Local News From FIBS:
Raft Race
There was a poor turnout to yesterday’s raft race with just four rafts challenging each other for top spot.
Three of these rafts held it together to finish the race but one built by members of the FIDF unfortunately fell to pieces and sank. Leaving the four crew floating in the harbour – before being quickly rescued by the safety boats.
The winners overall were Johnny Ray’s team consisting of Steve Dent, David Fife and Rich from BAS. They went off to a flying start and finished miles ahead of the rest.
The students raft made it to the finish line with help from a tow-rope. And at one point because of a lack of opposition to throw their flour bombs at the crew turned on one another.
After the race there was a prize giving in the Narrows Bar – with acting governor, Russ Jarvis giving the awards for four categories. There was also a barbecue provided by Hillside.
In spite of the poor turnout for the race there were many spectators lining Ross Road East between B Slip and the finish line at the Narrows Bar.
Cards
And finally a card designed by a five-year-old has been sent to many destinations around the world including the Falklands. Sophie Milligan won a competition jointly organised by Erith and Thamesmead MP John Austin.
The MP then sent her card to over one thousand destinations for display.
Weather
In contrast to the month before, December was milder, sunnier and drier than normal.
The mean maximum temperature was more than a degree and a half above usual at nearly sixteen degrees. Temperatures ranged from 1.2 to 21.9 degrees. There were two nights with ground frost and none with air frost.
It rained seven millimetres less than in an average December, with more than a third of this falling in one day.
It hailed six times but didn’t snow at all and there were nearly two hundred and fifty four hours of sunshine. Compared to the long-term average of two hundred and thirty three.
Mean wind speed was slightly less than usual with gales on six days.
Marco Polo
The Marco Polo has been visiting Stanley today.
She arrived into port just after seven this morning and stayed until five this afternoon.
There are five hundred and eleven passengers and nine hundred and seventeen crew on board.
Polar
A forgotten polar hero is being commemorated one hundred years after his first Antarctic venture.
Scottish explorer William Bruce could be awarded the highest honour for polar explorers.
His well-managed journey to Antarctica lasted a year and a half with no losses of life. And saw him map out many uncharted parts of coastline along Antarctica as well as discovering many new species.
The Daily Record reports that a series of events are being held to mark the anniversary, with the Royal Scottish Geographical Society renewing their efforts to have him honoured with the medal.
Bruce became interested in Oceanography while serving as a ship’s surgeon on a Dundee whaling fleet, which sailed to the Falklands in 1892.
Wireless
And finally because of BFBS’ Wireless for the Blind Radio Auction there will be no on-air activity from the FIBS studios between five O’ Clock and midnight tomorrow.
