Tuesday, 14 April 2009

April 2009 Edition.

SPRINGBOK CYBER NEWSLETTER

April 2009 edition

It was with astonishment that we learnt that this year's Indian Premier League competition was being moved from India to South Africa "for security reasons". If there has ever been a classic case of potentially jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire then surely this is it!

This of course is not the only major world sporting tournament currently being staged in South Africa. The Cricket World Cup Qualifying Competition is being held there at the moment, and Rugby Super 14 matches continue to be played in the country - and of course looming up like a Titanic disaster waiting to happen is next year's Soccer World Cup.

South Africa is of course now universally recognised as being the crime capital of the world. Law and Order has broken down and a near-genocide campaign against Whites exists in both the platteland and the inner-city areas. Lawlessness also reigns supreme in other areas of life; roads and the railway system remain unrepaired leading to an escalating number of accidents, and the health system has mainly collapsed into chaos. As if the current spectre is not bad enough South Africa is also now faced with the hellish prospect of Jacob "Bring me my Machine-Gun" Zuma shortly assuming complete power, which will probably herald anti-White measures of pogrom-like proportions.

There has surely been no greater example of the almost criminal stupidity of the world's sporting authorities in continuing to stage major competitions in the "new" South Africa than the tragic case of Shawn MacKay. Shawn MacKay, the ACT Brumbies lock/flanker, was in South Africa for the Super 14 match against Natal Sharks, but was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver (probably driving without a licence and uninsured, as do so many drivers in today's South Africa) whilst leaving a Durban nightclub. This accident was tragic enough in itself of course, but worse was to follow, for Shawn MacKay subsequently died from what was described as a "blood infection" AFTER his operation - a description strongly suggesting a botched operation, as so many are today in the "new" South Africa where most skilled medical staff have left the country.

But why do the world's sporting authorities continue to stage competitions in a country where the security situation is probably even more dangerous than in the Indian sub-continent? The immediate reason is perhaps because the South African authorities are so desperate to try to prove that there is no danger involved in holding the 2010 Soccer World Cup in the country that they bend over backwards to offer incentives and to give extra protection to all concerned. A more underlying reason, however, is that the powers-that-be around the world are simply acting like ostriches with their heads in the sand, refusing to admit that they were wrong in supporting the overthrow of civilised rule in the land.

If Shawn MacKay's tragic death is to serve any purpose then it must be as a wake-up signal to the world's sporting governing bodies that South Africa is now an anarchic third-world country where it is totally unsafe to stage major competitions. If by any chance the 2010 Soccer World Cup does go ahead in South Africa then there will undoubtedly be hundreds, if not thousands, of further Shawn MacKay's - amongst players, officials and especially spectators (and never forget in this regard the Austrian soccer official who was murdered on a south Natal golf course whilst in the country for the World Cup draw!). Similar to the Roman, we can only foresee the Vaal foaming with much blood.

------------------------------------------------------------------

SPRINGBOK CLUB/ELC MARCH MEETING

The Springbok Club/ELC was most honoured to be able to welcome Mr. Graham Gillmore as guest speaker last month. Mr. Gillmore has enjoyed a most distinguished military career, serving with the Grenadier Guards, the Rhodesian Light Infantry and the Pathfinder Company of 44 Parachute Brigade in the South African Defence Force. In his talk, which was illustrated by an excellent PowerPoint pictorial display, he concentrated upon his service with the Pathfinder Company of 44 Parachute Brigade, and explained many of the military tactics developed by this elite corps of the SADF, which had ensured that SWAPO was continuously defeated in the Angolan/SWA border region. His talk was inspirational, and brought back many fond memories for those who had fought on the West's frontline against communist-backed insurgency at the time, and demonstrated how easy it would have been for South Africa to have crushed the terrorist movements completely - had they not been betrayed by the establishment NP politicians.

------------------------------------------------------------------

SPRINGBOK CLUB VAN RIEBEECK'S DAY BUFFET

This year the Springbok Club will be celebrating Van Riebeeck's Day with a special buffet, the details of which are as follows:-

Guest Speaker :  Mnr. ALBERTUS KLEINGELD

Date :  Saturday 18th April 2009

Times : Assemble from 13.30 hrs onwards, main activities to commence at 14.00 hrs.

Venue : THE ANTELOPE (the upstairs function room), 22 Eaton Terrace, Belgravia, London SW1W 8EZ  (nearest tube station: Sloane Square).

