Time to put my mind to a new "Ascension Island Cycle of Prayer" for the next three months; this is the last week of the present list. As I think is fitting for a church that seeks to serve both God and people we put ourselves at the bottom of the pile, and so our prayers this week are for the places of worship on the Island. St Helena I know has a wide variety of denominations and several churches; here there is just the Grotto for the Roman Catholics and St Mary's for Anglicans, and next to Percy's Petrol Pump the Mosque.

We give thanks to God for those who had the vision to build these places and those who have tended and cared for the buildings over the years, especially of late to the Royal Air Force for their upkeep of St Mary's and the ASAF Base who tend to the needs of the Grotto. We thank him too for the men and women who, sometimes just passing through, have offered their time and talents to keep the Services going so that we may worship of God, both Ordained and lay. We are fortunate at St Mary's to have a member of the congregation who has opened a Web Site for us; the Church can reach a world-wide audience, something the Marines would never have imagined possible as they built the "garrison church" way back in 1843. So we have a lot to be thankful for.

I have always been grateful that St Mary's is open to everyone, and that we have a unique dispensation from our Bishop that lets those of other denominations who worship with us Anglicans have a place on our Church Council. It is the mix of our congregation that reminds us that we are "all one in Christ" But it was Rachel, the Eucharistic Minister at the Grotto, who made me sit up on Sunday night with the suggestion that even so not everyone might feel able to come to our services.

As she led the prayers we prayed for "those of other denominations who feel they have no place of worship on the island." I hadn't thought of it like that before. Here we were, two Anglicans and a Roman Catholic, just three of us sharing Holy Communion together at the Grotto. And the sharing of worship was all that mattered. If you feel isolated, cut off from your "normal" place of worship on the Island, do not be put off. At both the Grotto and St Mary's you will be welcome.

And yes, we shall tell you which page in the book we are on, and when to sit or stand or kneel. And it won't matter if you don't know the hymns, you'll soon learn. So you've really no excuse!

By the Headteacher -
Mrs Betty Joshua

SCHOOL PAGE

www.ais.co.ac/school/

Hello from TBS

Where we are at... Where we are going… Statements from year 9s

"I am moving into year 10 and will be leading up to my GCSEs. When I leave school I have a huge ambition I would definitely like to fulfil - to be a doctor. I don't want to be involved in a hospital in England or the USA, because I think that the highly developed countries have plenty of doctors and nurses and medical facilities. I would like to go to less developed countries in Africa or Asia because I believe they need the help most."

"I hope I will do well in my exams as I would like to get good grades so that I can go to college and study as a teacher of English or Geography."

"In the future I want to go to college so I can study engines, and then I would like to go to the States to fly planes in the Army. To get to that point I must study really hard starting from now. I think its going to be very tough being in year 10 - especially if I want to go to college in England. For work experience next year I would like to do something mechanical. I would also like to be a good athlete and be good at getting fit and fast. I am doing Tykwondo, which will help me with fighting and street awareness. I am a yellow belt and I am looking forward to getting a green belt. We had to do an exam for that aswell."

"I am going into year 10 next year. I want to fly planes and helicopters when I grow up, or I may be a policeman or even a guard. At the moment I go to Scouts on Fridays. I hate doing exams and tests because I get nervous and make stupid mistakes. I wonder how well I did in my SATs exams."

"I am 14 years old. In the future I want to be a rock star and make it big in the charts. I want to have private lessons with Carlos, Santana, Slash and Stevies V V. I would like to buy my dream guitars which are a Gibson les paul goldtop slash signature and Santana SE. I want to do a couple of live concerts and then travel the world. I also want to get a black belt in Tykwondo and become a professional break-dancer."

"I just finished my SATs but now we will be moving on to the bigger exams - GCSEs. When I finish school I plan to go to America for good. Over there I hope to continue playing basketball. I'd play as a power forward or centre. If I'm lucky I could also carry on my rap career."

