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The Ascension Island Newspaper |
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The Ascension Island Newspaper |
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Dear Friends
Another week has passed by, to me it seem like that it was only yesterday when I discussed the Harvest Festival with our Churchwardens and here we are, God willing, will be celebrating it this coming Sunday, 5 October. It will be a parade service when a number of young people will be invited to present their special gifts for the Harvest Table. Of course gifts will be gladly received from other parishioners as well. It would be nice to have a full church when we can offer our thanks to God for his goodness to us in providing so many good things in life. If you are unable to attend, for whatever reason, please try and reflect for a few moments on the good things that God has done for you.
We are looking forward to having some new faces in our choir as well on
Sunday, plus our band will be in attendance to accompany the singing. We
are pleased to have them back in church again after a short break.
Last Sunday I spoke briefly about the 'Planned Giving Scheme' by way of
introduction. However, as the Scheme will be launched on Harvest Sunday,
I will endeavour to explain in more detail how the scheme works during the
service.
I trust that you will have a pleasant week.
Canon Clive
Faith and tolerance are the words that come to mind with this week's readings. The reading from the Book of Numbers described how the Lord delivered the spirit to many so that they could prophesy, and shows how our faith can be traced back to the early days. It also shows that it isn't always the obvious who are chosen. When the elders were filled with the spirit, all could believe, but when the two who were outside started to prophesy, they were doubted and there were those who wanted them to stop. When they appealed to Moses, he told them that they shouldn't be jealous on his account. He answered that it would be much better if everyone could be touched by the spirit. In the gospel reading, we are told that Jesus answered those who were concerned about a common man casting out devils in His name. He told them not to stop the man, for anyone that was with Him, could not be against Him.
So many deeply religious people have the idea that only certain people have the right to preach, or interpret the word of God. This narrow-mindedness results in ignoring so many who have so much to say. Everyday people who live ordinary lives can be a fountain of faith. They may feel it deep within their souls, even though they may lack formal religious education. They may have the ability to read the Bible with an open mind and yet understand its importance and meanings. Right here in the Grotto, we have ordinary people gathering in the absence of a priest, celebrating our faith.
It may be the least likely person you know that might teach you an unexpected lesson in faith. It may be someone of a different faith or a different background than your own. If they are living the type of life that Jesus talked about, caring for their fellow man, showing love and compassion under difficult circumstances, doing their utmost to go through this earthly life without causing another person pain and suffering, then they are working with and for Christ. Because of their background, they might not even know about Him, but because they are following His teachings, they are not against Him.
So what do these readings teach us? It teaches that we must be tolerant, and not judge-mental with regards to a person's exterior. We have to look beyond a person's outward appearance and find the person within. In the second reading, we were warned that the rich should start weeping, because their wealth did not guarantee them a place at God's side. They would be judged by their actions. As indeed we all will be. How easy it is to judge a person by their looks. How often have we felt at ease with a well-dressed person, while on the other hand, feeling uneasy if an unkempt person approaches us. How many stories have we heard about salespeople who ignored a scruffy shopper, only to discover that they were wealthy and had lots of money to spend? Outward appearances are not always a true reflection of the person. Neither are the first impressions of how a person acts. I'm sure that we have all known people who profess to be religious, faithful, a follower of God and Jesus, but their actions belie their words. They may be ruthless, critical, prejudiced or selfish. By their very actions they show that they are not really touched by the spirit. What we should judge people by is their inner self. This is portrayed by how they treat others. Are they kind, compassionate and caring? Do they truly take God's teachings and Jesus' words to heart? Are they tolerant of others? Do they show their faith in the important little ways every day of their life? Or are they token Christians, professing, but not living their faith?
It is not our place to denounce these people. That would make us like
them. It is our duty to accept these people and to pray that they come to
a fuller understanding of what faith really means. We in turn must show
a tolerance that may be difficult. And we must also remember that faith
is evident in many small, unobtrusive ways. It may be shown to us in the
least likely manner. It may be delivered to us by the least likely person.
We have to remain open to its presence in our lives, and welcome it when
it arrives. We have to return it to others. And always remember that Jesus
welcomed any and all that worked with Him, understanding that anyone who
is not against us, is for us. Let us always pray that no matter what form
it arrives in, His faith and love will be a part of our lives.
