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The Islander - Thursday 25^th November 1999

LATEST NEWS REGARDING RMS ST.HELENA!

ST HELENA LINE LIMITED

ENGINE FAILURE - PRESS RELEASE

Following the breakdown of the RMS St Helena at the start of her southbound voyage from Cardiff, the results of the extensive technical appraisal of the situation were considered by the interested parties at a meeting held on 16 November 1999 in order to consider the options available to address the engine failure. Those in attendance were representatives from this company as owners, HM Government's Department for International Development, the St Helena Government United Kingdom Representative, the Managers of the service, Curnow Shipping Ltd, our technical consultants and the engine manufacturers. It was noted that the manufacture of the replacement crankshaft was a major engineering project and delivery could not be guaranteed before 8 January 2000 which would indicate a firm date for return to operations for the vessel of 10 February 2000. A temporary repair was not considered appropriate as it could not be effected in sufficient time to enable the vessel to meet the needs of the Island.

It has, therefore, been necessary to make urgent alternative arrangements for the transport of goods and passengers to St Helena and we are able to confirm the following arrangements.

A cargo inducement has been offered to the owners of the "THORSRIVER" to deliver up to 70 containers of cargo to St Helena from Cape Town, Departing on 28 November and arriving at St Helena on 3 December 1999.

The "ELIZABETH BOYE" has been chartered to carry cargo from Europe and will depart from Brest on 25 November arriving in St Helena on 13 December 1999 having called at Tenerife and Ascension Island en route. She will then sail on to Cape Town to deliver cargo for Tristan da Cunha.

A passenger vessel the "IASON" has been chartered to carry passengers to St Helena and will depart from Malaga on 7 December to arrive at St Helena on 19 December 1999 after which the vessel is timetabled to undertake an inter-island shuttle to Ascension Island, returning to St Helena before Christmas. The Managers will be in contact with passengers to make arrangements for them to join the vessel at Malaga.

A revised sailing schedule for the entire period until the RMS St Helena is able to return to her published schedule will be released in the early part of next week.

As always, the provision of a safe service to the Island has been a major consideration in reaching the decisions above and will remain the objective of this company in reaching compromise arrangements during the period the vessel is out of operation.
Background

The RMS St Helena provides the only liner shipping service to the South Atlantic Island of St Helena. It is owned on behalf of the Government of St Helena by St Helena Line Limited, which has appointed Curnow Shipping Limited as vessel managers and passenger agents. The service is funded in part by subsidy from HM Government's Department For International Development.

For further information contact Curnow Shipping Limited.
48, Killigrew Street
Falmouth
e-mail reservations@curnow-shipping.co.uk
Web site www.curnow-shipping.co.uk

HAK 19.11.99

From: Russell Sher <rsher@tellumat.com> Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 1999 8:11 AM Subject: news on Danni Clifford...

Hi - Here's an update on Danni, who was rushed to Cape Town for medical treatment.

On Saturday, my wife and I visited the parents and Danni at the hospital. She is undergoing chemo-therapy and this will probably continue for a few months. One of the side-effects of the treatment is nausea which causes Danni loss of appetite. Her parents have been told to be strict if necessary to encourage her to eat as lack of adequate eating is a big cause for concern. A last resort would be to feed her intraveously, but this, I am told is preferably to be avoided if possible. The parents have really maintained such a wonderful attitude through all of this - They told us
that when they first heard of the diagnosis (they were in the Falklands then), they were told that there was nothing to be done. At one point they asked the RAF if they could be dropped by parachute onto St. Helena in order remain with their daughter to the end. Some RAF members were prepared to do a tandem parachute jump with the parents for this purpose. Then, the mercy dash was organised and things picked up.

The parents told us that they weren't sure whose efforts finally got the rescue going, but as we all agreed, it was better that way, since no-one person can try to claim that the effort was solely their doing - I think that that is a superb attitude, with no-one trying to claim any personal gain in all of this.

As I understand things, the British government will cover costs for one parent to stay for 4 months. Round Table organisation here in SA has expressed their willingness to get a fund organised to cover costs for the family to stay for 6 months. The other two children are in a school over here (at no charge I believe).

I am also told by a friend who is in medical marketing that Professor Jacobs who is treating Danni is amongst the top in his field in SA and that she is in excellent hands. The parents also speak highly of the staff at the hospital. The rest is in God's hands.

