Guernsey Post’s philatelic bureau will issue stamps depicting individuals who feature on Alderney’s Blue Plaque trail – the Island’s version of the English Heritage blue plaques that originated in London – which celebrates their achievements and contributions across the Bailiwick of Guernsey (stamp issue date: 6 January 2025).

The stamps

The Le Mesurier family (68p stamp) played a pivotal role in Alderney’s history, serving as hereditary governors from 1729 to 1825. The family’s legacy continues through landmarks like Les Mouriaux House in Alderney.

Born in Alderney, Sir Henry John Gauvain (1878-1945) was knighted in 1920 for his contributions to medicine and chaired the Alderney Evacuation Committee during the Second World War (92p stamp).

Often referred to as the ‘Fifth Beatle’, the English record producer Sir George Martin (1926 – 2016) bought a home on Braye Road in the mid-1980s and visited for 30 years (£1.26 stamp).

Depicted on the £1.43 stamp, Reverend John Wesley (1703 – 1791), the Founder of Methodism, inadvertently visited Alderney due to poor weather conditions whilst on a trip to Guernsey and stayed at The Divers Inn on Braye Road.

‘Tommy’ Rose (£1.76 stamp) was a renowned RAF pilot during the First World War who went on to become a celebrated aviator. In March 1957 he moved to Alderney and purchased The Marais Hotel where his parties became legendary.

An English journalist, author and famous cricket commentator for the BBC’s Test Match Special, Leslie Thomas John Arlott (1914–1991) and his family were regular visitors to Alderney before moving to the island permanently in 1980 (£1.83 stamp).

The Miniature Sheet depicts the Blue Plaque trail map, along with beloved children’s author Elisabeth Beresford (1926-2010). She is best known for creating the Wombles, a group of fictional creatures who live on Wimbledon Common, who secretly clean up and repurpose the rubbish left by humans. Beresford’s connection to Alderney began when she and her family visited for holidays before moving permanently in 1978 (£2.00 stamp).

The other £2.00 stamp features Terence Hanbury ‘Tim’ White (1906-1964), best known for his sequence of Arthurian novels The Once and Future King. White lived on Alderney for several years and one of his most popular, The Sword in the Stone, was published as a stand-alone book in 1938.

Bridget Yabsley, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post, said: – “Established in 1866, the Blue Plaque scheme is thought to be the oldest of its kind in the world, an initiative which has inspired similar programmes. Alderney’s Blue Plaque Trail provides a fascinating insight into the heritage and the influential individuals associated with the island.”

The stamp products are available to pre-order now at www.guernseystamps.com or by calling Philatelic Customer Services on +44 (0) 1481 716486.