FINN(COM) DAILY RECORD: FRIDAY, 05 NOVEMBER 2004
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
INTERNET ITEMS
DIPLOMAT
A former diplomat says he thinks the world will finally act together to prevent climate change. Sir Crispen Tickel, speaking in Cambridge, says that urgent action is needed because climate change is even more serious than terrorism. He says there is six main threats pushing our environment to the edge. He says these include population increase, land degradation and waste, water pollution and the destruction of bio diversity. Mr. Tickel was delivering the first in a series of lectures organised by, among others, the British Antarctic Survey.
SAMA’82 DVD:
A Documentary style movie about the Falklands is now up for sale. It’s about the 20th anniversary of the Conflict. It follows the emotional journey of 200 veterans, SAMA’82 members, and relatives of the fallen. The movie is called “The Pilgrimage” and it was made over 8 years. According the “News and Star” it is very much a one man show driven by Richard McReedy’s fascination with the Falklands War. At 35, Mr. McReedy was a teenager when he saw the conflict footage on Television. He said the images had a lasting impact on him. One day he decided to make the film himself rather than watching others made by other people. The film covers the war’s history with footage from across the Islands, original news footage and all the major scenes of battle. He also includes interviews with men and women who participated in the war. The DVD costs £19.99 with a donation from each sale going to SAMA’82. Copies are available at http://www.thepilgrimage.co.uk.
FIBS NEWS DIRECT: 05 NOVEMBER 2004
COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT:
The Police committee is looking into introducing a fixed penalty system for minor traffic offences. A paper put forward by Committee Member, Mr. Andy Brownlee, has been agreed in principle. Chief of Police, Dave Morris, says the idea is in the early stages at the moment, as the introduction of fixed penalty charges will need a change to the Constitution. The relevant section currently reads:
“If any persons charged with a criminal offence, unless the charge is withdrawn, he shall be afforded a fair hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial Court established by law.”
Dave Morris says he feels the fixed penalty system will go ahead in the future for minor road traffic offences and says it will be discussed again at a later date.
POINTS SYSTEM FOR HOUSING:
A new point system for all Government Housing applications could be adopted by FIG. This was looked at by Wednesday’s Housing Committee meeting, when a discussion paper was presented of the policy for returning students looking at the options for inclusion on the Student priority list for mobile homes. It was decided not to make a decision on the change of the policy of housing students but to link it in with the points system. Housing Officer, Glen Williams, believes the point system set up in the ‘80s and wasn’t very successful, saying the one that could be set up now would be fair and impartial to everybody. A draft paper of the system has been prepared by the Housing Officer, which will be discussed by the next housing meeting. They will be looking at the best way to introduce the system here as in a small community there is very limited housing. Glen says they have been looking at the points based system in the UK, especially that in a small community. The system would work by awarding points for circumstances such as a single mother, number of children, income and current housing. It wouldn’t be known until the system is set up if it will have a negative affect on a particular group. Those already in Government Housing will not be affected by the system although Glen says there will be options concerning conditions people are housed in but no one will be evicted.
PENCIL LANE:
A student who chose the winning name for the road next to the Infant/Junior School has been named. Sally Heathman (SH) from the school chose the name Pencil Lane, which was approved by EXCO last week. Sian Ferguson (SF) asked her how old she is.
SH: I am 10 years old and I am in year 6.
SF: And, were you quite excited when you were told that your name for the school street had been chosen?
SH: Absolutely. I was excited.
SF: What actually made you think of the name, Pencil Lane?
SH: I couldn’t think of anything but I had a pencil in my hand so I just put Pencil Lane Down.
SF: Did you have any other ideas for the name?
SH: I had School Lane and Police Street.
SF: And what did you think of the Governor’s idea that Jailbreak Lane would be a good suggestion?
SH: I thought it was quite funny but I didn’t want to say that out loud because of other people - what they might think.
SF: Are your parents and family proud of you?
SH My Mom’s quite happy and Dad’s very happy and my Sister’s all right about it.
OCTOBER WEATHER:
The Met Office stats for October show a fair amount of variety with fine weather at the start with reasonable temperatures contrasting with cold weather at times. In the second half, there was a period of strong north-west winds. High pressure and fine weather initially brought temperatures up to 16.4C on the 6th and the period up to the 14th was generally above average. The mean maximum is slightly above average. The lowest minimum temperature was -.09C on the 24th and there were two nights of air frost and fifteen nights of ground frost during the month. Rainfall was below average by 5mm and the highest total was 5.1 on the 22nd. Snow fell on three days throughout October and there was a small amount laying on the morning of the 27th only. Sunshine was far above average with 191.3 hours against the average of 175. The sunniest day of the month was the 12th with 12.5 hours of sun. Most of the strong winds and gales experienced in October occurred in the 1st half with a total of 4 days of gales.. The highest gust recorded was 58kts.
HALF MAST:
The Union Flag is flying at half-mast today for the funeral of HRH Princess Alice, who died last Friday, just 2 months short of her 103rd birthday. She was the aunt of HM the Queen. The Duchess of Gloucester died peacefully in her sleep at Kensington Palace. She served the nation for many decades in her Royal duties, working for numerous charities and supporting the Armed Forces throughout war and peace. The British Monarchy’s website has set up a memorial site for the Princess, which includes extensive information of her life, details of funeral arrangements and an online book of condolence. You can visit it at:
BONFIRE NIGHT:
Tonight some of you will be setting off fireworks and lighting bonfires for Guy Fawkes night. But what are the dangers involved? Liz Elliot (LE) spoke to Andrew Miller (AM) from the Fire and Rescue Service.
AM: Try and buy fireworks marked with the British Standard 7144. There are two main outlets that are selling them here. They are covered by that. Try not to drink too much or any alcohol when you are setting off the fireworks and display. It’s not only for your safety but for everyone around you. Keep your fireworks in a closed box so that they are safe. Try and follow the instructions. You can have some very nasty accidents if you don’t. When you are lighting them, do so at arm’s length. Stand well back and don’t go near any fireworks that have been already lit and don’t seem to go off because it may explode and can burn you very badly. Always supervise children with fireworks. Do not let them get close at all. Be aware of your neighbours. When it goes up, it looks nice but there’s a big stick that comes down. Please be aware of where it comes down so that you don’t upset someone else. Be aware, if you can, keep your pets indoors because they will get very frightened. Horses in town or back of town, be aware of them.
LE: What about Bonfires?
AM: Be aware of what’s downwind because the wind will take sparks and small flames away. So, if you are having it in town, be aware of the neighbours and anything downwind because just because a fire is in one area it doesn’t mean it is going to stay there.
LE: So, a final word?
AM: Please be safe with your fireworks and have a good night.
SF: The Royal Falkland Islands Police would like to remind you that it is an offence to cast fireworks on to the road.
HARBOUR, FISHING AND SHIPPING NEWS:
The tanker, Libra, is in Berkley Sound, reefer, Captain McKeef was in this morning for a crew change with the Libra but has now left for Ushuaia. The Frio Marathon is in Berkley Sound to bunker with the Libra and the Tamar is at East Jetty. There are 14 vessels fishing in the zone. Catches have dropped over the last couple of days to an average of 8.75 tonnes.
(100X Transcription Service)
