MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Islands celebrate as Governor says ?I do'; MPs to visit.

Inside: Tour guides let loose; CITB update; Readers' letters; Gift to Stanley House; Falkland's weddings abroad.

Islands celebrate as Governor says ?I do'

HISTORY was made yesterday when the Governor of the Falkland Islands married his Dutch partner in a Stanley wedding ceremony. As they took their marriage vows in Christ Church Cathedral in Stanley, the world's most southerly cathedral, His Excellency Mr Howard Pearce CVO, 55, and Miss Caroline Thomée, 38, made history, this being the first time a representative of Her Majesty the Queen has chosen to wed in the Falkland Islands. Despite a blustery wind, a large gathering assembled at the Cathedral to witness the occasion. Such was the level of public interest in the event, live coverage was broadcast on television by KTV, webcam by Cable and Wireless and nationwide radio by the Falkland Islands Broadcasting Station. Cable and Wireless later reported that internet usage went to its "full capacity" both locally and internationally during the wedding. All school children in the Falklands were given the day off school in recognition of the event. His Excellency chose to marry in his official Governor's uniform while his Dutch bride looked radiant in a felted dress of Falklands wool. The full length dress featured a subtle pattern of spring colours. Best man was the groom's friend, Mr Robert Napier, Chief Executive of the World Wildlife Fund and the bride was supported by her friend, Ms Loeky Kramer. In recognition of the bride'sroots, Reverend Paul Sweeting made the closing prayer in both English and Dutch. A cheer went up from the crowd as the happy couple emerged from the Cathedral, greeted by a guard of honour from the Falkland Islands Defence Force, bathed in spring sunshine and accompanied by the joyous pealing of the church bells. Members of the Brownies later sealed the event with three cheers for the couple. The newlyweds, both self-confessed Falklands fanatics ensured the public at large was included in their big day. After visiting community group Acorns at the hospital for a party, they hosted a two hour celebration in the Town Hall, to which all members of the community were invited, before holding a reception at Government House later in the evening.

MPs to visit.

FOUR United Kingdom politicians are to visit next month. Dari Taylor MP (Labour), Alun Cairns AM (Conservative), Alan Campbell MP (Labour) and Vera Baird MP (Labour) will be in the Islands from November 19 - 25. The group will meet with representatives of both the public and private sectors and will spend time in Stanley and Camp. They will be accompanied by Falkland Islands Government Representative in the UK, Miss Sukey Cameron. Miss Cameron says the value of such visits should not be underestimated: "Members not only get to see the Islands for themselves but, more importantly, meet Islanders and become fully apprised of our views and aspirations. When they return they pass on their impressions to their colleagues and are able to assist us in Parliament on any matters that may arise." The UK Parliament has the final say in Falklands external matters (Foreign Affairs and Defence) and Miss Cameron says it is the Falklands' responsibility to, "...ensure that Members of Parliament are well briefed on Falkland Islands issues. "To do this we undertake a rolling programme of meeting those Members who have not been involved with the Falklands before; take stands at the annual Party Conferences; act as Secretariat to the UK Falkland Islands All Party Group and organise visits to the Islands." The Government has tried to make the MP visits an annual fixture since 1989 however Miss Cameron says, "...in some cases events conspire against us."