Tristan da Cunha Ratting Day

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.

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