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The Ascension Island Newspaper |
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Over 30s, And Worse For Wear 3 v Under 30s, But not necessarily from Georgetown 5
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Dear Friends,
Time to say "Goodbye"
Whenever I hear the song of that title I am immediately reminded of the mime
artist we saw performing in Dijon market about three years ago. He was absolutely
marvellous, dressed in a black tail-suit and whited face, jerking into action
in time to the music like a mechanical doll. It was pure joy for me, and is
something I shall never forget.
To say it has been "pure joy" for the last three and a quarter years here would perhaps be stretching it a bit far, but we shall certainly never forget the wonderful time we have had here on this beautiful island, an experience that only a few years ago we would never have dreamed of, but one we shall always remember and treasure.
As Dee Green wrote to us in a letter of welcome even before we arrived, "God is good!"
But now it really is time to say "goodbye."
But first our thanks for all who have befriended and supported us on the Island, especially those of you who were kind enough to come to our last Service on Sunday, and who joined us in the splendid setting of the balcony of the Green Turtle for delicious eats.
Thanks to all who provided them, and of course a special thank you for the gifts we received - unique reminders of our time here which will find pride of place in our new home in the UK.
If we were to single out people for special mentions I am sure we would miss some out, so we shall not even try. Thank you, everyone.
May God's Blessing be upon you and this Island now and always,
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God Bless you and keep you, Fr Keith & Ginny. |
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| CHANGE This is a time of change. Change for the Church as you await a new Vicar. Change for the Island with new Government administration, later in the year a new Administrator. Change of Command of both RAF and later USAF bases are likely. Change at the School as a new Head-teacher arrives. And lets not mention taxes! Change in all your lives as you enter the New Year. In our prayers at my last service here we thanked God for the good things of the past, and asked His blessing and the guidance of His Holy Spirit for the future, and pray that Jesus Christ his Son may be with us all the way. As I leave I should like to share our prayers with you. We thank you O God for this Church of St Mary's; We thank you O God for this Island of Ascension; We thank you O God for all among whom we live and work here; We thank you O God for all who serve this Island Community; (My thanks to the Islander Team for giving me space in "The Islander" each week. It has been for me a very important part of my ministry here.) |
| FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR Mr Geoffrey Fairhurst |
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Press Release
The following press release was issued in the St Helena Herald on 21 December 2000. A similar process is planned for St Helenians on Ascension Island, with voting taking place concurrently:
"The decision on whether or not to introduce air access to St Helena will
be decided early next year. The decision will be made by the people of St Helena.
A process of voting will take place between 21 January and 2 February 2002 and
the results announced within a week thereafter. Details of the process of voting
will be widely publicised as from the beginning of January. Information on issues
relating to access will be widely disseminated before the voting period, including
mobile information displays, public debate and meetings, and through the media.
You are encouraged to make use of the information provided, to take part in
debate, and to discuss the issues. The Air and Sea Access Project Information
Office at number 3 Main Street will be open immediately after the block leave
at hours to suit everybody - see the advert elsewhere in this paper. Most of
all, you are encouraged to take the responsibility of voting seriously and
to cast your vote next year.
Air and Sea Access Project Office
Jamestown
St Helena"
Geoffrey Fairhurst
Turtle Project Enters its 4th Successive Year We are delighted to be back on Ascension for the start of yet another
turtle nesting season. This is the fourth season in which we have been
involved in the marine turtle monitoring and conservation efforts. Work
originally funded by a UK DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs; Formerly Department of the Environment Trade and the Regions)
Darwin Initiative Grant to the University of Wales, Swansea was given
a two year continuance by a grant from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Environment Fund for the Overseas Territories.
and occasional nesting females can be found on the beaches after dawn: 2) Conservation and Analysis of Threats to Marine Turtles 3) Development of a sustainable infrastructure for a marine turtle ecotourism
initiative 4) Development of an ongoing wardening system On Island volunteers to partake in beach patrols and accompanying turtle tours should contact Julia Henshaw of Ascension Island Turtle Group tel: 6232 or via: Adam&Julia@atlantis.co.ac. In addition Drs. Annette Broderick and Brendan Godley of University of Wales, Swansea are currently on Ascension until 2nd February. They are contactable via MTN@atlantis.co.ac if you need further information |
LETTERS|
From the Editors:- Priya Sukhtanker & Adam Henshaw Hello Everyone, What fun we have had producing this willowy (but high quality) issue,
particularly with the imbalance in computer literacy!
