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The Ascension Island Newspaper |
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The Ascension Island Newspaper |
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Roy John and Julie Maggot were married
at Wisbech Register Office, in Cambridgeshire, at 10.30 am an
Saturday Sth September 1998.
Julie looked lovely in a white off the shoulder satin dress with
a sweetheart neckline and beaded bodice complemented with pearl
jewellery. Her hair was formed in a French plait, supported by a
pearl & rhinestone tiara and short white veil, She carried a
full bouquet of peach roses, lilies and carnations.
The bride was attended by flower girl Summer-Jade, who wore a peach satin dress with lace details and a large bow at the back. She carried a posy of flowers and wore an aloce band in her hair that matched the bride's bouquet. The page-boy, Conor, looked handsome in a silver waistcoat and matching tie. Roy wore a black suit with matching bow tie and cummerbund with a carnation button hole. Roy's friend, Marc Fowler, was best man and wore a suit that matched the grooms.Julie was given away by her brother, Daryl. After the ceremony, photographs wore taken and then the newly weds were driven to the reception held at Mendi's, which was decorated in their colour theme of peach and white. Approximately fifty family members and friends attended to help the happy couple celebrate their special day. The peach and white cake the couple cut was a circular 3 tier arrangement. following this the telegrams were read and the toast given by the best man. Julie and Roy started the dancing to "I Love You" by Celine Dion.
As always, there are a number of construction projects on-going on the installation for our operational and morale, welfare, and recreation facilities. You may have noticed a large amount of equipment being placed on Cat Hill where we have our global positioning and satellite communications facilities. This equipment will be used to establish temporary operational facilities, so that long-term permanent modifications can be made to these facilities. There, are a number of individuals on-island to support. this effort. This effort is being spearheaded by the United States Army as they are the lead organization regarding satellite communications within the Department of Defense.
In a few weeks, we are scheduled to begin construction on the commissary kitchen. The current plan is to build a temporary kitchen on the passenger terminal ramp behind the library and CSR store. The dishwashing facility will be temporarily located on the ramp between the commissary and the commissary storage facility. The construction should take several months to complete.
We recently completed a project to install new flag poles at the installation entrance. The old mast was badly corroded and becoming a large liability to maintain properly.
The base tennis courts are currently closed as the surface is being renovated. Unfortunately, we only anticipated having to resurface the top coating, but found the underlying concrete to be cracking in several places. Once the concrete is repaired, the top coating will be replaced. This project should be completed by the end of November.
Technical Sergeant Ed Rocha and myself ran in the recent Dew Pond. While we finished (with times not worth bragging about), I did gain a new appreciation for the dedication of many of the "athletes" on the island. I would like to give my personal appreciation to Turner for sponsoring the event and all of the organizers and personnel who assisted in the effort. Unfortunately, our counterparts from Antigua Air Station were unable to attend as they were still dealing with the effects of Hurricane Georges.
On a less pleasant note, we continue to have altercations and other problems at the Volcano Club. I would strongly encourage all island organizations to have their management personnel randomly visit the Volcano Club, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights, to observe their personnel. I must reiterate that if the climate of the Volcano Club does not change, we will ban individuals and/or restrict general access.
On January 6th, 1999, Technical Sergeant Ed Rocha will depart the island for Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. He will be assigned to the 78th Civil Engineering Group as a Quality Assurance Evaluator. Ed's replacement will be a Technical Sergeant David F.Sibble who will be coming from Maltrom Air Force Base, Montana. Technical Sergeant Sibble is scheduled to arrive January 26"', 1999.
Major Jeff Lowdermilk
From the Administrator's DeskAs many of you know, one of my preoccupations is to try and keep the island clean and litter-free. And I notice from this week's edition of the St Helena News that the Governor has officially declared the next 12 months as Environmental Awareness Year. I hope everyone on Ascension will support this worthwhile initiative. A pleasant clean environment enhances the quality of life of residents and visitors alike. And we should bequeath to our children and those who follow us an island of which they can be justly proud and where they can be safe.
So on Saturday last I was thoroughly chuffed to see the members of the Youth Club and their many helpers clearing the considerable amounts of rubbish from Georgetown, Two Boats and the roadsides in between. The place looked a picture after they had finished. And I was as pleased as punch when several visitors off Monday's RMS commented on how clean the island is. So "Well done" to everyone concerned.
I also note from the St Helena News that the Governor has established a Commission to enquire into the Saint Helena 1988 Constitution. The Commission is tasked to enquire "whether any inadequacies exist and to make proposals for any amendment or alternative provisions." If any Saint Helenian reader would like to contribute to this important debate they should contact Mr Alan Nicholls, the Commission's Secretary, c/o the Legal and Lands Department, St Helena. The Commission is asked to make its report within six months. (Readers will wish to note that this Commission has no authority as regards Ascension Island. Rather confusingly, Ascension is constitutionally totally separate from and independent of St Helena (despite its designation as a Dependency of St Helena and despite sharing the same Governor).
For the last couple of days Niddy and 1 played host to Michael and Claire Clancy who were- returning to the UK on their first annual leave.. Michael is SHG's Chief Secretary. Whilst here I was able to arrange for him to talk to representatives of most island organisations so that they could "cascade" what they learned to their work mates. There are some important matters afoot on St Helena so I hope Michael was able to put his audience's minds at rest.
On behalf of you all may I publicly welcome the Rev. Keith James (and his charming wife Ginny) our new Anglican vicar. It was nice to see such a large welcoming congregation for the couple at Keith's first Sunday service at St Mary's last week. We all wish you both a very happy stay here.
On Monday last Malcolm Walmsley SHG's census adviser popped in to my office on his way home. Readers may be interested to know that the resident Saint populations of the South Atlantic islands are as follows: St Helena: 4,971, Ascension Island: 719, and the Falkland Islands: 314.
And to conclude, this week we said farewell to the Royal Engineers from Exercise Turtle Heritage who were here for three weeks undertaking several jobs for the community as a whole. Apart from the Museum's new archives storage building, the REs cleaned up the One Boat bus stop, the "God be thanked" water tank, did a series of repair jobs in Fort Hayes and painted the Exiles Club clock. All contributing to a better envirownent. And that's where I first came in ......!
R C Huxley
Administrator 5 October 1998
Last updated: 07/10/98
All articles © copyright 1998 The Islander Newspaper.
All rights reserved.