S.Atlantic : Sartma Daily (02/09/05)
Submitted by SARTMA.com (Juanita Brock) 02.09.2005 (Article Archived on 09.09.2005)
A Quick Overview of South Atlantic News
SARTMA DAILY (02/09/05)
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
CONTENTS
Section 1: Article by FINN
Section 2: Business News from St. Helena
Section 3: Announcements
Section 4: FIRS News Direct
Section 1:
WATCH OUT CANADA, HERE COMES THE QUEEN’S BATON
By J. Brock (FINN)
After an exciting two days in which the Queen’s Baton travelled on West and East Falkland by plane, quad bike, Land Rover, horse, foot, helicopter, and the HMS Dumbarton Castle, plans for its onward journey to Canada via the LAN flight are being implemented.
On Friday the Baton was carried by the Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands, Commodore Ian Moncrieff, as well as school children, Sea Cadets, Scouts and Guides, public officials and retired people from Mount Pleasant Complex to Stanley.
Along with organiser, Steve Dent and local FIOGA Chairman, Patrick Watts, Mr. Mike Hooper, the Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation followed the runners, walkers, horse rider’s bikers, pilots, navigators and drivers on both islands.
The Baton reached Stanley at approximately 1500, with the team coming off the Bypass at Rowlands Rise and running along Ross Road to Government House, where Gerald Cheek, handed the Baton to H. E. the Governor Mr. Howard Pearce.
After the handover H. E. the Governor Pearce said, “It is my great pleasure to welcome you all here this afternoon. Now, the Queen’s Baton Relay has been an integral part of the Commonwealth Games for almost 50 years, since the 1950s in Cardiff in Wales.
In fact, this year is a very special year because the Queen’s Baton relay unites the 18th Commonwealth Games in Melbourne with a record-breaking international fete. And, you are all taking part today in this record. Because, for the first time in history the Queen’s Baton Relay is visiting all 71 of the nations of the Commonwealth and this is making it the longest, most inclusive, most special relay ever.
Now, the scale of this relay allows communities who, never before witnessed the spectacle to participate in a festival of international proportions. And, out of the 71 countries, which the relay is visiting, over 60 of them will be hosting the relay for the first time. And, of course, it is the very first time that the Falkland Islands has had the honour to host this event.
Now, this global celebration has taken one year and one day and is going to provide thousands of people throughout the Commonwealth the opportunity to experience first hand the spirit of friendship, for which the Commonwealth Games is renowned.
So far the relay has visited some 48 countries, including St. Helena, Jersey, Guernsey, England, Uganda, Namibia, the Caribbean, Bermuda, Cayman Islands. And, when it leaves the Falkland Islands tomorrow, it’s travelling on to Canada.
We are delighted, as I say, that the relay team is visiting the Falkland Islands as it signals the lead-up to the games has begun.”
Everyone then gave a rousing cheer for the Baton, the team and everyone, who took part. Chairman of the Falkland Islands Overseas Games Association, Mr. Patrick Watts then spoke about the relay and quipped – rightly so – that this is the first country the Baton has visited in the Winter and that Steve Dent had his photo taken near a snowfield to prove it.
Then it was time for Mr. Mike Hooper, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Association, to say a few words. He said: “I have been fortunate enough to have been here for almost a week and I have to say how welcome you have made me feel. It has been a tremendous week. The people have been very warm and friendly. The time we spent with the Baton on West Falkland Yesterday and today with the relay was absolutely tremendous. Thanks to everybody on East and West Falkland. And it was a wonderful time.
As the Governor mentioned, the Baton will be visiting all the 71 nations of the Commonwealth. It actually carries a special message from H. M. the Queen that the Baton itself symbolises the call to all the athletes of the Commonwealth, including the Athletes from the Falkland Islands to assemble on the 15th of March next year to celebrate the 18th Commonwealth Games. Her Majesty herself has confirmed that she will be coming to the Games in Melbourne to personally deliver this message to the assembled athletes.
Thank you all for watching and taking part. I can assure you I will be back when we do this for Delhi.”
After the speeches the participants gathered on Government House lawn and had photographs taken with H. E. the Governor Mr. Howard Pearce and the Queen’s Baton.
Section 2:
BUSINESS NEWS FROM ST. HELENA
Press Release
On 26 August 2005, the Office of the Chief Secretary issued a press release stating that candidates who were standing in the 2005 General Election had been given the opportunity to speak to the electorate via TV. Full reasons were given in that Press Release.
The TV broadcast took place on 30 August with the majority of the candidates taking the opportunity to speak to the electorate.
There was a cost attached to the programme and it was publicly alleged that SHG had misappropriated funds when paying for the production.
Because of this, the Audit Department conducted an independent review of the expenditure. It concluded with the opinion that this expenditure has been appropriately incurred and financed in a manner which was in full compliance with St Helena Government’s financial regulations and contract regulations framework which exists to protect the public purse.
Public Relations/Information Office: Office of the Chief Secretary, 2 September 2005
Section 3:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Rod and line fishing season has begun in the Falklands on 01 September 2005. It is expected to last until 01 May 2006.
Section 4:
FIRS NEWS DIRECT: 02 SEPTEMBER 2005
Compiled by Amy Johnson (AJ) and Stacy Bragger (SB)
QUEEN’S BATON PROGRESS:
The queen’s Baton is on the second leg of its journey around the Falklands today I asked Corina Bishop (CB) to give me an update on today’s event so far.
CB: It’s going very well. The first part of the run began from the Guard House at MPA rather than from HQBFSAI. The Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands, Commodore Ian Moncrieff started off with the Queen’s Baton and since then several participants have taken part including Cllr. John Birmingham and lots of school children, Sea Cadets and a variety of other people and all age ranges, really. The Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Mike Hooper, is also out here as well. He’s been travelling just behind the runners. The weather has held out and it’s not too hot, too windy and it’s not raining.
MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE MURRELL ROAD:
The Management Plan for the Murrell Road and River are currently being prepared. Consultant, Helen Ottley (HO), came into the studio to tell Amy Johnson more about it.
AJ: Why is the plan needed?
HO: It was agreed to have the road and the bridge built to cross at Matson’s point and they agreed that it would go across there only subject to a management plan. And, the idea is that I’m writing the management plan so that the road will continue and the bridge will be built across at Matson’s point. There was initially a lot of concern from the Community about the road’s existence and even the placement of the bridge but it was decided that the bridge will go across at Matson’s Point and the plan will be produced according to that plan.
AJ: What will the plan focus on?
HO: The plan is to focus on the increased recreational use of the area. It’s a unique situation for the Falklands in that the road, in particular, is going to open up a significant proportion of the Stanley Common and particularly a section, which has opportunities for trout fishing and for a scenic area, which is close to Stanley. Previously people who went to the Murrell River area were experienced Camp drivers or people that wanted to walk that far. But with the road being there, people will be able to drive from Stanley in less than 10 minutes so there is a lot of Community concern that having a lot more people going to the area is going to cause some negative impact. The plan is going to have two elements to it. The first is to come up with the mitigation measures for what we think will be he probable affects from people’s presence and from fishing efforts. So the plan might include things such as changing the fishing regulations, particularly for the Murrell River area so that we don’t find in 5 years’ time that the river has been fished out. The plan might include putting a car parking area in and rubbish bins. We might look at putting some signage down there to explain to people what might be some good things they could do so they reduce heir impact. And, we may even look at possibly changing the vehicle access to the Stanley Common in that vicinity.
SB: Helen says there has been a lot of concern from the public that the area may end up like Cape Pembroke, with a lot of vehicle tracks, adding that the Stanley Common is a beautiful area and that people don’t wish to see tracks spoiling the landscape.
HO: The second part of the plan is to try and establish a protocol that could be put into place if there is significant impact about to occur. So if the catch declines or if there is significant damage from vehicles. It depends upon the plan for the management and then we need to look at a protocol if things go wrong based on the management we decide on.
AJ: So, after you’ve done this now and you’ve done your management plan, then the construction of the road continues.
HO: What the Ex-co ruling made was they wouldn’t allow the road to continue and the bridge to go across it – Matson’s Point – until a management plan was prepared. So the plan will be submitted to Ex-co on September 9th and they will take the document and look at it. And, also it gives the public an opportunity, so we have about three weeks where the public can look at the document. More suggestions can be made to change the plan and then a final plan will be re-submitted to Ex-Co. I am hoping that if any members of the public have any concerns about the area and about the plan that I am producing, would they come and speak to me. I stress there is room for further consultation once we have a plan.
SB: Helen would welcome feedback from the public and, if you have any questions, she would be delighted to hear from you on 21993.
DARTS NEWS:
The Victory Bar Bonners Haulage Darts Tournament is taking place on Saturday night at the FIDF Hall. Willie Harvey (WH) came into the studio to tell me more about it.
WH: On Saturday night the doors open 1830 with games starting at 1900. We have 53 entries in the Ladies and 81 in the Men’s, which is a very good turn-out. I would like to start the first six games with Kenneth Jaffray against Boy Miranda, Nevall Hayward against Ken Aldridge, Ken McLearn against Shane Blackley, Neil Clifton against Willie Robson, Kathy Jake Jr. Vs Caroline McLearn and Ellen Ferguson Vs Lisa Jaffray. Other interesting games are Gary Clement Vs Lewis Morrison and Mark Pollard playing Colin Smith. There’s a chance for Mark to get his revenge. We’ve got a bar from 1830 till 0100.
KIDS ZONE:
The open day at Stanley Kids Zone takes place on Saturday. No. 3 Jersey Road will be open to the public from 1100 to 1500, when you can have a look around, meet the staff and see the facilities, which will be available to the children. This is an excellent opportunity for parents and children to see what progress is being made.
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING:
The Health and Social Services (Committee) meeting was held on the 23rd of August. Recruitment for the hospital was one of the items on the agenda. Dr. Davis and Dr. Edwards plan to job share starting this month. A replacement has been appointed for Dr. Combie, who leaves in December. The post in Social services has been offered to an applicant following an interview in the UK but confirmation is awaited to see if the post has been accepted. The new Ward Sister, Rose Vellie has taken up her post and the process for recruiting two staff nurses has started. The two locum dentists, which are due to leave (left) at the end of August (2005) and their place will be taken by two more locums. Malcolm Femlow has accepted the post of Engineering manager and there is a vacancy for an evening security officer.
GRAHAM PASCOE:
Graham Pascoe (GP) is here writing a history of the Falkland Islands. He came into the Studio to tell Stacy Bragger more about it.
GP: The book’s going to be called “The Falklands Saga: A Critical History of the Falkland Islands.” It’s critical because we attack all the nonsense that’s been written about the Falkland Islands for so many years in so many books. And, there’s a great deal of tremendous nonsense written by the Argentines, of course. What they say about the Jewett episode in 1820 – the Argentines say they sent a ship in 1820 captained by David Jewett to take possession of the Islands. When he got to Berkley Sound, he found 50 ships there and announced to their Captains that Buenos Aires laws would, from then on apply in the Islands and anyone caught fishing or sealing or whaling would be taken to Buenos Aires for trial. And all of that is complete nonsense except for one thing. They get his name right.
(100X Transcription and Monitoring Service)
Websites: http://www.falklandnews.com. http://www.tristantimes.com, http://www.the-islander.org.ac, http://www.sartma.com, http://www.news.co.sh
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