MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Photographer's praise for “fantastic” Falklands
An amateur wildlife photographer, John Fairclough, from Liverpool, who emerged from hospital after a serious operation, has lavished praise on the Falkland Islands, its people and wildlife for helping him recover, and giving him the holiday of a lifetime.
Still bandaged from his operation, he received a telephone call telling him he had won a wildlife competition in the magazine, Photograph Monthly, which he had been urged to enter by his wife. His entry was a black and white picture of a swan.
"What's the prize?" he asked. "Ten rolls of film? " "No", came the reply. "A fifteen day trip, all expenses paid, to the Falkland Islands".
Spending eight days there, he travelled with the Falklands Government Air Service (FIGAS) to Goose Green, staying with Ken Greenland; Carcass Island with Rob McGill; Saunders Island with Susan and David Pole- Evans; and Port Howard, with Hattie Lee, whose meals he describes as "fantastic".
In an interview with MercoPress, John Fairclough echoed the words of comedian Jim Davidson in his television programme about the Islands: "Anybody who visits the Falklands comes away with something special in the memory, and wants to return.
I can understand that. It is so tranquil. Sitting alone on Carcass Island with curious rock-hopper penguins coming right up to me, I thought: ?This is what life is all about'"
Staying in Stanley bed-and breakfast accommodation, he was told: "No one locks their doors at night. Only one building does -- and that is the bank. The main crime problems are speeding and drinking and driving".
John Fairclough returned home with no fewer than 3.000 slides he took of wildlife, the countryside, war memorabilia and memorials.
"The photographs", he says, "are a reminder of a wonderful place, but the memories are something more, which I have for life?.feelings and emotions that will never leave me. The people are absolutely fantastic, so warm, and welcoming. They love the British and living under the Union Jack. The wildlife is magnificent. I want to go back"
Harold Briley, (MP) London
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