"When I am older I want to become an engineer and build all my own sponsor cars."

"I want to buy my symbols soon for my drum kit. I am going to do a show in a week and I'm practising every day. I want to be a good break-dancer and the best drummer in the world. I am going to England in July so I can go to Reading Sports and have fun. I can't wait to go and but loads of clothes. I am quite fit and I want to do body building and have big biceps."

"I would like to be an office worker or look after old people in their homes instead of in a hospital. Soon I will be in year 10 and starting my GCSE courses. I really want to study hard and achieve good grades. I hope to go to college. I also like dancing and would like to go to a professional dance school. I would like to visit my Siberian tiger called Jasper in Vietnam, who I adopted recently. In a few weeks time I'll be on the plane flying to England. I can't wait to see my brother. He'll take me shopping and just do anything I want to. I hope to go down to Devon as my Auntie's friend has horses and I love to go riding."

"In September I will be in year 10. When I leave school I am hoping to do something involving office work. I would like to be abroad. I have been on Ascension for 10 years. Last Sunday we had our own Two Boats School sports day and I won the 100m, 200m, High Jump and helped Beale win the tug-of-war. I have been coming to Two Boats School for 10 years and I have made a lot of friends. I love the Island because we can go clubbing by ourselves and enjoy ourselves."

The Last Post
In last week's Islander there was an article about the US Base Commander's decision to end the Courtesy Mail Programme. As the author rightly said, this has been a generous facility offered over many years. However I should make it clear that this decision was taken by the USAF. There was no pressure from me or the Governor or the FCO. Major Chechowitz has told me that his action was prompted by a review of the courtesy mail programme by Air Force legal and headquarters staffs. Foot and Mouth Disease Again in last week's Islander there was an article about the preventive measures taken concerning

Foot and Mouth Disease.
To the best of my belief at present it is illegal to export from UK fresh meat, meat products, fresh milk and milk products. That is UK law. There is provision for certain meats from outside the UK packed in hermetically sealed packages to be exported from the UK by commercial traders but that falls outside the scope of passengers carrying goods on the Tristar. It is also deemed to be good practice to have a disinfectant mat for passengers to pass through until FMD is completely eradicated.

An Optimistic Future
In the same article Mrs Yon also renewed her request for optimistic news. In my reply published in the Islander on 15 March I pointed out that we are looking to introduce the opportunity for people to buy or lease property on Ascension and to acquire the right of abode here. I said then and still believe that even these two pieces of legislation will give people enormous opportunities. They lead on to giving people more responsibility for the way they run their lives on Ascension. Elsewhere you will see that John Cavana of Ascension Island Commercial Services is seeking expressions of interest from those who might wish to acquire the various businesses run by AICS. Again I see some excellent opportunities. We have also been given a ½ million pounds grant to restore the seabird colonies on Ascension. This is a huge vote of confidence. It will enable us to enhance the wildlife that is the cornerstone of our future as a centre for eco-tourism. And this is only the beginning as we seek to transform Ascension into the sort of community that exists in other populated Territories. Ascension has a bright future but it is going to need hard work and innovation.

British Overseas Territories Bill
Excellent news that this Bill has now been introduced in the House of Lords. For anyone interested in the legislative process ahead I have a booklet "Passing Legislation in the UK" if anyone wishes to borrow it.

Duyfken
This is a replica sailing ship undertaking a voyage from Indonesia to the Netherlands to mark the 400th anniversary of the establishment of the United East India Company. She has a crew of 16 and is due to call at Ascension in January 2002. There is an informative website at www.duyfken.com

Pictures from the Ascension Island Sports Day 2001

June 26th

Watchdog.............

Stephen Fowler and Caroline Yon get their teeth into some Ascension Island issues.

Ease of Mind

Here follows an open letter to the Governor requesting that he puts an end to the myriad of rumours circulating the island by going into print on the subject of "AIG - The Future".