LETTERS|
From the Editors:- Marie & Sherilyn Anthony Hello Lots of 'interesting' articles this week!?! Editors and printing people are still urgently needed. Please give us a call if you have a spare hour or two! Thank you |
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| Letters to
the Editor can be sent to editors@the-islander.org.ac |
Policing on Ascension
a unique Island in the middle of the South Atlantic with a population of approximately
1000 people, employed by a number of organisations undertaking various task
to maintain its natural beauty and friendly environment. With new developments
there is a likelihood of the population increasing and more tourists visiting
to explore and enjoy our Islands sandy beaches, marine life, walks and visits
to places of historical interest to name but a few.
The Police Service is made up of six officers seconded from the St Helena Police
Service, supplemented with the support of two special constables. The crime
rate is relatively low and the most recorded incidents are traffic offences.
It is our objective to maintain an approach to bring crime down and deal with
any other matters of concern. To maintain such an approach it is necessary that
we work in partnership with the Government Departments, other Organisations
and the Public to achieve such.
Having said the above lets look at a worrying trend and is a cause of concern which could change the outlook of our environment and that is to know that in the past ten months there has been three cases of which the controlled drug CANNABIS being produced on the Island even in our residential areas the most recent being three weeks ago in Two Boats.
It is an offence for any person to have in their possession or consume, produce or supply the controlled drug namely cannabis
It's a known fact that the dealing in drugs leads to CRIME related matters such as stealing and public order offences, even fatalities.
THE ABOVE PLANTS WERE FOUND GROWING IN TWO BOATS VILLAGE
Before this gets well established we are doing everything possible to have it stamped out. The last case for such reached the courts in 1991. Since then and to date no other such case has come to the court, although as I have said evidence indicates that is still being produced on the Island. If you know of any persons who are dealing drugs or where it is produced then don't hesitate contact us, all information given will be kept in the strictest confidence. If you wish to remain anonymous then please use the confidential Crime Line to which the number is 6677.
To end lets spare a thought for our juveniles through the adult population
of the Island see, this as being of some help and not directed at any of you.
It is an offence for any juvenile under the age of sixteen years to smoke or
have in their possession any cigars, cigarettes, smoking or chewing tobacco
or other form or preparation of tobacco for smoking. It is also an offence for
any person, who either directly or indirectly sells, gives or furnishes any
of the above to any juvenile.
Until our next edition have a safe month and remember don't do DRUGS.
Constable Timothy Leo
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The Met Office Weather Report |
Statistics for the week ending Monday
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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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27.8
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21.9
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0.5
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TRAVELLERS
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29.2
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18.3
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0.3
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RESIDENCY
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25
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17
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2.8
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GEORGETOWN
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29.0
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21.0
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0.0
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ST.HELENA
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23.9
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14.6
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0.0
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FALKLANDS
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12.4
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0.5
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10.7
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UK / Brize
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20.9
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1.8
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Trace
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ASCENSION ISLAND: The hill generated a few showers in the south-easterly
winds again this week but amounts were small and most people would have missed
them, as can be seen Georgetown stayed dry. No real sign of the temperatures
easing up yet although the sun is now south of the equator and heading our way.
UK: The week started with a strong cold northerly but that soon gave way to a September "Old Wife's High" which brought settled clear overnight conditions and pretty chilly temperatures. Further north the south-westerly wind brought more cloud at times but little or no rain. By the weekend there weak weather fronts around moving south across the country but still most places remained dry.
FALKLANDS: Monday may given the week a rather stormy start but by Tuesday the strong northerly winds had gone. High pressure then became the dominant feature bringing quiet, mainly dry but at times misty weather. This gave way to strong northerly winds again for the weekend with outbreaks of rain as low pressure and weather fronts crossed. By Sunday there were mild westerly winds and patchy rain.
ST. HELENA: A dry week for Saint Helena too, no rain recorded by Mr Henry this week. Some warm weather too with Fridays maximum of 24 degrees. Plenty of sunshine with an average of about four and a half hours per day.
Philip, 'm-m-m-m- ma Bakers son' was sitting having supper on Friday evening when the question of the HASH the next day came up. Well he explained that it would be difficult because his new 'work' boots were rubbing a bit and he didn't want to aggravate the situation. No problem we told him, he should get off down to the Welfare Shop where there was an excellent supply of inexpensive walking boots. 'Oh well' he said, 'he would think about it, it depended on the weather'. The Met-mans ears started to waggle…….
