MISS ALDERNEY: WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO WIN THE CROWN?

Alderney Week just cannot happen without Miss Alderney, the island’s young ambassadress who is elected on Easter Saturday. Miss Alderney is pretty, fun-loving, has a bubbly outgoing personality and enjoys representing her island not just during Alderney Week, but throughout the year and also at the Jersey Battle of Flowers.

The first Miss Alderney after the war, Eileen Sykes, was elected in 1948. Just take a look  at our “Miss Alderney Wall of Fame” gallery of this website. The format may have changed over the years and moving with the times, we no longer have Maids of Honour and Miss Alderney is now elected “online”. But the experience is the same, with emphasis on fun and “joie de vivre”. And long may the Miss Alderney tradition continue.

Introducing  Miss Alderney 2014: Emma Etheredge

The winner of this year’s Miss Alderney contest is student Emma Etheredge who will be 16 in June and, again it proved a  difficult decision electing just one winner from such a line-up of excellent candidates. The judges were particularly impressed by her involvement with island life and her bubbly enthusiastic personality.

The result was announced late on Easter Saturday during a packed Miss Alderney disco night at the Island Hall.  Emma who was crowned by the outgoing Miss Alderney 2013 - her older sister Maria Etheredge - said "This was a complete surprise - how cool is it to be crowned by your own sister!" .

Emma is currently studying at St Anne's School and taking her GCSEs in Maths, English, Science, Business Studies, Catering, Art and Design and French. Depending on the outcome of her GCSE results, she hopes to continue her education at  Guernsey’s Grammar School Sixth Form Center in September. “Thereafter, I would like to move on to University to delve into the media and advertising sector”, said Emma: “After completing my education in Guernsey, and possibly going onto university, I am thinking about delving into the media or advertising sector. “

Asked why she wanted to be Miss Alderney, Emma said:  “ Alderney is my favourite place. The island has been my home since I was born. It has given me such a diversity of opportunities- the chance to represent my island being one of them! I've accomplished everything your average sixteen year old would want to accomplish and more. I feel that I am a fairly active member of our community, and getting involved further would be incredibly satisfying for me.

As I will finish my GCSEs this year, I would be able to devote my free summer to being an ambassadress for Alderney. “

“Each year Miss Alderney has been selected, and each year I have become more and more aware of: the importance of the role, the attributes each and every person has and, in particular, how everyone looks up to her as she sets an example. I am a young, sociable, fun-loving islander! An opportunity like this is golden, and every girl should grasp it. Being Miss Alderney 2014 would be surreal, yet totally scintillating.”  

Asked what would be the attributes of Miss Alderney: “In my opinion, Miss Alderney should be a sociable, reliable, approachable person, and should be able to speak up in order to obtain a positive impression. She should be up for a good laugh and a bit of fun. “

Emma's favourite Alderney events?

“My preferred events are the opening and closing of Alderney week! I love the 'togetherness' feel, and the fireworks are spectacular! Cavalcade is also up there, but the torchlight procession has always been my favourite- even from when I was very young. “

Emma's hobbies?

Emma has numerous hobbies and is very much involved in island life. “I enjoy keeping myself fit by going on regular runs and using my cross trainer, static bike and treadmill. I help out at the local Youth Club on a weekly basis. Originally it was for my Bronze/Silver DofE, but I've continued on; I found the atmosphere to be so happy and upbeat, and I particularly enjoy seeing the children each week.  I attend KFA - also on a weekly basis.

I play the flute (in The Island Band, Chamber Group and independently) and am currently preparing for my Grade 7 Trinity Guildhall exam. I love the outdoors- being an island girl- and enjoy these through:Lifesaving: Obtaining my Bronze and Silver RLSS lifesaving qualifications, and am currently workingtowards my Gold medallion and beach qualifications and DofE- I have completed the Bronze Award and am working towards my silver."

Alderney Week starts on 2 August but Emma will no doubt start her duties as the island’s ambassadress well ahead of Alderney Week.  

Plenty of photographs of the Miss Alderney Celebration Disco Night have been uploaded on our Flickr  

With the title of Miss Alderney 2014 came over £1,500 worth of prizes, including £500 cash, flights and overnight accommodation for two in the Royal Yacht Hotel while she will take part in the Battle of Flowers Parade, Elizabeth Arden cosmetics worth £250, a shopping trip to Southampton, a photosession with Jake Woodnutt and several other substantial prizes.

