PRESS RELEASE

 

 

 

 

The Argentine Families Commission has sought the agreement of the Falkland Islands Government to a day visit by a small group from the Commission to the Argentine Memorial at Darwin on Friday 6 August, to enable them to conduct a short ceremony to mark the completion of construction work.   Councillors have given their agreement to this visit.

 

The visitors will be no more than twelve in number and will not include any Argentine  politicians or officials.

 

The visitors will travel by private aircraft, under the terms of the understanding on private flights concluded in February 2001.

 

QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST COMMENDATION FOR RAF CORPORAL

 

RAF Corporal Dave Molyneux has been awarded a commendation by the Air Officer Commanding Number 1 Group in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2004 for his exceptional contribution to both the services and the community. 

 

Corporal Molyneux, who has just completed a four-month tour with 1435 Flight at MPA, is returning to Leuchars, Scotland to collect his award at a formal presentation to be held in the Officers' Mess.

 

Wing Commander Richard Duance, the Commanding Officer of Falkland Islands Air Wing at MPA, had the pleasure of breaking the news to a surprised Corporal Molyneux.  He said, "It gave me great pleasure to present this award to Cpl Molyneux which, by his response on the day, he clearly did not expect.  His contribution to both the Service and the community at RAF Leuchars has been considerable and it is most satisfying to see it recognised through a Commendation from Air Officer Commanding 1 Gp."

 

Cpl Molyneux was described as the 'driving force behind many innovative continual improvement initiatives' by Wing Commander M Quigley, the Officer Commanding Engineering and Supply Wing at RAF Leuchars who also said that Cpl Molyneux's 'enthusiasm and professionalism had been an inspiration to others'.

 

As well as his exceptional performance in the workplace, Cpl Molyneux was recognized for his selfless dedication to charity work.  In support of the Rose Lane Community Centre, St Andrews, he voluntarily used his qualifications to write risk assessments for its renovation and he was instrumental in helping to support the Christian Charity 'Kids Aloft' to send 40 children to Scotland from Belarus, near Chernobyl, whose inhabitants continue to suffer from the effects of contamination.  Doctors estimate that every week spent away from their polluted environment can increase the children's life expectancy by a year.  It also provides them with new clothes, medicals and a trip of a lifetime.  Cpl Molyneux and his wife hosted two 12-year-old girls from an orphanage as part of the scheme.

 

The charity 'Families First' is another organization that has benefited from Cpl Molyneux's initiative.  At a primary school in St Andrews, he helped to set up a breakfast club providing food for children who arrived without having had breakfast. 

 

Cpl Molyneux undoubtedly makes an impact wherever he goes and during his tour in the Falkland Islands, he chose to use his short amount of leave not to go away on holiday, but instead to spend his time using his DIY skills to complete various renovation jobs at the Tabernacle Church in Stanley and also at the Seamen's Mission. 

 

Promoted to Sergeant in September, Cpl Molyneux is an exceptional, modest man who thoroughly deserves to have gained the recognition he has achieved in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

 

Capt. J. Hamlin, MPA Media Ops

THE CHAMPION SHOT OF THE RAF FOR 2004 – THE QUEEN’S MEDAL

 

Flight Lieutenant Conrad Allen has beaten the 11 times winner of an RAF Skill at Arms Meeting at Bisley, UK to become the champion shot of the RAF for 2004 and proud owner of the coveted Queen's Medal.  Since 1953, owing to repeat winners, there have only been 28 Queen’s Medals presented and holders are permitted to wear it on their uniform making it unique, in as much as all other medals worn on uniform are awarded. 

 

Competition was fierce and going into the final match there was 12 points separating the top two competitors, Conrad, who has just started a four month tour at MPA, and Chief Technician John Pictor who had appeared almost unbeatable after holding the title for 11 years. Only 25 points separated the top 5 competitors.  The weather was far from calm it was going to be a difficult match for all concerned.  After the first 3 practices of the Match’s 5, the top 2 were all square with Conrad having conceded his earlier advantage.  It was going to be down to whether or not he could hold his nerve in very difficult windy conditions interspersed with heavy rain.  The pressure was on Conrad as John had been in this situation on many occasions and with only 2 practices to go he could easily have won.

 

The penultimate practice was a 25 second exposure of 2 figure 11 targets (full man) with 5 shots being fired at each from the sitting position. The wind, aided by the rain, had taken its toll on people’s concentration but as the dust settled and the scores came up Conrad had managed to pull back a 4 point advantage by scoring 48 out of 50.  The pressure was back on John.  To guarantee winning John would have to shoot a maximum, which for those conditions was far from an easy task.  A two day break during the rifle competition while many of the same competitors took part in pistol matches only added to the pressure.

