 |
The Ascension Island Newspaper |
||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
The Ascension Island Newspaper |
||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
| Prudy
and Gilbert Peters celebrated 25 years of marriage on
Saturday, 16th January 1999. They were married on the
16th January 1974 in St. Paul's Cathedral in the Country
Area of St. Helena and their reception was held at Guinea
Grass - Young Farmers Club. Gilbert came to Ascension in
1965 and worked on the US Base up until 1987 and then
transferred to BBC where he works to this day. Prudy has
been here since 1975 first working on the US Base and
after Aaron was born in1987 has worked part-time
cleaning, bar work and at the laundry. (Picture
right - The Happy Couple)
|
 |
 |
Here on Ascension, 300 family and
friends were invited to Two Boats Club to help Prudy and
Gilbert celebrate 25 years of marriage. Their son Aaron
attended the party, but unable to be there were Gilbert's
mum, Rhoda Peters living on St. Helena, together with
other family members from St. Helena, The Falkland
Islands and U.K. Congratulatory telegrams and cards were
received from Prudy and Gilbert's family and friends. The
party was a great success with Donald and Wendy Arms
providing, as always, a delicious meal. The Bar Staff worked hard to ensure everyone had a drink to toast the happy couple, and "Love Affair" guaranteed the party went with a swing. Many congratulations Prudy and Gilbert from all your family and friends - here is to the next 25 years! (Picture Left - "Love Affair" playing when the Islander Photographer was snapping away!) |
Hello again Readers, This is our first page for 1999, so
we'll begin with activities at the start of the second term.
Staff Development Day
This took place on the first day of term (Monday, 11 January) when staff only came into school to participate in different courses. The day began with a staff meeting, the likes of which is held on a regular basis during which matters relating to policy and planning, which affect the everyday running of the school, are discussed. This was followed by a First Aid course given by Doctor Robin who, in her expert and professional way, gave advice on what we should (or try to do!) when coping with an accident in the classroom, playground or on a school trip! Basically, it involved learning emergency aid techniques to how to deal with cuts and grazes and other common mishaps, which are common to any school. It was a very beneficial course indeed, and we thank Doctor Shub for organising it and Doctor Robin for delivering it.
Before we welcomed our now very well-known 'Turtle People' for the afternoon session, the staff split in sector groups and Karen Green, our Primary Curriculum Co-ordinator led a session on Special Educational Needs and Tania Maggott, our Deputy Head, a session on Records of Achievement (RoA). The latter matter was a follow on from our first in-service day in November as Tania had managed to glean more information on it when in the UK on training and school attachment. Although we have a housepoint system in place with recommendations for one off achievements or consistently good efforts (Special mentions), an all-through arrangement will take into account not only the success pupils have in school but also within the community (youth organisations, sport, etc.) An introduction of the RoA system of recognising all pupils' achievements has been introduced to the Year 10's but it is our intention to implement it throughout beginning in the Lower School. Each pupil then has a record of all achievements to take away from the school at leaving age to keep and use as seen fit when entering the work world. The need to recognise our pupils' success is paramount and does much to boost their esteem and motivation.
As we moved into the afternoon and continued our interesting day, Brendan and Annette were welcomed and then they treated us to an interesting turtle talk with accompanying slides. They began with an introduction to the project, a brief overview of their activities followed by an overview of the biology of marine turtles. We were invited to give ideas as to how the project could form a focus for lessons both during this current session and beyond. All in all a very enriching session, which has increased our knowledge and provided us with opportunities to broaden our pupils' turtle interest and education. Thank you Brendan and Annette.
School's Back!
And following the teachers' day we welcomed back the pupils the day after to a brand new term. Among the returnees were a new boy to the Island Thomas Burke, who has joined Middle One and is here to stay with his Mum and Dad, and six visiting pupils who are currently on holiday. They are Michael and Jason Williams, Tamara O'Bey, Kayleigh Henry, Andrew Osborne and Jodi Duncan. We welcome all of our visitors and wish them and their families a pleasant stay on Ascension. We also welcome to the staff as our senior part-time Art teacher, Mrs Lyn Hone.
And that's it for now. The children will bring you their first news page next week.
Click here and Visit the Two Boats School Website
 |
|
Dear Friends,
What does 'prayer' mean to you?
A 'thankyou' to God at the end of the day? An urgent message for something you need, or for someone else to get better? Something you only do as a last resort when everything else fails?
Or simply nothing at all, a complete waste of time.
When I was at school I ought to have studied English and art and drama, but because I wanted to become a dentist I had to take exams in Chemistry and Physics and Zoology. I wasn't very good at these and as a sort of compensation I used to buy all the latest text-books on these subjects, thinking they would make me better. Which of course they didn't - I failed miserably.
My study bookshelves in the UK had more books on prayer and books of prayers than anything else. There's a lesson there - I'm still not very 'good' at praying.
