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Queen's Day Tradition
The Tristan da Cunha community is proud of its British heritage. Tristan homes commonly feature portraits of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the annual Queen's Day public holiday is always a special event with a range of activities to celebrate the Queen's birthday. The Tristan da Cunha Queen's Day was formerly held around October, but is now held in February or March to enable a produce show to be held in the austral late Summer / Early Autumn. In 2007 the later event (held on 31st March) was too late for some produce (onions, carrots, cabbage) to be at their best! |
Queen's Day 2008
Easter Monday 24th March |
Queen's Day 2008 was been organised to enable the Task Force aboard RFA Lyme Bay to pause from their labours in re-building Calshot harbour to join the Tristan community join in a special loyal celebration together. |
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Queen's Day Report from Administrator David Morley
When Chief Islander Connie Glass rang the dong at 0600 to indicate Queens Day some thought him rather optimistic. But the proceedings commenced in dry if overcast conditions with the ceremony outside Prince Philip Hall to bestow the Freedom of Tristan da Cunha upon the Task Force, following which the visitors demonstrated their military prowess by marching around the Settlement and delivering a Salute to the Administrator and the Chief Islander during a march past the Administration Building. Shortly after the parade was dismissed, the heavens opened and the rain poured down. However, the showers passed quickly and by late morning the busy Queens Day programme was steaming ahead. The fishing competitions (adult and children) were under way, the soccer pitch was being prepared and the School Hall was filling with the exhibits for the various shows. By lunchtime the skies had cleared and a lovely day was in prospect.
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Certificates presented to The Joint Operation Zest Task Force conferring their Freedom of Tristan da Cunha |
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Photographs from James Glass showing
Tristan's Administrator David Morley with Chief Islander Conrad Glass
presenting Task Force Commanders
Major Mike Forster (Left)
and Captain Paddy McAlpine (right)
with model longboats
and the Freedom of Tristan da Cunha
in the School Hall on Queen's Day 2008
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While the Atlantic Fresh ladies prepared lunch, the children's’ sports and games got under way. The Tug of War competition between Tristan and the Royal Engineers attracted great excitement, especially when the islanders’ team comprehensively defeated the visitors. Meanwhile the team of judges was busily examining the show exhibits and entries, ranging from art to potatoes. Thanks go to Father Chris, Doctor Carel and the Task Force Nurses Amanda, Chippy and Catherine plus James Glass who diligently carried out their judging duties. |
Lunch was served, and everyone enjoyed some excellent food, including chilli and rice, burgers and chips, pizza, sausages and hot dogs followed by a range of traditional desserts, washed down by a soft drink.
The high spot of the afternoon, which cased a great deal of excitement amongst the younger members of the community, was the “Children’s Excavator Challenge”, which allowed the kids to try their hand at moving a bucket of water from A to B while at the controls of two of the Engineers’ JCB diggers. All the while under the careful control of the Sappers, of course.
The afternoons’ events culminated in a soccer match between Tristan and our visitors, which resulted in a convincing victory for the Engineers. But honours can be considered as even, given the Tug of War result earlier in the day. |
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Football Match Images
Clockwise :
Checking the nets;
Admin & Major Mike Forster look on;
The winning Task Force side
in two pictures;
and
Referee Sapper Gillot
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Images from
the produce, cake and
handicraft show
held in
St Mary's School Hall
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A day off at last for
the Task Force :
Left : Corporal Harrison et al On the swings
Right : Medics enjoying the fun
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Children's Sports
on American Fence
featuring the annual sack race
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More children's sports photos.
(left, right and below)
from James Glass
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Men's Tug of War
photographed
by James Glass
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At 1900 the Administrator’s Reception commenced at the School Hall, with music provided by Sapper Bunn. Prize giving intervened, as well as the raffle draw. Captain Paddy McAlpine presented the prizes assisted by Connie Glass and Major Mike Forster. The winners are listed below. Debbie Elsmore won top raffle prize, a free trip to Cape Town courtesy of Ovenstone Agencies.
The Administrator then formally presented the Task Force Command with certificates of Freedom of Tristan, copies of which will be distributed to every member of the Force. David Morley also presented each of the three Commanders with a model Tristan longboat, as a memento of their visit and a big thank you for the work they have carried out. In response, Captain McAlpine presented Connie Glass with a Royal Engineering plaque in memory of their visit.
The Administrator proposed the Loyal Toast, which was followed by the National Anthem. Dancing then got under way and carried on into the small hours. All in all, a fine day’s entertainment enjoyed by everyone who attended. The Administrator wishes to thank all those who worked so hard to make the event a success, especially the Task Force, whose enthusiastic support and participation made Queens Day 2008 one to remember.
God Save the Queen!
