Brochure comp to be repeated

KEEN photographers are being urged to enter this year's Visit Alderney brochure competition.

Last year's, which attracted more than 100 entries, was such a hit that States marketing manager Joanna Parmentier has decided to make it an annual event.

The winning photographer for 2011 will receive a pair of return flights to the UK courtesy of sponsor Aurigny. He or she will also see their winning shot featured on the cover of the 2012 tourist brochure.

'The competition was so successful last year that we had a number of entrants asking us to run it again,' said Joanna. 'It's a great way to get Alderney residents and visitors involved in marketing the island and is a welcome help in selecting the front cover image for the brochure, which is always a difficult task.

'Last year's winning shot was taken by Helene Matthews and is on the cover of the current 2011 brochure. Also, the two runner-up images were used as full-page spreads within the brochure.'

Aurigny managing director Malcolm Hart said he was delighted the airline was involved in the competition.

'Alderney is such a picturesque island that we have no doubt there will be a wealth of fantastic images from which to choose – the difficulty will surely be finding just one that sums up all that makes it so great.'

People have until 30 September to submit their entries before they are put to the public vote. This year the competition is being rolled out through the Visit Alderney website and Flickr gallery, as well as Facebook, in order to reach a wider audience.

To enter, simply email your two chosen photos of Alderney to competition@visitalderney.com before the closing date. For more information, log on to www.visitalderney.com/competition.

Plans to build a £2m. leisure centre in Alderney are gaining momentum.

Community and Leisure Centre trustee Richard Willmott said talks with a developer were at an advanced stage.

He also said that States chief executive Roy Burke had agreed to liaise with two Guernsey States departments, Education and Health, which both may support the project.

Former States member Richard said: 'We spent the last three days of last week with the company that we hope to finally sign a contract with to build the facility. We are also speaking to the company we want to run the centre.

'Hopefully some announcements will be made soon.'

Richard said exciting times lay ahead.

'It's looking more positive and more exciting than it has for a very long time. We have momentum at the moment and we're very excited.'

He said the centre should not be compared with Guernsey's Beau Sejour.

'It's a 25m, three-lane pool, which every school in Guernsey has. It's a very basic facility that's completely different from Beau Sejour. What we're building is something that will be fit for the island,' he said.

'People say Beau Sejour is a white elephant, but a white elephant is something that never gets used. Beau Sejour is heaving.'

Richard said a leisure centre would encourage people to move to the island.

'When it is here, I think people will wonder how they managed without it.

'Visitors will be relieved there is one.

'We believe it's a factor when people decide whether to come here or not. I know families have left because there isn't one.

'We do need more permanent residents and something like this will help attract more people.'