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The Islander - Thursday 14th December 2000

Xmas Party Season Starts

I saw Mummy kissing Santa Claus !!!
	The Christmas party season well and truly kicked off this weekend with the One Boat Golf Club Christmas party on Friday night, Two Boats Club Xmas meal on Saturday, and The Saints Club Children's Christmas party on Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately at the time of going to print we have no photos of either One boat, or Two boats, but seen opposite is "Father Christmas" planting a bit of Christmas cheek on the hostess with the mostest after giving out his presents. Santa, with his "sleigh" arrived with a police escort, shattering the normally tranquil and peaceful town of Georgetown, as a multitude of children chased after him. Once off of his transport, "Santa" needed a few cold drinks to cool him down, after all, he is not used to the heat of the tropics and needed a few ice cubes to remind him of home. Santa is due to make other early appearances over the coming weeks, with Two Boats Playgroup on this Tuesday, the Klinka Klub on Saturday and Two Boats Club on Sunday.
Santa and his sleigh arrive in the square after shattering the peace. Santa's little helpers cling on as "Rudolph" leads them in !

Father Keith Writes:

PARISH CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN.  ASCENSION ISLAND (Diocese of St. Helena) Parish Priest: Fr. Keith James - +247 6431 Church Warden: Mervyn Isaacs Church Warden: Cheryl Anthony

Dear Friends,

If you read last week's letter you might have thought I was giving up Advent altogether! But no, we had our Songs of Praise for Advent and in fact our choices of popular hymns, carols and readings took us from Advent to Easter, from Waiting to Resurrection - and we enjoyed ourselves.

No, I have not forgotten it is Advent.

The passages of scriptures set for our services during these four weeks leading up to Christmas remind us of God's promise to send a messiah, a Saviour to his people.

We read that first will come a messenger, one who will prepare the way, and we hear of John the Baptist in the wilderness by the river Jordan, calling people to repent of their sins and be ready for the one who is to come.

For us too it should be a time of 'getting ready'.

It is so easy these days, with all the present buying and wrapping of parcels, addressing and sending cards to catch the RMS or the plane, parties and disco's and all the rest, to prepare for Christmas but not for Christ.

I preached on Sunday of Advent as a time for making sure we were ready to receive a special guest. I spoke of how uninviting is a door that is locked, and our need to make sure that the door of our hearts was always wide open to receive Christ when he comes.

If we have only prepared for the trimmings of Christmas we may find when it is all over that we feel let down, a sense almost of 'was it worth it?' It will be as if the visitor we had been expecting had not turned up, or found the door locked and gone away again.

So in all the many things you have to fit in in these coming days just check now and then that the door is open, so that our special Guest may come - and stay.

Heavenly Father, in this Advent season as we wait to celebrate the coming of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ two thousand years ago in Bethlehem

Help your church to open wide it's doors so that all may hear the Good News of his coming;

Help your world to make straight the paths that lead to peace, that nations may know his just and gentle rule

Help each one of us to prepare and be ready, eager and waiting for that day when he will visit us, that he may find us willing to receive him who is The King of Glory, the same Jesus Christ our Lord………….Amen

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

A Big Thank You!

To Aunty Sharon from all of the children who attend Two Boats Playschool. Since taking over the playschool earlier this year Sharon has worked very hard to achieve her aim of preparing the children for " big school" though play. This involves hours of researching projects suitable for a varied range of age and ability. The lead up to Christmas is particularly busy with the children having worked hard on the many "masterpieces" which will adorn their parent's homes for many years to come! Special thanks must also be extended to Aunty Pam, who always chooses to wear white on painting days! (Or does Sharon choose to do painting on the days Pam wears white!!) Two Boats Playschool is self-funding and relies heavily on the charitable donations and fund raising. This year Sharon is having a stall at the Christmas Eve fair where various items - ideal stocking fillers will be on sale. The proceeds will be used to replace broken or worn out toys and equipment. Sharon and Pam will be having a well-earned rest until the new term in January, so we wish them a very happy Christmas, and lots of creative inspiration for the new year! Helen Fowler on behalf of those just learning to hold a pen.

MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

My Government will continue to pursue its central economic objective of high and stable levels of growth and employment. My Government will ensure the continued economic stability which has enabled it to increase the resources available for education, health, transport, and police services. My Government will reflect these policies in its Finance Bill.

This is my Government's fourth legislative programme. My Government's main Bills for the coming Session will focus on improving public services and cutting crime. My Government also plans other major Bills and other significant initiatives, particularly in secondary education with the creation of more specialist schools, urban school reform and improved teaching in the early years of secondary education.

