FINN(COM) DAILY RECORD: 03 MARCH 2004

((With Relevant Articles from FIBS)

 

 

ALBATROSS MAN SAILS INTO STANLEY

 

By J. Brock (FINN)

 

Just after 1545hrs on Wednesday, 03 March 2004, the ENGLISH ROSE IV motored through the narrows and docked at the public jetty.  The yacht carried Save the Albatross Campaigner, John Ridgeway, who is sailing the oceans where Albatross are present in an effort to publicise their plight and decline due to long-line fishing.  His emphasis is on poachers who could care less about Albatross deaths at their hands.

 

The vessel had been reported near Sea Lion Island at 0300hrs on the day.   And, good time was made by the yacht, which entered Port William at 1430hrs.  On the Speedwell, that left the FIC Jetty at 1445hrs was H. E. the Governor Mr. Howard Pearce, Falklands Conservation Chair, Ms Nilkki Buxton, Mrs. Janet Robertson-Pompert, Miss Lee Hazell of FIBS, Grant Munro of Falklands Conservation and others.

 

 

 

ST HELENIAN EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND

 

The Executive Committee of the St Helenian Emergency Relief Fund are pleased to announce its formation as a Registered Charity in the Falkland Islands.

 

The aim of the charity is to provide emergency assistance to persons of St Helenian descent and their families during times of bereavement, medical need and other catastrophic forms of distress or need, in particular, to those who reside within the Falkland Islands but, where the Executive Committee approves, also to those in other parts of the world in similar states of distress or need.

 

The Executive Committee are pleased to announce the names of the Charity’s Patrons:-

 

The Hon. Stedson Francis MLC (St Helena)

The Hon. Richard Cockwell MLC (Falkland Islands)

The Hon. James Paice MP (Cons) (UK, Cambridge SE)

 

The Executive Committee comprises:-

Chairperson       Mr John Clifford                          [email protected]                 21736

Secretary          Mrs Helene Williams                  [email protected]         22545

Treasurer           Mrs Christine Scipio-O’Dean       [email protected]         22481

Member            Miss Brenda Leo                        [email protected]        32576

Member            Mrs Patricia Clark                      [email protected]               32507  

 

Correspondence for the Charity should be sent to Mrs Helene Williams, Secretary, St Helenian Emergency Relief Fund, P.O. Box 515, Stanley, Falkland Islands, FIQQ 1ZZ.

 

The Charity will be commencing fundraising in the near future, and is also seeking corporate sponsorship.  Interested persons or Companies are invited to contact any of the committee members, who will be pleased to speak further about the aims and future plans.

 

An account is being opened at the Standard Chartered Bank in Stanley.  Details of this will be made public in due course, in the mean time anyone wishing to contribute towards the Charity are asked to contact a member of the Executive Committee.  Invitations to join the Charity will soon be made, the Executive Committee extend a warm welcome to anyone St Helenian or not to join and help a fellow human in a time of need.

 

This Press Release is made on behalf of the Executive Committee.

 

John Clifford

Chairperson

3^rd March 2004

 

 

FIBS NEWS DIRECT: WEDNESDAY, 03 FEBRUARY 2004

 

ARGENTINE DEFENCE EXPENDITURE:

 

Argentine President, Mr. Kirshner, has discussed defence issues in his opening address to the new Legislature of the Argentine Congress.  Despite the country’s financial troubles, Argentina is to build five new multi-purpose high seas patrol vessels at a total cost of around $120Million USD.  The vessels will be used for patrolling , submarine rescue and Antarctic support, surface rescue and fire fighting.   The country is also developing a prototype of a new kind of radar and plans to build 20 of the new models as well as buying three other radar and refurbishing it’s existing radar network.  Kirshner is said to have only made a brief, neutral reference to the Falklands in his speech. 

 

COURT NEWS:

 

Senior Aircraftsman, Keith McGlaughlin was fined £500.00 in Court this morning after pleading guilty to Assault.  He admitted head-butting Lt. William Paxton in Deanos Bar last Thursday after Lt. Paxton looked at him and said to a friend that he looked like Robbie from East Enders.   The blow made Lt. Paxton fall backwards into a table, spilling the drinks of a group from HMS Glasgow, who were sitting there.  The atmosphere grew extremely fraught, according to Crown Prosecutor, Graham Cripps, until one of McGlaughlin’s friends gave them £10.00 to buy more drinks.

 

McGlaughlin told the Court he was extremely sorry for his actions and apologised to the victim, residents of Stanley and everyone else involved.  He told Senior Magistrate, Nick Sanders that he hoped the incident would only reflect badly on himself as an individual and not on the RAF as a whole.  Squadron Leader, Chris Breadon appeared as a character witness and told the Court the attack was completely out of character.

 

McGlaughlin was also ordered to pay £150.00 compensation and £70.00 costs and banned from Pubs in Stanley for 3 months.

 

SWIMMING GALA:

 

It’s time for water babies to get into training for the Standard Chartered Bank Swimming Gala, which is due to be held at the Leisure Centre on the Afternoon of April the 3^rd.  Recreation Manager, Steve Dent, says there will be races for everyone including width races for youngsters and more challenging distances for competitive swimmers.  Medals will be awarded for each race and a trophy will be presented to the best senior Male and Female Swimmers and also to the two Best Juniors.  Steve says this will be the first of a number of swimming events held this year.  They will lead up to the Commonwealth Youth Games in Australia later in the year and the Island Games in Shetland in 2005.  For more information, contact the Leisure Centre.  Applications should be handed in with entry forms by March the 29^th.

 

COMMITTEE NEWS:

 

The Housing Committee met today in the Liberation room at the Secretariat to discuss the allocation of quarters to contract officers.

 

ON THEIR WAY NORTH:

 

The Dash-7 and three Twin Otters have arrived into Stanley Airport over the last few days.  Two Twin Otters flew in on Sunday followed by the Dash-7 and the final Twin Otter.  All aircraft are due to leave the Islands on Thursday heading to Montevideo and then on to Canada.

 

FISHING/SHIPPING AND HARBOUR NEWS:

 

Fisheries Operations report today that catches are reasonable, with 72 vessels fishing in the zone.  There are two reefers, Vega and Frio Carera in Berkley Sound, along with the tanker, Typhoon.  French Yacht, Pendinx VI arrived into Stanley this morning, as did the RRS Earnest Shackleton, which is here until Saturday.  She will be joined by the RRS James Clark Ross on Friday.

 

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