AT the meeting of Malvern Link Probus Club on Monday, March 16, David Fletcher spoke about the island of Tristan da Cunha.
Over the last forty or so years David has come to know the Antarctic well.
He reminded us that in 1961 the island was evacuated because it was predicted that its volcano was about to erupt. Erupt it did, resulting in the destruction of the harbour and of some of the town nearby. The inhabitants were accommodated in England, and in 1963, when the eruption was judged to be over, they were given the choice of either returning to the island or settling in England. All chose to return, re-establishing the British Overseas Territory created when the British settled the island in 1816.
The island has a population of about 300. It has a temperate climate, and is economically self-sufficient apart from major capital projects. Major income sources are fishing, tourism (4,000 visitors last year) and perhaps surprisingly stamps, the sale of which last year raised some £7 million. The talk, which was illustrated with excellent colour slides showing the exciting scenery and the wide variety of local sea birds, was really excellent.
Malvern Link Probus Club meets at the Hall next to the United Reformed Church in the Link. The next meeting will be on Monday, March 30 when Richard Shaw will be talking about Waterloo. If you are a retired professional or business man and would like to see the club in action please phone the Secretary Paul Dunleavey (01684 565190) for details.
PAUL DUNLEAVEY
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