Our

History

Below are key dates from this historic festival. Throughout centuries of change, war, and homecoming, the island of Alderney has always celebrated by coming together.

Event 1:

Ancient & Early Traditions

Pre-1700s – Pagan fertility rite known as Les Brandons celebrated on Clonque, involving dancing, feasting, and a torchlight procession.

Early 1700s – The Governor of Alderney attempted to ban Les Brandons due to fire hazards.

Late 19th Century – The tradition continued until Victorian times.

Unknown Date – Le Jour des Vitres, a possible end-of-harvest festival, involved masks and fancy dress.

Event 2:

19th Century Events

Early 1800s – Horse races on Braye Sands and boat races between the Governor’s and Garrison teams.

1851 – Louisa Lane Clarke documented Alderney’s customs in a guidebook, mentioning revived horse races on Longy Common.

Throughout the 19th Century – Competitions between the military and locals, including football, shooting, and athletic events for special occasions.

Event 3:

Early 20th Century

6 June 1900 – Pretoria Day celebrated with grand illuminations, torchlight processions, and fireworks.

September 1905 – Duke of Connaught’s visit led to the renaming of Royal Square to Connaught Square.

12–18 July 1908 – The first recorded Alderney Week, organised by Major B.E. Ward, featuring sports, concerts, a torchlight tattoo, and fireworks.

Event 4:

Interwar Period & WWII

1922 – Lt. Col. F.H. Dorling revived garrison sports, horse races, and competitions in Alderney.

1948 – Post-war revival with a cattle show that evolved into a carnival with a beauty queen.

Event 5:

Modern Alderney Week Formation

1953 – Introduction of a cavalcade of decorated floats.

1960s – Decline in agriculture led to the end of the cattle show.

1970 – Ray Parkin took over organising Alderney Week, making it an annual event.

1971 – Official revival of Alderney Week with Ray Parkin leading without a committee.

1979 – Over 65 events, growing to 100 by 1990.

Event 6:

Notable Alderney Week Events (1970s–1990s)

1977 – Introduction of motorcycle time trials, kite-flying, and a wheelbarrow race.

1978 – First Tour d’Aurigny cycle rally and Scavenger Hunt.

1980 – Victorian Railway afternoon celebrating Queen Victoria’s 1854 visit.

1982 – First Mini-Marathon and visit from HMS Alderney.

1983 – Sky-diving demonstrations.

1985 – Lifeboat rescue demonstration with helicopters.

1986 – First Greasy Pole competition in the Inner Harbour.

1988 – Themed event: The Armada.

1989 – Themed event: Queen Victoria’s 1854 Visit, with a reenactment.

1990 – Themed event: Mardi Gras.

Event 7:

Key Traditions Today

First Week of August – Annual Alderney Week featuring the cavalcade, funfair, sports, competitions, concerts, and fireworks.

Torchlight Procession & Bonfire – A revival of the Les Brandons tradition, now a core part of Alderney Week.

Event 1:

Ancient & Early Traditions

Pre-1700s – Pagan fertility rite known as Les Brandons celebrated on Clonque, involving dancing, feasting, and a torchlight procession.

Early 1700s – The Governor of Alderney attempted to ban Les Brandons due to fire hazards.

Late 19th Century – The tradition continued until Victorian times.

Unknown Date – Le Jour des Vitres, a possible end-of-harvest festival, involved masks and fancy dress.

Event 2:

19th Century Events

Early 1800s – Horse races on Braye Sands and boat races between the Governor’s and Garrison teams.

1851 – Louisa Lane Clarke documented Alderney’s customs in a guidebook, mentioning revived horse races on Longy Common.

Throughout the 19th Century – Competitions between the military and locals, including football, shooting, and athletic events for special occasions.

Event 1:

Modern Alderney Week Formation

1953 – Introduction of a cavalcade of decorated floats.

1960s – Decline in agriculture led to the end of the cattle show.

1970 – Ray Parkin took over organising Alderney Week, making it an annual event.