Dear Sir, Since first being informed of the intention to end the Joint Venture the buzz words have been openess, self-determination and democracy. Unfortunately, in reality, all that has occurred is secrecy, suspicion and rumour.

We ask you to take this opportunity to allay our fears and set the record straight on the following issues :

1. Will Ascension Islanders be allowed to choose their own governmental system (within the bounds of legality) in a free referendum and, if they choose not to have any input from LegCo/SHG this will be honoured ?

2. Following the election of an Ascension Island Government / Council, will the elected members be able to choose, either themselves or by an island vote, who will manage and provide Public Services on Ascension Island ?

There are, obviously, many more issues to be decided but these are the ones causing the most unrest at the present time.

Please do take the time to answer and help give the people of Ascension a clearer vision of what the future may hold.

Foot and Mouth Disease (Chapter Two)

Following last week's article on this subject, we have carried out some further research into the whole Foot and Mouth situation. The UK passed a law making it illegal to export certain meat and dairy products - you will be pleased to know that chocolate, biscuits and baby food are not included in the ban. The idea behind the law was obviously to prevent the spread of Foot and Mouth to other countries because of the devastating impact that it could have on farming in those countries. This makes perfect sense, and such far reaching and sound measures should be applauded.

However, the main theme of last week's article - and indeed of this week's - is that no one seemed to know the origin of the restrictions being imposed at Brize, and that no one seemed to care what effect these restrictions would have on an island that produces no foodstuffs locally. Having to wait for the RMS to pick up meat / dairy products from South Africa will mean a mininum shortage time of 8 weeks (from ship leaving Ascension for UK in May to returning from the Cape in July). It is obvious that the shop had no prior warning of these restrictions and therefore was not in a position to make alternative arrangements or increase it's order in time.

The notice given to Falkland Island passengers at Brize has a codicil at the bottom that will allow for meat and/or dairy produce to be exported under permit from the Agricultural Department of the Falkland Island Government. If they have been able to obtain the possibility of dispensation, then surely we can too ? Considering the unique situation of Ascension and the fact that ALL foodstuffs must be imported, is it too much to ask of the Governor to seek special measures on our behalf ?

This is not an exercise in mischief making or finger pointing, but simply a wish to know if there is someone in a position to represent the needs of Ascension Islanders and to put us first.

Military Works Force (Volunteers)
Central Volunteer Headquarters RE, Gibraltar Barracks
Blackwater, CAMBERLEY, Surrey GU17 9LP

Telephone(44) 01252 863366 Military(94261) 3366

Fax (44) 01252 86327 Fax (94261) 3278
E-mail: jwdavis_cvhqre@gtnet.gov.uk

Dear Editor,

During the past week some of your readers may have seen or come into contact with four Territorial Army Royal Engineers who have been working on your Island. Can I introduce ourselves as 525 Specialist Team Royal Engineers Volunteers (STRE (V)). We were carrying out a pre-camp recce. for our annual camp, which is due to start 22 Nov, with 20 personnel. We will be carrying out various civil, mechanical and electrical engineering design tasks in support of the RAF.

Could I take this opportunity to thank on behalf of our recce. Team: Maj Bruce Snelling, Capt Mark Baines, Sgt Mike Courtnage and myself Sgt Maj Tony Bird, everyone who gave us so much help during our stay on the Island. Our job was made so much easier due to the knowledge and professionalism of these personnel. Special thanks must go to the PROM Josie Goodwin-Baker, EWC and good friend Bud Flanagan and wife Melanie, secretary to the PROM Heather, PTI Nick , M.T. Phil and his staff, Dave at the power station Kenny in Ops for their particular help and advice and the Mess staff especially Ian, who tried to retain our tight figures but unduly failed.

Extra special thanks must go out to Melanie Flanagan for organising a BBQ for the team, Rich Burke for an enjoyable fishing trip, Bud for inviting, and Ron for organising the weekly Hash and social after event, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the team. We will join in the event again if invited at the end of November. We must also thank the Barmen Roddy and Guy at the event and the 61 year old entertainer Larry.