I was asked if I wanted to join the hash. What? My mind started to race. Apart from the stuff reputed to grow in Cricket Valley, although I suspect the suggestion that it's there is just a ruse to get more letter-boxers to visit Oatie's Oasis, the only green stuff in the valley is prickly pear, guava and palm trees. (That's a clue for Oatie's oasis by the way). Whilst on the subject of green stuff, my second reaction when they said did I want to join the #, was to wonder if this was some kind of numbers game, an illegal den of Ascension gamblers (more on numbers below). But no, hash is what our cousins call chaff or confetti or shredded paper dust. Wonderfully, environmentally friendly - when it gets wet from the abundant rainfall here on the island (see below) it turns to pulp which the rats then eat and so leave the place neat and tidy, a double whammy if laced with rat poison, just a thought.
At any rate the object of the game is to leap around the lava dashing from one pile of shereddies to another (no Ethel don't avert your eyes), not their shreddies, the hashed up paper. But anyway, I leave it to others to describe this further….
To return to my theme. Phil did not turn up to 'the hash' and I have to say, there may have been method in his madness. Apres-hash, later, much later, The Laird mounted on his trusty velo (again see below) in the gloaming started his tired and happy way home. As he gaily slogged up towards travellers he noticed his arms were considerably wet, in fact he was considerably wet and in the car's headlamp beams there was strong evidence that the atmosphere was considerably wet. What the Irish call 'soft rain', and surely it was soft - and begora it was wet. So what did Phil son of ma Baker know that the metties did not? Hmmm!
The sheep drive went ahead on Friday and no doubt was a bleating success, I just hope the pedestrian gate left open at the upper entrance is not a Trojan slip, oh but that was a horse!
École deux-bateau. - Ah yes 'velo', c'est français pour bicycle, n'est pas. Salut Paul, comment ça va. Hey, was Paul good with the numbers? Once through the pack of cards, reference above to learn the numbers, and then the next time he reeled off un, sept, trois, deux, six, quatre, çinque, etc., as fast as je m'apelle Peter could turn the cards over. Tres bon, comme ca parlez-vous français! Oui, pas problem….un peu! It was the first lesson.
Ah bientot.
The Laird
SCHOOL PAGE |
 www.ais.co.ac/school/ |
Coming events
Now that we are well into the first term certain school events will soon be upon us. The Harvest Festival service at school will take place at 11.30 am on Friday 17th October and all are welcome to attend just let us know that you are coming and we will make arrangements for the seating. As is customary we will have a sharing of the Harvest Table after the service and will also take in donations of dried food that we will send on to St Helena for distribution.
Because we are holding our Sports Day this year on Sunday 19th October starting at 9 am the school will close on the afternoon of the Harvest Festival. However the day release classes in French and Information and Communication Technology will take place as normal.
The school is hoping to stage a Pantomime towards the end of the term (5th December) and the Carol Service this year will be held on the evening of Wednesday 10th December in St Mary's Church..
Evening Classes
The evening class programme has now started and there are still vacancies in Business Studies, Yoga and Woodwork. A new class will start next week in Bridge for Beginners provided the minimum number of four people is reached. Please see the advert elsewhere in this edition for further details.
Youth Club
Traditionally a Youth Club has been run in Two Boats and the children at school would like to see the Youth Club running again. The teachers at school are currently trying to organise a Youth Club for Primary children and Secondary children.
I would like to thank all those people who have agreed to join a rota for supervision. However unless there are more people in the community who are willing to help to supervise the evenings the Youth Club will not run weekly. There is a need for at least three adults to supervise each time the Youth Club runs and ideally we would have twelve people for the Primary supervision and twelve for the Secondary supervision so that each helper was committed once every four weeks.
If you are willing to help in supervision please contact me as soon as possible
- we hope to get the Youth Club started after the half term holiday.
David Higgins
29.09.03
The South Atlantic
ridge has been shaken by two earthquakes during the past week. The first occurred
470 NM north of Ascension and 540 NM south-west of Greenville Liberia on Sunday,
21 September 2003 It measured 6.0 on the Richter Scale. The second, measuring
5.1 on the Richter Scale occurred 700 NM west of St Helena and 1890 NM east
of Rio de Janeiro Brazil on Tuesday, 23 September 2003. None of the quakes were
felt here in Ascension.
Both of the earthquakes occurred along the Mid Atlantic Ridge, where the African
and South American plates are located.
