Tristan da Cunha Ratting Day

Ratting Days 2013 and 2014

Larry Swain, Colin Hagan, and Warren Glass Ratting on Hillpiece	Colin Hagan, Larry Swain, Warren Glass, Marc Escudier, Leo Glass digging out a rat's nest
2014 Ratting Day held on Friday 2nd May Report from Tina Glass Photos from Marc Escudier who joined the successful Below the Hill Team our roving reporter Tina Glass and Drew Campbell
Right: Shannon Swain

The annual Ratting Day was announced on Friday 2nd May by ringing the fishing gong at 6am. This task is carried out by the Chief Islander Ian Lavarello and the Agriculture Officer Neil Swain. At first the day did not start out very nice with winds from the NW and rain, but by 9am the weather had changed for the better.

This traditional day is held once a year and is a very exciting day especially for the children. Soon the village was alight and everyone was busy preparing and meeting up in their gangs before heading out to the Potato Patches. Dogs could be heard barking excitedly, as they were anxious to get going.

The Army Land Rover, Administrator's, doctor's Land Rover and private vehicles were used to transport women and children in their team gangs to the camping huts at the patches. On arrival the ladies have breakfast and then visit ladies at the other huts. They prepare a scrumptious lunch for the men and children on their return to the camping huts around midday.This is an assortment of dishes including roast beef, curries, stews, chicken, milk tart, plum pudding, crumble and many other hearty treats. After being well fed the men and children return to their rat hunting again in the afternoon.

The name of each team is named after an area of the patches, they are: The Farm, Red Body Hill, Old Pieces, Second Watron, Daley's Hill, Twiddy Patch, Below the Hill, the Coolers, Johnny's Patch.

	Left and Above : Larry Swain preparing traps
Above and right: Larry Swain chopping off mouse tails
Above: Some of the Below the Hill Team Left to Right: Marc Escudier, Kelly Swain, Larry Swain, Warren Glass, Leo Glass, Colin Hagan
Jade Repetto, Rhyanna Swain, Janice Green, Shane Green, Clifton Repetto, Kelly Swain, Warren Glass, Dean Repetto, Larry Swain, Colin Hagan and Leo Glass relaxing	Larry Swain, Warren Glass, Colin Hagan, Leo Glass dislodge a boulder shielding a rat's nest.
Early start for Snowy	Having a break with the H'admin
Kieran Glass	Hunt for rats...look like a rat! (Drew Campbell's own caption)

By 6pm everyone was back to the Settlement for the exciting part of counting the tails to see which teams had won. Counting took place at the Veterinary Clinic, the judges were Chief Islander Ian Lavarello, Agriculture Officer Neil Swain. The two island doctors were also to be judges but unfortunately were absent as they attended a medical case.

After this was completed everyone went to get ready for the dance and prize giving which took place at the Prince Philip Hall. Prizes were presented at 9pm by the Administrator Alex Mitham and Neil Swain.

Winning Teams:

Most Tails

1st Prize - Bill’s Hill (124 tails with only two men in the gang so winning with 64 tails each!)

2nd Prize – Below the Hill (147 tails with 6 men = 24.5 tails per man)

3rd Prize – Second Watron (144 tails with 6 men = 24 tails per man)

Longest Tail:

1st Prize - Below the Hill 28.8cm

2nd Prize – Johnny Patch 26.9 cm

Booby Prize: Farm (nil)

The total number of rats and mice killed this year was 564

		Above: Agriculture Officer Neil Swain giving out prizes in the Prince Philip Hall L-R: Janice Green, Alex Mitham, Marc Escudier, Ian Lavarello, in front Shannon Swain and Chantelle Repetto, Neil Swain
Administrator Alex Mitham (left) and Chief Islander Ian Lavarello at the count

	Celebrating in the Prince Philip Hall and at home
	Left: Marc Escudier and Shannon Swain celebrate
	The tale's end!!!