THE South Atlantic Media Services, Ltd. www.sams.sh Vol. 3,SENTINEL Issue 36 - Price: £1 “serving St Helena and her community worldwide” Thursday 27 November 2014 Tourism Offi ce Records a Successful MV Astor Visit see report starting on page 11 Jamestown Rifl e Club page 3 St Helena Child Abuse Inquiry UK Government Sends Out Big Guns Richard Wallis, SAMS After the Lucy Faithful Foundation report and seri- ous allegations made by former employees of SHG, the Tommy & Kerry issues raised about St Helena and child abuse on island has risen to the highest levels in the UK Government. on Their way to The Former FCO Minister for Overseas Territories, Rt SA page 3 Hon. Mark Simmonds MP, announced to the House of Commons on 21 July the establishment of an indepen- dent inquiry to fi nd any truth behind these allegations and make recommendations as appropriate. The Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, gave a writ- ten statement on 20 November: “Serious allegations have been made by former employees of the authorities of the British Overseas Territory of St Helena.” The allegations involve claims relating to, “child abuse in the Territory, police corruption and incompetence, and a conspiracy by the St Helena Government, the FCO and DFID to cover these up.” The Foreign Secretary stated that Sasha Wass QC will lead the Inquiry. “Ms Wass is a very accomplished bar- rister with substantial professional experience of deal- ing with these kinds of issues. I am confi dent that she will lead this Inquiry with great rigour, fairness and sensitivity.” Good Day for a SHG responding to an enquiry from The Sentinel stated Market page 12 they, “welcome the Inquiry and will naturally cooperate to the fullest extent.” UK Foreign Secretary, Phillip Hammond more on this story on pages 6 & 7 2 www.sams.sh Thursday 27 November 2014 | THE SENTINEL ST HELENA SNIPPETS Youth Leader, Nicky Stevens and Chairperson Let The Games BeginBegin of BoSH, Lyn Thomas at the opening ceremony Bank of St Helena Youth Games 2014 Offi cially Opens Liam Yon, SAMS The tenth annual Bank of St Helena (BoSH) Youth Games was offi cially opened on Friday evening, 21 November, at the New Horizons Centre in the Leisure Park. A crowd of peo- ple, made up of mostly competitors as well as some councillors, NASAS representatives, and sports enthusiasts, gathered to witness the games kick off with the volleyball competition. A speech was given by Nicky Stevens who spoke about the importance of the Youth Games and how successful it has been in pre- vious years. Nicky mentioned names like Ben Dillon and Madolyn Andrews who all took part in the Youth Games as youngsters and have now gone on to represent St Helena interna- tionally. Another speech was then given by Lyn Thom- as, representing BoSH; the offi cial sponsor of the Youth Games. Lyn spoke of the opportu- nities, the Youth Games will present to the is- als that all teams will be fi ghting to get their the swimming competition on the 5 December. lands youth before wishing all competitors the hands on at the end of the games. Included Following speeches, the games kicked off with best of luck. within the crowns was a brand new swimming the volleyball competition (see sports pages for A table was laid out with the shields and med- shield which will go to the district that wins volleyball report). talents were on display with a wide range of designs and products for a changing market. creative disciplines demonstrated. The St Hel- The A&C hosts a Craft Fair, from time to time, Crafty Arts ena Art & Crafts Association’s (A&C) mission to showcase local artistic talent and this year is to support local arts and, in particular, those saw new innovation alongside the more tradi- traditional crafts which used to be the “life tional St Helena arts and crafts. Digital art was Success at Arts and support mechanism” for many poorer fami- on display; as was fabric printing which has lies. Seed work, aloe work and lace work all been recently introduced; live performances Crafts Fair supplemented the meagre income of families from Creative St Helena with drama, read- Cathy Hopkins so many women were not only housewives but ings of local stories and interviews. The A&C vital earners whose money helped feed and also showcased their “End of the Royal Mail clothe their families. With the advent of pen- Ship Era” souvenirs with artist Andy Crowe On Saturday 22 November the Jamestown sions and benefi ts, that urgent need has gone, signing limited edition prints of his painting Community Centre was