The newly federated ?Five Islands School? celebrated the first combined sports day on Monday.

The event was held on St Martin?s. Meriel Williams, who attended the event was full of praise for the locals of St Martin?s who organised and helped the event, it seemed very successful.

There was strong sense of community spirit which some people thought was lacking on the Islands. The community spirit was also demonstrated during the Golden Jubilee celebrations with street parties for the younger people, discos, parties, bonfires and fireworks on all Islands.

Organiser of the event, Paul Lewis, would have to pay over ?20,000 to bands for accommodation and costs.

Last year he paid ?17,000 of his own money, which was not guaranteed to be paid back by revellers on the night.

“It is by no means the end of things,” Paul told the Cornishman, “But the safety net of sponsorship or grant money is badly needed. I have tried to get sponsors but no one seems interested. I am investigating funding sources.”

Discovery Films contacted Scilly News with a special offer for all Islanders on two videos they have produced about the Islands.

In regard to ?Let?s Look at the Isles of Scilly? and ?Classic Isles of Scilly? they said: “We sell these videos for ?13.49, but for a limited period they may be bought for just ?8.49 each. However anyone ordering from an Isles of Scilly postcode can buy the videos for just ?7.49 each post free.”

They continue with instructions for their web site: “The price online remains ?8.49, but anyone from the Isles of Scilly can order any three of our 45 total videos and receive a fourth free. To do this, three videos need to be ordered online (card payments accepted on our secure site) and in the ?additional information? box a note should be added to say ?Free video requested - title?.”

a href=”/out.php?url=http://www.discoveryfilms.co.uk/” target=”_blank”Click here/a for their web site.

The Audit Commission wants your help. They would like you to give your opinions regarding housing and waste management.

Do you consider the collection, recycling and disposal of waste to be excellent, good, fair or poor, with reasons why. They would particularly like to hear from hoteliers.

They would also like to get feedback from council tenants and contractors, whether they consider the repairs and maintenance service to be excellent, good, fair or poor, with reasons why.

To offer your advice, please contact Andy Crowe at a-crowe@audit-commission.gov.uk. All comments will be treated in confidence and Mr Crowe will let you have a copy of the final report once it is published.

The only people on the Islands able to pick up digital signals are those with Sky Digital. Several people have not bought digital technologies because they are too expensive, or have been waiting to upgrade their service to DTT, Digital Terrestrial Television.

However, after contacting the ITC, Independent Television Commission, they have no plans in the near future to upgrade out-of-the-way places.

“Unlike the network of around 1200 analogue transmitters, which reach virtually everyone in the UK, coverage of digital terrestrial signals is more restricted,” explains Paul White of the ITC. “Digital signals at present only come from only 80 transmitters, and reach 70-80% of the population.”

He continues: “The primary reason for this restriction is a shortage of available transmission frequencies. Both analogue and digital signals must share the same frequency bands, which are already predominantly occupied by existing analogue signals.”

He explains that if digital and analogue frequencies were too similar then there would be ?unacceptable interferance? and therefore “most experts agree that it will not be possible to match the coverage of analogue TV by digital terrestrial means until at least the time that the analogue signal is switched off.”

Sky Digital and Free-for-view satellite channels can be obtained in the Islands.

“When the government said that they expected that it would be possible to turn off the analogue service between 2006-2010, they stated that virtually no one should lose access to at least the four or five channels they currently have. They did not however say that the replacement digital channels need necessarily be delivered by terrestrial means. It is possible therefore that satellite, cable and other emerging broadcasting technologies will have to play a part in ensuring digital television is accessible to all.”

The BBC have a great page of information for satellite services a href=”http://www.bbc.co.uk/digital/get_sat.shtml” target=”_blank”here/a.

So, if you want to ensure that you have television when the analogue signal is switched off, then get a satellite.

All eyes are on the Island’s Council this week, following proposals set out by John Prescott which would see local councils given more control over the taxation of second home owners.

The Island’s have a high percentage of second homeowners and there is strong consensus amongst locals that there should be no concessions for people who do not actually reside within the community all year around. One criticism levelled at certain second home owners by a Scilly News viewer in the ‘Great Debate’ section, has suggested that some people only use the Island’s for their benefits in the summer and neglect the harsher way of life in the winter. On the other hand, there are second home owners in the Islands who Ido/I bring a great deal into the community.

Current laws see circumstances where some second homeowners are only paying 50% council tax compared to full time residents. A major issue for debate is whether this actually drives up the cost of housing and prevents young locals returning to the Islands to buy their own house.

In a discussion with The Environment Minister Michael Meacher, in 2001, a Scilly News Journalist found that he was in favour of full taxation, and he expressed sympathy for the cause, despite his own much-publicised position when it comes to owning second homes. When his governments’ policy on the issue was sought after he told the Scilly News journalist, on record, “In my opinion, Second homes should be liable to the same council tax charges as primary homes.” He also added that “the situation was under review” and that he was “confident that the charges would be increased to 100%”.

