News

The Falkland Islands Government has sent a letter of congratulations to the new Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Jeremy Browne MP, who has responsibility for South America and the Falkland Islands.  The letter was signed by MLA Spokesperson Bill Luxton.  It said that MLAs looked forward to working with Mr Browne for the mutual benefit of the British Government and the Falkland Islands, and hoped that his schedule would allow him to visit soon.

The Falkland Islands Government also sent letters of congratulation to British Prime Minister David Cameron, Foreign Secretary William Hague and Defence Secretary Liam Fox on their appointments.

The press releases can be read in full here:

• Falkland Islands Government Writes to New Minister of State
• Falkland Islands Government Writes to British Ministers

Laughing seals and surfing penguins captured the hearts of judges to snap up top prizes in the Falkland Islands’ online photography competition – Falklands Exposed.

The Falkland Islands Government sponsored the international competition, which was run by the Falkland Islands Tourist Board and was open to youth, amateur and professional photographers. The competition attracted over 1,300 images from people all over the world wanting to win prizes including Nikon cameras, travel guides, equipment vouchers and photography magazine subscriptions.

“We are so impressed by the volume and exceptional standard of the entries. It was a tough job choosing the winning images. From friendly faces and beautiful sunsets to captivating wildlife and exhilarating action shots – the shots truly captured the essence of the Falklands. We’d like to thank everyone who put time, energy and passion into entering.” said Paul Trowell, General Manager of Falkland Islands Tourist Board.

The winning photos can be viewed on www.falklandislands.com.

A press release from the Falkland Islands Tourist Board can be read here:

• Falklands Exposed – Winners are selected.

The British family who were saved from their sinking yacht by HMS Clyde have been enjoying the warmth and friendliness of the Falklands. The family of four who were sailing round the world ran into trouble when their Oyster yacht hit a low-lying iceberg known as a ‘growler’. HMS Clyde collected the family after liaising with Falmouth coastguard who had picked up their original distress signals.

Mr Lomas said: “There is no greater place than the Falkland Islands to have to come back to. The Royal Navy plucked us from the ocean and saved our lives, for which we’re forever indebted.” (Penguin News)

Postmaster Moira Eccles is attending the 2010 International Stamp Exhibition, which is being held from 8 to 15 May.  The Exhibition is one of the highlights of the London Festival of Stamps, a year long celebration of stamps, stamp design and postal heritage which also marks the centenary of the accession of George V, the philatelist king.

To read the press release in full, click here:

• Falkland Islands represented at London Festival of Stamps.

The Hon Emma Edwards, a member of the Legislative Assembly, is to visit Noumea in New Caledonia to attend a seminar organised by the United Nations ‘Special Committee of 24’.  New Caledonia is a French colonial island situated to the north east of Australia in the Pacific Ocean.  The purpose of the seminar, which is being held from18-20 May, is ‘an assessment of the decolonization process in today’s world.’

To read the press release in full, click here:

• Hon Emma Edwards MLA to attend United Nations Decolonisation Meeting in New Caledonia

An ongoing collaboration between the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the charity Falklands Conservation has meant that several of the Falklands’ rarest plants have been saved from extinction.

The Millenium Seed Bank Partnership (MSBP) aims to safeguard as many wild plant species as possible and with 10% of the world’s seed plants already stored, MSBP is aiming for 25% by 2020. The Falklands have approximately 157 native plant species that could be stored by MSBP and over 70% have already been collected by local and international volunteers.

Botanist Richard Lewis has been working with volunteers on his visits to the Islands for the last four to five months and samples from diverse locations such as Weddell Island, Cape Pembroke and Roy Cove have all been sent to Kew. (Penguin News)

The Hon. Sharon Halford, a Member of the Legislative Assembly, will return for a second time this year to the Isle of Man to attend the annual British Islands and Mediterranean Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Taking place from 10-14 May, this year’s conference carries the theme of “Technology and Democracy: Successes and Challenges”.

Mrs Halford said: “Hopefully I will gain an insight into how we could better communicate with our constituents and also other bodies worldwide”. (Penguin News)

The press release can be read in full here:

• Hon Sharon Halford MLA to attend Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Regional Conference.

The Falkland Islands Government is extremely encouraged by Rockhopper Exploration’s announcement regarding well FI 14/10-2 (Sea Lion), in which they state they have made the first oil discovery in the North Falkland Basin. 

The Hon Emma Edwards, Member of the Legislative Assembly, said: “The initial results from Sea Lion are very exciting and we would like to offer our congratulations to Rockhopper Exploration.  We look forward to receiving more information in due course.  This bodes well for the long term future of the Falkland Islands’ hydrocarbons industry.”