News

The birthday of her Majesty the Queen was marked on 21 April as is customary in the Falkland Islands by a parade at Victory Green in Stanley. On a bright morning, detachments from the Falkland Islands Defence Force, HMS Clyde, Gurkhas from the Roulement Infantry Company: 1st Battalion, the Mercian Regiment and Royal Air Force made up the parade strength, supported by the band of the Parachute Regiment. His Excellency the Governor, Mr Alan Huckle, took the salute, accompanied by the Commander British Forces, South Atlantic Islands, Air Commodore Gordon Moulds.

The Falkland Islands Meat Co Ltd (FIMCo) is soon to complete a very successful seventh export season.  The plant has maintained an average of 450 sheep/lambs per day processed.  Phase One of the plant upgrade has been completed, with the majority of the outstanding compliance-related issues being solved. In particular, the packaging store and a proper dispatch area have greatly assisted the day-to-day operation, and the loading of product into reefer containers has speeded up considerably.  Value adding to the basic cuts is now possible due to the expansion of the cutting room as part of the upgrade.  Product quality has also been enhanced by the installation of a low voltage stimulation system which improves the meat tenderness.  Export sales have been as good as the previous year and in a number of cases higher prices achieved, despite the recession.  Customers this year are in Denmark, Sweden, Spain and the UK.

New this year, the Falklands Conservation Photographic Competition was highly successful and it is hoped it will become an annual fixture over the summer, encouraging both residents and visitors to participate.  The standard of the entries was very high, with some excellent local talent on view. An exhibition of the winning photos was on view at the Jetty Centre and there was a good turn out from entrants, families and friends at the prize-giving, which was also an opportunity for people to meet Falklands Conservation’s new Chief Executive, Craig Dockrill, who presented the prizes.  Cathy Jacobsen, Judith Brown and Derek Pettersson were the three winners of the categories: Falklands Wildlife, Attention to Detail and Behaviour of Animals, respectively.  Jenni Sol claimed the FC Photographer of the year award with a close up photo of a black-browed albatross that will be auctioned at the FC Charity Ball later this year.  The Junior Wildlife Photo Competition attracted some fantastic images from photographers aged between 7 and 17 years, which greatly impressed the judges.  First prize, a digital camera, donated by Fortuna Ltd, went to Julian Pole-Evans with his photo of a hawk and thrush.  Runner-ups of the junior section were Dominic Jaffray and Amy Guest.

The following Executive Council papers, considered at the meeting of Executive Council held on 23 April 2009, are available to download:
- Development of Vulnerable Peoples Strategy
- Work of Attorney General’s Chambers – February 2009
- Harbours (Amendment) Regulations
- Legislative Drafting Priorities
- Write-off requests: Uncollectable Revenue
- Murray Heights Mobile Home Park: Licence Fees and Duration
- Livestock Ordinance
Click here to view the papers.

The parade to celebrate the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen will be held at Victory Green on 21 April 2009.  The Parade will be followed by a march past at which His Excellency the Governor will take the Royal Salute.  Taking part in the parade will be contingents of the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force, the Falkland Islands Defence Force, supported by the Band of the Parachute Regiment, and members of youth organisations. Also in attendance will be representatives of the Legislative Assembly and the Falkland Islands Government. There will also be a fly-past.  This is an important occasion and gives members of the public the opportunity to demonstrate their loyalty to the Crown and pay their respects to Her Majesty, whose presence is symbolised by the flying of the Royal Standard during part of the ceremony.

The bicentenary of the birth of ground-breaking naturalist Charles Darwin is to be marked in a number of ways in the Falklands, including the striking of a coin and the release of a commemorative stamp issue.  Darwin visited the Falklands during his voyage onboard the Beagle in 1833 and 1834.  In the Islands he discovered fossils, examined stone runs and collected examples of the wildlife.  In recognition of the 175th anniversary of Darwin’s visits, the museum has planned an exhibition which will open soon and plans are underway for a celebration in the spring, most likely in the form of a trek and fun day.  Meanwhile, the Explorer Scouts are using the exploits of Darwin and Fitzroy as the theme for their Platinum Award and have invited other people and organisations to join them in celebrating the events of 175 years ago.  They aim to organise a Darwin Festival later in the year, with separate events under the broad heading of “Darwin in the Falklands” but organised and run by business, charities, and individuals for their own profit.

A complete guide to the conflict of 1982 has been written by Gordon Ramsay, managing editor of the publishing house After the Battle, which specialises in military history.  The title follows the development of events from 2 April to 14 June 1982, on a day-by-day basis, using first-person accounts from both sides.  ”A Roll of Honour” lists the casualties of both sides and, for the first time, the graves of all the British fallen – both on the Islands and the United Kingdom – have been visited and photographed as a lasting record of all those who made the supreme sacrifice.

A response from Sukey Cameron MBE, UK Representative of the Falkland Islands Government, appeared in today’s Guardian.  It clarifies points made previously by the Guardian on air access to the Falklands and reiterates the Islanders’ wish to remain British.  The response can be read here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/apr/08/falklands-sovereignty-gordon-brown-argentina.