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The Ascension Island Newspaper |
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The Ascension Island Newspaper |
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DOUBLE CELEBRATIONAll smiles for Julie Arms and Tina Thomas after their Passing Out Parade from 93 Course, RAF Halton. Julie is the daughter of Donald and Wendy Arms of Two Boats and Tina Thomas is the daughter of Cyril and Patsy Thomas of Georgetown.
Many congratulations to Julie and Tina on their achievement and we wish them all the very best for the future.
Julie is now training in telecommunications and Tina in
personnel administration.
September 15th was the date of the RAF's
glorious victory at the Battle of Britain and this was celebrated
with a Cocktail Party at the Officers' and Sergeants' Mess on
Friday.
However, the price of victory was high and many young men and women lost their lives.
In memory of this a special Church Service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration was held on Battle of Britain Sunday at St. Mary's Church conducted by the Rev. John Hughes. In Churchill's immortal words
"Never in the field of human conflict
was so much owed by so many to so few".
During the period 15 - 19 September, 1998 the British Forces' Broadcasting Service visited Ascension Island. As the Public Relations Officer, it fell to me to host Katie Roy and Mark Hearn as they reported on various activities.
The first part of the visit was to cover the training being carried out by the company group from the 10th Battalion (Volunteers) of the Parachute Regiment. Katie and Mark had no sooner left the Tristar before they were out on the ground with the troops as they exercised in and around the NASA site on the Tuesday. Just to help with their jet lag, we took BFBS to Broken Tooth at the ranges on the Wednesday for a light platoon assault. As the residents of Two Boats now know, it was what is known as a noisy attack, something of an understatement perhaps. Katie and Mark had plenty of chances to film the troops as they went about practising their tasks in the demanding terrain of Broken Tooth.
BFBS then started their reports on RAF Ascension while
theParas went about the joyous task of 'de-gunging' after their
time in the field. The aim of the report was to look at RAF
Ascension, its role and how the personnel fit in with the local
community. ln as mall attempt at 'getting your own back' the PTI,
Cpl Mick Evans, was made to do his interview whilst doing
press-ups, irritatingly enough he didn't even get out of breath
during a five minute interview!!
BFBS' aim is to increase the awareness of the rest of the
Services about Ascension Island, and to that end they have met
the Administrator and have spent a great deal of time taking in
the sights.
The final part of the report is on the Royal Engineers' Exercise Turtle Heritage. The BFBS team was reporting on the work that will be done around the local community. The reports will be shown on Scene Here on BFBS. The first report will be shown on Friday 25th September and will feature the Paras and the second report will be shown on Monday 28th September and will feature RAF Ascension., followed by autograph and book signings from the new stars of 'Ascension Uncovered' ............................... Flt. Lt. Simon Reade
The meeting was attended by representatives of most organisations operating on Ascension. The following matters were discussed:
Up-date on 12 May Meeting:
English Bay toilet block: The Royal Engineers from Exercise Turtle Heritage have arrived and will undertake a full feasibility study.
Two Boats Shop. When the shop was closed last March the LMG decided to re-assess the situation after six months. The Administrator will raise the matter at the next Island Customer Board (ICB) meeting in mid-October.
Post Box at Two Boats: the new post box is in situ and is well used.
Swimming training materials: the books and videos donated by the FCO had all arrived. Some have been given to the school and the rest lodged in the Georgetown Library for use by the general public.
NASAS. (formed to sponsor the attendance of participants at international sporting events). The Forum was disappointed that no-one from Ascension attended the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur either representing Ascension or as part of the St Helena team. There are adequate funds available to support Ascension islanders who reach a reasonable standard. Probably the next call for funds will be the Small Island Games in 1999.
Medical: The Forum supported the concept of a UK Support Group to keep in touch with patients. It was also felt that local employers could keep in more regular touch with patients as a way of reducing their feelings of loneliness.
Donkeys. The Forum is concerned that someone could be injured by rutting donkeys. The general population did not want all the donkeys culled - they are part of the island's heritage. But a select-cull is necessary every now and then. The Forum recommended that parents should take extra care of their children when donkeys are around.
Saints Club children's crossing. the new zebra-crossing, child safety gates and better road signs will be erected shortly. The Forum will monitor the new arrangements. All motorists are asked to take great care whilst driving in town.
Senior School: the Forum was advised that the Saint Helena Government had agreed to offer limited financial support for the Senior School for at least the next 18 months.
The Education Fund is supporting one young girl at a UK sixth-form college. She is doing well. It is possible that a second young lady may be assisted this coming year. Unfortunately there is not the money to put the girls through university (about £14,000 a year). SHG have declined to help.
New business:
Income tax for Saint off-shore workers.. Whilst details of the scheme are at present scanty, the Forum asked the Administrator to express on behalf of all Saint workers on Ascension it's firm opposition in principle to the introduction of income tax for Saints working off-shore. Staff from some island organisations had already made their views known to the SHG - others are strongly encouraged to do likewise. The meeting questioned the legality of one Overseas Dependent Territory levying taxes on workers in another Overseas Territory.
Pension Scheme for Saints: the SHG Financial Secretary has solicited input from all Saints by 30 September. Island organisations support the concept of a pension scheme for those Saints not already covered by occupational schemes.
Rubbish dump. Some residents have complained at the acrid smell when garbage in plastic sacks is burnt. The Administrator will discuss with AIS.
Charitable Trust to support St Helena's education and medical sectors. There had been good support for this suggestion. The Public Trustee could perhaps administer the Trust. (If all 1,000 Saint offshore workers contributed £10 a month, the Trust could make a significant contribution to these two under-funded sectors).
Turtles: the Forum asked the Administrator to approach turtle experts to see whether "turtle nurseries" could be established here - thus helping to guarantee the species' future.
Medical cover for Saints visiting the UK: the Administrator will cheek to see whether Saints visiting the UK and whose company contracts had expired, are covered for medical treatment (in the meantime the Administrator's advice is that ex-contract Saint visitors going overseas should take out private travelers insurance).
Control of dogs. the meeting complained that some dogs are not being kept under adequate control and that dogs are depositing their excreta in the streets. The Administrator agreed to issue a public notice seeking dog- owners cooperation.
Administrator
16 September 1998
Last updated: 01/10/98
All articles © copyright 1998 The Islander Newspaper.
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