LETTERS

From the Editors:- Adam Henshaw & Ed Jones

We welcome a new editor to the fold tonight, Ed - not as good looking as Julia although he doesn't shout at the computers!

Still room for more volunteers to help out. If you fancy editing, printing, or collating contact one of the Islander team. We don't bite.

There seems to be a lot more people out running / walking at the moment. Is this training for the forthcoming dewpond? Or is it because I've finally started doing some "training" myself so I've noticed these people that stay permanently fit and healthy.

Entry form and forms to pay with towards the back of the paper.

We're now rushing off to try and catch some of the Shelco meeting. Have a good week.

Adam & Ed

Dear Sir

In mailing you greetings from Cardiff, capital city of Wales, 170 road miles from London: I write seeking your help? I firstly collect colour postcards, yet have none in my collection of your *Island Home*: can you please help?

Also I collect both mint/used telephone cards & first day covers: I offer Great Britain in exchange.

I am age 25.

I thank you for your help.

In friendship, Yours sincerely

Martine Rees

56A Marwood House

Ridgeway Road

Dear Sir

I would like to express my appreciation to the people on Ascension on the line they are taking regarding their future. I much admire the independent spirit being shown by them. The general belief here until recently was that 'we' would take over and literally run things. I tried explaining to people here that those on Ascension were the more venturous, the more daring of us and as such had to be treated as equals. I believe I was much ignored and suffered the frustration o hearing the derogatory comments about Ascension and its people.

I believe that with time the Ascension people will develop, if they have not already, an identity with Ascension Island. I believe that it has a bright future ahead. It has a potential for growth and expansion that I am sure we must envy. I only hope that the day is not far off when the two Islands are united but united in equal partnership in all things. The child that was Ascension has grown up and we on St Helena have to come to terms with the reality of that. If I can help in anyway, I will be more than willing to do so.

Bobby Robertson St Helena Island

Hi There, My name is David and i am from Australia.I am a keen collector of used worldwide telephone cards.I am seeking to make contact with any telephone card collectors in your country with regards to making an exchange of cards.Thanks David.

DavidJRMartin@aol.com

Letters to the Editor can be sent to
editors@the-islander.org.ac

Island Rumblings

That's entertainment Hmmm. You've been awfully good this week, and gossip is a little short on the ground. No matter, we have a few snippits of island info, and we are also proud to introduce our first cartoon strip, Enjoy...

Oh What A Night

Wasn't the Exiles Grand Re-Opening Night fantastic? It was Exile-ent (!) to see so many people out and about and thoroughly enjoying themselves. Paddy did stirling work in selling raffle tickets, and congratulations to all of those who won prizes. As a reward for his efforts, Dave and Thomas presented Paddy with a crate of the last known 'Ollies on the island. Word is that Paddy was 'moved'! Talking of beer and moving, it seems something like a thousand bottles of Castles was shifted during the night's entertainment. You people certainly know how to party! Whilst obviously a special occasion for the Exiles, let's hope that it continues to move from strength to strength.

Mrs Miggins Lock-In Shock Poor Natalie found herself locked in the back room of Mrs Miggins the other day. Our source revealed that when Natalie closed the door of the back room behind her, the handle on the other side slipped down, preventing Natalie opening it. Much banging and a little shouting followed. The other staff of Mrs Miggins eventually helped poor Natalie, but only after breaking into hysterics as Natalie rattled the handle until it actually fell off! With friends like that, who needs enemies!

Dew Pond Re-Visited

For those of you who intend to visit the Dew Pond in the near future, especially those who are going to take part in the Dew Pond run, you will be pleased to know that the overgrown sections of the route have been cut back.

It seems Derek, a Flight Engineer on 216, had nothing better to do the other day, so he took his machete (as you do) and hacked his way through. So, remember to spare a thought for Derek's efforts now that the way is clear.

The Dew Pond Run Run, The Dew Pond Run A little ditty for you to sing as you train for the Dew Pond run... Started from the beach to run up the hill, The Dew Pond run run, The Dew Pond run. Running up to Two Boats and I'm feeling ill, The Dew Pond run run, The Dew Pond run. Reached the Mountain Farm and I've lost the will, The Dew Pond run run, The Dew Pond run. Made the pond and that's when my heart stood still, The Dew Pond run run, The Dew Pond run. Medics had to carry me back down the hill, The Dew Pond run run, The Dew Pond run...

