FINN (COM) Daily Record: 12 January 2004

By J. Brock (FINN)

Local and international volunteers have supported Falklands Conservation over the past few years. Without their help and support, many projects sponsored by the charity would be impossible to complete. Falklands Conservation are keen to more effectively assess the volunteer skills available to them in the Islands. The scheme would make volunteering more enjoyable and satisfying experience as well as increasing productivity for Falklands Conservation.

Until now, Falklands Conservation tended to use volunteers on an ad hoc basis. Now, the new volunteer register will help improve the system, as it will give them a list of people to target when projects become available. The more effective method will ensure that more interested people will get an opportunity to lend a hand. Initially, if you volunteer, it won’t change your busy life in any way – that is unless you don’t want to do anything with your registration. Falklands Conservation understands that people live busy lives. Register, then your interests will be known to Falklands Conservation for possible participation in a project.

If you want to be included on the register, then a form is available from Falklands Conservation (at the Jetty Centre) that asks for your contact details and area of interest as well as a little information. Particular skills relevant to them are of interest to the wildlife charity. It also would be helpful to Falklands Conservation to know when you would be available.

Forms also will be distributed with the January newsletter. Those who fill in the forms with their interests will be given priority for projects. Falklands Conservation say, however, they would be delighted with the registration of people willing to help in any way.

Those already working with Falklands Conservation are also asked to fill out a form and they apologise for the extra paperwork. They are pleased with people’s contributions in their free time with transport, especially of supplies, and passing on information. Those who regularly help out are asked to advise Falklands Conservation on how to do things more efficiently.

Falklands Conservation would like to thank everyone who has helped out in any way and they point out that it is an important contribution in a special environmental area like ours.

By J. Brock (FINN)

The Rt. Reverend, David Connor, Dean of Windsor and Bishop of the Armed Forces has confirmed three people: Dr. Roger Diggle, Hannah Arthur-Almond and Beverley Lee into the Church of England at a specially arranged service at Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday evening. There was a robed choir in attendance as well as a full congregation.

After the welcome and notices by the Rev. Paul Sweeting, the hymn "Praise My Soul The King of Heaven was sung and the collect read. The first reading by Daphne Arthur-Almond was Acts 8: 14 to 17. The Gospel reading by Keith Biles was from Luke 3: 15-17 and 21-22.

In his sermon, Bishop Connor talked about being called by name to God’s service and that Confirmation in the Church completes that call. He also said that it was a personal call to Christ that the Candidates decided to answer and that made it unique to them. These words were followed by the hymn "Father, Hear The Prayer We Offer."

The Confirmation then took place, with each Candidate stating that they had been baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost and that they were ready to take the further step of Confirmation. The congregation then was asked whether they rejected the devil and all rebellion against God, whether they denounce deceit and corruption of evil, did they repent of sins, turn to Christ and accept him as the way, the truth and the life. They jointly answered in the affirmative to all the questions.

Kneeling before the Bishop, the candidates were addressed personally by him and then confirmed. Holy Eucharist, conducted by Rev. Paul Sweeting and Bishop Connor followed the ceremony and after the blessing and dismissal there was an opportunity to meet the Bishop over refreshments.

By J. Brock (FINN)

With the honoured guests, including the one with the speech, still aloft in the Tristar, H. E. the Governor, Mr Howard Pearce, stepped into the breach and became Pooh Bah of sorts, at Myriam Booth’s retirement ceremony, held at the Chamber of Commerce Building on Thursday evening. "Unfortunately, they can’t be here for this very special occasion this evening," he said. "So if you look at me, just imagine looking at a member of the House of Lords, the Chief Executive of the National Environmental Research Council, the Director of British Antarctic Survey and so on," he continued. It was John Lawton, Chief Executive of the National Environment Research Council, which is actually the volume of British Antarctic Survey, who should have been delivering the speech.

The "They" Mr. Pearce referred to, not only included Professor Lawton but also Professor Chris Rapley, Director of British Antarctic Survey and Dr. David Walton, BAS’s Chief Scientist. Included in the prestigious group were Lord Parry Mitchell, Baroness Joan Walmsley, Lord Oxborough and Clerk, Rebecca Neal of the House of Lords Science and Technology select Committee.

"And, this is a very sad occasion, really," he went on, "to say sort of farewell to her and especially to say a very, very bit thank-you for the work that she has put in for the British Antarctic Survey here in the Falklands over - dare I say it – forty three years." At this point, however, Myriam was wreathed in smiles.

Myriam began to work for British Antarctic Survey when the office staffed seventy or eighty people. By the time Myriam retired, there was only one – herself- in the office. This meant that over those years, as the numbers diminished to the single figure, Myriam had to take on more and more tasks, "and become extraordinarily flexible, adaptable and all those sorts of very sterling qualities, which we associate with her," the Governor said.

In the early years of British Antarctic Survey, it was forbidden for women to travel to the Antarctic. But it was only in 1982, when Myriam had already been working for the Survey for 20 years, that the British Antarctic Survey took an extraordinarily difficult and revolutionary step to allow a woman down into the Antarctic. That woman was Myriam. She was able to go again in the late ‘90s on the Dash – 7 Aircraft.

There are many, many people who work for the Survey – F. I. D. S. – as they are still called – who are extremely grateful to Myriam for all her help and assistance over these many years. For that assistance, she has been recognised with the Fuchs Medal as well as an MBE. Myriam has another distinction, in that she is the longest serving member or any Organisation, which comes under the umbrella of the National Environment Research Council in the UK.

