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World Aids Day has a special place in the history of the AIDS pandemic. Since 1988, the 1st December has been a day bringing messages of hope, solidarity and understanding about AIDS to every country in the world. World AIDS Day emerged from the call by the World Summit of Ministers on Programmes for AIDS Prevention in January 1988, to open channels of communication, strengthen the exchange of information and experience, and forge a spirit of social tolerance. Since then, World AIDS Day have received the support of the World Health Assembly, the United Nation system, and governments, communities and individuals around the world. The Red Ribbon The Red Ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS Awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment. Red Ribbons are placed at the clubs and your work places. Wear one to show that you care. Make sure you know all the facts about HIV and AIDS and discuss with others. Facts About HIV and AIDS HIV is a virus that can damage the body's defence system so that it cannot fight of certain infections. If someone with HIV goes on to get serious illnesses, this condition is called AIDS. HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Is there a cure? At the moment there is no cure for HIV or AIDS. But there are cures and treatments for many of the illnesses that people with HIV are prone to. There are also combination treatments that most people with HIV benefit from, and many people have definite and major health improvements. The drugs reduce the level of HIV in the blood and delay the development of AIDS. Research shows that people who are on theses treatments live longer and feel better. However, the drugs have unpleasant side effects and many different drugs have to be taken every day and some people cannot cope with this. The long- term effects of being on combination therapy are not yet known. There is NO vaccine against HIV How big is the problem? HIV infection is spread throughout the world. But there are some parts of the world - such as sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Asia and Eastern Europe - where known levels of infection are higher than in others. The risk is higher in countries with more people infected with HIV, but the risk of infection is everywhere. Worldwide the commonest way of becoming infected with HIV is by sex between men and women. In the UK, over 2,500 people test positive for HIV every year and the number of people living with HIV continue to rise with most infections being amongst gay and bisexual men. The rate of HIV among heterosexual men and women is also rising. Most of these are among people from Sub-Saharan Africa. How is HIV passed on? There are three main ways in which HIV can be passed on by: Having vaginal or anal sex without a condom with someone who has HIV. Unprotected oral sex also carries some risk. A mother with HIV to her baby during pregnancy, at birth or through breastfeeding; and Sharing needles, syringes or other drug injecting equipment, that is contaminated with HIV infected blood. You cannot get HIV through: Kissing, touching, hugging or shaking hands; Sharing cutlery and crockery; Coughing or sneezing; Contact with toilet seats; Insect or animal bites; Swimming pools; or Eating food prepared by someone with HIV It is safe to give blood - all equipment is sterile and used only once Is it safe to receive blood? As an extra safety measure, all blood, blood products, organs and tissues used for transplant in the UK are screened for HIV. Blood products are also heat treated. If in another country one should always check that this is the case. Doctors, dentists and other health-care workers use precautions when dealing with patients to prevent any risk of infection. What about giving first aid? It makes sense for anyone giving first aid to follow standard hygiene and safety precautions and avoid direct contact with the injured persons blood. If you do get someone else's blood on your skin, simply wash it off. If you come across a used needle or syringe, don't touch the metal needle. If pricked by a used needle, pinch the wound to make it bleed, clean the area and wash with soap and water. Cover with a plaster and get medical advice. If you do skin piercing - use reliable practitioners who use disposable equipment. Ask if you are unsure and only go ahead with the procedure if you are satisfied that sterile equipment is being used. What about medical treatment abroad? As some countries do not have the same standards of medical and dental care as in the UK, there may be a risk of getting HIV from infected blood transfusions, blood products and un-sterile equipment. When visiting certain countries, you may take your own first aid kit including syringes and needles What about having sex abroad? Many people work, travel or take holidays abroad. No matter where you are, or how widespread the virus is in the country you're visiting, the main ways of passing on the HIV are the same. It is important to plan ahead. If you think you may meet a new partner, take a supply of quality condoms and water based lubricant with you. Sex and staying safe What is safer sex? In terms of protection against HIV, a simple way of understanding safer sex is to see it as any sex that does not allow an infected partners blood, semen or fluid from the vagina to get inside the other partners body. Some kinds of sex - such as kissing or masturbation - carry no risk of HIV. The riskiest kinds of sex are - vaginal and anal sex without a condom. HIV can be passed on to either partner - male or female - during penetrative sex. There is a small risk of infection through oral sex, particularly if you have a cut, sore, or ulcer in the mouth, but it is less risky than vaginal or anal sex without a condom. How important are condoms? Condoms provide a very effective barrier against HIV, they also help protect against other sexually transmitted infections as well as unplanned pregnancies. If you stick to one partner, do we need to use condoms? If you and your partner are both HIV negative, stay negative, and have not had other sexual partners, then you cannot get HIV through sex. But what if you or your partner have taken risks with injecting drugs, for example, or you are starting a new relationship? If for any reason you're thinking of not using condoms, consider the following. You can have the virus and look and feel fit and healthy. Many people may not know for sure whether they or their partner have HIV. The only way to find out if you're both HIV negative is to have an HIV test And if you don't stick to one partner? Always use condoms with other partners you may have. The more partners you have unprotected sex with, the more likely you are to come into contact with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Remember - condoms also protect against other sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy. Show you care by a wearing a Red Ribbon for World AIDS Day and if you need more information talk to your Doctor.