Want to know what Miss Alderney's gets up to during Alderney Week? 

Ever wondered what Miss Alderney is up to during Alderney Week?  Well, here’s Maria Etheredge's diary and, as you can see, never a dull moment! Check out the Miss Alderney 2013 Gallery   

And there are hundreds of  photographs, day-by-day, of Alderney Week 2013 for you to view and download on Flickr 

A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF MISS ALDERNEY 2013: EIGHT DAYS OF GLAMOUR AND FUN!   

Day ONE : Saturday  3rd August – Alderney Week begins! 

My duties officially start today; I don’t think I could possibly be more excited! The sun was shining, and everything was looking perfect for the opening parade. I had my new dress on, and was wearing my tiara and sash for the very first time this week. Arriving outside the Island Hall, I was warmly welcomed and congratulated by Alderney's resident dance troupe, KFA, of which I had previously been a member. I chatted to the girls in the sun until my ride arrived; a beautiful vintage Bentley, driven by an equally charming Leslie Aldis!

Myself and Little Miss and Master Alderney were helped onto the back, and after a few photos, we were off! Leading the parade was our very own Town Crier, Robin Whicker, and following behind us were the hard-working Alderney Week Team, the KFA dance troupe, and all the volunteers, helpers and sponsors who make Alderney Week happen. We drove up the high street and down Victoria Street, though it was a bit of a rollercoaster on the cobbles, despite Les’ leisurely pace!

On arriving at the Butes, our Town Crier officially declared Alderney Week 2013 open! It was so exciting! Stuart Trought, President of The States of Alderney, then welcomed everybody, and wished them a safe and enjoyable week. We were all then wowed by a spectacular show from the KFA, making me proud to have once been one of them! After nipping home for a quick-change into my keep fit gear, we rushed back down to the Butes, just in time to take part in an outdoors zumba fitness session with Peter Coenen – just what I needed after sitting in the car all afternoon!

The evening began with a fabulous Kiln Farm BBQ and live music from plenty of local bands and artists. Tonight’s big feature was the Allbeats, a Beatles tribute band brought over to recognise that this year marked the the 50^th anniversary of the Beatles, as well as the 65^th anniversary of Alderney Week. Needless to say, they were brilliant, and kept the crowd entertained long into the evening.

The Mister Alderney competition came next, with local Chris Brown stealing the title. As always on the first Saturday of Alderney Week, the competition marked the festivities on the Butes coming to an end, with all those keen party-goers, including me, getting ready to head down to the Corporation Quarry for Woodstock, the first quarry party of Alderney Week! Knowing I had church in the morning, I didn’t stay too late, making the most of the music and the bonfire in the earlier hours.

Plenty of photos of today's events on Flickr

Day Two : Sunday 4^th August 

Up bright and early for church this morning at St Anne’s Church in town. We were treated to some lovely brass music from the talented Alderney Blowers who come over every year. Being a trumpet player myself, I was very impressed with their complicated score! Up at the front, and halfway through the service, I realised wearing my denim jacket was probably not a good idea because it was very hot inside with so many people. I began to feel very faint, and was taken outside to get some fresh air and some water. The service finished and everybody asked how I was as they left the church; such a caring community.

I dashed home for a quick lunch, and then it was back into town for the street market! There were plenty of stalls, with clothes, hot food, jewellery, and allsorts! At 2 o’clock I made my way to the Memorial Gardens in the centre of town, to present trophies and prizes to the winners of the Little Holiday Prince and Princess Contest. There were so many entries, I know the judges had an extremely hard time deciding – I certainly couldn’t have chosen one! Helping me out were Little Miss and Master Alderney, handing around sweets to all the entrants.

The buzz in Victoria street continued; actors and actresses from the Rain or Shine Theatre Group performed excerpts of their new production “Comedy of Errors”, while Sue Cooper conducted some fantastic music from her ‘home grown’ brass and wind band, and the queue for the ice cream van got longer and longer as the sun came out. All in all, a fab day!

Plenty of photos of today's events on Flickr

Day Three : Monday 5^th August – Cavalcade Day! 

