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The Ascension Island Newspaper |
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The Ascension Island Newspaper |
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Congratulations
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Darren and
Tammy Roberts on the occasion of their wedding at the Residency on 5th
January 2002. |
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From the Editors:- Richard White and Anjali Sukhtanker Hello again, Plenty of competition for the front page this week. Best wishes for the future to Tammy and Darren, and also to Fr Keith and Ginny. It's also time to say goodbye to a number of people who visited us over Christmas and New Year. Bye Priya - we'll miss you lots. We don't want to discourage any would be contributors, but… the editorial deadline is set at 6 pm Monday. Perhaps setting it at 6 pm Sunday might mean we get copy by Monday evening. But probably not. And for the second consecutive week a reminder that we will not publish anonymous contributions. We will withhold identity if requested but will not accept wholly anonymous contributions - we are not deliberately ignoring or suppressing any of your views. Good luck to Blue Dust and anyone else performing this Friday. And thanx again to Richard for doing most of the editing work. Anjali and Richard |
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| Letters to
the Editor can be sent to editors@the-islander.org.ac |
LETTERS TO THE ISLANDER
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We would like to thank the following people who made our Wedding day a special & memorable one. To: Thank you. Darren & Tammy Roberts.
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Thanks goes
out to the Administrator Mr Geoffrey Fairhurst, Cathy Cranfield, Betty
Joshua, Keddell Worboys and anyone who has helped in arranging my stay
for further education in the UK. I have settled well at St. Mary Red Cliffe
Sixth Form and finding the course very interesting.
I am currently one third of the way through my four As courses (First
Year). These include Maths (statistics), Physics, Computing and Business
Studies. Of which two modular examinations I will be taking in January
when I get back.
So far it has been a very fascinating experience, at first it was a little
daunting going to a sixth form of over 150 pupils, but have since made
quite a few friends and enjoy living in the city of Bristol. The actual
courses I chose were just as I expected and I now look forward to the
next part of my course.
Phillip Stevens
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We would like to express our thanks to Betty Joshua, the Administrator and all who helped and donated to the education fund, which enabled our son 'Phillip' the opportunity to go to the UK to continue his education. Everyone's help and advice has been invaluable during the past few months. Thankyou very much, Raymond, Lyn and family.
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Last Saturday saw the departure of Father Keith and Ginny James after a ministry of three years on the Island.
Father Keith was a very conscientious and down to earth priest who was always very well prepared for services and preached some hard-hitting and pertinent sermons, which often dealt with topical worldly issues and many times touched the hearts of those who heard them. His weddings, christenings and memorial services were personal and meaningful to those involved and he seemed to know just how the participants were feeling and spoke accordingly.
His work on cleaning up the Ascension Island cemeteries may not be well-known to many but thanks to Keith all the graves are now catalogued and the names put to almost every one, and most of them have been restored. All his work has given us a marvelous collection of photographs, and with a text to explain it all, the result is a large book that really ought to be published and we hope one day that it will.
Both Ginny and Keith were keen walkers and were active members of the Monday Walking Group. They enjoyed the variety of the scenery here on Ascension Island and soon came to love the place as well as it's people. Apart from all the careful and sometime difficult work demanded by the ministry they were also both involved in helping out at the school and worked hard to make the Ascension Day Fairs a success.
The Church Council, the congregation and their very many friends were very sorry to see them leave and our best wishes go with them as they start a new ministry in Worcester.
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Statistics for the week ending Monday 7th Jan 2002
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Max
(deg C)
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Min
(deg C)
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Rainfall
(mm)
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AIRHEAD
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29.6
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22.0
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1.0
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TRAVELLERS
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28.0
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21.0
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9.1
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RESIDENCY
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25.4
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17.6
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14.1
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| GEORGETOWN |
30.0
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23.0
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5.6
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| ST. HELENA |
23.1
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17.2
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0.6
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FALKLANDS
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19.4
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5.0
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28.0
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BRIZE
NORTON
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8.6
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-7.7
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2.2
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ASCENSION SEA SWELL FORECAST: around 1.3 metres from the Northwest.
Sea temperature around Ascension Island: 26 Celsius
ASCENSION ISLAND: Mostly warm and sunny, but with the occasional shower, particularly during the evenings and overnight, and more especially on the hills.
ST. HELENA: The week remained fairly cloudy with
a scattering of showers.
