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The Islander - Thursday 22^nd April 1999

MERLIN COMMUNICATIONS SPONSORED DEW POND RACE PROVIDES NO SURPRISES HERE -

ERROL DUNCAN WINS AGAIN!!

Errol - At the top of Ascension!

Errol Duncan (left) sleepwalked his way to the Dew Pond in Sunday’s race. Not his fastest time to date but still enough to win in a creditable 1 hour 13 mins. In a relatively small but cheerful field of 36 runners, the winning team of four who came 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th between them were the ‘Letterboxers’ ( Peter Young, Errol Duncan, Hugh Murray and Iain Atkinson). Hugh Murray not only came second but was also the 1st Male Veteran. Milly Thomas took the honours as 1st Female Veteran. First female to the Dew Pond was Carolyn Nicholls in a time of 1 hour 33mins. (Pictured below). Presentation of the medals took place at the Mountain View Club later that day. Thanks to HH Roger Huxley for handing out the trophies and certificates and to Dave Rayney for his ‘Richard Whitely’ style attempts at humour whilst announcing the runners and their times.

Starting line up!

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MERLIN COMMUNICATIONS SPONSORED DEWPOND RESULTS

No Name Org Time Team Prizes 1 Errol Duncan Turners 1:13 Letterboxers 1st Male 2 Hugh Murray Turners 1:21 Letterboxers 2nd Male & 1st Male Veteran 3 Iain Atkinson Merlin 1:23 Letterboxers 3rd Male 4 John Bound MET 1:23   1st Male Veteran 5 Peter Young Turners 1:26 Letterboxers   6 Mick Cowie Navy 1:27     7 Alec Grabowski Army 1:28     8 Carolyn Nicholls Merlin 1:33   1st Female 9 Geordie Peters AIS 1:35 Scouts   10 Daryl Sim AIS 1:36 Scouts   11 Ashley Lawrance Merlin 1:36 Scouts   12 Brad Hogg Navy 1:37     13 Raymond Young AIS 1:38 Scouts   14 Dudley Bowling CSR 1:38     15 Jeff Lowdermilk USAF 1:40     16 Richard Nicholls CSR 1:42     17 Paul Higgins RAF 1:43     18 Andy Peel Army 1:46     19 Bill Matthews RAF 1:50     20 Dave Sibble USAF 1:51     21 Anita Patterson Army 1:52   2nd Female 22 Aleksandar Gradinski AIS 1:55     23 Milenko Gradinski AIS 1:55     24 Dave Rayney Merlin 1:56     25 Fiona Glen Turtle 2:00   3rd Female 26 Jim Allsop RAF 2:01     27 Nigel Ibbotson Turners 2:03     28 Mark Giles RAF 2:07     29 Brendan Godley Turtle 2:09     30 Sam the Dog AISPCA 2:09     31 Philip Reve MET 2:11     32 Milly Thomas CSR 2:12   1st Female Veteran 33 Liz Murphy RAF 2:23     34 Steve Hone RAF 2:23     35 Jim Clearwater CSR 2:28     36 James Fletcher RAF 2:31     Winning Team: The Letterboxers

Tourist Ship Visit's Ascension

Professor Molchanov

Molchanov was built in Finland in 1983 as an ice-strengthened research ship. For many years she plied the treacherous waters of the USSR's northern coast until in 1996 she was refurbished in The Netherlands to provide comfortable accommodation for 52 Passengers and a combined bar/lounge/library area. This class of vessel has a fine reputation for polar expedition cruising because of its strength, manoeuvrability and small number of cabins. The Captain and crew of 18 consists of mainly Russians with European Chefs.

There are only 24 passengers on board for this trip, 4 of which disembark here at Ascension awaiting flights to either the Falklands or the UK. This cruise is a yearly event, and started on 18th March in Ushvaia, Argentina (the most southern tip of South America). It then made stops at Falklands, South Goergia, Gough Island, Tristan da Chuna & Nightingale Island, St. Helena and Ascension. From here it will travel to Cape Verde, La Palma, Madera, Scilly Islands, Weymouth and finally finishing this 52 day cruise in Holland.

