Alderney Week founder is honoured by new organisers
A NEW team and a new theme have been announced for the 73rd Alderney Week, set to run from 1-6 August.
More than 100 events take place during Alderney Week each year and it is the island’s biggest annual festival.
This year’s theme, The Greatest Show, was chosen in memory of the late Ray Parkin, who set the foundations for Alderney Week as it is known and loved as a week-long event.
The event was cancelled in 2021 due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the island, the first time since 1948 that it had not taken place.
However, planning for Alderney Week 2022 is in full swing with a new team, headed by husband and wife duo Wayne and Vicky Chandler.
Mrs and Mr Chandler have previously been involved in organising and running the highly successful Rock the Rock annual festival, which raises thousands of pounds each year for Alderney Cancer Relief and other local charities. Mr Chandler, a keen biker, also helped to organise the motor sprint and hill climb during its early days.
When they are not organising events, Mr Chandler is a plumber and Mrs Chandler is a hairdresser. Mr Chandler said he was looking forward to leading the Alderney Week 2022 team because he has been going to the festivals his whole life and that it has always been a highlight of the year.
Aside from Mrs and Mr Chandler, James and Tracey Clarke will also be part of Alderney Week’s ‘Magnificent Seven’. They have also been involved in organising the Rock the Rock festival as well as the highly successful ‘Stars for your Eyes’ spectacular.
The other team members are Claire Digney, who was Miss Alderney 1998, Kimberley Clay, an Alderney Week maid of honour in 2006, and Caitlin Cotton, who was in Stars for your Eyes and Peter Pan the Panto.
The outgoing Alderney Week Team – Ronnie Cairnduff, Ilona Soane-Sands, Lee Flewitt, Donald Hughes and Nigel Vooght – will provide guidance and hands-on support as and when it is required.
‘After another difficult year that seemed to be ruled by Covid restrictions, we want to bring back the fun,’ said Mr Chandler.
‘This year’s theme will provide plenty of scope for floats, costumes and events.’
Over the next few months, the new team will be working on the programme of events, which are due to kick off on 1 August with cavalcade day and the colourful parade. There will be many other traditional popular favourites such as the daft raft race.
This year will also feature a tribute to Ray Parkin, the man-powered flight, the gala spectacular and the closing torchlight procession and fireworks. The programme is also expected to feature several new events as well as local and visiting musicians and bands.
Mr and Mrs Chandler said their personal favourite events are the cavalcade and the torchlight procession.
Mr Chandler said the island usually works within a yearly budget of £20,000 for the festival and fundraising is an important part of planning.
As usual, the week-long festival will again be preceded by the Rock the Rock music festival on 30 July to raise funds for Alderney Cancer Research and other Alderney charities.
n For more information visit www.alderneyweek.com. To suggest any new feasible events, email info@alderneyweek.com.
