Stamps are a masterpiece

FORMER harbour master Steve Shaw has helped inspire the latest set of Alderney stamps.

The island's longest-serving harbour master told how he was contacted around six months ago by a researcher from Guernsey Post who wanted to find out about Alderney Harbour.

Mr Shaw, who retired in June after 25 years in the role, said: 'They asked if I could help them with information about the harbour. I filled them in about some of the history of it and what had been happening while I was harbour master. We talked about the development of Commercial Quay, the establishment of an RNLI lifeboat station in 1983 and the changing navigation aids, that sort of thing.'

The result was the release of six stamps celebrating Alderney's harbour. They chronicle the building of the breakwater, Douglas Quay, Commercial Quay, the inner harbour and the arrival of the Alderney Lifeboat – pictured off Corblets – and the SS Courier.

Students at Alderney's Flexi Centre have welcomed a gift of seven new computer terminals for their technology classes.

The gift from the States saved their lessons at the centre, which is based at Ormer House, after it had been indicated that a move to St Anne's School was on the cards.

The States have also said they will continue to maintain the software for the machines. There are currently 35 pupils pursuing further education in IT at the Flexi Centre on daytime and evening courses.

'The main difference is the speed,' said teacher Elaine Martel. 'When you had two programmes open at once that you wanted to flick between everything used to slow down. Even installing extra memory did not make much difference. These are brilliant. They are even ergonomically designed so the screens can be moved exactly where you need them.'