CamTalks

This episode is proudly supported by:Blanchardhttp://www.blanchard-ald.comThe Blonde Hedgehoghttps://www.theblondehedgehog.comAlderney Electricityhttp://alderney-elec.comChannel Seawayshttps://www.channelseaways.ggBell & Cohttp://bellandcoalderney.comSaul Goldberg grew up around one of the most famous names in music.The grandson of Sir George Martin, the producer who signed The Beatles, Saul has spent his summers on Alderney since the 1980s. He started out in the mailroom at WME in Los Angeles, became an agent at CAA, and now builds businesses in the creator economy.We start with family. Summers on the island, his mum Alexis and her place in the community, and what it was like to grow up as George Martin's grandson. Saul shares how his grandfather backed The Beatles on gut instinct when others had passed, and the legacy he left behind.Then we get into Hollywood. Saul takes us from the bottom of the ladder to the inside of the industry, and explains how streaming changed who gets paid, why YouTube is now the biggest stage for creators, and what AI means for anyone making films or content.We talk about:– Childhood summers on Alderney and his mum, Alexis Martin– Growing up as George Martin's grandson– Why George Martin signed The Beatles– Cycling across America for ALS, with a little help from Paris Hilton– Starting in the WME mailroom and life as a Hollywood assistant– How Netflix changed TV and who owns the rights– YouTube and the rise of the creator economy– AI and the future of media production– The reality of building a business– A creator and entrepreneur retreat on Alderney– Alderney's future: tourism, population and leadershipBut this conversation is bigger than Hollywood or The Beatles.It's about instinct.It's about starting at the bottom and working your way up.It's about seeing what a small island could become.If you care about music, media or where Alderney goes next, this one's worth your time.What would bring you to Alderney? Let us know in the comments, and subscribe for more conversations from CamTalks.LET'S CONNECT 👇Listen on Apple Podcasts:http://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/camtalks/id1479296317Listen on Spotify:http://open.spotify.com/show/7lHojlnWyTUneaEpkcBgKSInstagram:http://instagram.com/camcairnduffLinkedIn:http://linkedin.com/in/cameroncairnduffTikTok:http://tiktok.com/@camcairnduffFacebook:http://facebook.com/cameronfilmsYouTube:http://youtube.com/@camcairnduff#CamTalks #Alderney #SaulGoldberg

This episode is proudly supported by:Blanchardhttp://www.blanchard-ald.comThe Blonde Hedgehoghttps://www.theblondehedgehog.comAlderney Electricityhttp://alderney-elec.comChannel Seawayshttps://www.channelseaways.ggBell & Cohttp://bellandcoalderney.comMark Harding's life has been shaped by the sea.A lifelong fisherman, former owner of Alderney Angling and part-time commercial rod and line angler, Mark joins me to talk about growing up in Portsmouth, finding Alderney at 35 and building a life on the water.We look back at his childhood on the south coast, where he was allowed out alone in a boat at 8, his teenage years fishing matches and leagues, and the moment he dropped out of the clouds and saw Alderney for the first time. He bought the island's tackle shop and moved over in 2004.Mark also opens up about his cancer diagnosis in 2013, the support the island gave him and how it led him to kayak 19 and a half hours through the night from Swanage to Alderney, raising £11,700 for Macmillan and Heroes on the Water.We talk about:– Growing up in Portsmouth and fishing from age four– Match fishing, leagues and the Alderney Angling Festival– Running the tackle shop and the island's fishing life– Tuna, humpback whales and the myths of Hurd Deep– Beating cancer and paddling across the English ChannelAt its heart, this is a conversation about patience, knowledge and the strength of mind it takes to keep going.Mark's story is a reminder that on Alderney, when life knocks you down, the island picks you back up.Have you ever been fishing around Alderney? Let us know in the comments, and subscribe for more conversations from CamTalks.LET'S CONNECT 👇Listen on Apple Podcasts:http://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/camtalks/id1479296317Listen on Spotify:http://open.spotify.com/show/7lHojlnWyTUneaEpkcBgKSInstagram:http://instagram.com/camcairnduffLinkedIn:http://linkedin.com/in/cameroncairnduffTikTok:http://tiktok.com/@camcairnduffFacebook:http://facebook.com/cameronfilmsYouTube:http://youtube.com/@camcairnduff#CamTalks #Alderney #MarkHarding

This episode is proudly supported by:

Blanchard
http://www.blanchard-ald.com

The Blonde Hedgehog
https://www.theblondehedgehog.com

Alderney Electricity
http://alderney-elec.com

Channel Seaways
https://www.channelseaways.gg

Bell & Co
http://bellandcoalderney.com

Jenny Rowley’s world brings together music, radio, fashion and the island she calls home.

A radio presenter, music obsessive and the founder of Anchors, Jenny joins me to talk about growing up on Alderney and the people who helped shape her perspective.

We look back at her upbringing, her parents’ circle of friends and the role models who left a lasting impression. On a small island, those connections are part of everyday life. The adults you grow up around, the conversations you remember and the examples people set can stay with you long after childhood.

