FIBS NEWS DIRECT: THURSDAY, 19 JUNE 2003
EXERCISE PURPLE STRIKE:
Exercise Purple Strike finished last week. I asked Captain Rachel McFayden (RM) how it went.
RM: Despite the snow, the dry phase of the exercise went very well. Essentially, it’s a land-based exercise, testing the RIC but obviously, our maritime and air assets are required to support them. And, they arrived in the area of Goose Green and Walker Creek and conducted a number of serials over the area there.
OTHER MILITARY NEWS:
The Military have been undertaking a mixed bag of tasks recently. And, despite the poor weather conditions, haven'’ been too badly affected by them. Capt. Rachel McFayden (RM) came into the studio to give us her regular round up. Firstly, I asked her what’s been happening on the maritime front.
RM: As part of our patrol programme. The HMS Leeds Castle has conducted a number of settlement visits recently. At the end of May, she visited Kepple and Saunders Islands and, as well as visiting the inhabitants of the Islands, whilst the crew was ashore, they took the opportunity to visit and maintain the various battle memorials that are over there. We now have an RFA tanker back with us. The Gold Rover arrived in Falklands waters on the 10th of June. But she has already been involved in a number of local events. She sailed into Stanley on the 12th of June and then on the 13th, hosted a supper party for invited members of the Local; Community and BFFI.
CG: On the land-side of things, the EOD were pretty busy during May.
RM: Yes. They were heavily involved with Exercise Cape Petrel, setting up simulated explosions and dealing with explosive devices that have been found. On the Stanley side, there was a high explosive grenade near the West Store at the beginning of the month and throughout the month there reported a number of shells in the local area. At the end of May, using Red-fire, they destroyed a number of anti vehicle and anti personnel mines that had been found in the minefields on Stanley Common.
CG: And, there is also a joint weapons training day between BFFI and FIDF.
RM: Flt. Lt. Ken Dodd, one of BFFI’s officers, organised the joint weapons familiarisation package. The idea is the BFFI personnel got to fire the FIDF Styar Weapons. And, FIDF personnel got to fire the SA80 and also the rifle mounted grenade launcher. The idea of the package is to build up working relationships that have been developed between BFFI and FIDF.
NEW VET ARRIVES FROM GHANA:
There’s soon to be a new vet gracing the hallways at the Department of Agriculture. Sue Harvey has been working as a vet for the past 18 years and has travelled to a variety of places around the world including Nepal, Zimbabwe as well as working in the United Kingdom. She is due to arrive in the Islands early next week for an over-lap period with Kevin Lawrence. Director of Agriculture, Peter Johnstone, says it is a valuable time for any new person coming into the Islands as it gives them a chance to hit the ground running instead of being thrown in at the deep end. Kevin is due to leave on the 12th of July after working here for two years.
FARMERS WEEK:
Farmers are getting ready for their annual round of meetings and fun. The action kicks off on the 30th when the Rural Business Association holds its AGM. Then, there’s the variety show to look forward to. That’s happening on the Thursday in the Town Hall.
RECOVERY IN BLUE WHALE NUMBERS:
Scientists are reporting the first sign of recovery in Blue Whale numbers. An article in the Daily Telegraph reports that estimates by the IWC are suggesting that the number of Blue Whales in the Antarctic may have risen to 1500. There were only around 500 in the 1970s It’s also reported there’s been an increase of sightings in the North Atlantic, too.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
There are three committee meetings happening next week. On Monday, the Energy Advisory Committee meeting is happening at 1330 in the Chamber of Commerce Function Room. Then, on Tuesday, it’s the Public Works Committee at the same time as the previous meeting but at Gilbert House. On Friday, Standing Finance Committee is meeting in the Liberation Room at the Secretariat at 0800.
PUBLIC MEETING:
This year’s Liberation Day Parade caused concern for local Scout Leader, Phil Middleton, who feels it was too much a Military Parade and not enough of a community event. He says it’s difficult enough persuading the Youth Groups to stand around in the cold for an hour, without them being pushed to one side. He says that in previous years there’s been more of a community involvement, with the exception of last year, when the 20th anniversary commemorations. It’s thought that the organisation might have happened in the way it did because last year’s parade orders were followed. He has also suggested that members of the Police and Fire Service could be invited to take part in future years.
AI NEWS:
The artificial insemination and embryo transfer programme has been continuing throughout this week without the help of Richard Lee, who left on Saturday. The AG Department staff who were trained up while he was here have been carrying out the remainder of the work on farms around the East. They are due to finish up on Saturday.
(100X Transcription Service)
RUSS JARVIS OPENS NEW CHARITY SHOP
By J. Brock (FINN)
Russ Jarvis, First Secretary at Government House, has opened the new charity shop on Fitzroy Road. In a few brief words before cutting the donated shocking pink scarf (more appropriate than a ribbon) he said that it seemed just like yesterday that he was approached by organisers and asked for permission to use porta-cabin behind No. 10 Drury Street for a charity shop. He went on to thank everyone who participated in the running of the old shop and the move to the new one, especially Anya Cofre, who kept everything running smoothly. He finished with welcoming all to the next stage of development in the charity shop.
First customer to enter the shop was Mrs. Doreen Clarke. Approximately 25 people followed her into the shop to browse and buy.
The building was donated to the "Bargains Galore Charity Shop" by Dick and Judith Sawle of Seaview Ltd., who also arranged for a professionally painted sign to go above the main entrance. Inside, a tastefully designed plaque said that the building was dedicated to those who lost their lives in the April 10th 1984 Hospital fire. The list includes: Mary Smith, Topsy McPhee, Barbara Chick, Mable Neilson, Fred Coleman, Gladys Fleuret and Teresa and Karen McGill.
"It’s always been a dream of mine, if I achieved anything in my life, to dedicate it to the memory of these people," said Anya Cofre. Anya, who was an auxiliry nurse at the time, knew all of them personally. "I was just off duty at 11pm on the night of the fire," she added.
Proceeds from Bargains Galore go to charity. Approximately £15,000.00 has been given, thus far, to various local charities as well as the Tristan da Cunha Disaster Appeal, by the Charity’s Trustees.