Regards
Russell

LETTERS

SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER, TONY BLAIR, AT THE LORD MAYOR'S BANQUET, GUILDHALL, LONDON, MONDAY 22 NOVEMBER 1999

'SHAPING A PIVOTAL ROLE FOR BRITAIN IN THE WORLD'

In post Cold War politics, the battle between traditional forms of socialism and capitalism is dead. There is still a major battle of ideas between progressive and conservative thinking. But it takes a different shape to fundamental questions about whether the world follows the course of a market economy or not, posed in the earlier part of this century. There is a new set of issues arising, some of which were touched on in the Third Way conference in Florence at the weekend: globalisation; the environment; the new knowledge economy; social exclusion.

As was clear in Florence, Britain is at the forefront of the debate about new ideas in modern progressive politics. There is a real interest in Britain abroad today, and we have to turn that to our advantage. This is not just about attracting tourism and business or about trade, or about the Dome or the Wheel, or even about our own self-esteem. It is about building strength; and shaping the future.

Yet - and I confess to finding this very frustrating - here in Britain there is very little sense that a major debate about political ideas is going on, let alone that we are at the forefront of it.

I am at one with those politicians who say that political leaders who complain about the media might as well complain about the weather. And when it comes to the personal attacks and all the rest of it, fine, they can get on with it. But I really do wish that we could generate in our media the kind of mature debate about ideas that is already happening in other countries. Ideas matter. Political debate and intellectual debate matters.

Because today's ideas become tomorrow's economy, tomorrow's jobs, tomorrow's schools, tomorrow's living standards, literally tomorrow's world.

BRITAIN'S ROLE IN THE WORLD

One such vital debate is about Britain's role in the world, where I believe we face quite profound choices not just of policy but of attitude.

Nations need to have a sense of their place in the world. They need to know who their allies are; their points of international reference; their place and role in the power structure of the world's nations.

For Britain, the legacy of Empire remains profound. Its echoes are found in this room, in every city in Britain and in every region of the world. For generations it shaped the outlook of our people; the pattern of our trade and the activities of our armed forces. Our parents and grandparents grew up with maps that showed it spreading around the world in vivid crimson.

Nearly 40 years ago, Dean Acheson's barb - that Britain had lost an Empire but not yet found a role - struck home. Successive generations of British politicians tried - unsuccessfully - to find a way back, from Churchill's three concentric circles to Mrs Thatcher's call to repel a European federal state.

However, I believe that search can now end. We have got over our Imperial past - and the withdrawal symptoms. No longer do we want to be taken seriously just for our history, but for what we are and what we will become. We have a new role. Not to look back and try to re-create ourselves as the pre-eminent superpower of 1900, nor to pretend to be the Greeks to the Americans' Romans. It is to use the strengths of our history to build our future not as a super power but as a pivotal power, as a power that is at the crux of the alliances and international politics which shape the world and its future. Engaged, open, dynamic, a partner and, where possible, a leader in ideas and in influence, that is where Britain must be. But - and here is the choice - if we want this role, we have to reject creeping isolationism and an outdated view that a nation is only 'independent' if it stands aloof.

BRITAIN'S STRENGTHS

Britain's potential strengths are clear, in some ways unique.First, our formidable network of international contacts. Our extraordinarily close relations with nations in every part of the globe through the Commonwealth. Our membership of the UN Security Council, of NATO and of the G8. The close relationship forged through two world wars and the Cold War with the USA. And our crucial membership of the European Union. We are at the pivot of all these inter-connecting alliances and groupings.

Second, our strengthening economic position. Often in the past, we appeared to be trying to find a role on the world stage to compensate for chronic economic weakness at home. Peter Cook satirised Harold Macmillan's claim that Britain now had the role of honest broker by observing that as a country we had certainly never been more honest, but nor had we ever been more broke. I do not want to make over-extravagant claims for our economic performance - we have been only two and half years in government, and there is much more that needs to be done. But there is no doubt that Britain has regained its economic self-respect and has made strides forward in competitiveness and entrepreneurial drive.

This is in part due to changes in restructuring our economy in the 80s where I freely confess Labour was not always in the right position on the central arguments. In part it is the entirely new system of economic management which this Government introduced in May 1997, which has set us on a course of macro-economic stability for the first time in decades. And the turn-up in economic fortunes is increasingly built on investment in the tools of the new economy - knowledge, education, technological know-how.