In fact the older and supposedly wiser I get the more difficult it becomes. But I persevered. Not only because, unlike anyone else on the Island, it is my job. But because I believe in it.
Most priests are asked to remember people in prayers, lists are printed to help us. Yesterday morning all Royal Air Force Chaplains would have prayed for myself and Fr Anton Agreiter as chaplains here on Ascension. It is good to know that you are prayed for and remembered before God, it can be a source of strength and hope to know you are not forgotten.
By Easter I hope to have a regular 'prayer list' of all the organisations and companies and people living and working on the island. I hope you approve, and will keep you informed.'More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of....'
I'm sure the poet Tennyson had got it right.
God Bless You and Keep You
Fr Keith & Ginny
From this week's Editor - Mrs Kate
Hayward: - Thank you Tony for taking over Editing the Islander on my behalf last week as I had other commitments.
Sadly for us Adrian and I leave the Island in May. This means that I will have to give up Editing the Islander, possibly after my February issue so that I can get on with all that packing! When I first started helping the Islander as a collator/printer I didn’t ever think that I would be editing the Islander. If I can do it then anyone can - seriously, all you have to do is put all the articles together, most contributors submit their article on a floppy disc so there is minimum typing. The Islander Team are a great bunch of people and are always willing to give a hand so you won’t be You could team up with someone and work together. Either come along on a Tuesday evening down at the Islander Office to see how the paper is put together or have a chat with one of the Editors for more information.
We wait to here from you on your own.
PUBLIC NOTICENo. 3/99
On Wednesday, 20th January 1999, the Post Office will release for sale a set of four stamps and a souvenir sheet depicting American and British Air Force Transport Aircraft that passed through Ascension during the Second World War.
The Stamps are as follows:-
15p Curtiss C-46 Commando
35p Douglas C-47 Dakota
40p Douglas C-54 Skymaster
50p Consolidated Liberator MK.V
£1.50 the Souvenir Sheet commemorating the 125th Anniversary
of the Birth of Sir Winston Churchill depicts a picture of him
acknowledging the salute of the 1st American Squadron Home Guard.
Inserted at the Bottom left-hand corner is the Consolidated
Liberator LB-30 which was specially converted for Sir Winston
Churchill's use during World War II.
Set of stamps at £1.40, Souvenir Sheets at £1.50, First Day Covers at £1.90 and First Day Covers for a period of three months from the date of issue. They will still be available to collectors from the Philatelic Bureau for a further twelve months provided stocks last.
These (and more) Stamps are available for viewing on-line on The Administrator's website.
A.R. FRANCIS
Postmistress
Post Office
Georgetown
13th January 1999
A VISIT TO ASCENSION My wife and I spent a relaxing time on Ascension Island between September '98 and January '99. This the first time we had visited the island and we were impressed with what we saw, including the mosquitoes, which seem to take great pleasure in making their presence known to the unwary after sundown. During our brief holiday there the weather was fair throughout, with many hot sunny days experienced over the Christmas period. We were also lucky to see the well-known green turtles coming onto the beach to lay their eggs, a sight certainly worth seeing. Contrary to what we were led to believe before our arrival, Ascension is not a bleak and arid place but rather a place of interesting and contrasting scenery. At one or two places you think you are on the moon; then later it seems as if you are travelling parts of the Eastern Cape; in other places it is as if you are part of the countryside on St. Helena; in other places you can visualise yourself as being in different parts of the world. Linking (or binding together) all these places is the Ascension clinker. Walking on clinker is an experience in itself. It is almost as if you are walking on noisy sand, for want of a better description. Because the vast majority of the population come to Ascension solely for the purpose of working for their livelihood, in most parts of the island there is peace and quiet during the daytime. Many workers and those not working during the day normally give due consideration to the workers resting or sleeping in readiness for their evening shifts. During the three and a half months we stayed at Two Boats Village there was very little noise indeed heard during the daytime - an ideal situation for a visitor looking for a restful holiday.
In addition to the many interesting walks one can do on this island, there are other interesting things to see and do while on holiday; for example visiting the Heritage Society and Museum, Arianne Earth Station, Merlin Communications Earth Station, Power Station, Desalination Plant and other places of special interest to individual visitors. Clubs are normally open every day for sale of refreshments liquid and otherwise; and at nights they really come alive. The Clubs in each of the main working areas on the island i.e. The Saints Club, Exiles Club, Two Boats Club, Mountain View Club, Volcano Club are well set up and spacious for practically any function eg. weddings, dances and private parties etc. It is here, at any of these Clubs where the workforce from any of the different organisation on the Island meet and socialise. It was at these Clubs that we met so many friends old and new over a pint or two (or to be precise, over a glass or two). It was also very relaxing to watch the football and the softball matches held in the various areas of Ascension. It was equally interesting to visit and attend the Christmas entertainment at the one and only school at two Boats Village; the Airhead, the US Base, and the one and only AIS shop in Georgetown.
