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Pictured alongside is HH The Administrator delivering his
last speech at the Queen's Birthday Celebrations at the Residency last Saturday
morning.
A good cross-section of the Island population was there, dressed up in all their finery. They heard Mr Huxley read out the reply from Her Majesty, The Queen to the Governor's Birthday message. Mr Huxley also took the opportunity to congratulate Dr Shub on being awarded the Bharat Guarav, one of India's highest honours.Mrs. Huxley joined her husband in presenting Chief Scout Awards to 7 of our Scouts. The Administrator wished our three athletes, Lisa Lawrence, Sharon Henry and Sheena Johnson all the very best in the forthcoming Small Island Games. He bid farewell to The Haywards and Major Lowdermilk on completion of their tours. As Roger and Niddy are due to leave the Island soon themselves, Roger also took this opportunity to say his own formal farewells. As in other years, their hospitality extended beyond the 1.30 deadline, very ably assisted by their household staff and some of the Guides and Scouts. See end of this article for the Administrator`s speech. |
| Pictured right are the seven new Chief Scouts with leaders
Johnny Hobson and Glen Yon. Left to Right :- Deon Yon, Julian Anthony, Ashley
Lawrence, Mario Anthony, Phillip Stevens, Daryl Sim and Jason Thomas. The Chief Scout`s Award is the highest badge that a scout can achieve in the Troop. It is the culmination of a training scheme that has seen the scouts pass through their Scout Award, Pathfinder and Explorer awards passing over 60 different requirements and learning skills such as outdoor cooking, leadership, canoeing, abseiling etc. These particular new Chief Scouts, having taken part in the Troop`s 1996 European expedition, camping in Ireland and Switzerland are some of the best qualified the Troop has ever had. |
New Chief Scouts with their Leaders.  |
H.H. The Administrator of Ascension Island gives speech at annual Queen's Birthday garden party.
Click below to hear Mr Huxley's speech.
Queen's Birthday Speech - Saturday 12th June 1999
To be able to hear the speech, you will need realplayer installed on your PC. Click the graphic below to download the realplayer free software.
Sorry to
keep you waiting, the final figure not quite to hand, but the
latest total is a magnificent - £8200.00
20% of the final figure will be distributed to LOCAL CHARITIES.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PUT IN A BID FOR YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE DO SO
NOW.
ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE PUT IN A WRITTEN BID WILL BE CONSIDERED.
LETTERS TO THE SECRETARY, GINNY JAMES, AT THE VICARAGE BY JUNE 25th.
The new Ascension Island
Walks Book is now available from the Museum (11.00-1300 Saturdays) or from the
Welfare Shop at Travellers Hill. Price £3.00 or $5.00
Internet
News
Ascension
Island Scout Group web site awarded the top U.K. Scouting Internet award
On Sunday, I received confirmation from Scout Net UK (a main UK Scouting
web resource) that they have voted the Ascension Island Scout Group web site
as one of the best UK Scouting web sites and we are now eligible to display
their "Highly Recommended" badge (shown left) on the group's web site.
There are several hundred Scouting web sites in the UK and competition for this award is fierce, so we are very proud to be granted this award (Johnny you owe me a large beer!).
The following is the requirement for the top "Highly Recommended" award:
"These sites are must see sites for Scouts browsing the World Wide Web. They contain something of special interest to Scouts or they do such a good job of telling the world about what is going on in Scouting that they deserve a wider audience."
Why not check the Scouts web site out yourself at www.scouts.org.ac
Good news!
LETTERS| From the Editor: There must
be something in the water .... we’ve gone from
‘no editors in sight’ to being almost at the
stage of being overrun and having to call Charles in to
eradicate this new feral menace. Thanks to Johnny Hobson,
and his aides de camp Daryl and Julian, for this week’s
front page and the offer to stand in if the need arises. Caz. |
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LETTER FROM MR CYRIL LEO...............
References:
Dear Editor,
The White Paper and Consultation Paper put much emphasis on the importance of Democracy. In reality, few stand to gain more than St Helenians if it is allowed to flourish. There is no doubt, The Islander will continue to play an important role in the unfolding process of positive changes. In fact, it is encouraging to see the growing cross-publishing taking place within the local papers, on Ascension, St. Helena and the Falkland Islands with articles of interest to their respective St. Helenian communities.
