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So in 1999 Cable & Wireless is celebrating 100 years to continuous service in Ascension Island.
How has the Island changed over those years?
Most people who return after a number of years comment that the Island is greener, which is certainly true. Old photographs show very little vegetation except on the top of Green Mountain, but now even Mountain Red Hill is green! Unfortunately much of this greenery is Mexican Thorn, which must be controlled before it gets out of hand.
The other significant change is the advent of modern technology. Not only with the telecommunications, but also in everyday life. A reliable electricity supply, a continuous water supply, and television has made life more normal for all the inhabitants.
However, some things have not changed. The friendly atmostphere between all the people - Saint Helenians, Americans and British, where everybody knows everybody, and will take time to help them; the crime-free society where you do not need to lock your house or car; and the knowledge that you can walk freely in the streets, all give it a unique atmostphere.
The natural history is still the same, although the numbers of birds may be somewhat reduced now. The Wideawakes still nest in raucous colonies on Wideawake Fairs. Every December to April the turtles still labour their way up the beaches to lay their eggs, and the baby turtles still scuttle back to the sea when they hatch.
Yes, Ascension is a unique island, and Cable & Wireless is proud to have played a significant part in its development over the past 100 years.
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