Third, there is our armed forces, whose calm professionalism in the face of the most demanding tasks regularly earns this country admirers. The role they have played from the Gulf and Bosnia, to Kosovo and East Timor, is fundamental to our standing as a nation. I would like to pay particular tribute to their leading role in Kosovo. I felt, and I believe the vast majority of British people felt, that civilised nations simply could not stand by and allow the worst ethnic genocide since World War II. Feeling it is one thing. Putting together the political and military alliances to do something is another and I believe we can be hugely proud of the role our forces played and continue to play.

Fourth, the English language, the language of the new technology, the new Lingua Franca. President Jiang Zemin was able to point out to me a few weeks ago that there are now more English speakers in China, thanks to the BBC, than there are in Britain. The English language in the era of the Internet and the knowledge economy is a huge asset for this nation.

Fifth, our values. Our commitment to democracy and the rule of law. Our history as an outward-looking nation. Our tolerance and pragmatism. Our ability to work together with others in a team. Our working multi-cultural society.

And sixth, above all, our sense of invention. The true British genius is creative. We are pioneers, explorers, innovators.

The task is to put these strengths to work in a world of vast change.

IMPACT OF GLOBALISATION

People still under-estimate the impact of globalisation. Technology is re-writing the rules of business and the rules of trade. Economic frontiers are crashing down. One and a half trillion dollars are traded every day on the world's currency exchanges, of which by far the biggest is right here in the City of London. Bigger than the Tokyo and New York markets put together. Bigger than the biggest four other European markets put together. Total world trade has double in the last 10 years. In 1970, British overseas investment was 9 billion pounds. It has now risen to 400 billion pounds. Household British names like Christies and Rover are owned by French and German companies. And household American names like Burger King and Holiday Inn are owned by British companies.

This transformation of the world by economics has been coupled with a sudden shift in the international political agenda.

In social and political terms the 19th century did not really end until the First World War. And it may be that the Twenty First Century actually began, in geo-political terms, a decade ago with the end of the Cold War and the collapse of European Communism. In truth, in this post cold-War era, it is not just economics that is global. It is politics too.

It is difficult to imagine circumstances in which Britain or other developed countries would be called upon to defend themselves alone, though we must always remain ready. But our armed forces play a crucial role in peace-keeping and, as we have seen in Kosovo, in conflicts in which we have a responsibility or interest. Issues of international trade affect UK companies crucially and UK living standards. It is impossible to remain aloof from third world debt or global pollution. The EU itself raises a whole plethora of complex questions vital to the Britain national interest.

In every sphere, increasingly nations are having to accept they can only advance their own interests by working with others.

Yet, in Europe and America, there are some who argue that the end of the Cold War in fact opens the door to a new era of national sovereignty. They argue that, without an over-arching common threat, nation states can again afford to withdraw from international commitments, to act unilaterally rather thank in partnership. They believe that governments don't have a role in globalisation: that this can and should be left solely to the markets.

to these advocates of unilateralism and isolationism, sovereignty is finite. The more a nation 'gives up' sovereignty to international organisations like the United Nations, NATO or the European Union, the less it has for itself.

This is a common argument, particularly on the extreme right and left of politics. On the right, it tends to appear among those who would isolate us from our EU partners. On the left, it used to be cited by those critical of NATO. If you read parts of the British media, it is absolutely saturated with the notion that wherever Britain cooperates with others, not only in Europe but elsewhere, it is somehow yielding up its national sovereignty. This argument is powerful. It plays to instinctive dislike of change.

But it is wrong. It defines national sovereignty as standing alone and then confuses it with national strength. And it grossly underestimates the impact of globalisation on the power of an individual nation state. If sovereignty means control over one's destiny and strength, then strength and control, in today's world, means forging alliances or falling behind.

By working together, nation states can extend their authority. By working together, they can effectively tackle problems they were powerless to address on their own. By working together, they can collectively reclaim the sovereignty they lost to globalisation, while still reaping its benefits.

Those who argue for isolationism and unilateralism would in reality condemn their country to increasing impotence. That is why nations are coming together more and more around the world to share sovereignty for the common good from Mercosur, to APEC to NAFTA.

Even a superpower like the United States cannot afford unilateralism. Like other nations, it has to work through the international institutions from NAFTA, and the OSCE, to the WTO and the UN to get its way.

So the key fro Britain is that we build and shape alliances to give us strength and influence to advance our own national interests; to make the most of our potential. And not just for Britain but for the world.