Alongside her love of music and her connection to fashion, this conversation offers a personal glimpse into Jenny’s roots — and what it means to find your own path in a place where so many lives overlap.

We talk about:
– Growing up on Alderney
– Her parents’ friendships and the people around her
– The role models who shaped her outlook
– The connections that define a small island
– Personal stories, belonging and remembering where you come from

At its heart, this is a conversation about the people who influence us.

Some are family. Some are friends. Others might never realise how much of an impression they made.

Jenny’s story is a reminder that understanding a place starts with listening to the people who call it home.

What do you enjoy most about living on a small island? Let us know in the comments, and subscribe for more conversations from CamTalks.

LET’S CONNECT 👇

Listen on Apple Podcasts:
http://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/camtalks/id1479296317

Listen on Spotify:
http://open.spotify.com/show/7lHojlnWyTUneaEpkcBgKS

Instagram:
http://instagram.com/camcairnduff

LinkedIn:
http://linkedin.com/in/cameroncairnduff

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YouTube:
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#CamTalks #Alderney #JennyRowley

This episode is proudly supported by:

The Blonde Hedgehog
One of Alderney’s finest boutique hotels and restaurants, known for outstanding food, beautiful rooms and warm service.
https://www.theblondehedgehog.com

Alderney Electricity
Powering our island and supporting the community that keeps Alderney moving.
http://alderney-elec.com

Channel Seaways
Keeping Alderney supplied, connected and running every single day.
https://www.channelseaways.gg

Bell & Co
Trusted local experts for renting, buying or relocating to Alderney.
http://bellandcoalderney.com

James Walker is one of those people who quietly defines island life.

Builder, fisherman, lifeboat crew, snooker player, golfer, paddle addict — he’s been part of Alderney for over 30 years, arriving from Devon on a fishing boat and never leaving.

What starts as a laid-back chat about weekends, sport and pubs turns into something deeper — a window into how Alderney used to be, what’s changed and what still keeps people here.

James talks about arriving in the 90s when the island was buzzing with 20+ drinking spots, a stronger fishing industry and cheaper, easier travel. He shares stories from life at sea, a near-fatal accident with a rope around his neck and 14 years volunteering on the lifeboat, responding to emergencies in some of the toughest conditions around the island.

We also get into building homes, the old banqueage scheme, raising a family on Alderney and why despite the challenges — expensive travel, housing issues and a shrinking population — the island still offers a lifestyle that’s hard to beat.

We talk about:

• Growing up in Devon and arriving in Alderney by fishing boat
• Life at sea, fishing culture and a dangerous accident offshore
• 14 years on the lifeboat and what rescue work is really like
• Building houses on the island and the old banqueage system
• Snooker, golf and paddle — and the mindset of competition
• Alderney’s pub culture and what the island used to feel like
• Travel, fog and why access is still the biggest challenge
• Fishing, food and the reality of island self-sufficiency
• Why Alderney still offers more than people think

But this conversation is bigger than sport or island nostalgia.

It’s about staying power.
It’s about choosing a place and building a life there.
It’s about community, independence and getting on with things without making a fuss.

James is calm, direct and quietly sharp — the kind of person every small place relies on more than it realises.

If you want to understand Alderney beyond the surface, this one’s worth your time.

LET’S CONNECT 👇

Listen on Apple Podcasts:
http://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/camtalks/id1479296317

Listen on Spotify:
http://open.spotify.com/show/7lHojlnWyTUneaEpkcBgKS?si=09035669ff454537

Instagram:
http://instagram.com/camcairnduff

LinkedIn:
http://linkedin.com/in/cameroncairnduff

TikTok:
http://tiktok.com/@camcairnduff

Facebook:
http://facebook.com/cameronfilms

YouTube:
http://youtube.com/@camcairnduff

#CamTalks #Alderney #JamesWalker

This episode is proudly supported by:

The Blonde Hedgehog
One of Alderney’s finest boutique hotels and restaurants, known for outstanding food, beautiful rooms and warm service.
https://www.theblondehedgehog.com

Channel Seaways
Keeping Alderney supplied, connected and running every single day.
https://www.channelseaways.gg

Alderney Electricity
Powering our island and supporting the community that keeps Alderney moving.
http://alderney-elec.com

Bell & Co
Trusted local experts for renting, buying or relocating to Alderney.
http://bellandcoalderney.com

Barbara Benfield is one of those rare people who helps hold a small island together.

Born and raised on Alderney, Barbara comes from one of the island’s big local families. Her father fought in the D-Day landings. Her mother returned after the evacuation and helped rebuild life from scratch. Barbara grew up surrounded by the Homecoming generation and has spent much of her own life doing the same kind of work in a different form: practical, unglamorous, community-first.

She is best known for Age Concern Alderney, decades of fundraising, charity work, campaigning, volunteering and speaking up when others stay quiet. She has helped build services, support systems and social lifelines for elderly islanders, carers and families. She was awarded an MBE and, in this conversation, reflects on meeting Queen Elizabeth II, island values and why strong communities only survive when people step forward.