Albertus Kleingeld is an Afrikaner by birth, and graduated from the University of South Africa with a BA in Law and Politics and also an Ll.B. He has worked for various law firms and is currently employed as a legal adviser for a trade organisation in the UK. His specialist area is IT and intellectual property law. He joined PRAAG in 2002 and has been their web-master since 2006. The aim of PRAAG (the Pro-Afrikaans Action Group) is to keep the ideal of Afrikaner freedom alive at all times by celebrating the Afrikaans language, culture and identity, as well as defending and strengthening it. It's long-term vision is to attain freedom in a Fourth Afrikaans Republic. Founded in February 2000, PRAAG is a movement of Afrikaner intellectuals, professionals, farmers, students and others campaigning for the rights of Afrikaners and White Africans generally, and for equality as regards property ownership, language, access to education and the right to trade etc. PRAAG aims to maintain its our culture, standards of education and law enforcement, and believes that only self-determination in its own territory will deliver South Africa from the hell of cultural discrimination, violent crime and social anarchy. To achieve these aims PRAAG pursues a route of dialogue, debate and peaceful protest, notwithstanding insistence on the right to private gun ownership, as the South African Police Service has failed to protect the country from consistent attacks and even massacres of entire families, the stuff of daily life in the "new" South Africa.

A sumptuous array of buffet snacks will be provided at this event, and the cost will be £10.00 per head for Full Members of the Springbok Club, £12.50 per head for Associate Members and £15.00 per head for non-members. To confirm a booking, or for further information, please 'phone: 07711188430.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS FUNCTION WILL TAKE PLACE DURING THE AFTERNOON.

------------------------------------------------------------------

FUTURE SPRINGBOK CLUB/ELC EVENTS

In late May the Springbok Club/ELC will be holding its annual Empire Day celebrations in conjunction with the Swinton Circle, at which a prominent personality with strong Imperial connections will be Guest of Honour. More details will be given in next month's SCN.

In July the Springbok Club will be staging their annual Rhodes & Founders celebrations, at which a prominent ex-Rhodesian will be guest of honour. Further details will be given in future editions of the SCN.

------------------------------------------------------------------

SPRINGBOK CLUB/ELC BRANCH NEWS

The Kent Branch of the Springbok Club is organising a visit to the Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham on Sunday 17th May in order to attend a special "Soldiers of the Queen" event. All members and supporters of the Springbok Club/ELC are invited to join the Kent Branch for this event, and the provisional arrangements are to assemble in the foyer of the museum between 12.00 hrs and 12.30 hrs. The Kent Branch of the Springbok Club/ELC is also planning a social get-together in the autumn at which a former Rhodesian Air Force member will be giving an informal talk about his experiences in the RhAF. Precise details will be notified as soon as they have been finalised.

The Chilterns Branch of the Springbok Club/ELC is planning to hold a meeting at Hatfield in June. Further details will be given in next month's SCN.

It is also hoped that the Northern Ireland Branch of the Springbok Club/ELC (probably to be renamed the Belfast Branch) will be re-constituted at a meeting in Belfast during mid-May. If you are interested in becoming involved then please e-mail: springbok@falklands.org or 'phone 07711188430.

The London Branch of the Springbok Club/ELC is planning to hold a get-together in June, when a leading expert will be giving an informal talk about Anglo-Saxon archaeology.

------------------------------------------------------------------







SWINTON CIRCLE NEWS

Happily it can be reported that the crisis which engulfed the London Swinton Circle during the middle of last year caused by the attempted infiltration of the organisation by known political extremists, and the subsequent factional and unconstitutional actions taken by the organisation's erstwhile Organiser, Mr. Allan Robertson, now seems to have been completely overcome.

As reported above, a joint meeting between the Swinton Circle and the Springbok Club/ELC in order to celebrate Empire Day (as last year) is being planned for late May, and after this it is anticipated that regular monthly individual meetings will be resumed.

The reason why Mr. Robertson, who had always previously been considered a loyal and dedicated activist, should have betrayed the movement in the manner that he did has been a complete mystery. A strong clue may however lie in an article which once appeared in "The Guardian", which has recently come into our hands. Although written way back in 1986 (published on July 5th 1986 to be precise), this revelation may still have some significant resonance to this day. The relevant section of this Guardian article read as follows :-

"Guardian inquiries have established that Mr Allan Robertson, the chairman of the Scottish Monday Club, has recommended 'liaison' with the BNP and like-minded 'nationalists' and wants to 'deaden the effects' of a Scottish Conservative Party committee to foster relations with Asians in Glasgow. Further defections to the BNP from Conservative students and Monday Club activists are imminent, and include a senior MC organiser. The defector is Mr Stuart Millson, who graduated in politics from Essex University last month. He was the eastern regional chairman of the FCS [Federation of Conservative Students] until he left the Conservative Party in May, a member of the FCS national committee and chairman of the Monday Club student's group."