"It’s a very special thing for Falklands to be a forward base for the Survey, concluded Mr. Pearce. "Thank you for everything that you have done during those many, many years."

Myriam was then presented with an engraved lead-crystal bowl. After the traditional toast with Champaign, Myriam had her own back.

"Thank-you everyone. I am not one for speeches but over the last forth-three years, I have seen highs and lows, ins and outs and good and bad," she said. "In BAS, this last year has not been a good one. But we just go on and think of the good times." She went on.

"I’m not going to tell tales out of school. I am leaving BAS in the Good hands of Pauline Sackett, who, in this day and age is a computer whiz kid. And that’s what you need in this world. I know nothing about computers. So, I am quite happy to say so long. I’ll be around if needed."

By J. Brock (SARTMA)

Members of the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology are in the Antarctic conducting an investigation into international treaties – in this case, the Antarctic Treaty – and looking at the British Antarctic Survey’s science programme with a view to procuring funding for the next few years. Along with the group is Dr. Andrew Tyler of the Science, Innovation and Technology Board, who chairs the review of the British Antarctic Survey’s new suite of scientific programmes. Professor Chris Rapley, Chairman of British Antarctic Survey, Professor David Walton, BAS’s Chief scientist is also in the group, as well as Professor John Lawton, Chief Executive of the Natural Environment Research Council (Bas Parent Body).

Members of the Lords Select Committee, who travelled via BAS Aircraft Dash – 7, are :

Lord Parry Mitchell, Baroness Joan Walmsley and Lord Ron Oxborough. Ms. Rebecca Neal, Clerk to the Committee, also was on the mission, along with Ms. Linda Capper, Head of Public Relations and Mr. David Adam, Science writer for the Guardian Newspaper. Mr. Adam is doing a series of features and news articles about BAS Science at Rothera Research Station.

GOVERNOR TO ONION RANGE:

As well as the more serious side of the job, H. E. the Governor also has the chance occasionally to have some fun. Last week, the RAF SeaKing Search and Rescue Helicopter flew in to pick up its VIP visitor and whisked the Governor off to Onion Range for the morning. The purpose of the visit to the range was to see what use was actually made of the live-fire area. But there were perks in the form of a blast on a machine gun, throwing a grenade and firing off a mortar and a rifle as well as watching the RIC go through the motions of a platoon attack.

CAPE PEMBROKE HALF MARATHON:

It’s time to get those running shoes on and practice for the Cape Pembroke Half Marathon, which is happening on the 15th of February. The event is organised by the Stanley Running Club who say that the entry fee for the race is £6.00. The fun starts at 1100 at the Totem Pole on the Stanley Airport Road and finishes up at Victory Green. Entry forms are available from the Leisure Centre, the Hillside Gym and the MPA Gym, or alternatively, you can pick one up from Fran Biggs. There are prizes fro individuals and teams of 4. And even the veterans don’t m miss out. Check-in is at the Leisure Centre on the day between 1000 and 1030. And at 1400, why not head back there for the prize giving ceremony?

WHO WILL BE THE VICTORS:

The challenge has been thrown down but who will be the victors? The RAF Fire Brigade have challenged the Army and the Navy to a charity truck-pull. All of the money raised from the event will be split between B. L. E. S. M. A. and Fusilier Hurst from the RIC who slipped and shot himself in the leg on Onion Range just before Christmas. The challenge has been set for Friday morning at 0930 and will see the teams pull a fire truck the entire length of the main Air Support Apron, which is where the Tristar sits when she’s on the Ground.

WAR MEMORIAL NAMES ARE NOT ALL FALKLANDS VETERANS GENERAL CLAIMS:

A former Commander in Chief of the Argentine Army has claimed that at least 17 of the 649 names engraved on the Falklands War Memorial, still in Buenos Aires, were not killed during the conflict. General Martin Balza, along with Marcello Sanchez, who is president of the Committee of Former Combatants, make the claim in a Buenos Aires magazine. They say they have been investigating the issue for several years and believe the irregularities date back to 1983.

General Balza said, "We know for certain two names on the Memorial belonging to the Army never set foot on the Islands. One drowned on Puerto Desiado and the other died of a pancreas disease in hospital. Eleven of those named were killed when their helicopter crashed in Santa Cruze Province on April 30th 1982. Mr. Sanchez adds, "We don’t want to offend or harm families but all this must be made clear. Soldiers died carrying mines, of hart attacks and even from stray shots on duty but never in combat. We must respect those who died in combat and their families."

FIVE FLASHERS ON PHILOMEL HILL:

Police were called out to several incidents over the weekend. Just after 1400 on Friday afternoon, Police were told there had been an accident by Pony's Pass Quarry. One vehicle was involved and had only minor damage after going into the ditch. On Saturday at 1820, a loose power cable was reported on Brandon Road. The Power and Electrical Department were told and they disconnected the line. Finally on Sunday at 1745, Police were called to Philomel Hill where a group of men were reported to be laying in the road. Two of the men were spoken to and warned before being sent on their way. But just over an hour later, another call was received to say there were 5 men exposing themselves outside the Victory Bar. A taxi driver had refused to pick the men up as they were so drunk and they had wandered down to the Globe where they started exposing themselves again. When Police arrived the men became abusive. Four of them were arrested for various offences.

DEATH NOTICE:

Sad news today of the death of Francis Crease in the UK. Mrs. Crease was Matron of KEMH after WWII. And, her husband, Martin, was Office Manager of FIC until his retirement. The couple retired to England in the late 1960s. Mrs. Crease, who died peacefully on Saturday, is survived by one son, Dermot.

(100X Transcription Service)