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Archive for February, 2008

Island Man robbed in Hospital

Sunday, February 17th, 2008

Whilst George Williams, a popular local man, was having heart surgery his belongings and cash were being stolen in a hospital in Plymouth.

John Mckitterick at The Atlantic Inn held a fundraising raffle on Thursday night and raised £150 to help Williams.

New Food Inspections to be Imposed

Sunday, February 17th, 2008

The Isles of Scilly Council has unveiled a new strategy for hygiene inspections of the islands local food businesses to its Councillors this week.

Currently there are two “Category A” food premises which are high risk and will be visited twice a year.

All of the islands other restaurants, cafes, and food outlets will be once a year, as they are in thought to be low risk.

81% of the islands outlets are labelled “Category E” or low risk, this is generally outlets which sell pre-packaged or wrapped food a selection of which will be visited each year.

It is thought that the calls could be made in the evening or weekend due to the islands seasonal business needs.

Radioactive Tapwater to be Tested

Sunday, February 17th, 2008

The Council is launching an investigation into heightened levels of radon in two of the islands water supplies. The council manages the water on both St.Marys and Bryher the islands whose waters supplies are being looked into.

Though radon is a naturally occurring problem in granite areas it is the second largest cause of lung cancer after smoking and could cause a risk to islanders if it is not controlled.

The water on Bryher has also been found to contain coloforms, a bacteria caused by fecal matter, this is a worrying discovery as the water treatment on the islands should have removed it.

It is hoped that the problem may be remedied by the introduction of a 4th water hole, as the water in the borehole near the Timmys Hill Tanks can become contaminated with sea water if its overused and this is thought to be the cause of the contamination.

Cost is thought to be an issue in the investigation at a time when councillors have also been told that the Desalination plant on St.Marys which is paramount to the islands water supply is coming to the end of its life.

Injured captain saved from gale striken ship

Saturday, February 2nd, 2008

The captain of a cargo ship struck by gale force 10 winds off the Isles of Scilly has been winched to safety after being seriously injured. A rescue helicopter lifted six people from the vessel, two more of whom had sustained less serious injuries. It is thought the three were hurt after a large wave hit the ship causing the cargo to shift. The rescue attempt which began on Friday had to be abandoned overnight because of the severe weather conditions and darkness. The vessel, which had been bringing fruits from Costa Rica was meant to be traveling to Dover but has now been re-routed to Falmouth and is expected to arrive their late this afternoon.