Significantly the Stuart Millson mentioned in this article was a leading member of the now defunct "Conservative Democratic Alliance" outfit, which once stated on their web-site discussion forum that they would "smash" the Swinton Circle and the Springbok Club, and of which three of the uninvited and unwelcome trouble-makers who disrupted the Swinton Circle meeting of 22nd July 2008 were known members. Could it be therefore that Mr. Robertson has been a "sleeper" for the neo-fascist BNP for many years, with the intention of taking-over authentic patriotic organisations such as the Swinton Circle when the time was thought to be right? If so then thanks to the loyalty and patriotism of the majority of Swinton Circle members he and his neo-fascist associates have failed. Utterly.

------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW BRITAIN NEWS

On St.George's Day this year (Thursday 23rd April) New Britain will be selling English Flag label badges in the City of London in order to raise money for the Treloar Trust for Disabled Children. This event will take place throughout the day, and for more information please 'phone: 020-72472524.

The guest speaker for New Britain's 2009 Goldsmith Lecture will be Mr. Simon Heffer, the Daily Telegraph columnist. This event, which will be chaired by Sir Teddy Taylor, will be held on Thursday 10th September. Further details will appear in future editions of the SCN.

------------------------------------------------------------------

SOUTH AFRICAN VIPERS?

We have recently been most puzzled to see some replica rugby shirts bearing the wording "South African Vipers" on sale in the UK. We know that the ANC regime wishes to eradicate the Springbok name, but as far as we were aware the "Protea" name (as in other sports) has been demanded as the alternative politically-correct replacement title for the country's rugby union side. Furthermore the South African rugby league side (for what it's worth) has always played under the name of the "South African Rhinos". It has been suggested, however, that the "South African Vipers" title refers only to the SANDF team. We wonder therefore whether anyone can help us solve this mystery?

Be this as it may, the campaign to retain the Springbok name and emblem for the South African Rugby Union team continues. Although this struggle quite clearly is fighting a symptom of the disease rather than the disease itself (i.e. ANC rule) it even so could have some significant effects. We have recently been forwarded the following message from Dr. Pieter Mulder of Freedom Front Plus, and encourage all our readers to add their names to the petition campaign quoted therein :-

"The Ministry of Sport have just forced the management of South African Rugby to remove the Springbok from the national colour jackets and to replace it with the protea as the national symbol.

"This was done in spite of the fact that millions of South African's appreciate and support the Springbok emblem. With the World Cup victory last year the Springbok emblem became specifically symbolic for the values that we should aspire to. These values include good neighbourliness, co-operation, hard work, perseverance and naturally prestige and success.

"It seems as if the ANC find these values and the symbols that embody them offensive. Unluckily the ANC ignores the fact that South African find their blatant interference in sport matters as the embodiment of offence. We have started a web-site where we give you the opportunity to register your protest at the government’s plans with the Springbok. Every time you sign the online petition at :-

www.vf.co.za/springbok

an e-mail will automatically be sent to the Sports Minister, his adjunct and the management of SARU. Use this opportunity to swamp the decision makers with your objections. The Freedom Front Plus will undertake the duty of delivering the petitions personally to the Sports Minister and SARU on 1 December when the national Springbok protest takes place. I ask for just three minutes of your time to sign the petition personally and to forward this message to as many of your e-mail contacts as possible."

------------------------------------------------------------------








THE RED SQUIRREL SURVIVAL TRUST

It was greatly encouraging to learn recently of an energetic new campaign to re-establish the indigenous red squirrel throughout the British Isles. The red squirrel was alas supplanted by the alien grey squirrel from North America during the end of the 19th century, and by a mixture of the spread of un-immune diseases and aggressive poaching of traditional food supplies it became practically extinct everywhere apart from Scotland, Cumbria and the Isle of Wight.