The passengers enjoyed a tour of Ascension, which included a trip to Bosun Bird Island on Saturday. The Molchanov then circumnavigated the island on Sunday before going on her way to Cape Verde. This is the second visit for the Molchanov which called at Ascension during last years cruise.

LETTERS

"Maersk Gannet" to the Rescue.

The Maersk Gannett

Once the authorities had been notified 'Maersk Gannet' was called up only to be told by Captain Jim Podger that there was a problem with the steering and that they might not be able to assist. Noddy's boat was too small so Base Commander Jeff Lowdermilk was asked if he would allow the USAF launch 'Range Rider' to assist. I was told by Senor Hermida that the Captain and crew on the vessel were Spanish and that their command of English was poor. There was now a search for a translator but all of the Spanish speaking patrons on the Base were away on leave and only Ernie Matisz was left but he speaks Portuguese - not even close. However, during the time the Base Commander was persuading his bosses in the United States to allow the 'Range Rider' to take a coil of tow rope to the stricken vessel, Capt. Jim Podger came up on channel 6 and told us that he had fixed his steering and that the 'Maersk Gannet' was soon to be on her way. 'Maersk Gannet' with 'Suffolk Challenger' in tow arrived safely back in Clarence Bay at 2100 hrs on Monday evening. Capt. Podger reported that apart from difficulty in connecting up the tow line in heavy swell first time round and losing one of the Gannet's fenders at sea, the operation went reasonably well.

Well done 'Maersk Gannet'

Cedric Henry - Marine & Operations

SCHOOL NEWS
From the Headteacher - Mrs Betty Joshua

 

Hello everyone!

Last week you saw some excellent pictures accompanying our Splash Gala news. Since that event we have held our (post) Easter Fete at School and ended the term with an exciting Swim Gala at Travellers Pool. Here's our news about them this week.

Easter Fete
The School hall was alive with happy children, parents and friends on Wednesday afternoon of the 14 April. Before the buying and selling began, it was our pleasure to welcome Mr. & Mrs. Huxley, Father Keith and Ginny and a large number of parents and friends who had found the time to come and support the afternoon's event. Once the doors opened and the Fete declared 'open', the children were given the opportunity to buy first as they had made many of the items on sale , particularly those on the Craft stall. Staff, students and parent helpers (Sylvia Henry, Nathan & Debbie Prince, Cheryl Anthony, Patsy Moyce, Malenko Gradinski, Simon Reade, Peggy Stevens) were busy keeping everyone entertained throughout the afternoon and we are delighted to announce the following takings:

Raffle	£157.30
Tombola (bottle & can)	£ 18.25
Craft	£109.53
Cake	£ 32.45
Confectionery	£ 47.15
White Elephant	£ 33.00
Sideshows	£ 33.30
	£493.05

During the course of the afternoon, the Raffle Draw made by Niddy Huxley revealed the following results:
First Prize - an Easter Chick iced cake won by Kirsty Anthony
Second Prize - a box of chocolates won by Corey Anthony
Third Prize - a bottle of non-alcoholic wine won by Daisy Gray

The School Fete

Cassie Hitting the Bag of Sweets

We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the Fete and extend thanks to everyone who has helped in any way to make this Easter event such a happy and successful occasion. The teachers and children derived great pleasure from working towards the event and there is talk already of bigger and better things for next year! As stated in an earlier school page, the takings will be split 50-50 between the Ascension Fair Day Fund and our School Playground Enhancement Fund. Once again, our thanks to all.

