This Is Guernsey

ALAN WOODNUTT was Miss Alderney’s knight in shining armour when she was in danger of missing the Jersey Battle of
Flowers.
The boat owner stepped in when thick fog in Alderney on Thursday morning prevented trainee chef Hannah Cox, and boyfriend Simon Benfield from boarding a Blue Islands flight to Jersey, via Guernsey.
The couple were resigned to missing the colourful parade.
Miss Cox considered waiting for the fog to clear before taking up Mr Woodnutt’s offer and setting off shortly after 10am.
However, Miss Cox’s boat phobia almost curtailed the trip
before it had started. ‘I hate boats,’ said the 17-year-old, of Le Banquage.
‘A few weeks ago I went to Beaumont-Hague and was really sick the whole way back. I wasn’t keen on getting in the Rib but we had no choice.’
Miss Cox was also faced with the prospect of keeping her hair dry during the 42 nautical mile journey, which took an hour and 40 minutes.
‘It was a little rougher than expected and was up, down, up, down the whole way. I wasn’t sick this time and I think that’s because I was outside.
‘My dress was safely put away and I had a coat on which was tied up tight so my hair wouldn’t get messed up.’
After arriving in Jersey shortly before noon – 90 minutes later than planned – Miss Cox didn’t have long to change into her dress and make it to the pre-parade lunch.
‘We had 20 minutes to get from the harbour to the hotel and from the hotel to lunch. Everyone had already started when we got there so that was a bit embarrassing. We managed to grab a quick bite to eat before I took part in the parade for the next two hours.’
Mr Woodnutt, who runs local electrical store London House, was happy to help out.
‘I went up to the airport at 10
o’clock to see what was going on and was asked if I’d help out. I hadn’t been to Jersey in the Rib before but was happy to do my best for Hannah.
‘We set off soon after and the crossing was smooth in the early stages. It picked up a little towards the end and was quite rough around Jersey.
‘Hannah was fine at the start. She was zipped up and seemed to be enjoying the journey. The last few miles were difficult though as she just wanted to get there.’
Mr Woodnutt, who sails to Guernsey and France regularly, was desperate for Miss Cox not to miss out on representing Alderney.
‘The Battle of Flowers is something a lot of people don’t get to see and I wanted to make sure Hannah got there as she was involved. I was happy to help out in the end and I’m glad she had a good time.’
Miss Cox thanked Mr Woodnutt for helping out. ‘Taking part in the parade was really good. It was a privilege to be involved so thanks to Alan for getting me there.’

Article posted on 15th August, 2009 - 1.00pm