Radio

The weekly radio programmes are proving very successful – especially the story of the sinking of the “City of Cairo”, summarized from Ralph Barker’s Book in the Sunday Express of 1981. This can be coupled with a School pack on the subject, as we have taken photos of the graves of the Hindu and Moslem crew buried here, and hope to trace all the graves. A member has suggested we keep these readings on local history on tape and possibly sell them to those who enjoy listening, as a fundraiser.

We hope to promote the Trust in UK at St. Helena Gatherings like Sports Day and Dances, and Audrey Leo, the Secretary, has offered to include a mention in the St. Helena Association Flyer given out on these occasions We have monthly articles in SHH and advertise the meetings there too.

National Heritage Register

Personnel informed us that the visiting of SHG houses to photograph furniture had been objected to, which stopped progress for a time. Discussion ensued, and Personnel agreed to let us continue. This we will do when time permits, as there are still several houses and all the SHG offices to be done, and M.Michel Martineau, who is assisting the Director, is away at present. Five pieces of antique furniture have been relocated at Bertrand’s Cottage / Longwood Farm House from SHG Store. Mrs. Forbes has elected to look after them and get them professionally repaired by Alan Richards, who was sent by Small Industries Authority on a furniture restoration course some years ago. They need care. Tim Wonnacott formerly working with Antiques Road show is coming here on a visit early February, to make a film about the island, and will spend some time with SHNT, when we hope to get his advice on some old furniture in SHG possession.

Related Information

Related News October 2003

Related News August 2004

Related News November 2004

Related News February 2005

Monthly Meetings

These meetings, on topics related to St. Helena and Dependencies’ Heritage, started with Dan Yon in July last year. Since then we have had Danny Shreier’s talk on Tristan and dialect , then 2 talks by Dr. Phillip Ashmole, and one this month by Dr. Ian Baker. These have all been tremendously interesting and appreciated by all. Attendances have been between 25 and 40, and we have been delighted by the response. When there are no visiting speakers we hope to draw on local experts, and keep this as a regular monthly feature.

Trees

The Public concern over tree lopping has had an effect, and at least some of the time we are being consulted whenever tree cutting is anticipated, most recently in the Castle Gardens.

However, if there is a tree doctor out there, we would appreciate a visit. Tree Protection Orders, and indeed the whole Land Planning and Development Control (LPDC) Plan are needing reviewed and the Agency has recognized the need for an expert in Planning to come to work on this. A Bid has gone forward through SHG for this purpose, from LPDC Officer.

Lime Kiln at Sandy Bay

The Director represents the SHNT on a Heritage Sites Committee, chaired by the Director of Tourism, which seeks to repair Heritage Sites. Tourism is given £15,000 annually for this purpose. It has been the practice to renovate a few sites each year, but since funds are limited, this has affected decisions relating to restoration, causing some concern.. The Lime Kiln at Sandy Bay is a case in point, as we feel it needs more money to ensure it is sympathetically restored.

Sandy Bay Lines – Burchell 1810

Archives

The Director of SHNT has now been asked to join the Archives Committee, which held its second meeting this January. There has as yet been no final decision on whether there can be two or 3 floors in the proposed building (see above). This will determine whether the Archives can move there, as the Library needs two floors and the proposal is to have the Archives on the top (Third) floor. Consultation is taking place between SHG and advisors in UK on Archival matters, and there are two schools of thought at present – one that the Records should be left where they are and the new area be used for researching the digitalized records. The other that there be a controlled removal to the new site, when identified. A Bid to digitalize the Records, which all recognize as important for their preservation, has gone in to FCO from SHG, and FCO has asked which ones might already be done in UK libraries. Trevor Hearl’s list of Sources of St. Helena Records in UK was very helpful here and has been passed on to the Archivist to check. We await developments. Records in South Africa were sourced by Brian Smith when he visited the island, jointly financed by SHG and the Heritage Society, in 1994, and these also need to be checked.

PWSD Stores – proposed site for new Archives and Library, The museum is the building behind this

Calendars

We are very grateful to members Vilma and Trevor Toms, who have a printing business in Bristol, for their generous donation of 100 calendars to the SHNT. The majority of these sold at £8 each before the New Year and the remainder were reduced to £6 on return to work in January. They were beautifully produced, and we hope to sell the remainder when the next ship to Ascension leaves. It has been suggested that we produce our own calendar annually. We are also very grateful to Malcolm Gardiner of Wirebird IT Company in London, who sent our equipment and is always ready to help with items we need, spare parts for equipment etc.

Japanese Geologist's Visit

A geologist and a geochemist came for a 12-day visit from Japan to gather information about the earth’s crust. They were delighted to find Dr. Ian Baker was here on holiday at the time and this helped them greatly in identifying the areas they needed to visit for their samples. They gave an introductory presentation to EACF( Environmental Advisory Consultative Forum, set up to fulfill a requirement of the Environment Charter by SHG, in 2003), where the Director was present. Their reference works were Daly (1927), Baker (several papers around 1970), and Chaffey (1989) I holds a precious secret!