Our History
Over a century of celebration, community and island spirit, from ancient traditions to the modern festival we know and love today.
Les Brandons — A Pagan Island Tradition
Alderney's festival heritage begins with Les Brandons, a pagan fertility rite celebrated on Clonque — a ceremony involving dancing, feasting and a torchlight procession. Early 18th-century governors attempted to ban it due to fire hazards, but the tradition was too deeply woven into island life to stop.
Le Jour des Vitres & Victorian Customs
Another ancient island custom — Le Jour des Vitres — may have marked the end of the harvest with masks, fancy dress and community revelry. The tradition persisted through Victorian times, forming part of the rich tapestry of Alderney's celebratory culture.
Horse Races & Military Sports
The early 1800s saw competitive sports formalised on the island — horse races on Braye Sands drew large crowds, while boat races brought military and civilian teams into friendly rivalry. The seeds of organised celebration were being sown.
Historian Louisa Lane Clarke Documents the Races
The island historian Louisa Lane Clarke documented the revival of horse races on Longy Common in 1851, capturing the spirit of community competition that would eventually grow into Alderney Week.
Military-Civilian Competitions Expand
Throughout the latter half of the century, the programme of competition between military and civilian teams expanded to include football, shooting and a full programme of athletic events — bringing the community together in the spirit of friendly competition.
Pretoria Day Celebrations
The dawn of the new century saw grand island celebrations — Pretoria Day in 1900 featured illuminations, a torchlight procession and fireworks, foreshadowing the events that would become Alderney Week's signature moments.
The Duke of Connaught's Visit
A royal visit by the Duke of Connaught inspired the renaming of Royal Square to Connaught Square — a reminder of how Alderney's celebrations have always been connected to broader moments in history.
12–18 July 1908 — Major B.E. Ward
The first officially recorded Alderney Week was held from 12th to 18th July 1908, organised by Major B.E. Ward. The programme featured sports, concerts, a torchlight tattoo and fireworks — the blueprint for everything that followed. Alderney Week was born.
Post-War Revival
After the devastation of the Second World War and the German Occupation of Alderney, the island came back to life with renewed community spirit. 1948 saw the revival of celebrations, with a cattle show evolving into a carnival complete with beauty queens — joy returning to the island after years of hardship.
The First Cavalcade
In 1953, the decorated float cavalcade was introduced for the very first time — a tradition that would go on to become the most-loved and most-anticipated event of the entire week. The cavalcade has been a cornerstone of Alderney Week ever since.
Agriculture Declines, Festival Evolves
As Alderney's agricultural sector declined through the 1960s, the agricultural shows that had formed part of the celebrations faded — but the festival spirit did not. Community organisers ensured Alderney Week not only survived but flourished.
Over 65 Events — and Growing
In 1970, Ray Parkin took over the organisation of Alderney Week, establishing it as a truly annual tradition for the first time and driving extraordinary growth in the programme. Under his stewardship, the event grew to over 65 events — and by 1990, the programme had expanded to more than 100 activities.
Reconnecting With Ancient Traditions
In the modern era, Alderney Week has made a conscious effort to reconnect with the island's ancient festival heritage — most powerfully through the revival of the torchlight procession and bonfire, directly echoing the ancient Les Brandons tradition of over a thousand years ago.
Alderney Week 2026 — The Story Continues
This year, under the theme "Under The Spotlight," Alderney Week celebrates another chapter in a story that stretches back over a century of recorded history — and much longer in spirit. The cavalcade, the torchlight procession, the fireworks, the laughter, the community. It continues.
Alderney Week in 2026
A modern festival with the soul of an ancient celebration — community-run, community-funded and free for all.
Cavalcade Day
Still the centrepiece of the week, the cavalcade of decorated floats draws the whole island out to celebrate together on Victoria Street.
Torchlight Procession
Directly connecting modern Alderney to its ancient Les Brandons tradition — a moving, magical moment that brings the week to a close.
Family Events
From Water Splash to Sandcastle Competition, Man Powered Flight to the Scavenger Hunt — every day brings something wonderful for families.
Miss Alderney History
Since 1948, Miss Alderney has been one of the most cherished traditions of Alderney Week — a celebration of island spirit, community and style.