INFLUENTIAL FOREIGN POLICY

This means a foreign policy, not looking backwards, but geared to participating in and influencing the key global issues on our merits. No one is interested in what we were, except for nostalgia, but they are interested in what we are and in what we can give in leadership with others.

First, in the globalised world I have described, trade barriers make no sense. Protectionism defends sectional interests at the expense of national ones. It puts off the day when a country and its businesses have to change and adapt. But it does so at the cost of losing competitive edge and leads to greater dislocation later. That is why I attach so much importance to the new trade round in Seattle succeeding. As a start we will be calling for zero tariffs to be applied to all goods from the least developed countries. By helping them, we help ourselves. Free trade is not a zero sum game. So at Seattle Britain will be firmly planted at the free trade end of the argument.

Second, Britain under Gordon Brown and Clare Short has led the way in reducing the crushing burden of debt that has held back many of the world's poorest countries. At a time when the rest of the world is enjoying rising prosperity based on the fruits of technological advance, it is completely unacceptable that the least developed countries are making such slow progress. At the Cologne Summit this year we made a major breakthrough and agreed to write off two-thirds of the debt of the poorest countries, to free up resources to be invested in health and education. But we need to go further. And at next year's G8 Summit in Japan I believe we need to lift our horizons and focus on the progress developing countries are making against the agreed international development targets - universal primary education in all countries by 2015; a halving of poverty; and dramatic reduction in infant mortality, and in the terrible toll AIDS/HIV is taking, particularly in Africa.

I want to see a new approach to aid and development, which I believe is in tune with the thinking of the President of the World Bank, Jim Wolfensohn. It is not just money the developing world needs. It is technology, especially communications and Internet technology. It is viable commercial and legal systems. It is help with the basics of running Government services. And it is access to the richer countries' markets. It is time we realised that the world shares, in our mutual self-interest, a common goal: to free the developing nations from the bonds of poverty and ignorance and let them reach the huge potential they have.

Third, in defence we have long relied on NATO for our security.Without it and the US commitment to Europe, we would not have been able to bring peace to Bosnia or reverse the humanitarian disaster in Kosovo. We must shape European Defence policy in a way designed to strengthen that transatlantic bond by making NATO a more balanced partnership, and by giving Europeans the capacity to act whenever the United States, for its own reasons, decides not to be involved. Only then will Europe pull its weight in world security and share more of the burden with the United States.

Fourth, we need an agreed framework for intervention. I set out in my speech in Chicago in April some tests, in the light of Kosovo, that might serve as a guide to when and how it would be appropriate to intervene in other people's conflicts. I think the validity of these tests has been borne out by what has happened in East Timor.

I would like to propose that the international community take the discussion of these principles further. The Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, will shortly be putting forward to our allies and for discussion in the UN, more detailed British proposals for agreed principles on when we should use force, limited in scope, and proportionate in scale to the humanitarian objective of preventing major loss of civilian life.

Chechnya, where military intervention is neither feasible nor desirable, illustrates the obvious limits, though as I said again last week, Russia will do immense damage to its international standing unless it acts and is seen to act with restraint, and due regard to humanitarian principles.

But the fact that we cannot and should not try to solve all the world's trouble-spots does not mean that we should not do what we can where the need and the practicality of action are clear. In any event, action short of military intervention and even simply diplomatic activity on the world stage requires far clearer principles to guide us. In the UN and elsewhere, we need a full debate on these issues.

Fifth, the issue of a new global financial architecture has still to be resolved. The Asian crisis has now passed. But there should be no complacency. The G8 next year must take the key decision on financial transparency, and on the facility to help nations in distress. We should do it no later than our next Summit, otherwise we will just be waiting for the next crisis to happen.

Finally, for Britain, we face a stark choice on Europe

We could opt to be a larger Norway, linked to but outside the EU. We could survive. But if we choose that option, we should clearly understand the consequences. We will not be exempt from European rules, only from any influence in the making of those rules. We would have to comply with the requirements of the single market, but have no say in setting them.

And we would have a reduced influence on the world stage. As a part of the EU, we have the ability to play a significant role in deciding what happens at Seattle. Alone, we would not. As a part of the EU, we were able to play a key role in drawing up the targets on global warming in Kyoto. Alone, we would not. As a part of the EU, we can begin to address the growing threat posed by organised, cross-border crime. Alone, we would not.

