The information gained is used by many governmental and charitable organisations involved in conservation projects.

Island sea birds now nest on small stacks of the island due to predating by cats. The Sooty Terns are unique in that they nest on the mainland. Currently there are two fairs where the terns are breeding. There are about 12,000 birds at Mars Bay and 150,000 to the west of Pillar bay (Waterside).

The observer visiting Mars Bay will note that there are sites of abandoned eggs around the nesting site. This is where the birds have nested but then moved further inland. These abandoned sites are from the early arrivals that lay eggs but then move to a safer area as the crowds arrive. It is not known why they move but they are very 'flighty' birds and cat kills do make them nervous.

A cat will kill 2 - 3 birds per night and the visitor will see headless corpses on the edge of the fairs. These abandoned eggs provide a tasty dish for the increased numbers of Mynah birds noticed in the Mars Bay area.

Once the chicks have hatched the Tern stays on the nest to protect the young by hiding from Frigate birds looking for a snack.

The team has ringed 550 birds. In addition to the metal ring, 100 birds at Mars Bay have a red ring whilst 100 birds at Waterside have a yellow ring. If you find a ringed bird please send the details to the British Museum, London with as much data as you can, ring number, date found, location, state of bird, etc. Numbers are down this year but it will take several years of data to determine if this is a decline or not. Please go and have a look but stand well back from the edge of the fair.

Father Keith Writes:

In the Acts of the Apostles St Paul reminds us of the words of Jesus "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

One of the things that gives me a really warm glow is seeing how much most of you are ready to give in terms of help and support to one another within our Island community.

Not only are you generous with your money as the collection at the Remembrance Day Service showed but in giving of your time and encouragement to one another.

We see it too particularly in the way that there is still a tradition of extended families, a willingness for grandparents to look after their grandchildren so that parents can go to work, filling in that gap when they come home from school, or even enabling mum or dad to come here to work while looking after a child - or more - on St Helena.

Of course it cannot be right that parents and children have to be parted; one day I hope and pray that will change. Separation is contrary to the Human Rights document recently adopted in the UK which states that everyone is entitled to a proper family life.

In the meantime you have the chance to demonstrate your concern for less fortunate children by attending our annual CHRISTINGLE SERVICE on SUNDAY EVENING (December 3rd) at 7 o'clock.

Already children may have approached you with their collecting envelopes and I hope you have given what you can

At the Service each child will receive a Christingle, a decorated orange reminding us that Jesus gave himself for us.

And there will of course be a collection for the work of the Children's Society which helps children in so many different ways in the UK. It especially helps those who find themselves forced to live apart from their families, often on the streets where many dangers can befall them, through divorce or simply feeling unwanted at home.

Remember, they do not have the sort of protection, love and care that the children on the Island enjoy.

From the Editor

It has been another quiet weekend on ASI! There are some sports happening at the clubs, and the normal Disco nights! There are adverts out for the Xmas Period - whats happening at which club! Party party party……..

Sadly Caz & Deano did their last paper last week! In it is amazing how fast the time comes around! They have been doing an excellent job on the paper and of course we do hope that someone else will step into their place and help with the paper!

Looks like we are going to have another radio show on Saturdays! Good luck guys - we will be listening and grading of course…..

Well, just under four weeks for Christmas, time to do your shopping and send the Christmas cards out….. I think that Penny is going to give me a case of Ohlies for Christmas - the best pressie in the world!

There is a new band starting their first gig in just under two weeks time - Blue Dust - all the best guys! We will be listening and grading you as well……

Also, IBF is back! These guys are just like Floyd - they will disppear for years then surface again…

***************** “METCHAT” ************************ “METCHAT” ************************ “METCHAT” *************************

I don't know about you but Monday seems to have come round very quickly this week. On the plus side is the fact that us shift-workers don't tend to get that 'Monday feeling' because there is no such thing as a first day of the week for us but I must admit to feeling a bit jaded this morning. It might have something to do with all the beer I drunk at last night's Naafi quiz or perhaps I'm just getting old….I'll have to ask Jim! Poor (old!) Jim by the way is currently at the Medical Centre having his leg looked at. Many of you will doubtless suspect that he's come off the 'wall of death' by the Met Office bashas again but I can confirm that he has in fact pulled a muscle whilst playing badminton. We wish him a speedy recovery!