I will arrive again on the Island on the 19th Nov with rest of the team following two days later staying until the 9th Dec to carry out our surveys for the PROM. Hope to meet up and socialise with a lot more of your readers then. Could I wish all personnel who are posted between now and our arrival date all the best for the future.

On behalf of our team could I please give a massive thank you for your hospitality.

WO2 Tony Bird
TSM 525 STRE (V)

SPEECH BY HM THE QUEEN, STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, HOUSE OF LORDS, LONDON, WEDNESDAY 20 JUNE 2001

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH

MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

My Government's central objectives are economic stability, and investment and reform in public services, leading to a more prosperous and inclusive society.

To this end, my Government will continue to secure low inflation and sound public finances.

My Government's main priorities for the forthcoming Session will be reform in education, health, crime and welfare.

My Government will introduce legislation to reform education. An Education Bill will be introduced to promote diversity and higher standards, particularly in secondary schools. It will provide new opportunities for school sponsorship, more options for tackling failing schools, and greater freedom for successful headteachers and governors.

My Government will introduce legislation to reform health services. A Bill will decentralise power and direct resources to National Health Service staff, give patients greater influence on the running of the NHS, and strengthen regulation of the health professions.

Legislation will be drafted to reform the provision of health services in Wales.

Legislation will be brought forward to reform sentencing and rules of evidence, with measures to tackle corruption and sex offenders.

A Bill will be introduced to increase powers against money laundering, establish a Criminal Assets Recovery Agency, and make it easier to recover the proceeds of crime and drugs.

Legislation will be brought forward to help the police fight crime, ensure that they can co-operate effectively across police force boundaries and establish a new complaints system.

Legislation to reform the criminal courts system will be drafted in the light of the forthcoming recommendations from the review by Lord Justice Auld.

Legislation will be introduced to extend the life of the Football (Disorder) Act.

My Government will introduce legislation to reform the welfare system.A Bill will include measures to help more people back into work. Legislation will also be brought forward to introduce the new tax credits system, and to establish the new pension credit for pensioners.

My Government will introduce legislation to encourage enterprise, strengthen competition laws, and promote safeguards for consumers.

A draft Bill to create a single regulator for the media and communications industries and reform the broadcasting and telecommunications regulations will be published.

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

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 Belfast Agreement. My Government maintains its commitment to devolution in Scotland and Wales.

Following consultation, my Government will introduce legislation to implement the second phase of House of Lords reform.

My Government will prepare legislation to allow political parties to make positive moves to increase the representation of women in public life.

My Government will publish draft legislation to take forward the recommendations of Lord Cullen's inquiry into rail safety.

Legislation will be introduced to reform the system of land registration to promote greater electronic conveyancing. The Bill to reform the purchase of freeholds by leaseholders and to create commonhold, a new form of tenure for flat owners, will be reintroduced.

My Government will introduce legislation to make the age entitlement for concessionary travel fares the same for men and women at the age of sixty.

A Bill will be introduced to reform adoption law to make children's interests paramount, and tackle inter-country adoption.

My Government will enable a free vote to take place on the future of hunting with dogs.

Other measures will be laid before you.

MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

The Duke of Edinburgh and I were delighted to pay a State Visit to Norway at the end of May. Similarly, we were pleased to receive the State Visit of His Excellency the President of South Africa and Mrs Mbeki last week.

The Duke of Edinburgh and I look forward to attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Australia and subsequently visiting New Zealand in October. We also look forward to receiving a State Visit by the King and Queen of Jordan this autumn.

My Government will work with our partners to make sure that Europe has the most competitive knowledge-based economy in the world. It will work for rapid progress on the enlargement of the European Union and will introduce legislation to enable the United Kingdom to ratify the Treaty of Nice and implement the Berlin Own Resources decision on the Union's future funding.

