John Stokes jandpstokes@talktalk.net

I was based in Ascension in 1969/70 with the (then) MPBW later to become PSA.  My presence there was required quite urgently and I therefore took the MAC flight from Brize Norton - New York, stayed with the Americans at the Sugar Mills in Antigua before flying on to Ascension.  It was just at the end of the 'project' (generating station; building of Two Boats etc.) with (I suspect) a very much smaller population than today's.  I should love to come back for a visit but my wife's health is just not up to such a journey.  I have kept in touch with Bill Skinner (another civil servant) but would really like to hear from anyone who was in Ascension at that time and who might remember me.  I am thinking particularly of Harry Brewster (originally from Fylingdales) whose hand I held to embark on our Ascension journey and some of the ships complement of HMS Hermione who we entertained on the Island having been guests of the ships Captain the previous day.
The fishing trips on the BBC and MPBW launches remain etched in my memory and I still have the colour prints of the first moon landings and space shots given to us by the staff of NASA (with whom we fished)and our visits to the Volcano Club to get some real food! I had responsibilities for accommodation and quartering and remember 'giving' a carpet to Sgt. Clingham and his wife (whose daughter Brenda worked in my office) to go on the concrete floor of their accommodation in Georgetown.  I hope things have improved!!
Good luck Ascension - I will get there one day!

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Following a visit to the Island recently, I would like to thank everyone I met for the hospitatity they showed towards me and for making me feel so welcome.  I would especially like to thank the people (Alison and Winnie) for looking after me on my first ever Hash- hopefully not my last, and to Steve Ellick for spending time teaching me the bascics of diving in Two Boats pool.  I have never thought about a place and spoken about a place as much as I have about Ascension Island.It is a unique, unspoilt Island, full of lovely people and I can't wait to visit again.
So hello to all the people I met and hope to see you all again in the not too distant future.

With Love and best wishes,
Jane Goodwin ( Catherine Hiorns’ Sister )