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Penguin News Update

Headlines:
Pilgrimage 2007: Planning begins for visit by 200 veterans; Employment talk; Second loligo season starts; Teachers ?unhappy' at FICS; Military say a flying farewell.

Pilgrimage 2007: ?We promise to do our best...'

THE Girl Guides' farewell party for His Excellency the Governor and his family on Tuesday was made all the more special when five Rainbows and two Brownies made their promises. (See page 6 for story.) Pictured (l-r) are: Vicky Berntsen, Jessica Morris, Darby Newman, Africa Shepherd and Lauren Dent.

Planning begins for visit by 200 veterans

A PILGRIMAGE of around 200 British veterans is being planned for next year, the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War. In a similar fashion to the pilgrimage which took place in 2002, the veterans will arrive en masse in November 2007 and spend a week in the Islands. Plans for the week are likely to include a visit to the Argentine cemetery at Darwin and a service at the British cemetery at San Carlos, along with visits to destinations with special meaning to each individual. They will also have the chance to tour battle sites and to see some of the Falklands' wildlife. Chair of the Falklands branch of the South Atlantic Medal Association (SAMA82), Gary Clement said the flights of around 100 of the veterans will be paid for by charities, in recognition of the benefits the pilgrimage can have for those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Similarly to the 2002 pilgrimage, it is likely a commercial aircraft will be chartered to bring the veterans to the Falklands. SAMA82 is also bringing a group of six people to the Falklands for their own pilgrimage in November this year. The six will include a young woman whose father was killed aboard Sir Galahadin 1982. Accommodation for the visitors is now being organised and MrClement appealed to residents who may have a bed to offer. Beds and transport will also be needed for next year's pilgrimage and SAMA82 will be asking for help with this at a later date. 2007 commemorations In addition to the 35 guests being invited by the government for next year's June 2007 commemorations, SAMA82 is inviting five veterans and their partners to attend the events. Mr Clement said SAMA82 decided to invited couples in recognition of the effects the Falklands War has had not only on veterans but also on their wives and partners. "They've gone through it too, at the other end..." A visit by a sixth couple is being funded by an anonymous benefactor in the Falklands. Again the charity will be appealing for accommodation for the visitors. Islanders' documentary Actor and filmmaker David McCreedy, who produced the film documenting the pilgrimage in 2002, has been commissioned to produce a new documentary, this time focusing on Falkland Islanders' views and memories of the 1982 war. He is looking for possible interview subjects and anyone who is keen to take part in the film should contact Mr Clement in the first instance and he will supply Mr McCreedy's contact details.

New leadership for Chamber

AFTER a five year presidency, businessman Tim Miller has stood down from the Chamber of Commerce. At the Chamber's annual general meeting held on Tuesday evening, Roger Spink, Director of the Falkland Islands Company Ltd, was elected as his successor. Hamish Wylie was elected Vice-President, Pam Budd is now Treasurer and Lewis Clifton and John Birmingham were elected as committee members. Over the past five years, Mr Miller said, the Chamber has gained more recognition from the government as a serious body representing the commercial sector with which to communicate and negotiate." Mr Miller encouraged the Chamber to support councillors in their "robust stand against Argentina". He commented, "Argentine tactics are to damage our economy wherever possible and as much as possible; so far some businesses are feeling it, more will do in time but we should be prepared to face it down. "We need to stand up for ourselves and become more pro-active, and not just rely on the UK to do it." Looking ahead to his year as President of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr Spink said the main challenges facing the organisation are, "...to build on the business optimism from the better illex season, and lobby the government to ensure the right commercial environment is in place to foster the growth our members seek in the tourism, oil, construction and fishing industries." He said the vibrant local business community has shown itself "remarkably capable" of responding to the obstacles of rising fuel, transport costs and international politics. The Falklands are a "friendly, positive and dynamic place to visit or do business in the 21st century, with good worldwide communication links", Mr Spink added, "and the Chamber promotes this image to outside businesses and organisations."

Employment talk

COUNCILLORS are holding a meeting with school leavers, college and university students and ?returnees' next week to discuss employment opportunities in the Islands. The meeting was called following the submission of a letter from student John Short (see Your Letters,page 7) about employment opportunities and incentives in the Falklands. Councillor Richard Stevens said there are a number of issues to be addressed and the meeting will be a chance to get different parties to talk together: "...people at student level and also people in the job market who are beginning to plan their futures." He encouraged as many interested people as possible to come along to the meeting: "That way, they can put their views and we can get our views across and hopefully there will be a meeting in the middle." The meeting will take place on Thursday, July 27 at 5pm in the Court and Council Chambers.

Second loligo season starts

THE second loligo squid season is now underway, and the Director of Fisheries says catches have been, "...good, although overall they have been a bit variable." Licence fees for this loligo season are worth £3.2 million to the government. Fishing has started in the south in the area west of Beauchene Island and, Mr Barton said, vessels have been allowed to fish further west than usual to see if there is loligo in the area. He said it is too early to predict how successful the season will be, "...although we should have the results from the pre-season survey undertaken on the New Polar in the near future."

Teachers ?unhappy' at FICS

THE head of the Falkland Islands Community School (FICS) resigned for "professional reasons," Councillor Richard Stevens confirmed this week. In an interview with Stacy Bragger on Falklands Radio yesterday, Councillor Stevens was reluctant to comment, however he said the situation will be reviewed, "and we will move on from there." He confirmed that "teachers are unhappy" at the Community School and added, "it's our job to try and give them as much support as possible." His comments followed the Director of Education's confirmation late last week that FICS headteacher Alan Purvis's had resigned.

Military say a flying farewell

AS PART of the farewell of Group Captain Moulds, the Chief of Staff British Forces Falkland Islands, there will be a fly past at Stanley on July 24.

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