 

On the final day and the final match it had all come down to the last 10 shots which were to be fired on a small figure 12 target (half man) displayed at 300 yards for 3 seconds at a time over a 2 metre frontage.  This particular practice took considerable skill as the wind was constantly changing and gusting strongly.  With only 4 points difference and a possible 50 still available it really was anyone’s match.  Lying on the wet ground in the rain, concentrating on the sight picture, assessing the wind and waiting for the target to appear was uncomfortable and mentally stressful.  After the tenth shot over the 5 minute period the order to unload was given and the tension was felt by everyone present.

 

Most competitors by now were keeping their own tally on the medal position and when the scores came up all eyes turned first to Conrad’s target and then to John’s, both had scored 45 out of 50.  It took several seconds for the penny to drop before we realised we had a new Queen’s Medal Winner, the 28^th winner and newest member to this very select club.  The medal was presented during a tri-service ceremony before the tradition of being ‘chaired’ off the range took place. The 3 Queen’s Medallists were carried on sedan chairs around the Bisley range complex and back to their respective clubhouses for a well deserved beer.  Conrad is only the 5^th member of the RAF Regt to win the Queen’s Medal.  He said, ‘It’s great to win the Queen’s medal especially as the competition was fought in harsh conditions and to the end it was a battle for placings amongst the top five’.

 

Capt. J. Hamlin MPA Media Ops

 

 

FIBS NEWS DIRECT: 15 July 2004

 

YOUTH DENIES ASSAULT IN COURT:

 

A youth denied a charge of assault when he appeared before a panel of Justices of the Peace this morning.  The assault on another youth was alleged to have occurred on 03 June.  The case has been adjourned for two weeks, when a pre-trial review is expected to take place.

 

PENALTIES FOR SHOOTING ON PRIVATE LAND:

 

The Attorney General’s Office has issued warnings about the penalties for shooting on private land without the consent of Land Owners.  Lawyers say they have been receiving complaints from land owners about the problem and are reminding the culprits that they could face 6 months in prison and a fine of up to £3,000.00 if they are found on private land with a gun and no permission to be there.  Shooting livestock without the owner’s consent can be prosecuted as Criminal Damage and shooting any protected species is a criminal offence, punishable with a fine of up to £3,000.00.  The AG’s Department also warns that using a firearm for any unlawful purpose is a criminal offence, which could get you up to 7 years in prison and a fine of up to £2,000.00

 

FARMERS’ WEEK:

 

The Department of Agriculture sessions have been continuing at the Argos building today with the Vets talking about this year at the Abattoir.  Damian O’Sullivan reviewed some weather statistics and Neil Judd talked about the Sheep Meat industry.

 

Pasture improvement took up most of yesterday afternoon’s sessions.  Neil Judd went through key factors and discussed issues such as the cost to farmers of calcified seaweed.  A lot of farmers thought that the locally produced fertiliser was far more expensive than it should be.  Farmers were also told that they needed to get their plans in before the end of September to be eligible for funding this season.  This afternoon, Doug Martin and Damian O’Sullivan gave an overview of the Beef industry.  At 1700 there was an AGM of the Sheep Owners Association in the Chamber of Commerce.

 

TAKING TO THE WATER:

 

The Falklands Conservation watch group are taking to the water at the Stanley Leisure Centre on Saturday morning to raise money for their activities.  They will be taking part in a sponsored swim between 1100 and 1800.  The distance to be swum is 40 miles. Helpers and supporters are welcome.  Donations will be taken at the desk.  Money will allow the Watch Group to go to many venues throughout the Islands.  Standard Chartered Bank are sponsors and they are thanked for their support throughout the last two years.  Their on-going support has been offered indefinitely for the future. 

 

The next Falklands Conservation meeting will take place on July 28^th at the Chamber of Commerce.  The meeting will discuss Conservation’s role in Community Education and public awareness raising.

 

POLISH REQUEST:

 

Staff at Lookout Lodge say they have received an e-mail from a Polish individual with a request for them to send the smallest denomination Falkland Islands bank note to add to his foreign bank note collection.  While it may well be a genuine request, the Lookout Lodge crew are suggesting that everyone in the Islands should keep an eye out for similar requests in their In Boxes in case the e-mail is from someone with a rather less honest interest in collecting large bundles of cash from unsuspecting well wishers.