Daily Radio News

12 March 2010

 

Headlines

·        St Helena National Trust has been awarded £300,000 by the Darwin Initiative

·        St Helena tourism predicts exciting times

 

The St Helena National Trust has been awarded £300,000 by the Darwin Initiative for a new 3 year project that will help to protect St Helena’s internationally important biodiversity. The Darwin Initiative is funded by Defra, and commemorates the achievements of the pre-eminent naturalist Charles Darwin. Darwin visited the island in 1836, when he discovered several new endemic insects. The project will help St Helena to increase its capacity to conserve the natural environment, through developing expertise and training local conservation staff and school leavers through a conservation apprenticeship programme.  The project will focus its practical activities on two important sites for biodiversity. National Trust Director Jamie Roberts says ‘This funding is a real boost for St Helena’s natural environment. It recognises the island’s importance to global biodiversity, and will ensure that the successes of recent conservation initiatives such as the invasive species project and the Critical Species Recovery project are built upon.   The National Trust will work principally in partnership with the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department. Chief Agricultural and Natural Resources Officer Darren Duncan said; ‘The natural environment is critical to the future of St Helena, underpinning economic activities such as agriculture and tourism. This exciting new project will help us to increase the island’s ability to look after it.

 

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As a result of the DAPM team visit, a further £1.2 million has been approved for tourism development over a period of 3 years drawing on the priorities identified in the Tourism Report by Catherine Leech. An action plan is being drawn up for the 3 year period, taking into account the new funds.  Part of the funds will pay for institutional arrangements.  The Tourism Department is currently involved in producing a new logo for the island, to replace the existing ‘discover our secret’ logo. Recently installed was a cast iron Jamestown map which showcases a detailed map of lower Jamestown, the next installation to take place on the Grand Parade is for a cast iron finger post sign which will not jeopardise any public car parking and will serve the purpose of directing visitors to vital points.  The tourist office said that they were disappointed with the failed visit of MS Delphin Voyager on 09 March, especially after a lot of groundwork had been done to prepare the passengers for yet another wonderful experience.  The majority of the 277 passengers on board were booked on pre arranged tours, and others were interested in coming ashore to visit various visitor attractions. This would have made the 3^rd visit of the Delphin Voyager to St Helena; it is such a shame that she didn’t stay due to the adverse sea conditions.  All exciting times ahead for tourism, and their aim is to work closely with the private sector and our new Tourism Council Committee where there is tremendous support and enthusiasm.

 

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A MINIATURE portrait of a Scottish naval officer who helped burn down the White House in a British attack on Washington is being sold by his family 200 years later.

The descendants of Rear Admiral Sir Pulteney Malcolm, whose illustrious career ended with him guarding Napoleon on St Helena, are hoping to find a buyer who will treasure the fragile artefact. Painted on ivory, the miniature was removed from its locket decades ago, and the paint is in danger of cracking and peeling away.  The family is hoping to sell it to a collector with the specialist expertise to conserve the image properly. It is expected to fetch £10-15,000 at a sale in London next month. Sir Malcolm was third in command of the British fleet which in 1814 set fire to many public buildings in Washington DC.

(Tim Cornwell Scotsman.com)

Sir Admiral George Cockburn who captured Washington on the American British war is said to have went into the White House where he ordered a meal and then set fire to the curtains. He also served guarding Napoleon until the Governor appointed by the Crown, Sir Hudson Lowe arrived.

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Cricket Fixtures for this weekend.

Saturday 13/03/10

St Pauls B Vs Sandy Bay A – Umpires – Hayward Benjamin & Tommy-lee Young 

Jamestown Z Vs St Matthews A– Umpires – Darrell Leo & David Francis

Sunday 14/03/10

Levelwood C Vs Longwood B – Umpires – Cliff Richards & Derek Richards

Western B Vs Jamestown B  - Umpires – Alan Thomas & Anders Bowers