FORMER Aurigny pilot Sally Barber has been sworn in as a Jurat at the Court of Alderney. Sally, 60, recently retired from flying commercially and now works for the airline’s reservations department. She replaces former Jurat Geoffrey Ireland.

Egypt-born Sally (pictured), of Rue de la Saline, swore allegiance to the court earlier this month.

‘I feel that being chosen for the position of jurat is an honour, which I will endeavor to fulfill with dedication,’ she said.

‘I recognise that it is an important part of the community and I am looking forward to carrying out my duties for the next few years.’

Sally, whose son Duncan works for an oil company in Yemen, has lived in the island for 16 years and before that she lived in Guernsey. In 1969 she started her career in aviation by becoming a member of British Airways’ cabin crew. Two years later she started commercial flying.

Sally’s father was in the RAF, which meant she travelled extensively as a child. She lives in the island with her Jack Russell, Dougal, enjoys flying private aircraft and has recently joined the local St John Ambulance service.

Jurat Colin Partridge, chairman of the bench, congratulated Sally on her appointment and said being asked to join the court was one of the highest honours that could be bestowed on a citizen of Alderney.

Royal Navy warship HMS Walney docked in the island this week.

The Portsmouth-based vessel sailed into Braye Harbour on Monday while on its way from Jersey to the UK.

A buffet lunch was held on-board and attended by Sir Norman Browse, President of the States, chief executive David Jeremiah, harbour master Steve Shaw, members of Alderney Sailing Club and numerous local business people.

Invited guests, including States marketing manager Joanna Parmentier, were also treated to a tour of the ship.

Joanna said: ‘Looking round the ship was very interesting. We saw how the vessel’s minesweeping equipment works and were introduced to a lot of technical material.’

HMS Walney is the fourth of the Sandown class of mine hunters and the second ship to carry the name. She was launched by Lady Wilson, wife of Admiral Sir Barry Wilson, in 1991 and commissioned into naval service in 1992.

The name Walney comes from the island off Barrow-in-Furness on the north-west coast of England.

The ship’s commanding officer is Jerseyman Marcus Jacques, who joined the Royal Navy as a midshipman 20 years ago.

Islanders are reminded to attend this weekend’s revamped Christmas Fair at the Island Hall.

The event is being held instead of the annual street market. It will run on Saturday from 2.30pm to 5.30pm.

Father Christmas will make an appearance to distribute presents to all the children who attend, while the Island Band will entertain revellers. Numerous stalls will be put up in the hall’s front garden and inside the main building.

* For information on the fair, call Barbara Beynon on 825535.