Amenities

Cash and Cheque Encashment

There are no ATM facilities on the Falkland Islands. Military Personnel can cash cheques with the Public Cashier and are allowed to cash four per month totalling no more than their take home pay. Cheques can also be cashed in the Officers' and Sergeants' Messes and at 12 Facility Reception, supported by a cheque guarantee card. Additionally, the British Forces Post Office is able to cash GIRO cheques free of charge. Civil Servants can also cash cheques with the public cashier up to £50 without a cheque guarantee Card (CGC) or up to their CGC limit. All other Civilian personnel must provide a valid CGC to cash any cheques.

You are strongly advised to bring extra cheque books with you into theatre as these are the most convenient method for withdrawing money.

While there is a branch of the Standard Chartered Bank in Stanley, there is no bank at MPC. However, this bank provides a cash advance service against credit and debit cards up to a maximum of £500 per day for a small fee. You will be required to show your passport as proof of i.d.

The only facility at the Mount Pleasant Complex where Credit and Debit Cards are accepted is in the NAAFI shops. Cashback is available against debit cards in the NAAFI Shops as well.

Some of the larger shops in Stanley accept credit/debit cards. A handful of companies accept UK cheques but surcharges are often applied.

Shopping

MPC Shops - There is a Families Ration Stores and NAAFI Bulk Store Shop for accompanied personnel. There are 2 small NAAFI Service Shops within the main accommodation complex. These cater for both accompanied and unaccompanied personnel, although prices are a little higher than in the UK. They sell sandwiches, confectionary, cold drinks, tinned and frozen food, greetings cards, magazines, jewellery and gifts, some single bedding, electrical goods (hairdryers, shavers etc), towels and toiletries. A selection of over-the-counter remedies for colds and headaches is sold here.

Internet Shopping - Clothes and certain products are extremely limited and it is recommended to shop by Internet. It is advisable to register with a catalogue before leaving the UK, but do check that they deliver to BFPO addresses. UK postal codes are also available and can be used in conjunction with the BFPO address. ZZ99 3WZ indicates that the address is overseas. For more information please see Mail below.

Stanley Shopping - There are a growing number of small shops in Stanley, and it is improving all the time. These comprise mainly of Gift Shops, small supermarkets, by UK standards, and two DIY stores. Although attractive items go quickly, though the shops rarely run out of basics. There is not a chemist or traditional green grocer, though pharmacy items and fruit and vegetables are available from most supermarkets. There is no optician. Some prices are 30-40% higher than UK, but other items are cheaper than UK.

FIC Shopping Complex - The shopping complex is some distance from the married quarters. It houses a Cable & Wireless shop, a 'RightLines' which is part of the FIC and a cafe. The 'Right lines' shop sells a wide range of products including a range of groceries, clothing, stationary, electrical items, watch batteries, fishing tackle, cosmetics and perfumes and FI souvenirs. If you cannot find what you are looking for in the shop, the shop assistant is always willing to bring goods in from the West Store in Stanley for the following day.

Bimble Box - The Bimble Box Shop sells Falkland Islands souvenirs, which includes logo sweaters, polo and rugby shirts, plaques and some sportswear.

The Service Institute Fund (SIF) - SIF hires out TV, videos, DVDs, games consoles, Vehicles, fishing tackle and video and digital cameras.

Religion

There are regular services in St Cuthbert's Church, which is situated in the centre of the Mount Pleasant Domestic Complex. The Church is interdenominational and is served by RAF chaplains from either the Church of England, or the Church of Scotland and Free Churches who hold seperate services. A Catholic Priest from Stanley takes Mass and hears confessions weekly. In Stanley there are 3 churches: Christchurch Cathedral, St Mary's Roman Catholic Church and the Tabernacle Free Church.

Hairdressing

A Sodexho-run unisex hairdressing salon is in the main accommodation complex. There are two hairdressers at present that offer a range of facilities. There are also 2 hairdressers based in Stanley.

Laundry

The Falkland Islands Laundry Facility or FILF as it is commonly known provides laundry and dry cleaning facilities free of charge.

Mail

Mail normally arrives 2-times a week on the airbridge, and is delivered within 4-7 days of posting from UK. Inland first class postage rates apply, but there is no air parcel service for packets over 2 kg in weight. Sea mail can take up to 3 months to arrive. 'Blueys' (MOD Form 674), are Airmail Letter Forms are available from UK Post Offices, MPC post office and MPC library which are sent free of charge to and from Falklands. If mail travels by sea, this can cause problems with internet shopping as it may arrive too late for you to be able to return the product under its guarantee. Unfortunately, some companies do not understand BFPO addresses.

Telephone Facilities

The civilian telephone link with the UK is good, however it is expensive. Unaccompanied personnel who qualify for a welfare package are entitled to one 30 minute phone card a week and there are various public telephones within the accommodation complex where these cards can be used. If you are not entitled to the card or just wish to speak for longer, phone cards can be bought on the site.

For residents of the Married Quarters you have the option of installing a private Cable and Wireless telephone line to make UK calls or use the Internet. Many families prefer this option as it gives flexibility in making and receiving calls. Calls to UK can be over £1/minute.

Cable and Wireless bill calls monthly. For friends and family to phone the Falkland's cheaply they can buy a phone card from the Post Office that slashes the cost per minute considerably.

Internet is by dial-up connection, with costs varying between 2p and 6p depending on the time of day that you connect. You can also connect via a broadband connection (see right for more information).

The dialling code to the UK is 0044 plus area code less the 0 plus phone number e.g. 0044 1234 567890. To call the Falkland Islands from the UK the code is 005 007 then the ext number. However, if making a compassionate call to the Falkland's they should be directed through the compassionate cell to ensure a swift response.

Paying Bills (Accompanied Staff Only)

If you have been wondering how to pay the local bills whilst you are in theatre, below is a breakdown of how you can pay them.

• Families Shop - The invoice is sent to the serving persons work via internal mail. This is paid at the cashier
• Mess Bill - Collect from the Mess after email informs that they are ready. Pay at Service Funds cashier
• Bulk Store - Invoice is sent to the serving persons work via internal mail. This is paid directly at the Bulk store
• Stanley Growers - The staff at the Families shop will give this to you. You can then either pay by cheque in the deposit box in the families store or you can pay them directly in Stanley
• Cable & Wireless - Comes via external Falkland mail. You can pay Cable & Wireless in Stanley or at the Cable and Wireless shop in the FIC shopping complex
• Fuel - The fuel bills are delivered via internal mail. This is payable at the Service Funds Cashier