Extremely excited today, as I wake up to realise that my favourite day of Alderney Week has arrived! I head down to the Butes in the morning, seeing everything set up and getting even more excited! Here I meet a lady from BBC Guernsey, who I have a lovely live interview with, chatting away to her about the day’s events and my duties throughout the week. Times like this make me realise what a fantastic and important commitment Miss Alderney is, to be able to represent my island, and take on the ambassadorial role that I have always wanted to do. When my interview was over, I walked back home, up through Victoria Street. It felt really strange that many of the shops were shut on a Monday, as Cavalcade isAlderney’s own ‘bank holiday’. I arrived home, put on my beautiful blue dress and sat down to do my make up. My younger sister, Emma, a trainee at Bella Hair, styled my hair into a long fishtail plait, fixing it with diamante fasteners.

Made my way up to Jackie Main’s yard where all the floats and walking groups were assembled. The sky wasn’t looking too promising, so Robin Whicker kindly lent me his umbrella before the parade began. There were some wonderful floats and costumes, obviously a lot of time and effort had gone into these over the past year. I turned the corner, and there was lovely Les with his beautiful Bentley, a gigantic pink heart and cushions on the back with flags either side! It really was amazing! Holding my dress, I was once again helped into the gorgeously made up car, and we made our way to the front of the procession. Just as we were about to begin, the heavens opened and it poured down! We didn’t stop though, nothing was going to ruin today for any of us! Still smiling and laughing, we pulled out ofMain’s yard, and began the parade. The rain stopped as we turned into Victoria Street, and despite the recent rain, there were still loads of people lining the pavements, clapping and cheering as we all went past. All the way down Victoria Street, smiling in every direction for hundreds of photographs, and waving at everybody, we finally arrived on the Butes, where it was all going on. There were tents and stalls everywhere, even more than that morning. We pulled up near the stage, and I sat comfortably in the car for a while, having pictures taken with everybody.

I was then introduced to the gorgeous Taye Le Monnier, Miss Jersey 2013, and the beautiful Anais Amillard, Miss Beaumont-Hague, and her consorts. After many, many photos with my two guests, we were called up on stage, and asked to present medals and trophies to the best floats and walking groups. Helping us out was “Bergerac” John Nettles, who was a lovely guy with a great sense of humour!

I spent the next hour or so watching the wonderful KFA dancers perform, drinking a complimentary bucks fizz – this is the life! When that was over, myself and Miss Beaumont-Hague said goodbye to Miss Jersey, as she had a plane to catch. I’ll be seeing her again on Thursday at Jersey’s Battle of Flowers. After a lovely few hours of wondering around, listening to the Blowers, watching pigs race, eating Thai food, and cheering on the ‘It’s a Knock-Out’ teams, it was time to go home.

Fantastic day; the only way to end it is with a few hours partying up at the Guns Bunker party!  

Plenty of photos of today's events on Flickr

 Day Four: Tuesday 6^th August 

Have to say, I didn’t fancy getting up at 5 O’clock for the ‘Dawn’s early light walk’ this morning, but got up at the acceptable hour of 8 O’clock, ready to head down to the Alderney Week Fun Run. There were so many people gathered on Braye Common, and, speaking to compère Ellis Downes, it was a record turnout!

At 10.30 I stepped up to the starting line and sounded the horn for the 2 mile, 5K and finally 10K races. It wasn’t long before many of the shorter distance runners were back, so I didn’t have long to wait to give out prizes! I was honoured enough to receive a special ‘princess kiss’ from the youngest entrant, an energetic two year old girl.

My morning duties over, I spent the day with my family, before making my way backstage on the Butes for ‘Fashion with Fizz’. It certainly was, as backstage models were given a refilling glass of bucks. I had three outfits to show, all from Channel Jumper down near the harbour. It was quite nerve-wracking walking down the catwalk the first time, modelling LazyJacks and Joules, but by my second and third appearance I was having a great time! They even let me keep a pretty Joules vest that I took a fancy to! The show ended and the day’s entertainments was over for me – a very tired Miss Alderney decided to get an early night.