Even in our present political environment, although a local media is Government sponsored unlike The Islander, there should be no reason to fear censorship, or deliberate distorting of issues or bias publishing by the editor for personal reasons or otherwise. Baroness Symons, in a very recent speech aimed specifically to the Overseas Territories, explicitly highlighted the value of “Freedom of speech and information, and a free and effective media.”
As a matter of principle then, there must be a public explanation to quell any suspicion or misunderstanding that may exist because of the following:
On the 14th May 1999, the St. Helena News published an article (submitted from the Islander) containing some derogatory remarks. It was Mr. Bannister’s response to a letter rejecting some of the offensive and detrimental references he made to St. Helenians in an earlier letter (published in The Islander). Baffled by the fact that the two principal articles were never published in the “News”, I faxed copies to the Editor on 18 May along with an E-mail requesting that they be published. This was to prevent readers having a disjointed understanding of the issue. As of yet, thay have not been published and no acknowledgement of the request received.
The reply to Mr. Bannister’s second letter was published in The Islander and sent to the St. Helena News and brought specifically to the editor’s attention by the Islander team. The St. Helena News has not published it.
The seriousness of this issue should not be underestimated, the importance of ‘equal opportunity’ at every level should no longer be ignored.
There is indeed a short count down to the New Millenium, and the St Helena News has been constantly bringing it to our attention calling for celebrations. But will we have organised celebrations to carry us through to the future, as limitations on our democratic rights and freedoms still impair and impede our progress.
C. Leo
For readers’ information....articles from The Islander are available for publication by any other news organisation although we do expect them to be appropriately copyrighted and accredited to us. We do not, however, have any say in which, if any, of our articles are actually used.
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Dear Friends,
There is a beautiful seventeenth century picture painted by Guido Teni entitled ‘St. Joseph with the Christ Child in his arms.’ In the background we see Mary, riding on an ass led by an angel. Whether this depicts the journey to Bethlehem or the flight into Egypt we do not know.
Jesus is portrayed as a naked, chubby six-month old baby; in one hand he clutches a posy of rosebuds, with the other he reaches up to touch Joseph’s fine white beard.
For Joseph is portrayed as an old man, slightly bent, hairline receding.
The child Jesus has a questioning look on his face. What are these funny whiskers ? Are they real? But it is the look on Joseph’s face that is an enigma.
Look at it at first and it is a look of tenderness and love.
Look again and there is a sense of awe and wonderment in Joseph’s gaze.
Come back to it later, and the expression is one of concern, or bewilderment even, maybe even sorrow, for the father knows that one day this child will grow up and leave home to go his own way.
I would have expected Father’s Day to be around the Feast Day of St. Joseph, the earthly Father of our Lord, (March 19th) but no doubt commercial pressure made that a bit too near Mother’s Day.
So it’s coming Sunday, June 20th.
Joseph had good reason to be bewildered and bemused - events had rather overtaken him!!
Yet I think most Fathers at some time feel they are background figures. They too experience all the mixed emotions Joseph must have felt - love, care, concern, tenderness as well as a sense of not always being quite sure how to handle things.
Let’s make them feel special at our Service on Sunday. Remembering those whom we have lost celebrating the love of those still with us. 10 o’clock. See you there.God Bless You and Keep You,
Fr Keith & Ginny.
The Met Office Weather Report
Statistics for the week ending Sunday 13th June 1999.
| Max (deg C) | Min (deg C) | Rainfall (mm) | |
| AIRHEAD | 29.7 | 23.8 | 1.2 |
| TRAVELLERS | 28.2 | 22.6 | 0.5 |
| GEORGETOWN | 31.0 | 24.0 | Nil |
| RESIDENCY | - | - | 3.6 |
| ST. HELENA | 22.7 | 13.8 | 1.2 |
| FALKLANDS | 9.1 | -2.0 | 1.3 |
| BRIZE NORTON | 19.9 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
ASCENSION SEA SWELL FORECAST ( based on data available on Monday afternoon) : South to southwesterly swell will be 1.0 to 1.5m during the rest of the working week but will increase to 2m at times over next weekend.
Sea temperature around Ascension Island : 27 C.
