Blog Archives - The New Weddington Isles

New Weddington Isles Renewal Day - 30th March 2021

30/3/2021

Today, 30th March 2021, The New Weddington Isles is delighted to announce our ‘RENEWAL DAY’ celebrations. This day marks the formal establishment of our Nation in 2020 - although the micronation has existed since 2005, it was in 2020 that we laid claim to the unclaimed Royal Company’s Islands in the Pacific.

New Weddington Renewal Day 2021

Follow our link above to mark this special day with us – here you will find a message from myself, Lord Watitune, along with details of the recipient of our inaugural Renewal Day Medal (Prince Freï von Fräähsen zu Lorenzburg), our past history and planned future, a playing of our National Anthem and a link to purchase of our ‘Renewal Day 2021’ souvenir T-shirt. We are especially excited to invite you to a virtual tour (along with a virtual High Tea) of the original Weddington Castle in the old Manor of Weddington – our spiritual homeland.

Please join us in our celebrations, and feel free to explore our website in general. We look forward to welcoming you to many more anniversaries!

Lord Watitune, Lord of the Manor of the New Weddington Isles

RENATUS A TERRA USQUE AD MARE – REBORN FROM LAND TO SEA

Lord Watitune, Lord of the Manor of the New Weddington Isles

New Weddington Isles and the Principality of Lorenzburg sign Mutual Recognition Treaty

25/3/2021

23 March 2021. The New Weddington Isles has formally signed a Treaty of Mutual Recognition with the Most Serene Principality of Lorenzburg. The New Weddington Court Baron stated: "the New Weddington Isles wholeheartedly endorse this initiative and look forward to many more fruitful years of our new illustrious nations working together in our common goals".

The Lorenzburg Ministry of Foreign Affairs added: "May our two nations prosper and may our people enjoy peace and happiness from any exchange whether cultural, academic or economic that may come as a result. And if the flint of hardship should come down upon us, may it strike the steel of friendship that the sparks of respect and trust may forge an ever stronger alliance!". The full PDF of the Treaty can be accessed at this link.

New Weddington Isles becomes Signatory of Micronational Declaration on Ecological Stewardship

21/3/2021

Resolution adopted at MicroCon 2017, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America Micronational Declaration on Ecological Stewardship.

The global community of micronations, small countries, and aspirant states assembled at MicroCon 2017,

Deeply conscious of the threat posed to the health of the world’s ecosystems by causes of human origin, including climate change,

Deeply concerned by the failure of many world leaders to prioritize and adequately address pressing environmental crises,

Disturbed by the denial of the scientific consensus on anthropogenic climate change by politicians and other influential actors,

Acknowledging the progress made by numerous countries, including micronations, to reduce their negative impact on the planet,

Encouraged by widespread support of international environmental treaties, especially the Paris Agreement, Acknowledging that more dramatic action is required internationally to minimize the negative effects of climate change,

Affirming that micronations are important actors in promoting environmental stewardship on both a local and an international level,

Applauding the Alcatraz Environmental Treaty of 2015 and the steps taken by micronations to implement it by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and otherwise investing in sustainability,

Recognizing that much further action is possible on a micronational level to address ecological concerns, Noting the lack of a framework for general best practices for micronations seeking to improve sustainability,

Hopeful that such a framework may help guide micronational environmental policy and facilitate further information-sharing between micronations sharing interests in ecological stewardship,

Recognizing that the rights of animals are an important part of a holistic approach to sustainability,

Acknowledging that these rights may be affected by an animal’s intended use as food or when human welfare is threatened,

Further acknowledging the environmental and social importance of water conservation,

Taking note of the 100+ Ways to Conserve Water published by conservation campaign Water – Use It Wisely, Acknowledging the benefits of reducing overall energy consumption in the household,

Further acknowledging the necessity of biological diversity to the health of local ecosystems,

Recognizing the threat that invasive species pose to biological diversity,

Affirming that locally-sourced food and domestic food production are central to increasing the environmental sustainability of food supply chains,

Concerned by the potential of genetically-modified foods to affect local ecosystems or facilitate the unsustainable centralization of food production,

Understanding the need to reduce global dependence on fossil fuels for energy,

Recognizing the variety of renewable energy resources available for micronations to harness to decrease fossil fuel usage,

Acknowledging the importance and practicality of reducing carbon dioxide pollution through clean transportation and the planting of trees and shrubs,

Further acknowledging that watershed health may be promoted by eliminating nonpoint sources of pollution and fighting erosion;

Recognizing that there are many practices by which micronations may reduce waste,