My Government is determined to combat all aspects of crime to protect all members of our society. My Government will introduce legislation to modernise and improve law enforcement by, for example, tackling disorderly conduct. Legislation will be introduced to regulate the private security industry. A Bill will be introduced to cut vehicle crime, reduce opportunities to dispose of stolen vehicles, and extend the time limit for prosecution for vehicle theft. A Bill will be published in draft to increase powers against money laundering and make it easier to recover the proceeds of crime. The Bill to give Courts themselves the power to decide whether certain defendants should be tried by jury or by magistrates, will be re-introduced. Legislation will also be brought forward to reduce benefit fraud. This will enable more information to be obtained to prevent fraud and will provide power to withdraw or reduce benefits where a person has twice been convicted of benefit fraud.

My Government remains committed to the founding principles of the National Health Service. My Government's NHS Plan showed how it would take forward further reform of health services to improve standards. Legislation will be introduced to support many of the commitments in the Plan, in particular to improve the performance of the NHS. The legislation will also take forward my Government's response to the Royal Commission on Long Term Care for the Elderly. A Bill will be brought forward to ban the advertising and promotion of tobacco products.

My Government continues to attach the highest importance to improving education. It has already secured a number of changes to the law to further this end, including legislation to reform the training of teachers, to secure improved school standards and to create the Learning and Skills Councils. My Government will introduce a Bill to improve the framework for meeting special educational needs and access to learning for disabled people. During the new Session, my Government will continue to work to improve standards in education. Legislation will be introduced to extend the functions of the Children's Commissioner for Wales, to provide better protection for children in Wales.

A Bill will be introduced to increase the effectiveness of the power to reduce regulatory burdens by removing inappropriate and over-complex regulation.

Legislation will be brought forward to ease the process of buying and selling homes, and to improve the protection given to homeless people. Progress will also be made on the purchase of freeholds by leaseholders, and on commonhold, a new form of tenure for flatowners.

MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

Estimates for the Public Service will be laid before you.

MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

A Bill will be introduced to enable a free vote to take place on the future of hunting with dogs.

My Government has appointed Lord Cullen to head an Inquiry into safety on our railways. A Bill will be drafted to provide for safer travel on the railways, in the air, at sea and on the roads, and will take forward proposals for revitalising health and safety at work.

A draft Bill will be published to improve the transparency of export controls and to establish their purpose.

In Northern Ireland, my Government will continue to work closely with the political parties and the Irish Government to secure the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. A Bill will be published in draft on the implementation of the recommendations of the review of the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland.

My Government is committed to making devolution in Scotland and Wales work and to continuing the process of decentralising Government in the interests of all the people in the United Kingdom.

A Bill will be introduced to maintain the legislation relating to the Armed Forces for the next five years.

Other measures will be laid before you.

MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

The Duke of Edinburgh and I look forward to our State Visit to Norway.

My Government will continue to work with our partners to shape the future of the European Union. It will work for rapid progress on the enlargement negotiations, and for reform of the institutions of the European Union to prepare them for a wider membership.

My Government will continue to ensure that NATO remains the foundation of Britain's defence and security. My Government will continue to work to make the United Nations Security Council more effective and representative. It will support efforts to improve the United Nation's capacity to undertake peacekeeping operations.

A White Paper will be published outlining how my Government will work to shape the forces of globalization to benefit the world's poor.

My Government believes that those who commit crimes against humanity should be brought to justice. It will introduce a Bill to enable the UK to ratify the statute of the International Criminal Court.

MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels. ================================================================================== OVERSEAS TERRITORIES BILL: STATEMENT BY BARONESS SCOTLAND

Following The Queen's Speech, Baroness Scotland said:

'I well understand that there will be disappointment about the Overseas Territories Bill. I want to reaffirm that the Government remains committed to introducing legislation as soon as possible to ensure that our offer of citizenship, outlined in the White Paper, is delivered.

'We recently initiated a consultation process with the Overseas Territories on issues relating to the Bill and its implementation. This process puts us in prime position to act as soon as the Bill becomes law.'

UK ONLINE CITIZEN PORTAL GOES LIVE

Public asked to help in development of pioneering project.

A unique new website goes live today. It represents a major step towards putting convenient, 24-hour access to Government at people's fingertips. The UK online Citizen Portal will be the single place where the public - from new mothers and victims of crime to small businesses and holiday-makers - can access all available UK Government information and services online.

It will link information on more than 1,000 official websites, transforming the relationship between Government and the citizen by cutting hassle and bureaucracy from peoples' lives. We want as many views as possible on the site, so that the public shapes how it is developed and improved. It is going live (at www.ukonline.gov.uk), as a beta test or consultation and we want opinions through the feedback page on the portal.