ASCENSION ISLAND: Apart from
showers during the early hours of Wednesday and again on
Wednesday night, it was a mostly dry week with plenty of warm
sunshine, especially over the holiday weekend. Warmest days were
Monday and Tuesday.
ST HELENA: Gary Thomas reports: A very hazy,
sunny week with visibility reduced considerably and heavy dew
fall. The one and only heavy shower around 7pm on Saturday looked
set to spoil the planned 24-hour event to commence at 8pm the
same evening at Horse Pasture but fortunately blew over in about
half-hour. For the sun lovers- a good week.
U.K: Most parts of the country had unsettled
weather again this week with rain at times, especially along the
eastern coasts of England and Scotland. However conditions over
Southern England gradually improved during the week and, although
there was a ground frost at Brize Norton on Wednesday morning, by
Sunday it became quite warm with long sunny periods.
FALKLAND ISLANDS: High pressure was centred to the
northeast of the islands early in the week and this gave a good
deal of dry weather with only a little light rain or sleet at
times. There was a severe ground frost on Wednesday morning and a
slight to moderate ground frost otherwise. The days turned colder
by Friday and Saturday night saw rain and sleet coming in from
the west.
The Metchat column this week is taken up by the map of the Mars Bay area to accompany the articles of the last five weeks and concludes our survey of that area.
Dear All,
Well it's been a long time since I first wrote to the Islander about how things were going for me over here. I wrote at the beginning of my time here so I thought it only appropriate to write at the end as well. Its quite hard to believe that in a few weeks it will all be over. My exams start in May and this will conclude two years of study. Time really does fly. A huge amount has happened in the two years since I left Ascension in August 1997 to embark on A-level studies here in Tewkesbury.
I've experienced so many new things that will undoubtedly stay with me for the rest of my life. I've taken every opportunity available to me to widen my life experiences and to expand my knowledge. For example, I've ridden horses - before I came here I'd never even seen a horse before!! I've worked in a vets, a fruit and veg shop and a junior school, I've been on national T.V twice, I've been snowboarding and skiing and I've visited many different parts of the U.K. I think one of the most fantastic things I've done during these many months wasn't even in this country!! Last summer Belfred and I went on an amazing holiday to the States, which was wonderful in every way. So a lot has happened, all of which is impossible to fit onto one piece of paper, yet it hardly feels like 20 months have gone by.
I've got used to the simple advantages that only living in the "big world" can bring, such as being able to go out and buy anything you need whenever you need it! Living and studying in the big world for two years is a life enhancing experience. Actually living in England is very different to coming here for a holiday. When I first came here in 1996 for a holiday it was brilliant, but living here isn't just about doing touristy things and going shopping!! Living here is about fitting into a new culture and learning how to cope with simple everyday things that British people take for granted. Most importantly you have to learn how to take care of yourself and not be walked all over. Over here if you don't take responsibility for, and deal with all aspects of your life no one else is going to. I have come to appreciate the way of life over here and all the opportunities available to live a fulfilling and successful life. However, at this moment I do not want to settle here. My heart has always been on Ascension. Ascension will always be home to me.
England is undoubtedly a wonderful country which offers so many great opportunities to those living here. I am very lucky to have experienced the life here and even though it hasn't always been easy for me, I will never regret coming. Obviously the most important thing to me over here has been my studying. I will never forget how privileged I have been as a saint to have had the opportunity to come to this country in order to continue my education. I will never take this for granted.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every very kind and generous person who has donated to the Educational Trust Fund. Your generosity has helped to contribute to my two years here and I will forever be indebted to you all. Thank you.
I would also like to thank Mr Huxley for all his help and support throughout my time here. It has been very much appreciated. Also I would like to thank Mrs Joshua for here vital and exceptionally kind input concerning my Communication Studies coursework. I am very grateful to you. Thank you both.
Finally I would like to thank three very special people; my Mum and Dad and Belfred. All three of you have always been there for me when I needed you and I could never have lasted these two years without
all your support and love. You are the three most important people in the world to me. I love the three of you and cant wait to be with you again. To Belfred I'd like to say once again "A & F and E".
So these last few weeks left are the most important of all my time here. On one hand I'm looking forward to it because it brings me closer to coming home, but on the other hand I don't like much!!!! Oh well that's life for you - you can't always experience only the good side without a little of the less favourable stuff I guess.
Well I'm really looking forward to coming home. It's just around the corner now and I can't wait!
Best wishes and regards,
Andrea
ASCENSION
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POST
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No.16/99
On Saturday 19 June 1999, in commemoration of the wedding of HRH Prince Edward and Miss Sophie Rhys-Jones, Ascension Island Post Office will release for sale a special set of stamps. This is a Crown Agents omnibus issue which involves 15 commonwealth postal administrations from around the world. Ascension contributions consists of two stamps as follows: -
50p Portrait of HRH Prince Edward with an inset of Miss Sophie Rhys- Jones.
£1.00 A picture of the couple which was taken during the photo-shoot following the announcement of their engagement.
The First Day Cover depicts the couple with a cherry blossom design underneath. This complements the stamps which have the blossom on the trees in the background.
The cachet is an unusual design with the central motif being a faceted diamond.
Sets of stamps at £1.50 and First Day Covers at £2.00 will be on sale at the Georgetown Post Office 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 lasts.
These and previous stamp issues are available from the Post Office Web Site.
A R Francis
Postmistress
Post Office Georgetown
8th June l999
SALTY SEA TALES
MONSTER TUNA :
On Saturday morning, as most people were donning their best bib and tucker to journey up to the residency, the crew of the Fish Hawk were wondering if they were ever going to make it back to the pierhead. Richard Burke had had a strike and was reeling it back in, when the fish dived beneath the boat and the line became entangled around its tail. A long battle ensued but I am assured from reliable sources (not !) that Richard didn't even break into a sweat. Over 7 hours later they managed to land a 253lb yellowfin (shown left).
I have heard rumours that another boat, the Water Baby, brought in a 254lb tuna earlier in the day, but as there is no photographic evidence at this time I'm afraid that I will have to consign that story to the gossip column.
GANNET'S LOG :
It was
another pleasant, sunny week in Clarence Bay. What started out
looking as if it was going to be a busy time for the vessel
became rather more relaxed. Having sorted out with David, on the
pier, the job of replacing our missing anchor, it all came to
nothing. A vital link in the chain, literally, was missing. So
until this arrives we are still down to the one anchor.
Saturday was an enjoyable day, at the residency. A chance to see
old friends and make new ones. The weather was superb, although ,
I suspect, a few people turned red. We had a good time ashore and
were sorry to have had to leave earlier than we would have liked:
But the boat waits for no one.
Capt & Officers Maersk Gannet at the
Residencey
The round the island cruise, on Sunday went smoothly. At least we made it out of the anchorage unlike another that will not be mentioned!. It was disappointing that we were three bodies short of our full complement. Unluckily Pete was called to work, just as he was waiting on the pier for the boat. You will be pleased to know that Tracey god your money's worth, although come Sunday evening you would have known this. We sailed south , for a change, while having a few pre-lunch drinks.
Andy
showed how much he was enjoying himself by falling asleep!!
Before lunch a trip forward saw some dolphins putting on
a good display, playing in the bow wave. When they turn
corkscrews it is most spectacular. |
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Arriving
back in Clarence bay just before four o'clock, time for
another few drinks before four of our guests departed.
The other three staying on for some chat, and drinks and
more drinks and even more drinks!!! Anita tried her hand
at the cornflake box game,which was a great sight.See
Dave if you want to know how to suck a piece of card of
the floor, with only your feet allowed to touch the
ground. Once our remaining guests had departed it was
time to settle into the serious business of watching the
cricket highlights. |
Capt. Jim Podger
A.I.S.P.C.A. NEWS |
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Our micro-chipping
program is well under way with no disasters so far. If you want
to get your pet micro-chipped now, before the new law comes in,
then pop along to the clinic with your pet and a £10 note and it
shall be done. Those people who have brought pets from St. Helena
that are already chipped, please let me have the number. If you
are not sure of the number or whether your pet has been done then
bring it along and I’ll find out for you. Thanks to Geoff
Jones for mentioning us last week. I am accepting tenders to have
him tagged also......bids in a sealed envelope please.
I am still being asked about the new quarantine laws in the UK
and unfortunately the news is not that good. It seems that no one
involved with the new laws knows that Ascension exists. I have
tried to get in touch with MAFF to rectify things but they have
probably written me off as some lone nutter. (No comments please)
I will, therefore, publish a couple of addresses next week and
ask any of you who might want to import pets to the UK in the
next couple of years to put pen to paper. Hopefully by deluging
the appropriate authorities with letters they will come to
realise that we do exist and that we do have a good case for no
quarantine.
For any further information don’t hesitate to call me on
4622/work or 6836/home.
Caz Parker
GET
STUFFED!
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Island socialite Geoff Jones continues with part 2 of his review......sort of ! If uniforms are your fetish the Queen’s
Birthday celebration at the Residency was the place to be
Saturday. This was my first time at the Sovereign’s
bash as I usually try to avoid parties for Queens, and
while I had been told to dress smartly, no one mentioned
the fancy dress option. People came dressed as Policemen,
Scouts, Guides, there was a Priest and others came in
Military Uniforms (RAF or USAF seemed to be fashionable,
but the Balkans are definitely out this Season - I didn’t
spot anybody dressed as a Serb!) I was however
disappointed that none of the Ladies came in either of my
favourite uniforms - Nurses’ or School Girls’ -
may be next year! |
Of course this is meant to be a restaurant
review so I’d better mention one - I’ll do the
Snack Bar, that will be quick and easy as everyone goes
there all the time so won’t need me to tell them the
details. One of my favourite tricks there is to pay for
my meal in sterling, ‘cause then you get your food
plus a wad of change bigger than the notes you just
handed over - very satisfying! Isn’t having two
currencies on such a small Island a little odd? Still it’s
not as bizarre as the Falklands where they have two time
zones, one the size of Stanley, but then they really are
bonkers down there! |
It's not surprising that after a hundred odd years as a Garrison Island, a couple of World Wars and the Falklands Conflict, some "live" explosives are going to be found, in some of the most unlikely places. Due to the heavy rains we have had lately, buried and dumped items have been uncovered, the majority dating back to the Second World War, but not always so.
Two Fifty Caliber rounds have been found during May (both live), one ball/tracer and the other a ball, both were manufactured in 1942. Luckily these were handed in before they could do harm. These were found, along with smaller caliber items around the Scout Camp/Ashpit/Nasa Site area. Some have been found at Mars Bay, which used to be a mortar and machine gun range and others on the beaches. Nearly all parts of the Island have been used for training at one time or another, so the Broken Tooth Ranges are not the only danger points on the Island.
If you do come across any items, you are not too sure of, or don't like the look of - DON'T KICK IT, PICK IT UP, HIT IT, OR THROW OR BURN IT.
Please bear in mind that an explosive has only one function. It was manufactured to explode or burn.
WHAT TO DO
Report it to an adult or whoever is in charge of your party.
If you are on your own or in a group:
MARK THE SPOT - Two or three feet from the item with:
a. A stick with an upside down coke can or water bottle on it.
b. A rag tied to a stick (a sock will do), Coat, T-Shirt, Bag etc.
CHECK YOUR BEARINGS
So you can lead the police to the spot, or someone else can find it from your description.
FIND THE NEAREST TELEPHONE AND CALL THE POLICE
REMEMBER -
No one will ever get in trouble for a genuine call out, or for handing into the police any items you may have in your home. There is also an Amnesty Box outside the Armoury at the Airhead for this purpose.
Don't be scared, be careful, if an item has lain undisturbed for years, the chances are very remote that it will explode, if its left alone that is.
When in doubt, leave it alone, and you'll hopefully live to a ripe old age.
Cheers for now
Bryn
The Serco Armourer
EDITOR - Caroline
Parker
The New Islander Office, Fort Hayes, Georgetown,
Ascension Island.
Tel/Fax 00 + 247 6327
Deadline: 12 pm Tuesdays
E-Mail: editors@the-islander.org.ac
Deadline: 12 PM Tuesdays
Contributors: Penny Peters, Nathan Prince, Father Keith,
Sharon Andrews, Johnny Hobson, Roger Huxley, Neil MacFall.
Printers: SUE & FATHER KEITH
The Islander post-box is situated in the entrance to the
Administrator’s Office.
Deadline for all contributions as 12.00 on Tuesday
All articles © copyright 1999 The Islander Newspaper. All rights reserved. |
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