THE South Atlantic Media Services, Ltd. www.sams.sh Vol. 2,SENTINEL Issue 34 - Price: £1“serving St Helena and her community worldwide” Th ursday 14 November 2013 RREMEMBRANCEEMEMBRANCE Photo SSUNDAYUNDAY Special pg 18, 19 COMMONWEALTH GOLD FOR DAVID page 4 Three St Helenians who have served in the British armed forces, pictured at the sea front on Remembrance Sunday. Left to right: Julian Fagan, 12 years service with Adjutant General Corp (SPS); Janis Yon, 5 years service with Royal Logistics Corp; Darren Yon, 9 years service with Royal Irish Regiment. Congratulations MARCO NEW CHIEF OF St Helenian Marco Yon, (son of Andre and Dulcie Herne from New Ground) POLICE page 2 serving in the British Armed Forces has been honoured with a prestigious Commendation Award, at a special ceremony at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, in Cornwall, UK. Marco’s mum, Dulcie, was aware he had received an award when she spoke to him on Tuesday this week, however, she didn’t realise it was a big deal, saying, “Marco is very modest about what he does, and doesn’t like to make a fuss. Even when he came back from his two tours in Afghanistan he didn’t make any fuss.” Marco joined the Air Force in 2003, from St Helena when he was 18. He currently lives in Helston, Cornwall, with his partner Carla Marco Yon receiving his Commendation and baby daughter Eliza, and is planning St Helena Earns to leave the Air Force next year and return News and of course, SAMS. Whale Shark home to St Helena. Learning of the details of the award, Dulcie said, “I feel really The news of Marco’s award has been sent to proud of him.” Recognition page 3 a long list of notable print, radio and tv agen- As well as his parents on St Helena, Marco has one brother, cies, including the BBC, ITV, BFBS, The Charlie Herne. Press Association, Apex News, Royal Navy See the full press release from the Royal Navy, on page 4 2 www.sams.sh Th ursday 14 November 2013 THE SENTINEL ST HELENA SNIPPETS BBABYABY TTiarnaiarna Gorgeous baby girl, Tiarna Julaine Young- O’Dean (after aunties Julie and Elaine) has ar- rived. Albeit, 10 days later than expected, on 30 October in the early hours of morning, giving fi rst time parents Kaylee Young, and Ross O’Dean, a nervous wait. Tiarna, weighed in at 7lbs 4.5 oz. “Being a mother is an indescribable feeling,” said Kaylee. “Things are going very well at the mo- ment, Daddy’s very hands on and a really proud father. Tiarna’s amazing and will sleep through anything.” Thanks are extended to hospital staff, especially Midwife, Rosie, Dr Mary and Nursing Assistant, Cynthia, and anybody who sent gifts and messages. Ross and Kaylee are also extremely grateful for the help and support given by Aunties Julie and Elaine and Nannies Patsy and Pat. New Chief Of Police for St Helena The new Chief Of Police for St Helena,Trevor Botting, arrived on island on Thursday, 17 October, and after a short adjust- ment period took over from the departing Pe- ter Coll. “I took command, effectively of the police directorate, on the 28 October, so I’ve had two weeks in the hot seat.” Trevor arrives with nearly 30 years experi- ence with Sussex police force in the UK. He has plenty of community policing experience. Most notably he has been the airport com- mander at Gatwick Airport, the sixth busiest airport in the world and one of the busiest sin- gle runway airports. Trevor said, “that experi- ence will be crucial once the airport comes to fruition for St Helena and how we police it.” He believes that the priority is keeping St Hel- ena’s border safe with the balance of allow- ing tourists in and keeping the island secure. Trevor believes, “what is crucial is working in good partnership with the airport operator, making sure that our immigration and customs functions all work together.” CChiefhief ooff PPolice,olice, TTrevorrevor BBottingotting One of the other things that Trevor will be good team. There are some challenges around “how we encourage Saints to want to be police working at is, his commitment to, “having lo- recruitment, particularly in the policing ele- offi cers.” cal people provide local policing.” Although ment, where we are short of a number of police Trevor was very complimentary of the island’s Trevor has only been here a short time, when offi cers.” Trevor said that he would be dedicat- beauty and warm welcome he has received asked about his team he replied, “I’ve a really ing time over the next months and years to, since his arrival to start his three year contract. THE SENTINEL Th ursday 14 November 2013 www.sams.sh 3 ST HELENA SNIPPETS There were 75 delegates from 20 countries St Helena Earns Whale