 

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Father Brian Writes:

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The Met Office Weather Report

 

Statistics for the week ending Monday 25th November 2002

 

	Max (Celsius)	Min (Celsius)	Rainfall (mm)
AIRHEAD	27.8	20.7	7.2
TRAVELLERS	27.1	18.5	3.3
RESIDENCY	22.7	16.8	15.8
GEORGETOWN	29.0	21.0	Trace
ST. HELENA	20.0	14.7	1.2
UK	N/A	N/A	N/A
FALKLANDS	18.0	-0.1	7.2

 

Hash number: 928

Hares: Hardcore Heidi and Plumbline Pete

Hounds: Yeti, Eeyore, Titpecker, Budweiser Belly, Pirate, Chicken Hawk, The Major , Sticks, Barry Tone, Woodswrecker, Oh That Woman, Skid Marks, The Fugitive, Fido, Shari, Nick.

A few phone calls prior to the Hash revealed that there were a few people were going to be socially committed and were unable to Hash. Never mind there was still a pack, of various shapes sizes, and states of euphoria, ready for this weeks briefing. 'This will be long and hard' came from the hares. Little did the pack know that in the middle of the hash there would a chance for a bit of bondage as well. Or a chance to practice knots and lashings. We'll come to that bit later. At the off a start arrow was pointing down a well worn track, was this going to be the start of a false trail. No. A gentle meander, down the hill, a couple of circles and then a bar at the bottom of Weather Post. Surely the true trail couldn't go up that hill. Upwards we went, so steep was Weather Post hill that a couple of circles were put in to enable a bit of oxygen gulping. Chicken Hawk, as our smallest runner, wanted to go higher. So he led on and found the rope. 'Why have we got a rope?'. We'll tell you about bondage in a few years time young man. Eventually all got there with pounding hearts, aching legs and steam coming out of everywhere.

Through the trees, a quick run around in circles to find the letter box, not to be found that day. Whoever wanted the stamp would have to go back and get it another day. Plumbline now divided the pack into runners and walkers. The runners, or by now they should have been called 'old and bold', slithered down the hill, circumnavigated Devils Cauldron, forced themselves uphill again. Another circle check and the pack re-congregated. This is where the local hero - Titpecker - shot off at his usual gallop, running the 2+ miles in record time, sometime later Titpecker arrived with a Landrover. Only one persons legs can move faster than Titpeckers - it was again Chicken Hawk, well done boy those little legs certainly can move. The choice was then up to the individual, the runners ran, the ramblers rambled, the talkers talked and walked, the Landrover brought in the rest.

Great Hash, long and hard. A choice of curries once again, lots of nibbles. Fugitive cracked a bottle of old red and the spirit of Hashing began again. Skid Marks announced that she was soon to depart ASI and the Hash. A sad loss to a great sportswoman, who takes Hashing in the spirit that it is meant. As the a few canned sandwiches disappeared down the gullets there was one final duty to perform. Once again the circle of friendship was drawn, Hardcore Heidi was prompted for inspiration as what to call this sorry soul. Dave was duly welcomed into Hashdom as Plumbline Pete. Maybe we'll ask Heidi the meaning of Plumbline!!

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From The Archives…

Memoirs by 'a Sometime Resident' (circa 1870) - Part 2

On our way to "the west end" of the town we pass the various officers' quarters and the officers' messroom. All the houses are low, and, except for the verandahs round each, ill adapted to the requirements of a hot climate. We next arrive at the Naval Hospital, or, as the authorities will have it, the "Sick Bay of the ship Ascension." The building consists of two blocks - one of stone, the other of wood. In the first are the dispensary, the quarters for sick officers, and the large ward for general diseases. The second block is called "the fever ward," but it is used for other diseases, and only set apart when necessary for contagious fever cases. The sick are generally patients from the West African Squadron - sufferers from low coast-fever, ague, rheumatism, and incipient consumption. To hasten their recovery they are supplied with all the luxuries that the island can produce, such as milk, fresh vegetables, and fresh meat.

