Arachnid attraction at Gardeners' World event

ALDERNEY was represented at the recent BBC Gardeners' World Live event in Birmingham.

States marketing manager Joanna Parmentier attended the show, along with representatives from Guernsey, Sark and Herm. She said the event had helped to raise Alderney's profile.

'The show combines Gardeners' World, Good Food and Countryfile, all three of which are high-profile TV programmes. The organisers therefore have a huge reach in terms of potential visitors to the show,' she said.

'I understand there was a comprehensive promotion in order to make the show a success. It was very busy, with Saturday being completely sold out. It resulted in us distributing 750 brochures and 550 Bloomin' Alderney leaflets for 2012. It's one of the busiest shows we attend.'

Joanna also took time out to take a look round the other stands and ended up picking up a Chilean rose tarantula.

'I walked past and saw everybody doing it,' she said. 'I don't like spiders, but saw an eight-year-old holding it and thought I should "man up".'

Joanna had to be careful when holding the arachnid. 'The first time I did it, the spider's handler held my hand - I think she thought I might be a "dropper". But the second time I held him by myself.

'It tickled a bit. When I asked if I could stroke it, the handler said I shouldn't as the spider would think I was a predator.'

Joanna said she would be more sympathetic towards spiders in future.

'I'll probably think twice about squashing them,' she said. 'I really didn't want to do it, but then the guy from Herm had a go and I felt I had to keep Alderney's end up. It's one of those things to cross off your to-do list.'

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Three boys from Ormer House are heading to new schools in England. Pupils Louis Street, Joe Burland and Elliot Barras are all going to top schools after they each passed an entrance exam and interview.

Louis, 11, is going to North Bridge House Preparatory School in London, while Joe, 11, and Elliot, 10, are both preparing to join Sexey's School in Somerset.

Both schools are highly regarded.

Head teacher Maggie Burridge said the trio would be missed.

'Elliot has been with us for a long time, since he was four. He's definitely part of the furniture. Louis has been with us for about three years and Joe's been here for two,' she said. 'We will miss them tremendously - they have all left their mark on the school.'

Elliot and Joe will board at Sexey's, while Louis will live with his family.

'They all had to do a lot of hard work. As well as the entrance exam, they had to have personal interviews with the schools,' said Maggie. 'We wish them all the best. They're going out into the big wide world and will be able to take advantage of the opportunities a school in England can give them.

'All the children who have gone to schools in England from Ormer House have seized the opportunity and are making the most of it.'