Into the second month of 2008

Hi everyone, particularly Chris and Dai who made comments. Thank you for that.

Well, Steve and family are still on the mainland, writing up the annual report, oganising things for the new season and a host of other jobs they aren't able to do on the island. Steve loves his computer and is emailing everyone at the moment (all about Bardsey I hope!). He has been giving talks up and down the country and I know has done two in Wales to groups which have been very successful.

Through the post today I, and presumably other members of the Friends of Bardsey, have received the latest edition of the Bardsey Beacon. The editor is now Mike Armitage and his first one is very good indeed. Mike intends to put his own stamp on the Beacon but doesn't intend, he says, to make wholesale changes that would destroy its traditional look and feel.

He reminds us all of the Annual General Meeting at 2pm on 23 February at The Marine Hotel, Castle Street, Criccieth and immpresses upon us that the Beacon belongs to the members and that their contributions are very welcome. The rest of the ten page newsletter contains the following:

Warden's Report - Farming on the Island - The Porter Family move into Ty Pellaf
New Staff for 2008 - Secretary's Bit - Wedding Bells on Bardsey (guess what that is about!) - Treasurer's Bit - Booking News - an amusing aside called "Naval Protocol" - and finally, all the contact details for the Observatory.

There is an appeal for photographs for inclusion in two Bardsey publications, the Annual Report and a new edition of "The Birds of Bardsey". (On a CD to Steve, the Warden on the island (not by email). And Mike even mentions this Blog:-))

Chris asked in his comments about who is on the island and do they interact. When Steve and his family left in November, they "left just the four members of the Porter family. Even Emyr, who works for the Bardsey Island Trust (owners of the island and our landlord) came off too. So for 3 months the Porters have been living on their own, with only the sheep, welsh black cattle, chickens and seals and birds to communicate with. Here is a para from the Beacon written by Rachel Porter, their thirteen old daughter:

"I love it here! It's such a beautiful place to live. It's been strange having school at home with mum and dad as teachers. On Thursday afternoons I have been having art lessons with Emma, which has been fun. (I hope Emma left her with homework to do!). During this winter, mum and dad and I have been making things to sell in the craft shop; felted hats and booties, shell jewellery, wool rugs, baskets and other things. I am looking forward to the possibiity of running a cafe in the summer with the help of my friends. I have seen plenty of wildlife; I have enjoyed watching the seal pups and their progress".

When Steven, Emma and Connor return; Emyr to the north end; and our new Assist. Warden, Richard Brown and Shearwater Monitor Richard Else, their will be a permanent summer population of 10 and maybe a couple of other people. On an island, you have to work together as you never know when you might need other people's help, as, for instance, Ben Porter and myself found outwhen we had accidents and had to be taken off to hospital by helicopter. Things break down and everyone helps each other. There has to be real community spirit if you are to survive on an isolated island like Bardsey.

Well, that's enough for now. More later about our new Warden, Richard Brown, and Richard Else and his monitoring job this year. I think we will have to change Mr Else's name to Richard Shearwater so we can distinguish them - or Shearwater Else!

See you all on 23 Feb at Criccieth. I have a white beard and a loud voice - I may bring my Bell!

Bevan