About half a mile further west is George Town Cemetery. It is scarcely possible to imagine a more dreary spot than this "God's acre." All attempts to rear shrubs of any kind have hitherto proved useless, and are likely to continue so, since the soil is thoroughly impregnated with saltpetre, and exposed to the winds as they rush from the mountains through the ravines towards the sea. Hence the appearance presented by the cemetery is one of complete desolation. Not a blade of grass, not even a weed, grows there. The soil is of a light-brown colour with patches of white salt here and there, and nothing to relieve the weariness of the scene except the tombstones of various hues and shapes erected in different directions within the enclosure.

Retracing our steps towards the pier-head, we turn to the right, which brings us to what is regarded by all visitors as a great curiosity, and an object well worth seeing - the Turtle Ponds. These are two large circular receptacles, hollowed out of the solid rock, connected with each other by a sluice-gate, and capable of containing between 300 and 400 turtles. The water is kept fresh in the ponds by the ebb and flow of the tide. Here we can see many of the turtles' backs appearing clear out of the water, and as we watch, others raise their heads above the surface and emit a heavy breathing, or take in a fresh draught of air. The weight of the turtle caught here is much greater than that of the turtle found at some of the West Indian Islands, or in the Mediterranean, ranging as it does from 300 lbs. to 700 lbs.. Turtle-flesh is served out to the residents about once a week all the year round, so that turtle soup, so much prized and relished by aldermen and gourmands at home, after a while ceases to be regarded as anything very wonderful by those whose foreign sojourn extends to three years and upwards. The turtle season begins in January and ends in May, during which time, in different years, the number captured has varied from 100 to 1,050. The naval authorities claim all the turtle that come on to the island, or that approach within three miles of its coasts. Merchant ships and the Royal Mail steamers are permitted to purchase them at the rate of £2 l0s. each, irrespective of size. Within the last few years the capture of turtle has not been as great as formerly, and it is feared they are taking themselves away to some more congenial shores. When the season begins, volunteers as watchers are called for from among the marines. If the volunteers, on a medical inspection, are found strong and healthy, they are told off into parties of two, and sent to English Bay, Northeast Bay, South-west Bay, to Long Beach, and to Dead Man's Beach. At these various places huts' are provided for them, and fresh water and provisions are sent to them twice a week. Their duty is simply to turn the turtle. Night is the time for their work. They can sleep during the day, but they cannot amuse themselves, for the beaches and the bays afford no shelter from the scorching rays of the sun. The method of turning turtle is simply this: the watcher sees the turtle emerge from the sea, and work her way slowly up the beach above high-water mark. Then she hollows out a pit, some two feet deep, where she may lay her eggs. She deposits often as many as two hundred, then covers them over completely with a thin layer of sand, and leaving them there, makes her way back to the sea. Before reaching her goal the watchers rush on her, and with stout sticks throw her on her back - sometimes with difficulty, for she uses her fins with great skill. In this simple manner, then, as many as twenty are turned in the various haunts in one night. From Cross Hill, where a signalman watches the various passing ships, these haunts are all visible; and when turtle are there, a signal is made to the guard-ship, boats are sent for them, and they are brought in and placed in the ponds, where they remain till required for use. Wednesday is the day for slaughtering, and we may then see the turtle suspended by ropes from the gallows erected near the ponds. From several of them as many as 200 eggs have been removed before they are prepared to be served out. These eggs are all lost to the island and show that the watchers, in their anxiety to turn the turtle, have neglected the most stringent orders laid down for their guidance, "never to turn one until she is on her way back to the sea, after leaving her eggs to be hatched by the sun."

We have now seen all the places of interest in "The Garrison." The most casual visitor can scarcely fail to be struck with the remarkable cleanliness of everything; the wonderful neatness and order everywhere visible; and the efforts made to impart an air of cheerfulness to a place so naturally dull. Everyone seems happy and contented; there are no idlers strolling about; all seem intent on their occupations, and no one complains of a monotonous existence, for each hour brings its own work, though often not of a very laborious nature.

To Be Continued…………

 

www.heritage.org.ac

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Mars Bay Clean Up

The area on the approach to Mars Bay was used as a firing range by troops during the 1982 Falklands conflict. After the conflict, a number of vehicles and other metal debris which had been used as targets were left in the area. The area is of conservation importance as it is the main location for the endemic Ascension spurge. It is also an area used by locals and tourists visiting the Wideawake Fairs. Last Wednesday a group from 3 Platoon, 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment assisted the Conservation Officers in cleaning up this debris. About a ton of waste metal was removed. Right: Ascension spurge plants and scrap metal Below: Troops from 3 Para

A number of larger vehicles remain in the area and will hopefully be removed soon. Many thanks to Lieutenant Dean Whiten and his men for their efforts. Thanks also to Squadron Leader Mark Pattinson for his support and the USAF for providing access to their dump.

 

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