Only two weeks to the end of 2010! Another exciting year is very nearly behind us and already we are looking forward to 2011. Bookings are starting to come in and already we have some weeks fully booked. My advice to you therefore, is, send an urgent email to our Booking Secretary, Lis Normand, over Xmas and New Year, before you find "there is no room at the inn". I have just updated the Vacancies page on the Website so you are only a couple of clicks away from choosing your week and emailing Lis (short for Alicia in case you didn't know).
Now to news from the island. Well, the population has drastically decreased and in fact, there are only seven people now living on the island over the next month or so. Three of them, of course, are our Warden Steve Stansfield (who hails from my home town Rotherham), his wonderful wife Emma (who hails from Southport on t'other side of Pennines), and of course, their son Connor (who hails from .....?) Well, his name comes from Conchobar, an Irish name meaning "Wolf Kin" or "Lover of Hounds", so my guess is he was born within the site of Ireland and they just knew he would love animals - and birds, and fish, and newts, and insects, and plants, in fact all the creatures and living things that can be found on Bardsey Island.
And we mustn't forget the other four friends who are also at present looking forward to their Xmas dinner on Bardsey - Farmer Steve and Joanna Porter and their two children, Rachael and Ben.
I just hope that the two Steve dads have swept the chimneys of the Farm house and the Observatory clean so that Santa Claus does not get his cloak dirty when he visits on Xmas Eve. And please, don't forget to leave him a drink and a mince pie. He has to make an extra effort to get out to you. Bardsey Sound is just as difficult to cross in a Sleigh as it is by boat and his Reindeer will need a drink too. Oh!, and can you please ask the cattle if they can spare a little hay for them (only the best quality mind you).
ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND VISITORS TO THE ISLAND WISH THE TWO FAMILIES ON BARDSEY A VERY MERRY XMAS and we all look forward to seeing you again in 2011.
Bardsey Crier
18 December 2010
4 September 2010
Poetry about Bardsey - and Fun at the Lighthouse
Apologies for no Social News for three months, but I had not been over to the island, nor has much news been passed on to me. But we have some news now.
First, we said goodbye to Jim and Elaine Lennon at the end of May after their winter sojourn on the island looking after Cristin and making lots of improvements to the Observatory. Thank you Elaine and Jim. I did notice that Mel Stacey wrote you a poem which you will find on their BLOG but which I have taken the liberty of "stealing" and adding to the page on the BBFO website where we already have one of Mel's poems. Her latest one - "Sounds Silenced", is about the silence now that the foghorn has been switched off.
Secondly - the Bardsey Crier has just returned from a 6 day visit to the island with friends Neil and Bevan Healey (brothers of course), Mike Baker (who returned to the island after his earlier "trip" in May when he broke his ankle) and Todd Chater (the Slater) who returned with his skills. The five of us (well, I supervised!, the rest worked damn hard), worked on repairing, re-roofing, and refurbishing the inside and outside of the old LSA building just outside the Lighthouse compound. We also had some new help from young Patrick Charles, who was on the island with his mum, our Treasurer, Dianne Charles.
It was a great week, after the weekend's rough weather, with flat calms, blue skies, clear starry nights, bright moons, a few good birds, and in the company of good friends. It was great to see Steve, Emma and Connor again, Emyr, and Steve, Jo, Rachel and Ben Porter. Oh!, I mustn't forget Shearwater man, Richard Else but unfortunately no Richard Brown (he was off the island that week but returned just after we left. One new friend I made there was Margaret (a little younger than me!).
My next posting will begin to tell you a few of the other happenings on the island which were new ventures, some very brave and surprising.
Bevan
First, we said goodbye to Jim and Elaine Lennon at the end of May after their winter sojourn on the island looking after Cristin and making lots of improvements to the Observatory. Thank you Elaine and Jim. I did notice that Mel Stacey wrote you a poem which you will find on their BLOG but which I have taken the liberty of "stealing" and adding to the page on the BBFO website where we already have one of Mel's poems. Her latest one - "Sounds Silenced", is about the silence now that the foghorn has been switched off.
Secondly - the Bardsey Crier has just returned from a 6 day visit to the island with friends Neil and Bevan Healey (brothers of course), Mike Baker (who returned to the island after his earlier "trip" in May when he broke his ankle) and Todd Chater (the Slater) who returned with his skills. The five of us (well, I supervised!, the rest worked damn hard), worked on repairing, re-roofing, and refurbishing the inside and outside of the old LSA building just outside the Lighthouse compound. We also had some new help from young Patrick Charles, who was on the island with his mum, our Treasurer, Dianne Charles.