Our little helpers are still out there, looking and listening for all sorts of gossip and news. You may have escaped this week, but we are very patient! Are you really sure that you aren't being overheard? Do you really trust the person your telling the story to? Will you be Rumbled?

Two Little Birdies

The Met Office Weather Report

Statistics for the week ending {date}.

	Max (deg C)	Min (deg C)	Rainfall (mm)
AIRHEAD	27.5	20.3	1.6
TRAVELLERS	26.2	18.5	7.1
GEORGETOWN	23.1	16.0	11.0
RESIDENCY	27.5	21.0	1.2
ST. HELENA	20.2	11.5	2.0
FALKLANDS	14.8	-1.5	15.6
	Max (deg C)	Min (deg C)	Rainfall (mm)

ASCENSION ISLAND: A rather cloudy week with occasional showers, some of these on the heavy side at times.

UK: The weather remained quite settled during the early part of last week, though rain continued to affect westernmost areas of the UK. The High pressure gradually slipped away eastwards during the latter stages of the week, allowing more active fronts to bring some substantial rain. Warmest spot was Lee on Solent in Hampshire where the temperatures rose to 21 Celsius on Thursday. Coldest was Tulloch Bridge (Highland) on Sunday when the temperature dipped to a chilly minus 2 Celsius. Wettest was Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire on Sunday when nearly 3 inches of rain fell.

FALKLANDS: The week was generally unsettled and rather windy particularly around the mid-week period. Winds eased by the weekend but more persistent rain spread eastwards through Thursday and Friday.

“METCHAT” ************************ “METCHAT” ************************ “METCHAT” ************************ “METCHAT” *************************

The week go off to a fairly slow start for most of the metties, except for Doug that is, who was balancing his final panic tanning sessions while still trying to get his packing sorted for his return to civilisation. This culminated on Tuesday afternoon when he had to force himself to stay in his room. I think this must be an “admin” sort of thing, because at the same time last year, McNick still had completely empty cases at 6 PM on the evening of his flight home, the prospective contents being strewn about the floor. The evening saw the usual suspects gather in the mess bar for farewell drinks with Doug.

Tuesday Saw Stan Vesta and The Ayatollah visit Georgetown to gather supplies, before popping into the office for coffee. The evening saw Makem, Stan, Martin, Jonesey and the Ayatollah visit the VC for tea, before taking a quick tour around some of the islands watering holes. The Exiles and Two Boats being the specific venues, The ayatollah was somewhat, but pleasantly, surprised by the size of the latter, having expected to see nothing more than a shed. The evening was rounded off by a few quiet beers on the basha while feeding the local mosquito population fresh blood.

Wednesday saw Makem and the Ayatollah take a short stroll along Hannay Beach to visit the Blowhole and rock-pool before venturing a bit further along the coast to Coronation Rocks. The rest of the afternoon was spent catching up on the ironing (before night shift), with the Ayatollah taking the chance to relax in the evenings without recourse to using falling over juice.

Thursday afternoon saw Sarah in full begging mode, soliciting an invitation for herself to dinner at the US base on Sunday. Of course she played the “leaving soon” card, this obviously shaming Bill (Air Traffic) into coming up with the goods. Makem, The Ayatollah, Postie and Chris went for a short bimble during the afternoon, chiefly to collect some nice pieces of obsidian, but Postie and Chris, having guided the others to the glassworks, set off for Wolves Bluff, which they accomplished in a little under an hour. Postie, being the athletic type he is actually set off again to do the same walk an hour later with Mick from CSO.

Friday evening saw happy hour in the mess, where Pete Dunne (my apologies to Pete and Jane for missing the E off their surname last week). Pete exacted his revenge however when the Ayatollah turned up for tea and promptly called me by my full Christian name. (this only ever gets used on Sundays or when I am in deep trouble, when it is usually shouted at high volume). This of course had Pete and Jane rolling around in hysterics, with many references being made to Batman or the Boy Blunder (maybe a new pen name for Makem perhaps). A very early night followed for Makem, his planned trip to the VC failing at the first hurdle as he fell asleep by 8 PM.

