2026 Anniversary Day marked with King's Message |
 |
| Low key winter public holiday held on Tristan 17-Aug-2026 |
|
2026 Ratting Day held on 12th June
Report by Kelly Green
Photos from Savanna Green and Philip Kendall
Photo from Hillpiece shows a hunting dog approaching with the Patches Plain
- scene of much hunting and lunch parties - behind.
A hunter pauses to look out to see while on Hillpiece with the Hillpiece Hardies partly visible below.
On Friday 12th June, the Tristan da Cunha community once again came together for one of our most treasured traditions – Ratting Day.
Ratting Day has been part of island life for generations and combines friendly competition with an important conservation effort. Teams head out to the Potato Patches and surrounding areas to help control the rat population, protecting both crops and the island's unique wildlife. The tradition dates back many decades and remains an important part of Tristan culture.
We were fortunate to enjoy a lovely day, with friends and families gathering in the Patches, sharing food, laughter and plenty of friendly rivalry. As always, the day showcased the strong community spirit that makes Tristan da Cunha so special.
Congratulations to all the teams who took part. A total of 570 tails were counted across the island.
 |
 |
| A hunting gang gathers at a potential rat nest on the approach to Hillpiece | Two hunters check a possible rat lair in a gulley. |
 |
 |
| Dogs ready to hunt. | A rat being carefully lifted by spade. |
Men dig out a possible rat nest with dogs ready to pounce.
 |
 |
| Rat tails being carefully checked and counted by the judges. | Starting to gather the figures. |
Judges and referee drawing up final list of results.
Judges were: Dr Ross Moy, Dr Claire Vincent, Nurse Tris McCready, Veterinary Officer Riaan Repetto,
Chief Islander Ian Lavarello; Referee: Administrator Philip Kendall
Results:
Tails per person
🥇 First Prize Johnny Patch
🥈 Second Prize Old Pieces
🥉 Third Prize Second Watron
Longest Tail
🏆 First Prize Johnny Patch (26.5cm)
🥈 Second Prize Bills Hill (25cm)
Booby Prize
🤪 Coolers
Some notable team results included:
- Johnny Patch – 163 tails, 81.5 tails per man, longest tail 26.5cm
- Second Watron – 134 tails, 26.8 tails per man, longest tail 24.3cm
- Bills Hill – 104 tails, 26 tails per man, longest tail 25cm
- Old Pieces – 76 tails, 38 tails per man
- Below the Hill – 68 tails, 17 tails per man
Thank you to everyone who participated, prepared food, helped with the judging, and kept this wonderful Tristan tradition alive. We look forward to doing it all again next year!
Sheep Shearing Day, January 2026
Report by Kelly Green and Photos by Julia Gunther
Sheep Shearing Day took place on the 24th January 2026 and we couldn't have asked for better weather. It was one of those perfect Tristan days, clear skies, calm conditions, and plenty of sunshine, making it ideal for a long day out with the community.
Herding the sheep into the pens.
Shearing is still an important part of island life, and the day brought together families, farmers, and helpers of all ages. There was a great atmosphere from start to finish, with everyone pitching in, catching up, and enjoying being outdoors while the work got done.
Bakkies gathered round the sheep pens.
Families working together at the sheep pens.
A long-standing island tradition
Sheep farming has been part of life on Tristan da Cunha since the earliest permanent settlement in the 1800s. With no large industries on the island, islanders relied heavily on livestock for food, clothing, and everyday necessities. Wool quickly became one of the most valuable resources, used to keep families warm and to create practical, long-lasting items.
Over the generations, sheep shearing has remained a seasonal routine passed down through families. While some equipment has changed over time, the heart of the day is still the same, a community effort where neighbours help neighbours, just as they always have.
 |
 |
| Men sorting sheep in the pens, while lamb makes a bid for freedom. | |
Seeing eye to eye?
What happens to the wool?
After shearing, the wool is carefully collected, sorted, and cleaned. It is kept on the island and used locally, where it is spun and turned into traditional knitted items such as jumpers, hats, socks, and blankets. These wool products are well known for their warmth and durability and are still worn daily, especially during Tristan's cooler months.
Wool that is not suitable for knitting is also put to good use on the island. It is spread on the patches and used as a natural fertiliser and soil conditioner, helping to retain moisture and improve the growing conditions for crops.
Nothing goes to waste, and every fleece has a purpose, whether it is used for clothing, crafts, or supporting food production. It remains a truly sustainable tradition, rooted in making the most of what the island provides.
Mechanical and hand sheers working side by side in adjacent pens. Photo: Rob Kelly
 |
 |
| Carrying lambs from a pen. | Newly marked sheep. |
Lifting fleeces out of a pen.
It was also a lovely chance to capture some moments from the day, from the hard work in the pens to the relaxed conversations in between. Days like this really show the spirit of the island and how traditions are still very much alive.
Audacious Capture of Tristan da Cunha's Administrator and Wife |
 |
| A large group of masked men kidnapped the Tristan Administrator and his wife on the 31st December 2025. 10-Jan-2026 |
|
St Mary's School End of Term Report, December 2025 |
 |
| A party and an awards ceremony were held at the school before it closed for the Christmas break. 3-Jan-2026 |
|
Christmas on Tristan 2025 |
 |
| Everything closes on Tristan for the three week Christmas and New Year break, but there is plenty happening. 27-Dec-2025 |
|
Ratting Day 2025 |
 |
| Ratting Day is the annual tradition when teams of Tristan da Cunha men compete to rid the Potato Patches of rats. 4-Jun-2025 |
|
Old Year's Night 2024/25 |
 |
| On the 31st December 'Okalolies' (men in costumes and scary masks) wander about the village to chase and capture any children or ladies outdoors. The fishing dong is sounded to ring in the New Year. 8-Jan-2025 |
|
- Christmas Festivities 2024 (28-Dec-2024) >>
- King's Day, 2024 (23-Nov-2024) >>
- Anniversary Day 2024 (22-Aug-2024) >>
- Old Year's Night 2023/24 (10-Jan-2024) >>
- Sheep Shearing Day December 2023 (22-Dec-2023) >>
- Pensioners' Christmas Tea Party 2023 (21-Dec-2023) >>