SPLASH GALA This was an exciting affair and, once again, well supported by parents and friends who cheered the children on. The Gala was organised slightly differently to last year's in that the Middle School children competed as individuals due to a number of their peers being away on leave at the time. The Secondary children swam for their House teams and, all in all, we saw another successful event being organised by the staff and keenly participated in by the children. Without you, the event could not have happened.	Winning House of the day- Beale House
Connelly House Huxley House	Once again, thanks are in order to Johnny Hobson, our announcer, who never fails to keep the children's enthusiasm going with his encouraging words (and jokes); to Rob, the PTI, for agreeing the use of the pool and for keeping a watchful eye on the whole scene as lifeguard; to Jeff Lowdermilk who ensured that all participants knew what they were embarking upon at the start of each race before blowing his whistle; to Debbie Prince and Alison Reade for time-keeping (there certainly was team-work there, girls!); to Pierhead staff for the loan of the truck to transport equipment to and from the pool; to Niddy for all the handshakes and encouraging words when presenting the ribbons to individuals and the cup to the winning House of the Day -Beale; and last, but by no means least, to our staff and helpers for the numberous little necessary jobs that made the day go smoothly. Boys Dive
The following people were winners of the Raffle drawn at the dance held in aid of the Education Trust Fund at the Saints Beach Hut on Saturday, 10 April 1999. Dawn Duncan Clock Ticket No 920626 Steve Chase Whiskey Ticket No 920806 Simon Reade Cold Duck Ticket No 920857 Kenny Everett Wine Ticket No 920972 Bonita Peters Wine Ticket No 920945 Linda Thomas Liqueur Ticket No 920799 Ian Thomas Baccardi Ticket No 920661 Steve Least Wine Ticket No 920802 Sonia(RAF) Phonecard Ticket No 920893 Elaine Young Phonecard Ticket No 921048 Steve Chase Case of Beer Ticket No 920808 Thanks to all those who donated raffle prizes and bought tickets and well done to the winners. The overall takings from the dance were : This sum indicates a well-supported dance for a very worthy cause and, on behalf of the orgainisers, Pam and Colin Benjamin, everyone is thanked for their generosity. Food Stall - £99.74 Tickets (entrance) -£314.45 Noddy's collection -£ 60.00 Donations -£ 32.00 Raffle -£ 91.15 Barsmen's wages (donated) -£ 45.00   £642.34

And that's it for this time!

Betty Joshua
Headteacher.

Father Keith Writes:

PARISH CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN.  ASCENSION ISLAND (Diocese of St. Helena) Parish Priest: Fr. Keith James - 6431 Church Warden: Marvyn Isaacs Church Warden: Cheryl Anthony

Dear Friends,

The main reading at our Sunday Service this week was one of my favourites, ‘The Road to Emmaus’
You may remember that it’s that first Easter Day, the empty tomb has been found, there is much speculation as to what has happened but it all seems as if Jesus’ ministry has ended in death and defeat.
Two disciples are on their way home in the evening, walking to a village called Emmaus, Jesus joins them on the raod, but they do not recognise him until, on reaching home, they invite him in, and he begins to share their meal with the Jewish custom of breaking bread. He has already explained the scriptures to them, and now, with him sitting there, they have the whole picture, their eyes are opened and all is made clear.
I took this story with me in my mind as we went on our Monday walk. Up the ramps - by car !! - and then past Ginger in the pig sty and on round Bishop’s Walk. Even after seven months on the island it’s not always easy to get hte whole picture geographically, but from up there things begin to fall into place; there is the old NASA road winding its way from the Airhead, there are the wind turbines and the Devil’s Riding School with Travellers and Two Boats nestled far below. Further round you can see across to NE Bay and even Georgetown. You begin to feel you know the island as it all lies there before you. It’s not always easy to get the whole picture. Often we go around with just a little bit of it in our minds, and can’t make out where we fit in, what’s the point, what are we doing here ?
It would be easy to say that it’s not our worry, that God has the whole picture , and I do believe that he has a purpose for every one of us.
But try telling that to the Albanians of Kosovo or the bewildered public of Serbia.
I doubt that even God can see the point of all that’s happening there.