We talk about:

– Growing up in Alderney as one of nine children
– Her family’s connection to the Homecoming generation
– Her father’s war service and the legacy of D-Day
– What the island was really like in the 60s, 70s and 80s
– Tourism at its peak and how much Alderney has changed
– Why she started Age Concern Alderney
– Community transport, charity shops and care for the elderly
– Volunteering, loneliness and why people still need human connection
– The realities of island politics, health care and infrastructure
– Why Barbara believes communication, action and common sense still matter most

But this conversation is bigger than Alderney politics.

It’s about duty. Community. Memory. Speaking up.
It’s about what happens when somebody decides not to wait for permission and just gets on with helping.

Barbara speaks with honesty, humour and conviction about the island she loves, the people who built it and the challenges facing it now.

If you care about Alderney, community life or what it really takes to keep a small place going, this episode matters.

LET’S CONNECT 👇

Listen on Apple Podcasts:
http://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/...

Listen on Spotify:
http://open.spotify.com/show/7lHojlnW...

Instagram:
/ camcairnduff

LinkedIn:
/ cameroncairnduff

TikTok:
/ camcairnduff

Facebook:
/ cameronfilms

YouTube:
/ @camcairnduff

This episode is proudly supported by:

Alderney Electricity

Powering our island and supporting the community that keeps Alderney moving.

http://alderney-elec.com

Bell & Co

Trusted local experts for renting, buying or relocating to Alderney.

http://bellandcoalderney.com

Channel Seaways

Keeping Alderney supplied, connected and running every single day.

https://www.channelseaways.gg

Paul Clark is one of those people who quietly holds a small island together.

Born in Essex in 1968, first visiting Alderney as a child on bucket-and-spade holidays, Paul eventually made the island home — raising his children here, building businesses here, and putting his energy into projects that matter long after the noise fades.

This conversation is a wide-ranging, grounded look at what it really takes to build a life — and infrastructure — on a 2,000-person island.

We talk about starting a business at 16, competitive swimming, buying property young, moving into construction, and the realities of running a building company where your clients are also your neighbours.

Paul walks through the long, complicated story of the Alderney swimming pool, why it still matters, and what’s actually standing in the way. We also unpack tidal energy, the rise and fall of the FAB Link, why renewables aren’t as simple as they sound, and what small islands get wrong — and right — when it comes to big ideas.

We cover Alderney Salt, printing the Alderney Journal, paddle tennis, bunker parties coming full circle, lifeboat callouts, raising confident kids, and why optimism is sometimes a choice rather than a feeling.

This isn’t a hype piece.

It isn’t political theatre.

It’s a calm, intelligent conversation with someone who’s been doing the work for decades.If you care about Alderney’s future — or how small places actually survive — this one’s worth your time.

LET’S CONNECT 👇

Listen on Apple Podcasts:

http://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/camtalks/id1479296317

Listen on Spotify:

http://open.spotify.com/show/7lHojlnWyTUneaEpkcBgKS?si=09035669ff454537

Instagram:

http://instagram.com/camcairnduff

LinkedIn:

http://linkedin.com/in/cameroncairnduff

TikTok:

http://tiktok.com/@camcairnduff

Facebook:

http://facebook.com/cameronfilms

YouTube:

http://youtube.com/@camcairnduff

This episode is proudly supported by:Alderney ElectricityPowering our island and supporting the community that keeps Alderney moving.http://alderney-elec.comBell & CoTrusted local experts for renting, buying or relocating to Alderney.http://bellandcoalderney.comChannel SeawaysKeeping Alderney supplied, connected and running every single day.https://www.channelseaways.ggNigel Dupont is one of Alderney’s proud natives. Born here in 1959, from a family whose roots stretch back to the 1600s, he’s seen the island through boom years, quiet years and everything in between.This conversation is a deep, honest walk through Alderney’s modern history — told through one life lived properly.We talk about growing up with total freedom, losing a brother at sea, the rise and fall of the fishing industry, leaving the island at 17, hitchhiking across Europe, working illegally in the US, marrying for a green card, and spending ten years in California construction — including working on Frank Sinatra’s estate.Nigel explains why Alderney was always home, why he came back without hesitation, and how he helped build a serious local construction business that trained tradespeople still working on the island today.We also talk about community, quirkiness, beach parties, bunker parties, blogging before social media, cannabis before it was fashionable, and why the island survives because people simply get on with it.This is not a sales pitch for Alderney.It’s not nostalgic.It’s not polite.It’s a clear-eyed, funny, occasionally brutal account of how a small island actually works — and why it’s still standing.LET’S CONNECT 👇Listen on Apple Podcasts:http://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/...Listen on Spotify:http://open.spotify.com/show/7lHojlnW...Instagram:  / camcairnduff  LinkedIn:  / cameroncairnduff  TikTok:  / camcairnduff  Facebook:  / cameronfilms  YouTube:   / @camcairnduff