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The Ascension Island Newspaper |
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AIR LUXOR TO REPLACE TRISTARThe MOD have chartered a Portuguese airline, Air Luxor, to fly the Brize Norton - Falklands Airbridge between 18th February and 3rd March. This was confirmed in a statement from Media Operations at Head Quarters British Forces Falkland Islands (HQBFFI). The aircraft Air Luxor will be using is an L1011-500 which is the same model as the Tristar. For this reason there should be no impact on availability of seats. The current flight schedule will be maintained and the same ticketing and booking arrangements will apply. The Administrators Office received the 2003-04 schedule for flights earlier this week. It shows that there are no planned changed to the number of flights. Andrew Kettlewell
MV "ASTRA SEA" VOYAGE 313
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This past weekend was darkened by the tragic and devastating news of the loss of the space shuttle "Columbia" and her crew as it broke up over Texas only minutes before it was due to land at Cape Canaveral.
This staggering news was yet another reminder of how uncertain our lives can be and how much we take for granted. We are so used to space exploration - after all it is 30 odd years since that first walk on the moon! Some of us - the older ones - have never quite forgotten the unbelievable thrill of that occasion as we watched the astronauts doing their first "moon walk".
Now, of course, space is being opened up all the time with new probes, satellites and space stations; so much so, that we hardly notice the amazing scientific and astrological discoveries that are being made. It takes a tragedy like this present one to bring home the constant courageous determination of the scientific world that is always attempting to push back the frontiers - whether in space or some other area of exploration. We can only remember and support with care, the families and nations that have been affected by these untimely deaths and pray that the darkness of the present , for them, will eventually be replaced by some glimmer of light in the future.
On Sunday 'Light' was the theme for our celebration of Candlemas and the church was truly 'lit-up' by candles with able assistance from the Rainbows and Guides. It's the day when we recall the Presentation of the infant Christ in the Temple - His life offered to God and recognised by the old prophet Simeon as the One who would bring light into the world, shining in all the dark places and bringing hope, freedom, love and justice to all peoples "a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of your people Israel" This is a light that also crosses all frontiers and that reaches out into every part of life - that explores the deep and dark places of human behaviour and provides meaning and purpose for all to share.
As we remember those astronauts and their families, let us pray especially that the Light of Christ will shine on them and on all of us.
Fr Brian
Next Sunday the lessons are Isaiah 40, 21-31, 1 Corinthians 9, 16-23, Mark 1, 29-39 and we shall also welcome through Baptism, a new member of Christ's Church - Aimee Elizabeth Harris-Henry .
Confirmation
We now have a number of names of people - older and younger - who wish to be
confirmed, Are there any others before we start our preparation? Contact Fr
Brian asap 6431.
REMINDER
The Ascension Day Fair Committee meet in the Church on Thursday week, 13th February
at 7pm.
LETTERS|
From the Editors:- Marie & Sherilyn Anthony Hello again, Time has passed by quickly, we're once again in the Editor's Chair. Lots to read....from airlines to ships and constitutional reform. That's all for this week.. Eds
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| Letters to
the Editor can be sent to editors@the-islander.org.ac |
Mrs E S Early
Dorchester
Dorset
Dear Sir
After 85 years I have discovered Ascension Island again, due to my daughter surfing the Internet. I spent the first 10 years of my life on Ascension between the years 1919-1928
My father was a Chief Ships Steward with the Mediterranean Fleet. He was posted to Ascension as Assistant to the Commandant, Commander Smith. His post war posting should have been Bermuda but an urgent cable from Ascension to the Admiralty altered all that. It says much for his organising ability and keen logical mind that he was chosen from so many possible candidates. But it was a very mixed blessing. To take his family across the Atlantic Ocean in winter time in a Union Castle liner, the SS Ghorka, that was due to be scrapped on its return to England, with the possibility of German submarines still hunting the oceans was not a pleasant proposition. To land on the Island, starving after 4 years of war, with me barely a year old, very ill with whooping cough. There were, of course, no medicines of any kind in the tiny hospital and my mother had to dose me with a Victorian remedy of castor oil and hot milk. The fact that I am now a healthy 85 year old proves it worked, that and the dry climate. My mother said the people in Darkest Africa were no worse off than we were in those early days.
I do not want to know what progress has done to the Island. I have been told that the place where you spend the first 7 years of your life is your home, and so it is. I want to remember it as the most mysterious and exciting place any child had the good fortune to grow up in, and those wonderful voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, 6 times by my tenth birthday……. …………What child could ask for more?
With the happiest of memories and good wishes
Sincerely yours
E S Early
Ps..If anyone is interested in how the Island used to look in those long-ago days, let me know.
NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS & INTERNET ADDRESSES FOR ASCENSION ISLAND GOVERNMENTFrom 3rd February AIG installed a new switchboard and internet access at their new offices in the Islander Building. The new phone number for AIG is 7000, which will take the caller into a pre-recorded menu, from which the caller cal identify and dial the extension of the person he or she wants to contact. The old phone numbers for the Administrators Office and the Finance Office (6311 and 6319 respectively) have, for the present, been diverted to the switchboard as well. In addition to this the Ascension Island Government staff working in the new offices have changed their email addresses. The new email address format uses the name of the person concerned with the suffix @ascension.gov.ac - for example alberta.knipe@ascension.gov.ac. This new format identifies the recipient as a government officer and is consistent with the format of the internet address for the Government Web Site, which can be found at www.ascension-island.gov.ac Please note, though, that the above changes apply only to staff in the Islander Building. Other government departments - the hospital, Two Boats School and the police - will retain their old phone numbers and internet addresses. A complete list of the government numbers is shown below.
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You will have seen Baroness Amos' letter in last weeks Herald.
Baroness Amos is keeping in close touch with developments concerning St Helena's move towards constitutional reform. When reading her letter it is important to understand the reasoning behind it. St Helena is a British Overseas Territory and therefore its citizens enjoy certain benefits such as security, justice and, since May last year, all the benefits of British Citizenship. It also receives more aid from Britain than any other overseas territory.
The relationship between St Helena and Britain places obligations on both countries. The partnership approach is a fundamental requirement if these obligations are to be met. Baroness Amos indicates that the British Government would not have objections to a shift towards a Ministerial system of government if this has local support. This statement is to be welcomed as it shows, beyond doubt, Britain's commitment to the Island's continued development towards greater local autonomy and decision making.
As said previously, in any partnership there are obligations on both sides. The British Government, through its representative, HE the Governor, has a responsibility to ensure good governance on the Island. It also has a responsibility to ensure that numerous international obligations are met, including human rights. That is why Baroness Amos, the British Government and I, as the Acting Governor, have reservations about a Cabinet, which is separate from Executive Council under which Ministers would use Executive Council meetings merely to inform the Governor of the decisions made by them in Cabinet and to advise him on the exercise of his reserved responsibilities. We are concerned that the Governor will not be able to discharge the British Government's responsibilities if these arrangements were implemented.
Baroness Amos also draws attention to the proposal to have a separate election for a Chief Minister. There is a need for Ministers, including the Chief Minister, to be able to work together as a government and take the Island forward and it may be more sensible for a Chief Minister to be elected by his/her elected colleagues. In that way the Chief Minister would be likely to command the respect of his/her colleagues and vice versa, and this would lead to a more stable form of government.
The British Government are focused on giving support to the Constitutional Development process on St Helena. As part of this we should welcome the visit by a high level delegation from the FCO to the island in late April/early May. We hope that out of this a new constitution can be drafted for further public consultation and endorsement by LegCo. The potential future introduction of a Ministerial form of government on St Helena is another major step in St Helena's democratic and socio economic development. It is as the letter says another step in the "long-term reform process". It is a major step, but more can follow as the Island continues to develop.
This is a very considered and positive response from Baroness Amos and is to be welcomed.
John Styles
Acting Governor
The British Ornithologists' Union Records Committee (BOURC) has added Ascension Frigatebird Fregata aquila to Category A of the British List following the re-identificaton of a bird found moribund on the island of Tiree, Inner Hebrides, Argyllshire, Scotland on 9 July 1953 and originally identified as Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens.
The bird, an immature female, was found exhausted on 9 July 1953 and died later the same day. The body was taken to the National Museum of Scotland where it remained for nearly fifty years, its identity as Magnificent Frigatebird unquestioned.
The record was recently reviewed by the British Birds Rarities Committee. A mis-identification was suspected and detailed research confirmed the identity as Ascension Frigatebird. Identification of immature frigatebirds is not straightforward and this research broke new ground.
Thankfully the original observers of the Tiree frigatebird sent the body to
a museum otherwise Ascension Frigatebird would have been denied its rightful
place on the British List.
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The Met Office Weather Report |
Statistics for the week ending Monday 3rd February 2003
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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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30.2
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24.4
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15.1
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TRAVELLERS
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29.8
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22.6
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3.9
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RESIDENCY
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26.5
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19.6
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7.2
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GEORGETOWN
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32.0
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24.0
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0.0
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| ST. HELENA | 23.7 | 18.1 | 9.4 |
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FALKLANDS
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17.0
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2.3
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12.4
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| UK | 17 | -6 | 24.6 (in 24hr) |
ASCENSION ISLAND:An exceptionally wet start to the week with 15.1mm falling
on Monday night. The rest of the week was bright with sunny periods, and just
a scattering of light showers mainly in the early morning.We have just had the
wettest January on record with a total of 37.8mm, beating the previous record
of 17.3mm by a huge margin. The average for January is 5.6mm, the driest month
of the year.
