Dr Brink a surprise guest at Cavalcade

Friday 07 August 2020

Public Health Director Dr Nicola Brink can now add an honorary 'Miss Alderney' title to her resumé as she played a starring role at the Alderney Week Cavalcade.

Ronnie Cairnduff and his organising team pulled out all the stops to put together an Alderney Week in record time after initially being forced to cancel because of Covid-19.

The turnaround came in late June, much earlier than expected, when the 'Bailiwick Bubble' was established and large gatherings were permitted again. 

Alderney Week 2020 has combined plenty of old favourites with a few new surprises. 

Dr Brink, spotted waving merrily from the 20s themed Miss Alderney float on the Cavalcade procession, was the first. With her son Andrew, she had been secretly invited to Alderney for the day to mingle in the crowds before being spotted by island Medical Centre Manager Tracy Jean, who invited her onto the float as an honorary Miss Alderney. 

Pictured: After the traditional Miss Alderney Easter March disco was cancelled, previous Miss Alderney's were invited to head the procession, and on the big day travelled in 20s-inspired splendour in an Art Deco styled float (Credit: The Alderney Week Team).

"It was a lovely surprise to be invited to come here and very generous," said Dr Brink. "We had such fun just driving down and chatting – it was a great treat for me.

"It's been wonderful being on the Butes during Cavalcade and it's been really great just seeing everyone enjoy themselves so much. There's such a great atmosphere."

She said Cavalcade Day felt like a celebration of all that had been achieved by islanders in the past few months.

"Seeing everyone coming together like this makes me feel extremely proud of the Bailiwick. We've had such a hard time with the social distancing and now here we are out like this as a community enjoying ourselves. It's wonderful."

A total of 16 floats, decorated cars and costumed walking groups flowed down Victoria Street.

The winning float was the Spiderman entry – a hydrangea and paper flower-bedecked three-wheeler carrying two small superheroes in the back.

Pictured: Another Cavalcade Day first was Kev Moore donning the scarlet jacket of Town Crier.

The re-establishment of Alderney Week was deemed controversial in some quarters of the island, who thought that a large gathering with so many visitors over from Guernsey represented too much of a public health risk. 

Alderney Week team member Ilona Soane Sands was keen to point out that they had sought public health advice before making the decision to hold it, while signs were posted telling people to stay at home if they feel unwell.

President of the States of Alderney William Tate said it had been a Cavalcade day staged 'against all odds' and was a shot in the arm for the island.

"It was a triumph for the small dedicated team who against all odds delivered a Calvacade Day which few of us suspected was possible," he said.

Pictured: One of the floats in the Cavalvade by the 'Rosie Nomads'.

"Everybody had pulled together at very short notice to provide a procession which in it’s own way celebrated everything that is good about our unique community. We thank them all.

"It was the cherry on the cake to welcome Dr Brink who had approved the celebration going ahead and who then played an important role in the festivities. It felt rather like a reward for all the hard work we have put in over the past few months."

Pictured top: Dr Nicola Brink on the Miss Alderney float.