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Prize Giving
in the School Hall -
see results below
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and finally ...
over to you Sapper Bunn
to provide music
for the Queen Day's Dance
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Queen's Day 2008
Competition Results |
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Produce Show
Best Cabbage – Herbert Swain
Best 3 Onions – Dereck Rogers
Best 4 tomatoes – Cliff Swain
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Best Pot Plant – Joyce Hagan
Garden Flowers arrangement – Debbie Elsmore
Wild Flowers arrangement (Adult) – Emma Rogers
(Children) – Kelly Swain
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Heaviest potato –
White Blossom - Tristan
Smooth Skin – Allan Green
Darius – Ronald Rogers
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Art Classes |
Knitted Garment – Rita Repetto
Socks – Debbie Swain
Coffee Cake – Felicity Glass |
Playgroup – Dillon Green
Class 1-2 – Rhyanna Swain
Class 3 – Dean Repetto
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Class 4 – Danny Swain
Adult – Debbie Elsmore |
Adult Sack Race
Men – Nicky Swain
Women – Kirsty Green
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Sports
Throwing the Sea boot
Men – Warren Glass
Women – Denise Rogers
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Fishing competition
Adults – Steve Swain (41,5 cm)
Children – Julian Repetto (31.7cm) |
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Queen's Day 2007
held on
Saturday 31st March
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The Ladies Tug of War
held on the American Fence
field in front of St Mary's School
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Left : The Atlantic Fresh Catering Company's Food Stall
doing a brisk trade
Right : Spectators in front of
St Mary's School
overlook
the action
on American Fence |
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Running
Men: First Prize: Nicholas Swain
Second Prize: Shane Green
Ladies: First Prize: Kirsty Green
Second Prize: Glenda Swain
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The Children's Sack Race
is always a favourite to watch |
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Best Home Made Chocolate Cake
First Prize: Mary Lavarello
Second Prize: Darren Repetto
Heaviest New Potato
White Blossom:
First Prize: Jeremy Green (795gm) Second Prize: Ken Green (790gm)
Smoothskin:
First Prize: Nicole Glass (770gm)
Second Prize: Iris Green (510gm)
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Best Garden Flower Arrangement
First Prize: Rachel Green
Second Prize: Miranda Repetto
Art and Craft Display
Judging by Administrator Mike Hentley, Dr Carel and Ingrid Van der Merwe and Monsignor Michael McPartland of the school art and craft display
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Beach Fishing
Adults: First Prize: Shane Green (110.5cm) Second Prize: Robin Repetto (99cm)
Children: First Prize: Danny Swain (56.5cm) Second Prize: Julian Repetto (52cm)
Photo right shows Shane with
the winning catch
Hand Line Casting
Men: First Prize: Larry Swain
Second Prize: Shane Green
Ladies: First Prize: Denise Rogers
Second Prize: Elizabeth Rogers
Photo left shows Robin Repetto with his
second prize fish
The Darts competition in full flight!
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Mike Hentley
announces the winners
and prepares for the raffle
in the Prince Philip Hall
where an evening dance was held
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Best Knitted Item
First Prize: Catherine Glass (Sweater) Second Prize: Emma Rogers (Shawl)
Best Knitted Socks
First Prize: Sheila Glass
Second Prize: Dorothy Rogers
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Best Home Made Potato Crisps
First Prize: Joanne Green
Second Prize: Elizabeth Rogers
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Best Pot Plant
First Prize: Debbie Swain
Second Prize: Daphne Repetto
Best Garden Flower Arrangement
First Prize: Rachel Green
Second Prize: Miranda Repetto
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Golf Putting
Men: First Prize: Steve Swain
Second Prize: Darren Repetto
Ladies: First Prize: Emma Rogers
Second Prize: Donna Rogers |
Administrator Mike Hentley published the following on a public notice on Monday 2nd April :
A big THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the success of Queen’s Day. Well done to the event organisers, judges and participants, and to all who helped behind the scenes at the reception and dance in the evening - and at the subsequent clearing up the following day. It was a fun day, and your hard work and efforts are much appreciated |
Thanks to Thierry Assef for all the photographs of Queen's Day 2007 |
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Queen's Day 2006 :
Celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's 80th Birthday
At an evening reception Islanders toasted Her Majesty's 80th Birthday. A produce and cookery show was held in St Mary's School. Judge Mary Wittich (wife of Father Don, a former Anglican pastor who has returned for a 4 month temporary assignment) prepares to judge some of the home made potato crisps and chocolate cakes entered in the cooking competition |
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The 2006 Tristan Open
Gerry Repetto prepares to tee off as Peter Swain returns from his round on Hottentot Fence. Golf on Tristan is handicapped by protruding volcanic boulders which can send a golf ball in any direction, including straight backwards, green mowing c/o the local dairy herd, and of course cow pats. Local by laws prevented keen players mowing beyond 1 metre from the hole when tournaments were organised in the 1980s.Tristan Golf Club ties are occasionally sold on Ebay for St Andrews prices! |