Barry Weaver, an American Geologist explains:
"The bigger picture is that the boundary between the South American and African plates zig-zags its way down the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean. This boundary comprises approximately N-S trending "spreading centres" alternating with approximately E-W trending "transform faults". Shallow depth (<10 km), generally small to moderate magnitude earthquakes are very common on both the spreading centre and transform fault segments.
The M 6.0 quake on 21 Sep. was on a transform fault well to the north of Ascension; it's highly unlikely that it would have been felt on Ascension.
The M 5.1 quake on 23 Sep. was a long way south of Ascension on a spreading centre.
So all quite explicable and really nothing out of the ordinary."
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ASCENSION ISLAND - A NEWCOMER'S GUIDE THE SEA AND MARINE LIFE ROLLERS SEA FISHING. |
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 All Winners with their trophies |
Well done and congratulations to all those who took part in this years bike time trial, which was held on Sunday 28th September.
TIME TRIALS - SUN 28 SEP 03 - RESULTS
NAME POSITION TIME Phil Hall 1st 30:34 Mick Kelly 2nd Overall/1st Veteran 32:46 Malenko Gradinski 3rd 34:24 Paul Hughes 4th 37:43 Alan Crowie 5th 39:31 Andrew Herne 6th 39:34 Andy Tichopad 7th 40:17 Claire Pattinson 8th Overall/1st Veteran Lady 43:19 Simon Fowler 9th 46:37 Paul Thomas 10th 50:43 Choppsy 11th 56:26 Daniel Thomas 12th Overall/1st Junior 58:23 Debbie Augustus 13th Overall/2nd Woman 66:01 Many thanks go to the Royal Air Force Ascension Island for sponsoring the event, and in particular to Rob Simon, PC Fred Wade and Sue Thomas.
Hash number: 970
September 27, 2003
Hares: Uncle Fester and Bloodsucker
Hounds: Chief Longpole, Shylock, Chicken Hawk, Billy Graham, Budweiser Belly, Mama Three Bones, Talking Head, Dick Head, Pirate, Skipper, Occasional, Mildew, Booby Trap, The Navvy, G'n'T , The Joker, Organ Grinder, Oh That Woman, Old Croc, Cactus Cuddler, 100 Watt, Mrs Trunchbull, Yeti, Fido, Gym Queen, Tough Lady, The Laird, Buzz Lightyear, Elliot and Jeremy.
After a bit of redirecting (we hadn't even started yet!) the convoy of cars threw up a massive cloud of dust bringing us to our start just behind the 'windmill things'.
The ground was a bit rocky and wobbly underfoot but the FRB's got underway leaving most to a leisurely stroll. One of the first circle checks was on top of a fumarole! As we all looked down the deep holes, Mama Three Bones was sure she saw the remains of an old Hasher…..
The on-on went up and over and round and down till we got to the main event - the caves! Uncle Fester, armed with a torch, made his way down the dark tunnel first and emerged looking a bit dusty but no worse for wear. Not to be out-done the pack followed suit. There were some worried looks and coercing but we eventually made it through with a few bumps to the head, grazes to the knees and a skull in our path!
It was then back over more loose ground, round some thorn bushes and past the runway back home! We arrived back safe and well apart from the usual Hash scars, but Bloodsucker was there to rescue Billy Graham and new Hasher Jeremy.
100 Watt drew The Circle of Friendship to welcome Paul and Bettygail - or should we say Old Croc and Cactus Cuddler! The Kettle Chips came out and were gone just as quick, and the après Hash began.
Thanks Uncle Fester and Bloodsucker - a truly memorable hash!
Next Hash: B15
Hares: 100 Watt and The Joker
Golf News - From One Boat Golf Club
On Sunday 28th September,
a Three-Man Texas Scrable was held, this had a very good turn out with a field
of 16 teams entered. In second place with 47 points were Myrtle Whittakar, Martin
Cranfield and Eric Crowie and in first place with 49 points were Lawson Henry,
Brian Henry and Andrew Kettlewell.
Six two ball's were carded. Lawson Speedy and Andrew scoring one. Pie, John
Joshua and Tony Green scoring one, Augie, Fiona and Jeff Joshua scoring two
and Dover, David Beard and Martin Joshua scoring two.
EDITOR : Kim & Phil
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, Andy Roberts, Richard Thomas and Gavin Yon
Deadline for all contributions is 6.00pm on Monday
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