Robert Shipley, the Overseas Liaison Officer of the Springbok Club/ELC, initiated a campaign to help save the red squirrel a few years ago, and must be given great credit for his endeavours awakening people in this regard. Now, however, an even larger and better resourced campaign under the title of "The Red Squirrel Survival Trust" has been founded - with the patronage of HRH The Prince of Wales, no less! We encourage all readers to have a good look at their web-site therefore, which can be accessed at :-
http://www.rsst.org.uk/

The comparison has often been made in the past between the fate of the indigenous British red squirrel and the potential fate of the indigenous British people if alien immigration was allowed to escalate. Just as no civilised person would advocate that immigrant human immigrants should be exterminated, so also no civilised person can surely advocate the extermination of the alien grey squirrel. They after all did not ask to be brought to Britain. No, the answer surely is to capture and repatriate the grey squirrels, with - perhaps - a targeted programme of sterilisation. We are not anti-grey squirrel; we are simply pro-red squirrel.

------------------------------------------------------------------

ALBERT WEIDEMANN'S BBC NORTH YORKSHIRE INTERVIEW

Alas several of our readers have contacted us to say that they were not able to access the excellent interview which Albert Weidemann gave to BBC North Yorkshire about the current situation in zimbabwe, which we publicised in last month's edition of the SCN. It would seem that this problem was caused by the web-site address being too long. We re-forward the details below therefore, but if anyone still encounters any problems simply do a "cut and paste" job to join the two seemingly separate lines together, or alternatively re-type the address given below directly into your web-site request box (without any space between the seemingly separate lines).
  
www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/content/articles/2009/03/10/albert_weidemann_feature.shtml

------------------------------------------------------------------

LATEST FALKLANDS NEWS

The Argentinian newspaper Clarin recently included an article reporting Prime Minister Brown's New Year message to the Falkland Islanders. It was a fairly reasonable article. It reported his congratulations to the Islanders on their new constitution (and that this guarantees self-determination); Brown's continuing promise that there will be no sovereignty negotiations with Argentina unless the Islanders want this - which Clarin states that they do not; and his support for Islander plans to develop an oil industry.
      
------------------------------------------------------------------

MAKE YOUR OWN BILTONG AT THE FRACTION OF THE COST ....

Biltongmakers.Com has, for the last 10 years, put a smile on many a South African face. No longer do they have to pay exorbitant prices for biltong that in most cases is not even to their liking!

Now you can make your own Biltong at a fraction of the price you pay right now and ...... you can make it the way YOU like it!

Please visit www.biltongmakers.com and see all they have available.

You will never be without some REAL South African Biltong again!

------------------------------------------------------------------

FLAGS etc.

The Springbok Club/ELC now retails Union Flag lapel badges and key-rings, price £2.00 each (plus 20% p&p).

Payments should be made to "The Springbok Club" and sent to: BCM SAPAT, London WC1N 3XX, UK.

Copies of S.A.Patriot-in-Exile (editions 30 to 36) are still available price R5.00 or 50p each, as well as batches of 50 copies (including copies of the original S.A.Patriot) price R80.00 or £8.00 (plus 20% for p&p.)

Payments should be made to "Patriotic Press" and sent to: BCM SAPAT, London WC1N 3XX, UK.

[We really want to be able to produce the next edition of S.A.Patriot-in-Exile, No.37, as soon as possible, but in order to do this we need to clear our existing stock of back-issues first. Supporters can help us in two ways in this regard, either by making donations which will enable us to distribute more copies, and/or by providing address details of people who might be interesting in receiving copies.]

------------------------------------------------------------------

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

The book "British Sports Cars" by Nigel Fryatt - £10.00, including p.& p. (£15.00 if sent overseas).
A Monserrat parade flag, complete with flag-pole - £50.00 including p.& p. (£55.00 if sent overseas).
The book "The Queen" (about Queen Elizabeth II) by Ann Morrow - £8.00 including p.& p. (£10.00 if sent overseas).
The book "Labrador" (about the mainland coastal area of Newfoundland) - £10.00 including p.& p. (£15.00 if sent overseas).

For more information or to make orders please 'phone 07527277406, or e-mail: robertshipley1729@yahoo.co.uk

------------------------------------------------------------------

BOOK OFFERS

"WAY OUT OF LINE" by Trisha Jackson

A novel which tells the story of the profound impact that an innocent youthful love affair has on the lives of two young lovers. The plot moves from a cult and a maximum security prison in the US to the savannah grasslands of Mozambique and Zimbabwe - this makes for adventure, suspense and melodrama. Packed with conflict and sexual tension, anyone who loves romance, passion and excitement should enjoy reading this story.

