provided by Guernsey in return for the right to collect direct and indirect taxes in Alderney at the same rate as in Guernsey.
Due to its location in the English Channel and its proximity to the French port of Cherbourg, it has often been seen to be strategically important, despite the treacherous waters that surround it. In the 19th century, a large breakwater - the longest in the UK - was built at Braye in order to form a harbour sheltered from the Swinge tidal race. Although it was never completed, its spectacular remains form the modern harbour. During World War II the island was occupied by German forces, including the SS, and four forced labour camps were built. Although not an extermination camp in the same sense as e.g. Dachau and Buchenwald, very many forced labourers, particularly from Eastern Europe, were worked to death, and there is a memorial to them near to Saye (pronounced 'Soy') which is a must-see.
The uninhabited islet of Burhou, off the northwest end of the island, is an important nesting area for seabirds. The former farmer's cottage on Burhou can be rented from the Government, and is used for 'get away from it all' holidays by a number of Alderney residents.
To the south of the islands, separating Alderney from the Cherbourg peninsula, is the Alderney Race (Raz), notorious for is extremely strong currents and rough seas. Despite the hazards presented by Alderney's rocky coastline and the hazards of the Swinge and Race, Braye harbour is a popular destination for yachtsmen and in summer the harbour is full of boats of all kinds, from small RIBs to multimillion pound luxury yachts.
There are scheduled direct flights to Alderney from Southampton, Bournemouth, Jersey and Guernsey airports. These are operated by Aurigny Air [1] and Blue Islands[2].
Manche-Iles Express[3] operate summer ferry services from Dielette in France and Guernsey to Alderney.
Alderney is a small island, and in good weather, there's really nowhere that isn't within walking distance. Bicycles can also be hired.
During the summer, there is a regular bus service round the island and even a railway[4] service between Braye and the north of the island.
There is a nice range of restuarants, from cafes to smart top notch food.
There are no "chains" of fast food, no McDonalds, no Burger King, Pizza Hut etc. Everything is locally owned.
Alderney is probably one of the safest destinations you can visit. Crime is rare and the little crime is fairly minor. People generally leave doors unlocked and often leave vehicles unsecured with the keys in the ignition. However, do not emulate the locals in this regard. If you have a hire car and it is 'borrowed', you will find you will not be insured when it is discovered in a damaged state on one of the unmade roads having been used to get to a German bunker for an after-hours party. This seems to happen to at least one unlucky local every year. Every summer, the police remind people to lock cars and remove their keys for that reason.
Public order offences are not as rare as the locals would have you believe. Unlike the UK, which has liberalised its drinking laws, Alderney observes strict licensing hours, which, although fomerly the longest in the British Isles, are now probably the shortest. In the winter, no alcohol may be served after midnight, and all premises must close by 12.30. In the summer, these hours are extended by half-an-hour.
Again unlike the UK, which following Ireland, Guernsey, and many other countries, has banned smoking in public from the 1st July 2007, Alderney's government has found itself unable to do so in the weight of opposition, and at the time of writing, with the exceptions of the Belle Vue Hotel(entirely non-smoking as of 01.07.07) and part of the Moorings, smoking is permitted. If you are from a non-smoking-in-public country, you may be amazed at how noxious the interior of some Alderney pubs is. There is also the Braye Beach Hotel which is non-smoking throughout.
