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Headlines:
Getting Memorial Wood ready for 2007; ?South Atlantic 25' announced; Dry-dock delayed; Indecent images found: man pleads guilty

Getting Memorial Wood ready for 2007MEMBERS of the Cubs from Stanley and Mount Pleasant got together to plant daffodil bulbs in Memorial Wood on the Queen's Birthday, to ensure the area will be in full bloom for the Falklands War commemorations in 2007. Pictured are Macaulay Middleton, Kane Smith and Benjamin Sommerville having a helping hand from Corporals Marsh and Stewart of the Mount Pleasant photo section. More on page 9. (Picture J Miller)

?South Atlantic 25' announced

PLANS for the United Kingdom's commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Falklands Conflict to be held next year have been announced by the Secretary of State for Defence. John Reid yesterday said the commemorations, which will be designated "South Atlantic 25" will begin with the Service of Remembrance in the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel at Pangbourne College, which will take place on Thursday, June 14. This will coincide with a range of events in Stanley. The main UK event will take place on Horse Guards Parade in the afternoon of Sunday, June 17, and will consist of a parade, drum-head service and march past. Mr Reid said: "The outstanding bravery of our Armed Forces personnel, both past and present, is to be remembered next June as part of our commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Falklands Conflict. "Tragically, 252 lives were lost from the South Atlantic Task Force and these events will allow us to honour their memories. "We will also be able to show our appreciation for the selfless commitment and heroic sacrifices made by all of our personnel, both in the Falkland Islands and current operations around the world." Veterans' Minister Don Touhig added, "These important commemorative events will be attended by all campaign veterans, including the civilian workforce who worked round the clock to enable the Task Force to deploy so quickly. "They will be joined by serving members of the Armed Forces and Merchant Navy representing the ships, units and squadrons which took part in the operation. "It is important we never forget the achievements and actions of our Armed Forces' veterans, who have done so much in every conflict we have encountered." Mr Touhig reported that the Ministry of Defence will be working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and veterans' organisations to plan the events in the United Kingdom and will be liaising with the Falkland Islands Government. "Further details will become available in due course and will be passed to the veterans' organisations and posted on the Veteran Agency website." Plans for commemorations in the Falklands were revealed earlier this month by the 2007 Committee Chairman, Lewis Clifton. In addition to the usual June 14 (Liberation Day) holiday, a second public holiday will also take place on June 15. A number of the war memorials around the Islands will be rededicated as will the British cemetery at San Carlos, and the Islands will host a group of invited guests, chosen from nominations made by the public last year. Veterans seek contact Members of the South Atlantic Medal Association have urged Falkland Islanders to join in a discussion forum on their website. Among the topics currently being discussed is a proposed pilgrimage to the Islands next year but most veterans simply wish to chat to Islanders. ? The forum can be joined on www.sama82.org.uk

Dry-dock delayed

THE coastal shipping vessel Tamar FIhas not yet left for dry-dock as planned due to the failure of one of the superchargers on the main engine. The vessel was due to have headed to Chile earlier this month to have repairs to its propellor carried out in dry-dock. A spokesperson for the company said a replacement part for the supercharger was flown in on Wednesday's flight. "Once this has been fitted and tested, it is our intention to collect two final loads of sheep from the West for the Falkland Islands Meat Company before proceeding to dry-dock to be there for May 3/4." When asked when the interim ferry service would resume, the spokesperson said, "There is obviously going to be some catching up to do after the dry-dock but we will certainly be able to complete the scheduled ferry crossing at the end of May."

Indecent images found: man pleads guilty

A STANLEY electrician has been remanded in custody after admitting to possessing indecent images of children. Keith John Reddick (56) pleaded guilty in court on Monday morning, following his arrest on Thursday, April 20. Prosecutor Philip de Berry said the charge faced by Mr Reddick did not represent the totality of all the images found in his home and a further charge of a similar nature may follow. In opposing bail for Mr Reddick on Monday, Mr de Berry said the warrant to search Mr Reddick's home was applied for on the basis of interviews and inquiries conducted by the Social Work team. In addition to the images found to which the charge related, he said a number of photographs of local boys - "not necessarily indecent" - were found, along with stories apparently written by Mr Reddick. Mr de Berry said the Crown was concerned about Mr Reddick's involvement with young boys. However, Mr Reddick's defence lawyer, Keith Watson, reminded the court that his client had been charged with just one offence, adding that whatever he may or may not have done as alleged by Mr de Berry, or what is believed to be ?known' by the public was, "...totally irrelevant," to the sentencing for the offence. In refusing bail, Senior Magistrate Clare Faulds commented, "Having received a very clear indication that there are likely to be further charges and given that the defendant has come before the court to plead guilty...it is appropriate to accept the Crown's submission..." Mr Reddick will reappear before the Senior Magistrate today for consideration of his bail.

June 2005 incidents

A man is to appear in court today to face charges relating to alleged incidents last June. Andrew MacDonald is charged with causing criminal damage, interfering with a vehicle, taking a vehicle without consent and theft.

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