S.Atlantic : Meet Tristan da Cunha's New Councillors
Submitted by SARTMA.com (Sarah Glass) 10.07.2010 (Current Article)

Photo of Tristan da Cunha’s new council: back row from left – Robin Repetto (councillor) Ian Lavarello (Chief Islander) Beverley Repetto (councillor) James Glass (Deputy President) Marion Green (councillor) Lorraine Repetto (councillor) Conrad Glass (councillor) Dereck Rogers (councillor) - Front row sitting from left, Anne Green (councillor) Dawn Repetto (councillor) David Morley (Administrator) Iris Green (councillor)

Photo (c) James Glass (Tristan Times

Tristan's new councillors say hello!

Tristan Da Cunha held elections in March but it wasn't until this month that all of them were together for this photo

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Tristan : Tristan Celebrates Queen's Day 2009
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 02.04.2009 (Current Article)

Queen’s Day this year was held on Friday 27th March. Conrad Glass the Chief Islander/Policeman rang the dong at around 6am on the morning so that all the islanders knew that Queen’s Day had begun.

Photos (C) James Glass (Tristan Times)

TRISTAN CELEBRATES QUEEN’S DAY 2009

Children's Sack Race

Queen’s Day this year was held on Friday 27th March. Conrad Glass the Chief Islander/Policeman rang the dong at around 6am on the morning so that all the islanders knew that Queen’s Day had begun.

  These are the results and competitions that where held this year:

 EVENTS                                     FIRST/PRIZE                                       SECOND PRIZE

Fishing Competition -            AdultsWarren Glass 55.2cm           Nicky Swain 54.7cm

Fishing Competition –   Children

                                      (5-16 yrs)Patrick Green 51.8cm         Dean Repetto 50cm

Coffee Cake                Lillie Swain                                                   Joanne Green

Best/Knitted/Socks         Gladys Lavarello                                          Pauline Green

Best/Knitted/Garments         Catherine Glass                              Rose Glass (Senior)

Art Competition -        Adults Renee Green                                     Jimmy Rogers

Best Pot Plant              Carlene Glass-Green                                     Joyce Hagan

Best Arrangement of Garden Flowers - (Adults)

                                                         Tracy Swain                           Joanne Green

Best Arrangement of Wild Flowers – (Adults)

                                                        Joyce Hagan                          Hilary Rogers

Best Arrangement Wild Flowers – (Children)

                                                      Randal Repetto                           Dylan Green

Heaviest Potato                      Kieran Glass 1.4kg                                 Ryan Swain 1.2kg

Best 4 Tomatoes                       Edwin Glass                            Carlene Glass-Green

Best Cabbage                Barbara Glass                                              Calvin Green

Best 3 Onions                 Dereck Rogers                                               Iris Green

Tug-of-War (Married/Singles Ladies)            Married Women

Tug-of War (Married/Single Men)                 Married Men

Welly Throwing -   (Ladies) Debbie Swain 17.40cm               Denise Rogers 16.80cm

Welly Throwing –      (Men) Leon Glass 31.40cm                      Steve Swain 30.30cm

Adult Sack Race                 Nicky Swain                                               Steve Swain

Five-a-side Football was played after these events were finished, with a great victory to Leon Glass and his team who won the Trophy, against the South African’s.

Produce Show

 Atlantic Fresh supplied the Islanders with hot food throughout the day and Jane Repetto opened her Café so that all could have refreshments.

 After all the events were finished the Administrator invited all the members of the community to drinks at the Prince Philip Hall, where the Speeches, Loyal Toast, National Anthem, Raffle Ticket results and Prize giving were announced before the Dance began.

 Kirsty Green was the lucky winner of the top prize, which was a free holiday to Cape Town.

Wheelbarrow Race

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Tristan : Tristan Receives New Citizen
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 03.07.2006 (Current Article)

Kieran James Peter Glass arrived at 1830hrs on Sunday, 02 July 2006.

Photo (c) James Glass (Tristan Times)

Tristan Receives New Citizen

By Sarah Glass (Tristan Times)

 Kieran Glass

Hi, My name is Kieran and I arrived in Tristan at 1830hrs on Sunday, 02 July 2006.  My Mum is Sarah and she's doing fine.  Actually, when  you read this, I will have been home for six whole hours.

I am reminded to tell you that my birth weight was 2.6 Kilos and, by the way, Mum and I are doing just fine.

Enjoy the photo.  I am sure there will be more.

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Tristan : Injured Seaman Returns Home from Tristran
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 22.06.2006 (Current Article)

Nicolay, who was injured while aboars M/V Pirgos on the 25th of May has recovered enough to be transported to Cape Town enroute to Bulgaria.

Photo (c) James Glass (Tristan Times) Nicolay being carried to Edinburgh's sick bay.

INJURED SEAMAN RETURNS HOME FROM TRISTAN

Nicolay on his way home.

By Sarah Glass (Tristan Times)

Nicolay, the injured Bulgarian seaman who was rescued at Tristan da Cunha has set sale from the Island on his way to Cape Town aboard the M/V Edinburgh.  He has been recovering from his accident since the end of May

The Bulgarian seaman was injured when his vessel M.V. Pirgos was on its way to Brazil from Africa.  He suffered a broken left leg, compound fracture, broken jaw, blunt trauma to the abdomen.  Being on route to Brazil the nearest medical care was Tristan and radio contact was made so that medivac arrangements could be made for him. Nicloay was collected on the afternoon of May 25^th by the rescue rib "Atlantic Dawn."

It is expected that Nicolay will fly back to Bulgaria from Cape Town soon after his arrival.

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Tristan : Letter of Thanks from Bulgaria
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 13.06.2006 (Current Article)

The seaman rescued from the stormy South Atlantic is well and his family are grateful for assistance rendered.

Photo (c) James Glass (Tristan Times)

Greetings from distant Bulgaria!  Dear friends, good people!

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Tristan : Worlds Loneliest Island Saves life of Bulgarian Seamen
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 02.06.2006 (Current Article)

The vessel M.V. Pirgos was on its way to Brazil from Africa, when seamen Nicolay fell 8m into a hole whilst working, he suffer a broken left leg, compound fracture. Broken jaw, blunt trauma to the abdomen, this had happen 3 days ago.

Photo (c) James Glass (Tristan Times) The Bulgarian Seaman being lifted to safety

Worlds Loneliest Island Saves life of Bulgarian Seamen

The Bulgarian Seaman being lifted to Safety

By Sarah Glass

Down in the South Atlantic on the edge of the roaring forties lays the Remotest Inhabited Island in the world " Tristan da Cunha".  Discovered in 1506 it is situated in the mid-South Atlantic, roughly 2000 mile from South America and 1519 miles west of Cape Town.  To many people Tristan is just a rock in the South Atlantic, but to those few in need of urgent medical care its paradise.

The vessel M.V. Pirgos was on its way to Brazil from Africa, when seamen Nicolay fell 8m into a hole whilst working, he suffer a broken left leg, compound fracture. Broken jaw, blunt trauma to the abdomen, this had happen 3 days ago.  Being on route to Brazil the nearest medical care was Tristan, radio contact was made and arrangements were made for him to be collect on the afternoon of May 25th.  The rescue rib "Atlantic Dawn" coxswain by by Joe Green, and crewed by Conrad Glass, Jack Green, Duncan Lavarello, Neil Swain and Mark Swain took the island Dr Joerg Jaschinski to the vessel, Conrad and himself boarded the vessel and after the doctor had stabilised the patient brought him ashore.  Many willing hands where ready at the harbour to help him into the ambulance.

Lucky for him the harbour conditions were reasonability good, as it had been unworkable for the past few weeks (strong easterly winds and heavy seas.  If weather conditions were bad the next port of call would only have been in four to six days time, and according to the doctor he was not certain if he would not have lasted that time with his injuries, as he had lost a lot of blood and had been vomiting.