Since that meeting in March 2001, the government had gone quiet on the issue until this week when John Prescott announced his intentions to give local councils the power to scrap or vary council tax discounts. The announcements came as part of a draft local government bill, which could be implemented as early as 2004.

To have your say on the issue, visit our ‘Great Debate’ section by
a href=” http://www.scillynews.co.uk/interactive/debate/debate.asp?q=Second%20Homes ” target=”_blank”clicking Here/a

Channel Four’s ‘Time Team’ have returned to the site of the Shipwreck Colossus, which has attracted international interest over the past year or so.

The TV production unit made an initial visit last September. Their well known presenter, Tony Robinson, was attracting much attention this time around from interested onlookers on St. Marys Quay this Tuesday morning . The Colossus site was partially protected from the harsh winter and it is thought that the good weather usually associated with the summer months has provided an opportunity for further excavations.

The Bryher diving vessel ‘Scavenger’ (pictured above the wreck last year) had been seen on the site over the weekend, prompting speculation over further excavations. A large figurehead, preserved by being buried in the sand, is said to have been discovered which has prompted this most recent interest. The site of the wreck has been known about for several decades but it had been thought that there was nothing of further interest on the site.

The production unit as well as the ‘Time Team’ were seen climbing down the ladders on the Quay this Tuesday Morning, and climbing aboard the large, yellow Portsmouth based boat ‘Sea Trax’. Many holidaymakers who were queuing for the boats to off Islands were intrigued by this celebrity, and one noted how nervous Tony Robinson looked as he ‘disappeared over the brink of the Quay on the precarious ladder’.

This is a fairly new experience for the time team, usually more renowned for their hot mugs of cocoa and muddy excavations. There has only been one previous underwater excavation, of a Spanish Armada ship which was discovered in Kinlochbervie, NW Scotland. On that occasion, Tony Robinson was one of the divers, and it is thought he will dive on ‘The Colossus’ too. This visit comes just days after an excavation vessel finished work on the wreck of the ‘Hollandia’ which sank West of Annet in the 1800’s.

Prince Charles, the Duke of Cornwall, visited the Islands recently in a reception to which many of his Duchy tenants were invited. The Prince Flew into the Islands’ airport by helicopter before taking a champagne lunch at the Tregarthens Hotel and visiting St. Martins by boat.

Charles visited the primary school on St. Marys in the morning and asked one of the Islanders why they weren’t at home watching the England Vs Argentina football match, the witty reply came “Kick offs not for another half hour yet”. His highness must have been impressed with the flags though, many celebrating the Jubilee and many out for the football.

After lunch, Charles visited the Harbour and then went on to St. Martins for a tour of the Churchtown flower business. The last time the Prince made a visit (pictured) was the day after the England Vs Argentina match in the last World Cup, France 98.

Islanders have been enjoying the extended bank holiday which has provided extra income to the area and has also brought several events to the Islands.

The tourism industry is thought to be up on the usual Whitson holiday as people have been able to take advantage of the extra time off work. Festivities started on the Sunday when hundreds chose to watch the first England Football match in a local Club. Some commented that they couldn’t work out whether the ‘St. George’ flags were out for the Football or the Jubilee.

On the Monday, visitors and locals were entertained by local schoolchildren who danced on Holgates Green. The ‘official’ beacon, lit on St. Marys, was joined by impressive unofficial beacons on every other Island, highlighting the community spirit. Fireworks displays were also set off from every island at around ten o’clock and several vantage points were full of people eager to see the displays on all the Islands. Needless to say, Red White and Blue colours features prominently in the displays.

Most of the Islands celebrated in different ways, including a beer and sausage festival on Tresco.

Transport services were full to the brim on Saturday as the helicopter and SkyBus were flying at full capacity, and the double sailing of the Scillonian full with people.

Apparently the only accommodation left on the Islands is one tent space on Bryher. The jubilee weekend is certainly very busy.

Organisers have arranged many activities for Bank Hoiday Monday:

Midday: Music, Roger Smith.

13:00: Crowning of the Jubilee Queen.

13:10: Judging of the Right Royal Fancy Dress.

13:45: Irish Display Dancing.

14:15: Mr Boo Boo and the Muzika Show

15:30: Children?s Street Tea Party + School Band on the Strand.
16:00: Bouncy Castle.

16:30: Tug-of-War.

17:00: Youth Club Bike Extravaganza + Line Dancing.

There will also be an ongoing Sandcastle competition, stalls, events, beer tent and entertainment on Holgates Green. Street Party on the Strand. Refreshments at the Chapel on Church Street.

From 19:00 hours: Barbecue, Beer tent, Live Jazz Band, Mexican Drummers, Disco, fireworks and lighting of the Jubilee Beacon to be held on Peninnis.

Peninnis Beacon is the only beacon set out as they were the only ones to go through the correct planning proceedure and safety inspections. This has put off many making their own.