It was a great week, after the weekend's rough weather, with flat calms, blue skies, clear starry nights, bright moons, a few good birds, and in the company of good friends. It was great to see Steve, Emma and Connor again, Emyr, and Steve, Jo, Rachel and Ben Porter. Oh!, I mustn't forget Shearwater man, Richard Else but unfortunately no Richard Brown (he was off the island that week but returned just after we left. One new friend I made there was Margaret (a little younger than me!).
My next posting will begin to tell you a few of the other happenings on the island which were new ventures, some very brave and surprising.
Bevan
31 May 2010
SHEARWATERS WIN BATTLE WITH FOGHORN
The Manxies are celebrating on Bardsey. They no longer have to compete with the Lighthouse Foghorn when it is foggy and overcast And it is official.
And staying visitors on the island, particularly those who venture up to the lighthouse on an overcast night to see the migrants attracted to the light, you will go now, knowing that you will not be at risk of being deafened by the foghorn anymore.
NOW PEACEFUL BARDSEY, WHERE YOU ONLY HEAR THE BIRDS AND THE SEALS.
And staying visitors on the island, particularly those who venture up to the lighthouse on an overcast night to see the migrants attracted to the light, you will go now, knowing that you will not be at risk of being deafened by the foghorn anymore.
NOW PEACEFUL BARDSEY, WHERE YOU ONLY HEAR THE BIRDS AND THE SEALS.
7 May 2010
UPDATE ON VOLUNTEER MIKE BAKER
Mike was still in Bangor Hospital early today where he has had his ankle returned to its correct position but it may need further attention. We hope he will be returning home in the near future. He is in good spirits and we all hope his ankle mends properly.
This has again highlighted how careful one has to be walking up or down from the Observatory to the main track, especially when the grass is wet. Some work was done in the area where I slipped and had my fall but the Observatory will now have to consider how best we can make that track safer. On an island where there are no pavements, tarmac roads, lights, etc. visitors must always be very careful when out walking.
We all wish Mike a speedy recovery and a big thank you must once again go to the RAF Air Sea Rescue Service for their marvellous prompt service in picking him up and flying him to Bangor hospital.
This has again highlighted how careful one has to be walking up or down from the Observatory to the main track, especially when the grass is wet. Some work was done in the area where I slipped and had my fall but the Observatory will now have to consider how best we can make that track safer. On an island where there are no pavements, tarmac roads, lights, etc. visitors must always be very careful when out walking.
We all wish Mike a speedy recovery and a big thank you must once again go to the RAF Air Sea Rescue Service for their marvellous prompt service in picking him up and flying him to Bangor hospital.
5 May 2010
Another person joins the Yellow Helicopter Club
This morning, volunteer Mike Baker from Stafford, joined the Yellow Helicopter Club. Our Warden Steve phoned the Air Rescue Service when Mike slipped and fell on the grassy sloped path approaching the Observatory. Unfortunately, he dislocated his ankle badly and Steve felt he needed immediate attention. Air Sea Rescue needed special permission to fly this morning as the Ash Cloud was getting quite close to the area.
Mike was taken to Bangor hospital and we are waiting to hear the news. We wish him well but his badge is ready for him and his Special YHC T Shirt has been put on order.
Its poor old Bev and Todd who are now left without a "skilled labourer". You know what I think? - they had all been on the bottle the night before - Emyr's special. :-))
Mike was taken to Bangor hospital and we are waiting to hear the news. We wish him well but his badge is ready for him and his Special YHC T Shirt has been put on order.
Its poor old Bev and Todd who are now left without a "skilled labourer". You know what I think? - they had all been on the bottle the night before - Emyr's special. :-))
7 March 2010
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR BOATMAN, COLIN EVANS AND HIS WIFE MAIR, ON THE BIRTH OF THEIR DAUGHTER
OYEZ OYEZ OYEZ - Colin and Mair's daughter Gwen Ellen, was born at 1.03am on 4 March 2010. Congratulations and we look forward to seeing her make her first trip to Bardsey Island. She will be very welcome at the Observatory.
Bardsey Crier
Bardsey Crier
16 December 2009
CONGRATULATIONS TO GARETH ROBERTS
Our heartiest congratulations to Gareth Roberts, Cwrt, Uwchmynydd, for coming 3rd in the Farm Factor competition throughout Wales last night.
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