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Falkland Islands: Weekly ”Penguin News update

Veterans visit picture at Government House in Stanley

Headlines:
'Depart with a lighter heart'; Tourists hosted in Stanley homes; Civil servants' resignations highlight recruitment troubles; Governor congratulates new citizens.

'Depart with a lighter heart'THE pilgrimage of 250 Falklands War veterans and family members of those who lost their lives in 1982 - pictured above with the Governor, Veterans Minister and Commander of British Forces - has been declared a huge success by everyone involved. The veterans left the Falklands on their chartered aircraft on Tuesday after a busy week of remembrance and socialising with Islanders - four pages of coverage inside PN.Addressing the veterans at a reception held on the eve of their departure, Chairman of the 2007 Committee, Lewis Clifton said: "The success of the 1982 war restored our freedom and re-established our right to determine our future under the government of our choosing. Tremendous sacrifice was given and severe injury inflicted on others to restore that freedom. We shall never fail to recognise those sacrifices nor the huge commitment and dedication of the men and women who sailed with the Task Force." He added: "As we all move forward our thoughts are still with those who suffer and are distressed. Equally at the same time, we hope that having returned to our shores you will depart with a much lighter heart, full of fond memories of a people who remain eternally grateful." Picture: John Pole-Evans. Tourists hosted in Stanley homesTHE Tourist Board has been securing beds in local homes for more than 120 people arriving in the Falklands tomorrow. The visitors were scheduled to fly into the Islands on Lan to meet their ship, Clipper Adventurer, in Stanley however the ship has been delayed by bad weather and will not arrive until Sunday. As there is not enough space in Stanley's hotel and B&B accommodation, the Tourist Board has been calling people on their list of those willing to provide accommodation in such circumstances. Sammy Marsh of Sulivan Shipping Ltd, the company organising the passenger exchange for Clipper Adventurer, said yesterday that the planning for the influx of people was going well. She commented: "I have been in contact with Zeghram, the charterers of the vessel, and they are more than happy for their passengers to stay with families in Stanley because they are well aware of the Falklands' reputation for hospitality and friendliness." Anyone requiring more information can contact Sammy on 52628 or 22626. Civil servants' resignations highlight recruitment troublesIN THE past week, two civil servants have opted to terminate their employment contracts early. Environmental Planning Officer Andrea Wright is to leave the Islands one year into her three year contract and Community School Science teacher Alexander Tkaczynski has resigned after just a few months in post. The government's Chief Executive, Dr Mike Blanch, was unwilling to comment on the individuals' decisions to leave but he confirmed they were unrelated. He commented: "Turnover of staff occurs throughout the civil service. In any organisation people sometimes decide that a job is not for them." The news of the resignations comes at a time when the government is finding it increasingly difficult to recruit professionals from overseas. Dr Blanch said the reasons for this are being researched: "Leaving state-funded pension schemes can be a problem, for instance." Councillor Mike Summers said he did not believe the recent resignations related to pay issues but acknowledged that in the past there have been imbalances between wages that the Falklands offers compared to other countries. Increases to civil servants' pay in the Islands were largely in accordance with the cost of living index, he said, whereas in the UK some areas of civil service pay had increased substantially more, for reasons to do with their economy and markets. Cllr Summers commented: "This occasionally causes imbalances in pay scales - as an example the government relatively recently negotiated revised pay levels for doctors as a direct result of this imbalance, whereas we pay newly qualified teachers more than they might expect at home." He added that the Falklands recruit in alternative markets where possible, mainly other English speaking Commonwealth countries with similar standards. Cllr Summers commented: "The Chief Executive has been asked to produce a report to Executive Council on the issue of pay and conditions for civil servants, specifically related to these differentials and recruitment difficulties in some areas, and we will consider the implications of that during the budget deliberations." Governor congratulates new citizensCHUFFED TO BE BRITISH - Chilean-born Peter Villegas, husband of Islander Caroline, was delighted to receive his British citizenship from his Excellency the Governor Mr Alan Huckle on Tuesday. The presentation was made in front of family and friends at a reception held at Government House on Tuesday evening. Also receiving her citizenship on the evening was Russian-born Anya Harris.