Once again Captain Caveman has been up to his old tricks again. We ended up temporarily one chair short when I leant back for a nice stretch and the back of the chair snapped cleanly in half. They just don't make them like they use to. On Saturday I sauntered off to English Bay for a nice afternoon in the sun and yes the sun was actually shining on my day off. A figure waved at me when I arrived and I duly waved back as you do on Ascension and then I wandered off to my own little corner of the beach worrying about why some strange bloke should want to wave at me. It was only later back at the mess when a mate of mine accused me of snubbing him at the beach that all became clear. I just didn't recognise him with his clothes off!

And now the moment you've all been waiting for. The answer to last week's teaser is that Ascension thunderstorms are most common in April. On average a thunderstorm occurs on Ascension every couple of years with the most famous one being in April 1985 when nearly 6 inches fell in less than 24 hours. We've had the wettest so naturally this week's question is, on average, which is the driest month?

At the time of writing the US Presidential race is still not settled. It really does amaze me that the outcome for what is essentially the most important job in the world should be decided by which side has the best team of lawyers. What is also mid-boggling is that we are talking about a difference in around 6 million votes of just 0.005%. There is also apparently a 'doomsday' scenario whereby a particular chain of events could result in the current vice-president having the casting vote in deciding whom the next president would be. The current vice-president is of course one Al Gore so I just wonder who'd get his vote!?

Back now to the much more important business of life in the Met Office. We're looking quite smart these days thanks to a nice new carpet and the replacement chair that we acquired after my little accident. We've also got new Met Office logos plastered everywhere following the organisation's 're-launch' and 're-branding' a couple of weeks ago. The next step is for me now to actually get the weather forecast right!

I'll end now with a sneaky advertisement for Pete's radio show.

"GREEN ONIONS"

Your Saturday lunchtime radio-show 12 till 2 on Volcano Radio 98.7 FM. Phone 2210 with your dedications, message and info, etc

Captain Caveman.

GUIDES' DISCO

The evening of Saturday 18th November, saw the 1st Ascension Guides first ever Disco. Everything went according to plan from Saturday afternoon (the decorating by the girls with the help from Barry & Robert) right into the early hours of Sunday morning. The girls wearing their blue Guide T-shirts really enlightened the night especially on the dance floor! All in all it turned out to be a successful night and wouldn't have been made possible if the enormous help from parents and friends weren't at hand. THANKS goes out to:-

Norman & AIS - For the use of the Cinema and Snack Bar

Daryl, Robert & Corey - Collecting the greenery

Ashley C, Alfie & Leroy - The use of their muscles in the bar preparation

Freddy Maggott - Our DJ

Barry 'Lewie' - Ice collector

Paul - For providing the ice

Johnny H - The loan of ice kegs & primus

Debbie - Cooking the soup and providing the batter mix

Noddy, Patrick, Carl, Bluey and Lionel Bo - Cooking the fish and chips

Cilla, Leggy, Joyce, Melvyn, Sharon, Simon J & George - The Bartenders

Ian, Vilma, Mariel & Guides - Ticket selling

Billy - For chilling the drinks and bringing it to the Club

The Parents, Guides and Winnie who helped to clean up on the night to make Sunday that tiny bit less 'stressful' for me.

THANK YOU all once again!!

Raised on the night £1,815.14

Expenditure:- FLOAT 450.00 DRINK 483.73

Income to Bank £ 881.41

(Address supplied)

16th October 2000

Dear Editor,

When I was on Ascension last - 1995 - I wrote an article for the paper entitled YOU'RE NEVER TO OLD TO LEARN. By relating my own continuing learning I hoped to encourage my former pupils at The School.

Since I retired from The School in 1987 I have worked voluntarily in the Museum sector and in Adult Education gaining Certificates in the latter. More recently I have taken an NVQ course in Heritage and Museum Studies at Level 4 and passed in Collection Management & Interpretation. I am now qualified to curate a museum.

Through your paper I wish to thank Natalie Hewatt, Johnny Hobson and Graham Avis who went to a great deal of trouble to provide me with written evidence as to the work I did at Fort Hayes from 1992-1995. Their corroboration of the work I did on the island certainly contributed greatly to my Evidence File.