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Contents |
Alderney
| Alderney view Community messages | |
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| Articles, images | Archaeology • Farms • Landmarks • Migrations and settlements • Photo gallery • Prehistory • Timeline |
| People | Births • Deaths • Families • Marriages • Residents |
| Daily life | before 1400 • 1400-1449 • 1420-1499 • 1500-1549 • 1520-1599 • 1600-1649 • 1620-1699 • 1700-1749 • 1750-1799 • 1800-1819 • 1820-1839 • 1840-1859 • 1860-1879 • 1880-1899 • 1900-1919 • 1920-1939 • 1940-1959 • 1960-1979 • 1980-1999 • 2000-present |
| Research | Alderney links • Birth records • Businesses • Cemeteries • Census data • Church records • Court records • Death records • Directories • Landowner records • Maps • Marriage records • Military records • Obituaries • Probate records • Queries |
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| File:Uk map guernsey.png | |||||
| Capital | St. Anne |
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| Largest city | {{{largest_city}}} | ||||
| Official languages | English, French | ||||
| Government {{{leader_titles}}} |
{{{leader_names}}} |
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| Part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey (Crown dependency of the United Kingdom) {{{established_events}}} |
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| Area • Total • Water (%) |
{{{area}}} km² ([[List of countries by area|]]) |
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| Population • [[As of |]] est. • [[As of |]] census • Density |
2,400 ([[List of countries by population|]]) {{{population_density}}}/km² ([[List of countries by population density|]]) |
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| GDP (PPP) • Total • Per capita |
[[As of {{{GDP_PPP_year}}}|{{{GDP_PPP_year}}}]] estimate {{{GDP_PPP}}} ({{{GDP_PPP_rank}}}) {{{GDP_PPP_per_capita}}} ({{{GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank}}}) |
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| Currency | Pound sterling1 (GBP) |
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| Time zone • Summer (DST) |
GMT (UTC) (UTC+1) |
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| Internet TLD | .gg (Guernsey) | ||||
| Calling code | + |
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Alderney (French: Aurigny; Auregnais: Aoeur'gny) is the most northerly of the Channel Islands and a British Crown dependency. It is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. It is 3 miles (4.8 km) long and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) wide. The area is 3 square miles (7.8 km2), making it the third largest island of the Channel Islands, and the second largest in the Bailiwick. It is around 10 miles (16 km) to the west of La Hague in the Cotentin Peninsula, Normandy, in France, 20 miles (32 km) to the north-east of Guernsey and 60 miles (97 km) from the south coast of England. It is the closest of the Channel Islands to France as well as being the closest to England. It is separated from Cap de la Hague by the dangerous Race of Alderney (Le Raz).
The island has a population of 2400 people, and they are traditionally nicknamed vaques[1] after the cows, or else lapins[2] after the many rabbits seen in the island. The only parish of Alderney is the parish of St Anne which covers the whole island.
The main town, St. Anne, or ('La Ville' or simply 'Town' in English) is referred to as 'St Anne's' (more accurately: 'St Anne'). It features an imposing, pretty church and unevenly cobbled high street. There is a primary school, a secondary school, and a post office as well as hotels, restaurants, banks and shops.
Contents |
Alderney shares a history with the other Channel Islands, becoming an island in the Neolithic period as the waters of the Channel rose.
The etymology of the Island's name is obscure. It is known in Latin as Riduna but as with the names of all the Channel Islands in the Roman period there is a degree of confusion. Riduna may be the original name of Tatihou, while Alderney is conjectured to be identified with Sarmia. Alderney/Aurigny is variously supposed to be a Germanic or Celtic name. It may be a corruption of Adreni or Alrene, which is probably derived from an Old Norse word meaning "island near the coast". Alternatively it may derive from three Norse elements: alda (swelling wave, roller), renna (strong current, race) and oy or ey (island).
After choosing independence from France and loyalty to the English monarch in his role as the Duke of Normandy, in 1204, Alderney developed slowly and was not much involved with the rest of the world. That is, however, until the British government decided to undertake massive fortifications in the 19th century and to create a strategic harbour to deter attacks from France. These fortifications were presciently described by William Ewart Gladstone as "a monument of human folly, useless to us ... but perhaps not absolutely useless to a possible enemy, with whom we may at some period have to deal and who may possibly be able to extract some profit in the way of shelter and accommodation from the ruins." An influx of English and Irish labourers, plus the sizeable British garrison stationed in the island, led to rapid Anglicization. The harbour was never completed - the remaining breakwater (designed by James Walker) is one of the island's landmarks, and is longer than any breakwater in the UK.