1971 – Official revival of Alderney Week with Ray Parkin leading without a committee.

1979 – Over 65 events, growing to 100 by 1990.

Event 2:

Notable Alderney Week Events (1970s–1990s)

1977 – Introduction of motorcycle time trials, kite-flying, and a wheelbarrow race.

1978 – First Tour d’Aurigny cycle rally and Scavenger Hunt.

1980 – Victorian Railway afternoon celebrating Queen Victoria’s 1854 visit.

1982 – First Mini-Marathon and visit from HMS Alderney.

1983 – Sky-diving demonstrations.

1985 – Lifeboat rescue demonstration with helicopters.

1986 – First Greasy Pole competition in the Inner Harbour.

1988 – Themed event: The Armada.

1989 – Themed event: Queen Victoria’s 1854 Visit, with a reenactment.

1990 – Themed event: Mardi Gras.

Event 3:

Early 20th Century

6 June 1900 – Pretoria Day celebrated with grand illuminations, torchlight processions, and fireworks.

September 1905 – Duke of Connaught’s visit led to the renaming of Royal Square to Connaught Square.

12–18 July 1908 – The first recorded Alderney Week, organised by Major B.E. Ward, featuring sports, concerts, a torchlight tattoo, and fireworks.

Event 4:

Interwar Period & WWII

1922 – Lt. Col. F.H. Dorling revived garrison sports, horse races, and competitions in Alderney.

1948 – Post-war revival with a cattle show that evolved into a carnival with a beauty queen.

Event 5:

Modern Alderney Week Formation

1953 – Introduction of a cavalcade of decorated floats.

1960s – Decline in agriculture led to the end of the cattle show.

1970 – Ray Parkin took over organising Alderney Week, making it an annual event.

1971 – Official revival of Alderney Week with Ray Parkin leading without a committee.

1979 – Over 65 events, growing to 100 by 1990.

Event 6:

Notable Alderney Week Events (1970s–1990s)

1977 – Introduction of motorcycle time trials, kite-flying, and a wheelbarrow race.

1978 – First Tour d’Aurigny cycle rally and Scavenger Hunt.

1980 – Victorian Railway afternoon celebrating Queen Victoria’s 1854 visit.

1982 – First Mini-Marathon and visit from HMS Alderney.

1983 – Sky-diving demonstrations.

1985 – Lifeboat rescue demonstration with helicopters.

1986 – First Greasy Pole competition in the Inner Harbour.

1988 – Themed event: The Armada.

1989 – Themed event: Queen Victoria’s 1854 Visit, with a reenactment.

1990 – Themed event: Mardi Gras.

Event 9:

Key Traditions Today

First Week of August – Annual Alderney Week featuring the cavalcade, funfair, sports, competitions, concerts, and fireworks.

Torchlight Procession & Bonfire – A revival of the Les Brandons tradition, now a core part of Alderney Week.

