Dear Mr. Editor:

May I first say that I hope you will be able to locate a replacement for the, I'm sure, most important post you are attempting to retire from. Small communities have a great need for news and the ability to disseminate it that sometimes surpasses larger metropolitan areas. Your job is an important one and I for one, appreciate your work even though I have just had my first encounter with THE ISLANDER in my search for family. I do hope you will be able to help with this.
My name is Frances Henrietta Walker-Briscoe, daughter of Albert P. and Dorothy (Henry) Walker.My maternal grandparents were from St. Helena - Stephen Henry and Mary Elizabeth (Polly) Turville. My grandfather had a brother named Johnnie who I think was a merchant seaman. My grandmother had one brother - John and four sisters - Aida, Sally, Fanny and Rose. My great grandmother's name was Sara Turville.
More recently, 1978, my mother had contact with Doreen Joshua who I am trying to locate. Doreen and Mom corresponded. There are other names that I was pursuing when I was directed to your newspaper, John Fowler, Lionel Joshua - Doreen's son - works for the Cable & Wireless; and Vincent, I believe works for a Manchester (GB) news paper, all of whom are related. I am just not quite sure how, I do know Doreen is a first cousin.
If you have any knowledge of any of these individuals I will appreciate it if you would ask them to contact me either at my e-mail address franhb1@hotmail.com or they can write me at 68-A Gibbs Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island 02840 USA. I am so excited about making this connection through the internet and your publication and will be thrilled if this turns out as I believe it will.
I extend my heartfelt thanks in advance and wish you success in your professional and personal endeavors.

Sincerely,
Frances H. Walker-Briscoe

During Aug 1983 to Jan 1984 I was part of the RAF serving on the island. As a SNCO the same as many others with no permanent base we were billeted half way up Green Mountain in Bate Block at Two Boats village. At the time the billets were very poor and we lived 3 to a room with 'on-suite shower'. The CSA bar was close by so we were ok in the evenings, especially after the DIY BBQ.
I still have a copy of the islander, kept because of an entry about myself and the cricket match that we used to hold regularly. My main point in writing (as I found the web site in error) is to ask if the 'Broken Ball Trophy' still exists?
This was a game of cricket, played if I remember correctly, twice a year between the CSA and the SNCO'S mess. The trophy, arising from a friendly when the ball actually did break in half, was mounted and played for each year.
I have often wondered if the 'lads' would like a reunion and now am even more interested in organising one especially to play for the trophy. I dont know if it would be possible to play at the 'old' ground in Two Boats village but at least we could try. This may be the strart of something big. Who knows?.
I am willing to correspond regularly to arrange tyhe above and also to put a short entry into the paper each month based on my memories. Fond memories of the Island

Bill D'Alson
ex RAF Sgt

WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT

I am an Environmental Sciences student from Southampton University, and have just begun a 6 month Waste Management Project on Ascension. I am doing the project as research for my dissertation as part of my degree, but I also have a personal interest in the environmental condition of the Island.
The limited land space available on Ascension has meant that waste is a very pressing issue, as the current landfill sites will not last indefinitely. In order for the Island to have a positive future, environmental issues must be addressed. Ascension is a unique and special Island, and plans must be put into place to ensure that waste is dealt with in the safest possible way - the problem will not be solved without action.
I am in the process of meeting with representatives of different companies operating on the Island in order to establish their stance on waste management. I hope to then start collecting data to document the amount and content of domestic waste created, and to map the Island's waste disposal sites. The remainder of the project will be concerned with establishing other aspects of long-term waste management possibilities.
I hope to try and assess a general Island opinion of Waste Management and therefore would greatly appreciate your time in a questionnaire, which will be circulated soon. I will also be carrying out random door- to-door surveys, and will repeat the process at the end of my project.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this. Waste management may not appeal to everyone, but it is a subject, which requires a lot of attention on this Island.
I can be contacted on 6154 if you have any question or thoughts on the matter.

