Countryfile publicity was priceless

ALDERNEY has gained valuable publicity after being featured on BBC show Countryfile - and the exposure could lead to more TV coverage.

The island was featured for almost eight minutes following presenter James Wong's visit last July. Alderney Wildlife Trust's Roland Gauvain and Juan Salado acted as James's tour guides as he found out what the island has to offer nature lovers.

AWT manager Roland said: 'James discovered that with amazing tides comes incredible wildlife. Taking time to survey Alderney from the Alderney Wildlife Trust's boat, Sunrise, he visited some of the fastest-running tidal races in the British Isles and saw first-hand how the concentration of Channel tides brings food into the Bay of St Malo, which in turn supports wildlife as diverse as grey seals, puffins and gannets.'

Marine biologist Juan accompanied James as he delved deep into the rock pools at Longis Bay.

Roland added: 'With Juan, James discovered how the nutrients, washed over the inter-tidal rocks by the fast-moving tide, support a super-abundance of seaweeds, crustaceans and even ormers. All this was filmed under a brilliant blue sky with a backdrop of mirror-like seas and, believe it or not, the ormers really did show up on the second rock that was turned over.'

States marketing manager Joanna Parmentier said the programme had got everyone talking this week, including regular visitor Miranda Krestovnikoff, who often contributes to the BBC's flagship programme The One Show.

'The footage of Alderney was spectacular and showed the island at its best, with beautiful blue skies, a glistening sea, stunning scenery, an abundance of wildlife and knowledgeable guides.

'On behalf of the States and Visit Alderney, I would like to say a big thank you to Roland and Juan for their part in the programme. Needless to say, the feedback we have received has been very positive and there has been a noticeable increase in brochure requests and visitor information enquiries.

'In terms of the value to Alderney tourism, the airing of this programme by the BBC at 7pm on a Sunday, a prime-time slot, means the exposure will have been huge. In financial terms, reaching this kind of audience is something that we could never afford.

'This morning I sent the website link to Visit Alderney subscribers and was subsequently contacted by Miranda Krestovnikoff, who complimented the programme and said she has forwarded it on to The One Show to see if they would do something similar.'

People who missed the programme can visit www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer to replay the programme.

Colin Williams has spoken about his decade as one of the island's prominent States members.

Mr Williams, who stepped down from the States last month, said he enjoyed playing a part in improving Alderney's infrastructure.

'The infrastructure has improved a lot over the past 10 years. People's homes and cars look better. In fact, everything has improved - the whole place looks more prosperous.

'Alderney looked run-down when I first came. There didn't seem to be any money and it took years and years for anything to happen.'

Mr Williams said gambling revenue had been very important.

The money has funded much of the Commercial Quay and new care home developments - projects Mr Williams continues to oversee.