Saying thank you for freedom

Later on Monday we were invited to dinner by the 30th anniversary liberation committee where we met islanders and veterans. In the welcome speech the theme was that the islanders very much wanted to say thank you to those who gave them their freedom, to those who supported them afterwards, to all those who continue to support their right to choose their own future and to those who help them develop. They are also looking forward to those who work with them today on development - which is why the colleges were invited. Before 1982 few islanders stayed at school past 15 and levels of education were limited. After liberation education became a key focus and this investment in their young people is why so many come to study in the UK at 16.

When I first saw the guest list, I didn't understand the connection of all of the invitees. As people talk I begin to understand it more. Jersey and Guernsey have been invited because after the liberation in 1982 they gave the Falklands substantial financial gifts to help them rebuild. Jersey alone gave five million pounds. Both islands did this because of their experience of the trauma of occupation during the Second World War. Gibraltar share with the Falklands the fact that the population wish to remain British but another country wishes to claim them. The minister from Gibraltar replied to the opening speech at dinner and was passionate about freedom and democracy.

I think living in the UK, we take our freedom and our rights for granted. This week is making me think about it more and making me appreciate its value.

Remembering the 8th June 1982

We were met from the plane, at Mount Pleasant, by the organisers of the trip and made very welcome.  We drove towards Stanley but turned off after 15 minutes or so, towards Fitzroy, where there are monuments remembering those who died in the bombing of the Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram on the 8^th June 1982.  As some of our party are from the Welsh Assembly, it was very important to them to visit Fitzroy and lay a wreath there in memory of the many Welsh Guards who died that day.

We were met at the monument by the Reverend Richard Hines and Tim and Jan Miller from Stanley who are very involved with supporting returning veterans.  There were also a number of visiting veterans from a range of the regiments involved in the conflict.  

The site of the Welsh Guards monument is on a small cliff overlooking an inlet, nearby are monuments to those from the RFA, the medical corp and engineers who also died that day.  As far as the eye can see is moorland – covered with snow, as it’s the middle of winter.  Various seabirds were about, skimming the water, splashing down and making a lot of noise in an otherwise silent landscape. There was a short, heartfelt service of remembrance.  Dusk was falling and we got back on the road to Stanley.

Flying down to Stanley

We assembled for the flight down to the islands on Sunday 10^th June at RAF Brize Norton.  The flight was scheduled to leave at 23:59 but we were told that we had to check in at least 3 hours beforehand.  At least it gave us the chance to introduce ourselves and start to learn each others’ names.  From the start this trip has felt very different to other college trips, the VIP lounge at Brize Norton had 3 clocks on the wall, set for the UK, Kandahar and Kuwait.  Seeing those clocks was a simple reminder of the major areas that our armed forces are committed to and are continuing to work in while we get on with our day to day lives. The plane (a standard Boeing 767, with all mod cons) left on time for the first leg of the journey to Ascension Island (just 9 hours flying time!).  Ascension is just below the equator, some considerable distance off the West African coast.

At Ascension Island we were whisked off the plane and driven for about 20 minutes to the Administrator’s Residence. Apparently Ascension Island is called Cinder Island by those who are posted there.  It’s a volcanic island, red and barren with one Green Mountain where the Victorians managed to get plants and small trees to grow, creating a damper micro climate on that mountain.  It has a population of about 800 people, all living there because of work.  There is no resident population, even if a child is born there they do not have the right of residency.  The population seems to consist of the RAF, the US Air Force, the BBC who have a station that transmits into Africa, and Cable and Wireless who maintain their transatlantic cables.  Actually there is a resident population ­– thousands of green turtles and maybe on the way back we will see some. 

The Residence, a stoutly built Victorian single storey building, is high on Green Mountain with amazing views across the island and a hair raising drive up a single track road with very sharp hairpin bends.  Scraping noises as the back of the minibus ground on the road, only happened on half the bends!  We had time at the Residence to admire the views and have some welcome fresh fruit before we had to come back down to the plane for the second leg of the journey, another 8 hours to Mount Pleasant on the Falklands.

An unusual invitation

Some time ago Chichester College was invited by the Falkland Islands Government to send a representative to participate in the events organised for the 30^th anniversary of the liberation of the islands from the Argentine invasion.  This invitation was in recognition of the work we do in educating their young people, post 16, and is linked to a theme of theirs this year, which is focusing on the future of the islands.  I was very privileged to be be asked by Shelagh, if I would come and represent the College on this important occasion.

From the information sent to us, it was clear that this anniversary is one where the islanders and those who fought, remember the war and the sacrifices made by all those involved.  It is also a moment for the islanders to show how their community has developed since the war and to show how they made the most of their freedom.  Also it is a time for the islanders to strengthen friendships, so that they can continue their way of life, despite continued Argentine claims that they should be part of Argentina.

The party includes a shadow cabinet junior minister; Lt Gen James Dutton, president of the South Atlantic Medal Association, who was in the Falklands war in 40 Commando; politicians from the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and Jersey, Guernsey and Gibraltar.  Completing the party are the principal of Peter Symonds College in Winchester and myself for Chichester College.

Yippee

Hurray a female poet laureate and one who can rhyme prayer with Finisterre!

To those, who are getting this post as an email please tell me if it annoys you and I'll take you off the list. I thought it might be a way of keeping in touch better, but it may just clog up your inboxes and irritate you - please say.