THE EURO

On the Euro we have set our position clearly. In principle, if the single currency succeeds and it is in Britain's economic interest we should join. In practice the economic conditions must be met. The position of principle is real but so are the conditions. It is, after all, an economic union. The final decision will be taken by the British people in a referendum. But the key point here is this. For Britain to be hostile to the concept, and spend our time attacking it and undermining it, would be just plain bad foreign policy, let alone domestic economics. We want monetary union to succeed.

We can also shape the process of economic reform in Europe. Next year's Special European Council in Lisbon presents us with a major opportunity to send a signal to the world that the direction in Europe has changed, that we are building a new Europe ready to compete in a global economy.

Nor should we continue to be mesmerised by the choice between the US and Europe. It is a false choice. The fact is that we are listened to more closely in Washington if we are leading in Europe. And we have more weight in Europe if we are listened to in Washington.

My vision for Britain is as a bridge between the EU and the USA. Our two powers have common interests that dwarf the things we often argue about. The EU and the US standing together, coming closer, is the single most urgent priority for the new international order - for reasons of economic development and for reasons of global security.

So Britain faces a choice in defining its place in the world.

We can be a power that is pivotal, dynamic, capable through the alliances we have of shaping and influencing our and the world's future destiny. Potentially, we enter the 21st century with the prospect of achieving more influence and strength than we have had for many years.

But we can only do it by rejecting the siren voices of isolation and embracing wholeheartedly engagement and participation in the outside world. That would be Britain at its best, a beacon of hope and dynamism to nations and peoples everywhere.

A force for good: that is my vision for Britain in the 21st century and I believe we have the courage and determination to achieve it.

Father Keith Writes:

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

Dear Friends,

"Thus says the Lord: maintain justice, and do what is right
For soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed."
(Isaiah 56.v1)
The trouble with Holy Scripture is that it doesn't give us deadlines.
'Soon my salvation will come,' says the Lord through his prophet Isaiah
'I am coming soon' says Jesus to St John in his wonderful Revelation.
'Amen,' he replies, 'Come Lord Jesus.'

I have no doubt that Christmas will come all too quickly, and catch us as it always does with a few cards unsent and with us not having done those things we aught to have done - well, not all of them anyway.
But at least we know that it is coming, and when. December 25th, a Saturday. Next Sunday as we enter the season of Advent we shall be reminded of the urgency of the four short weeks we have left for our preparations
There's nothing like having a deadline to sharpen your ideas.
But what does Jesus mean when he says soon?
Well, we think, that could be any old time. Not today, that's for sure.
Maybe not next week either. Or next month.
How easy to feel there's no urgency, no sense of having to hurry, no deadline to meet.
But if Jesus said 'I am coming tomorrow!'
Well, that would be different.
'Too soon!' we would cry, 'we are not ready for you yet'.
But he's been saying 'soon' for nearly two thousand years.
Maybe we should start to get ready, just in case.
No, not 'soon', but right now.
Our Advent Carol Service at 6.30 on Sunday at St Mary's could be the right time to begin.

God Bless you and keep you, Fr Keith & Ginny.

Notice from the Administrator

RE: Turtles

The world famous Ascension Island green turtles have started to return to our Island to breed, with the first nest of the season having been laid this week. They have travelled thousands of kilometres to reach Ascension's beaches which have, for so many years, been a safe haven for their reproductive efforts. Many of us will wish to see this and share it with our friends and family and following a few simple guidelines will help you do this with minimum impact on the turtles.

Guidelines for turtle watching

At night on the beach please follow the following code of conduct to reduce the level of disturbance:

*Always use minimal torch light, turtle watching is best on a moonlit night.

*Walk the beach looking for turtle tracks, these will be about 1 metre wide. Follow the tracks carefully and quietly to locate the turtle.

*Avoid approaching turtles until they are well under way with their nest excavation, the earlier in the nesting process, the easier the turtle is disturbed. When the turtle is laying (sitting still after a long period of throwing sand) you can approach her quietly and use minimal torchlight to observe both her and her eggs.

*Avoid excess noise or sudden movements.

*It is best never to touch a turtle and certainly no-one should ever ride on a turtle's back.

*Only use flash photography when a turtle is laying her eggs and take pictures from her rear or side to avoid blinding and disorientating her, especially when she is returning to the sea.

*Bright lights will attract hatchlings away from the sea and increase mortality. If you are on the beach or using a beach hut at night please avoid using bright lights.

