Queen's Day this year was held on Saturday 31st March. It was a successful day with the weather being nice and everyone having fun. The new Chief Islander Conrad Glass sounded the dong early that morning.

The fishing completion took place between Big Point and the Hardies, all fish allowed in the completion had to be caught off the beach, that day. Measurements were the total length (TL).

Beach Fishing

Adults: First Prize: Shane Green (Yellowtail 110.5cm TL) Second Prize: Robin Repetto (Yellowtail 99cm TL)

Children: First Prize: Danny Swain (Fivefinger 56.5cm TL) Second Prize: Julian Repetto (Fivefinger 52cm TL)

Normally when the potatoes are dug from the potato patches, the islanders keep aside the biggest and the heaviest one to compete for the prize at Queen's Day.

Heaviest New Potato

White Blossom: First Prize: Jeremy Green (795gm) Second Prize: Ken Green (790gm)

Smooth skin: First Prize: Nicole Glass (770gm) Second Prize: Iris Green (510gm)

Most items of knitwear that entered the competition came from the wool sheared at the annual shearing day just before Christmas.

Best Knitted Item

First Prize: Catherine Glass (Sweater) Second Prize: Emma Rogers (Shawl)

Best Knitted Socks

First Prize: Sheila Glass Second Prize: Dorothy Rogers

Best Pot Plant

First Prize: Debbie Swain Second Prize: Daphne Repetto

Best Garden Flower Arrangement

First Prize: Rachel Green Second Prize: Miranda Repetto

Best Wild Flower Arrangement

First Prize: Kimberley Green Second Prize: Sasha Green

Tristan potato crisps are a specialty to many who visit Tristan and are enjoyed by the Tristanians themselves; many prefer those to the imported ones from South Africa. Joanne has been making home made crisps for many years and has won the prize on numerous occasions.

Best Home Made Potato Crisps

First Prize: Joanne Green Second Prize: Elizabeth Rogers

Best Home Made Chocolate Cake

First Prize: Mary Lavarello Second Prize: Darren Repetto

Golf Putting

Men: First Prize: Steve Swain Second Prize: Darren Repetto

Ladies: First Prize: Emma Rogers Second Prize: Donna Rogers

Hand Line Casting

Men: First Prize: Larry Swain Second Prize: Shane Green

Ladies: First Prize: Denise Rogers Second Prize: Elizabeth Rogers

Running

Men: First Prize: Nicholas Swain Second Prize: Shane Green

Ladies: First Prize: Kirsty Green Second Prize: Glenda Swain.

Other sports held were tug of war, married against singles, for both men and women, and football rounders that were enjoyed by all ages. The day ended with drinks at the Prince Philip Hall, a toast to the Queen and dance.

A raffle was held and the first prize of a free return trip to Cape Town and a stay at the Tristan House went to Piers Hagan. All other prizes were given out before the dance started.

Shipping News.

The Sailing ship Europa arrived at Tristan on Friday the 7th April to experience strong westerly winds and heavy swell in the harbour. Lucky they had time to spare and were able to anchor in the lee of the island and landed the 34 passengers on Monday the 9th April. The yacht Finisterre, with a crew of 2 also came in and was able to land and collect fresh provisions at the same time.

Easter Birth makes Tristan's population 273!

On Holy Thursday Tina Glass gave birth to Tristan Matthew Patrick Glass, the new born weighed in at 8lbs and both mother and baby are doing well. Trevor is the proud father of Tristan, and is Nicole's much younger brother.

Sarah Glass