MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update

His Excellency the Governor (left) and Councillor Mike Rendell unveil the plaque commemorating the opening of the road to the farm of Tex Alazia (right) and his family at Port Edgar.

Headlines: Governor opens new west road; Sir Rex in June VIP party; Visitors galore; Hudson eruption fears; Mini Sports this weekend; FIDC's new chief arrives.

Governor opens new west roadTHE newest road in the Falklands has been officially opened by the Governor. In front of West Falklands residents and the road building gang, His Excellency the Governor, Mr Alan Huckle, cut a ribbon, declaring the Port Edgar road open, and unveiled a brass plaque mounted on a large lump of rock. He was assisted by Councillor Mike Rendell, in his capacity of Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee. The west road building programme is well on now, according to Roads Engineer Bob Hancox, with the only farms now not linked by road being Dunnose Head, Shallow Harbour, East Bay and Philomel. The government is now also contracted to construct a road to Mt Alice which is underway and is in negotiation with the military to construct a road to Byron Heights. The programme extends for another two and a half years, Mr Hancox said. He added, "Capping is ongoing; we are concentrating on the MPA Road at present but current agreed priorities may change with the regular ferry once that is in operation." The government has built in excess of 800 kilometres of road in the Camp, Mr Hancox said, "...quite an achievement considering that twenty five years ago there was virtually no road outside of Stanley." â€Ã‚¢The men and woman behind the road: see page 3.

Sir Rex in June VIP party

FORMER Governor Sir Rex Hunt is among the group of special guests who will be travelling to the Falklands to join in the 25th Anniversary commemorations in June. The 2007 Committee this week announced that Sir Rex and Lady Hunt will visit from June 12 - 18, along with Lord Parkinson, a member of Baroness Thatcher's Cabinet in 1982, who will represent the former Prime Minister. Also in the group will be Major Chris Keeble, Commander "Sharkey" Ward, Major Mike Norman RM; Mrs Sara Constance, whose late husband was involved in the liberation of Goose Green, and the sister of Lieutenant Richard Nunn RM, who is buried at San Carlos. Representatives of the Falkland Islands Association will be among the guests, notably Mrs Merle Christie and Drs Robert and Heather Elgood. Harold Briley will be back, as will Father Augustine Monaghan. The Falklands branch of the South Atlantic Medal Association (SAMA82) will be hosting six couples who will join in the June events. Two families from the Falkland Families Association have also been invited, as have close relatives of the late Lt Nick Taylor, who will visit for the anniversary of his death in early May. Representatives of a number of countries and territories who gave generously and came to the assistance of the Falklands in 1982 have received invitations. Gibraltar has confirmed it will attend. Veterans Minister Derek Twigg this week announced that, contrary to a report in the Observer, a member of the Royal Family and the Armed Forces Minister, Adam Plans are also being made to have a memorial to the Atlantic Conveyorconstructed at Cape Pembroke and an unveiling will take place during the week of commemorations. The memorial will feature a bronze ship's propeller recovered from Navy Point. Planning permission pending, the Public Works department proposes to erect it at Cape Pembroke in an inclined position. The gap between the two top flukes will point to the last resting point of the Atlantic Conveyor. The engraving and renovation works to the monument are being undertaken by Rob Yssel and the ground works and support will be provided by the property and municipal section. A service at Blue Beach is planned for the morning of June 17 and this will be included in the BBC's live commemorative coverage. While the service takes place, the 2007 Committee is hoping that as many people as possible will gather at the Tristar Hangar at Mount Pleasant for a "families day" of displays and activities. A coach service will be laid on to and from Mount Pleasant. Ingram, will be joining in the commemorations. Mr Twigg added that he would be visiting the Islands as part of the SAMA82 pilgrimage being planned for November. The June programme The usual programme in Stanley for Liberation Day will be followed on June 14, with a church service and parade, during which British Forces will exercise their Freedom of the Falkland Islands and march through parts of town. On June 15 the anniversary of the Argentine surrender at Fox Bay will be marked and there will also be community events in Stanley. Plans are also being made to have a memorial to the Atlantic Conveyorconstructed at Cape Pembroke and an unveiling will take place during the week of commemorations. The memorial will feature a bronze ship's propeller recovered from Navy Point. Planning permission pending, the Public Works department proposes to erect it at Cape Pembroke in an inclined position. The gap between the two top flukes will point to the last resting point of the Atlantic Conveyor. The engraving and renovation works to the monument are being undertaken by Rob Yssel and the ground works and support will be provided by the property and municipal section. A service at Blue Beach is planned for the morning of June 17 and this will be included in the BBC's live commemorative coverage. While the service takes place, the 2007 Committee is hoping that as many people as possible will gather at the Tristar Hangar at Mount Pleasant for a "families day" of displays and activities. A coach service will be laid on to and from Mount Pleasant. Visitors galoreMORE than 6,000 people are due to visit the Falklands on cruise ships this week. Bremen(carrying around 184 passengers) will visit George and Barren Islands today then head to Stanley tomorrow. On Sunday, Saga Rose will be in Stanley (with approximately 350 passengers) and on Monday it is the turn of the Golden Princesswith an incredible 3,100 passengers. It's Aurora's (1,900 passengers) turn to visit Stanley on Tuesday while Aleksey Maryshev(50) will visit New Island and Carcass Island. On Wednesday Andrea (100) will visit Stanley, along with Aleksey Maryshev. Delphin is in town on Thursday, while Andreawill visit West Point Island and New Island. Hudson eruption fearsCHILEAN authorities in the Aysen Region are closely monitoring repeated tremors in the area and preparing for a major earthquake or the eruption of the Hudson volcano. The head of Chile's Ministry of the Interior Regional Emergency Office, Juan Azocar, said on Wednesday that the frequency of tremors had increased to every fifteen minutes. In 1991 the prolonged eruption of the Hudson volcano covered southern Chile and vast parts of Argentine Patagonia with ash which also reached as far as the Falkland Islands. MP Mini Sports this weekendTHE popular annual Mini Sports kicks off at the racecourse at 9am on Sunday. The event, which is a joint initiative of the government and the tourist board and run by SeAled PR, will feature a day of horse racing and entertainment, culminating in a party with live music. Racing programmes can be collected from Stanley Services Ltd and will also be available at the racecourse on Sunday. FIDC's new chief arrivesTHE new boss of the Falkland Islands Development Corporation arrives today. Mark Brunet comes from a role as director of a flagship business enterprise support service covering West Sussex, eastern Surrey and parts of East Sussex and Kent which is operated by the Sussex Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise. He is accompanied by his wife, Ursula