The last of the hereditary Governors, John Le Mesurier, resigned his patent to the Crown in 1825, since when authority has been exercised by the States of Alderney (as amended by the constitutional settlement of 1948).
The island was occupied by German forces during World War II. Before German troops landed in June 1940, almost the entire Alderney population left, leaving only six of the population. The Germans built four concentration camps on the island, dependent on Neuengamme. Each camp was named after one of the Frisian Islands and included Norderney located at Saye, Borkum at Platte Saline, Sylt near the old telegraph tower at La Foulère, and Heligoland. Each camp was operated by the Nazi Organisation Todt and used forced labour to build bunkers, gun emplacements, air-raid shelters, and concrete fortifications. In 1942, the Norderney camp, containing Russian and Polish POWs, and Sylt camp, holding Jews, were placed under the control of the SS-Hauptsturmführer Maximilian List. Over 700 of the inmates are said to have lost their lives before the camps were closed and the remaining inmates transferred to Germany in 1944. The German officer left in charge of the facilities, Kommandant Oberst Schwalm, burned the camps to the ground and destroyed all records connected with their use before the Germans surrendered the islands on May 16, 1945. The German garrison on Alderney surrendered a week after the other Channel Islands and was one of the last garrisons to surrender in Europe. The population was unable to start returning until December 1945. There remains several concrete fortifications on the island from the German occupation.
For two years after the end of World War II, Alderney was operated as a communal farm. Craftsmen were paid by their employers, whilst others were paid by the local government out of the profit from the sales of farm produce. Remaining profits were put aside to repay the British Government for repairing and rebuilding the island. Resentment from the local population towards being unable to control their own land acted as a catalyst for the United Kingdom Home Office to set up an enquiry that led to the "Government of Alderney Law 1948", which came into force on 1 January 1949. The law organised the construction and election of the States of Alderney, the justice system and, for the first time in Alderney, the imposition of taxes. Due to the small population of Alderney, it was believed that the island could not be self-sufficient in running the airport and the harbour, as well as in providing services that would match those of the United Kingdom. The taxes were therefore collected into the general Bailiwick of Guernsey revenue funds (at the same rate as Guernsey) and administered by the States of Guernsey. Guernsey became responsible for providing many governmental functions and services.
The 20th century saw a lot of change in Alderney, from the building of the airport in the late 1930s to the death of the last speakers of the island's language (Auregnais, a dialect of Norman language). The economy has gone from depending largely on agriculture to earning money from the tourism and finance industries. Due to these upheavals and large immigration, the island has been more or less completely Anglicised.
The States of Alderney is the legislature of the island; it sends two representatives to the States of Guernsey as well. The origin of the States is unknown, but it has operated from the mediaeval period.
The States of Alderney consists of the President, directly elected every 4 years, and 10 States Members, half elected every 2 years for a 4 year mandate. The President of the States of Alderney is Sir Norman Browse (since 2002). The whole island is a single constituency.
Until the reform of 1948, the States of Alderney consisted of:
The Court of Alderney exercises unlimited original jurisdiction in civil matters and limited jurisdiction in criminal matters. The Court sits as a Chairman and not less than three Jurats (out of the six Jurats). Appeals are made to the Royal Court of Guernsey (which also exercises some original jurisdiction in criminal matters in Alderney) and thence to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.[3]
In terms of geography Alderney is similar to the other islands in that it has sheer cliffs broken by stretches of sandy beach and dunes. It has a temperate climate, moderated by the sea, and summers are usually warmer than elsewhere in the British Isles. Trees are rather scarce, as many were cut down in the 17th century to fuel the lighthouses on Alderney and the Casquets. Those trees that remain include some cabbage trees (due to the mild climate - often miscalled "palms" but of the lily family.), and there are now some small woods dotted about the island.