*Do not have bonfires or barbecues on the beach during the nesting or hatching season (November-August).

*Remember and take your litter home with you.

Watching turtles laying or hatching at night is a remarkable experience, please respect them.

Geoffrey Fairhurst
Administrator
22/11/99

Shipping News

Several Press releases have issued about the alternative arrangements that have been made for passengers and cargo whilst the RMS is "resting". I hope that a summary of these appears elsewhere in this issue. The other news is that there has been an unexpected change of heart by the Union-Castle Line. The MV Victoria will shortly be setting off on a Centenary Voyage and the intention was that she should sail past Ascension Island on 21 December. It has been decided that subject to weather conditions she will now land her passengers (circa 450) for a few hours on that day. This will renew memories for those who recall the Union-Castle's regular calls to Ascension and I am told that many of the passengers will also be former Union-Castle regulars.

Geoffrey Fairhurst
22 November 1999

Hi everybody the following is a message sent to John Ekwall to be placed on the St Helena web page- please feel free to forward it to everyone in your address book- lets make his programme worthwhile.

Derek Richards



Dear John

Hope all is well with you, you would love to be here at this time as we are getting ready for Xmas and it is pouring with rain.
Please could you place the following text on the Radio St Helena web page.

"Among the many programmes which Radio St Helena will be broadcasting this Xmas Stedson Francis will be giving you the opportunity to personally greet your family and friends on the island through his phone in programmes.

If you would like to phone in and greet your family you will need to phone +290 4654.
These programmes will be live on Xmas Day and Boxing Day 25th & 26th December from 8am to 10am.
You will also have an opportunity to send New Year wishes on Saturday the 1st January 2000 again from 8am to 10am.
All times are GMT.
Stedson looks forward to your calls."

SCHOOL NEWS
From the Headteacher - Mrs Betty Joshua

 

Hello again,

One of the interesting things about being in a school is that although the routine is much the same, every day is different, and there's certainly never a dull moment, let me assure you! Since I last shared our news with you, so much more has happened, and this has been anything from a small accomplishment by an individual who may have succeeded in tying his/her shoe-laces (a pretty big feat for a young child) or someone who has made noticeable effort in a particular subject area, or something more challenging like the composing of a song for a special celebration. Then there are the competitive activities and, even for a small Island like Ascension, new people to meet and much to learn from them. So there's quite a lot to choose from to share with you this week, so here goes.

Achievements
It's always good to recognise effort and teachers do this on a daily basis whenever and wherever it is deserving. Praise goes a long way and we all need it to raise our self-esteem and expectations to do even better next time! When someone makes extra special effort, then of course we make a fuss about it and give it even wider recognition: we share it with the whole school at our Awards Assembly every third Friday of the term.

So, last Friday morning Chad Peters from Year 2 received a Special Mention certificate for continued good work in Language. To receive our Special Mention certificate, a pupil has to do consistently well over a period of time and Chad has done just that. He did inform me later that that was his second Special Mention as he received one last year! Well done, Chad. Alex Reade from Year 3 was awarded a Class certificate for good performance in music having gained confidence in playing a harvest song on the glockenspiel. Well done, Alex. Staying with the music scene, the school heard, for the first time, a song that had been composed by M2 called the Cable and Wireless Song. This two-verse creation, set to the tune of Jamaican Farewell, was the work of Mrs. Wendy Joshua and her class, Middle 2 (Years 5 & 6), who felt it appropriate to help C&W celebrate their centenary tunefully! It has been agreed that the song will be played during the radio broadcasts next month, so do tune in and listen for yourself. Well done M2. I don't think that's the last we'll hear from you as I believe another song is in the making!

Following the playing of the children's song, we were pleased to call on Mr. Raymond Ellick, the Manager, to present the winners of the C&W Poster Competition with their certificates and prize money. Mrs. Anita Stevens accompanied Mr. Ellick as she had been the link between the Office and the School providing us with all the details and, finally, the results. These results were published in the Islander last week. Well done to the winners and thank you C&W for your support.
Below are two photographs of our Award Winners.

To round off the awards part of the Assembly, the totals of the house points gained over the past three weeks by each House were then announced and although fairly close, the current winning House is HUXLEY, with BEALE in second place and CONELLY running third for the given period. Well done to those who have gained house points - let's have twice/three times as many, as the case may be, next time!