ROMAN CATHOLIC SERVICE AT THE GROTTO, OUR LADY OF ASCENSION
Sunday at 7 pm.

God Bless You and Keep You,
Fr Keith & Ginny.

 

ADF BULLETIN NO 4

It's getting nearer - MAY 22nd is the DAY

Committee met on Friday April 16th, held a site meeting in Georgetown.
Thanks to Hogg Robinson & Merlin for donations of £100 each, also Merlin Polo Shirts for Auction.

ARE YOU GOING TO HELP ??
We need STALLHOLDERS/HELPERS
CANS & BOTTLES
WHITE or pink ELEPHANTS
ITEMS FOR AUCTION
Please leave items at the Vicarage or phone 6431 with offers.

NEW THIS YEAR :-
SUPERSIGNS - Vinyl lettering cut to your request
A FASHION SHOW - Not quite Paris, but the next best thing !!
PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT - a chance to win a fortune ?

DON'T FORGET DINNER DANCE, TWO BOATS CLUB
MAY 1st. Tickets £10 from Club or Vicarage.

PUBLIC HEALTH Several island fishermen have reported dead fish, mainly black fish and some grouper, floating at sea around the island. The experienced fishermen on the island are of the opinion that it is a periodic phenomenon, which they have experienced in the past. We are investigating various possibilities which can cause the death of fish around the island and would appreciate any useful suggestions. The islanders are advised to be careful about cooking and eating any fish-meat that suggests any disease in the fish. SHUB

Possible threat to marine life: a call for assistance

As part of the Darwin Initiative Turtle Project, staff and volunteers have spent a great deal of time on the beaches around Ascension and occasionally we have come across dead fish. However, recently, we like many others on the Island have been shocked by the immense die-off of fish, which has been evident, by the carcasses washed up on many of the turtle nesting beaches. Whatever, the inciting cause, it appears to have primarily have affected Black fish and Grouper thus far. There is no evidence to date of any deleterious effect on the marine turtle population but this cannot be ruled out at this stage.

The Administrator, HH Roger Huxley has authorised an investigation as to the possible cause. We have been in conversations with expert fish pathologists at the Institute of Aqualculture at the University of Stirling as to possible causes. They have advised us as to what samples to take and how to preserve them so that we might find out more. What we need now is to find some sick and dying fish or some freshly dead specimens.

We would ask all those spending any time fishing, diving or swimming to collect any sick, dying or freshly dead fish over the weekend and to contact us immediately. Please keep any fish alive or refrigerated until we are in contact. Do not freeze. We can then carry our sampling as per the protocol suggested by the veterinary pathologists and get the samples to them for analysis in the UK. Even if you will not be going out this weekend but you know of someone who is, then please remind them.

Many thanks.

"The Turtle People"
Brendan and Annette
Bungalow 22, Two Boats
Tel: 4547
E-mail: mtn@atlantis.co.ac

The Met Office Weather Report

Statistics for the week ending last Sunday

ASCENSION SEA SWELL FORECAST ( based on data available on Monday afternoon) :South to southwesterly 1.5m for most of the weekend but reaching 2.2m at times.

Sea temperature around Ascension Island : 28 C

ASCENSION ISLAND: A mostly dry week with plenty of sushine and only a couple of light showers towards the weekend. It was very warm and felt even warmer because humidity levels were a little higher than on previous weeks.

ST HELENA: Report from Gary Thomas: Another dry and sunny week with hazy conditions on most days. The wind increased to a fresh or strong breeze over the weekend, gusting up to 32kt. Reports suggest it was probably stronger in the Half-tree Hollow area.

U.K:Still a taste of winter around with snow showers at times in the north and even as far south as Brize on Wednesday. There was grund frost on most night and an air frost at brize on Wednesday. Thursday and Sunday mornings.

