Annabelle Spencer pictured here at the FIG Reception at Lincoln's Inn June 2011
Random comments and reports from the Hon Secretary of the Falkland Islands Association
Sunday, 26 August 2012
I have just heard that the Falkland Islands Exhibition due to run at the Fairfield Hall, Croydon from 3rd to 8th September 2012 will not take place this year as Annabelle Spencer has been unwell and is not well enough to attend. We wish her a speedy recovery to full health.
Annabelle Spencer pictured here at the FIG Reception at Lincoln's Inn June 2011
Annabelle Spencer pictured here at the FIG Reception at Lincoln's Inn June 2011
Monday, 13 August 2012
51 Degrees South have published the latest in their series of videos on the people of the Falkland Islands. This episode features Samantha
Brownlee, who was FIA Student of the Year in 2008. The FIA send their best wishes to Samantha and wish her well for the future. Find the video at http://vimeo.com/47459657
Thursday, 9 August 2012
It has been some time since I turned to the blog - not a lot to say. Have been busy chasing up the non-payers and still a few trickling in although it looks as though a number of members have just disappeared - letters not sent back 'gone away' just, well, nothing! Perhaps when the Newsletter doesn't arrive in October I will hear something.
In my last post I mentioned the episode of 51 Degrees South featuring Samantha Brownlee was due on 6th August - it will now be published on August 13th.
I may have mentioned a request for a Falkland Islands Association tie - well, we now have them in stock - they were delivered yesterday. We will sell them to members at £9 + £2 post and packing. Cheque to Falkland Islands Association and orders to me at 6 St Annes Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 6AU
In my last post I mentioned the episode of 51 Degrees South featuring Samantha Brownlee was due on 6th August - it will now be published on August 13th.
I may have mentioned a request for a Falkland Islands Association tie - well, we now have them in stock - they were delivered yesterday. We will sell them to members at £9 + £2 post and packing. Cheque to Falkland Islands Association and orders to me at 6 St Annes Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 6AU
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
Sorting out the lapsed subscribers has taken a lot of time and sadly over half of the responses have been from the next of kin advising the death of a spouse or parent.
Good news yesterday via Twitter that one of our Students of the Year, Samantha Brownlee (winner 2008) has won a Silver Medal at the Century Skill At Arms Combat Shooting competion at Bisley where she is part of the FIDF team taking part in the event. Samantha is also to feature in one of the profiles being broadcast on line by 51º South who have produced documentary series on the Falkland Islands with the title 51º South. Find them at - http://www.51degreessouth.com Samantha's profile will be broadcast 6th August.
Good news yesterday via Twitter that one of our Students of the Year, Samantha Brownlee (winner 2008) has won a Silver Medal at the Century Skill At Arms Combat Shooting competion at Bisley where she is part of the FIDF team taking part in the event. Samantha is also to feature in one of the profiles being broadcast on line by 51º South who have produced documentary series on the Falkland Islands with the title 51º South. Find them at - http://www.51degreessouth.com Samantha's profile will be broadcast 6th August.
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
Now that the flow of incoming subscriptions for 2012/13 has eased I have made a start on a task long overdue - checking on members who did not pay their subscription last year and have discovered that several are long overdue. The Newsletters are not being returned so I assume they (or someone) are still getting their copy or there are piles of Newsletters in empty houses throught the world. A gentle letter will have to be sent but I have one problem in that some Bankers Order that appear on the bank statements have insufficient information to identify the subscriber so one or two of the unpaid on the list will be able to put me right - in a friendly way I hope.
Another task this summer, before I get down to Battle Day planning, is the review of subscription rates for the FIA. Our rates were first fixed in 1982 at £10 for members, £5 for Associate members (students and seniors). The £10 subscription was increased to £15 in March 1989, the associate rate staying the same. With ever rising postal costs the £5 rate just covers the costs of printing and mailing within the UK whilst copies going overseas cost more than the subscription a situation that cannot be allowed to continue - whilst we welcome support from our overseas members we cannot expect full price members to subsidise the associate member overseas. Our membership suscriptions should be set at a level to pay for the two Newsletters and postage charges with something left over to run the Association. The next Executive Committee meeting and the following AGM may be difficult if this subject gets a proper airing. This is a difficult time to suggest an increase but 30 years at the same rate!