I plan to continue in Lifelong Learning though in which direction now I have not yet decided - I may continue with Museum Studies, I may decide to try oil painting, I may take a History Open University Course. So many paths to follow it isn't easy to choose.

Meantime I send my greetings to all friends still on the island - enjoy your Christmas celebrations and every good wish for the year 2001.

Sincerely

MARGOT HUTCHINSON

FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR

JOHN BEALE

I regret to report that John Beale, Administrator of Ascension from January 1989 to February 1991, died on 31 August.

ONE BOAT CONTAINER PARK

Recently I had to ask those with containers/portacabins at One Boat to have a tidy up session and move the many derelict vehicles that had accumulated there. There has been a splendid effort and the area is already looking much tidier. There are still a couple of wrecks (vehicles, not owners) to be moved to the tip and then the job will be complete. Thanks to everyone for their cooperation.

CATS & DOGS

Although I am committed to trying to eradicate the feral cats we have made careful provision for pet cats and dogs. The law provides that dogs should be spayed and cats should be castrated/spayed. They should also be registered and have microchips inserted. The law also makes it compulsory for those leaving the Island to find a new home for their pet and inform the police or take the animal with them or have it put down. Those who find these simple rules difficult should reconsider whether they are fit owners of a pet.

Geoffrey Fairhurst

27 November 2000

SCHOOL PAGE

The school term moves rapidly into the festive season and we take this opportunity to enlighten you of a few activities which will soon be taking place and which you may wish to participate in.

Our annual service is being held at St. Mary's Church on Sunday, 3 December, at 7 p.m. in support of the Children's Society and the work it does for underprivileged children in the UK. Father Keith and Ginny are the organisers and will be working with our pupils on Friday morning making christingles in readiness for the service. All children have received a special envelope in which they will collect donations and bring to the service on Sunday the total proceeds of which will go to the Society. It would be nice to have you join us and be part of the candle-lit atmosphere of this rather special service which leads us into Advent.

This year the Primary School only will produce plays for your entertainment and there will be two entitled 'Nativity' by the Lower School and 'Father Christmas and the Snow Witch' by the Middle School. These are being staged on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 December starting at 7 p.m. in the School Hall. Tickets will be on sale shortly so do keep one of these evenings free to support our Primary pupils and staff. We would be pleased to hear from anyone who may be willing to assist with costume making. Please do contact us if you can spare the time to help. The Senior School are planning their entertainment for the end of the school year.

This takes place on Wednesday, 20 December when Term one comes to a close. The service starts at 11.30 a.m. at St. Mary's and lasts for about three-quarters of an hour. Please come and join us and warm up your voices for Christmas and hear readings telling of the Christmas story. We look forward to seeing you there.

EDITORS : Adrian O Fowler & Penny Peters
The New Islander Office, Fort Hayes, Georgetown, Ascension Island.
Tel/Fax 00 + 247 6327

E-Mail: editors@the-islander.org.ac

Internet compilers -Gavin Yon, Adrian Fowler, Mark & Laura Handley, Carolyne Armstrong

Deadline for all contributions is 6.00pm on Monday

	Max (deg C)	Min (deg C)	Rainfall (mm)
AIRHEAD	28.0	20.5	0.8
TRAVELLERS	27.0	20.0	3.8
GEORGETOWN	29.0	21.0	0.1
RESIDENCY	23.6	16.3	7.7
ST. HELENA	20.6	14.0	13.2
FALKLANDS	14.0	-0.4	18.7
BRIZE NORTON	11.0	1.3	20.2

The Islander - Thursday 30th November 2000

SOOTY TERNS COUNTED

An Army Ornithological Society expedition visited the island for seventh time since 1990 to carry out the Sooty Tern Survey.

Father Keith Writes:

From the Editor

Are you Interested in Ascension Island?

The Met Office Weather Report

"GREEN ONIONS"

Your Saturday lunchtime radio-show 12 till 2 on Volcano Radio 98.7 FM. Phone 2210 with your dedications, message and info, etc

GUIDES' DISCO

Dear Editor,

Sincerely

MARGOT HUTCHINSON

FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR

JOHN BEALE

ONE BOAT CONTAINER PARK

CATS & DOGS

SCHOOL PAGE

Hash Trash