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Penguin News Update

Headlines: Rewarding a year's hard work;
Travel security increased on south-bound flights only; Governor leaves;
Advice for Camp patients; Man injured in incident;
Coastal contract: clock ticking to end of Island Shipping service.

Rewarding a year's hard work

THE school year draws to a close this week and students gathered on Wednesday for their respective school prizegivings. Acting Governor Harriet Hall presented the prizes at both events. In her address to the Community School she encouraged the students to "make the most of your school years - you won't get to repeat them." She added, "I hope that when you leave school - wherever you go in the world - you remember the support you have received and make yourselves worthy representatives of the Falkland Islands." ? See Penguin News next week for a full list of prize winners and photographs by Norman Clark. Photo: Lucianne Henry receives the Chief Executive's prize from the Acting Governor, Harriet Hall, at the Junior School prizegiving.

Travel security increased on south-bound flights only

THE discovery and disruption of a plot to blow up planes in flight from the United Kingdom to the United States is causing travel delays throughout the world. The threat level to the UK was raised to "critical" by MI5 and increased security caused delays at all UK airports. Strike Command, the military branch which controls all of the United Kingdom's front-line aircraft, said yesterday that RAF and charter flights operated through both civil and military airports under the National Airport Security Programme regulations were affected by the increased security. A number of measures will apply to passengers travelling on the airbridge from the UK to the Falklands and those transferring between flights at UK airports. "With immediate effect all cabin baggage must be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK airports. Nothing may be carried in pockets." Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items: * pocket size wallets and pocket size purses; * travel documents essential for the journey; * prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight; * spectacles and sunglasses, without cases; * contact lens holders, without bottles of solution; * baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight. The Ministry of Defence said all passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all items they are carrying must be x-ray screened. "These regulations will apply to all passengers both military and civilian." Captain Laura Evans of Media Operations at Mount Pleasant said there are no extra security restrictions being instigated for the north bound airbridge flight out of MPA. However she added, "Passengers are to be mindful of increased security requirements out of the UK." Mark Spicer of Falklands Security Services Ltd, the company contracted to provide security staff for the weekly Lan service, said Saturday afternoon's flight will not be subject to the same measures as the military flight, "...as we're not flying to the UK." He commented, "For us, it's a question of increased vigilance, there's no suggestion of an increased threat level."

Governor leaves

THE Falklands has waved goodbye to its Governor, Howard Pearce CVO. He was waved off by a crowd consisting of scores of school children and other well wishers who gathered outside the Jetty Visitor's Centre in Stanley. Mr Pearce, his wife Caroline and daughter Suzanna left from the public jetty in a Falkland Islands Company launch (above) which took them to FIPASS, where they boarded the fishery patrol vessel Dorada for the voyage to Mare Harbour. The new Governor, Mr Alan Huckle, arrives on August 25. ? More photos of the Governor's departure on page 8.

Advice for Camp patients

CAMP residents requiring a non urgent consultation with a doctor should ensure they ring the hospital before 10am and the on-call doctor will call back soon after, the Health and Medical Services Committee has assured. Following criticism of the current system, Director of Health, Nikki Osborne, said that the time calls are received from Camp will be recorded by the hospital. The receptionist will phone back if the doctor is involved with other less routine matters. In an urgent situation, she said callers should not just give up. Whether it is an emergency or not "has to be the judgment of the person making the call" she said.

Man injured in incident

AN INCIDENT in which a man is believed to have been struck by a vehicle which then left the scene is being investigated. Gavin Browning lost most of one ear in the incident on July 28 and required 41 stitches to his head. He spent five days in hospital. A police spokesman yesterday said a person is helping police with their enquiries. "A vehicle has been examined and items submitted for forensic examination in the United Kingdom."

Coastal contract: clock ticking to end of Island Shipping service

ONLY four months remain until Island Shipping Ltd's contract to operate the coastal shipping service comes to an end. An update on the tender process for the new coastal shipping contract will be given to the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) when it meets next week. Chair of the TAC, Councillor Mike Rendell, confirmed this week that the shipping service will be discussed at Tuesday's meeting, "but probably in the closed section." He said the two preferred tenderers are reporting back to the Tender Board by August 18 on several issues raised by Executive Council. "Island Shipping Limited have had their existing contract extended until the end of November. "Time is clearly getting short, not only in the awarding of a new coastal shipping contract but also with mobilisation issues."

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