Encourages micronations and their denizens to reduce waste through use of strategies such as:
1. Using digital copies of media whenever possible;
2. Properly recycling all consumable goods possible, including electrical and electronic goods, paper, toner, ink cartridges, iron, aluminum, polyethylene terephthalate, glass, and plastic;
3. Household composting;
4. Giving away, instead of discarding, unwanted items;
5. Repairing broken items;
6. Avoiding the purchase of single-use and non-essential items;
Further encourages micronations and their denizens to protect watershed health by:
1. Minimizing the use of cleaning products and fertilizers containing phosphates;
2. Properly disposing of animal waste;
3. Preventing and repairing engine leaks in land vehicles and watercraft;
4. Reducing erosion by protecting slopes and planting suitable non-invasive trees and shrubs on  erosive surfaces;
Urges micronations and their denizens to reduce carbon dioxide pollution by:
1. Commuting on foot, by bicycle, or with public transportation;
2. Planting non-invasive species of trees and shrubs suitable for the local environment;
3. Prioritizing energy-efficient and electric options when purchasing new vehicles;
Endorses reducing micronations’ dependence on fossil fuels by sourcing electricity from renewable sources, including through domestic generation of electricity with solar panels, windmills, and other means of renewably harnessing energy;
Promotes micronational investment in local food supply chains by buying locally-grown food, avoiding the purchase of genetically-modified foods, and maintaining household gardens, including micro-gardens and urban gardening schemes where appropriate;
Encourages micronations and their denizens to protect biological diversity on a local level through the humane eradication of invasive species of plant and animal and the planting of species of plant native to a given ecosystem;
Advises micronations and their denizens to reduce household energy use by using energy-efficient appliances, including light bulbs;
Supports micronational water conservation through strategies such as the 100+ Ways to Conserve Water;
Promotes the ethical treatment of live animals in micronations, recognizing animals’ rights as including, except in the case of animals to be slaughtered for food, or if necessary to prevent harm to humans, other animals, or property:
1. Rights to life, liberty, reproductive freedom, a natural living environment, natural behavior, and bodily integrity;
2. The freedom not to be arbitrarily subject to or controlled by fear or pain;
Strongly encourages all States endorsing this Declaration to participate in international sharing of information on policies, strategies, and practices that build sustainability, and to publicize such information to their denizens to promote ecological stewardship on the individual level;
Condemns denial of anthropogenic climate change and denounces climate-change denial as an element of national policy;
Declares that micronational governments and denizens are responsible for ecological stewardship within their territories to the full extent of their capacities;
Strongly urges all able micronational States to endorse this Declaration.

Signed 21/03/2021, Lord Watitune, Lord of the New Weddington Isles

CLICK HERE FOR FULL PDF OF TEXT WITH SIGNATORIES

The New Weddington Isles also endorse the use of recycled batteries, e-communications over print where possible, recycled paper where not, and are currently trialling a solar lighting scheme for our Prime Consul.

New Weddington Arts & Culture Programme continues with "Ignite" Exhibition

19/3/2021

The New Weddington Isles' Department of Arts and Culture today announced the launch of a solo exhibition of photography works entitled "Journeys".

Produced by Lord Watitune, John Brookes, who is an award-winning photographer and artist; this exhibition is sponsored by the Belconnen Arts Gallery and is showing at the Brindabella Park Exhibition Space, located next to Canberra Airport in Australia. Lord Watitune said of his work: "“Journeys” is a part of a wider portfolio of works exploring the notion of journeys and travel. Not only referencing physical journeys, but using the notion of modes of transport as a metaphor for our internal journeys of growth, development and personal change – which can be both positive and negative.

"The theme of Journeys is especially relevant in the run up to the New Weddington Isles' 'Renewal Day 2021', marking the journey of the spirit of the old Manor of Weddington in England to the New Weddington Isles location in the Indian Ocean, and its transformation along the way."

The Exhibition is free to view and all artworks are for sale via the Belconnen Arts Gallery online shop. The show will run until 15th September 2021.

Watch out for more on Renewal Day 2021 on 30th March, as well as the development of our Arts and Culture programme throughout the year.

New Weddington Isles at The Australian CyberSecurity Conference 2021

16/3/2021

This week Lord Watitune will be representing the New Weddington Isles at The Australian Cyber Conference 2021. This will provide business leaders with insights and best practices taught by the industry’s top experts through keynotes, panel sessions and live demonstrations – both in person and virtually.

The conference will involve networking with eSecurity practitioners to help better understand and manage current e-threats, as well as preparIing to meet emerging challenges, through an interactive format of workshops, plenary sessions and the opportunity to network with expert practitioners in the field of cyber security.

Delegates range from education to finance, government, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and utilities. The New Weddington Isles have received a bursary to attend this 3 day event (usually AUS$1500).

Lord Watitune said: "the awarding of a significant bursary to attend this large international event not only further validates the New Weddington Isles as a viable entity but will also inform our eSecurity strategy, managed by the Order of the Knights of Watitune. Given that micronations operate heavily online via social media, websites, and e-commerce; eSecurity is a key defence element for us - we do not engage in offence against other micronations in this area, or in fake wars based on gaming software. In the spirit of this we will pass on any learning gained here for use by fellow micronations. The full programme is downloadable below."

DOWNLOAD E-SECURITY CONFERENCE PROGRAMME HERE

Update on the New Weddington Space Program...

15/3/2021

As previously announced, New Weddington is currently accessing several existing commercial satellites - via a link up to the New Weddington Isles' Prime Consul in exile in Canberra - that track over the area from latitude 51°75′S 143°04′E to 51°02′S 144°13′E which match the rough co-ordinates logged in historic sightings of the Royal Company's Islands, unclaimed territories in the Indian Ocean currently listed as 'phantom isles'.