Saturday saw Makem and the Ayatollah take a trip to the capital for coffee at Reflections and some shopping. While having a relaxing coffee, a blue and silver four wheel drive drove by, with the driver shouting something about Batman….Thanks again Pete. A visit to the Museum and Fort followed, giving a cultural edge to the afternoon. Sarah, the Pocket Rocket from PSD, did her final letterbox walk during the afternoon, along with Postie and several bodies from CSO, taking in the Letterbox itself, a good long final walk for someone who is to leave these shores very shortly. The evening saw a visit to the VC for Dinner before we retired to the Mess, which was rather empty as virtually everyone was at the grand re-opening of the Exiles Club. The only other drinkers that evening were Nigel and Keith, who along with Derek had a very quiet evening. The Exiles opening bash was very well attended, with over one thousand bottles of castle being sold, and our sources advise that all had a good night.

Sunday evening saw an abortive trip to VC for tea by Stan, Martin, Makem and the Ayatollah, which much to our dismay saw the snack bar closed. We were joined by Wooley and we all then took a quick spin to the Exiles, in the hope of finding some food. Somewhat happier faces were on display as Stan and Martin tucked into a curry, while the rest of us made do with sandwiches. Many thanks to the David and Thomas of the Exiles for coming up with the grub. The evening was rounded of nicely in the mess bar, where Karen managed to upset Jonesey by binning his beer while he was indisposed. The mistake was genuine as Boggy had left with the words “I’ll be Back” but didn’t and Karen assumed Jonesey had done the same. To say that she was somewhat embarrassed when he returned is a bit of an understatement, but Jonesey, having obviously had enough beer and being a gentleman, declined another and wandered off, but not before walking into one of the posts.

Makem (aka… The Boy Blunder)

Late breaking news reaches us of a slight slip of tongue that occurred during a mess committee meeting. The PMC has managed to come up with a new name for our engineering brethren. The new name refers to them not as Turners, but is far more closely linked with the surname of one of their senior managers. Work it out.

Hash Trash

Hash number:No 922
Hares: 100 Watt and Budweiser Belly
Hounds: Grim Reaper, Fluffy Bunnykins, Rug Rat, Billy Graham, Skipper, Penguin, Chicken Hawk, Fido, Buzz Light Year, Elmer Fudd, Puff Granny, Twin Peaks, The Major, Baywatch Babe, Mr Bubbles, Matil, Batman, Bart Simpson, Richard, Gav, Pete

With the absence of some of the more regular hashers, a smaller than usual pack, gathered at the Nasa Car Park. Rusty Head and Alex, needed to practice their social skills and went to a party. Chicken Hawk, turned up with a heavily bandaged hand, but that didn’t stop him from flapping his wings and exercising his lungs! The Major enlightened the newbees on the traits of hashing. 100 Watt and BB grazed the truth of the trail to come and we were off, across the road, to negotiate the guava trees, up, up to the first of many bar checks. Twin Peaks, obviously more sober than usual, joined the FRBs and veered to the left to find the false trail, with a newbee, led by Chicken Hawk, racing towards the right. The on, on, was given as straight ahead..…. to yet another bar check. Hardcore Heidi led the pack to right trail….down, down, a rather, slippery scree slope to another bar check. Here the trail took a slightly different turn, with Heidi, discovering that the third blob of hash was a circle check –unusual tactics guys! After a quick rest, the on, on was given, this time up, to find….oh yes…..another bar check. Once again Twin Peaks, decided to hunt the trail – only to find the false one again. The on, on was straight ahead. Over, slippery scree and through more shrubs, the pack made their way to the foot of another hill – up, up, to the much needed circle at the top. The youngsters, obviously, carrying an extra supply of energy, were ready to take off, before the rest of the pack gathered. BB and Mr Bubbles, took it in turns to control them. The on..on ..was given and the pack took off, discovering another bar check along the way and a circle, on the upper side of the hill, across the main road, from the picnic area. The Hares, obviously leading the hounds, into a trail of deceit, gave the on, on. On, on, it definitely was, round a mile long footpath above ashpit! The next circle saw BB struggling with the modern technique of tying a bandana, on trendy Chicken Hawks head, which made it look like a beret – still it did the job. On, on again to another bar check – by which time the hounds decided not to even go up or down the hill, but used logic and went straight ahead. A winded bunch of merry (NOT) hashers assembled at another circle, which provided us with a picturesque view of our vehicles, only three valleys, in between them and us. Twin Peaks, true to her Hash Whip name, told the hares to get on with it – she needed to make up for Friday night’s lack of fun. Buzz had obviously loss control of his mission by now and was seen bribing Fido to pretend to be a space ship. The on, on was given, down, down, to the clay road beneath the American hut, and then back along the road to the Nasa car park. Good hash Guys. The Major, making sure that he could see his fluids in the dark, came prepared with a generator and lights! The fire was lit, and the BBQ began. Great nosh as well guys…..even steaming hot roast potatoes!