the place to be! Artists but the skills have been passed on to new which depicts the Southampton Castle, The and Crafters set up their stalls early and their generations who are seeking to develop new old RMS St Helena and the current RMS in James’ Bay. This historic lifeline to St Helena will end in 2016 when the RMS goes out of service. The A&C felt it im- portant to commemorate what will be a dramatic change to life on the island when air travel becomes a reality. The Fair was opened by Miss St Helena, Sinead Green, who spoke about the im- portance of St Helena’ rich cultural heri- tage in arts and crafts. The Ag Governor visited later in the morning and was one of the people to be interviewed by the youngsters working with Pamela from Creative St Helena. It was lovely to see children enjoying themselves with Lind- say McGinnety who was showing them how to make mono prints and equally nice to have Longwood Brownies bring their Christmas cards to sell …they also helped with the Raffl e! The raffl e raised Stalls at the craft fair, before crowds arrived £101.40 for Art & Crafts Funds. THE SENTINEL | Thursday 27 November 2014 www.sams.sh 3 ST HELENA SNIPPETS You Only Tommy-Lee Young and Kerry Furniss with the Governor’s Cup Live Once Tommy and Kerry on Their way to SA for GCYR Liam Yon, SAMS There is no turning back as Tommy-Lee Young and Kerry Furniss left the island on the RMS St Helena yesterday. The next time the pair see the island will be from their yachts in the 2014 Governor’s Cup Yacht Race (GCYR). Since being selected as the lucky participants meaning they will race separately. the excitement of the race. “I’ve spent many to compete in this year’s GCYR a lot of chang- “I wasn’t very happy at the start,” Kerry said Christmases here, so it’s just something differ- es have been made and Julie George has been about having to race in separate yachts, “but, ent,” said Kerry. working frantically to ensure both Tommy and it’s a competition between me and Tommy Amongst all the excitement and nervousness Kerry get to take part. One big downfall was now and I’m looking forward to it.” This feel- the pair was also very grateful to Tourism and the Windjammer Yacht, which originally had ing was shared by Tommy who said he was, ESH who helped to set up and fund this op- space for two Saints, fi nding crew in South “happy, excited and nervous all in one.” portunity. Tommy also extended thanks to all Africa. Despite this, spaces have been found Both brave competitors said that being off the guys who took him out sailing and helped for both Tommy and Kerry on different yachts; island for Christmas doesn’t take away from to prepare him for the GCYR 2014. dark fruit cake and other prizes. Raffl e tickets cost £1.00 for three. Jamestown Rifl e Club Overseas sponsors have also been generous. Richard James donated half of a £675 order Getting Ready Shooting is St Helena’s national sport. and Sainttrading gave a free order and free Chairman of the Jamestown Rifl e Association, shipment on a second one. Patrick Henry told The Sentinel that following Some equipment including 100yds and 50m for Jersey extremely high morale after the last Common- targets have just arrived, and National Trust wealth Games competitors are practicing for have provided High Knoll Fort for training; many helping hands built the range. Ferdie Gunnell, SAMS the 2015 Small Island Games (SIG) in Jersey. “They are trying for highest scores” said Mr Orders have been placed for butt plates which Henry, “at the moment we fi t into the shoulder at standing, kneeling and Chairman of the have seven people doing ex- prone positions. Without adjustment they slip Jamestown Rifl e tremely well.” People train onto the rifl e minimising time and stress. “In Club Association, for 4-5 years before selec- the SIG this is the equipment used,” said Mr Patrick Henry tion elsewhere. “In St Hel- Henry. ena we are very lucky but The Jamestown Rifl e Club is grateful for all there must be commitment donations, “without their help what we do at and dedication.” the club would never happen,” Mr Henry said. Some new members are expatriates who have never Weekly Weather shot. Mr Henry fi nds it exit- ing they will have small bore Whatever the weather on the day, rifl e training at the James- Christmas sunshine is on its way, town Rifl e Club, “they will Unlike in England mostly dull and drear, be able to say we had our There will be glorious sunshine over here. training from St Helena.” Training for international Here are the weather stats games is expensive.