MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falkland Islands: Penguin News Update
Current and former members of the Goose Green community with their Para friends. <i> Headlines:
Paras return to Goose Green; Chief Executive reveals resignation plans; New governmental heads; Brothers in Arms dedicated to SAMA; Falklands lobby UN
Paras return to Goose GreenSERVING members of the Parachute Regiment have joined Islanders to commemorate the battle and subsequent liberation of Goose Green. The presence of the fourteen soldiers - one, a veteran of the war - added to the poignancy of the commemorations. Led by Major John Meredith who was a sergeant in 1982, they joined a large number of Islanders at the Parachute Regiment Memorial overlooking Darwin and Goose Green on Tuesday, May 29, 25 years to the day that the civilians who had been locked up in the settlement's hall were freed. Eileen Jaffray was among the internees in the hall in 1982. She said the presence of the men from the Parachute Regiment at the service made it, "extra special." She commented, "It was great to have Major Meredith there, who fought at Goose Green and slept in the old plumber's shop." She added, "It was the icing on the cake when we were blessed to have the wonderful flying display by the Royal Air Force." The service followed along traditional lines and was led by the Reverend Kathy Biles. Wreaths were laid by His Excellency the Governor, the Commander of British Forces and Councillor Andrea Clausen, on behalf of Baroness Thatcher. A large number of private wreaths were also laid. RIC tributeColonel H Jones, who was killed in the Battle of Goose Green, was in The Devon and Dorsets before he joined the Parachute Regiment. The Devon and Dorsets were amalgamated into The Rifles, which is the current Roulement Infantry Company (RIC) at Mount Pleasant. In recognition of this link, after Tuesday's service members of the RIC visited the memorial to Colonel Jones to lay a wreath. Chief Executive reveals resignation plansTHE government's Chief Executive, Chris Simpkins, says he will be tendering his resignation within the next few weeks. There are one or two pre-contract formalities to be completed, but Mr Simpkins has informed councillors of his intentions because an announcement about his new job is planned to be made in the UK this weekend, "...and I wanted to make sure that members and staff heard it from me rather than through the diddle-dee..." He also wanted to give councillors the opportunity to begin the recruitment process for his successor, "as soon as possible," he said. Mr Simpkins says he has no special reason for moving on; he is in the final year of his contract and had begun to explore possibilities for the next stage of his career. However, he added, "It has all happened a lot more quickly than I had anticipated." He has accepted (subject to contract) the position of Director General of The Royal British Legion and plans to leave the Islands in September, "...but nothing is firm yet." New governmental headsKathleen Bree is to be the new Director of Health Services in the Falkland Islands. Ms Bree began her career as a Staff Nurse and has had a successful career in the health services sector, mainly based in Scotland. She is currently Service Manager for Regional Public Health in the greater Wellington region of New Zealand. Prior to this she was the Director of Allied Health Professionals and Nursing in the Orkney Islands. Ms Bree will arrive in the Islands on July 27 to take up her post. Another appointment announced this week was that of Captain Stefan Koehler to the post of General Manager of FIGAS. Captain Koehler currently holds the position of Flight Safety Officer and Quality System Manager for Air-Tec Africa and is based in South Africa. He hails from Germany where he began his career in the Unified Armed Forces. He later moved into civilian aviation, engineering and transport fields and he has extensive aviation management experience. Captain Koehler will arrive in the Islands in mid-July and will be accompanied by his wife, Jennifer, and their infant son Brothers in Arms dedicated to SAMAA NEW version of the hit song 'Brothers in Arms' has been produced to raise funds for Falklands veterans. Mark Knopfler has re-recorded the song to mark the 25th anniversary of the Falklands war and to raise funds for the South Atlantic Medal Association (SAMA82). The new version of 'Brothers in Arms' is a 'live' version recorded in one take at Abbey Road. All the money from downloaded sales will go to SAMA82 Mark Knopfler said he was "touched" that his song, which he wrote at the time of the Falklands war, has been chosen to support the many veterans who are still suffering from the effects of the conflict. The record was officially released in the UK on May 29, the 25th anniversary of the battle at Goose Green. â€Ã‚¢ 'Brothers in Arms' (Live at Abbey Road) can be downloaded from www.virgindigital.co.uk Falklands lobby UNTHE Falklands were represented by Councillor Richard Davies at a United Nations Regional Seminar on Decolonisation last week, a precursor to the meeting of the Committee of 24 in New York. Delegates at the seminar in Grenada were, "genuinely interested," in the views of representatives of the overseas territories, Cllr Davies said. He commented, "Unlike the meeting in New York there is an opportunity for some real debate." Cllr Davies made his statement on the second day of the seminar, and it was followed by a statement by the Argentine delegation. He was then able to respond to this, "...and point out some of the moral, intellectual and historical flaws in their argument." It is important that Falkland Islanders continue to represent themselves at these meetings, Cllr Davies said, adding, "no one else can." Inside Penguin News this week: Free May Ball colour supplement
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesCommenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!