Tristan has been the haven to many seamen in trouble, an Iranian had been landed after having a fall with a broken pelvis, another was landed after having a heart attack, and the saddest story involved a Greek seamen, who had an appendicitis on a vessel shortly after leaving South America on route to South Africa, the Captain did not turn the ship around but remain on course and asked the Tristan authorities for assistance.  For those who don't know the Tristanians, help is never rejected on this island, regardless of colour or creed.  Sadly his condition deteriorated by the time he reached Tristan and although he had three doctors on hand (usually there is only one permanently doctor on the island) he died on the operating table, and is buried in the islands cemetery.  Many yachts have also been assisted or crew rescued.

Having no airport the islanders (known as Tristanians) relies entirely on the service it can provide and receive from the sea.  Nine visits a year by fishing vessels, one by cargo vessel, and approximately four - six a year by cruise vessels.

The small harbour does little to shelter the waves of the roaring forties, but it is the gateway to the outside world for those Tristanians living there.  Which brings the Tristanians to ask the big question, Why is there not a safe, suitable harbour on Tristan instead of the big swimming pool, which is only workable in less than half its area, because of the depth, and allows the boats to get out, about 80 days a year.

There are plans to refurnish the Harbour next year, but the majority of the Tristanians feel that it still will not achieve what is essential, for the island to progress forward.
Money continues to be wasted, when boats operating in and out of the harbour during fishing or cargo operations, damage their hulls and propellers.

The islanders were hoping to have a new harbour built in the position that was first survey in 1964 (next to the Volcano), which entrance would lead into a natural pond. Not only would it be much bigger allowing tenders from Cruise Ships to enter, which is not possible in the present harbour (and increase the islands revenue over expenditure), but would also be much safer for Tristanians operating in bad weather, assisting foreign vessels in trouble.

The number of fishing days would increase, which is desperately needed with the lobster quota continue to rise, due to a recovery of the stock.  Economically the island would benefit hugely.

Progress of the seamen will be reported, the next vessel to depart Tristan will be a fishing boat around June the 20th.

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Tristan : Death Notice: Peter Swain
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 22.05.2006 (Current Article)

It is with regret that the Island of Tristan da Cunha announces the Death of Peter Swain.

DEATH NOTICE

Peter Swain passed away very suddenly early on Saturday morning. It was such a shock to everyone. He just went to bed and didn't wake up. It was very traumatic for Nora, his wife[Felicity's sister] and his family. He was 63 yrs old. He leaves five children, Christopher, Cliff and Tracey who are married and Alison and Maria still living at home, as well as five grandchildren. He also has a brother and three sisters.

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Tristan : Tristan Welcomes New Islander
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 10.03.2006 (Current Article)

Jamie Kenneth Lewis Glass was born on 09 March 2006.

TRISTAN WELCOMES NEW ISLANDER

By Sarah Glass (Tristan Times)

Born on Thursday, 09 March 2006 to Natasha and Simon Glass - a boy - Jamie Kenneth Lewis. 

Both mother and son are doing fine.

Simon Glass is Tristan da Cunha’s Conservation Officer.  Natasha took part in the first ever Senior school landing on Inaccessible Island just before her GCSEs in March 2004.

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Tristan : Tristan 500 Diary
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 18.02.2006 (Current Article)

Events from 09 to 12 February are chronicled here.

PRESS RELEASE RE TRISTAN CELEBRATIONS ON THURSDAY 9 FEBRUARY

The quincentennial celebrations continued on Tristan da Cunha despite a deteriorating state of the sea.

Today was a public holiday on Tristan. Its exact date of discovery in 1506 is not recorded but 9February was taken as an appropriate day for a commemorative public holiday .In local parlance the sea became ‘bubbly’ and so after an initial run of passengers from the RMS all further ferrying was cancelled. This scuppered the eagerly anticipated football match between the island team and the RMS .The football continued with the married islanders playing the ‘singles’.

There was also a sports day for the school .This was followed by the adults playing football rounders .

Governor Clancy had lunch at the home of the Chief Islander and sampled local dishes such as stuffed mutton ,crayfish pie and clouttie dumpling.

A series of presentations were held in the evening with Administrator , Mike Hentley ably performing the Master of Ceremonies role  .Governor Clancy congratulated Tristan on its Q5 and extended best wishes from people on St Helena and Ascension who had celebrated their Q5s in recent years .He also read out a message from the Bishop of St Helena and from Her Majesty the Queen .The Governor went on to announce his contribution of £ 5000 towards updating equipment at the hospital.

There was a special welcome given to Governor Clancy’s announcement that DFID had approved funding to supplement European Development Funding of the repair of Tristan’s harbour. Studies will begin this year with the intention of refurbishment work taking place in 2007.

Sarah Sanders of the RSPB presented to the Chief Islander, Anne Green the legislative framework for the protection of albatrosses and petrels and also a bi diversity plan which had been worked up with islanders.

Michael Swales of the Tristan da Cunha Association presented a plaque to commemorate the Q5 .Inscribed on the plaque is a ship of the type that Tristao Da Cunha was probably on when he came upon Tristan .The ship is set against a backdrop of an outline of the island . Round its edges are set the 7 island names with the dates that these men arrived.

Mr Swales also presented a cheque to the Head teacher of the school, Marlene Swain and announced that the Association would make arrangements for a scheme to offer further education to one student per year.

The evening continued in lighter vein with dancing and an Elvis Tribute concert from Rikki Nolan.

TRISTAN DA CUNHA   PRESS REPORT FOR FRIDAY10 FEBRUARY

Governor Clancy attended a meeting of the Island Council at which there were a series of presentations .Sarah Sanders of the RSPB spoke about the Royal Society’s continuing interest in the Tristan group of islands because of their world importance for seabirds. A project looking at rats on Tristan was already underway. Preliminary indications were of substantial populations of rats at the potato patches and Settlement .However they did not seem so numerous in the higher areas where the seabirds nest.

Dr Mike Owen, the public health specialist also gave his preliminary findings. He identified a number of practical improvements to secure the quality of the water supply and to reduce risks from the rubbish dump. He noted that the incidence of diabetes was much lower on Tristan then in St Helena but there was no scope for complacency on Tristan with changing diets and trends towards obesity. The Island Council felt that the island might benefit from a visit from a dietician.

Andrew James whose company has the fishing concession set out the economics of the fishing operation and ideas for trying to restrict illegal fishing. The Island Council agreed to continue to work in partnership on these issues.

Governor Clancy referred to words from Her Majesty the Queen’s message of congratulations to Tristan and underlined the continuing commitment if the UK Government which had been so recently demonstrated by his announcement about DFID funding being added to EDF monies for the refurbishment of the harbour.

The Governor also presented to the Chief Islander, Anne Green a boxed `set of engraved silver ingots. He hoped that this set of 50 ingots depicting the monarchs of England from King Edgar to the present day would be appreciated by the whole of the island as a memento of their Q5.Symbolicaaly he saw each ingot as representing a decade `since Tristan’s discovery and the overall theme as indicating the link between the island and the UK

In the evening the Governor hosted a reception which melded into the 18^th birthday party and dance of Wayne Swain.

TRISTAN : PRESS REPORT FOR SATURDAY  11 FEBRUARY

                 Rough seas on Thursday and Friday had disrupted the plans for the Q5 celebrations with some RMS passengers unable to get to or from the ship. There was thus some speculation as to whether the RMS would be able to leave on the Saturday as planned. However fishermen on Friday became increasingly confident that the weather would ameliorate. And so it proved.

