The boundaries of Alderney are roughly defined as being all areas north of Herbert Avenue, west of Alder Road, south of Wallisdown Road and streets branching off both sides of Ringwood Road This definition is for the ward of Alderney as defined by the borough of Poole in its ward profiling, although some areas are more commonly referred to as other suburbs e.g. the area southwest of Walisdown roundabout is often referred to as Wallisdown and the area around the junction of Herbert Avenue and Alder Road is known as Rossmore.
History
Up until the 1940s, most of the area between Herbert Avenue and Ringwood Road was heathland known as Alderney Heath. After the Second World War there was a great need for housing due to a sharp increase in population. Poole council built many council owned houses in Alderney in the late forties and fifties, mostly semi-detached houses and terraces of four. Later, more housing was added, generally bungalows.
Bourne Valley
Situated in the middle of Alderney, Bourne Valley is made up of a few different areas of land all joined together to make one large area.
Bourne Valley nature reserve
Bourne Valley nature reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Situated to the north of Alderney, the area includes the protected lowlands heath, Bourne Bottom. The site is approximately, and consists mainly of boggy heath and trees. The area has many paths which connect to various streets. The main path starts at Ringwood road which links to a tunnel under the busy dual carriageway, which provides access to the West part of Alderney and Canford heath. The path lies parallel to the stream and joins Bloxworth road at the other side. As the name suggests, Bourne Valley is the start of one of the tributaries forming the Bourne Stream which eventually runs into Bournemouth. Three culverts which emerge from under Ringwood Road start the stream, and it is believed they come from Canford Heath, Sembcorpwater works, and road run-off.
Bourne Valley Park
To the south of Evering Avenue is Bourne Valley Park, formerly known as Alderney Recreation ground. The whole area was developed between 2003 and 2007 by the Bourne Stream partnership after the area became a problem: football pitches that were too boggy to be used, antisocial behavior from motorcycle riders, pollution from nearby commercial ventures and rubbish. The open space now consists of wooded areas, heathland, streams, a pond, much open grass land, a large adventure park and off-road bike park.
Buildings and landmarks
Alderney Hospital
Alderney Hospital was built in 1888 for the care of the elderly; it now specialises in dementia and mental health with both in and out patients.
Alderney Manor Community Centre is a social venue which holds classes and events and can be hired out by organisations and members of the public. Whilst the entrance is on Berkeley Avenue, the address is on Herbert Avenue. There is a main hall with access to toilets, a kitchen, lounge/bar area, small upstairs meeting room and carpark; the downstairs is wheelchair accessible. The venue is used as a polling station for local and general elections.
It is Poole's second most densely populated area with 31 people to each hectare and suffers much higher than average levels of poverty, illiteracy and crime. However, this does not reflect every part of the ward.
Street names
Streets near Alderney Avenue have been named after various places in the Channel Islands, including:
