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The Ascension Island Newspaper |
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The Ascension Island Newspaper |
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New Governor arrives on St. Helena
His Excellency The Governor of St Helena,
Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha with his wife Mrs Hollamby.The RMS, which is due to arrive at Jamestown on Thursday 24th, will be carrying the new Governor to take up his post on St. Helena. Mr. David Hollamby is a career diplomat and has been with the FCO since 1964. He has had a few overseas tours including Beirut, Asuncion, New York, Dallas and Rome and was the first Deputy Head of the Overseas Territories Department when it was formed in July 1998. He is married to Helena and has two stepsons. Outside of work his interests include travel, the cinema, opera and lastly but certainly not least considering the island, country and western music.
C.Parker
STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS
The following has been submitted to the Islander by Robert Leo, Larry Francis and Steve Chase about their ‘alledged’ catch of the day.
Steve Chase, Robert Leo and Larry Francis did indeed catch a 254lb tuna last Saturday 19th June, whilst on the ‘Water Baby’. It took 2 hours to bring the fish into the boat.
It was just unfortunate that only personal photographs were taken, due to the editor of the Islander being engaged elsewhere !! (Queen’s Birthday celebrations up the mountain)
Better luck next time.
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Pictured
left is our talented Islander artist’s impression |
STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS
By the time
most of you read this I shall be in the UK (Tristar willing !) to
attend a two day workshop organised by the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office and various non-governmental organisations
active in the environmental sector. Whilst there I shall help
launch the island’s Conservation Management Plan. I shall
also be investigating sources of funds to enable us to implement
as many of the Plan’s component parts as possible. The
affair is being held at the London Zoo! So if they don’t let
me out you will probably find me rattling the bars of a cage in
the large ape compound.
Whilst in London I shall do two other things. First, I shall meet
up with my successor, Geoffrey Fairhust. it will be a splendid
and unexpected opportunity for me to prepare him and his wife
Wendy on the rigours of living on Ascension. Second, I shall ask
for news of when Parliament is likely to enact the legislation to
give back to the Saints the full British passports that they so
richly deserve.
Also as you read this, the new Governor, Mr David Hollamby, will
be arriving at St Helena (24th June). I am sure you will want to
join me in wishing him and his wife Maria every good wish for
their posting.
Niddy has asked me to thank all of you who attended the Queen’s
Birthday Party celebrations on the 12th June. For the fourth year
running we were blessed with glorious weather and everyone seemed
to enjoy the occasion. It was a pleasure to publicly acknowledge
and congratulate Dr Shub on his “Bharat Guarav” award
from the Government of India. To present seven of our Scouts with
their well-earned Chief Scout’s Awards and to wish out three
young lady athletes farewell and every success in the Small
Island Games in Sweden at the end of this month.
Some government changes. It was sad to see the Andrews family
depart by the last boat. We wish her, Brian, Martin and Clayton
every good wish. The same goes for Inspector Merlin George, Helen
and Gerwyn who leave at the end of the month. Merlin has been a
popular, respected and efficient copper and Helen has been a
great help to me in my office. Until Inspector Reg Williams and
his family arrive in September, Sgt Clarence Roberts will be
promoted to Acting Inspector to head our police detachment here.
Another sad departure is that of Major Jeff Lowdermilk, Base
Commander. He has been a splendid colleague and friend. Always
helpful and a supporter of almost everything that took place here.
His is a hard act to follow.
We only have a month to go before the end of our tour here. We
have packed all our bits and pieces and the Residency looks very
bare. We won’t half miss this place!
Roger Huxley
Administrator
21 June 1999
51ST ASCENSION ISLAND MANAGEMENT GROUP MEETING,
10TH JUNE 1999
Senior representatives of all island users discussed the following matters:
Conservation Management Plan: Being published in London at a special FCO/NGO environmental workshop on 29-30 June attended by the Administrator. Sourcing funds for environmental projects will be covered. Island Postal Services: The RAF’s generous offer permitting parcel mail to be sent free on the northbound Tristar cannot start until the security x-ray machine on order arrives. This will be in 3-4 months.
Chapel of Rest: the portacabin from CSR is on site. The RAF will contribute concrete blocks. Merlin and AIS will assist with the electrics. Completion is on course for end-August.
No-go areas: the RAF has prepared the draft of a map showing all no-go areas.
Shop: A list of "essential" items which the shop manager hopes will never run out will be published in the Islander soon. There is a possibility that some foods may be sourced from the US using the MV Ascension.
Ascension Day Fair (ADF): Proceeds were £8,200. Father Keith and his committee were congratulated on the success of the Fair. Applications from local bodies for a share of the proceeds were invited.
English Bay Jetty: Eve Construction is completing work. Until work is completed the public should keep clear.
MV Ascension: Merlin and AIS are investigating the possibility of sourcing materials in the US and shipping them here on the MV Ascension.
Consultation Document: Some responses from the public have been received. Prof. Armstrong’s and Dr Read’s visit was useful and the Terms of Reference for the Fiscal Study will be delivered to the FCO by end-June. The Administrator hoped that islanders would contribute towards this important debate on Ascension’s future.
Abattoir: A public health expert from the Orkneys has agreed to visit in August to inspect the abattoir and to recommend any remedial works required to bring it up to an acceptable standard.
Green Mountain Farm: On 8 June AIS took over responsibility for keeping the area tidy. In due course a policy decision will be taken about the farm’s future. Whilst AIS will undertake some work to keep paths clear (previously the responsibility of the farm tenant), in future visiting Services’ expeditions will contribute half a day each for this work.
Millennium Committee: Several meetings have been held. Funds are now needed.
The Admiralty Mast: The Administrator and Flt Lt Reed are in touch with Portsmouth Dockyard about replacing the top half (or perhaps all) of the Admiralty mast with a steel one. AIS has surveyed the present mast and provided drawings/photos for the replacement to be constructed.
Turtle Ponds Swimming Pool: As an economy measure, the pool is being demolished. This will free funds necessary to upgrade Georgetown’s second pool.
ORGANISATION REPORTS
Merlin: The next fuel oil supply tanker will visit in July. Mr Atkinson, Resident Engineer, will be abroad from 12th June for a month and Mr Rayney, the Power Station Manager will be in charge.
USAF: Major Lowdermilk will leave on 7 July. His successor, Major Larry Martin, will arrive on 29th June. There will be a 4th July celebration at the US Camp open to all on the island. The MV Ascension supply ship arrives on 18th June. CSR’s senior management structure has changed with Mr Fred Kenney appointed Radar Manager and Mr Mike Litsher the Facilities Manager
RAF: The visit by the RAF’s 5-person brass band last month had been a great success. The cable work linking Travellers to the airhead is almost complete.
AIS: The Senior Manager is abroad from 16th June to 15th July. Mr Biggar, the Works & Services Manager will be in charge. Ms Janice Smith has been appointed Business and Finance Manager. Some customers are not happy with the opening hours of the petrol station. The Customer Services Manager, will follow up
C&W: The company has kindly agreed to install emergency telephones at the Saints and Scouts beach huts free of charge. However, other island organisations are asked to assist with the ducting work. A fibre optic cable is being laid between the C&W office and the POL facility at Catherine Point. The company apologises for any inconvenience caused.
Government: The Administrator will be in the UK from 24 June –1 July.
Church: Sunday 27th June being the school sports day, Morning Service will be at 9am.
Farewells: The Administrator thanked Major Lowdermilk and Sqn Ldr Hayward for their contributions to the Group. Mr Green thanked the Administrator similarly.
The next meeting will be on 5th August. Please let me or your company representatives know if there is anything you would like to be raised.
R C Huxley
Administrator
21 June 1999
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Dear Friends,
From day one I have been unsure about the Nato intervention in Kosovo, feeling that bombing was not the answer in the long run given the four centuries or more of what amounts to tribal rivalry among the people living in that area. Of course the argument went that we could not just stand idly by and watch as one group of people committed unspeakable atrocities against another and could not by our turning a blind eye allow the ‘ethnic cleansing’ that was going on; most would have some sympathy with that point of view. But what could we do? Was bombing the answer? Wouldn’t a ground force have been more effective if talking failed? For a few brief moments it seemed that the right course had been taken. But nothing has appalled me so much as the pictures we have had on our TV sets this past couple of days of the looting and torching of homes of Bosnians by the ethnic Albanians.
Last Sunday after the peace was declared we prayed in St. Mary’s for a return without violence, without bitterness and without a desire for vengeance. Our prayers were realistic knowing the deep seated feelings among those who had been forced to flee, against whom such wickedness had been committed, but seemingly futile too.
Futile when the very forces sent in to keep peace, to act impartially, to uphold what the padre on the spot referred to as ‘the brotherhood of man’ stood idly by. French, Italian and British troops too. Lt Gen Sir Mike Jackson has since publicly stated that the troops action ‘was short of perfect’. Even the reporters from the scene could barely hide their contempt. I felt ashamed as I watched.
The psalmist wrote: Deliverance for the righteous shall come from the Lord
He is their strength in time of trouble.
He will save them from the ungodly and deliver them
because they come to him for refuge. (Psalm 37)
You can’t separate the Godly from the unrighteous in Kosovo; but they are all God’s children. At the moment it seems we are letting them all down.
All we can do is to keep on praying for them - and the ‘peacekeepers’.
God Bless You and Keep You,
Fr Keith & Ginny.
LETTERS| From Editor: Thanks again to Johnny for coming along and doing a bit of typing. We’ll make an editor of him yet. Speaking of which, if any of you are getting an creative urges or are simply reading this and thinking ‘I could do better than that’ then give me a call. From late September I will be stepping down as editor and so we will be looking for a fresh victim or two. I’m warning you now so that full training can be given if needed. Now that we are getting a good mix, i.e. we have Saint expat and UK expat editors, how about someone from the US Base? Interested to read the results of the caption competition, not a fix honest !! Funny that the winner of the crate of beer is someone who is no longer on this island. Wonder who the poor soul is who has had to accept this prize in Adrian’s stead ? |
Once again we read in the
AIMG minutes about using the American charter vessel to
import goods to Ascension. Hopefully AIS will soon
publish more information on this. Ah yes AIS. I’m
afraid they are completely to blame for the lack of photo’s
this week as they borrowed my camera for ‘a day’
which eventually turned into three days. Still, they will
regret the huge sin they have committed when they get my
bill for £18 an hour rental plus on-costing. Caz
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The turtle counting season wraps up for Mr. Dudley Bowling and myself on Pan Am and three other beaches officially on July 1st. While we were glad to make a small contribution to the overall effort headed up by our marine biologist friends, we were glad to never see another rake on a beach again. As of June 21st, we`ve counted 969 turtles on the four beaches. We also counted 63 disturbed clutches where one turtle has unearthed another turtles` eggs. If each turtle lays an average of 120 eggs and only one third of the turtles that migrate to the beach actually lay eggs, that should be 31,200 hatchlings that made it out of the sand. However, I was told that only 1 in 1,000 actually make it to maturity. The bottom line is only 31 turtles on these four beaches will make it to maturity for this one turtle season. Dudley and I walked a strip of beach 76 times. Anyway, it has been enjoyable to contribute, and I wish best of luck to all those involved.
Last week, we were visited by a transportation quality assurance evaluator. This gentleman was on station to assess the condition and maintenance of vehicles assigned to Ascension Auxillary Airfield. The general assessment was very favourable, but he did express concern over the corrosion present on most assigned vehicles. It is hoped when the new vehicle paint booth being constructed is completed the station can begin an aggressive program to paint vehicles.
We were also visited by a team of corrosion control technicians from the Space and Missile Centre to assess the corrosion control on a number of our antennae on the base. They took this data and will program several projects.
Recently, we have nearing what we call the 100 percent design completion of a number of construction projects. These include construction of two new tennis courts, a shelter for equipment at our photovoltaic site, exterior insulation and finishing system coatings to three new dormitories (dormitories 15, 16, and 17 ), and upgrading/repairing two fuel tanks at Catherine Point. The fuel tanks upgrade are part of our on-going initiative to eventually transfer the operations and maintenance of the entire fuel infrastructure on Ascension Island to the Royal Air Force. Currently, we (the US Air Force) and the Royal Air Force both own parts of the infrastructure. The fuel is bought and sold several times, and price increases are applied. It is hoped this initiative will increase efficiency and resolve minor supportability gaps we have experienced.
The US Air Force just completed its acceptance of our newly upgraded global high frequency radio site. While we are experiencing some software problems, there are workarounds being employed. Even with these workarounds, the new system is much easier and efficient to operate and maintain. Prior to this, some of the old equipment had been fielded as early as 1958.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the bakers in the dining hall. I recently got invited to a "Pudding Club" where the rule of engagement was you had to bring a dessert that you had personally prepared. Instead of my normal buying a prepared dish from the dining hall, I had to get my hands into a number of deserts. Many thanks to Freddie and all of the bakers who gave a hand. I may need your reference later as I am still getting complaints that I could not have helped with such fantastically prepared dishes.
Lastly, the softball season double elimination knockout (tournament) is scheduled to begin on June 28th. The first round games for that week will include Georgetown vs Airheads, Fire/Security vs SerCo, Admin vs Hot Shots, and Bad Boyz vs Dodgers.
Major Jeff Lowdermilk
(see The Islander
article - Thursday 10th June )
The caption
competition on the back page of the Islander (9 June 99 ),
featuring a scene from last years formal staff visit, prompted
the following responses :-
1st. Place "Do you think he gets flying pay like my mate
Simon?"
(A.J.M.Hayward)
2nd Place "His shorts seem a little long; is that to
facilitate his built in aerial?"
(D. J.Podger)
3rd. Place "That may be so, but his name is not "Haywire"!1st.
Place caption.
The Met Office Weather Report
Statistics for the week ending 20th June 1999.
| Max (deg C) | Min (deg C) | Rainfall (mm) | |
| AIRHEAD | 29.4 | 23.5 | Tr |
| TRAVELLERS | 27.5 | 22.1 | 1.4 |
| GEORGETOWN | 30.0 | 22.1 | 0.9 |
| RESIDENCY | - | - | 0.9 |
| ST. HELENA | 21.0 | 15.3 | 18.8 |
| FALKLANDS | 7.7 | -1.7 | 13.9 |
| BRIZE NORTON | 24.3 | 6.7 | 1.6 |
ASCENSION SEA SWELL FORECAST ( based on data available on Monday afternoon) : 1.0 to 1.5m, mostly from a southerly direction.
Sea temperature around Ascension Island : 27 C.
ASCENSION ISLAND: Just a few showers around early in the week and again over the weekend but otherwise a generally dry week with long sunny periods. Tuesday was the warmest day but on Sunday morning the temperature at Airhead was down to a comparatively chilly 23.5C.
ST HELENA: Gary Thomas reports: Another sunny week with a light to gentle breeze and very good visibility. Several light showers over the whole of the week with the longest starting at 6am on Wednesday and lasting until 11am. Most of the rain , believe it or not fell on the weather station, 15.2mm recorded. Wendy Klingham at Mulberry Gut 3-4km away recorded just 1.5mm and the remainder of the Island knew nothing about it.
U.K: The weather did begin to warm up at last this last week with temperatures over 20C over many parts of England and sunny periods at times. However there were weak frontal systems coming through from time to time, bringing cloud and rain, especially over Scotland and Northern Ireland.
FALKLAND ISLANDS:Winds were mostly southwesterly right through the week with temperatures about average and ground frost on four nights. On Friday morning though, there was a sharp frost and this was followed by a frontal system bringing a good dollop of rain on Saturday.
There have been changes going on at the Met Office over the past week. John Bound left on Wednesday’s flight after only 10 week’s on the island. No it wasn’t that he didn’t like the place, quite the reverse in fact, but it was a planned short stay to fill a gap in the roster. He promises to be back very soon. In his place Ian Simpson arrived on the Tuesday morning flight. Many will remember that Ian was here last year and in fact this is his fourth tour on Ascension Island. He was first here in the mid-1980’s, when the Met Office here was very different from what it is now, although they had moved out of the khaki tents of the first Met Office by that time. So the next three months will see the four of us settling down, that is Phil, Dave, Ian and yours truly. We have all been here before so are quite familiar with the place and we all like it very much - that is why we keep asking to come back - the overseas pay has nothing at all to do with it - well it doesn’t, does it?
The only down side for me is that this will be my last Metchat article, as a regular contributor anyway, because I have other work to do now, and one of the others will take over this column. I will not tell you which one as he prefers to stay anonymous, he doesn’t like the idea of people throwing things at him in the streets, which I haven’t minded but I am sure that "Rufus" will do a good job. He will get no criticism from his colleagues because his stock answer will be "if you can do better, then get on with it". Seriously though, I have enjoyed putting together the articles each week, almost as much as I have enjoyed doing the walks and research that I have written about, I only hope that I have managed to convince a few people that this is a very interesting island and it is worth going out on your days off to explore.
Have you noticed all the cars there are about nowadays with "smiley faces" on the front and back? We though of putting some on our dear old Land Rover until it was pointed out that all the tourists may then be queuing up to hire it for a day or two (or perhaps not). Then again fellow motorists may think we are laughing at them having to follow behind us during the morning rush hour so we have decided not to anyway.
Before I go may I just suggest one more walk for you, a nice easy one, just the job for a Sunday afternoon to walk off the effects of the roast beef and Yorkshire Pudding with new potatoes and fresh veg (dream, dream, dream). It is to Fort Thornton, the twin of Fort Hayes and on the northern side of the harbour. Built in 1817 it is much older than Fort Hayes and was only the second fortification to be constructed on the island, the first being near the Turtle Ponds. Access to it is from behind the AIS garage and a cinder path takes you right up to the top of the fort from where there are lovely views right down Long Beach and Deadman’s Beach and across Georgetown to the Sisters Range and to Green Mountain, all of which look quite beautiful in the morning or evening sunshine. The fort itself is in a good state of preservation considering its age, although a little repair work now would prevent any further deterioration. You will find the remains of gun turrets, powder magazines, chambers for the storage of equipment and the men’s rest and ablution facilities, although it does not all date from 1817 as the fort was in use at least until World War I. It is all so unspoilt, so please don’t litter it with crisp packets and Coke cans. One word of caution, the seaward side of the ramparts are very steep and, whilst there are railings, great care should be taken, especially to prevent children and pets from getting too close to the edge, it would be a nasty fall straight into the sea.
Anyway that all from me for now, thank you to those who have read these articles,
See you soon,
Cestrian.
A.I.S.P.C.A. NEWS(Sponsored by Cable & Wireless in its centenary year) |
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The
membership forms are continuing to filter in, thanks to all those
who have already joined. The new surcharges of £5 per call out,
examinations etc. for non members will take effect from 1st July.
With regard to the UK quarantine situation; as promised here is
the address to write to...
Animal Health (Disease Control) Branch A
Hook Rise South,
Tolworth,
Surbiton
Surrey
KT6 7NF
Fax 0181 337 3640 / 0181 330 1563
If you wish to write to them, I would suggest that you make the
following points: the strict import restrictions on domestic pets
to Ascension Island; the fact that there is no evidence of rabies
here and no feral rabies carriers (eg foxes, badgers, bats etc.);
the limited access to UK (i.e. Cardiff only).
If you need any further info please contact me. I also, courtesy
of the Caswells, have a copy of the present MAFF regulations
concerning quarantine and a list of approved kennels/catteries in
the UK.
Animal Clinic
Saturday 12 - 12.30pm
If you can’t make the clinic or just want information or
advice then please call me on 4622/work or 6836/home.
Caz
Hash Trash19 June 99
Considering
recent hashes and boasting of 'this weeks won't be difficult'
statements from those hares, the pack was a bit hesitant to
believe that this week's was to be any different.
A hash briefing commenced with those infamous words -
"This week's hash won't be long or difficult" issued by
Ivor and Roly Poly, this week's Hares. Circle checks, bar checks,
and a few back checks (just to keep the FRB's in toe) were drawn
out for us all. From the petrol pumps (and Cross Hill in our
minds), the On-On was called and off we went. Thru barbed wire
and an abundant amount of 'poke-in-the-eyes' we headed with
Coffeemate traveling in his own circle. With Lollypop absent,
Wannabe filled in to sit on the circle check rock. The pack
remained together for the uphill climb we all knew would come,
'Cross Hill'. A quick and dusty slide down brings us to black-top
and another back check just to keep the FRB's in line. After
removing some of Ascension from our footwear, a brief run takes
us to a tunnel under the road. We arrive at the vehicles and
refreshments just under an hour and ten minutes. Our thanks to
Ivor and Roly Poly for a great hash(and for not keeping us out
for hours like other hashers do) and great sandwiches.
Hash quote : "What's your point ? "
This weeks hashers - Fugitive, Sniffy, Near Miss, Roly Poly,
Gilligan, A-Drain, Capt.Klingon, Xena, Coffeemate, Peacock, Frank-n-Furter,
Ivor the Engine, Thunderthighs, Fit Guy, Crystal Tips, Wannabe,
Chief Longpole, Hong Kong Phooey, First Class, Barry, Martin,
Anita
Next Weeks Hares : Hong Kong Phooey & Fugitive at the Solar
Panels by the Airhead
HKP
| Visit the Ascension Island Hash Web Site |
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: Neil McFall, Debbie Prince, Father Keith,
Sharon Andrews, Roger Huxley, Johnny Hobson, Rodney St Pierre
Printers: Debbie & Carrie
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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