Some more pictures from the Visit to Wakehurst Place and MSB

Dominique Giudicelli has sent me some of her photographs taken during the visit

(see my post for 14th May)

At the Millennium Seed Bank - Michael Way (Head of Collecting & Network Support) welcomes our party to the MSB

Preparing to enter the vault where the seeds from around the world are stored.

A view through the window to the storage area - seeds collected from around the world.

Our special guest for the day, Toni Stevens from Port Sussex Farm in the Falkland Islands, views the seeds in the cold store, some from the Falkland Islands.

Thanks Dominique for some memories of a fascinating visit.

A few pictures from Lincoln's Inn

Peter Pepper acted as the FIA photographer at Lincoln's Inn this year and this is a small selection from his collection. Members and guests assembled in the Great Hall.

David Thatham, Nina Ashton and Bob Ashton

David Tatham, Sir Peter de la Billiere and Gerald Cheek

Patrick Watts, Richard and Mrs Ralphs with the youngest member present Freya Ralphs

Falkland MLA's Roger Edwards (on the left) and Dick Sawle (on the right) with FIG London Representative Sukey Cameron and Jeremy Browne MP, Minister of State FCO.

General Ian McKay-Dick and Sukey Cameron take the salute as the Grenadier Guards Beat Retreat

The band of the Grenadier Guards Beat Retreat and bring the evening to a close.

FIG Reps speech published on MercoPress

Sukey Cameron's speech at the FIG Reception in London on Tuesday of this week has been published on Merco Press at http://en.mercopress.com/2011/06/15/self-determination-and-self-sufficiency-falklands-message-to-the-world-on-liberation-day? source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily 

I wouldn't bother to read through the comments that follow on the MercoPress page.

Andrew Rollason MP seeks HMG support for the Falklands

Replying to a question from Andrew Rosindell MP asking that the Prime Minister remind President Obama that negotions with Argentina will never be acceptable to Her Majesty's Goverment the Prime Minister replied "as long as the Falkland Islands want to be sovereign British Territory, they should remain sovereign British Territory - full stop, end of story"

Reassuring words for the Islanders and for our members who support the Islanders wishes.

Reaction in Argentina was predictable. The Buenos Aires Hetald reported that President Kirshner said that the Prime Ministers statement was 'mediocre and almost stupid' revealing that the UK was 'a coarse colonial power'. The Argentine Foreign Ministry deplored the statement saying that 'in a regrettable act of arrogance, the UK claimed to have the authority to put an end to the unresolved conflict.'

Hit and miss press coverage

Whilst most of the papers ignored the FIG Reception in London and the celebrations in Stanley several papers including the Daily Mail and the BBC published details of a presentation by President Christina Kirchner of an Argentine identity card to Falkland Islander James Peck who now lives in Buenos Aires.

FIG Reception in London

Just back from the Falkland Islands Government Reception held in London on the 29th anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands in 1982.

Despite delays caused by a major fire at Aldwych which led to the closure of many roads in the area including Waterloo Bridge most guests managed to make it to the reception which was held in the magnificent setting of the Great Hall at Lincoln's Inn when members of the FIA joined guests of the FIG to mark the occasion. The FIG Representative in London, Ms Sukey Cameron, began her speech saying " On this, the anniversary of our liberation we commemorate those who fought to uphold our right to self-determination in 1982.  As we continue to do our utmost to ensure that those who made the ultimate sacrifice did not do so in vain, we will also reflect on our successes and our ambitious plans for the future.

Members of the Argentine Government continue to seek international support for their claim to our country, and do what they can to disrupt our economy, but we are dynamic, resilient and resourceful people and will pursue economic development, and determine our future, regardless of the difficulties that may be put in our way.

Whilst we refuse to be de-railed or distracted by others’ agendas, it’s time for us to be more proactive in respect of our external relationships.  We are exploring new ways to deliver our key messages of self-determination and self-sufficiency.'

The full speech will shortly be published on the FIA website at www.http://fiassociation.com

After the speeches the band of the Grenadier Guards Beat Retreat on the lawns outside the Great Hill where the salute was taken by General Sir Ian McKay-Dick.

FIG is all a twitter

 

I see that the the Falkland Islands Government now has a page on Twitter. They have been tweeting almost daily and you can find it at

@FalklandsGov Falkland Islands - The official Twitter feed of the Falkland Islands Government

 

Thanks to subscribers

Just a note to thank all those members who renew their subscriptions at this time of year. Although the request was late going out with the delayed Spring Newsletter some 88 members have sent in subscriptions amounting to almost £1000 by the end of the month plus a couple who had forgotten they were already paying by Bankers Order!