News for 2016 from the Tristan da Cunha community.

Community Reception on 17th September 2016

Report and photos from Shirley Squibb

The community reception was held on Saturday the 17th September at 7pm at the Prince Philip Hall. The evening started with refreshments followed by Administrator Alex Mitham addressing the community and visitors.

Jeanne Cowan then presented the island with a thank you plaque from the Lions Club Charity for donations of food and clothing sent to those less fortunate in Cape Town. She then presented medals to the fishermen with the highest yearly lobster catch to partners Larry and Christopher and Gary and Cliff.

The Chief Islander, Ian then addressed the community presenting Julian Swain with a plaque for him and his wife Charmaine's to thank them for their ongoing support to the island community and to remember the time they spent taking care of the Tristan house and islanders in Cape Town.

Ian thanked the Alex for his time on Tristan and wished him and Hasene well for the future. They were presented with a Tristan model longboat as a farewell gift.

Alex and Hasene later opened the dance and was soon followed onto the dance floor by those present. Islanders and visitors were able to get to know each other and it was an evening enjoyed by all.
Alex Mitham addressing the Reception with Hasene behind. Jeanne Cowan presenting Alex Mitham with a plaque for the island from the Lions Club Charity.
Left: Jeanne Cowan presenting Larry Swain with his 2015-16 Fishing Season Medal
Above: Fishing medals winners: Christopher and Larry Swain and Gary Repetto and Cliff Swain.
Chief Islander Ian Lavarello making his speech and presenting Julian Swain with a 200th Anniversary Plaque of thanks.
Left: Alex and Hasene with the gift of a model longboat presented by Chief Islander Ian Lavarello to mark the end of their three year term on Tristan.
Above: Alex and Hasene opening the dance.

Snow visible on cliffs above the Settlement on Sea Sunday

Photos from Dawn Repetto

On Saturday 25th June 2016 it was cold, wet and chilly in the Settlement, with several hail storms. Temperatures below 5C in the village meant heating was needed to keep warm inside houses as families settled in for the evening.

The Tristan Settlement has never experienced sub-zero temperatures as the surrounding ocean always warms the air. Nevertheless temperatures drop during the longer winter nights, and freezing temperatures at high altitudes mean precipitation on the mountain falls as snow. On Sunday 26th June snow was clearly visible from the village on the higher cliffs beyond the Goat Ridge above about 2500ft above sea level. Similar scenes occur typically from June-September but the snow soon melts. At higher altitudes snow may lie for longer periods during the winter, but always melts by spring in the temperate South Atlantic.
Scenes captured by Dawn's camera on Sunday 26th June.

BEM for Jack Green in Queen's 90th Birthday Honours List

It was announced on 11th June 2016 that Jack Green has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the Tristan da Cunha community. This is a great tribute to Jack's versatile commitment to a range of duties and we congratulate him on this considerable achievement and recognition.

The full text of his award was:

Malcolm Jack GREEN
Fireman and volunteer, Public Works Department and Harbour Master. For services to the community in Tristan da Cunha.

The photo right shows Jack with his wife Cynthia and grand-daughter Savanna at her Christening on 1st February 2015.

Administrator Alex Mitham led the tributes to Jack:

I am delighted for Jack Green. This is well deserved. Jack is hard working and a keystone in the community. His tireless work as Harbour Master assures the vital well being of the community at sea, but also those of visitors who are the first to see Jack standing at the harbour mouth ensuring their safe passage onto the island. His work as volunteer fireman and at PWD has seen Jack being called out any time of day and night, without complaint for almost 50 years. His services to the community are long standing and I am pleased that his expertise, patience and dedication to his family and the community has now been recognised.

Unfortunately for us Jack will soon be due for retirement, but testament to Jacks nature, I am very happy to report that Jack kindly agreed to return and continue to expertly manage the Harbour Master duties, and up-skill the younger members of the workforce.

Congratulations and well done!

Party for the Queen's 90th Birthday and Tristan's 200th Anniversary
Community Party in the Prince Philip Hall on 20th April 2016 to celebrate the Queen's 90th Birthday and begin the celebration to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Tristan becoming British. We feature two photos of this special event below - for more photos and a report see: Queen's 90th Birthday and 200th Anniversary Community Party

New Roof for Aunt Ellen's House on 3rd March 2016

Report and Photos from Shirley Squibb

Today is a beautiful, calm,
sunny Autumn day with blue skies,
perfect for re-roofing Ellen Rogers' house,
the oldest person on Tristan.

A group of men made an early start
removing the roofing sheets and old timbers,
some of which have been there since the house was first built.

Aunt Ellen, (Photo left) was born in 1918
and will be celebrating
her 98th birthday in September,
observed from her lounge window,
not bothered by all the noise overhead.
Next door in her daughter's house,
the ladies of the family busied themselves
preparing food to feed the men throughout the day.

Photos show:

Above - new timbers and corrugated roofing sheets being prepared:

Above right: old timbers being removed

Right: Old roof removed

Below: Food being prepared and served

Ellen at her front door on
Friday 4th March with
the new roof gleaming above (on a dull day!)

Some work still needs to be done
but it is good to know that
Tristan's oldest resident
will be snug under her new roof
ready for the
South Atlantic winter.

Early Valentine's Lunch on 10th February 2016

Report and photos from Dawn Repetto

An early Valentine lunch was held on 10th February in the Café da Cunha. Pasta salad and chicken followed by chocolate mousse cake were served and there were also sweet treats available to take home for loved ones for Valentine's Day on Sunday 14th. Special thanks go out to Anne and Alan Ashworth who kindly sent the decorations and accessories
to make the Valentine treats possible.

See also our Love Island page for more romantic island news!

Scenes in the Café da Cunha before and during
the Valentine lunch on 10th February.

Dawn Repetto has sent a group of great photos to kick-start a several of our 2016 news pages.
We feature a large version above of a view taken at dusk
on 5th December from a Patches camping hut
towards the sunset and a lovely silhouette
of Inaccessible Island.

Left: Islanders fishing on Runaway Beach - for more of Dawn's holiday photos go to the
2015-16 Fishing News ~ Christmas and New Year 2015-2016
2016 Farming News ~ 2016 Wildlife News
pages where you will find some more excellent images.