Falklands: News Direct: Friday, 13 June 2003

THREE BRAVE ELEMENTS FOR SAMA’82:

Three young men have set themselves a stiff challenge this weekend when they will be raising money for SAMA’82. Sean Moffatt, Matthew Eccles and Zoran Zuvic will be setting off on Friday night on a weekend long hike to walk around many peaks around Stanley.

Voice No. 1: We will be doing an expedition. And this will be climbing peaks around Stanley and visiting the battle memorials over the Liberation Weekend.

Voice No. 2: On the Saturday we will be bagging two peaks and on the Sunday, we will be bagging five peaks.

CG: Sponsorship forms are available in the Post Office and at the reception area at FIBS.

POLICE COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT STATION’S OPTIONS:

The Police Committee is looking at setting up a steering group to look at options for the Police Station. If the group is set up, they will be considering ways of taking the idea of a new location for a Police Station and prison forward. After being turned down by the Planning and Building Committee, they have decided to put the idea of extending the current station on hold for the time being, saying this will give them more time to look at what other options are available.

COURT NEWS:

Yesterday afternoon, Robert Kiddle pleaded guilty to theft. The Police received a phone call from a resident in the Racecourse flats, reporting that a wallet had been lost. After carrying out inquiries, a call was received, saying that he wanted to talk to the Investigating Officer. When talking to the Officer, among other things, the defendant admitted to taking the wallet, which had £40.00 inside. Senior Magistrate, Nick Sanders, adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence and psychiatric report, so that he could see why the latest bout of offending had occurred. He said that Mr. Kiddle had been out of trouble for some time and he would like to get to the bottom for his reasons for offending again.

Michael O’Dean was given a 21 day custodial sentence, suspended for a year after he pleaded guilty to giving false information on his work permit. He also had to pay a contribution towards costs of £70.00. The form had been submitted from Ascension Island around the 28^th of October last year. The defendant stated in Court that he had, in fact, had someone else fill the form out for him as he wasn’t too good at reading. The woman who had done this said that everything was okay. And, when she asked about his criminal record, he had gone to the Police Station on Ascension to ask for his. They said he didn’t have one there and, so signed the letter. Mr. O’Dean didn’t, however, get a hold of the Police on St. Helena because, he said, that after five years, the slate is clean. Senior Magistrate, Nick Sanders, told the man that it was his responsibility to make sure that all of the information submitted is correct.

Owen and Ian Betts and Wayne Clausen also appeared before the Senior Magistrate yesterday morning. But they had their cases adjourned so the pre-sentence reports could be prepared. And, there has been a change of the charges. Owen and Ian will now be facing charges of assault. All three will now reappear in Court on the 14^th of July.

NEW PRESIDENT FOR GIRL GUIDES:

On the 17^th of last month, the Countess of Wessex was formally appointed as President of the Girl Guides in the UK. This also includes the Falklands. This is the 4^th time in 93 years that a President has been appointed. She takes over the role from Princess Margaret, who died last year. The new role includes Charring the Council Meetings twice a year and presenting prestigious members with the Guide Award. But, she’s also keen to promote the Guides and a range of visits are being discussed with her.

WINTER QUIZ:

This year’s FIBS Winter Quiz is kicking off next month. It’s starting on the 16^th and this year is being organised by Jane McGregor Edwards. She says that you need to start getting your teams in now if you want to take part. The teams of three need to be registered before Monday the 30^th. Jane needs to know your team name and who the Captain is.

AI MAN:

Richard Lee from New Zealand has been here for the last couple of weeks plying his knowledge of Artificial insemination and embryo transfer. This is the first time that "ET" has been done here. And, farmers are now waiting with baited breath to see what the results will be. Today is the last day of the programme and the team was at Fitzroy.

(100X Transcription Service)

"There will be a public meeting to discuss the proposed designation of Hill Cove Forest and Mountains as National Parks. The meeting will take place at the home of Peter & Shelley Nightingale, Hill Cove on Monday 16th June at 2pm. Representatives of the Environmental Committee shall be attending. Interested parties are invited to attend and put forward any questions they may have".

It is notified for general information that Monday 16 June 2003 (in lieu of Saturday 14 June 2003) will be a Public Holiday to celebrate Liberation Day. All Government Departments (other than those providing essential services) will be closed.

The Secretariat

Stanley

10 June 2003

New Zealand only quoted two indices. The Strong Index was up 10 to 435 NZ cents whilst the Lamb Indicator added six to close at 422 NZ cents.