Visitors
Our school opens its doors to all kinds of people who visit our Island for whatever reason and last week we were delighted to make the acquaintance of Mr. Roy Figg who had travelled from Orlando in Florida. Roy turned up and announced his arrival having previously found us on the WWW and e-mailed to ask if he could have the number of children in the school as he wanted to bring some mementoes from Disneyland for them! Roy's wife works at Disneyland and wanted TBS to share some of the joys of the place. So, true to his word, there he was laden with two boxes of posters and 'tree' pens from the latest Tarzan film, which is to be released in America in February 2000. Roy was invited to our Assembly on Friday where we presented him with a few small items bearing our school logo to take home, after which he gave the primary pupils some information about the wonderland. We learnt that it covers an area of 47 square miles, which is the total area of our island of St. Helena!! What a kind gesture this was of Roy and his wife. One which goes to show that, although there may be some bad things associated with the Web, the fact that it brings people together in kindness and friendship can only be a progressive step forward in the ever-developing circle of world-wide communication. Thank you, Roy.

Nursery Children
In preparation for the start of Term 2, could all parents who have children who turn three on or before December 16 1999 please call the school on 4432 to arrange a visit and their place in our Nursery.

Forth-coming events
And finally - to keep you posted about forthcoming events during the next three
weeks, here are the following dates for your diary:
Sunday 5th December - Christingle Service at St. Mary's Church at 7 p.m.
Join us in the lovely candle-lit atmosphere of St. Mary's.

Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th December - Primary School Pantomime
Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th December - Secondary School Pantomime
The teachers and pupils are working very hard to treat you all to some really good entertainment, so make it a date to be there!

And that's it for this time!

Betty Joshua
Headteacher.

Hash Trash

Hash number: 775

This weeks Hares: Smallthing, The Fugative and Phil, Steve and Darrel (where did they come from!)
This weeks Hounds: Jene, Woodswrecker, Herbie, Penguin, Chief Longpole, Lollipop, P J's, Hong Kong Phooey, Ivor the Engine, Rat Boy, Ma Bell, Human Mattress (welcome back Daddy), Xena, Frank'n'Furter, Near Miss, Dozy Ha'p'orth, Sniffy.

Amidst the mist and confusion of where exactly the Hash was going to start the GHM sat patiently in the wilderness waiting for the intrepid pack to come charging over the horizon in their all terrain consuming vehicles (Land Rovers). The usual cries of 'Yee Haa' and a scattering of the four legged, woolly residents marked their arrival. Screeching to a halt the Hash horde disembarked and, after a brief welcome to newcomers (fresh meat?) and some not so new, we listened attentively to the Hares and our fate. Rumour was rife of some of these hare's mental health, suggesting they might have been on R'n'R from a certain mental health Institution.
The hounds soon found the trail, climbing up to the nature trail path and following it back towards Northeast Cottage, then along Cronk's path to Banana Bridge. Here the pack rested at the circle check waiting patiently for the Knitting Circle. From here the pack split, the main pack continued along Cronk's whilst the Knitting Circle descended Banana Ravine from the bridge. The next ravine took the pack up, via a rope to Rupert's path and then back along to the top of Banana Ravine where the FRB's gleefully plummeted to the Scout's path and then on down to a circle check at Damp Flat. At this point it was noticed the knitting circle was missing - evidently they had become the FRB's without realising it. On on down through the briars, cactus and bushes where the hashers should really go. Half way down the old Nasa road a sharp left, which, a speeding GHM only managed thanks to Woodswrecker standing in as a crash barrier. At the next circle check the conversation ran to redesigning the hares on some near by spiky flora. However, just enough energy was mustered for the final stretch back to Two Boats A.2. where cold beer, soft drinks and some tasty nibbles were waiting.
Thanks to all the hares for a good hash (just as well some of them will be returning to their institutions again, next week - TriStar willing) and to Small Thing for the patio and the coffee etc and to the nice person who brought the vegetables and dip.
Jene and The Fugitive - Bon voyage, have a great time and come back safe and sound.

Next week: Harriets Lollipop, Ma Bell, PJ's and Dozy will be the Hares. Starting from the Scout's Beach Hut at the usual time of 16.30 on Saturday.
This will be Penguin's last Hash on the island so we'll be saying a sad farewell to him in the traditional way. Don't forget the knives, forks, serviettes and some extra cash.

GHM

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Ascension Island Interactive

EDITOR - Tony Jenkins
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