The site is a key part of the UK online initiative, launched by the Prime Minister on 11 September. The initiative's threefold aim is to ensure universal access to the Internet by 2005, to get all Government services online by that date and to make Britain one of the world's leading knowledge economies.

The site, which has been developed in partnership with BT Stepchange and Syntegra, BT's consulting and systems integration business, has several distinctive features:

The portal's search engine - Quick Find - guides users directly to the right information allowing people to cut through the maze of government. Unlike many other portals, you won't have to search through hundreds of irrelevant hits to find official information - a search on 'flu vaccinations' will take you straight to the page about that subject on the NHS Direct website.

In the 'Life Episodes' area of the portal, we've looked at key events and milestones in peoples' lives and pulled together packages of information and services focused around those experiences from the citizen's point of view. Initially there are four, but many more will be developed over time.

For example, for people moving house there's a life event that leads to sites with information about house prices, to local schools and transport and the Government's pilot change of address service which streamlines the process of telling key departments when you've moved. There is also tailored information for those dealing with crime, going away or having a baby.

The 'Citizen Space' makes it easy for people to find out about government's plans. This is the single place where people can find out about current issues and contribute to the formulation of new policies on which the public are being invited to have their say. Citizen Space makes public consultation and its outcomes available more directly than ever before. There is also easy to find information about elected representatives and registering to vote.

You can also personalise the portal - for example choosing to read the site in Welsh, or get information specifically about how services are delivered in Scotland. Real time Government news is carried on the portal providing an easy way to keep in touch with announcements and advice. There will be direct links to information about the stories of the day making it easier to find out what you need to know quickly.

Cabinet Office Minister, Ian McCartney, said 'The current site is just the beginning. The way people use the site and the feedback we receive will drive how we develop and improve it. And new content and transactional services will be added over time. In time, the portal will help revolutionise the relationship between Government and citizens by turning public services inside out. Instead of being organised around Government bureaucracy, they'll be organised for thecitizen's convenience. That's why it's critically important we have this consultation phase, so a service evolves that realises our vision and meets the public's needs and expectations.'

The Government's priority in developing the site has been to ensure that itis friendly and accessible whether you're a new or a frequent Internet user.It has also been consulting to help make sure that the site meets the needs of people with disabilities.

As the UK online Citizen Portal is developed, transactional services will be added. For example, people and businesses will be able to complete and submit documents on-line, for example tax or VAT returns.

These new services will be thoroughly tested before they're launched to make sure that they're easy to use and that the functionality is robust.

LETTERS

The Met Office Weather Report

Here we go again then! I can't quite believe that it's already 10 weeks since I landed on this fair isle although it does now seem that the weather is beginning to perk up a bit but so it should. This is supposed to be a tropical island. The last week was another relatively busy one, both work-wise and socially of course. We had a Hercules in from Georgia in the States, dropping meteorological buoys into the ocean. These buoys quite literally drift around with the current, sending back data via satellite so that we can ultimately come up with better forecasts….right?! The guys doing the drops were a terrific bunch and generous to a fault, especially when it came to buying beer but that's another story.

Friday night was the night of the 'Grand Christmas Draw' in the Sergeants/Officers Mess. We all turned up in our best bib and tucker so it is a shame really that it doesn't' get dark around an hour earlier as I for one would have preferred walking the streets in my 'penguin suit' under cover of darkness! The night itself was, from what I can remember, a success although no one on my table actually managed to win anything. Thanks go to Sam for doing such a good disco although he then proceeded to do as much dancing as anyone else. Christmas draw aside the most important competition of the night was won by the Caveman, who in a 3 horse race, downed a pint of Ollies in a time of 5 seconds. Not big and not clever and a guaranteed way of making sure that the mere smell of alcohol turns your stomach for the rest of the night!

Last week we promised you some really good swell at English Bay and without beating our drum too much, that is basically what happened. Seriously though, anyone venturing into the sea over the last few days would have to have been at least a couple of cans short of a six pack. I spent this afternoon, Sunday, at English Bay and the rollers were fairly crashing in. Like everyone else, I was forced to plonk myself right at the top of the beach although one freak wave made it right up to the beach-hut causing a few seconds of mild panic and cursing as towels, sandals and suncream were briefly washed away.

Last week's quiz question caused me a little bit of a headache. The straightforward answer is that the highest recorded air temperature recorded at Ascension is significantly lower than the highest ever recorded in the UK. This I knew, but then I realised that some clever soul would probably want to know some actual figures. Easy for Ascension, the highest air temperature ever recorded is 32.2 C in March 1988. To find the precise record value for the UK meant going through quite a bit of paperwork but the value turns out to be 37.1 C in Cheltenham in August 1990.