                Saturday morning saw the loading of passengers and cargo on the fishing vessel, Kelso and then by 4 p.m. embarkation on the RMS was complete and the RMS set off towards Inaccessible and Nightingale Islands. These are only some 20 miles south of Tristan and passengers enjoyed good views of both islands before the course was set for overnight travel to Gough Island.

                This Q5 visit had seen the largest number of passengers on Tristan for an extended period and whether the main interests were birds, stamps or remote places all agreed that the visit had been a great success.

                Whilst on Tristan the Governor, who has been in regular contact with the Staff Officer, was able to catch up with work and news from St Helena. He noted the unfortunate sinking of the Helena Dorothy but he was pleased to note the splendid way in which the community rallied around and the sympathy offered by the Acting Governor, Ethel Yon. Governor Clancy on his return will look into whether the government can bolster the contribution from the community.

SUNDAY PRESS REPORT RE TRISTAN

The Q5 trip had always included a circumnavigation of Gough Island – weather permitting. And the weather was very kind as the RMS crossed latitude 40S into what are known as the ‘Roaring Forties’. On Sunday 12 February the winds were mewing rather then roaring and it was possible to see clearly the outline of Gough a good hour and a half before the RMS began its circle.

All the passengers were thrilled to see Gough but there was a special emotion for the 6 passengers who are surviving members of the expedition which stayed on Gough for several months in the mid 1950s. The Goughalites, as they term themselves comprise Sir Martin Holdgate, John Heaney, Michael Swales, Dr Robert Chambers, Dr Roger Le Maitre and Philip Mullock. They were a multi–disciplinary team who mapped the island and studied its fauna, flora and geology. They filed daily weather reports and sent these to South Africa. The South Africans were so impressed that they decided to set up a permanent weather station on Gough. These experts gave fascinating commentaries as the RMS went slowly around Gough and also enthralled the passengers with illuminating and witty presentations and slide shows.

The RMS stood off at the South African weather station. Governor Clancy spoke to the station leader from the bridge and sent best wishes from people on St Helena and Tristan. The team at the base were eager to hear voices from the ‘outside world’ and there were conversations with Captain Rodney Young, Sarah Sanders of the RSPB and a few of the Goughalites. The scientific team at the station had not noticed any of the so-called killer mice attacking chicks but they explained that this is a feature of the winter when other food for the larger than average mice becomes scarce.

The variability of the weather was underlined as the RMS was 30 minutes into its course to Cape Town. Looking over the stern it was possible to see squalls providing further water for the abundant vegetation of Gough.Then Gough was lost in cloud and passengers turned their minds to more traditional RMS pastimes of preparing for dog racing and the fancy dress ball.

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Tristan : Sarah's International Interview
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 13.02.2006 (Current Article)

Enjoy the interview.

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Tristan : Death Notices
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 23.01.2006 (Current Article)

Two much loved and respected Islanders have passed on.

Deaths.

Annie Gertrude Ellen – Much Loved

Annie Gertrude Ellen - Born 14th September 1906, died on the 19th January 2006.
Know as Aunty Gertie, she was married to Percy Larvarello and had four children, two sons and two daughters, she leaves behind a son and two daughters and many grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

This coming spring some of her grandchildren overseas were hoping to visit on the SA Agulhas in September to celebrate her 100th, sadly this was not to be as she died in the early hours on the 19th January, which also happen to be on her son's birthday.
Despite being a rainy day St Mary's Church was full of Tristanians paying their last respects.

George Herbert Green

George Herbert Green - Born 30th July 1923, died 10th   January 2006
It was with great sadness that the island learnt of the death of Herbert Green, he was on his way to Cape Town for medical treatment accompanied by a nurse, when his condition worsened and he died the same day as the vessel was due to arrive in Cape Town.

His funeral was held in Cape Town, and a memorial service was held on the island at the same time, his ashes will return to Tristan on the M.V. Edinburgh. Departing this week when another service will be held.

He leaves behind his wife Irene, two children, and three brothers.

Two of the following hymns were played at the services.

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT LIES AHEAD

I know who holds the future

And he'll guide me with his hand,

With God things don't just happen,

Everything by Him is planned;

So as I face tomorrow

With it's problems large and small,

I'll trust the God of miracles,

Give to him my all.

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and grief's to bear.

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer.

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear.

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer.

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Tristan : Tristanians Abroad: You Can Advise These People
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 09.01.2006 (Current Article)

Not everyone from outside can receive advice from Tristanians, like the man in the picture.

Photo (c) J. Brock (SARTMA - TdC) With Tristan in the background, a tourist receives advice from a Tristanian about the wildlife on Nightingale Island.

TRISTANIANS ABROAD:  YOU CAN ADVISE THESE PEOPLE

Tristan provides the backdrop for advice about Nightingale's wildlife

By J. Brock (SARTMA-TdC)

Quite often I send along messages to the Island and do not know what has happened to them.  Now it’s time to give you a lok at some of the messages that have been sent with a view to Tristanians living abroad helping them find answers to their queries.   Following are a few messages that have been sent recently.  Enjoy!

Name: Leon Lombard         Email: lombardleon@hotmail.co.za

Message:
-----------------------------------------
You may experience life as normal every day, but for us there is no doubt that you live in a very special place.

We can only imagine the difference in lifestyle between youself and eg. London.

You live in a very special place, and you should savour it every day.

I do visit webpages of your island very often, and thrive on actual photos of the Island, but have'nt seen much photos of the actual inhabitants eg. the postmaster and actual phots of eg. the local church or any other place of interest or any business ?

I do not think that I could ever be able to visit your Island, but I know that is the dream of many 1000's of people.

I can only hope you can keep your place so special throughout the ages, once flooded with people it will loose it's attraction and beauty, so I hope you can keep it small yet prosperous.

Your Friend from Bloemfontein - Sout Africa

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Name: Ken Smith         Email: gilsson@btinternet.com

Message:
-----------------------------------------
Dear Sir/Madam,
From 1950/53 I served as an Engineering Mechanic on HMS Actaeon based at Simonstown RSA
In 1952(Ithink!) the ship paid a visit to Tristan.
Of that visit I have four lasting memories.
1. The warm and friendly welcome by everyone with which we were recieved.Thank you so much.
2.We gave passage to the Bishop of Capetown, whose reason for visiting I have since forgotten.
3. The ship's football team played a match against an island team the result again, I'm afraid I've forgotten but I expect we lost lost as usual !
( Was this the first International match between England and Tristan ? )
4.On our return we took with us a little girl of about six years who I believe was going to school in either South Africa. or UK.
I believe her surname was Glass.
What became of her I wonder?
Please tell me if you can, that I did not dream all this and it is not just the ramblings of a senile old fool.
My very best wishes to all on Tristan.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Name: Andoni Gorostiaga         Email: agorostiaga1@euskalnet.net

Message:
-----------------------------------------
For a research in a mountaineering magazine in the Basque Country about the highest peaks in the islands of the world, I would like to know if you call the island popularly just "Tristan" instead of "Tristan da Cunha" and if you use any other local name to call the highest peak, Queen Mary's Peak or if there is any local tradition-myth about the mountain.
Could you help me? Thank you anyway.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Good day:

I discovered your site via a link from the BBC, along with further research.

I was curious about your island, your way of life, and your history. Since my grandparents were Italian, I was pleased to see that two of your island's surnames hail from Italy.

I have a web site dedicated to world football. I would like to pass it on, since I don't know if you follow the English or Italian leagues. One of my pages is called "Football Sites," and has many links of interest. Several show video streams or live scores from around the world. Do young people play football on Tristan da Cunha? I would be delighted to know. :-)

Here is the link:

http://clix.to/calcio

All the best and Happy New Year.

Sincerely,

Steve Amoia
Washington, DC USA
-----------------------------------------

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Tristan : Monsignor Michael B. McPartland's Pastoral Visit to Tristan
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 04.10.2005 (Current Article)

Monsignor McPartland tells us about his pastoral trip to Tristan da Cunha.