As the area is prone to cloud cover this project will go back to 2003 in a bid to gain a tantalising glimpse of the Isles we claim. The key provider of this data is NASA's Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) which provides the capability to interactively browse over 900 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and then download the underlying data.

We have noted that current weather is seeing a gap in cloud cover and, whilst it still covers some of the area, there is a good chance it will move on soon and we may get a first glimpse of the New Weddington Isles, and final proof of their existence. This is timely as we prepare our celebrations for our Inaugural Renewal Day on 39th March.

More soon!!

Can YOU Crack the New Weddington Code? Prizes to be won!

12/3/2021

The New Weddington Isles Security Department, administered by the chivalric Order of the Knights of Watitune; have - as part of our security strategy - developed a unique New Weddington alphabet, complete with embedded fonts for use in Word documents.

Lord Watitune welcomed the move and congratulated the Knights, but was keen to stress that this initiative will be used for confidentially sensitive communications and internal documents of a ceremonial nature. This is in no way a move towards secrecy in terms of reducing transparency of activities and information sharing with other micronations. British English remains the official national language of the New Weddington Isles.

To demonstrate this, a message from Lord Watitune in the New Weddington alphabet is published below. To encourage shared learning of micronational language development; the first micronation or individual to successfully and accurately decrypt the message will receive a set of official New Weddington merchandise and commemorative items. Simply respond with your translation at this link or PM us on our Facebook page.

Good luck!

DOWNLOAD NEW WEDDINGTON ALPHABET MESSAGE HERE (PDF)

The Bank of New Weddington announces new addition to their financial reserves.

11/3/2021

The current Governor of the Bank of New Weddington today announced the acquisition of an unspecified amount of silver bullion via ABC Bullion* to add to the Isles' Treasury finances that currently consist of cash reserves of the official currency (the New Weddington Groat) and a portfolio of ethical investments via Bank Australia who only finance Housing for people with disability, Better housing developments, Renewable energy projects, and Not-for-profit organisations. They do not invest in Fossil Fuels, Live animal export, Gambling, Arms industry or Tobacco. The New Weddington Groat (NWG) is pegged at 1 NWG to 1 AUD$ on the ASX cash exchange.

The Governor stated: "this addition to our assets represents another step towards greater financial viability and security; and - as well as demonstrating our ethical focus on investment - will boost our capacity for future developments in establishing a landed presence in the former, unclaimed, Royal Company's Islands - now claimed as the New Weddington Isles.

"Further cash and bullion investments are planned over the next few weeks and we will budget for a degree of reinvestment of these, to allow asset growth of our nation and its aspirations well into the future."

* ABC Bullion is Australasia’s leading precious metals and bullion specialist that for close to 50 years has assisted investors of every type to buy and sell gold bullion, silver, platinum and palladium. They are distributors for major global mints such as the Royal Australian Mint, Royal Canadian Mint, The Royal Mint (UK), South African Mint and PAMP (the world's leading bullion brand).

Only one single ounce silver bullion from new bullion reserves shown, for security reasons.

New Weddington Isles Space Program Launched (no, we aren't going to Mars!!)

5/3/2021

We are delighted to launch the New Weddington Isles Space Program today, 5th March 2021.

This is, of course, a much more modest affair than NASA or SpaceX and you will not be seeing any 'Weddinauts' or New Weddington rockets in space any time soon.

Our program is, however, still a major step for the Isles; which claim as their micronation a renamed Royal Companies Islands. These are a remote set of isles situated in the Indian Ocean. Whilst referenced in various historical shipping charts and sightings; their remoteness and position off any major shipping line has largely accorded then the status of 'phantom islands' - meaning they remain undisturbed, outside of territorial waters and unclaimed by any state; many of whom consider them of questionable existence. More detail can be found here.

The first step of New Weddington's Space Program will be to initially access several existing commercial satellites via a link up to the New Weddington Isles' Prime Consul in exile in Canberra, that track over the area from latitude 51°75′S 143°04′E to 51°02′S 144°13′E and to exhaustively scan the images in the rough co-ordinates logged in historic sightings. As the area is prone to cloud cover this project will go back to 2003 in a bid to gain a tantalising glimpse of the Isles we claim. The key provider of this data will be NASA's Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) which provides the capability to interactively browse over 900 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and then download the underlying data.

Lord Watitune said of the ambitious project: "Given the importance of history in our micronation - from the original Weddington Village in England the first millennium, through to the sightings of the former Royal Companies Islands in the late 1800s/early 1900s - it seems appropriate in this second millennium to use the technology of the future to commence the next stage of discovery for our micronation. As with all New Weddingtonians, I look forward with anticipation to the fruits of this venture; which will form a stepping stone to the next stage of our plans - to set foot on, and ultimately establish a presence on, these Islands."

The first satellite image of the area where previous New Weddington Isles sightings have been logged. A cloudy day means poor visibility but daily updates and historical images going back to 2003 will also be explored.