Trisha Jackson was born and grew up in Rhodesia. She immigrated to the USA with her husband and three children in 1990. She and her husband live in a unique, rural community in the Tonto National Forest in the eastern mountains of Arizona.

Copies of "Way Out of Line" can be ordered from Amazon.com.

----------------------------

"GOVERNMENT BY DECEPTION" by Jan Lamprecht

Details the disasters of Mugabe's Zimbabwe, and illustrates the similarities between Mugabe's rule and that of Mandela/Mbeki in South Africa. It can be ordered on-line at: www.AfricanCrisis.org

----------------------------

"THE BLIGHT OF BLAIRISM" by Francis Bennion

A devastating indictment of the "new" Labour administration. For more details about the book visit: www.francisbennion.com

----------------------------

"WINSTON CHURCHILL BY HIS PERSONAL SECRETARY" recollections of the great man by a woman who worked for him, Elizabeth Nel

Elizabeth Nel served as Winston Churchill’s personal secretary during World War II. The vivid and human details of her experiences, of her impressions and memories of the irascible and loveable war hero, take up the story of Churchill’s life at No. 10 where the BBC’s impressive drama, 'The Gathering Storm', leaves off — when Churchill took over the reins of Government at the outset of the war. Finally, the author, Elizabeth Nel, at 90 years of age and just before she died, looks back across the years.

Available from: www.diadembooks.com/churchill.htm

[You may like to see details with photos regarding the launch of this book, which can be viewed at http://www.diadembooks.com/celiamurray.htm]


----------------------------

Glenn MacAskill and Michael Bowery of Crest Publishing have written three books each. Glenn MacAskill is ex-BSAP Special Branch and still working (as Mugabe has denied him any pension) and Michael Bowery is ex-South African Special Forces. Due to the difficulties confronting White writers in the "new" South Africa they launched Crest Publishing to self-publish their own books, and have been doing this since October 2006. Michael Bowery is author of: "Canham's Run", "The Sligo Piper" and "Kill the President", whilst Glenn MacAskill is author of: "King's Gold", "Crime Lords" and "Of Royal Blood". Special discounts to ex-servicemen, Rhodies and Springboks!

For more information, or to make an order, please contact Crest Publishing at: P.O.Box, 97910, Petervale, Transvaal, 2151, South Africa, e-mail: crestbooks@mweb.co.za, or visit the Crest Publishing web-site at: www.crestpublishing.co.za

----------------------------

"THE SAINTS" - DVD versions of the book about the history of the RLI

Now available from Msasa Enterprises. Contact: msasasa@iafrica.com or UK tel.: 07732 685400.

------------------------------------------------------------------

WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?

No.125 :  Mr. REG SWEET and family of Durban.

Reg Sweet was the main rugby reporter for the Durban-published Daily News, and also South African correspondent for the magazine Rugby World, as well as being a keen radio-ham. Both his wife and daughters Pam and Pippa were very active in the conservative movement in Durban during the late 1970s and early 1980s however. Alas both Pam and Pippa, although very beautiful women, experienced extremely troubled and complex love lives. Pippa is believed never to have married although, among other affairs, she had a short and torrid relationship with a certain Colin Vary, a controversial dapperly-dressed Pietermaritzburg-based Australian who worked at various times as a photographer, restaurateur and hairdresser. Pam married on at least four occasions - twice to the same man! Her last known marriage, however, was to a very wealthy man named Alan Richards - though the source of his wealth always remained a complete mystery. Pam and Alan Richards were founder members of the original White Rhino Club, though in spite of their acknowledged wealth they contributed little to the organisation. Another White Rhino Club member, Ian Long, spread the rumour that Alan Richards was working for one of the South African security forces to "spy" on the organisation however, though the only evidence which he gave for this claim was that he had been told about it by a junior member of the security service in question. This rumour wasn't initially believed by many, but when a few years later, after the collapse of the original White Rhino Club, Alan Richards was reported to have spoken on the platform of the notorious con-man Brendan Willmer, it gained a certain credibility. It would be intriguing to learn what eventually became to the various members of this most interesting family.

-----------------------------------------------------------------


RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE OF THE MONTH

The Ministry of Internal Affairs played a very important but alas often forgotten role in the Rhodesian Bush War against Terrorism. A highly informative web-site commemorating the important work carried out by the brave Internal Affairs staff members has now been established, and can be accessed at :-

http://www.freewebs.com/dudleywall/

-----------------------------------------------------------------

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

SEEING RED

Sir,

How come we pressure Fiji to hold elections (see "Election in Fiji crucial: Rudd", The Australian, January 28, 2009) but we never pressure communist China to do so?

