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The Ascension Island Newspaper |
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The Ascension Island Newspaper |
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Dear Friends,
If you watched Songs of Praise on your TV last Sunday you will have heard Sir
Harry Secombe thinking back to his time serving as a soldier in the Second World
War in North Africa in 1942. As he was interviewed about those dangerous times
he joked "I used to lead retreats" - and it was suggested that the
telling of jokes and good humour was the only way to deal with the fear.
"Did you ever get over the fear?" he was asked, and replied "I
never got over it, you can't" He went on to say "You can't tell people
what war is like, what it is to see your mates die. Only those who have been
with you understand. They don't say anything. They only hold your hand."
How difficult for us to understand. We can't.
But year by year we can remember.
And in Remembering honour all who have fought for their country, for justice,
for peace, especially those who did not return from the battle, or for whom
the scars of war still take their toll.
Not only shall we honour them, but by your generous donation to the collection
we can support the work of the Royal British Legion, the ex-service foundation
begun in 1920.
Today the Legion still finds work to do, for though the survivors of the two
main conflicts we remember get less each year, conflicts continue, and the Legion
received over 200,000 calls for help last year.
The help it gives includes running seven residential homes, three convalescent
homes, holidays and respite care for carers and the disabled and more recently
support for ex-Service men and women who want to start their own business when
they retire from service life.
This year we shall have the Command Chaplain of RAF Strike Command taking part
in the Service and our singing will be led by a small military band. Then at
the end of the main service those who wish can come on to Georgetown Cemetery
to lay Ascension Island Lillies on the graves of the seven war dead buried there.
We shall Remember them. We may not understand, but we can hold their hands.
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God Bless you and keep you, Fr Keith & Ginny. |
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LETTERS
| From the Editors:-
Ian Andrews
You probably all know by now, but if you don't, BFBS will be running an episode of Scene Here featuring the recruitment of soldiers from St Helena, complete with views of the island. It's on Friday afternoon at 17.35 local time. Who knows who will be on it??? The future of the Exiles Club is still in the balance, there is to be a meeting of all members and interested parties on Thursday night. If you want your say then the committee will be more than pleased to see you there. Apart from that the week has been quiet here on Ascension, and indeed I am scrabbling to find a front-page story Thanks to everyone who contributed to this weeks thin edition, and if you would like an advert cancelling, then please leave a note at the Islander post box, or via e-mail (deadline 6pm Monday night) All the best Ian |
Those wishing to take their pets to the UK on the Pet Passport Scheme should start thinking of making arrangements. The process is quite lengthy and involved and will require long term planning. Discussions are already under way with MAFF to ensure we meet all their requirements and have the correct paperwork but it looks quite promising. It may be that our pets have to undergo 2 or 3 days in a quarantine facility but offset against the present 6 month system, I don't think this will be too much to bear. To qualify under the scheme your pet must have a microchip, be vaccinated against rabies and have a blood test to show immunisation has been effective. Your pet cannot enter the UK until at least 6 months after the date that the blood test was taken. There will also be a requirement for parasite treatment but the details are still under discussion. Once your pet has had a successful blood test, provided that it is given a rabies booster less than one year after the last vaccine was administered then no further blood tests will be required. Watch this space for more news as and when we get it. We're still looking for a volunteer to take over when I leave the island. It would be a terrible shame if the AISPCA came to an end after all the hard work and time everyone has put in over the last 3 years. You won't be expected to perform brain surgery……….not in your first week anyway…….but to administer preventive treatments and first aid. To qualify you should have an interest in animal welfare and a good sense of humour. Please do call if you think you could be the person we're looking for. Caz
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| Letters
to the Editor can be sent to editors@the-islander.org.ac |
There will be a meeting at 8pm on Thursday the 9th of November to discuss
the future of the Exiles Club. If you are a member and wish the Club to continue
operating, then please turn up to the meeting. The Committee has resolved
to do everything in its power to keep the club going, but we need the support
of the membership to achieve this.
In the short term, we go on! The Club is open for lunch on Thursday 9th, Friday
10th and Saturday 11th. The bar will also be open on Friday, Saturday and
Sunday night. (We are also open after the Remembrance Service on Sunday.)
There is understandably a lot of uncertainty as regards the future of the Club, so here is a broad outline of how the current committee sees the Club's future.
1. The Kitchen.
Karen is leaving after the 17th of November 2000, so a new caterer is required.
The Club may be prepared to offer the kitchen side of the business as a "franchise"
to the right party (subject to the agreement of the membership). This would
be a great business opportunity for someone, especially a team of spouses
or dependants. We would provide you with all the equipment you need in the
way of ovens, fridges and implements, and offer you a low rent to set you
on your way. The profits would be yours. Of course we would want certain obligations
to be fulfilled as regards opening times, price structures and so on, but
basically the profits would be yours to keep. Have you got what it takes?
If you are interested in either being the Club Caterer, or operating a franchise,
then give Stephen Fowler a ring on 6317 and let's talk!
