Christmas on Tristan 2025
Report and photos from Philip Kendall
It could be said that the Christmas season on Tristan starts with the arrival of last ship of the year, which this time was the MFV Lance on the 22nd November, bringing the last fresh produce and supplies for the island's supermarket. Everyone also hopes that the Christmas mail will include presents ordered months previously as well as cards and gifts from family and friends overseas. Things get busier in December as people prepare for the Christmas and New Year break, when all but the most essential services shut down for three weeks. That includes no supermarket and no pub, so the shop gets especially busy before it closes.
Christmas mail being brought ashore from the MFV Lance.
Carol Service
Christmas activities proper started in the third week of December. The first event was a Nine Lessons and Carols service at St Mary's Church on Sunday 14th December, attended by both the Anglican and Catholic congregations.
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Readers of the lessons at the Carol Service (clockwise from top left): Barry Thacker, Ian Lavarello, Louise Kendall, Anne Green & Simon Glass. |
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School Show
Monday the 15th December was the day of the School's Christmas Show, held in the hall at St Mary's School.
Administrator Philip Kendall thanks the school pupils for their hard work and their wonderful show.
The island store closed on the 16th December, which happened also to be the day when the expedition yacht SV Urchin called to drop off the Inaccessible Island flax eradication team. They will be working there until February.
Pensioners' Christmas Party
The annual pensioner's Christmas party took place in Prince Philip Hall on Wednesday the 17th December.
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| Tristan's pensioners playing bingo at their Christmas party, and one of the lucky winners, Ches Lavarello. | |
The Albatross Bar closed on the 18th December. By now departmental workers were busy completing their business before Break-up Day on the 19th, when office parties and braais are held and everyone lets their hair down.
Contract Work Continues
After Break-up Day, life in the settlement normally quietens down. This year however, there are two teams of contractors on the island who will continue working through the summer break upgrading electrical systems and resurfacing the roads.
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| Digging up the old, damaged road surface. | Pouring new concrete. |
A completed new section of road.
Midnight Masses
Midnight masses were held at both churches on Christmas Eve.
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| Nativity scenes displayed at St Mary's and St Joseph's churches. | |
Christmas Day
Christmas itself was a day for family meals, including the traditional stuffed roast mutton. A Christmas meal for expatriates was hosted at the Residency by the Administrator Philip Kendall and his wife Louise.
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| Louise Kendall lays out Christmas dinner and desserts. | |
Tucking in to Christmas dinner at the Residency.
Relaxing after Christmas dinner at the Residency.
Rest of the Break
For the rest of the holiday, families will be spending time out at the Patches and Runaway Beach, or maybe camping further afield at the Bluff or on the south of the island. Most people will be in the settlement for Old Year's Night, when the Okalolies will be out and about during the day, and the Admin and Chief Islander will be holding parties in the evening.
Thereafter, everyone can relax until the 12th January, when people go back to work and everywhere reopens except for the school, which reopens a week later.
King's Day 2025
Report by Philip Kendall and Kelly Green with photos by Julia Gunther
King's Day on the 14th November 2025 was a public holiday when we celebrated the King's birthday. It turned into a brilliant, fun-filled day with activities on the American Fence hosted by the school, followed by a reception at the Residency where the Administrator handed out prizes. Visitors and contractors also had an unexpected treat during their stay, as they were able to join in our celebrations. It was a lovely opportunity for guests to experience a real Tristan community event.
Starting the Day
Ian Lavarello starts King's Day by ringing the Fishing Dong.
School Hall Show
Flower arrangements
Flower Arrangements and children's miniature gardens
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Judging in the School Hall
Some of the children's art
Children's Sports
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| Children's limbo competition | Children's potato and spoon race |
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| Younger Children's running race | Older Children's running race |
Parents watching from the school
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| Younger Children's sack race | Older children's sack race |
Children's prize Giving
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| Wrapped prizes | Giving out children's prizes |
Children's Games
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| Above: Children fishing for toys in a tub. | ||
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| Below: Children's lucky dip for toys (with a bit of help!) | ||
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How many Dognuts (treats) in the jar |
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| Adult's Winner | ||
| 1st | Charles Wickham | |
| 2nd | Shannon Swain, Acela Lopez, Marion Collins (joint winners) | |
| Children's Winner | ||
| 1st | Charles Hahn | |
| 2nd | Owen Glass | |
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Darts |
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| Gents Darts | ||
| 1st | Ricky Swain | |
| 2nd | Jason Green | |
| 3rd | Nicky Swain | |
| Ladies Darts | ||
| 1st | Emma Swain | |
| 2nd | Sasha Swain | |
| 3rd | Chantelle Repetto | |
Adults' Sack Races
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| Adults' relay sack race | |
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| Above: Jason Green. Below: Nick Schönfeld | Visiting lone yachtsman Lawrence Taylor | ||
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Javelin |
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| Women's Javelin | |||
| 1st | 31ft | Anita Repetto | |
| 2nd | 29ft | Becca Nicholls | |
| 3rd | 26ft | Kelly Green | |
| Men's Javelin | |||
| 1st | 102ft | Jason Green | |
| 2nd | 99ft | Patrick Green | |
| 3rd | 96ft | Nathan Swain | |
Men's Tug of War
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| The winning side | The valiant losers |
Musical Thrones
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| Children's musical thrones | Children's winner |
Adults' musical thrones
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| Racing round the 'thrones' | Queen of the Adults! | ||||||||||||
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Beer Pong |
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Other Games
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| Balloon Game | Football Rounders |
Five Finger Fishing
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Adminstrator's Evening Reception
Adminstrator Philip Kendall and his wife ended the day with a reception in the Residency garden, at which he gave the speech below and presented prizes.