Shortly before departing Ascension we were able to have an extremely enlightening and informative chat with the Manager of the Ascension Island Services (AIS) and in addition to learning how this agency or organisation operates in conjunction with all the other organisations on the Island, we left his office much wiser and could better appreciate reasons for (to the uninitiated such as ourselves) the apparent high cost of certain services. Consequently we were able to view a number of factors in a better perspective. Other people also imparted through casual conversations at social gatherings a mine of information about this island. We left Ascension relaxed and informed and would recommend the place to anyone wishing to unwind completely before tackling other challenges in life.
One could easily describe other things in detail such as for example seldom having to blow one's horn or reverse on Ascension roads etc. Once could even comment on how luxurious it could be to read to ones heart's content and have the time to look at one's favourite films whenever one felt like it. Or lie in bed for as long as you like without a worry in the world. But in concluding this summary of our brief holiday on Ascension Island, it would not be complete without mentioning in no uncertain terms how hospitable "Ascensionites" are. We received a warm welcome everywhere we went. We felt we were amongst one big happy family. We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday there and look forward to a return visit in the foreseeable future, funds permitting.
(We hope Eric George doesn't mind the above being printed in The Islander but we think it is always interesting to know what visitors think of us and how they see the Island - Ed)
Hash Trash The rendezvous was the car park of the Red Lion and despite a few emigrations/seasonal migrations/blatant no-shows, boosted by welcome trans-Atlantic visitors, the numbers exceeded a score AND the limits of available car parking. Perhaps there is an environmental lesson to be learned therein-or is it just folks on Ascension do not incur their own fuel costs!? Singly occupied vehicles should be discouraged unless driver (can't be the passenger) is hampered by Penguin-like tardiness.
The trail which had been laid by Morticia, Lady Like, The Tank Engine and a few willing helpers took us round (an' around), up and down (and up and down) the lush regions of the upper slopes of Green Mountain. From the RV site, the motley crew headed up and along Bishop's Path, past the 2nd pigsty towards the Weather Gardens. Apparent confusion arose as to which building constituted the 2nd pigsty (perhaps dependent on whether you counted up or down the hill), however the group was duly reassembled at the first (of five) circles thanks to dutiful shepherd(ess)ing by the hares. This was not to be the first episode of little lost sheep following along imaginary trails. On two further occasions (once lead by The Fugitive and another by Morticia herself) the group were lured bleating along the hashless hillside.
It was to be a hash of brief bursts of exhaustion between breath-taking views with time for reflection for keen beans and FRB's alike. With much goose-stepping through awkward tussock grass, the trail led to another stop at rocky outcrop offering splendid views of Fairy Terns and much of lower Ascension. Roly Poly's vertigo became evident as some of the hash pixies ambled too close to the edge. With heart-rending swiftness munchkin-like hashers (A-Drain, Thomas the Tank Engine, Satellite, Fit Guy and Wannabe First) then dragged us up and further up through the Weather Gardens to the Upper Catchment. The generation gap was obvious as Thunder Thighs and Crystal Tips watched all but their youngest disappear over the horizon. Cardiovascular exhaustion was order of the day and complaints from Lollipop regarding lack of good sitting stones fell on deaf ears as hashers collapsed in various sized heaps in the comfortable herbage. Sniffy realised the zimmer frame was more of a hindrance than a help and discarded it part way, but in a clear show of family ties, Dozy Ha'p'orth hung back to make sure the "old boy" made it through.
From the highest point, the run was then a steady downwards stumble, with remarkably few muddy slips, circling the old cow shed and onwards to Rock Cottage where hashers were met by a veritable bonanza of tasty, home-made fare and well deserved fluid replacement. Many thanks to Lady-like, Occasional and Thomas for steps taken well beyond the call of duty- amidst their holiday weekend as well. To top the day off, hedonistic ritual was satisfied in the naming of three new hashers: Beany Baby (2nd smallest hasher after Prambo), Shirley Temple (Curliest locks), and Human Mattress (Softest landing). Two of three of those named may have desired more glamorous tags but the Hash Master has spoken, the drinks have been sprayed and the names will stick. Several other namings are due/overdue, but perhaps Dudley and John are interesting enough dry.
Subscriptions: A reminder from the Hash Master that subscription fees have one-and-a-halfed to £1.50 or $2.50-ish. He's not saying that everyone is not levying fully but must be thinking it!
