A recent letter from Annabelle Spencer (see earlier post) reports that she was sorry about the cancellation of the 2012 Falkland Islands Exhibition at Fairfield Halls, Croydon due to ill health.

She goes on to reminds us that the only Falkland Islands Shop outside the Islands can be found in Wells, Somerset at Falkland House, 3 Tucker Street. The shop, which was opened by Sir Rex Hunt CMG in 1987, has everything that would have been at the Croydon Exhibition. Phone Annabelle on 01749 672357 if you are going to visit. Her last comment was "ill health sounds so 'dead' to me and I am not!"

Pictured here is the late Captain Vincent CBE RN (retired) (see last post) with Robin Lee on Narrows Island, Port Howard (photo Jim McAdam)

I have just heard that Captain P.M.C. (Paddy) Vincent CBE, RN (Retired) passed away on August 23, 2012 at the age of 87. He was born in the Falkland Islands and his father died at sea as the family were travelling to the UK for home leave. After a lifetime in the Royal Navy he worked in London. A long time member of the Association he reguarly acted as Parade Marshall at the Battle Day Ceremony at the Cenotaph in London. He was also active in the UK Falkland Islands Trust as a Trustee from 1993 and served as its Chairman from 1997 to 2001. He was also one time Chairman of the Burma Star Association. A service of thanksgiving is planned for October but details are not confirmed as yet. A full obituary will appear in due course in Penguin News and in the FIA Newsletter. Unfortunately the October 2012 edition went to the printer before we heard this sad news.

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

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

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

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.