2. The Bar.
The bar will continue to be run by the Bar Manager; we currently need (paid)
staff to help run the bar; if you are interested then contact Earl on 3119.
3. The Committee.
The Committee is badly in need of new members. We desperately need a treasurer
to run our accounts. (At present these duties are being undertaken by the
Chairman, Pete Powell, who has to fit his obligations to the Club around his
full time job. He is also resigning in the near future in preparation for
his end of tour.) Hence, the Club requires a new Chairman as well!
4. The Credit System
The Committee will suggest that the current "chit system" be abolished.
At any one time the Club is owed hundreds of pounds by the members. In addition,
the Treasurer has to spend many hours a week deciphering chits, and processing
them on to the accounts.
IF YOU ARE AN EXILES MEMBER AND YOU WISH YOUR VIEWS TO BE HEARD, OR YOU THINK
YOU CAN HELP THE CLUB, THEN PLEASE ATTEND THE GENERAL MEETING ON THURSDAY
THE 9TH AT 8PM.
Stephen Fowler, Secretary.
The Met Office Weather Report |
 |
Statistics for the week ending {date}.
| Max (deg C) | Min (deg C) | Rainfall (mm) | |
| AIRHEAD |
28.4
|
20.8
|
2.0
|
| TRAVELLERS |
27.1
|
20.0
|
11.4
|
| GEORGETOWN |
29.0
|
21.5
|
1.2
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| RESIDENCY |
23.9
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16.5
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24.8
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| ST. HELENA |
20.8
|
14.3
|
2.2
|
| FALKLANDS |
16.4
|
-0.8
|
4.1
|
| BRIZE NORTON |
13.2
|
0.2
|
54.7
|
ASCENSION SEA SWELL FORECAST:
A bog standard southerly swell of around 1 metre and occasionally a northerly
of around 1 metre which may give the odd interesting roller.
Sea temperature around Ascension Island:
Remains at 24.8 Celsius although the overall trend is up........honest.
ASCENSION ISLAND:
Looks like I put the kiss of death on this week's weather by saying how few
showers we'd had the previous week. Cloudy or overcast until Friday with frequent
showers although the weekend then turned out to be a cracker.
ST HELENA:
Marcos Henry Reports:-
A fairly pleasant week with some cloud cover, a gentle breeze and the occasional
light shower. However, Saturday was a real scorcher with 9.5 hours of sunshine
although it became cloudy again on Sunday.
Mean Temp 16. 5 deg C, Sunshine 24.2 hrs & mean Wind Speed 10.4 kts.
UK:
Generally cool, windy and showery up until Friday then fine and dry before
the next helping of heavy rain moved up from the south-west later on Sunday.
FALKLAND ISLANDS:
Fine, dry, cool and windy until Wednesday then mainly cloudy with a little
patchy drizzle at times accompanied by strong to gale force northerly winds
on Saturday and Sunday.
Captain Caveman.
This week the pack gathered at the Klinka Klub, some of the pack missed the road altogether and ended up on English Bay Beach! Some ended up at the dive club….. and others at the Power Station….. really - what's with these people? There are only 35 square miles of land in the middle of the Atlantic - surely they must know all the 500 yards worth of roads……
The briefing was given by the hares - and with an evil glint in the eyes - the ON ON was given, and a mumbled remark about being 'carted' back to the KK at the end of the HASH! Over the Klinka towards the Merlin Antennas, and up towards broken tooth direction….. some worried faces here! Or was it because there was fear due to the sterilisation thoughts……
A bar check here, and Rat Boy goes of on the wrong trail again - really Rat Boy - the HASHers are using you as the example of which direction not to go in! Towards the road near the TX entrance, and after a Circle check ON ON up more or less (probably more less) along the road towards the blind turning near the track to the 'back of sisters' Hmmmmm….. From here there were two trails - one for the Knitting circle and one for those that want to chase wool! The both trails then converged together after the knitting circle declared war on themselves…. And finally a run towards English Bay beach where there was the 'cart' to take us back to the KK. The hares even left a few drinks here for those that couldn't wait long enough for the 'medicine'. Back to the KK for a few drinks and snacks - lovely they were too!
(One of the Hares didn't make it home from the KK - something about playing Gin!!!!! - I think….)
Good HASH Guys - just what the Doctor said to avoid!
We say goodbye to Lady Like & Thomas The Tank Engine this week…. Again! And Barbra & Joan - all the best from ASI HASH Harriers!This Weeks HASHers: Boots, Bone Head, A-Drain, Fank-n-furter, The Major, Rat Boy, Ivor The Engine, Thunder Thighs, Crystal Tips, Beany Baby, PJ's, Occasional, Lady Like, Thomas The Tank Engine, Woodswrecker, Skipper, Pants, Floppy Top, Barbra, Joan.
Next Week Hares: Thunder Thighs & Someone….. From A1 Two Boats.
18th Nov - Frank-n-furter: From Travellers Gym.
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