Pastoral Visit to Tristan

Philip Rogers, Rachael Green, Monsignor McPartland and Sasha Green in front of St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Tristan da Cunha

Monsignor McPartland at the grave sites with parishioners at St. Joseph's

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Tristan : Tristan Celebrates Jimmy Rogers' Paintings
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 21.09.2005 (Current Article)

Jimmy Rogers paints in watercolour and oil as well ad drawing in pencil. See now an exhibition of his work.

All artwork in this story is (c) Jimmy Rogers - This painting shows a typical settlement scene.

TRISTAN CELEBRATES JIMMY ROGERS’ PAINTINGS

By J. Brock (SARTMA – TdC)

A typical settlement scene (oil)

Albatross Mum and egg (pencil/watercolour)

Yellow Nosed Albatross displaying on Nightingale Island. (pencil/watercolour)

Longboat on its way to Nightingale Island (watercolour)

Albatross with Tristan da Cunha in the background. (pencil/watercolour)

A settlement scene (oil)

A settlement scene (oil)

Albatross with Tristan in the background (watercolour)

Rockhopper Penguins on Nightingale Island (watercolour)

For several years now Jimmy Rogers has been painting scenes from Tristan da Cunha for his friends and for sale at the Vicarage Gift Shop on Tristan.  Now, he’s sent some of his paintings to the Falkland Islands for sale here.

Jimmy’s artwork also has appeared on Tee Shirts, placemats  and could be produced in ceramic form as well.

To help celebrate the work of this unique artist, Tristan Times attaching samples of Mr. Rogers’ artwork with this article.  Enjoy!

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Tristan : Tristan to Receive a Very Special Visitor
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 11.09.2005 (Current Article)

Monsignor Michael McPartland is, as this is being written, on his way to Tristan da Cunha aboard the SA Agulhas. As the Roman Catholic Prefect Apostolic for the South Atlantic Islands from Antarctica to Ascension, Monsignor McPartland has responsibility for all Roman Catholic congregations in the 10Million square mile parish.

Photo (c) J. Brock (SARTMA - TdC) Monsignor McPartland

TRISTAN TO RECEIVE A VERY SPECIAL VISITOR

By J. Brock (SARTMA – TdC)

Monsignor McPartland

Monsignor Michael McPartland is, as this is being written, on his way to Tristan da Cunha aboard the SA Agulhas.  As the Roman Catholic Prefect Apostolic for the South Atlantic Islands from Antarctica to Ascension, Monsignor McPartland has responsibility for all Roman Catholic congregations in the 10Million square mile parish.

While on Tristan da Cunha Monsignor McPartland will perform baptisms, confirmations and, possibly marriages.  He will also offer encouragement and instruction to the lay ministers, James Glass, Derek Rogers and Anne Green.  There is also the matter of the priest’s house, which has already been shipped to Tristan but due to the hurricane has not yet been built.

All things going well, Tristan should have a priest for St. Josephs Roman Catholic Church soon.

The three weeks Monsignor spends on Tristan will help him to realise the isolation that remoteness has on the Island’s Catholics.  Indeed, the Host and Holy Water have to be delivered in great quantities – always by sea – sometimes by people who need dispensation in order to accompany the shipment.

When the Agulhas returns from Tristan to Cape Town, Monsignor McPartland will have paid the first visit of a Prefect Apostolic since the Late Monsignor Tony Agreiter did so in 2001.

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Tristan : Couple Plan to Marry on Tristan
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 11.08.2005 (Current Article)

The engagement of Sarah Glass and Tony Anderson took place on Sunday, 07 August 2005.

Photo (c) Sophie Anderson - Tony and Sarah

COUPLE PLAN TO MARRY ON TRISTAN

By J. Brock (SARTMA-TdC)

Tony Anderson and Sarah Glass

The engagement of Sarah Glass and Tony Anderson took place on Sunday, 07 August 2005.  The couple met soon after Sarah arrived in the Falklands to take up a SARTMA Scholarship.

An engagement party was held for the couple at the Globe Hotel on Tuesday night.  The couple plan to get married on Tristan da Cunha in the spring of 2007.

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Tristan : Royal Navy Lends Hand to Tristan Scholar
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 08.05.2005 (Current Article)

HMS PORTLAND visited Tristan over the weekend of 06 and 07 May this year on its way from Ascension Island and St Helena and on to the Falkland Islands.

Photo (c) Mike Hentley (Tristan Times) _ HMS Portland as seen from shore at the Settlement.

ROYAL NAVY LENDS HAND TO TRISTAN SCHOLAR

By J. Brock (SARTMA – TdC) and Michael Hentley (Tristan Times)

HMS Portland at anchor off Tristan da Cunha

HMS PORTLAND visited Tristan over the weekend of 06 and 07 May this year on its way from Ascension Island and St Helena and on to the Falkland Islands.  She anchored off the settlement and despite the wet and windy weather that has plagued Tristan da Cunha recently, most of the Ship's Company were able to get ashore at some stage over the two days of the visit.  HMS PORTLAND’s crew enjoyed a traditional Tristan welcome, with recreational events like a football match at which the visitors were victorious (depite having to play uphill), a darts challenge where the Islanders regained the lead, and a round of golf for those keen enough to bring their clubs all the way to the world's remotest 9 hole course.

The frigate left Tristan da Cunha with an extra person on board.  Tristan Islander, Sarah Glass, is taking up a SARTMA scholarship in the Falklands, and the Royal Navy have kindly offered her safe passage there.

This article is the Property and Copyright of SARTMA.com.

Tristan : The Price of Tristan Times
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 07.05.2005 (Current Article)

The price of Tristan Times isn’t what you think. And, if you wanted to pay currency for it in the early days, there was a surprise in store. Moira Middleton (MM) tells us more.

Photo (c) J. Brock (FINN) - Tristan, where Potatoes were used in place of cash.

THE PRICE OF TRISTAN TIMES

By J. Brock (SARTMA-TdC) and Moira Middleton

King Potato!

The price of Tristan Times isn’t what you think.  And, if you wanted to pay currency for it in the early days, there was a surprise in store.  Moira Middleton (MM) tells us more.

MM:  I thought you may be interested to know that I have a copy of the Tristan Times, copy No 1 dated 6th March 1943, price was 3 Cigarettes or 4 big Potatoes.

Moira’s late husband was part of the Royal Navy garrison, which was stationed there during WW2.  She continues the remembrance.

MM:  He was there for over a year, and spent his 21st birthday there notice of which appeared in copy no. 29 dated 18th September, 1943.  Frank and Clara Glass held a dinner to celebrate the occasion.

Moira was browsing the web-site and saw that the Tristan Times was still in circulation and remembered the original "Tristan Times" which were still in a box of photos etc. that her late husband had kept of his time on Tristan.

The Patches are a popular Saturday venue.

This article is the Property and Copyright of SARTMA.com.

Tristan : Rockhopper Copper set to Hit Bookshelves
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 14.03.2005 (Current Article)

In 2006 it will be 500 years since the Portuguese explorer Tristao da Cunha discovered what is now the most remote inhabited island on Earth -- the mountainous volcano summit towering out of the South Atlantic, 1,500 miles from Cape Town, 1,300 miles from St Helena, home now to just 300 people:

Photo(c) Beau Rowlands - Conrad at a recent Tristan da Cunha Association meeting.

ROCKHOPPER COPPER

Conrad Glass

The life and times of the people of the planet’s most remote inhabited island:

 TRISTAN DA CUNHA

from the notebook of their Policeman and Conservation Officer, CONRAD GLASS

Published by Orphans Press in conjunction with Conrad J. Glass at £10.

