Tristan celebrated 200 years of British Rule on 14th August 2016
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Tristan da Cunha celebrated
200 years of British Rule on 14th August 2016
On 14th August 1816 a garrison aboard HMS Falmouth
took possession of Tristan da Cunha
on behalf of King George III:
and from that day forward the island has been British.
This page shows how the Tristan community
celebrated their 200th Anniversary on Sunday 14th August 2016
Report from Dawn Repetto ~
Photos from Dawn, Kelly Burns and James Glass
Left: The Tristan flag incorporating the Union Jack
flying atop the island flag pole on 14th August 2016.
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Dawn's Report:
Anniversary Day dawned clear without any rain, which was a great relief as a community braai was planned at the Prince Philip Hall to celebrate the day. At 10:15am all the people who had volunteered to braai came in and lit up coals and bar men assembled to organise drinks ready for the big braai ahead. At 11am the community started arriving and each lady brought a lovely dish of salad to accompany the meats. Weather was still good and it was a great turnout. A few of the island guys went on the mountainside the day before and slaughtered two sheep to braai and the Conservation and Fisheries Department caught some lovely lobster. The remainder of the meats were ordered in from Cape Town .
There was lots to eat and drink and it was a great opportunity to relax and catch up with family and friends. The braaiers and bar men were kept busy all day and the party didn't end until about 4pm in the afternoon.
We would like to say a big thank you to those who helped as without these volunteers the day would not have been possible.
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Braaing lobster (above), mutton chops and burgers (below) |
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Chicken Braai (above and below) |
Sausages on the grill (above)
and Chief Islander Ian Lavarello with
Terry and Rodney overseeing the bar
- cheers! |
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More braai images - above and right
Below -
Left: The grilled food ready to eat
Right: Array of delicious salads
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Members of the community enjoying the 200th Anniversary braai |
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HRH Prince Philip sent a letter to the island which was read to the community on 14th August 2016. His message reads:
I am delighted to have this opportunity to send my best wishes to everyone on Tristan da Cunha for the celebrations marking 200 years of the British settlement on the island.
I have many vivid memories of my visit to the island in the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1957, and I have followed activities on the island ever since.
I hope that nothing untoward will interfere with the celebrations and that everyone will have a wonderful time marking this very important anniversary, and I wish the whole Tristan community a very happy future.
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Crown Copyright photograph of HM The Queen
with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at the Service of Thanksgiving in St Paul’s Cathedral on 10th June 2016, which was also Prince Philip’s 95th birthday. |
Tristan da Cunha Association President and Chairman Michael Swales sent this message to the island which will also be read at the community braai on 14th August 2016. The message reads:
Members of the Tristan da Cunha Association join in sending heartiest congratulations to all Tristan islanders for successfully achieving two hundred years of exemplary community life on the world’s most isolated inhabited island. We send very best wishes for your future together there, while you care also for the natural environment and its unique wildlife, and you continue to welcome visitors warmly too. |
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Poster produced by the Youth Group of 5-9 year olds depicting the 200th Anniversary |
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Children's Races |
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Altogether a wonderful Sunday lunch time celebration of Tristan's 200th British Anniversary |
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