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to the Editor can be sent to editors@the-islander.org.ac |
The Met Office Weather Report |
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Statistics for the week ending {date}.
| Max (deg C) | Min (deg C) | Rainfall (mm) | |
| AIRHEAD |
29.4
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23.0
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3.7
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| TRAVELLERS |
28.0
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20.5
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28.0
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| GEORGETOWN |
30.0
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21.0
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6.8
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| RESIDENCY |
25.0
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17.9
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42.6
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| ST. HELENA |
N/A
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| FALKLANDS |
19.3
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3.1
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22.2
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| BRIZE NORTON |
N/A
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ASCENSION SEA SWELL FORECAST: Around 1.5 Metres, mainly from the south.
Sea temperature around Ascension Island: 26 Celsius.
ASCENSION ISLAND: A mixed bag of a week, with some substantial showers,
but also some sunny periods.
ST. HELENA: No information available.
UK: A fairly cold and wintry week was had by large areas of the country.
Highest temperature was at Guernsey on Tuesday with 13 Celsius, while
Shap Fell in Cumbria fell to Minus 9 Celsius on Friday night.
FALKLANDS: A fairly changeable week, with a series of weather fronts crossing
the islands, though in between these conditions were fairly good.
The Staff of the Met Office would like to take this opportunity to wish all readers the very best of luck in the coming year.Well, Christmas is now just a distant and hazy blur and the New Year celebrations are about to start in earnest. The past two weeks has seen a lot of partying and several sore heads for the Metties, all of us celebrating the season, big style.
The run up to Christmas was in some ways a fairly sad time for the Metties, Ops and Commcen staff, with Gary departing for pastures new. But not before he had treated us to dinner in a very quiet VC (too many people at the Turners Party in the MVC) on the Friday evening. His fiends and colleagues will miss him.
There was also the carols/sing-a-long evening in the mess on the Thursday evening, with the Band again providing the entertainment, plus the Medieval banquet in Reflections. The Saturday afternoon prior to Christmas saw Makem, Sleepwalking Stan, Rambling Roger and Incendiary Ian turn out at Two Boats club for a few cold drinks, Makem however stuck to the coke as he was chauffeur. The evening saw all the Metties down at the airhead to see off Gary (or should that be make sure he got on the plane) before those that were off duty retired to the mess bar.Sunday saw the Snob Hill Mob again visit the VC for several beers, where we where joined by Turners Tom and Lee. Much mirth and merriment ensued along with several of the rumours that appear in the new section at the end of this article.
Monday evening at the Saints Bar had what seemed like most of the island's population in attendance. Chris the medic tried hard to prove that she is an Essex girl at heart, dancing around her handbag, but the lack of white shoes let her down. On Returning to Snob Hill, Falling Phil decided to exact some retribution on Nigel, with carol singing. Unfortunately Nigel was still out partying, as was Dave the Scribbly when we tried his room. A few beers on the veranda ended the evening off nicely.
Christmas morning saw Cornish return from his night shift, to offer Fifer and myself a G and T to celebrate. Rambling Roger, who had spiced up his early morning tea with a tot of rum, also joined us, and things went downhill very quickly from there. RR tucked into a bottle of Southern Comfort, with Makem and Fifer tackling a bottle of gin. By lunchtime all were back in their respective basha's sleeping, with RR claiming that he had missed his dinner. The afternoon saw the same crew take a trip down to the US base for an evening with Russell (CSR Met), though Makem had to leave early for work.
Boxing Day saw the Serco beach party on Turtle Shell, with RR arranging some interesting games. The kite flying was entertaining, with the Metties efforts being sabotaged by a fellow flier who forced our creation into the drink. Thanks to some spare bits (courtesy of Tim Mortimer), dextrous fingers and plenty of bodge tape, Fifer and Myself were able to make running repairs and finally managed to get the thing airborne, with the ensuing kite fight keeping many of the guests entertained. One of the more entertaining sights was the treasure hunt in the sand for prize tokens, the vision of many children (aged from 4 to 55) on their hands and knees digging in the sand was quite amusing.
