George and Morag French with daughter Aurigny, right, and her sister Cambria. (0791530)
A SPECIAL visitor from Sheffield was welcomed to the island this week.
Two-year-old Aurigny French, who was named after Alderney, made her first trip to the Channel Islands with younger sister Cambria and parents Morag and George. Morag, 37, is the granddaughter of the late Ted and Doris Brandon, formerly of High Street.
Doris was well known for writing the book And Tell of Time, which features a host of Alderney memoirs. Morag’s great-great-grandfather, William Brehaut, built the wrought-iron handrail for the spiral staircase in Mannez Lighthouse 100 years ago.
Landscape architect Morag visited Alderney regularly before starting a family with design engineer George, 39.
It has been seven years since Morag last visited the Channel Islands – and this time she had her two daughters for company.
‘We have had a lovely time and the girls have enjoyed every minute,’ said Morag.
‘Hopefully we’ll be able to come back every year from now on.’
Morag explained why she decided to call her eldest daughter after the island.
‘My father Edward Brandon was born in Alderney and I have so many lovely memories of the island after visiting as a youngster.
‘People don’t always know Aurigny is the French word for Alderney, though some have heard of the airline.’
Speaking of flying, Morag says Aurigny and Cambria loved travelling by Trislander.
‘We were a bit nervous the girls would get frightened on the plane but they loved it.
‘They spent a lot of time looking out of the window and enjoying the view and are looking forward to the journey home.’
Painter Michael Haynes-Smallbone entertained members of the Art Club last week.
Mr Haynes-Smallbone demonstrated his skills at the Pre Studio in Church Street in order to introduce potential art enthusiasts to painting and encourage existing members to think outside the box.
He prepared for the show by smearing plaster on the surface of the canvas in order to get some texture.
Mr Haynes-Smallbone said: ‘The theme of the evening involved three elements, which I had prepared.
‘I decided to concentrate on a fort, rock pool and figures on a beach from Alderney in the mid-18th century.
‘It would be around the time when some forts were built so I included the outline of scaffolding.’
Mr Haynes-Smallbone’s intention was to encourage the artists to think.
‘The aim was to get people to think about what they’re painting. Painting isn’t always about producing a pretty picture.
‘Sometimes you need to find new ways of looking at the landscape in order to come up with something different.’
Mr Haynes-Smallbone spent two hours displaying his skills to members.
He will finish the piece he worked on during the demonstration in time for the Art Club’s annual exhibition, which will be held next month.
Article posted on 19th June, 2009 - 10.00am
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