NATO will remain the cornerstone of Britain's national security, and my Government will work for a still more effective Alliance defence. In this context, and to enable the European Union to act where NATO chooses not to do so, my Government will work to improve the European Union's capacity, and Member States' capabilities, for humanitarian, peace-keeping and crisis management tasks.

Legislation will be introduced to improve the transparency of export controls and to establish their purpose.

Tackling climate change and making a reality of sustainable development will be a priority for my Government. It will fulfil the United Kingdom's international obligations arising from the Kyoto Protocol.

My Government will work for an early and comprehensive World Trade Round, which will benefit industrialised and developing countries alike.

In the United Nations, my Government will support a more modern and representative Security Council, and work to make conflict prevention and peacekeeping more effective.

My Government will work to encourage universal observance of human rights, including throughout the Commonwealth.

My Government will continue to work for a more effective global effort to reduce poverty, and will reintroduce its Bill to entrench and strengthen the poverty focus to development work.

MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels

Geoffrey Fairhurst
Administrator
Georgetown
Ascension Island
South Atlantic Ocean
ASCN 1ZZ
Tel: + 247 6311
Fax: + 247 6152
e-mail: administrator@atlantis.co.ac
website: www.ascension-island.gov.ac

PRESS RELEASE : 21 JUNE 2001

You may be aware that the British Overseas Territories Bill was not mentioned in The Queen's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament on 20th June.

Despite non appearance of the Bill in The Queen's Speech it was nevertheless agreed that the Bill would be introduced as early as possible in the new parliamentary session and that a first reading (a formality - there is no debate) was given today in the House of Lords. The Bill will now be published following the first reading. It will be given a second reading as soon as parliamentary time allows thereafter, provided that two weekends have passed.

Office of the Governor
The Castle
21 June 2001

Hash number:859

23rd June 01

Hash Hare: The Major

Hounds: Fugitive,Skipper,Bonehead,Frank-N-Furter,Rat Boy, Twin Peaks,Island Boy,Golden Locks,Ivor the Engine, Thunderthighs,Hong Kong Phooey,Fruit Bat,Mark, Dr.Doolittle,Mike,Mike,Paul,Jackie,and more…

"Silly old bear,Tigger's can't bounce after long holidays." Our day starts off lovely with downs and ups in all directions from Ivor's dwelling. However,the Major had other notions for this motley group.

With loads of fresh hash meat and Newbees by the score, some simple rules were in order(simple was all we hashers could muster ). "This is an "O" check, that is a bar check and this should be hash" were the beginnings of the end for our puzzled virgins(wrong word,Sorry Fuge ) as the Grand Hash Master speaks on. "That's Rat Boy. DON'T follow him." Now that the intros were sorted, the Major tells of hazards and checks. On-on to the bus. The Bus? We then were wisked away towards No.East Bay and our doom.

From here our eyes saw only UP. HKP states that the yellow building on the hill was Ivor's pad and where we needed to go. On-on thru an old wally and…yup…up. Fugitive and F-N-F find out just how evil the Major can be as back arrows point at them most of the trail. Newbees could be heard for miles as screams and shouts of pain and bewilderment set in. Island Boy takes on the task of monitoring the back of the pack for savages, pirates, and/or Indians.(Who was that red-shirted fellow down in the scrub? ) At an impass, Ivor needed to return to the abode to kindle the fire so Island Boy and HKP decided to go along to protect him from the wilds of the area.

With the pack firmly set in making it to that distant yellow building, off thru more scrub and bush they wonder. Once returned to the Engine's hut on the hill, the foods and liquids were consumed. Great Hash Major!!! And great grub boys. Another from the pack has tried to go unnoticed and slip away without a proper name. This person was last seen communicating with cray and other sea life. Hense forth he shall be named Dr. Doolittle. The aftermath of this bash will go down in the books.