Thursday evening saw a Met Barbecue outside Makem's basha, Cornish doing the honours with the food, his burgers getting rave reviews in particular from Falling Phil. Much beer and wine was consumed, a lot of it being what was left over from the above beach party (Our thanks go to Tim Mortimer for this, and to Incendiary Ian and RR for transporting it).
Friday saw an impromptu soiree outside Sleepwalking Stan's basha (who incidentally was at work at the time). The usual Snob Hill mob was in attendance for a night of fine wine and music. The evening was nicely rounded off with a chocolatey version of "Who wants to be a millionaire", Cornish showing his general knowledge was up to scratch by walking away with the big prize.
Saturday evening saw Fifer, Makem, RR and Sleepwalking Stan take a stroll to the mess for a few quiet beers, Makem even leaving before the bar had closed. This, according to a rather hung-over Fifer on Sunday morning, was the most sensible thing to do, as the others ended up at the Hawaian night in the MVC. Fifer described himself as being a gibbering wreck, and all three of them were suffering somewhat on Sunday morning.
Sunday evening saw the Grogs group visit the VC for tea, before retiring to the mess bar for more drinks. Makem and RR joined them a little later, to find that they were at the silly drinks stage. Not to be outdone however the intrepid duo added there favourite tipples to the evening, Makem getting the Baileys and Southern Comforts in, (they are nice, but deadly), while RR got Drambuie and blackcurrant for all. On returning to Snob Hill, RR joined the Makem for a few cold beers and cigars.
At this point we introduce an occasional article entitled Volcanic Rumblings. These are snippets that have been picked up on the grapevine, but who knows if there is any truth in them.
VOLCANIC RUMBLINGS
In place of a normal GROG report we proudly submit, direct from our own very special committee of moles hidden deep within the Island structure, a feature of some of the ideas and thoughts of those allowed to freely roam the Island. Intense discussions on various items on numerous subjects have been overheard at differing venues, often under adverse conditions induced by alcohol. These are now brought to your attention under the appropriate headings. It should be clearly understood that none of the suggestions has any official credence and are intended to merely open debate. Any other ideas are welcome. Letters of approval or otherwise should be sent to the Editor of "The Islander" for future inclusion.
Remember - today's rumour is tomorrow's truth!
Road Safety and Transport · All driving license examinations soon to be to same standard as applies in UK - applications likely to be required to run the test centre.
· All vehicle MOT's to be same standard as applies UK - applications required soon equipping and running test centre.
· All roads to have cycle paths added for safety and to encourage exercise and fitness in population.
· Road crossings with Belisha Beacons to be introduced in Georgetown, Two Boats and Travellers Hill. These will be called "Frigate" crossings as distinct from Pelican crossings.
· Traffic lights to be installed in Georgetown.
· Parking meters to be introduced in Georgetown to cut down traffic congestion.
· Public transport service to be developed.
· Taxi service applications required in near future.
· Traffic lights to be installed on Green Mountain to control up/down traffic.
· Road to be built from Green Mountain farm area down Breakneck Valley to join NASA road.
· Green Mountain tunnel to be enlarged to allow cars to drive through.
· Solar power cars to be tested at ASI over five year period - free vehicles for those chosen as testersEntrepreneurial Opportunities and Developments
· Wave power electric generation programme planned.
· Administrator's bungalow and grounds available soon for re-development as Health Farm.
· Dew Pond to be developed as a health spa
· Applications soon for license to equip and run mobile kebab van.
· Licensing applications soon to be required for takeaway food outlets - Chinese, Indian, Mexican and Thai.
· Superstore and Shopping Mall development planned for future.
· Breakneck Valley windmill to be rebuilt to provide crushing plant - see plans for furniture and brewery
· Development of dry ski slope under consideration.
· Feasibility study of building a causeway Ascension/St Helena/South Africa under consideration - road toll to be charged (still cheaper than air travel!).
· Hollywood film and TV producers interested in the Island because of perfect location settings for Afghanistan conflict movies.
· Ideas sought for possible uses of the ample supply of cat skins soon to be available - gloves, slippers and ladies shoulder bags amongst those already considered.
· Building a local brewery to provide Ascension Island beer - possible product names to include Clinker Ale, Lava Lager.
· Ginger Beer production using local products to be developed.