Whilst I am bogged down with routine matters things move on on the political front with the announcement by the Falkland Islands Government that a referendum on their future will take place in early 2013. Some strange reactions in the press suggesting that it was the UK Government's idea and several saying this is the first time it has happened ignoring the November 1994 poll that rejected the idea of an Argentine buyout.
Off to London tomorrow for the FIG Reception at Lincoln's Inn - numbers are up this year following the increase publicity as it is the 30th anniversary of the liberation of the Islands. As we meet in London President Kirchner will be at the UN to berate the C24 Decolonisation Committee and the Falkland Island representatives on how she hopes to colonise the Falkland Islands. Interesting times.
Another task this summer, before I get down to Battle Day planning, is the review of subscription rates for the FIA. Our rates were first fixed in 1982 at £10 for members, £5 for Associate members (students and seniors). The £10 subscription was increased to £15 in March 1989, the associate rate staying the same. With ever rising postal costs the £5 rate just covers the costs of printing and mailing within the UK whilst copies going overseas cost more than the subscription a situation that cannot be allowed to continue - whilst we welcome support from our overseas members we cannot expect full price members to subsidise the associate member overseas. Our membership suscriptions should be set at a level to pay for the two Newsletters and postage charges with something left over to run the Association. The next Executive Committee meeting and the following AGM may be difficult if this subject gets a proper airing. This is a difficult time to suggest an increase but 30 years at the same rate!
Whilst I am bogged down with routine matters things move on on the political front with the announcement by the Falkland Islands Government that a referendum on their future will take place in early 2013. Some strange reactions in the press suggesting that it was the UK Government's idea and several saying this is the first time it has happened ignoring the November 1994 poll that rejected the idea of an Argentine buyout.
Off to London tomorrow for the FIG Reception at Lincoln's Inn - numbers are up this year following the increase publicity as it is the 30th anniversary of the liberation of the Islands. As we meet in London President Kirchner will be at the UN to berate the C24 Decolonisation Committee and the Falkland Island representatives on how she hopes to colonise the Falkland Islands. Interesting times.
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Sold the last copy of Lisa Watson's 'Waking up to War' yesterday and one more order came in this morning! Still have plenty of 'Diddle Dee to Wire Gates' but just three copies of 'Rocky the Rockhopper'. Have sold half of the stock of lapel badges but still plenty left.
Must remember to take some stock of badges and 'Diddle Dee to Wire Gates' to the FIG Reception at Lincoln's Inn on 14th June.
The flood of subscription renewals has eased for the moment. Will have to get down to reviewing unpaid lists for last year.
Must remember to take some stock of badges and 'Diddle Dee to Wire Gates' to the FIG Reception at Lincoln's Inn on 14th June.
The flood of subscription renewals has eased for the moment. Will have to get down to reviewing unpaid lists for last year.
Friday, 4 May 2012
The Newsletter is published at last and is landing on the doormats as I write. We apologise for the delay but Lisa has had a very busy summer with all the press and TV interest in the Islands for the 30th Anniversary of the conflict.
And still it goes on - the latest incident involves a film clip transmitted on many Argentine TV channels showing Fernando Zylberberg, captain of the Argentine men's national hockey team, running through the streets of Stanley (not an Islander in sight!). There is no commentary but the strap lines at the end say "To compete on English soil we train on Argentine soil" . Seems to me a clear breach of the International Olympic Committee rules which say“No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas. The film clearly has Argentine Governnment blessing as it is also published on the Casa Rosada YouTube site. You can watch the film at
It has also been suggested that the Argentine teams at the London Olympics will be wearing badges stating "Malvinas son Argentinas" also in clear breach of the IOC rules. It does seem possible that the politicisation of the Olympics in this way could lead to the teams being disqualified.
And still it goes on - the latest incident involves a film clip transmitted on many Argentine TV channels showing Fernando Zylberberg, captain of the Argentine men's national hockey team, running through the streets of Stanley (not an Islander in sight!). There is no commentary but the strap lines at the end say "To compete on English soil we train on Argentine soil" . Seems to me a clear breach of the International Olympic Committee rules which say“No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas. The film clearly has Argentine Governnment blessing as it is also published on the Casa Rosada YouTube site. You can watch the film at
It has also been suggested that the Argentine teams at the London Olympics will be wearing badges stating "Malvinas son Argentinas" also in clear breach of the IOC rules. It does seem possible that the politicisation of the Olympics in this way could lead to the teams being disqualified.
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