Plenty of photos of today's events on Flickr

Day Five: Wednesday 7^th August

Bit of a lie-in this morning, the weather wasn’t so great outside. Didn’t stop any young pavement artists though! At 1 O’clock, I arrived on Reynard’s terrace at the bottom of Victoria Streetto judge the colourful chalk drawings. There was hardly a paving slab free to walk on, as myself and the other judges walked between them and decided on their favourites. After choosing a first, second and third from the 2-3 category; Two of a Kind Alderney hedgehogs, a beautiful lighthouse, and a Trislander flying through a rainbow, the prizes were awarded and all the children took some sweets home. I wish I was still young enough to enter the pavement artists competition – I used to practise my chalk drawing on the path in my front garden, driving my parents crazy!

The afternoon saw me down at Braye Beach, looking out on hundred of people digging and collecting shells for the sandcastle competition. As I walked through the entries, from the under 7’s to the family and group category right the other side of the bay, I realised the judges would have a tough time judging this one. The standard is always extremely high, many competitive teams using huge buckets, shovels and trowels to complete their work of art. I presented the overall prize to my boyfriend’s family fromScotland, with their Alderney Blondes (hedgehogs) made from marram grass off the dune.

The Alderney Blowers kicked off my evening on the Butes, with their Gala Night Prelude. Following them was the Gala Spectacular, which was a fun for all the family to watch, many local jokes and sketches featuring! This went on for a few hours, so I was all nice and warm, wrapped up in a big coat with a flask and hot chocolate! Another bunker on tonight, but definitely not going to stay late, as I have to be up to catch the plane to Guernsey, then on to Jersey for the Battle of Flowers! So excited!

Plenty of photos of today's events on Flickr

Day Six: Thursday 8^th August

Jumped out of bed and whizzed up to the airport to catch the plane with my guest, my sister Emma. No problems at all with the flights, and everything went smoothly. Arriving at our hote , The Royal Yacht – it was amazing! Our room wasn’t quite ready yet, as we had arrived in the morning, so we were shown down to the spa to change. I put my new long turquoise dress on, and Emma put my hair up in a big bun. Our taxi arrived outside and I met the charming Miss Spaulding, who I was to share a float with. The sun was shining, and we drove along the front, past all of the amazing floats. We arrived at a big garden, where we had drinks, and a delicious three course meal of fruits, seafood, and cheese cake. Sat around my table were myself and Emma, Miss Spaulding, Little Miss Jersey Battle, Miss Le Havre and her Dauphine. Taye had greeted us earlier, introducing us all to Mikey North, who was a Coronation Stree tactor and this year’s Mr Battle.

Feeling rather full after such a big meal, Miss Spaulding and I were escorted to our beautiful float where we sat on two comfy chairs surrounded by flowers and garlands. Emma was able to watch the parade from the covered grandstand reserved for VIPs, out of the heat of the sun. We set off, following a decorated fire engine that sprayed water and confetti over the crowd, sometimes spraying us too to cool us down! It was very hot in our long dresses, but the crowd kept waving and cheering, so we couldn’t stop! My arms ached so much after so much waving! The floats were absolutely spectacular, and gigantic. They were all so colourful, with moving parts and escorts of dancers and singers. My favourite was a Jungle
Book float that had a giant snake and a big sprawling tree with ivy and flowers all over it! BBC Jersey were also reporting live from the centre of Victoria Avenue, and there was all sort of music playing, so there was plenty to listen to as well!

It ended all too soon, and we were taken back to our hotel, after saying goodbye to all the lovely people we had met that day. Emma and I rediscovered the spa, relaxing for a few hours in the jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and heated lounge, reading magazines and wishing we could stay there forever. When fully refreshed, we headed out to see what theJerseytown was all about, having a look around and grabbing a bite to eat. Finally we headed back to the hotel, just in time before they locked the doors! I will sleep well tonight, that’s for sure!  If you want  to find out more about the Jersey Battle of Flowers, click here

... but what happened in Alderney today?    Plenty of photos of today's events on Flickr

Day Seven: Friday 9^th August

Up to the airport for our flights home to Alderney. Arrived safe and sound, and began to tell everybody everything almost immediately! Finally settled for going through all the photos with them, reliving the fantastic experience.

At 5.45 I was once again to be found on the Butes, watching my sisters Emma and Deborah perform in the final KFA show of the week. I was called up on stage to present the Dancer of the Year award to Abbie Chandler, a young Pommerette who shows accuracy, commitment and enthusiasm in her dancing.