 ISBN 1 903360 10 2

In 2006 it will be 500 years since the Portuguese explorer Tristao da Cunha discovered what is now the most remote inhabited island on Earth -- the mountainous volcano summit towering out of the South Atlantic, 1,500 miles from Cape Town, 1,300 miles from St Helena, home now to just 300 people:

Tristan da Cunha.

No aircraft fly over this tiny speck on the map just 37 miles square and none can land. Few ships pass this way and this most remote of British Territories earns its living from farming, fishing, handicrafts and the sale of colourful postage stamps.

Now the island’s Inspector of Police and Conservation Officer, Conrad Glass has become the first islander to write about everyday life on Tristan da Cunha and its history and legends.

In ROCKHOPPER COPPER, Glass (a direct descendent of first settler and governor William Glass, who was part of a garrison landed in 1816 to thwart any French bid to free Napoleon from exile on St Helena) tells stories of rescue from wild Atlantic islands; volcanic eruptions; the protection of seals, penguins and albatross; of chase by a whale; escape from violent hurricanes and the keeping of the peace in this remotest of police beats.

There’s a glimpse too of the island’s past – of hidden pirate treasure, a shipwrecked lion, of ghostly apparitions, of slave ships and abduction.

His work is as much about penguins as people: “The Rockhopper Penguin is a most disagreeable bird and was always ready to have a go at his neighbour, the world and myself in general. Almost all…could be held on charge for Breach of the Peace” he writes in his report on his census of Rockhopper Penguins on his beat on the uninhabited Gough Island, part of the Tristan group.

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“I feel very elated and satisfied now that the book is completed” he says. “I started to write it because of the questions passengers from cruise ships asked about Tristan even though they had visited the island. I also wanted to promote Tristan to the world and to leave an account of my life”.

He started work on ROCKHOPPER COPPER in January 2003 speaking to Tristan people and his family about local facts and researching the history of the island in its reference library. Chapters on conservation of wildlife and search and rescue were taken from his police notebooks and other stories came from personal experiences and tales told by his grandparents and uncles.

Glass explains: “The title indicates the nature of the book – 80% of my conservation work covers working with penguins. How many coppers in this world spend just as much time policing penguins as people?

“For all their macho behaviour, the penguins are vulnerable to long line fishing and trawling, not to mention oil pumped from ships cleaning out their bilges. The penguins live and breed on Tristan and the neighbouring islands of Nightingale, Inaccessible and Gough. In fact 47% of our land on Tristan is given over to the protection of wildlife and conservation.”

Glass suspects that few people in the UK have heard of Tristan, even though the spectacular volcanic eruption of August 12, 1961, which forced all inhabitants to flee and take refuge thousands of miles away in an old Army camp near Southampton, is remembered by many.

“I hope ROCKHOPPER COPPER will give the world an insight into our unique lifestyle, in which a man can always rely on his neighbour for help, no questions asked; where our doors are not locked; our women and children go safely wherever they choose and all men are equal, regardless of rank, status or the colour of their skin” says Glass.

He hopes the book will introduce the outside world to the islands’ wildlife which has no fear of man and lives in an environment in which they have no natural predators. “It is important that young Tristanians can show visitors that man can share this environment with other species. After all, they were here long before we arrived.

“If you want an adventure, visit Tristan. It is an experience you will remember all your life. The journey is not for the faint hearted – one must plan carefully and permission must be obtained from Administrator’s Department on Tristan.

“There is no airport. It takes six days by ship from Cape Town to reach Tristan. One can either stay in a private guest house or rent rooms with an island family for £20 per person full board.”

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Glass, his wife Sharon and son Leon are now travelling back to their island home to resume work. During a year in England he worked at Alton Towers Theme Park in Staffordshire controlling the monorail which takes guests from the car park. At the close of the summer season the family moved to Bristol to stay with relations and Glass took a job with Group 4 security working at Lloyds TSB headquarters, using spare time to complete the book and arrange its publication. Once he has resumed his post as Tristan’s Police Inspector and Conservation Officer, Glass plans a further book on the island, encouraged by the enthusiastic response to ROCKHOPPER COPPER.

The book is priced at £10 and is also available by post at £13 post-paid worldwide from:

The Orphans Press

Hereford Road

Leominster

Herefordshire HR6 8JT

Tristan@orphanspress.com

This article is the Property and Copyright of SARTMA.com.

Tristan : Tristan da Cunha: Flags at Half-Mast for Tsunami Victims
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 05.01.2005 (Current Article)

Even Remote Tristan Has Been Touched by the Tsunami Disaster.

TRISTAN DA CUNHA: FLAGS HALF-MAST FOR TSUNAMI VICTIMS

By J. Brock (SARTMA-TdC)

Like those in much of the rest of the world, Islanders on Tristan da Cunha have lowered their flags to half-mast as a mark of respect for the victims of the December 26^th Earthquake and Tsunami that hit coastal countries around the Indian Ocean.  Tristanians found out about the disaster on BFBS Television that is beamed to the Island via satellite and are making their own arrangements to support the Disaster Appeal.

Tristanians are not immune to disasters in 1961 the entire population left the Island as a result of a volcano that breached the surface near the settlement.  In May 2001, the settlement was hit by a hurricane that caused nearly £2Million worth of damage to houses and every public building except St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

This article is the Property and Copyright of SARTMA.com.

Tristan : Hanky-Panky Allegations Refuted by Chief Islander
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 29.12.2004 (Current Article)

In defence of her Island’s ancestry, Chief Islander, Anne Green has refuted an article entitled “Ancestry Research Exposes Hanky Panky,” which appeared on December 5th in the South African newspaper the Johannesburg Sunday Times, and written by Shantini Naidoo.

HANKY PANKY ALLEGATIONS REFUTED BY CHIEF ISLANDER

By J. Brock (SARTMA-TdC)

In defence of her Island’s ancestry, Chief Islander, Anne Green has refuted an article entitled “Ancestry Research Exposes Hanky Panky,” which appeared on December 5th in the South African newspaper the Johannesburg Sunday Times, and written by Shantini Naidoo.  The article quotes findings by Professor Himla Soodyall of the National Health Laboratory Service in conjunction with the University of the Witwatersrand and the South African Medical Research Council.

“I can't remember a Professor Soodyall coming to Tristan but it was a long time ago,” she said in a recent e-mail from Tristan da Cunha.  “However when Islanders do participate in a medical study they would hope that any findings would be sent to Tristan and personal information not be published on the web,” she continued.  And, she added, “this is the sort of thing will make people reluctant to take part in any further studies in the future.”

“As to the genetic information, anyone who knows Tristan history will know that many people settled on Tristan for short periods of time during its early history, and while their surnames are no longer here some of their descendants are. Not everything has been documented and some of that which has been is not entirely accurate,” she said.

“I feel that I have said all I need to in the last letter I published on the Tristan Times Website. No doubt there will be more people who would wish to sensationalise some information they think they have about Tristan, but we won't let that get to us.  I have received many e-mails from people supporting my views on the last letter published. [Two were from Pitcairn Island].   I'm glad to know that there are like minded people out there who share our views,” she commented.

“I would like to thank all those who sent messages in response to my article. It is encouraging to have the support of so many people.

All best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from myself and my family, and all on Tristan.”

This article is the Property and Copyright of SARTMA.com.

Tristan : The Baptism of Julie Green
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 07.12.2004 (Current Article)

Tristan's youngest resident has been Baptised at St. Mary's

THE BAPTISM OF JULIE GREEN

By J. Brock (SARTMA-TdC)

The congregation of St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, Tristan da Cunha has participated in the Baptism of Julie Sarah Green on Sunday, 28 November 2004 at the service.  Julie was born at Camogli Hospital on Tristan on 27 July 2004.  She is the daughter of Raymond and Wendy Green.

