For immediate release – 2 November 2015
Guernsey Post is delighted to announce the release of its Alderney Christmas stamps, which feature scenes from the Anne French Window of St Anne’s Church in Alderney (release date 6 November).
Anne French dedicated her life to helping children both in the island and around the world. In recognition of her extensive charity work, the west window of St. Anne’s church, comprising three lights, was dedicated to Anne French on Sunday 21 July, 1957.
The centre light depicts Jesus with some Alderney children and St. Anne’s church in the background. Jesus is nursing an infant child whilst blessing a little girl who has her arm wrapped around her younger brother (42 pence stamp). There are six medallions above and below this scene, each depicting typical Alderney boys and girls (37p and 56p).
The main panel of the left hand window depicts a colourful scene from Africa (57p), where Anne French and her husband, F.G.French, who was Judge of Alderney prior to the Second World War, worked, and where they distributed books which were used widely in schools. Two African school children are framed by palm trees and, in the foreground, typical African flowers including the Protea, South Africa’s national flower. The medallions around this scene feature children from Europe to reflect that Alderney children are members of a worldwide community. Above the main scene the medallions depict a Scottish girl, a boy from Canada and an American boy (62p).
Anne French and her husband also worked with children in Burma. The main panel of the right hand light features a Burmese boy and girl on steps leading from the pagoda, with typical flowers in the foreground (68 pence). Above the main panel scene are medallions depicting girls from China, India and New Guinea (77p).
Guernsey Post’s acting head of philatelic, Bridget Yabsley said: “We are delighted to be able to feature the wonderful scenes from the Anne French Window. We wanted the stamps to capture the true spirit of Christmas – giving to and thinking of others – and felt that the work of Anne French reflects this perfectly.”
The presentation pack, first day cover and stamps are available to pre-order now by contacting philatelic customer services on (01481) 716486 or by visiting www.guernseystamps.com.