MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News Update

Headlines: Happy Birthday RAF!; Blind runner embarks upon marathon challenge; Who will get oil money?; Man jailed; Credits in question; Woken with a bang; Dream heralds end of season.

Happy Birthday RAF!Members of the Royal Air Force serving in the Falklands celebrated their 90th Anniversary on Tuesday. Marking the event was a flypast of Stanley and Mount Pleasant by VC-10 and F-3 Tornado aircraft, accompanied by a Sea King helicopter. (Picture: MPC Photo Section) Blind runner embarks upon marathon challenge BLIND runner Dave Heeley and his support team arrive in the Falklands tomorrow (Saturday) to prepare for his epic challenge - to complete seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, in aid of the UK's Guide Dogs charity. The Falklands marathon, which will count as Dave's Antarctic leg, will begin at 8.01pm local time on Sunday, which is 12.01am on Monday, UK time. Islanders and military personnel are being encouraged by Dave's Falklands organisers to get involved in the event on the weekend and Sunday evening. Corporal Simon Almond, Standard Chartered Bank 2008 marathon champion, is co-ordinating the route and accompanying Dave and his guide, Malcolm Carr, on the actual marathon, along with Hugh Marsden, three-times Falklands marathon champion. The marathon route through Mount Pleasant Airport includes the entire Mare Harbour Road, dock area and a run past the Royal Navy's vessels, a run down a length of the main runway with a squad of military runners and a dash past various RAF aircraft. Dave's liaison person in the Falklands, Steve Dent, commented: "Military and civilian residents alike are encouraged to come along and support Dave and his team throughout the challenge. To check on progress call the event hotline – 55632 or 55392 - and local organisers will advise on the current location. The event begins on the road near the MPC Officers Mess at 8.01pm local. It is anticipated that the run will finish at approximately 12.30am at 12 Facility. We hope to have as big a crowd as possible at the finish line." The second leg of the challenge will take place in Rio De Janeiro (South America) within the same 24 hour period, before Dave and the team board their flight to Los Angeles (North America) for the third leg at the world-famous Rose Bowl. The fourth leg is being held at Centennial Park in Sydney (Australasia), the fifth at Safa Park in Dubai (Asia) and sixth in Tunis (Africa). The spectacular finale is the Flora London Marathon, on Sunday, April 13. Who will get oil money?WILL the British Government demand income from any revenues from hydrocarbons found in the Falklands? That question was put to Foreign Office (FCO) Minister, Meg Munn, by member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee (FASC) Eric Illsley MP who visited the Islands last month. Ms Munn said the UK government would hold negotiations with Islanders if oil were found, which Mr Illsley said he took to be a "yes". His questioning followed a statement by Leigh Turner from the FCO that the British Government would have to give permission if there were to be a major new change of policy on hydrocarbons, for example in relation to licensing a number of major new areas of Falkland Islands' waters. The questions asked by Mr Illsley resulted directly from discussions between the FASC, Councillors and others about the development of hydrocarbons and the review of the Constitution. More on page 3 Man jailedA MAN was sent to prison for a month on Wednesday after he admitted committing offences while under a suspended sentence. Christopher Hawksworth was given a three month sentence, suspended for one year, in May 2007, however he admitted assaulting William Harvey and a police officer and causing fear to Elane Hawksworth on December 27, 2007. After considering a favourable pre-sentence report and hearing mitigation from defence counsel Keith Watson, Senior Magistrate Alison Thompson said the suspended sentence was to be activated in part for one month with immediate effect. She sentenced Mr Hawksworth to 14 days imprisonment for the assault occasioning actual bodily harm, plus £100 compensation to Mr Harvey, seven days for assaulting the police officer and a further seven days for causing fear to Mrs Hawksworth. The sentences will run concurrently. Miss Thompson said it was serious to flout a court penalty and it could not be ignored, however she had taken into account that it was close to the end of the term of the suspended sentence and it was clear Mr Hawksworth had made an effort to set up a business and had earned the respect of the community. She said the prison sentence was short and his business should be able to continue in that time. Credits in questionA PAPER recommending the abolition of the Holiday Credit Scheme was presented to Executive Council last week. Councillor Mike Rendell said the paper was deferred for further options to be considered but added: "Executive Council did agree that although the principle of the scheme was not being questioned, the real issue was that of affordability." Woken with a bangSTANLEY residents had an early morning wake up call yesterday, courtesy of exercising members of the British Forces. A number of explosions could be heard from 6am, a battle simulation for an exercise taking place. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit had announced on the radio the previous day that the explosions would be taking place. Dream heralds end of seasonTHE final cruise ship of the season visits Stanley tomorrow. Norwegian Dreamwill bring 1,750 passengers to the capital.