This article is the Property and Copyright of SARTMA.com.

Tristan : November Wedding for Tristan Couple
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 07.12.2004 (Current Article)

The wedding of Andrew Green and Tanya Rogers took place on Thursday, 25 November 2004.

NOVEMBER WEDDING FOR TRISTAN COUPLE

By J. Brock (SARTMA-TdC)

The wedding of Andrew Green and Tanya Rogers took place at St. Mary’s Anglican Church on Thursday, 25^th of November 2004.   Tanya is the daughter of Mr. Eddy and Mrs. Rebecca Rogers of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas and Andrew is the son of the late Mr. Patrick Green and Mrs Dilys Green.

The nuptials were recited at 3:pm and followed by a reception and dance at Prince Philip Hall.

This article is the Property and Copyright of SARTMA.com.

Tristan : Albatross Bar to Re-Open
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 08.09.2004 (Current Article)

One of the world’s most isolated Pubs – the Albatross Bar – will re-open on Thursday, 16 September 2004 after repairs following the 2001 hurricane that devastated the settlement.

Photo (c) James Glass (Tristan Times) - The Cafe and Prince Philip Hall in the background.

 ALBATROSS BAR RE-OPEN

By James Glass (Tristan Times)

The Cafe with Prince Philip Hall in the background.

One of the world’s most isolated Pubs – the Albatross Bar – will re-open on Thursday, 16 September 2004 after repairs following the 2001 hurricane that devastated the settlement.  There will be a dance in Prince Philip Hall to celebrate the pub’s re-opening.  There will be a dance in honour of the opening of the Pub, though Prince Philip Hall, located in the same building, is still not finished.

During the time the building was not in use, Islanders used the Café as a pub.  Prince Philip Hall is the last public building to be repaired after the 2001 hurricane.

This article is the Property and Copyright of SARTMA.com.

Tristan : It's a Girl!
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 27.07.2004 (Current Article)

Camogli Hospital in Edinburgh of the Seven Seas has been a buzz of activity today, 27 July 2004, with the birth of Julie Sarah Green, daughter of Wendy and Raymond Green of Tristan da Cunha.

IT’S A GIRL!

By J. Brock (SARTMA – TDC)

Camogli Hospital in Edinburgh of the Seven Seas has been a buzz of activity today, 27 July 2004, with the birth of Julie Sarah Green, daughter of Wendy and Raymond Green of Tristan da Cunha.  The excited reporter didn’t give the weight of the new Tristanian but Mother and baby are doing fine.

So is the father, who was named after Raymond Griffen on Pebble Island in the Falklands by his father, Anderson Green.  Anderson had built a go-cart for the young Mr. Griffin whilst on the Island during the 1961 – 1963 evacuation.

This article is the Property and Copyright of SARTMA.com.

Tristan : Gony Sighted on Tristan
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 09.05.2004 (Current Article)

A juvenile Wandering Albatross – Gony as it is locally known – has landed at the head of the valley near the road leading to the potato patches.

Photos (c) J. Brock (SARTMA TdC) The Gony was the first sighted in approximately 50 years.

GONY SIGHTED ON TRISTAN

By J. Brock (SARTMA – TdC)

School Children missed the Gony but got photos to put on the bulletin board.

A juvenile Wandering Albatross – Gony as it is locally known – has landed at the head of the valley near the road leading to the potato patches.  According to locals, the Albatross is the first of that species to be spotted on Tristan in approximately 50 years.

It was spotted by Trevor Glass and his wife, Tina, who were on their way to the patches in their vehicle.  Trevor left Tina and another two passengers to look after the bird while he went to the patches to collect me and the cameras that I had brought along to photograph harvesting in progress.

After the bird was photographed and taped, several visitors came to see the Gony through the evening.  It was hoped that it would stay until the next day so that the school children could see it.  Unfortunately, it took off in the night.  Enjoy the photos.

This article is the Property and Copyright of SARTMA.com.

Tristan : Tristan da Cunha: The Way Tristanians Tell It
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 07.01.2004 (Current Article)

Daniel Schreier and Karen Lavarello-Schreier have written an informative book about Tristan da Cunha, its people, way of life and language.

TRISTAN da CUNHA: THE WAY TRISTANIANS TELL IT

Proceeds from the book are going to the Tristan Disaster Appeal. Details on how to obtain a copy of this book can be found on the website: http://www.battlebridge.com.

This article is the Property and Copyright of SARTMA.com.

Tristan : A Former Administrator Dispels Tristan's Myths
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 17.11.2003 (Current Article)

In part 1 of this interview taken in 2000, Brian Baldwin Talks about the education that Tristanians are getting.