UK: Snow early in the week gave way to mostly dry and cold conditions with night frosts. Highest temperature for the week was 12 Celsius in the Scilly isles with the lowest happening in Aberdeenshire at minus 11 Celsius. Macrihanish, on the west coast of Scotland, was the wettest spot, recording nearly half an inch of rainfall on Saturday
FALKLANDS: Rather changeable, with some showers and rain but also some drier interludes. Winds turned Northerly late in the week and increased to become strong over the weekend.
The week started with Makem, Rambling Roger, Sleepwalking Stan and Dave the Scribbly preparing the area outside of Stan's basha for the New Years eve party. This included putting up the tarpaulin (just in case it rained….they just don't trust the Metties anymore) and setting out the decorations and furniture. The party itself went with a swing, or should that read skirl, thanks in the main to Sleepwalkers bagpipe CD (no Killer, he does not play the bagpipes), plus of course copious quantities of falling over juice. Rambling Roger and Falling Phil stuck it out the longest, with RR finally succumbing to the mossies at 5 am.
The following morning, Makem arrived back at his basha after work to find a party hat next to his bed. The owner of the hat was revealed when Sleepwalker (the name becomes even more apt) asked if my bed had that slept on look to it….claiming that there was far too much noise outside his basha for him to sleep there. Cornish emerged from his basha fully clothed, but looking somewhat wrinkled, then promptly re-started the celebrations with Makem, Sleepwalker and Fifer. This very merry troop gradually edged their way back to the scene of the previous nights shenanigans, where we were joined by RR, Mum and Falling Phil. Tales told later that day tell of Cornishes half hour attempt to negotiate a step, before retiring to his room.. Fifer managed to get Cornish feeling human again during the evening by feeding him quantities of tea and cake.
Wednesday saw Makem and Rambling Roger continue the tidy up of the party site, though not a great deal of tidying up got done as they tried, in vain, to finish off the left over beer, whilst awaiting the return from work of Sleepwalking Stan. The evening then saw most of the Snob Hill Mob take a stroll down to the Mess bar for a few quiet beers, though Tractor Boy opted to take a trip to Long Beach to do some turtle watching.
Thursday saw Makem having a very quiet day, spending an inordinate amount of time laid out in the hammock, though only softies were to be found at hand, even though there was a fridge full of beer. The rest of the time was spent performing the ironing, the metties chosen form of therapy. The evening again saw the mob wander down to the bar, though due to the excessive partying of the previous few days, all had a quiet evening.
Friday afternoon had Rambling Roger, Incendiary Ian and Sleepwalking Stan take an afternoon trip to Two Boats club to start the celebrations for RR's birthday. These celebrations continued in the mess bar until RR had to leave to allow some recovery before an early start the following morning. Makem returned to the bar later in the evening where he joined Killer, plus Lee and Brian (both commcen) for several more beers. The most impressive thing however was RR's return within minutes of getting notification that the Tristar was delayed.
Saturday saw a lot of sore heads on Snob Hill, though for a change none of them belonged to the metties. The evening saw all the off duty metties, RR, Dave the Scribbly, Chris the medic, Brian and Andy the chef in the mess bar, being entertained by the resident stand up comic Rambling Roger. Andy managed to waylay the Makem with more beer on the way back up the hill, Makem staggering up the bank to Snob Hill at 2 am where he, along with all else who where awake, could hear Nigel singing at the top of his voice tunes such as "we're going home".
Sunday saw the gathering of the Grogs, minus Falling Phil (enjoying a well earned rest back in the cold UK) for their usual Sunday ramble. Also joining them were Connie, (Dave the Scribbly's replacement) who on her first Grog ramble has already tried to take over Falling Phil's mantle, having slipped a mere few yards before the end of the days walk. All returned to Rambling Roger's basha during the afternoon for some cold liquid refreshment, where their efforts under the blazing sun had even managed to get Sleepwalking Stan's legs tanned. The group then went on to the VC later in the evening for a meal and further beers, where Incendiary Ian's spirits were destroyed by a certain football teams inspired recovery.
Thank you
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In accordance with our Police Business Plan the Ascension Police Detachment has set three agreed targets to be achieved over the 2001 period, these figures consists of no more than twenty criminal offence's, no more than twenty Road Traffic Accidents and for no less than 70% detection of all crime. To achieve these targets the Police conducted various campaigns to try and reduce the most likely cause of accidents and crime.