· Plans for smoked tuna factory to be built to sell exclusively through Harrods.
· If the Americans depart ASI all facilities likely to be offered to holiday camp consortia (e.g. Butlins or Pontins) for re-development into holiday complex
· Space for Island racetrack sought - Long Beach presently favourite
· Turtle holding pens in Georgetown to be converted to a walkthrough undersea aquarium.
· McDonald's business feasibility study soon to be underwayGovernment Services
· Customs and Excise personnel likely to arrive on Island soon.
· Imposition of value added tax (VAT) as per UK a possibility if extra revenue required.
· Prison ship to be anchored off shore to hold convicted terrorists.
· Local sheep to be trained to assist Police in crowd control.
· Mountain rescue team to be formed complete with trained Rescue Sniffer Donkeys.Social Aspects
· Public competition for design of Ascension Island flag.
· Planned future development of high-rise council flats.
· RSPB to subsidise council flat building.
· Priority council housing to be given to the 80% of Island unaccompanied taxable workforce.
· Internet café to be opened in Georgetown - bids soon to be required.Tourism Developments
· Airhead second terminal complete with duty free shopping complex planned to cater for expected influx of tourists.
· Green Mountain cable car to be built.
· Green Mountain restaurant to be built at farm complex.
· NASA site up for development as luxury hotel complex
· North East cottage for development as artists centre
· Old Officers Mess at Travellers Hill to be developed into "Snobs" night club, cabaret and casino
· Ten local donkeys to be sent to Blackpool for beach ride training for use by Ascension tourists.Agricultural Development
· Experiments underway to use guava fruit to make a liqueur - product to be named by public competition - see also plans for brewery.
· Banana liqueur also under consideration - public name competition also.
· Possibility of a flower growing industry for export.
· Island furniture factory to be opened using Mexican thorn bush wood (found to be very similar to rattan) - see use of Breakneck Valley crushing plant.
· Experiments into feasibility of using local sheep wool to make ASI carpets.
· Commercial development of ginger and coffee plants on Green Mountain.
· Possible introduction of Griffin vultures to clear away animal carcasses after pest eradication process begins
· Ministry of Agriculture, Farming and Fisheries (MAFF) to send Vet to island to artificially inseminate Green Mountain cowsSport
· Car hill climbing competitions.
· Extension planned to Clinker Diving School currently run by RAF Catering.
· Various world-sporting events where ASI can offer special venues are planned - mountain running, rock climbing, kite flying etc.
· Dragon Boat races to be feature of summer fete and provide sea transport to/from ships.

Hash hares - Tit pecker and Blind Pew
You would think that a hash between Christmas and the New Year would be the ideal way to burn off a few of the excess calories indulged in at this time of year. However, it seems that some people were so busy indulging at the VC on Friday night that they found themselves unable to hash. You know who you are.
So a small but select band departed from Georgetown in the birdmobiles and headed down to the football pitch, a location that has already provided painful memories for some this week. After a briefing for our one hash virgin on the usual Ascension hash hazards of loose rocks, thorns, glass and wire the on-on was up-up towards the Hood guns. The pace was sluggish to say the least, resulting in the novel experience of being an FRB for some. As the on-on continued up the slopes of Cross Hill the pace slowed further until the FRBs became FWBs. A seasonal gift of a back arrow meant that the pain of reaching the summit was not experienced, but the hashers seemed none too grateful for this belated present. Down past the tank where a bar check reminded some of the excesses of the past week and then back to Georgetown to resume indulging.
Thanks to HM for firestarting and Twin Peaks for the meats. Best wishes for 2002 to all and see you at next week's hash - if we can sort out where and when.
This weeks hashers: Barley Buckeye, Chief Longpole, Skipper, Shadow, Radar, Blind Pew, Tit Pecker, Adam, Mark, Alex and Mathew.
Next week's hash by Skipper and The Fugitive from Pan Am.
EDITORS : Adam Henshaw & Priya Sukhtanker
The New Islander Office, Fort Hayes, Georgetown, Ascension Island.
Tel/Fax 00 + 247 6327
E-Mail: editors@the-islander.org.ac
Internet Team: Mark & Laura Handley, Gavin Yon, Richard Crowie
Deadline for all contributions is 6.00pm on Monday