New Pitcairn Handicrafts website

I have a new website which you may be interested in, dedicated to Pitcairn handicrafts.  Please have a look and let me know what you think.  David

http://www.wix.com/printerspie/pitcairn_handicrafts

David Ward

It is with very great sadness that I learned of the passing of our much-loved Founder, David Ward, on 29th July.  He died very peacefully in hospital, with his family there.  I had a letter from Pat, informing me of this, - we all knew he was very poorly but it has still come as a great shock.  He was such a true inspiration in his enthusiasm for the Group, and most of us would remember the inaugural meeting we had at his Vicarage, back in the '80's.

The funeral is to be on Tuesday 16 August, at St George's Church, Hamilton Avenue in Tolworth, at 3pm, followed by a wake in the Church hall.

Jennifer Toombs

July 2011 edition of the UK Log

The July edition of the UK Log has just gone to the printers. Contents include: 
• An exclusive announcement
• The Life of Thomas Ledward
• Identifying characters in Dodd's painting
• An extraordinary collection - part 1
• Pitcairn Tourism
• A Tribute to Maurice Allward
• A five page special on the Pitcairn Hand Vase
• New stamp issues

Coming soon . . . the Pitcairn Wind Stamp Issue

I can see it now, a new issue of stamps featuring Wind Turbines on Pitcairn.

Unlike many other people, I think they are great! I regularly visit Cornwall and know that I am there as soon as I catch a glimpse of the first Wind Farm. I would have one in my back garden if I could, and I would love to see them on the South Downs - I think of them as a sign of progress, not a sign that we are ruining the countryside. To put them on Pitcairn is a great idea - free clean energy (although I do know that a lot of energy is actually used to make them, you have to admit that it is better than barrels of oil being shipped hundreds of miles by sea to the Island).

Story in the Sun newspaper. (scroll down the page)

Index to the "UK Log"

An index is in the process of being compiled to the "UK Log". I am doing this for my own use, but as it may be of use to other members of the Group, it is being added to the PISG website here.

There is a lot still to add, but you may find something of interest there.  David

Maurice Allward

It has been a tough time for the Pitcairn Islands Study Group, UK. We have lost our Treasurer and now Maurice Allward, another of our committee members has passed away. Maurice was a great friend to Pitcairn and the Islanders with all the profits from his last book being given to the Island over the last few years.

When I first met Maurice I discovered that I already owned one of his books. It was about flying boats, another of my interests. Maurice was a fascinating person with so many fields of interest including being a long time member of the British Interplanetary Society, he will be missed by a great many people.

Very sad news

Sadly I have to announce the recent death of our Treasurer, Alan Game. Alan was a very good friend and I will miss him a lot. He was the Treasurer of the UK Pitcairn Islands Study Group right from the start, over 20 years ago. His knowledge and skill will be greatly missed. A full tribute will appear in the next edition of the UK Log.
David Ransom, editor, UK Log