Alderney and its surrounding islets feature a rich flora and fauna. Puffins on Burhou and gannets on Les Étacs just off Alderney are a favourite of many visitors to the island. The Blonde hedgehog is a species native to Alderney. The island has its own breed of cattle, called the Alderney; the pure breed became extinct in 1944, but hybrids remain elsewhere, though no longer on Alderney itself. In August 2005, the west coast of Alderney and associated islands, including Burhou and Ortac, were designated as Ramsar wetlands of international importance.
The island is surrounded by rocks, which have caused hundreds of wrecks. There are two treacherous tidal streams on either side of the island: the Swinge between Alderney and Burhou, just outside the harbour, and Le Raz between the island and the Norman mainland.
The geology of Alderney is mostly granites from the Precambrian period.
Auregnais, the local dialect of Norman is almost extinct, with only one or two islanders being "rememberers", and French is no longer spoken in the island (except by tourists); it ceased to be an official language in 1966, declining a great deal from neglect, especially in the education sector, and also because most of the population was evacuated in WWII. To this day however, many, if not most of the local placenames are in French or Auregnais. One or two words linger on in the local English, e.g. vraic (seaweed fertiliser), and the pronunciation of certain local names, e.g. Dupont as 'Dippoh' rather than the French way.
Golf, Fishing and other water sports are popular, though there are many clubs and associations for sports and other leisure activities (List of Clubs & Associations). Alderney competes in the biannual Island Games.
Due in part to the large numbers of tourists, there are a large number of restaurants and public houses. There is a vibrant and lively nightlife which is enjoyed by many especially in the summer -- such as the Quarry parties.
It is legal to smoke in pubs, shops, restaurants and other indoor public places, unlike the UK.
Alderney has a somewhat ageing population, being popular with people wanting somewhere quiet to retire. Being a quiet and secluded island, Alderney has attracted a number of famous residents, including authors T. H. White (The Once and Future King) and Elisabeth Beresford (The Wombles), cricket commentator John Arlott, cricketer Ian Botham, Beatles producer George Martin, actress Julie Andrews, and Olympic swimmer Duncan Goodhew.
Alderney Week is celebrated from the Saturday before the first Monday of August, during which a number of events take place. Each year a new theme is picked by the organisers, and there is a local competition for a logo/mascot.
Regular entertainment during Alderney Week includes
Alderney is served by Alderney Airport. There are several flights each day from Southampton, Jersey and Guernsey (with links to many parts of the United Kingdom and Europe). Blue Islands and Aurigny Air Services both serve the island by air with Britten-Norman Trislanders.
Boats sail regularly between the island and France, as well as the other Channel Islands. There are also frequent boat trips available.
Due to the island's size, vehicular transport is often unnecessary, although taxis, cars and bicycles are often used. The Alderney Railway is the only railway now remaining in the Channel Islands. During the summer season, there is an occasional bus service around the island.
Alderney allows people to drive motorbikes and mopeds without helmets and drive cars without seatbelts. Alderney's international vehicle registration code is GBA.
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File:SR030729.JPG
Picture overlooking Braye Bay
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File:Panaram Braye Beach.JPG
Braye Beach
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File:Alderney - Fort Clonque.jpg
Fort Clonque - Burhou in the background
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File:Alderney - Fort Clonque 02.jpg
Fort Clonque
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File:Alderney - nordwest coast.jpg
Northwest coast - Fort Clonque in the background
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File:Alderney - Inner Harbour.jpg
Inner harbour of Alderney, breakwater (designed by James Walker) in the background
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Template:Channel Islands
| This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Alderney. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License. |
| Wikipedia | Alderney + |
   | Aurigny Airlines - flights to Alderney - Cheap flights to the Channel Islands with Aurigny |
| | Alderney language - L'Aur'gnais |
| | Fortress Alderney - Subterranea Britannica: Sites: fortress_alderney |
| | Alderney Elizabethan Wreck - The Alderney Wreck » An Elizabethan shipwreck off the Island of Alderney |
| | Blue Islands - flights to Alderney - Blue Islands | Flights to Southampton, IOM, Zurich, Geneva from Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney |
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