Miss Alderney History

YEAR THEME ORGANISER MISS ALDERNEY

2025 Wands At The Ready Wayne & Vicky Chandler And Team /

2024 Step Back In Time Wayne & Vicky Chandler And Team Rhian Miles

2023 Wonderland Wayne & Vicky Chandler And Team Hollie Jenkins

2022 The Greatest Show Wayne & Vicky Chandler And Team Courtney Benfield

2021 Alderney Adventures Ronnie Cairnduff & Team Covid

2020 The Twenties Ronnie Cairnduff & Team /

2019 Animal Magic Chis & Bryony Harris & Team Abbie Chandler

2018 Myths & Legends Chis & Bryony Harris & Team Poppy Taylor

2017 That’s Musicals Emma Odoli & Team Neroli Queripel

2016 Cartoons & Comics Emma Odoli & Team Roisin Gaudion

2015 Cowboys & Aliens Emma Odoli & Team Ruby Walker

2014 Treasure Island Ronnie Cairnduff & AW Team Emma Etheridge

2013 Two Of A Kind Ronnie Cairnduff & AW Team Maria Etheridge

2012 The Games Ronnie Cairnduff & AW Team Charlie Barker

2011 Fantasy Island Ronnie Cairnduff & AW Team Bonnie Flewitt

2010 History Makers Ronnie Cairnduff & AW Team Joanna Woodnutt

2009 Around The World Ronnie Cairnduff & AW Team Hannah Cox

2008 Pure Magic Ronnie Cairnduff & AW Team Adelle Woodruff

2007 Hollywood Ronnie Cairnduff & AW Team Marie-Claire Jean

2006 Heros & Heroines Ronnie Cairnduff & AW Team Lianne Bun

2005 The Musicals Ronnie Cairnduff & AW Team Samantha Ball

2004 Ancient Civilisations David & Angela Stanley Gina Lowe

2003 Once Upon A Time David & Angela Stanley Claire Shaw

2002 Cartoon Capers David & Angela Stanley Laura Robers

2001 Caribbean Carnival Ralph Burridge Rebecca Maloy

2000 The Past 1000 Years Ralph Burridge Alison McCulloch (Spice)

1999 The Eclipse Ralph Burridge Charlotte Dupont

1998 Alderney Week Barbara Benfield & Sally Bohan Claire Digney (Capazario)

1997 All Nautical Barbara Benfield & Sally Bohan Alex Harrisson

1996 Alderney Week Barbara Benfield & Sally Bohan Samantha Hog (Jenkins)

1995 Space Oddity Gail Gregg & Brian Talbot Catherine Calder

1994 AW Goes To The Movies Ray Parkin Kerry Walker

1993 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Emma Dale

1992 Peace Ray Parkin Karen Solway

1991 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Sally Redmond (Goodchild)

1990 Mardi Gras Ray Parkin Helen Heathcote (Simonet)

1989 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Paula Lawson

1988 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Tania Miller

1987 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Karen Knight (Miller)

1986 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Samantha Jenkins

1985 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Lisa Bunn (Lisa Mahieu)

1984 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Michelle Mitton (Jones)

1983 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Tracy Collins

1982 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Claire Mullins

1981 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Paula Moore (Bunn)

1980 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Anita Giles (Herival)

1979 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Anita Giles (Herival)

1978 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Carol Allis

1977 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Bonnie Jenkins

1976 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Candida Osborne

1975 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Madeleine Jean

1974 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Barbara Field (Allen)

1973 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Maisie Turreff

1972 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Harriette Fane

1971 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Janet Stone (Rick)

1970 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Doreen Tugby (LeCocq)

1969 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Tanya Ryan

1968 Alderney Week Ray Parkin Carol Chalker

1967 Alderney Week ? ?

1966 Alderney Week Peter Moss Jackie Troke

1965 Alderney Week ? Jackie Troke

1964 Alderney Week Ken & Isobel Cowell Daphne Main (Baron)

1963 Alderney Week Mr. O.S North Sally Bohan (Tinson)

1962 Alderney Week ? Sally Weld

1961 Alderney Week ? Anne Gillingham

1960 Alderney Week ? Patricia Bacchus McLernon

1959 Alderney Week ? Marie-Therese Hunter

1958 Alderney Week ? Ursula Cadoret (Jennings)

1957 Alderney Week ? Ursula Jennings

1956 Alderney Week ? ?

1955 Alderney Week ? Dawn McLernon

1954 Alderney Week ? Nancy Johnston

1953 Alderney Week ? Eileen Sykes

1952 Alderney Week ? Miriam Kidd (Angel)

1951 Alderney Week ? Olga Bott

1950 Alderney Week ? Pearl Goodhew (Venn)

1949 Alderney Week ? Eileen Sykes

1948 Alderney Week ? Eileen Sykes

1895 Grand Fetes H.F De Faby (President) /

YEAR THEME ORGANISER MISS ALDERNEY

2025 Wands At The Rady Wayne & Vicky Chandler And Team /