News about and from the Tristan da Cunha community both on the island and overseas.

Christening of Emily Tahlia Swain

Photos from Kelly Swain and Philip Kendall

Emily Tahlia Swain was Christened on Sunday the 11th February 2024 at St Mary's Church followed by a reception which was held at the Prince Philip Hall.

The whole Island was invited to take part and join in the celebrations for Emily's special day.

 

Right: Emily Tahlia Swain

Below: Emily with her parents Kelly Swain and Riaan Repetto

Below right: The Christening cake, made on the island and placed in the centre of the table

Godparents: L-R Back row: Clifton Repetto, Kieran Glass, Janine Lavarello, Natasha Glass, Jonathan Repetto,
Lynette Green, Julian Repetto, Tristan Glass, Shannon Swain, Randall Repetto and Wayne Swain.

Front Row: Anita Repetto, Riaan and Kelly with Emily, Dean Repetto and Leanne Swain.

Absent: Jade Repetto, Amber Repetto, Andy Schofield, Aniket Sardana, Sara-Kay Yon, Catarina Repetto-Tinoco,
Janice Green and Rhyanna Swain.

Beautiful table display of cakes and savouries for all to enjoy

2024 Annual Gathering booking update

The Tristan da Cunha Association
is returning to the Southampton Holiday Inn for its
Annual Gathering on Saturday 16th March 2024.

Please contact Jim Kerr (see Order Form) if you want to make a late booking

after the 16th February deadline as it may still be possible to add further people to our order.

Our reserved hotel rooms are now on public sale but may still be available at our special rates.

Bookings are very strong, including overseas members from Germany, Sweden, Switzerland,
Netherlands and a group of five from Italy including four members of the Repetto family.
So, a gathering that reflects the international Tristan Association membership.

Full details below ~

The 2024 Annual Gathering

will be held in the Holiday Inn,
Herbert Walker Avenue, Southampton, SO15 1HJ

on Saturday 16th March 2024

An all-day gathering from 10 am

  • Book, Souvenir and Association Product sales
  • Tristan film show
  • Illustrated Talk by Tristan Expert
  • AGM and Auction of Tristan Artefacts
    in aid of the Association's Charitable Funds

Illustrated Talk by Joe Hollins

(Author of Vet at the End of the Earth)
Joe will be talking about his work as a vet on
Tristan, St Helena, Ascension and The Falklands.
See: Joe Hollins Talk 

Island visitors

Neil Golding and Anna Hicks, speakers at the 2023 Gathering

An evening Dinner Dance

2 course buffet-style dinner followed by dancing including the ever popular traditional
Tristan Pillow Dance.

Please book tickets using our Online Order Form.

Accommodation should be booked separately.
The Holiday Inn offers us special rates. See below.

Pictures from the Recent Gatherings:

Upper right: Chief Islander James Glass and visiting Tristanians with former CTBTO Station Manager Marc Escudier, 2019

Middle right: Neil Golding & Anna Hicks spoke about Mapping Landslide Risk at the 2023 Gathering

Lower right: Islander Dereck Rogers at the 2021 Dinner Dance

Below: The ever popular Pillow Dance at the Dinner Dance

Bottom: Many of the islanders present, with partners, 2022

Dereck Rogers at the Tristan da Cunha Annual Gathering 2021

The ever popular Pillow Dance at the 2019 Tristan da Cunha Annual Gathering

Many of the islanders present, with partners

Holiday Inn Amenities and Special Offer

(The Annual Gathering & Dinner Dance is in the separate Hampshire Suite)

The Holiday Inn, Southampton Lounge at the Holiday Inn, Southampton

The hotel offers us:

Convenient location, being less than 1 mile from Southampton Railway Station,
6 miles from Southampton International Airport,
with good local road access via M27 and M271
and 180 hotel car parking spaces, free to ticket holders

A prime location on the re-developed Southampton Town Quay and overlooking the River Test

Spacious modern accommodation in line with the company's international standard

Easy walking distance to local amenities including the West Quay Shopping Centre,
Mayflower Theatre and other City Centre attractions within one mile.

Holiday Inn Special Accommodation Offer

The Tristan Association has secured a special package price for advanced bookings
for Bed and Full Buffet Breakfast accommodation.

Accommodation can be reserved now
quoting 'Tristan da Cunha' by telephone only to 02380 388142. Prices are:

Double Rooms @ £109 and Single Rooms @ £99 per night
or £139 double and £129 single for an executive room.

These rates do not require a deposit and can be cancelled up to the date of arrival. Children may receive free accommodation and breakfast when sharing with parents - see hotel's terms and conditions for details.

Optional Friday Night Dinner

Friday dinner at 6.30 for 7pm on Friday 15th March will be £25 for two courses, payable with your room bill and booked with your accommodation by 16th February. We have arranged table service of pre-booked plated meals from the hotel's normal menu and not a buffet.

When booking your room, please inform the hotel of your choices from the following:

Mains

  • Fish and chips - lightly battered fish fillet served with chunky chips and mushy peas, finished with a tartar sauce 1083kcal
  • Chicken makhani curry - served with basmati rice, garlic and coriander naan bread, poppadoms and mango chutney 968kcal
  • Penang vegetable curry - coconut milk, chilli, lemon grass and ginger, served with basmati rice, garlic and coriander naan bread, poppadoms and mango chutney 816kcal

Desserts

  • Raspberry frangipane tart - served with raspberry coulis 366kcal
  • Sticky toffee pudding - smothered in toffee sauce and served with either clotted cream or vanilla ice cream 612kcal

(Choices copied from hotel restaurant menu for clarity)

Death Announcement for Sylvia Green

We regret to announce the death of Sylvia Green, who passed away on the 7th February 2024 aged 83 years.

Sylvia was born on the 19th December 1940 and is survived by her son Shaun Green, daughters Rita Repetto, and Jaqueline Lavarello, daughter-in-law Renee Green, sons-in-law Gary Repetto and Duncan Lavarello. Grandchildren: Kimberley, Janice and Dylan Green, Jonathan, Riaan, Julian and Clifton Repetto and Janine Lavarello.

 

Our sincere condolences go to Sylvia's family.

Vet Joe Hollins to speak at Annual Gathering

Author of new book 'Vet at the End of the Earth'
2-Feb-2024
Full story >>

Birth of Jayden Christopher Patrick Swain

Birth of Tristan da Cunha baby Jayden Christopher Patrick Swain to Philip Rogers and Rhyanna Swain on 27 January 2024.
2-Feb-2024
Full story >>

February 2024 Newsletter

Contents of the 'Tristan da Cunha Newsletter', February 2024,
18-Jan-2024
Full story >>

Cedric Swain's 30th Birthday

Photographs of Cedric Swain's 30th Birthday celebrations.
22-Dec-2023
Full story >>

Sheep Shearing Day December 2023

The annual sheep shearing took place on Saturday 16th December 2023
22-Dec-2023
Full story >>

Pensioners' Christmas Tea Party 2023

This year's tea party was held on Thursday 14th December 2023.
21-Dec-2023
Full story >>