This week I'm going to ask you to try and think up a way of measuring how high a cloud's base is above the ground. We have to both forecast and observe this height for the purposes of aircraft safety. I'll detail the most common methods that we use next week.

I'll finish off now as it's 5 am, towards the end of another exciting night shift and I can feel myself starting to make even less sense than I usually do. Watch that swell!

Captain Caveman

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The Largest Fish Competition

The presentation for the largest fish of the year will take place on the 4th January 2001, followed by a fish fry at two boats club

ALL ARE WELCOME

The largest fish at the moment is 275lb, yellow fin tuna caught by STEVE ROUDE. Well done Steve !

Its still not too late to beat that record. The winner will receive a grand total of £675, plus the Sandy Bay Trophy.

The other big fish caught so far are

179lb Tuna by Steve Roude

196lb by Peter Williams

205lb by R Young (Buffalo)

220lb by Dutch

240lb by Colin Johnson

260lb by Brian Joshua (Fridge) and

260lb By David Caswell

Organiser Peter G Fowler

Hash Hares: Bonehead & Frank-N-Furter

Hash Hounds: A-Drain,Boots,Miss Trunchbull,Limp Sausage,The Major,Rat Boy,Grasshopper,Ivor the Engine,Skipper, Woodswrecker,Hong Kong Phooey,John

"Tigger says Happy 'B'day to a bouncy friend."

With a sunny day and warm breezes, our group gathers at the Pines Rd. Evil looks and cackles from F-n-F and Bonehead gives us all new hope. A 'wire-brush' type hash with loose stuff, slippery plants, six-legged attackers, HKP, some steep bits, and of course loads of scratchies. Up is the on-on following the road towards The Pines with an 'O' check at the bottom. Up again thru the lillies and along the ridge. It was here that Bonehead stated while laying the trail, F-n-F and himself got lost. Now we worry!! (Have I mentioned who's 'B'day it was? Rat Boy knows!) After some searching, the trail is found and around we go. Woodswrecker takes a tumble and needed emergency EVAC, so birthday boy runs to help.(Trying to get away from his 'B'day beating, me thinks) Up somemore and over another ridge. Now, above the clouds and able to view most of the world from this height, we start down. Into a wind blown valley where trees are on their sides, and dodging six-legged monsters who were not happy for our visit. An all out run thru briers and thorns to get to the vehicles for some very fine food. Mrs.Head was waiting with chili and rolls.

Very nice hash and lovely food and drink.

Next weeks hares: Morticia & HKP(with technical advice from DC) from 5000(dump) area

23 Dec hares: A-Drain & Tigger from Devil's Riding School

Remember Hash Bash on 13 Dec is Hash Formal with penalties.

Hash Scribe - Hong Kong Phooey

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WHASSUP!!!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the Blue Dust Gig, for making it a good night. First 1 wanna say if it wasn't for Chris George who was our engine and kept the Dust blowin' we might not have made it, then to Dennis Francis for not allowing us to quit, thanks man!! Thanks also to Barry, Glen, Mario, Dwayne, Clayton and Penny, you're a great bunch of people. Stacey and myself will miss you guys a lot. Then there's David (Water-Rat) Peters who was our sound man and also the reason we managed to put a band together, he taught us everything we needed to know about a band from being with the I.B.F. (The memories will never fade). Also thanks to Lionel, Saggy, Stans, Crocky, Worm, Bluey Chris Burton, Roger Joyce (Ad Man), Jamie and Dale from Genesis, Freddie Maggot and Don Yon.

So now that the dust has settled I'll be on my way. Peace and one Luvs

Justin Crow

P.S. Keep it real !!!

 

See U Soon & Good Luck

Justin & Stacey

All the best to you both as you explore just a bit of that big wide world out there called the UK! Will be thinking of you while you battle with floods, gale force winds, rain and snow, but I guess there is the added bonus of shop till you drop!! Will miss you guys, and we sincerely hope that everything works out for you both. Keep the 'gin' up or should I be saying lay off it? (Just remember that you will never find no one else like me who lets you win every time!!) Have a great Christmas and see you when we get there!!! Thanks for the friendship….. Penny, Chris & Lionel

'BLUE DUST'

would like to wish both Justin and Stacey all the best. Thanks for a great 'jam' and remember us if you just happen to hit it big.!! The 'Dust' will keep on circulating!! Peace Man!!

www.the-islander.org.ac

EDITOR :Ian Andrews
The New Islander Office, Fort Hayes, Georgetown, Ascension Island.
Tel/Fax 00 + 247 6327

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

Internet Team: Carolyne Armstrong, Adrian Fowler, Mark & Laura Handley, Gavin Yon

Deadline for all contributions is 6.00pm on Monday

All articles © copyright 2000 The Islander Newspaper. All rights reserved.

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