This Is Guernsey

St Anne’s Church deserves some attention.

COUPLES who wish to tie the knot in Alderney will soon need only to spend three days in the island before being granted a marriage licence.

States members voted to reduce the number of days’ notice from one month at last week’s States meeting to follow in the footsteps of Jersey.

Policy and Finance chairman Richard Willmott admitted some would be concerned the island is turning into a ‘Las Vegas-type’ destination but added that the benefits of the new law would greatly enhance Alderney’s standing as a wedding venue.

‘Alderney is an attractive marriage venue, both for those with island connections and those who simply find it a romantic place to marry and spend their honeymoon,’ he said.

‘We must consider that this legislation will help our hoteliers, pubs and other businesses.’

From what I can gather, Alderney is a wonderful place to get married. There are enough accommodation options to suit even a large party of guests and the island is blessed with stunning scenery, which would be perfect for those all-important wedding snaps.

There are also various activities on offer, such as golf for the men and pampering for the ladies. And umpteen reception venues are available.

Alderney is also home to St Anne’s Church – known as the cathedral of the Channel Islands – and this is arguably its greatest marriage asset. It dominates the centre of St Anne itself and is one of the island’s most picturesque pieces of architecture.

It will also be the place where most couples decide to wed – something Alderney President Sir Norman Browse alluded to at last week’s States meeting.

However, the church’s roof needs work and, according to John Postlethwaite, St Anne’s people’s warden, the States has done nothing to address the problem for years.

‘Three chartered surveyors have assessed the state of the church in the last 15 years and each one has said the roof needs to be repaired as a matter of urgency,’ he said.

‘However, the States have ignored their findings and our pleas – despite the fact they’re responsible for the external fabric of the church.’

He said the church, which was given to the people of Alderney by John Le Mesurier, the last hereditary governor, may fall into a state of disrepair unless the States takes action quickly.

He said: ‘I’m immensely proud of the church and I know the people of Alderney love it, so it’s vital the States make it a priority.

At present the drainpipes aren’t able to shift water off the roof and this is causing it to run down the walls instead of the gutters.

‘Unfortunately, the longer it is left, the worse it will get. It will also end up costing a lot more money.’

States member Barry Pengilley called on the House to take action sooner rather than later at last weeks’s meeting and Mr Willmott replied by saying the church would probably be dealt with next year.

It will be a crying shame if it  falls into a state of disrepair and will be disastrous if couples are put off marrying in Alderney because of that.

Surely it’s time the States made the church a priority.