View of the reception held in the Residency garden
Philip's Speech
Louise and I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all as we gather to celebrate the 77th birthday of His Majesty King Charles.
King's Day and before it, Queen's Day has always been a cherished highlight on Tristan da Cunha's calendar, and we're delighted that the sun is shining on us today.
We are especially fortunate to be joined by a number of visitors and new arrivals, some of whom have timed their journeys perfectly to be here for this special occasion.
For those who haven't met him yet please welcome our new policeman, Barry Thacker.
Also from the Edinburgh, Becca, Rob and Brad arrived just yesterday. And also joining us tonight is Lawrence from the yacht Nicolisa - this is the most people he's seen in quite some time!
We're also joined by visitors from the Agulhas's second trip this year, some of whom will be departing in the coming days. A special thanks to Nico and his team from Tekracool, who completed outstanding work at the hospital in record time. Thank you. And to Gerhard and Isak for checking out the harbour.
I'd also like to acknowledge my friend and colleague Charles from the FCDO. He's received a warm welcome from everyone and returns to London with renewed enthusiasm and love for Tristan.
We also say goodbye to our tourists—Peter, Barbara, Chris, Matt, and Anders, some of whom have waited years to make this journey. Thank you all for coming and sharing this moment with us.
To the islanders also heading off this weekend, I wish you a safe journey and a speedy return.
Finally, to those visitors who are not leaving us: Jorrie and his team, who are working on the roads and the harbour, and Richard and his team, who assisted Nico at the hospital and will now begin work on improving the electrical wiring in the shop and the school, thank you for your continued contributions.
Before we finish, let's raise a toast to His Majesty, to our guests, and to the enduring spirit of Tristan da Cunha. To the King!
And now to the bit you've all been patiently waiting for… the prizes!
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| Philip giving his speech | Lynette receives her prize |
Ratting Day 2025
Report & photos from Kelly Green & Philip Rogers
Before the sun had even risen on the morning of Friday the 30th May 2025, the familiar sound of the gong echoed through the settlement, signalling the start of one of Tristan da Cunha's most unique traditions Ratting Day.
For those unfamiliar with the event, Ratting Day is an island tradition that sees the community come together in groups or "gangs" to hunt invasive rats in the fields and stone walls, particularly in the Potato Patches area. This is done to help protect the local birdlife and crops, as rats pose a serious threat to the island's delicate ecosystem. It's both a practical conservation effort and a cherished social occasion, blending purpose with community spirit.
Ratting on the hillsides
The day before, Thursday the 29th, had been a public holiday - Ascension Day. The weather was glorious, and many islanders spent it out in the Patches enjoying time with family and friends. In contrast, Ratting Day brought more overcast skies and a chill in the air, but nothing that could dampen the spirit of the occasion.
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| Hunting for rats by head torch before dawn | |
The ratting gangs were out early, head torches glowing as they made their way into the fields. Around 10:00 a.m., the groups of ladies followed, bringing with them warm meals and hot drinks to fuel the day. With the weather brisk, curry proved to be a popular choice on the menu. Children played joyfully on the grass while the gangs caught up, shared stories, and compared their efforts so far.
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| Digging for rats | |
Families visit a ratting gang hunting among some rocks
Hunting in a gulch
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By 5:30 p.m., all rat tails had to be handed in for the official count and measurement. Winners were then announced, with cheers and celebrations following. The evening festivities carried on into the night, as laughter and music filled the air. Thankfully, the following day, a rainy Saturday, offered everyone the chance for a well-earned rest. |
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Results
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| Right: Counting and measuring tails | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Old Year's Night 2024/25 |
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| On the 31st December 'Okalolies' (men in costumes and scary masks) wander about the village to chase and capture any children or ladies outdoors. The fishing dong is sounded to ring in the New Year. 8-Jan-2025 |
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Christmas Festivities 2024 |
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| News of some of the special activities that take place on Tristan over the Christmas period 2024. 28-Dec-2024 |
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King's Day, 2024 |
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| King's Day was held this year on 15th November 2024, when various activities celebrated the King's birthday. 23-Nov-2024 |
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Old Year's Night 2023/24 |
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| On the 31st December 'Okalolies' (men in costumes and scary masks) wander about the village to chase and capture any children or ladies outdoors. The fishing dong is sounded to ring in the New Year. 10-Jan-2024 |
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Sheep Shearing Day December 2023 |
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| The annual sheep shearing took place on Saturday 16th December 2023 22-Dec-2023 |
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- Pensioners' Christmas Tea Party 2023 (21-Dec-2023) >>
- Ratting Day 2023 (9-Jun-2023) >>
- Chief Islander attends Coronation (6-May-2023) >>
- Old Year's Night 2022 (6-Jan-2023) >>
- School's Christmas Show 2022 (19-Dec-2022) >>
- Pensioners' Christmas Tea Party 2022 (19-Dec-2022) >>