This Weeks Hasher's: Sniffy, Dozy Ha'p'orth, A-Drain, Lollipop, Morticia, Roly Poly, The Fugitive, Satellite, Penguin, Warp Speed, Occasional, Lady Like, Thomas the Tank Engine, Thunder Thighs, Crystal Tips, Wannabe First, Fit Guy, Hotlips, Dudley, John , Deb, Dan, Lance, Karen, Sophie (now AKA Beany Baby), Steve (now AKA Shirley Temple), Brendan (now AKA Human Mattress).
Next Week's Hash: Roly Poly and A-Drain from Two Boats Football Field. 4.30pm. All welcome!
| Visit the Ascension Island Hash Web Site |
ASCENSION PREMIERSHIP 1998/99
Results – Tables – Fixtures - News
Results:
| Sat 16 Jan | Georgetown | 2 | Harts | 6 |
| 5pm | D Henry, N Thomas | A Bennett (4) S Henry(2) | ||
| Referee: T Reynolds | Man of the Match: A Bennett (Harts) | |||
| Sun 17 Jan | Travellers | 9 | Two Boats Rowdies | 0 |
| 3pm | T Reynolds (6), B Minto, R Miller D Collis | |||
| Referee: S Williams | Man of the Match: T Reynolds (Travellers) | |||
| Sun 17 Jan | Bellboys | 8 | Roustabouts | 1 |
| 5pm | C Green(2), M Greentree(2), J
Benjamin, D Beard, L Benjamin |
J Williams Booked: Bradley Corker (Roustabouts) |
||
| Referee: D Henry | Man of the Match: C Green (Bellboys) | |||
HARTS ‘GO TO TOWN’
Many fans turned out to watch the clash of the Titans on Saturday, and the meeting lived up to expectations. Harts pulled the early lead, courtesy of Net Buster Bennett, putting Georgetown fans on edge. Then came another from the Harts top scorer. Georgetown had a chance to reduce the deficit as they were awarded a penalty. Hurricane Henry proved he had nerves as steel as he blasted it past Harts goalkeeper. Half time saw Johnny ‘Iceman ‘ Hobson retire from the Georgetown defence. This was the psychological edge that Harts needed. Undeterred, Georgetown fought back and Dubbs Thomas equalised. Harts began doubting themselves. Did they have what it took to take on Georgetown? With time running out, Net Buster answered their prayers and put the Harts once again in the lead. Harts knew it was not over and with only one goal ahead, could not relax. Georgetown endured on, but another goal from Harts was enough to crack them. Broken, Georgetown failed to keep Harts at bay and suffered a further two goals. It was inspiring to see Georgetown fighting to the bitter end, despite the odds, a true mark of champions.
Two Boats Rowdies proved they did not have enough to stop the Travellers Freight train. Rebel Reynolds, in the driver’s seat yet again. TBR were 2-0 down at half time and despite many regular players absent, were looking to equal Travellers given the chance. Struggling on occasions with only ten men in the second half, TBR soldiered on, making many thrilling advances on the Travellers goal but still unable to find the net. Travellers finally broke away, and scored a further 7 goals to end the day 9 ahead.
Roustabouts had a shock in store for Bellboys this week. After having such a good result against Harts last week, Bellboys were on a high. Roustabouts were unimpressed. Within 5 minutes, Roustabouts were a goal ahead. Bellboys fought back in disbelief! Unfortunately for Roustabouts the impact was short lived and Bellboys made their mark and went on to a 8 -1 win. Excellent display of goalkeeping again this week by Cyril Yon, Roustabouts cool goalkeeper.
Net Buster Bennett was back to his old ways on Saturday, scoring 1 1/3 hatrick, in a bid to keep Rebel Reynolds in sight. Not to be out done, Rebel Reynolds put in a double hatrick against Rowdies to keep his distance. Dubbs Thomas scores again this week as well. Both Rebel and Dubbs, still the Leagues most envied strikers, continue to find the net at each outing.
Premiership Hot Shots
29 T Reynolds (Travellers) - 18 A Bennett (Harts) - 10 A Piesse (Travellers) – 10 N Thomas (G/town) – 7 S Henry (Harts)
– 6 A Thomas J Benjamin (B/boys) - 4 T Leo (Roustabouts), D Henry, C Young (T/B Rowdies)
Fixtures: Wed 20 Jan: 5.05pm – Georgetown v Bellboys Sat 23 Jan: 5pm – Bellboys v Two Boats Rowdies Sun 24 Jan: 3pm – Harts v Roustabouts 5pm – Georgetown v Travellers
Georgetowns postponed first round game to be played this Wednesday. Saturdays game should be evenly matched as TBR hope to give Bellboys a beating. Roustabouts have Harts to contend with this weekend, and... Net Buster Bennett. He scored the most goals in a game, a total of 8, against Roustabouts. Another hard game for Georgetown as they face League leaders, Travellers. Can Georgetown put last weeks game behind them, or will Rebel be their worst nightmare? Get ready to rumble!
Last
updated: 24/01/99 |
Visit our sponsor:  |