Anjali Sukhtankar

FROM: THE "GANNET" COLONY
DIVING OPERATIONS COMPLETED

As most readers will probably be aware, during recent weeks there have been prolonged diving operations beneath the "Maersk Gannet", with the result that a ban on fishing close to the ship was imposed.
We are pleased to officially confirm that these diving operations have now been completed and the divers have been packed off back to Europe.
As a result, the ban on fishing close to "Maersk Gannet" can now be lifted, and anglers may safely assume that they will only catch the more normal (and more intelligent ?) forms of marine life on their lines !

ESCAPEES
We have recently noted that a number of cuddly creatures appear to have escaped from the "Maersk Gannet" and must be assumed to be in hiding somewhere on the island.
Specifically, these are the black striped "Helly Hansen" life vests which are used when ferrying visitors to and from the ship, according to our records there may be as many as seven of these at large.
If anyone should spot any of these lurking in dark corners of vehicles, boats or buildings, then please capture them gently but firmly and deposit them in the back of our vehicle (Renault Trafic No. A724) on your next visit to the Pierhead.
Many thanks Master,

Maersk Gannett

TWO BOATS CLUB - CHILDREN'S HALLOWEEN PARTY Saturday afternoon saw a preview of the night of the dead with some twenty or so ghouls and witches gathered at Two Boats club to take part in the Halloween fancy dress. Well done to all the kids, and parents too, for the effort and artistic flare that went into the customs - it was not an easy task for the judges to pick just one from each group. As there were only two diminutive witches in the under five girls a prize was given to both Keira Francis and Jade Benjamin. With the under five boys Dracula, Dominic Augustus came through as the best in the bunch. Keisha Reynolds frightened judges into selecting her as the prizewinner in the five to eight year old girls. The five to eight year old boys proved to be the toughest for judges to agree a choice, with Jake Flannigan as the Red Devil eventually the winner. Numbers dropped in the nine to twelve years though there was some competition, Roberta Legg winning it for the girls and Ryan Knipe for the boys. Ryan also managed to bring tears to some of the younger kids earlier in the afternoon! To all that entered, it was a great show and congratulations to the winners! (Writeup: Catherine Leo)

Pictures of the Historical Society's Open Day - Saturday 27th October -
Also includes prints of 'antique' style photo's taken in Victorian Costumes.

Golf News - From One Boat Golf Club

On Sunday 28th October in the morning we had the finals of the flights from the 2001 Open and in the afternoon the first championship round. Although the weather was fairly cool during morning it was hot and humid for the afternoon game.

The winners for the flights after three rounds were 'A' Flight Alex Turner with a total score of 207; Alex shot a magnificent gross 69 on final round. In second place on 210 after a countback with Tony Joshua and Ray Cranfield was James Bennett. Gilbert Peters took the 'B' Flight with a total score of 200, in second place was David Beard on 210. Paul Thomas won 'C' Flight and he had a total score of 220, and Patrick Henry took second on 227. Two players scored two namely Alex Turner and Tony Green both taking 14 balls each congratulations to the winners.

In the afternoon we had the first of two rounds of the Open Championship 12 players had previously qualified to take part. The leader board after first three rounds now stands as follows: Richard Joshua 218, Fiona Bennet 222, Lyn Leo 223, Ray Crowie 225, Norman Thomas 226, George Thomas 229, Kenney Wensel 232, John Joshua 234, Andrew Bennett 236, Lawson Henry 239, Mark Anthony and Martin Joshua 241. The lowest score for this round was 77 shot by Richard Joshua, Ray Crowie and Norman Thomas.

Three players scored two in the afternoon round they were Fiona Bennett, Ray Crowie, and George Thomas they had four balls each.

The finals will take place on Saturday 3rd November starting at 1.30pm sharp, the draw can be seen elsewhere in the paper.

I would like to thank Johnny Hobson, David Beard, Patrick Henry and Alex Turner for doing the Marshalling, Sidney Benjamin for maintaining the Leader board and James Bennett for operating the radio. Finally, to Patrick Moyce and his team for laying on refreshment after.

The presentation will follow immediately after next Saturday's finals after which dinner will be served for members and their guests, followed by live music for dancing.

Lawson Henry, Captain