Statistics will show that the most common cause of the accidents around the Island is speeding, Animals, drink driving and a lack of demarcated parking area. To combat the problems we have conducted a number speed checks on various roads around the Island resulting in a number of persons being caught speeding, all were dealt with by a verbal warning on the first occasion and if they were caught speeding again, the persons concern would be reported for consideration of prosecution. The policy adapted of all drivers who are involved with a Road Traffic Accident is to be breath tested, resulting in five persons found to be over the prescribed limit. We will continue to adapt this policy, so drivers please if you intend to drink don't drive. Remember it's not only your life at risk; there are others road users. Since the beginning of the year 2001 statistics shows that the most common area for Road Traffic Accidents were in the town square, outside the Saints club and A.I.C.S.A shop. The main cause of these accidents is a lack of demarcated parking area. To eliminate this hazard we have worked in partnership with various agencies, however the issue is still in the planning process. Another cause for concern on the roads are Animals, again a high percentage of accidents are caused as result of Animals being present, as I said this is a cause for concern and through out this year we will be working in partnership with other agencies to reach a possible solution.
Although on Ascension Island crime is fairly low, there has been an increase in violent crime compared to the year 2000, we the Police have recognise this fact and will treat all reports of violent crime seriously. We will continue to show Police presence in areas known for violent crime with a view to deter this from occurring.
During the month of December Police received a total number of 16 reports. Most serious was of an Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm that occurred outside of the NAFFI at Travellers Hill, during the early morning of Saturday 22nd December 2001. The accused Mr Gavin Lendhill a visitor to the Island appeared before the Magistrate's Court on Friday 4th January 2002. There were 3 reports of common assault; two persons were dealt with by way of a formal caution and the other a verbal warning. A report of theft and criminal damage in the Travellers Hill area is under investigation. There are currently four reports under investigation and one pending trial.
Next months report will be from the Constables desk, presented by P.C Sandra Crowie.
Daren Duncan
Police Sergeant.
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THE RESULTS OF THE LARGEST FISH OF THE YEAR 2001 COMPETITION
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Congratulations to Ian Thomas (Dog) who won with a 265lb Tuna caught in June from Starfish. At the presentation and fish fry held at the Saints Club, Dog (pictured above) received the sum of £430 and the Sandy Bay trophy. Other big fish for the year: WELL DONE DOG ORGANIZER PETER FOWLER.
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NEWS FROM THE GROTTO
Another change for the Catholic Church.
We extend our thanks to Ms Cavanah for celebrating the mass during her presence on the island. Since her departure, no official services were held on Sundays for a few weeks. Fortunately before Christmas two persons volunteered to conduct the service. Christmas midnight mass was at 10.30 as the mass at St. Mary's was at 11.30. We were delighted to see the people who attended sharing our prayers.
Whatever is our religion, whatever are our beliefs, we do
sometimes need a moment of meditation, prayer and peace in a humble and
quiet surrounding. The Grotto is always open.... day and night.
HE is always there to welcome, look on us and listen to us...
Monsignor Antonio Agreiter will arrive from the Falklands
to Ascension Island on the morning of 15th January and will stay here
until the 22nd. During this period he will hold a Communion service everyday
at 7pm.
While Monsignor Antonio is away from the island Tom Ramsey and Mathll
Bowden share the responsibility at the Grotto.
We hope too see you with us sometimes.
After our prayers we gather socially for a drink and chat....
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We are now entering the main turtle nesting season on Ascension Island, with over 30 turtles arriving on Long Beach each night. Since most Island residents know how to behave so as not to cause disturbance and progressively more visitors are undertaking organised turtle tours, the negative impact of turtle watching is relatively low. However, driving along the road behind Long Beach with full headlights can cause disturbance to nesting turtles and is something that should be reduced to a minimum in the interest of the turtles. Personal observations of Turtle Project personnel, suggest that most of this driving is undertaken by unwitting short-term visitors to the Island. During last year's turtle nesting season, after consultation
with the Administrator the Ascension Island Turtle Group erected a simple
gate and sign produced by SERCO using materials donated by the RAF which
was to facilitate closure of Long Beach to traffic at night. It is hoped
that throughout the season, this gate will now be closed/opened by Island
residents on a good-will basis. It will be closed in the evening and
opened in the morning. We request that people using the Long Beach area
respect this gate and park before it when visiting the beach to watch
turtles at night. |
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EDITORS : - Richard White
and Anjali Sukhtanker
The New Islander Office, Fort Hayes, Georgetown, Ascension Island.
Tel/Fax 00 + 247 6327
E-Mail: editors@the-islander.org.ac
Internet Team: Laura & Mark Handley, Gavin Yon, Richard Thomas
Deadline for all contributions is 6.00pm on Monday
All articles © copyright 2000 The Islander Newspaper. All rights reserved. |
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5th
January 2002
Photo:
Colin Menage