Shark Bragging Rights who attended and Elizabeth returned with a ing. “We had two records of mating,” said thick wad of business cards. “The audience St Helena’s sightings of mating whale sharks cheered at the presentation, which none of the caused a stir at the International Whale Shark Elizabeth, “that is fi rst in the world to ever be known.” The sightings were recorded from other presenters had,” she smiled. conference held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA last Whale sharks were thought to be a solitary month. two separate years. The signifi cance of this ground breaking news species, but recent research has shown that Marine Conservation Offi cer of EMD, Eliza- they can and do form large aggregations close beth Clingham took part in the third Interna- was not realised and not part of Elizabeth’s presentation at the conference. “It was put to the coast when conditions are right. Stud- ies have been aided by advances in tagging technology that are reveal- ing the secret lives of whale sharks in ways never before possible. As a result of the conference visit, St Helena can now take part in pro- viding tagging data. Elizabeth was approached by Research Section of the Georgia Atlantic Aquarium, who donated two satellite tagging de- vices, to mount onto whale sharks. MOT Marine Laboratories based in Florida are also collaborating and donated two further tagging devic- es. “I’ve had a few crash-training courses,” said Elizabeth when asked about physically tagging the whale sharks. “Basically you use a lance,” she explained that will penetrate the skin. “In theory, I know what to do, in practice, we’ll see!” The Marine Section will now con- tinue their research and gain further EElizabethlizabeth CClingham,lingham, MMarinearine detailed information on whale shark CConservationonservation OOfffi ccerer sightings. tional Whale Shark Conference, and travelled to the researcher we the distance to give a presentation. She also were collaborating Invitation for spent time at the Atlanta Aquarium. The con- with. It was so excit- ference was designed to explore and dissemi- ing, that he couldn’t Quotations nate, scientifi c and conservation, advances re- sit down!” she said. lating to the world’s largest fi sh species. This information will Enterprise St Helena is seek- Whale sharks are distributed throughout the now be published in- ing to procure a new motor ternationally, “That tropical oceans of the world, they are gentle vehicle and would appreciate giants, that fi lter-feed on plankton. will put us on the The most signifi cant information to come out map when it comes if suitable importers could of the visit was the realisation of how rare St to whale shark re- send in detailed quotations search.” Helena’s sightings are of whale sharks mat- for the purchase of a NEW 4x4 Double Cab ve- hicle. The quotation must show the purchase price, freight and customs duty separately. The specifi cations of the vehicle is as follows: 2.5 4x4 Double Cab Diesel No canopy required but the load area needs to be lined The detailed quotation is to be sent to Mrs Michielle Yon, Director of Resources by no later than the 29 November 2013. 4 www.sams.sh Th ursday 14 November 2013 THE SENTINEL SENTINEL Harford Boy wins Essay Gold Young, David Owen (11), who is now schooling at Prince Andrew submitted a writ- COMMENT ten essay to the Commonwealth Essay Com- Damien O’Bey, SAMS petition for the Royal Commonwealth Society and won a Gold. When he was at Harford School he entered the competition along with approximately 11,000 In spring, the axis of the Earth is increas- other youngsters from around the world. Da- ing its tilt relative to the Sun, and the length vid won the Gold Certifi cate for his story of daylight rapidly increases for the relevant ‘Quick Thinking Saved the Day’ in the 2013 hemisphere. The hemisphere begins to warm competition This means he was in the top 150 signifi cantly causing new plant growth, to entries and the only winner on St Helena. “spring forth,” giving the season its name. In a special event, on Wednesday 13 Novem- Snow begins to melt, and streams swell with ber, David returned to Harford to receive his runoff. In climates that have no snow (like certifi cate from Director of Education, Colin ours), the air and ground temperatures in- Moore, in front of the younger students. David crease more rapidly. Many fl owering plants said about the win, “I’m really, really happy. I bloom this time of year. Already the small did not expect to get the gold award.” He said delicate shoots of our Agapanthus lilies are about being at Harford, “the support I got from beginning to emerge.