First Christmas issue gets stamp of approval

ALDERNEY Christmas stamps are to be issued for the first time.

Guernsey Post said they were being released to meet consumer demand.

Creative studio Two Degrees North has designed the stamps, which will be on sale from 4 November.

'We have been listening to our customers and we recognised that there was an interest in - and demand for - Christmas stamps specifically for Alderney,' said Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post.

'Producing two Christmas stamp issues was a first for us, but we knew from the start that we wanted something really special.'

Alderney's stamps feature a selection of seven carols - O Christmas Tree, Away in a Manger, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing,

O Holy Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem and Good King Wenceslas.

'We have produced a range of stamps that offer something quite unique - a fresh, contemporary view of traditional carols,' said Dawn.

'By giving the stamps graphic representation and adopting a contemporary use of typography, the result is a fun, modern and vibrant collection and a different take on the Christmas carols we know and love.'

Two Degrees North creative director Chris Griffiths said: 'Our brief was to create something completely original and come up with a fresh approach to the more traditional staple of festive stamp design. We also wanted to add a gentle sense of humour across both sets of artwork that would bring the carols to life.'

The Guernsey Christmas stamps are similar, with each featuring a different carol - The Holly and the Ivy, Little Donkey, Silent Night, I Saw Three Ships, Joy to the World, Ding Dong Merrily on High and We Three Kings. Guernsey's stamps will also be released on 4 November.

l Visit www.guernseypost.com for further information.

Sheffield's favourite comedy creation is returning to Alderney.

Versatile singer/organist John Shuttleworth is bringing his latest show - titled John Shuttleworth: A Man With No More Rolls - to the Island Hall next month.

It will be John's second visit to Alderney this year, after Graham Fellows' comic creation performed in the island after the premiere of Southern Softies.

He played his trusty Yamaha keyboard on his knee and belted out classic hits such as I Can't Go Back to Savoury Now (that shepherd's pie looks stunning, but I'm half-way through my pudding) and Two Margarines (a nightmare scenario).

In June, Graham said he was very taken with Alderney.

'It's got everything.

'It's got beaches, a tube train and lots of characters. It's also friendly and has online gambling, which I'm not interested in.'

According to the pre-show blurb, the upcoming show should have seen John discussing morals. However, his inept sole agent and next-door neighbour Ken Worthington mistyped the show's title, turning 'morals' into 'more rolls'.

John's reaction to this mishap is philosophical: at least now his new show can consider the vast range of exotic breads on the high street, as well as the nation's moral decline.

Expect to hear a new song entitled How's Your Nan? - an ode to a Peshwari naan that John recently enjoyed.

Fellows fans should also see two other characters, namely Goole concreter Dave Tordoff and Midlands media lecturer Brian Appleton.

l Tickets for the 8 November show cost £12 and are available from Shirley's in Victoria Street or via email at info@alderneytheatregroup.com.