| Year | Theme | Organiser | Miss Alderney |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Alderney Week | — | Eileen Sykes |
| 1949 | Alderney Week | — | Eileen Sykes |
| 1950 | Alderney Week | — | Pearl Goodhew (Venn) |
| 1951 | Alderney Week | — | Olga Bott |
| 1952 | Alderney Week | — | Miriam Kidd (Angel) |
| 1953 | Alderney Week | — | Eileen Sykes |
| 1954 | Alderney Week | — | Nancy Johnston |
| 1955 | Alderney Week | — | Dawn McLernon |
| 1956 | Alderney Week | — | — |
| 1957 | Alderney Week | — | Ursula Jennings |
| 1958 | Alderney Week | — | Ursula Cadoret (Jennings) |
| 1959 | Alderney Week | — | Marie-Therese Hunter |
| 1960 | Alderney Week | — | Patricia Bacchus McLernon |
| 1961 | Alderney Week | — | Anne Gillingham |
| 1962 | Alderney Week | — | Sally Weld |
| 1963 | Alderney Week | Mr. O.S North | Sally Bohan (Tinson) |
| 1964 | Alderney Week | Ken & Isobel Cowell | Daphne Main (Baron) |
| 1965 | Alderney Week | — | Jackie Troke |
| 1966 | Alderney Week | Peter Moss | Jackie Troke |
| 1967 | Alderney Week | — | — |
| 1968 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Carol Chalker |
| 1969 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Tanya Ryan |
| 1970 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Doreen Tugby (LeCocq) |
| 1971 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Janet Stone (Rick) |
| 1972 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Harriette Fane |
| 1973 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Maisie Turreff |
| 1974 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Barbara Field (Allen) |
| 1975 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Madeleine Jean |
| 1976 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Candida Osborne |
| 1977 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Bonnie Jenkins |
| 1978 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Carol Allis |
| 1979 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Anita Giles (Herival) |
| 1980 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Anita Giles (Herival) |
| 1981 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Paula Moore (Bunn) |
| 1982 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Claire Mullins |
| 1983 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Tracy Collins |
| 1984 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Michelle Mitton (Jones) |
| 1985 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Lisa Bunn (Lisa Mahieu) |
| 1986 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Samantha Jenkins |
| 1987 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Karen Knight (Miller) |
| 1988 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Tania Miller |
| 1989 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Paula Lawson |
| 1990 | Mardi Gras | Ray Parkin | Helen Heathcote (Simonet) |
| 1991 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Sally Redmond (Goodchild) |
| 1992 | Peace | Ray Parkin | Karen Solway |
| 1993 | Alderney Week | Ray Parkin | Emma Dale |
| 1994 | Goes To The Movies | Ray Parkin | Kerry Walker |
| 1995 | Space Oddity | Gail Gregg & Brian Talbot | Catherine Calder |
| 1996 | Alderney Week | Barbara Benfield & Sally Bohan | Samantha Hog (Jenkins) |
| 1997 | All Nautical | Barbara Benfield & Sally Bohan | Alex Harrisson |
| 1998 | Alderney Week | Barbara Benfield & Sally Bohan | Claire Digney (Capazario) |
| 1999 | The Eclipse | Ralph Burridge | Charlotte Dupont |
| 2000 | The Past 1000 Years | Ralph Burridge | Alison McCulloch (Spice) |
| 2001 | Caribbean Carnival | Ralph Burridge | Rebecca Maloy |
| 2002 | Cartoon Capers | David & Angela Stanley | Laura Robers |
| 2003 | Once Upon A Time | David & Angela Stanley | Claire Shaw |
| 2004 | Ancient Civilisations | David & Angela Stanley | Gina Lowe |
| 2005 | The Musicals | Ronnie Cairnduff & Team | Samantha Ball |
| 2006 | Heroes & Heroines | Ronnie Cairnduff & Team | Lianne Bun |
| 2007 | Hollywood | Ronnie Cairnduff & Team | Marie-Claire Jean |
| 2008 | Pure Magic | Ronnie Cairnduff & Team | Adelle Woodruff |
| 2009 | Around The World | Ronnie Cairnduff & Team | Hannah Cox |
| 2010 | History Makers | Ronnie Cairnduff & Team | Joanna Woodnutt |
| 2011 | Fantasy Island | Ronnie Cairnduff & Team | Bonnie Flewitt |
| 2012 | The Games | Ronnie Cairnduff & Team | Charlie Barker |
| 2013 | Two Of A Kind | Ronnie Cairnduff & Team | Maria Etheridge |
| 2014 | Treasure Island | Ronnie Cairnduff & Team | Emma Etheridge |
| 2015 | Cowboys & Aliens | Emma Odoli & Team | Ruby Walker |
| 2016 | Cartoons & Comics | Emma Odoli & Team | Roisin Gaudion |
| 2017 | That's Musicals | Emma Odoli & Team | Neroli Queripel |
| 2018 | Myths & Legends | Chris & Bryony Harris & Team | Poppy Taylor |
| 2019 | Animal Magic | Chris & Bryony Harris & Team | Abbie Chandler |
| 2020 | The Twenties | Ronnie Cairnduff & Team | — |
| 2021 | Alderney Adventures | Ronnie Cairnduff & Team | — |
| 2022 | The Greatest Show | Wayne & Vicky Chandler & Team | Courtney Benfield |
| 2023 | Wonderland | Wayne & Vicky Chandler & Team | Hollie Jenkins |
| 2024 | Step Back In Time | Wayne & Vicky Chandler & Team | Rhian Miles |
| 2025 | Wands At The Ready | Wayne & Vicky Chandler & Team | Isla Jenkins |
| 2026 | Under The Spotlight | Wayne & Vicky Chandler & Team | Flo Carpenter |
Alderney Week is the heartbeat of our island's summer — a celebration that connects us to each other, to our past and to everything that makes this place so special.
— The Alderney Week Team