MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News update

Headlines: Landings commemorated at Blue Beach; Popular teenager killed in road accident; Governor applies for drug duo's deportation; May Ball tonight; Budget session looms.

Landings commemorated at Blue BeachTHE Falkland Islands have marked the 26th anniversary of the landing of the British Task Force in 1982. A large crowd of Islanders were joined by members of the military community for the Landing Day service held inside Blue Beach Cemetery, San Carlos on Wednesday. Wreaths were laid by His Excellency the Governor (photo), Councillor Andrea Clausen, the Commander of British Forces, representatives of the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Fleet Auxiliary and also by members of the public. ( Picture: MPC Photo Section.) Popular teenager killed in road accidentAN INQUEST has been opened into the death of a nineteen year old carpenter who died in a car accident on Tuesday evening. Jonathon David Felton was killed after the vehicle he was travelling in left the Airport Road and rolled a number of times. A page has been opened in his memory on the social networking site, Facebook. Coroner Alison Thompson opened the inquest on Wednesday. Giving evidence, Sergeant Dave Roberts said the accident involving a silver coloured Toyota Surf was reported at 10.05pm on Tuesday night and police, fire and rescue and medical services attended the scene. He said Mr Felton, a passenger in the Toyota, had been thrown from the vehicle when it left the road southwest of Surf Bay. Mr Felton was pronounced dead at 10.20pm and was believed to have died almost instantaneously. Sergeant Roberts described the incident as "another tragic accident involving a high powered vehicle" that had shocked the community. The inquest is to be resumed as soon as is convenient to all parties after June 23, the Coroner ruled. Chief of Police Paul Elliott said the circumstances surrounding the accident were being thoroughly investigated in order to establish why the vehicle left the carriageway. He commented: "The young man who died was thrown from the vehicle, which then came to rest on top of him. The investigation will determine whether he or others in the vehicle were wearing seat belts." Continued on page 3. Governor applies for drug duo's deportationTWO St Helenian men convicted of drugs offences have departed the Islands, despite the Senior Magistrate ruling that the pair should be allowed to stay. Applications for deportation orders for Meshara Yon and Alan Francis were refused by the Senior Magistrate, Alison Thompson, in March. However His Excellency the Governor issued notices of his intention to make deportation orders on the pair on April 18 and these were delivered four days later. Both were given 28 days from the date of receipt to appeal against deportation, the Governor said: "Normally, only seven days are given for this but I was advised that I should allow all appeal periods under any disciplinary or work permit decisions to have been completed before making a final decision on deportation." Neither Mr Francis nor Mr Yon made an appeal and this week Mr Huckle said Mr Francis had already left the Islands. He therefore signed a deportation order against Mr Yonon Tuesday and he was due to leave the Islands on this morning's flight. Mr Huckle insisted that in issuing notices of intention to deport, he was not over-ruling the Senior Magistrate. He commented: "I took serious account of the judgement of March 17 when considering both cases. But, as Governor, I am entitled to consider whether that deportation would be conducive to the public good and may therefore take into account wider considerations than the Senior Magistrate was able to do." May Ball tonightTHE annual May Ball takes place tonight in the Town Hall, beginning at 9pm. Organised by the 1st Falkland Islands Scout Association, the May Ball is their annual fund-raising event to support the running costs of the local Scouts and Cubs. The May Ball is traditionally held on the weekend nearest to May 25 - Queen Victoria's birthday and previously known as Empire Day - and has been organised and run by the Scout Association for many years. The event gives 15 year olds their first opportunity to attend a major dance in the Town Hall - the girls don ball dresses and the boys wear smart suits to participate in traditional and modern dances. During the dancing the May Queen and Princess will be chosen by a panel of judges and the girls will elect their Prince Charming by popular vote. This year's theme is International Polar Year and those attending can expect to see Arctic and Antarctic scenery, icebergs, penguins and polar bears decorating the hall. Cub leader Tim Miller commented: "Thanks must go to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) who have helped with the display, from the early days of Operation Tabarin in the Second World War to the modern BAS of today." The dress standard for the May Ball is high and people wearing jeans, trainers, open-necked shirts, denim skirts, etc, will not be allowed to enter the hall. On Saturday night the dancing will continue informally. Entrance both nights is £5. Budget session loomsTHE budget session of Legislative Council takes place this coming week. The session will begin at 9.15am on Wednesday, May 28 in the Court and Council Chambers. His Excellency the Governor will make his annual address to the nation at the beginning of the session which will be preceded by a short parade commencing at 9am outside the Town Hall . A second meeting of Legislative Council will begin at 2.15pm on Friday, May 30 at which the decisions of the Budget Select Committee will be announced.