UK: Exceptional weather in the UK as well with heavy snow causing widespread disruption to eastern England on Wednesday and Thursday. Bitterly cold with strong to gale force N'ly winds causing the snow to drift. Early Friday saw the coldest temperature of -6C at Warcop (in Cumbria).The start of the week was mild, however, with a temperature of 17C recorded at East Malling. Heavy rain spread across most parts during Tuesday giving 24.6mm at Altnaharra. At the weekend, it became milder as rain spread across all parts Friday night and Saturday, followed by bright weather with sunny intervals and showers for the rest of the weekend, with fresh to strong W'ly winds.
FALKLANDS: Nothing exceptional over the Falklands with its usual changeable conditions through the week, showers or longer periods of rain, and sunny intervals in between. A spell of heavy rain on Monday (27th) morning gave 6.3mm. The lowest temperature of 2.3C occurred on Thursday morning after a clear night. The warmest temperature of 17.0C was on Saturday.
Ascension Wildlife Photographic
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Hash number: 935
Hares: Chin Beaver, Stud Muffin
Hounds: : Eeyore, Yeti, Uncle Fester, Twin Peaks, Batman, Bart Simpson, Bloodsucker, Chin Beaver, Stud Muffin, Skipper, Predator, Woodswrecker, Maryland Monroe, Private Benjamin, Boots, Rusty, Rugrat, Fergus, Betty Gail, Toni, Goat, Danielle, Bonehead, Baywatch Babe, Ma Bell, Hardcare Heidi, 100 Watt, Limp Sausage
TThe hash started at the old Exile's Beach Hut. It was a beautiful, hot afternoon, and the brisk wind was a welcome addition. Once the hares remembered which way to start out, off we went across the loose rocks. The on-on led us across lots of uneven footing until we finally reached a bar check. The search eventually led us off towards the pipeline.
Once there, the runners left the rest in the dust and the group became rather spread out. After a nice hot circle check, not a bit of shade in sight, the on-on continued along the pipeline. The runners took off and as usual led the pack straight into a back arrow. Turning back it was a sharp turn over the rocks, heading down towards the water. Once we got close, it was another hot circle check. On-on down to the next circle check at a small beach. While we waited for everyone to arrive Yeti went off beachcombing among the flotsam, apparently searching for a mermaid but to no avail. The Skipper decided a headstart was in order and headed over the next set of rocks.
Next came a series of devious ups and downs over a few tricky outcroppings of rocks. We depended on Eeyore's sure footing to find the hash and the route over a particularly nasty spot. He led us successfully over the summit and off we went. On-on until we finally reached the last beach. Looked like an easy final leg, except that sand is difficult to traverse in hash boots! Back at the beach house, everyone relaxed. The hares put on a great barbecue, although someone really ought to teach those boys to count.
Later as we waited for the sun to go down, and bets were on about the exact time of sunset, a large ship came into view. Stud Muffin was worried about the origin of the unexpected vessel, and 100Watt rushed to the rescue with binoculars. It appeared to be a harmless container ship, but it was suggested that in the interest of security Ma Bell should burn off her sugar high by swimming out to check its intentions, but she declined.
After this excitement, everyone settled in to relax in the cool evening air. Great first hash, Stud Muffin and Chin Beaver. Now that we know what a great job you do, watch out!
Thanks for a good run, great grub, and a terrific hash.
Next Week: NASA site carpark
Hares: Skipper and the Major
Mon 27th Jan - 19:30 Hrs Turners (1)
vs Refugees (3) D. Reynolds A. Fowler
S. Caswell
R. ThomasBooked: W. Johnson (Refugees) Ref: N. Yon MOTM: S. Caswell (Refugees) Tue 28th Jan - 19:30 Hrs VC United (4) vs Georgetown United (0) D. Bedwell
R. Bedwell
T. Leo
A.Osborne
MOTM: J. O'Connor (VC Utd) Ref: M. Cranfield Sat 1st Feb 16:45 Hrs Has-Beens (2) vs Refugees (2) R. Anthony
M. Cranfield
G. Peters
A. Fowler
Refugees won on Penalties: 4 - 1
MOTM: S. Caswell (Refugees)
Ref: M. Joshua
Sun 2nd Feb 16:45 Hrs VC United (1) vs Rovers (1) A. Osborne
A. Lawrence
VC United won on Penalties 7 - 6 Booked: A Joshua, N Yon (Rovers) MOTM: M. Bagley (VC United) Ref: D. Johnson
EDITORS : Marie & Sherilyn Anthony
The New Islander Office, Fort Hayes, Georgetown, Ascension Island.
Tel/Fax 00 + 247 6327
E-Mail: editors@the-islander.org.ac
Internet Team: Alan George, Rob Dunstan, Richard White and Gavin Yon
Deadline for all contributions is 6.00pm on Monday
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