TRISTAN DA CUNHA ADMINISTRATOR DISPELS THE MYTHS ABOUT THE ISLAND’S PROGRESS: Part 1 – Tristanians Abroad For Training   By J. Brock (SARTMA-FI) Brian Baldwin, (BB) the Administrator on Tristan da Cunha and his wife, visited the Falklands for the first time in November 2000. They saw first hand some of the wildlife that has made the Islands a unique tourist destination. While in the Falklands Mr. Baldwin managed to visit the Fisheries Department to discuss methods of patrolling and the role of fisheries observers. He also met with his friend, the late Monsignor Agreiter, himself a regular visitor to Tristan da Cunha. But what impressions did he take away with him hopefully to apply to Tristan da Cunha. BB: Basically it’s a nice change for us from Tristan. It’s larger and obviously interesting. We have enjoyed the environmental aspect and have been on a number of trips. We have been out to Volunteer Point and Gypsy Cove. For us to come to the Falklands, it’s such a long way from the UK and it’s a place I would never, ever get to in the normal course of events. It’s quite an experience, just the sheer distance away from the UK and to find how utterly British it is. At the same time they look Scandinavian in appearance, I think with all the coloured roofs. SARTMA: Did you meet anyone or visit any business/government department that gave you some ideas that you would take back to Tristan da Cunha? If so, what? BB: I have certainly met people here who have been very useful for me to take ideas back to Tristan. I have just been talking to the Fisheries Department about patrol and control of your fisheries and that’s been very interesting. There are one or two ideas such as satellite tracking of licenced vessels and we certainly apply that to Tristan. It’s been good to talk to Jane Cameron at the Archives about the general running of Government. It’s nice to meet people I correspond with via e-mail or on the telephone in the course of business and to meet those people has done me good. With the Falklands recent history, that’s been interesting to me to because I have always liked and studied history. So coming here was an exciting time from that point of view and the trip here was fun. I mean, coming on the EXPLORER via South Georgia is really the trip of a lifetime. I had quite an adventure on the ship, as you no doubt heard we encountered an enormous storm from Tristan to South Georgia SARTMA: Any lasting impressions about the Falklands? BB: I’ll mention the wind. But we have been lucky and had some super weather. Penguin colonies certainly stick in my mind and Stanley itself. I thought it was flat. I didn’t realise it was on the side of a hill as you are. Friendliness of the people. They have been very interested in us coming from Tristan and we just had a really good time. A nice, friendly, relaxing place, very nice. I think also what struck me about it was the sort of frontier town atmosphere here. Obviously the place is developing quickly and a lot of money appears to be coming in from the fishing revenue. I have never seen so many Land Rovers per head of population in my life. I feel it’s a little bit controlled but nevertheless frontier atmosphere here at the moment. I don’t know what it was like beforehand but I would guess things are moving at quite a pace here at the moment. SARTMA: Are there any Tristanians in the Falklands at the moment? BB: We’ve got a man, Norman Glass, who is working with Golden Touza and we just had a chat about that with them. There is potential not only for them but with other companies to try and get young Tristanians here for somewhere between six months and a year for work experience for their own benefit and for the island’s benefit when they go back because we have problems just now with its sheer isolation. You think the Falklands are stuck out in the middle of nowhere but in Tristan, you’ve got no air link at all and the ships only come once every three months. It does show in a way in the lack of experience that we have on Tristan. SARTMA: How would these kinds of experiences benefit Tristanians? There’s nothing wrong with Tristanians at all that a little experience wouldn’t help. It would open up their minds and the ability to work and develop new ideas and I think the Falklands, in many ways, are ideal for this because it’s a small community so they don’t get totally over-awed. They might do if they went off to the UK. The economies are similar. I mean, it’s fishing and agriculture. Though the Falklands are much larger, it’s very similar and it would make them feel at home so they wouldn’t feel over-awed when they got here. SARTMA: Simon Glass is on St. Helena as we speak. He is on work experience in St. Helena, and then is expected to return to Tristan da Cunha. What exactly is his field of interest and is the project self-funding? BB: Simon Glass is in training, actually, which is funded by the British Government. We’ve got quite an extensive training programme that has developed over the last few years. Simon is in our Agriculture Department. He’s gone off for three to four months, depending on the ships, and he will be training in veterinary services. We’ve only got one Tristanian who is not a vet but he has done the job for so long now that he is as good as any in terms of practical experience. We wanted to get somebody else with a little more technical training so that they can help our existing Head of Agriculture who is also the vet. Young people go to the UK and to St. Helena. The reason they go to St. Helena is because it’s relatively easy for them to get there. I say relatively easy but it does take quite a bit of planning. St. Helena is sort of our head department, if you like. We are a dependency of St. Helena. So, traditionally, we send people there for certain aspects of training which is sometimes more appropriate in a smaller community. We do send teachers off to the UK for training. SARTMA: Are there any other Tristanians abroad for work experience? Would any be willing to come to the Falklands as the GAP Students do? What most interests Tristanians in their search for careers? BB: Not at the moment. This training programme is actually funded from the UK will take at least three to four people a year from Tristan to either St. Helena or to the UK and the training will be basically organised on a work-experience sort of basis. We are not looking for people going and getting degrees or high quality qualifications at this stage. We are actually giving them real, practical work-experience. Our teachers who have gone are not sufficiently qualified with their basic educational requirements to go to Teacher Training College. Nor, would we want them to be away for three years. But they have been going off in the last couple of years and have worked in small, rural schools and learned the modern methods of teaching purely by working experience and that’s why the education of our children is based on that type of teacher training. Certainly, I would like to see more Tristanians coming to the Falklands for on the job training and work experience. We are exploring a number of ways how that could be done. We are very grateful for the assistance that the Falkland Islands Councillors have already given to Norman with transport costs. SARTMA: What will the earning potential of these Tristanians be when they get back home? BB: We are not by any means a rich economy. We just about break even with our budget so we don’t have a lot of money to spare. And, of course, the Islanders themselves are not that rich. The average wage is about £150.00 a month. Airfares and the cost of getting out to Capetown and so on are prohibitive. So, we will have to look for some assistance to get people across, the men anyway, with the fisheries because it is very relevant to us and we have to develop our fisheries. We’ve got two long-term fishing agreements now. We’ve just got a second one at the moment. We do need more people to be trained as fisheries observers. In particular we are interested in the environmental aspects of fishing because that’s something which I think will become more and more important to us. We are already pretty conscious of the necessity to have a sustainable fishery. There is a lot more than just interest in fishing methods. There is not a great deal of environmental matters and how it fits in with economic development of Tristan. I think we would certainly be looking for people to come here to get some exposure to that type of thing. Certainly they could bring that knowledge and experience back. In Part two Brian Baldwin describes some of the developments on Tristan da Cunha and why they are needed.

This article is the Property and Copyright of SARTMA.com.

Tristan : Administrator Dispels the Myths (Part 2)
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 17.11.2003 (Current Article)

Development on Tristan Da Cunha is discussed.

H. H. THE ADMINISTRATOR DISPELS SOME MYTHS Part 2: Development on Tristan da Cunha   SARTMA: Rightly or wrongly it was reported in the UK and South American press that last year the Royal Navy Shelled a section of Tristan da Cunha’s coastline to help build a new harbour. Obviously something was done. What actually was blown up and how is the project progressing? BB: It wasn’t quite as dramatic as that. We are building a new harbour because the existing harbour is not good. It was built in a bit of a hurry when the Islanders got back to the island after the evacuation in 1961. It was built in the wrong place in a shallow area and basically it is unusable except for 60 days a year because the water is too rough at the harbour mouth to get in and out. It was built on doggy foundations and bits and pieces are gradually falling away. We have some really big storms and the whole thing could be knocked out. We need a new harbour, clear and simple. It’s our only lifeline and without it Tristan would be doomed because people couldn’t off-load goods. We identified a site and hired on a consultant who stayed with us for three months, studied the site, made some recommendations, and drew up a plan. There is more work to be done on that but he gave us the basic position beside our other harbour. SARTMA: Would you give a little history as well as tell why the big bangs and what will that achieve? BB: It was in an existing small pond which is protected at the moment by a bit of beach which came about as a result of the eruption in 1961. What the Royal Navy is helping us to do is, this small pond we wanted to use had a number of large rocks positioned where we didn’t want them in the inner harbour. I asked the Navy if they had a demolition expert that could help us get rid of these rocks. They said they didn’t but they knew a man who did. What the Royal Navy kindly offered was the transportation to bring someone from the Falkland Islands from the Military base here who was a demolition expert who could blow up our rocks for us. And the Royal Navy gave him a free passage out to Tristan because the new HMS Sheffield called into the Falklands last November on its way to Tristan da Cunha and the Commander agreed to let two men come with their equipment. We basically paid for them to come back. It must have sounded like shelling but they came and blew up the rocks for us and cleared the site for us and that was done very successfully. It was quite a big bang, of course. There were several big bangs, in fact. So we now basically have a big hole ready to enlarge and make the main facility. Though it is close to the existing harbour the point is it is in much deeper water. The access to it is in much deeper water so it will be a much more usable harbour in that we can use it over 250 days of the year instead of 60 days a year. Ships can also anchor closer to it because all the transfer of passengers and cargo is via barges that come out from the harbour to the ships which are moored maybe 200 to 300 yards offshore. SARTMA: Will the new harbour have better facilities compared to the one presently in use for no-loading and off-loading people and goods? BB: The new harbour has been designed to provide a new facility. One of the things at the moment because the present harbour is very small, there is no way that any ship including the small fishing vessels which we use for the crayfish industry can actually stay in the harbour overnight. They have to be lifted out by crane every night when they get back, which is a time consuming process. And if we can have a new harbour, which allows vessels, be moored overnight we can save actually about two hours per vessel each day we fish and that’s 40 man hours a day which is a considerable saving. As I say, the existing harbour is cracking up anyway so we’ve got to have a new one. Also, with the position of the new harbour it will save the amount of time travelling to and from the vessels as we are off-loading by about two thirds. That would be a big plus to make it much safer for goods and passengers. One of the great problems we have is getting passengers off of ships. There’s always a swell at Tristan and it’s not so much the swell at the ship. That’s difficult enough but there is always a wave breaking at the existing harbour mouth. It’s why we can’t always get people off. It’s the actual getting in and out of the harbour is the problem. SARTMA: Given the new facility, are Tristanians preparing to import more products or are they interested in more tourism? BB: More products? I don’t think so. The market is only so big. We are only 283 people and 100 households. The market will grow but I don’t think specifically because we have got a new harbour we are suddenly going to start importing more goods. That won’t happen because the income is relatively small. Quite a bit of food is imported like manufactured goods mainly from Cape Town. It will certainly make it easier to import heavy duty machinery. We just had great fun in bringing in a 14 tonne bulldozer. You can imagine you’ve got to have a perfect day to go out and move a 14 tonne bulldozer on a pontoon from the side of a ship into the harbour. Even though we had a very good day it way pretty hairy. It was £100,000.00 worth of machinery swinging around on a crane, trying to balance it on to a pontoon and then bringing it in. Fortunately it went ok. Part 3 will deal with the potential for trade and communications with the other South Atlantic Islands.