To our foreign Newbees who so desire a challenge, checkers or tic-tac-do will be waiting them on their return. We wouldn't want to over tax you lot!!

Hash Scribe - HKP(I'm BACK)

SWARM TAEKWONDO CLUB - ASCENSION ISLAND

In April 2001 the Swarm Taekwondo Club was formed on Ascension Island.

The students aged 12 and above began training exercises 3 times a week. As word gets around, the clubs popularity continues to grow. We now have 47 students at various levels of proficiency. After 10 weeks training most of the students were sufficiently skilled in Taekwondo Techniques and Theory to achieve their first coloured belt grades. Therefore over 2 week ends Sunday 10 & 17 June 2001 the first Swarm Taekwondo Club gradings took place at the Gymnasium. 22 Seniors and 10 Juniors graduated:

Junior Members after their grading

Junior Grading Results:
Yellow Tag - 6
Yellow Belt - 4

Senior Grading Results:
Yellow Tag - 1,
Yellow Belt - 10,
Yellow Belt Green Tag - 2,
Green Belt - 9.
The Green Belts next target is a blue tag.

Senior Members after their grading

Ascension Island's First Taekwondo Competition

On Friday 29th June from 7.30 p.m. onwards, Swarm Taekwondo Club will be holding their first Taekwondo competition at Travellers Hill Gymnasium. Events include light contact sparring, flying kicks, jumping kicks, patterns, speed breaking and closes with a black belt demonstration by experienced Taekwondo exponents Carlie and Vickie, two young ladies that will be visiting Ascension Island from Portsmouth for the competition.

Both male and female, junior and seniors will be competing. This promises to be an exciting spectator event, remember to cheer your friends along. Photography and video will be allowed provided that it does not interfere with events.

Spectators are welcome but must not wear outside footwear in the gym (clean trainers will be OK) and must remain outside the competition area. Entry is free, however a donation towards the cost of the medals would be appreciated, a bucket for the collection will be left by the main entrance.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Members and Committee of Swarm Taekwondo Club

Performing some sparring

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

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

Internet Team: Adrian Fowler, Laura Handley, Gavin Yon

Deadline for all contributions is 6.00pm on Monday

	Max (deg C)	Min (deg C)	Rainfall (mm)
AIRHEAD	29.2	`23.3	2.8
TRAVELLERS	28.0	20.0	21.2
RESIDENCY	26.8	18.3	16.2
GEORGETOWN	30.5	22.0	6.2
ST. HELENA	21.3	16.6	1.4
FALKLANDS	7.1	-5.8	9.7
BRIZE NORTON	25.7	6.4	Trace

Rachel & Tracey Yon attempting the Long Jump	Marieanne & Lisa attempting the Long Jump	Tracey Williams & Suelaine attempting the Long Jump
Geordie - Winner of Mens Long Jump	Mens 4 x 400 Relay	Andrew first to complete the Mystery Race
Karl at the Shot Putt	Ladies Tug of War Winners Speedy unable to get over the top	Joe winner of the shot putt
Marieanne throwing the shot	Andrew attempting the long jump	Tracey throwing the shot

Mens tug of war
Julie at the shot putt	Nick (PTI) taking part in the long jump	Julia throwing the shot

The Islander - Thursday 28th June 2001

Partial Eclipse of the Sun on 26/06/01 at English Bay

Father Keith Writes:

Thank You

ASCENSION ISLAND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (AICS)

The Met Office Weather Report

SCHOOL PAGE

Pictures from the Ascension Island Sports Day 2001

June 26th

Watchdog.............

Ease of Mind

Foot and Mouth Disease (Chapter Two)

SPEECH BY HM THE QUEEN, STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, HOUSE OF LORDS, LONDON, WEDNESDAY 20 JUNE 2001

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH

MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

PRESS RELEASE : 21 JUNE 2001

Hash Trash

SWARM TAEKWONDO CLUB - ASCENSION ISLAND

Ascension Island's First Taekwondo Competition