Edited out
A Beacon photographer was fortunate enough to get a ride in a helicopter during this year’s BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival. The Beaconite was anxious to get some shots of the sailboats during the start of the regatta. But he had to share the copter with a CNN cameraman, who had his own plan. The television crew needed a shot of the host of the programme Main Sail, Shirley Robertson, as she rode in a taxi along the Sir Francis Drake Highway. The helicopter flew low above the road, while other motorists waved. The cameraman was looking for nice vistas and Caribbean scenery to help tell the story, but when the copter reached Pockwood Pond he decided to stop shooting. “We can leave this part out,” he said. With all the negative publicity the area has received, residents will be happy to know that the trash dump won’t be featured on the CNN programme. But the Beaconite took some shots to bring continued exposure of an area that is in desperate need of attention.
Raft arrives
AnTiki — a raft constructed largely from industrial plastic water pipes — completed its trans-Atlantic crossing this week. Virgin Islands resident David Hildred, 57, was part of a crew of four adventurers who tackled the adventure to raise money and awareness for WaterAid and other causes. The crewmembers, whose combined age is 259, also include Anthony Smith, 84, a renowned English explorer. As of 4 a.m. yesterday, the ship was safely moored in Simpson Bay on St. Maarten, according to the group’s website. “As the sun was setting on their last day at sea, a press plane flew out to meet the raft and captured the first images of AnTiki at sea since she left Velle Garn Rey 65 days ago on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean,” according to the website. “The towing vessel made the rendezvous with AnTiki before darkness fell and slowly brought her into the bay. Then the party started… .” Beaconites are glad for the adventurers’ success, and look forward to hearing more about it. Read about the trip online at http://gasballoon.com/antiki/.
British Summer Time
The Beacon reported last week that the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton would be held at 11 a.m. United Kingdom time on April 29. Unfortunately, the article was written the week before the paper came out — and before March 27, which marked the start of British Summer Time. As a result, the Beacon incorrectly reported the wedding’s start time in the VI. The actual time of the wedding in the VI is one hour earlier than reported: 6 a.m. Beaconites apologise for the error.
Improper law suit
A Beaconite was a little confused at first with something he saw in High Court last week. A defence attorney stood before a judge to inform the court about the status of an upcoming case, but he didn’t say a word. The prosecutor then rose and explained to the judge that the lawyer was “improperly” dressed and “could not be seen nor heard.” The lawyer was neither mute nor deaf, and though the Beaconite is not a fashion expert, the dark suit the lawyer was wearing seemed appropriate. But it wasn’t. According to legal tradition, lawyers must wear black robes when appearing before a judge. But the judge, who had called the lawyer at the last minute, said she understood the breach of protocol and let him speak anyway. “I will excuse you. I know it’s very short notice,” she said.
Talking sailing
A Beaconite who often spends his days shuttling between the territory’s courts was grateful for a different kind of travel last Friday, when he was able to ride on one of the Spring Regatta boats. However, he realised that he’s far more equipped to understand legal terminology than nautical talk. Still, he had a great time, even though he had no idea what the sailors were talking about for most of the day.