Following on straight away from this entertainment, was the next group of stars! Alderney’s got Talent was underway, featuring singers, dancers, musicians, comedians to name a few, and all hosted by the fabulous team of Donald Hughes and Pat Swift. I hopped up onstage when the judges had decided on the winners, and presented the medals and trophies to all the category winners. Then the adult entertainment began, with the 16+Alderney’s got Talent show… ‘Simon’, ‘Louis’ and ‘Cheryl’, as the judges! It was all great fun, and I was pulled on stage to dance along to the finale song with the rest of the acts!

After the events on the Butes had quietened down, I donned my ancient Greek sandals and went to the Belle Vue Toga party. It was great fun, and I met some of the 30^th signals that come over every year, as well as catching up with everyone I hadn’t seen in Alderney Week. By midnight, the party was migrating upVictoria Street, and we all headed out to the Guns for another fantastic bunker party.   

Plenty of photos of today's events on Flickr

Day Eight : Saturday 10^th August

As far as my Miss Alderney duties are concerned, this is my last day! Ready and raring to go, I arrived at the inner harbour super early to help set up. Turns out I wasn’t really needed at all, so I folded raffle tickets for the Great Aurigney Duck Race. Whoever said Miss Alderney wasn’t a glamorous job! Luckily today the weather was bright and sunny, with a bit of a breeze now and then. My first job was tipping all the numbered rubber ducks into the harbour, to see which reached the harbour wall first. As I was clambering down the ladder into the little rib, I thought to myself that perhaps today was not a good day to wear a floor-length skirt! I got into the boat, safe and dry, and put my life jacket on – not taking any chances!

Jake Woodnutt, the official Alderney Week photographer,  drove us to the harbour mouth, and after a countdown from the crowd, I released all the little yellow duckies into the water. Unfortunately, they started to float out of the harbour, and not back in towards the wall, as somebody somewhere had thought they would, so I guess its first duck to the breakwater wins?! Out of the boat and up the ladder to watch the Man-Powered Flight from dry land, nearly losing my tiara on the way up! I sat on the harbour wall with my aunty, my mum, and my youngest sister, watching those magnificent men and women in their flying (or in some cases, sinking) machines, two of my Uncles acting as part of the safety dive team below in the water.The last splash brought with it the next set of entertainment – the Man of Iron and Iron Lady Contest. Each had a set if challenges, including holding their weight on a coke can and lifting heavy objects. When it can to the arm wrestling, one of the lady contestants injured herself and an ambulance had to be called, putting a stop to other events on at the harbour. As everybody then left, I had to pick the winning tickets for the Alderney Week Prize Draw, and take down the winning numbers and details so that the winners be contacted at a later date.

This evening, changed into some warmer clothes, I lit my torch, and stood at the head of the torch light procession with our town crier. I looked back, and everybody was lighting their torches from one another, spreading that flame until it reached the very back of the Island Hall Gardens. The parade began, Robin Whicker and I following the steady pace of a bagpipe player who had been flown in specially from Guernsey, and we made our way down Victoria Street for the last time this Alderney Week.

It felt so magical to be at the head of such a large procession of people, all carrying flaming candles towards the Butes.

We arrived at the edge of the Butes, and I put my torch into the big pile of wood that would soon become a roaring bonfire.
Sure enough, in a few minutes we all had to step away from the flames and the heat. I took a step back, watching everybody throw their torches into the fire, quite sad that Alderney Week was finishing. Its not over yet though! I lay on the ground, watching the spectacular fireworks, that always seem to be better in Alderney than anywhere else, and listening to the music. We sat around the bonfire, chatting to a big group of friends before all making our way to the final quarry party. I stayed until dawn, finishing Alderney Week in style with all of my friends.

 Plenty of photos of today's events on Flickr

I have had such an amazing week, but I couldn’t have done it without all of the help and support from everybody. Firstly, the Miss Alderney 2013 judges for choosing me to become Miss Alderney 2013 and the Alderney Week Team for  their constant support up to and throughout Alderney Week.

Les Aldis, for being such a charming chauffeur for me, and allowing me to ride in his beautiful car, my hosts in Jersey for giving me the trip of a lifetime, and finally my friends and family for their love, support and fun that has made this Alderney Week a dream come true.