The first conclusive examination of the condition of Scilly and Cornwall?s protected wildlife and geological sites has been completed.

The results from English Nature reveal that 58 per cent of England?s SSSI?s (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) are in good condition and 42 per cent need improvement.

The island?s and Cornwall?s SSSIs are fairing better than the rest of England with 70 per cent being in good condition.

English Nature is leading projects worth more than ?3 million to secure a future for livestock grazing on areas such as the Lizard, West Penwith and the islands.

In England there are more than 4000 SSSI?s, which cover about 8 per cent of the whole country.

The areas that are found on Scilly are much smaller than on mainland Britain. For example Rushy Bay on Bryher is a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the rare Dwarf Pansy that grows there.

Panto season takes us back to King Arthur?s Court.

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If you?ve decided to venture off the islands for New Years Eve there may be delays ahead.

The mainline between Tiverton Parkway and Taunton is closed but trains are currently going via Yeovil.

The work on the line will continue well into the new year.

This comes at a time when many students on the islands will return back after the Christmas holidays.

Lifeboatmen in the Westcountry are adding a bit of glamour to their lives by having cameras on board.

The cameras could bring a bit of the drama closer to everyone. Footage of rescues can be used by television news after or even during a rescue.

The drastic measures are being implemented to raise the public profile of the crews and to increase awareness of their courage.

Lifeboatmen save over 7000 people every year.

The extra publicity will also help raise the profile of the charity which is not financially supported by the government.

The scheme is being piloted in Exmouth and Weymouth but if successful it could make its way to Scilly.

The charity already creates reconstructions of dramatic rescues but they rarely show how dramatic the rescue is. It also fails to show how dangerous the sea and extremem weather conditions can be.

The RNLI hopes that within the next six months they will have sorted out technical difficulties and concerns with privacy laws.

A bus tour to see the Christmas lights was a success.

One of the island?s tour bus? “Katie” took locals and visitors to see the Christmas lights in Old Town and the country.

The old Austin K2 took four full loads around the island.

The magical tour raised ?193 for the islands playgroup and the Christmas lights fund.

Lynne from the Tourist Information Centre told Scilly News “It was brilliant. The children on the bus loved it and were singing Christmas carols. It was a fantastic atmosphere.”

The best lights were rumoured to be in Old Town and Trench Lane but the tour showed off individual displays as well as the public ones.

It?s expected to become an annual event.

The island’s fire service has been given ?50,000 by the government.

The grant will be used to update the island’s electronic IT equipment in line with the national e-government trust.

Although this is good news for the islands the move is somewhat unanticipated. Attempts are currently being made to control local spending.

Recently the Isles of Scilly Council threw out a recommendation to increase the local fire fighting strength. But Chief fire officer Steve Webster managed to help push a vote through. It is believed that the concerns about large council tax increases are behind the slow economy.

The nation wide initiative will link all the individual island stations and the airport.

The fire brigade on the islands is made up of 36 firemen. There are thirteen on the St Mary’s, five on both Tresco and Bryher, seven on St Martins and six on St Agnes.

If you live on Scilly or will be visiting this Christmas Scillynews is giving you a fantastic festive guide about what will be going on this year on the islands.

Keep checking the website for changes to the lists. This is what you can expect this year so far…..

22nd December: Bryher Carol Concert at the All Saints Church with wine and nibbles to follow. All welcome.

23rd December: Chiropodist?s Christmas Party. At Bank Chambers next to Sandpiper. 10am-2pm. Refreshments, raffle and free samples.

26th December: Trip from Bryher and Tresco to St Agnes.

27th December: Fraggle Rock Christmas Quiz, Bryher.

28th December: Trip from Bryher and Tresco to St Martins.

31st December: New Years Eve Fancy Dress Party at the Golf Club. Prizes for Costumes. 800-late. ?8.95 per person.

1st January: Trip from Bryher and Tresco to Agnes.

Keep checking for changes!

(If you have anything to add, especially from Bryher, Tresco, St Agnes and St Martins).

The Cruise Ship trade in Scilly and Cornwall is booming.

Destination South west who promote Cruises to Cornwall and the islands say that in some places visits have quadrupled.

Scilly has seen many boats dock on the islands this year. An average of ?50 is spent per customer so it is a lucrative business for the islands.

A power lifter from the Isles of Scilly has come third in the European Powerlifting Championships in Slovakia.

Marian Gibson (ne. Langdon), originally from Bryher, has set 18 British records this year alone but it was her first podium placing in an international competition.

She is sponsored by Scilly Breaks and Isles of Scilly Inclusive Holidays.

Although Marian is back on St Mary?s for Christmas her training schedule won?t change. She is already training twice a day, six days a year. She will enter the World Championships in May.

In a Policy and Resources meeting for the local Council, which has dominated this week?s Isles of Scilly News page in the Cornishman, it was decided that the Council flag would be sold at the Tourist Information Centre. It will only be in miniture pennant form.

The Council Flag and The Scillonian Cross

People have asked me, especially having seen the Scillonian Cross flag outside Mincarlo, why we bothered with the Scillonian Cross when there is a Council flag.

My response has been that the Council flag is just that, a flag for the Council, representative of our administrative county; but the Scillonian Cross is an ?unofficial? flag which can be flown by everybody, anywhere, not needing permission or reason. Flown to represent the Islands and the community.

One of the key places in mind for the Scillonian Cross was for local/visiting boats to fly it as a courtesy flag. It is not believed that the Council flag was designed with similar intentions, therefore not to be flown by ?civilians? or on boats.

In March, before either flag had been ?released?, I met Dudley Mumford, Chairman of the Council, he told me that the Council flag would be for Council use - on Council buildings, like the Town Hall and airport, and possibly flown by Councillors.