The focus of this category is places to go and things to do on the island of Alderney in the Channel Islands.
Of course, one can go to the charming downtown shopping area or to the beautiful coast of this island, which is a mile and a half wide, but Alderney has a special group of things to do and places to go, due to its history during World War II, when it was one of the Channel islands occupied by the German army in June of 1940.
The Germans brought in captive Polish, Russian, and Jewish slaves in order to do the work on Alderney. They used slave labour in order to build two concentration camps and two work camps, as well as gun platforms, bunkers, tunnels, and air raid shelters.
Of the 4,000 slaves, brought in, more than 700 died on Alderney.
All but a handful of the population of Alderney was evacuated just before the German invasion. In 1966, the Hammond family erected the Hammond War Memorial in order to commemorate the workers who died on Alderney during the war. Services are held at the memorial, and the public is invited.
The Anderney Museum has, among other things, exhibits related to the World War II occupation, and there is the long wall built on Longis Bay during the German Occupation.
Recommended Resources
The annual race starts on the Butes in St. Anne, Alderney, Guernsey. The course, entries, results, and sponsorship information area available, along with travel data, prizes, and local hotels. Schedules and photographs from previous events are also featured.
http://alderney-half-marathon.org
The Alderney Library was founded in 1945 after the citizens returned home following their World War II mandatory evacuation. Their web site offers information on the events, activities and news from the public library serving the Channel Island of Alderney, Guernsey, including a description of the facilities and its services, hours of operation, and contact data.
http://www.alderneylibrary.com
In 1996, the States of Alderney set up the Alderney Maritime Trust to oversee the security, excavation, conservation, display and publication of the ship, which is believe to have sunk in 1592. The wreck is described, and photographs are featured, along with information about the museum which has been built around it, including artifacts on display.
http://www.alderneymaritimetrust.org
The objective of the non-profit association is to promote dramatic arts in the island of Alderney, producing shows, plays and entertainment, some developed on the island itself, others imported from the UK or the other Channel Islands. Recent and upcoming productions are featured.
http://www.alderneytheatregroup.com/
Highlights an annual multi-day carnival taking place on the Channel Island of Alderney, featuring hundreds of events produced, staged and organised by a group of volunteers, musicians, thespians and event organisers. Reports of previous events are offered, along with schedules of upcoming events. DVDs and memorabilia are available for purchase.
http://www.alderneyweek.net/wp/
This resource for sailors and others interested in sailing in and around the Channel Island of Alderney, includes a guide with charts, anchorages, VHF radio and general navigation advice and approaches to the island, along with links to the Alderney Sailing Club, the Alderney Harbourmaster, and other resources.
http://sailalderney.com
Subterranea Britannica: Fortress Alderney
Fortified since Roman times, a network of forts and batteries were constructed on the island in the mid 19th century to repel a possible French invasion, fortifications which were strengthened following the German occupation of the island in World War II. Details of some of the islands fortifications are offered here, with photographs.
http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/sites/a/alderney/