FALKLAND ISLANDS: Winds were from a westerly quarter through the week with a lot of cloud and bands of rain coming across from time to time. There was an air frost on Friday morning but it became very mild on Sunday

METCHAT - WINTER IN ENGLAND.

Do you remember that in a Metchat article at the end of October last year Cestrian promised (or should I say threatened) to come back to the island. Well your time is up, it has happened and he now has the honour of bending your ears again for a while, whilst you have the choice of ploughing through all this with him or else going quickly on to the next page, but remember you have paid for the Islander so you might as well read it.
For those still with me I would like to try to give you some idea of what it was like to be thrown back into an English winter after spending six months in the warmth and comparative peace of Ascension Island.
It was a depressing October morning to arrive in Oxfordshire, the aircraft was exactly on time - but aren't they always when you feel you would like to stay away a little longer? The clouds were low down, dark and grey with drizzly rain falling constantly through the mist, the people looked so reserved and sombre, perhaps partly because of the dreadful summer they had endured, and I had to hold back from saying "good morning" to everyone I passed, I didn't feel it would be appreciated. It was also very difficult to stop myself from saluting every passing car.
A hire car awaited me for the journey back to Cheshire but it was a powerful model and quite unlike to drive from the Astra I had been used to, so it was with no little trepidation that I nosed it out into the morning traffic. What were all these cars doing around? This was nothing like the New Mountain Road at 07.30 in the morning, even the country lanes were crowded compared to Georgetown on a busy Saturday morning. Finally I arrived home at 4pm, having called on several friends and forced down many cups of tea - at least the Cheshire water makes a good cup of tea, the only compensation I could find up to now.
The following morning I walked to the local shop for a few groceries but still it all seemed so strange, the people, as well as the weather, seemed so cold, all I got were hostile stares, it all seemed so different from what I had been used to. I felt like a stranger in my own country.
A visit to the supermarket was even worse, such a bewildering array of goods, it was quite mesmerizing and, after six months of being spoilt in Traveller's Hill Mess, I hardly knew what to buy, where to find it or even how to cook it.
The first few weeks that I was back saw rain, rain and more rain, and that was apparently how the summmer had been, I hoped that I had reflected that in the Islander Metpage, but as a weatherman it was to be expected that I should be blamed for it all, even though I wasn't even in the country. Finally when my old car gave up the ghost in the middle of the rush hour traffic I wondered why I had come back at all.
However there were friends and family to visit and talk to and by the time Christmas had come and gone the time seemed to be moving along quite nicely. By the end of January my posting notice for a second tour was on the way and I really felt we were getting somewhere. The weather too, began to show some improvement, even though there were still only a few odd bright days, mostly it was still rather dull and grey. Soon though, the snowdrops and daffodils in the garden began to show signs of life and the thought struck me that perhaps the world was not ending after all.
Now it was time to start packing - or at least gathering my things together ready to pack and, with time really started to move on, I realized I would not have enough time to do even half the jobs in the house and garden that I had planned. That didn't worry me too much though, I really felt I was heading back to the sunshine and the friendly people.
Finally the great day arrived, the Tristar was again true to the timetable, they had even sent exactly the same aircraft that had brought me back to UK. Eight hours later at last I was able to step out onto the aircraft steps and feel the lovely warm air on my face, even at 07.30am the temperature was double the highest afternoon temperature I had experience back home. There were friendly faces to greet me - yes the Security staff do have friendly faces - and I really now felt that I was back home at last.
See you next week,

Cestrian.