Yours etc.,

Bob Vinnicombe, Sefton, New South Wales, Australia

------------------------------------------------------------------



























ROGUES GALLERY

We have recently been forwarded a copy of a most strange and bizarre letter dating back to 3rd May 1988, though we haven't got a clue why it was sent to us.

This letter was evidently written by someone named Phil Andrews, which is a name that we had never heard of previously, in which he claims to represent the National Front. The National Front of course is a far-right anti-immigration political party which, although not as extreme as the neo-fascist British National Party, is still far too extremist for our liking, and as a result is an organisation which we would never associate with. The factors which intrigued us most about this mysterious letter, however, were that it did not bear the National Front's usual and well-known logo (instead bearing a childishly drawn design) and that it claimed that several named people had been expelled from the party. A quick Internet check showed that this claim was false however, as all the named people held rank within the organisation throughout the late 1980s.

There was another even more disturbing facet to this letter however, namely that it heaped praise on a certain Udham Singh, who it described as a "freedom fighter" and a "national revolutionary" (whatever this term might mean). Now for those who are not aware Udham Singh was a convicted murderer, having shot the former Governor of the Punjab, Sir Michael O'Dwyer, in London on 13th March 1940, and having rightfully been hanged for this offence on 31st July 1940. For anyone to praise such an evil murderer is bad enough in itself, but coming from someone who claimed to represent the National Front is absolutely unbelievable! Quite clearly therefore this shadowy Andrews character is not only a fraud and a terrorist-apologist, but is also clearly totally crazy and mixed-up.

But the question remains why we should have been sent a copy of this deranged letter with no form of explanation whatsoever? Was the person who sent it to us trying to tell us something? The thought crossed our minds that, in spite of a slight difference in spelling, this bonkers Phil Andrews character might have some connection to another strange individual who has plagued us in the past, Francis Andrew. Francis Andrew of course initially claimed to support the ideals and objectives of our movement in spite of the suspicious fact that he had lived and worked in Arab lands for 20 years, before revealing himself as a supporter of the Ba'athist Islamic regime in Iraq at the time of the West's intervention in that sorry land during the War against Terror. The hypocritical claims of both the mysterious Phil Andrews and the unspeakable Francis Andrew seem very similar therefore. Could they by any chance be related we therefore wonder? Could they even be one and the same person using a slightly different name! Any further information would be most interesting to receive.  
 
------------------------------------------------------------------

LOVABLE ROGUES GALLERY

Somebody who we DO know a lot about who has been in the news again recently is Michael Hart-Jones - aka Mike Fart-Groans. Mike, of course, was a precocious talent in the television industry in Rhodesia, working his way up to become Head of Programmes at RTV whilst still in his late 20s. After resigning from RTV in protest against the increasing pro-settlement line being taken by the corporation, he moved to Durban in the late 1970s, where he became active with both the Save Rhodesia Campaign and the South Africa First Campaign. Unfortunately, however, he found it very difficult to re-adjust to life outside the national spotlight, and consequently experienced some problems obtaining full-time employment. It was at this time that he first started becoming involved with various "scams", the most prominent being the establishment of an alleged film-making company which never produced any material - in spite of once obtaining free entry to the Durban July on the pretence of filming a documentary about the race!

It wasn't until a few years ago that we heard about Mike again however, when he was featured on a BBC2 Newsnight programme in which it was claimed that he was behind an alleged £100 million scheme selling a miracle cure for AIDS using goats' serum! Now the same programme has revealed that Mike was also involved in the bizarre sale of an uncut ruby to a Shropshire construction company, Wrekin Construction. This uncut ruby was mysteriously given a seemingly authentic valuation of £11 million, although a subsequent independent valuation has priced its value at only £300,000. Just why a Shropshire construction company should seek to possess an uncut ruby remains a complete mystery!

In spite of all the "scams" he has been involved with there is something about Mike Hart-Jones' daring and sheer audacity that we just can't help admiring. He is certainly not in the same category of trouble-making rogues as Messrs. Andrews/Andrew!

------------------------------------------------------------------

Finally, if you would prefer to be deleted from our SCN circulation list then simply e-mail us with the word "unsubscribe". Alternatively, if you liked this SCN and think more of your friends would like to receive copies then please let us know their e-mail addresses!

See you again next month!