Hare: Elmer Fudd and Fido

From the Merlin Mess Car Park – Two Boats

Rug Rat –apprentice hash scribe!

From The Archives…

(Extracts from the diary of General Simon Fraser, Royal Marines, written about 1843 – Part 1).

We had been eagerly watching for the first glimpse of our new home. In the moonlight it looked so beautiful that we thought all the stories we had heard of its many discomforts must have been untrue, or at all events much exaggerated: but we soon found that the first glance had been deceptive, and that in the morning, and on closer inspection it did not appear quite such an enchanted island as when etherealized by the moon a soft, tender light.

In 1501, it was a desert cinder, without a single inhabitant, either man or beast. It was called Ascension on account of its having been discovered on Ascension Day, the discoverer being Juan de Nova Galezo, a Portuguese navigator. It lies between Africa and Brazil in South Atlantic Ocean: and is seven and a half miles long and six miles wide. The Island is of volcanic origin and presents a surface of conical hills 200 feet high and upwards.

Of these, no fewer than twenty-four have craters, but they emit neither fire nor smoke. Desolation is stamped upon all these hills, with one exception. Between the hills are valleys strewed with various volcanic substances. In the eastern part rises a double-peaked mountain, and this, from its verdant appearance is rightly named the “Green Mountain”.

Such then was to be, for some time, the home of our party of Royal Marines, now arrived from the Transport. We were landed early in the morning by means of small boats. The entrance to the harbour is protected by a fort, in which are a few guns, and also a supply of small arms.

Georgetown was the next object to meet our view on shore, it is built in the form of a square, and here are the quarters of the married soldiers, the single men occupying the barracks, a large building encircled with a wide verandah. There are small cottages for the Officers’ quarters, and two hospitals, one of the latter being exclusively for fever patients; and these are all the buildings that constitute the small garrison. The commandant’s cottage was on the slope of a hill, from whence orders could be signalled to the Green Mountain. The African’s quarters were all built near the shore, and were called Krootown.

Every house was surrounded by a wide verandah, which was an absolute necessity in that climate, being the only means of making any dwelling habitable. The houses themselves were built of stone from the shore; the sand consists of finely pulverized shells, or coral, which becomes firm by the action of the waves, and becomes in time susceptible of a clear polish like marble. Our cottage had neither fireplace nor window-glass in any of the rooms, but the latter was scarcely required - there was no change of season at Ascension, the heat was intense all the year round; so that the window places were always open during the day, and closed at night by venetian shutters, kept as open as possible to admit the air. Our walls were whitewashed, instead of being papered or painted, so that such venomous insects as centipedes and scorpions might be easily seen on them; and for the same reason carpets were also avoided, and very light matting used in their stead.

Our baggage having arrived we soon had the furniture and our other possessions arranged, and the rooms looked more home-like. The kitchen was built separately, and at some little distance from the house, and there our cook reigned triumphantly.

To be continued…

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EDITORS : Marie & Sherilyn Anthony
The New Islander Office, Fort Hayes, Georgetown, Ascension Island.
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The Islander - Thursday 17th October 2002

General Election

Father Brian Writes:

Island Rumblings

The Met Office Weather Report

Hash Trash

From The Archives…

(Extracts from the diary of General Simon Fraser, Royal Marines, written about 1843 – Part 1).

Such then was to be, for some time, the home of our party of Royal Marines, now arrived from the Transport. We were landed early in the morning by means of small boats. The entrance to the harbour is protected by a fort, in which are a few guns, and also a supply of small arms.

Our baggage having arrived we soon had the furniture and our other possessions arranged, and the rooms looked more home-like. The kitchen was built separately, and at some little distance from the house, and there our cook reigned triumphantly.

To be continued…