This article is the Property and Copyright of SARTMA.com.

Tristan : Administrator Dispels Myths (Part 3)
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 17.11.2003 (Current Article)

New Businesses on Tristan Da Cunha are discussed.

ADMINISTRATOR DISPELS TRISTAN DA CUNHA’S MYTHS Part 3: New Business Opportunities   SARTMA: After the new harbour is complete, will there be more scheduled stop-offs by shipping and tourists especially that en-route to or from the Falklands? BB: Whether we get more tourism is debatable but I think we will get more visits by yachts. At the moment, if a yacht visits Tristan, and they come reasonably frequently, especially if they are taking part in a yacht race and on the way back they stop at Tristan. They can only stop for as long as the weather allows them to stop because they have to have a constant eye to see whether they are pulling or dragging their anchor. If there is too much swell they can’t stop because they’ve got no place to tie up and they have to anchor 200 yards out at sea, So, the new harbour will be designed to take them in. It will be deep enough and protected enough to tie up along-side. People have talked to us about sailing out from Cape Town. People could come and stay for a few days, a few weeks, whatever they like. That sort of tourism would definitely increase. As the word gets around that we’ve got a safer harbour, more operators might be interested in coming and stopping at Tristan da Cunha. SARTMA: It can’t get over the 60 days a year, yet people really want to visit the island. BB: One of the problems at the moment is that tour operators cannot guarantee that people are going to get a landing. Obviously, for many of them to visit Tristan is a life-long ambition and they get there and they lay there for 36 hours and cannot get ashore and that’s really very disappointing. That new harbour would give a much better chance. Once that news gets around some ships that have in the past that have avoided Tristan because of the potential disappointment which is bad news for them as tour operators will probably think again. There are so many tour ships we can handle. It’s a very small community so we don’t want to be overwhelmed, that’s for sure, but we are not going to discourage the contact and the educational aspect of having people come to the island and, of course, the additional revenue they would bring to it. SARTMA: What about ships, perhaps scheduled, coming from the Falklands or South Georgia? BB: I don’t know about scheduled ships coming from the Falklands. We are a little bit off the normal shipping route. Unless you are coming to Tristan you don’t really pass it by and it’s too far one way or the other. We actually see very few ships passing. We certainly be interested in and encourage a little bit more shipping traffic just for the sake of the island. As people come and have a look at us and exchange some educational things, the community will get more mature and people do want to travel a bit more. One of the great restrictions now is how to get people on and off the island. SARTMA: You have some links using the RMS and fishing boats. BB: The fishing boats do about four or five sailing’s a year and they only take a small number of passengers each. If we send maybe three or four medivacs which is quite common, to send people back for operations in Cape Town, and then a family of four or five go and that’s it. The ship is full. And when we get people in Cape Town when they are paying accommodation or the Tristan Government’s paying for them to be there, and we can’t get them back because there isn’t a sailing. And that costs a lot of money. We have actually bought a house in Cape Town that is now owned by Tristan Government specifically for people to stay at while medivaced. Because we are spending such a vast amount of money out for accommodation, the house is paying for itself. That took two years and it’s quite extraordinary. Also, it is now a holiday venue for Tristanians who want to go on holiday. They get a cheap rate and they get a good holiday. That will encourage people to travel more because they have a place they can stay with their friends and so on. As the limiting factor is getting to and from the mainland, the more ships that pass by on predictable time scales would be a big boom for us if we could organise that. SARTMA: Would any of our potential products such as Reindeer meat and pork from the Abattoir or our Mullet and Mero from other processing concerns in the Falklands be of any interest to people in Tristan da Cunha? BB: I don’t think we would be interested in importing meat, or pork or fish or anything like that from anywhere actually because we have our own meat. We’ve got a plentiful supply. We just actually started importing pigs to start supplying pork on the island and most people do fishing for the pot. SARTMA: Is the export of Crayfish to an exclusive market or would Tristanians consider export to the Falklands, especially our restaurants? BB: As for the crayfish, it’s in the hands of a fishing company. We have a long term fishing agreement with a company called Oden-stone (phonetic spelling) in Cape Town. They basically have exclusive rights to the crayfish. We set the quotas. They catch and market it. We control how it is caught. A lot of it goes to Japan, some goes to EU markets and some goes to the States. We recently entered into a fishing agreement with a New Zealand Company called (words obscured) who are targeting Patagonian Toothfish. The marketing is not in our hands because we don’t have the expertise. If anyone in the Falklands wants to import some crayfish I am certain we can organise that. SARTMA: What other products might be suitable for export from Tristan da Cunha? BB: We are looking quite seriously and have had expressions of interest about the export of bottled mineral water. We’ve got a plentiful supply of it, far more than we could ever use ourselves coming down from the mountain. It is pure and of volcanic origin. It is very high quality and doesn’t need any treatment at all. It has some good properties and was tested and compared with existing well known brands of mineral water and came out on top. What we need is a company that’s got the marketing expertise and the foresight to know how much demand there is in America and Europe. I understand it’s gone up 25% in the last two years. It’s an enormous market. As you know the population has risen and in places there is a great shortage of water. There is always going to be a market for water, I think. If we take this forward, we want a small bottling plant on Tristan and it would be sold under a pretty much exclusive label. You can picture the marketing potential for a product like that. I have been telling the islanders over the three years I have been there it could actually become more valuable than our fish. You know, there has been a lot of talk about how water is going to be the cause of the next world war. If we can generate a good market then we could bring in a good income. It would be a long-term investment, by the way. We would have to offer a 25 to 50 year exclusive agreement in order to get the investment needed to set up a small bottling plant and do the marketing. This all goes back to the harbour. Unless we can get stuff off the island there isn’t much point in doing it. So, the harbour is essential to any sort of development for an export like that. SARTMA: Besides the water, are there any other things that could bring an income to the island? BB: The only other thing we can export is Tristan: its remoteness, its life-style offers a way of life for a long-term visitor. I am talking about 6 months to a year. A retired person may want to come to write or to study or do something like that in perfect tranquillity, if you like. You could do a lot worse than come to Tristan. Tristan can export itself in attracting that sort of person to come to the island.

This article is the Property and Copyright of SARTMA.com.

Tristan : Tristan Remembers People Who Helped Them
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 17.11.2003 (Current Article)

Over the years there were many people who have helped Tristanians with their infrastructure as well with other more personal concerns. Two of these people are remembered below.

REMEMBERING THOSE WHO HELPED TRISTAN

This article is the Property and Copyright of SARTMA.com.

Tristan : Tristan Times: On Our Own at Last
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 07.11.2003 (Current Article)

Tristan Times now has it's own website!

Photo (c) James Glass (SARTMA-TdC)

TRISTAN TIMES: ON OUR OWN AT LAST

Unlike the content on the other sites, items on TRISTAN TIMES site will stay on longer so people can refer back to them. The oldest items will be archived for easy access as well. The content that now is on the page is gathered from the Falklands News site, http://www.falklandnews.com. Certain items that pertain to Tristan and the Falklands will stay on that site.

This article is the Property and Copyright of SARTMA.com.

Tristan : Tristanian Rescued by Boat and by Helicopter
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 21.02.2003 (Current Article)

This historical article describes in graphic detail why Tristan da Cunha is considered to be the remotest island in the world.

TRI SERVICES SAVE LIFE OF WOMAN FROM TRISTAN DA CUNHA

This article is the Property and Copyright of SARTMA.com.