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Falklands Islands: Weekly “Penguin News” Update

The mahogany and iron cross Coventry memorial restored by members of HMS Edinburgh. (<i>Photo: Alan White).

Headlines:
Sailors restore Coventry's cross; 'No meeting of minds' on sovereignty, says Governor; New Chief Justice; Badminton coach visits.

Sailors restore Coventry's crossTHE memorial on Pebble Island for HMS Coventryhas received a major facelift for the anniversary of her sinking twenty-five years ago today. Built in 1983 by Coventrysurvivors, the memorial had become severely weathered in its exposed position on the side of First Mountain. The mahogany and iron cross that forms the main part of the memorial was removed in early May by crew members of HMS Edinburgh. It was flown onboard by the ship's Lynx helicopter where the restoration work was carried out by members of the Marine Engineering Department, under the supervision of Chief MEM Hattie Jacques. The cross was flown back to Pebble Island on Wednesday by helicopter, along with a six-man party to reassemble it. For Chief Jacques and his team this was the reward for many hours of work put in to restoring the cross, and they were justifiably pleased with the job they had done. Although serving on HMS Edinburgh at present, they are in fact crew members of HMS Exeter (on a trial crew exchange), a sister ship of HMS Coventryand the last serving Royal Navy vessel from the Falklands war, therefore the project had a particular poignancy for the team. The restoration work was carried out by Chief MEM Jacques, POME Norman, LMEM Scobie, LMEM Allen, MEM Lardner and ETME Ellis; the Lynx crew were Lt Sims and Lt Reynolds. On May 25, 1982 HMS Coventry was on radar picket dutywith HMS Broadswordapproximately 10 miles north of Pebble Island, when she was bombed by Argentine Skyhawks as part of their "Homeland Day offensive". The ship capsized in less than half an hour and sank with the loss of 19 lives. A commemorative service takes place at the memorial today. 'No meeting of minds' on sovereignty, says GovernorIN HIS annual Address to the Nation, the Governor has spoken of the Falklands' strong links with the United Kingdom and the deterioration in relations with Argentina. His Excellency Mr Alan Huckle yesterday told Legislative Council and the listening public that the presence of senior representatives of the UK at the planned Liberation commemorations - such as the Earl of Wessex, the Minister for the Armed Forces and the Shadow Defence Secretary - "clearly demonstrates" the "depth and closeness" of the link between Britain and the Falkland Islands. He commented, "Successive British Prime Ministers have consistently made it clear that the UK government has no doubt about British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, and that there can be no change in that sovereignty or discussion of sovereignty unless and until the Islanders agree - and currently I see no indication that Islanders wish any such change." By contrast, he said, the approach of the current Argentine government has been disappointing. "The Argentine government have made it clear publicly that what they want is discussion about the transfer of sovereignty to Argentina - and on that there can be no meeting of minds." Looking ahead to the commemorations planned by the Argentine Families Commission for later this year, Mr Huckle urged the respect of Islanders' feelings. He explained, "...memories of the Argentine invasion and occupation are still very stark here. The Argentine government...cannot ignore the fact that the invasion occurred and that it changed the situation completely for Islanders and Her Majesty's Government alike. "It will be important, therefore, in agreeing with the Argentine Families' Commission the arrangements for this group visit, that Islander sensitivities are respected." More on the Governor's address next weekNew Chief Justice HIS Excellency the Governor has formally appointed His Lordship Christopher Gardner QC as Chief Justice of the Falkland Islands. Mr Gardner was sworn in by Acting Governor Mahala Wynns in the Turks and Caicos Islands on May 22. Mr Gardner has served as Chief Justice in the Turks and Caicos Islands (British West Indies) since November 2004 and will be returning to London later this year. He replaces James Wood as Chief Justice of the Falklands, who was appointed in September 1998 following the death of Sir Renn Davis. Commenting on the appointment, His Excellency the Governor, Mr Alan Huckle, said, "I am very pleased to have appointed Christopher Gardner QC to serve as Chief Justice of the Falkland Islands. He comes with a fine reputation from the Turks and Caicos Islands, which is a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean, and he has had a distinguished legal career in London." Mr Huckle added, "I take this opportunity also publicly to thank James Wood for his distinguished service as our Chief Justice since 1998 and also as Senior Magistrate before then - and wish him well for the future. He has served the Falklands well." Badminton coach visits THE Badminton Club is hosting a professional coach, Rebecca Pantaney, to help with training, in preparation for the Island Games Badminton Tournament in Greenland in October this year. The visit is sponsored by the Commonwealth Games Association, Falkland Islands Company, Falkland Islands Holdings and Caribbean Alliance Insurance Company and help and support has also been provided by the Falkland Islands Overseas Games Association. Rebecca, herself a Commonwealth Games gold medal holder and currently ranked number four in England, will be arriving on Saturday for two weeks. As well as working with the Badminton Club, she will also be doing some work with the schools. The Badminton Club members say anyone who is interested in coming along to the club is more than welcome - club nights are Mondays and Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm. Next week in PENGUIN NEWS: Full coverage of the Legislative Council Budget session, including the final decisions of the Budget Select Committee.