Hash Trash
Hash No.745

Sat. 17 April 99

A stifling start today, the heat is terrible! Numbers were down and poor excuses relayed by fellow hashers were left unheard rather than get the GHM ranting again.
Numerous checks of different kinds were fore-warned and A-drain described the hash as being "short" how many hours was the last hash described that way by him. Three hours was it, Nah! Well none-the-less the pack made off. The first of FOUR back-checks was soon found by the FRBs and all was a jumble. After five minutes of complete confusion and chaos the on on was finally found and the pack were on again. Across the road and we were met by vicious larva flows and dusty paths.
In true hashing style Hong Kong Phooey and Liz somehow managed to keep up the bantering throughout the entire trial and on-lookers were madly hoping for bloodshed. This could get interesting! More back-checks and more chaos before the trial finally led us uphill. No hash is complete without a hill, mountain, cliff or something! At the top Fugitive committed an atrocious crime. This is way beyond forgiving! Not only did he short cut, BUT, he also deliberately led the knitting circle with him, AND (it gets worse!) he's a hare! Honestly as a junior hasher I thought that the Veteran hashers would set an example!
Eventually the on on led us down the other side and here one hasher got into a flap. Liz chickened out and Fugitive (he's really asking for it) did his gentlemanly thing and escorted the damsel-in-distress down via an easier route.
At the bottom we made our way around detouring to discover another back-check. Then heads high we sped (thats a joke) to a substantial home arrow and back to the cars. Plenty to drink in the coolers regardless of taste (and alcohol content). Hello and welcome to Joe, Rick, Randy and Darren hope you enjoyed the hash. Safe journey and best wishes Radar and we'll see you later in the year.
Thanks to the Fugitive and A-drain for a short yet sweet hash very out of character for those two.
Special Request: A special request from Radar, she would like to say a big good bye to everyone on the hash, and hopes to see us all soon.(Remember us when you do your exams and you'll have A's all the way!)


This weeks Hashers: Small Thing, The Fugitive, Sniffy, Dozy Ha'p'orth, Near Miss, Roly Poly, Gilligin, A-drain, Captain Klingon, Xena, Coffee Mate, Peacock, Radar, Lollipop, Hong Kong Phooey, Joe, Liz, Rick, Randy, Darren.

Next weeks Hash: At the Red Lion- Live Hare Hash led by Small Thing and Coffee Mate.


Hash Scribe- Dozy Ha 'p'orth.

Saint Helena: new legislation

Several new ordinances came into force on St Helena on 1 April 1999:

Pensions (Amendment) Ordinance 1999: This amends the 1967 Pensions Ordinance. It means that government officers, who have held a pensionable position for ten years or more and subsequently resign , will quality for a pension an attaining the age of 60.

The Customs (Tariffs and Exemptions)(Amendment) Regulations, 1999: These regulations amend the Customs Ordinance, 1990. They impose new rates of duty for alcoholic drinks, tobacco, animal feeding stuffs, baby products, tapes and records and motor spirit.

Resolution of the St Helena Legislative Council: This amends the rates of income taxes and allowances.

Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance. 1999: This reflects the introduction of independent taxation for married couples (ie it allows for the transfer of unused personal allowances between partners in the same household); for claiming dependent child allowance firstly by the child's mother then, if not so claimed, by other persons on whom the child is dependent; and for making interest on monies deposited in the Government Savings Bank tax free.

The Estate and Succession Duties (Repeal) Bill, 1999: This abolishes estate and death duties.

Please note that the above are synopses of the new regulations made by me and could contain errors. If any St Helenians think they apply to them, they should consult the original documents. Copies are available for perusal by members of the public at my Office. Copies are also displayed on the Administrator's public notice board.

R C Huxley
Administrator
13 April 1999.

EDITOR --Caroline Parker

The New Islander Office, Fort Hayes, Georgetown, Ascension Island.
Tel/Fax 00 + 247 6327
E-Mail: islander@atlantis.co.ac
Deadline: 12 pm Tuesdays

Contributors: Neil MacFall, Penny Peters,Debbie Prince, Nathan Prince, Father Keith,Tony Jenkins, Roger Huxley, Betty Joshua, Cedric Henry, Sharon Andrews,

Printers: Carrie Thomas and Shirley Beard

All articles © copyright 1999 The Islander Newspaper. All rights reserved.

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