Alderney Week in good hands – legendary former organiser

‘They simply stormed it with their enthusiasm and hard work and with a ton of fun thrown into the mix,’ said Ronnie Cairnduff, who handed over the baton to the new team last year.

‘There was minimal hand holding from the old team as the “Magnificent Seven” just got on with the job. There is no doubt that Alderney Week is in very safe hands for the foreseeable future, with a dynamic team that will embrace it and no doubt take it to new levels.’

Mr Cairnduff ran the event for many years. He retired a few years ago but returned for a Covid-safe event in 2020, and received the British Empire Medal in 2021 for his four decades of service to entertainment and culture in Alderney.

Lead organisers Wayne and Vicky Chandler overcame a few hiccups along the way.

A cargo boat arrived a day late caused some panic and did put the organisers under pressure, leaving little time to set up the marquee for the Rock the Rock festival, organised for the Saturday before Alderney Week.

The weather for the event, which had the theme of The Greatest Show, was a bonus.

‘As this was our first Alderney Week, we wanted to make sure most of the favourite and traditional events were included – albeit with some slight changes, and we also wanted to introduce a few new happenings,’ Mrs Chandler said.

There were more than 70 events featured in this action-packed six-day programme, and at least one big highlight event every day.

Dates for next year’s event have been confirmed as Monday 7 to Saturday 12 August. The theme will be announced later this year.

‘We’re very much looking forward to organising Alderney Week 2023,’ said Mrs Chandler.

‘We’ve been working on some new ideas and events and have already booked a few acts for next year. We’ve learned a lot this year and we’re determined that next year’s Alderney Week will be even better.’

They said that some holidaymakers had booked their accommodation for next year already.