News Direct 28th October to 1st November 2013

This is the news from this week.

 Politics

Argentina Again

This week Argentina has pledged to strengthen its relationship with the Caribbean community.

Argentina’s representative to the CARICOM group, Luis Martino, has said that the Argentine Government intends to have a greater presence in the region. He said this was exemplified by the opening of new embassies in St Lucia and Suriname and the re-establishing of a diplomatic presence in Guyana and Barbados.

He said that the Argentine Government is ready to start working toward the implementation of the agreement with Caricom to establish a Standing Joint Commission on Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination.

In recent years, the Argentine Government has sought support from the Caribbean community on its sovereignty claim to the Falklands.

 

Local News

Pagefield for the Falklands

London’s fastest growing communications agency, Pagefield, has been appointed by the Falkland Islands Government. They are to provide strategic and tactical advice in relation to all public relations and media issues in the UK, following a competitive pitch.

The account will be serviced by the Pagefield Diplomat team led by Florence Quirici. Pagefield Diplomat specialises in strategic advice and communications for overseas governments and companies, with projects covering countries in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. The contract is for three years.

Chief Executive of the Falkland Islands Government Keith Padgett says that Pagefield's integrated offer, experience across key territories, and unparalleled understanding of the Falkland Islands and the UK media and political landscape means that they are uniquely suited to working for the Falkland Islands Government. Mr Padgett says that their experience and energy will help FIG to tell their story and provide the UK public with a better understanding of the Falkland Islands.

Mark Gallagher, Senior Partner and Founder of Pagefield, says Pagefield Diplomat is delighted to be working for the Falkland Islands Government. Mr Gallagher says that they are looking forward to tackling misconceptions, raising awareness and promoting a better understanding of and support for the Falkland Islands in the eyes of the Government, the media and the wider public in the UK.

Murrel Road Incident

Officers of the Royal Falkland Islands Police assisted a member of the public this week following an accident on the Murrell Road.

At 3pm on Monday 28^th October two police officers Daryl Harada and Neil Mitchell were on patrol on the Murrell Road when they came across an upturned vehicle which was sinking into a wide stream. The officers checked the vehicle to find the sole occupant trapped in the vehicle bleeding heavily from a deep head wound. The vehicle was beginning to slip into the stream and was filling with water so Constable Harada freed the driver and gave him first aid whilst Constable Mitchell summoned other emergency services personnel.

It is believed that without the officers prompt actions this may have turned into a fatal accident.

The Director of Emergency Services Barry Marsden says that the incident demonstrates how changes in the police service are having a positive effect.

Executive Council approved for one year a new Station Enquiry Officer post which is enabling police officers to get from behind the control room desk and get out on routine patrol.

The Director of Emergency Services says that the increase in police numbers has allowed them to develop Neighbourhood Management Policing which allocates geographic and thematic areas to dedicated police officers and places a personal objective on them to get to know their area and the people who live there. The Murrell Road area is one of the areas assigned to Constable Mitchell.

Without the additional resources, the Director of Emergency Services says that they would not be able to do routine patrols and the individual involved in the accident may have either bled to death or drowned.

 

Falklink Discuss

Two business consultants are currently visiting the Islands to engage with local businesses and discuss their readiness for any upcoming oil industry requirements.

David Owen and David Stewart will be developing a skills gap analysis of Falkland Islands readiness whilst here.

They will be identifying gaps and the extent they might be solved with local support. A second seminar will take place in Aberdeen and will specifically target oil related businesses in Scotland which will investigate development opportunities that may lead to the creation of partnerships between Falklands businesses and Scottish oil industry service companies.

 

Credit Union Consultation

A period of public consultation is underway on the possibility of introducing a credit union to the Falklands.

FIDC have been leading the project and are now asking the public if it believes that there is a need for alternative financial services in the Falklands and whether they feel a credit union can provide a solution.

Michael Betts, Business Relations Manager for FIDC says that he would encourage the public to give their opinions on the proposal.

Shackleton Scholar Ezequiel

A Shackleton scholar is currently visiting the Islands to carry out research on a project examining the Falklands War.

Ezequiel Mercau, who is Argentine and has studied in Ireland and Copenhagen, has been sponsored by the Shackleton Scholarship Fund to visit the Islands to work on his thesis.

He is in the Islands for two weeks.

 

Local Events

Island Parish

The production team who will be filming a new series of the BBC’s Island Parish programme in the Falklands have arrived to begin their work here.

The team will be here for six months to produce the series which is expected to be broadcast towards the end of 2014.

Film-maker Robin Barnwell says that the series will be an observational documentary on the way of life in the Islands.

Titan Surveys

The Ramform Titan survey ship has arrived in the Islands. It is the largest seismic ship in the world.

It is in the Islands to carry out survey work for Noble Energy Falkland Islands Ltd.

Raising Money

Two hundred and sixty pounds was raised at a car boot sale held last weekend.

The car boot sale was organised to raise money for the Stephen Jaffray Memorial Fund. The day was very successful with 16 vehicles attending. The money was raised by entry costs and sales.

A second car boot will be held on Sunday 1^st December following requests. This car boot sale will be held as a family day, with events such as a bouncy castle.

The family and trustees of the Stephen Jaffray Memorial Fund wish to thank everyone who helped make the day a success.

Pink Money

Funds were also raised at the Community School on Friday on Wear It Pink Day.

£75 was raised from cake sales and £77 from general donations.

 

Sports

Motocross Returns

The motocross season returned this week, with the first event taking place at the Ponds Track.

Jay Moffatt was the winner of the Experts section with Scott Henry Roberts and Adrian Sim following him in second and third places.

In first place in the Clubman Class was Joe Clarke, Nathan Lowe in second place and Arthur Turner was in third place. Angeline Joshua was the winner of the ladies class.

In the Juniors Class, Adam Dickson was first, Jack Alazia second and Kia Alazia third. Travis Jaffray took first place in the Pee Wee class with Rebecca Clarke second and Kyra Smith third.