Howard Pym

Howard Pym & The Sierra Leone School Children

2008-11-09T00:13:00.001-08:00

International businessman, Mr Howard Pym and Sierra Leone!

Below is a photograph of a kindergarden school, founded and supported by Mr Pym. (Please CLICK HERE to see the original article SIERRA LEONE STORIES Howard Pym speaks out).

This school is now reported to be the best school in the war torn region of Kono , Sierra Leone.

In a tribute to Mr Howard Pym, the people of Koidu town wish to honour his great kindness and support in a special thanks giving day.

When asked about the school Mr Pym replied, ‘This was not a one man job. The credit should go to all the people in the uk and in Sierra that helped to give a chance of a better future to these wonderful children . Maybe, one of our students, one day, will be able to aspire to great things, we can only live in hope’.

As other humanitarian projects founded and supported by Mr Pym emerge, they will be reported in Howard Pym, Sierra Leone stories.

Howard James Pym Meets The President Of Latvia

2008-09-06T07:35:00.000-07:00

The 4^th meeting of Latvias Honorary Consuls took place in Riga on the 3^rd and 4^th of July 2008. Howard J Pym Honorary Consul For Latvia in the United Kingdom was present during a visit to the Medieval City of Cesis.

The Meeting was hosted by Mr Gints Skenders Chairman of the Cecis City Council who gave a talk about the City’s historic past, and then treated his honoured guests to a guided tour of the Cesus Medieval Castle where actors gave a demonstration of what life would have been like hundreds of years ago. The Master of the Livonian Order, Wolter Von Pletenberg was also present and gave a talk about past events through the centuries that had taken place there. The Master hosted a Medieval Banquet and a good time was had by all.

A Reception was held at Riga Castle in the Hall of Coats Of Arms, Hosted by H.E. Valdis Zatlers, President Of Latvia and his charming wife Lilita. Mr Howard Pym was present along with a great many Honorary Consuls from around the World. Cocktails were served in the beautiful castle grounds while the group listened to a speech made by His Excellency, The President, about foreign affairs and the help given to Latvia by its Consuls.

Howard Pym meets the President of Latvia mr Valdis Zatlers

Mr Howard J Pym Honorary Consul of Latvia Pictured together The President Of Latvia Mr Valdis Zatlers and his beautiful wife Lilita during a reception to mark the 4^th Meeting of Honorary Consuls in Riga.

Some good resources

Latvian Tourism

latvia

Howard Pym attended the 4th meeting of Honorary Consuls in Riga on the 3rd and 4th of July

2008-09-02T14:36:00.000-07:00

Mr Howard James Pym, Honorary Consul Of Latvia attended the 4^th meeting of Honorary Consuls in Riga on the 3^rd and 4^th of July.

Mr Howard J Pym Honorary Consul of Latvia Pictured above (1st from right 2nd row), together with His Excellency Ivars Godmanis Prime Minister of Latvia( pictured with the light coloured suit to the front of the picture) together with Latvias Consuls of the World.

More than 130 Honorary Consuls representing 80 Country’s were present. Under heavy security from both the Police Force and Special Services the group were able to visit the beautiful cultural and historic city of Valmera.

The present day Valmera is the biggest city of Vidzeme with bustling economic life, rich traditions of culture and sports, and appealing landscape.

Welcomed by the Mayor Mr Inesis Bokis, and members of the City Council the group were invited to inspect the Vidzeme University College and its integrated Library, followed by visits to two factories manufacturing both milk products and Fibre Glass insulation, after which the group were invited for lunch at the Valmera Drama Theatre Café before joining the cavalcade for the return journey to Riga.

A Very Hot Day In Sierra Leonne

2008-08-05T05:39:00.000-07:00

I was traveling a long distance with my friend Janis and a
couple of his pals.

We were driving from Freetown to Kenema. To meet with a
local chief. Approximately 4 hours into the trip, traveling
in very hot and dusty conditions, we came upon a crossroads,
and to our delight saw a lady sitting on the floor with some
pineapples at her side.

Sierra Leonne Stories

We stopped quickly and asked her if the pineapples were for
sale. she answered yes.
We bought a couple and asked if she would kindly prepair them
as we were going to eat them there and then.

It was not long before a large group of children came running
to us. As usual I returned to our jeep and produced a box with
some magic tricks inside. I started to play some of my little
tricks for the children, when i felt a tugging on my trouser leg.
It was a tiny little girl just old enough to walk. I picked
the little girl up in my arms and started to feed her with
a little pineapple.

Sierra Leonne Children

By this time a larger crowd had gathered and there was a lot
of noise and laughing . Within a few moments a police man
came to me and asked if i would like to keep the little  girl.
I replied no, the baby belongs with its mummy. I then asked
the policeman why a mother would want to give up her child to
a complete stranger, his reply was ~

To give the little girl a better chance in life than she could
give it herself.

It some times makes me sad to think that so many of us have
so much when others have so little. Sierra Leone needs all
our help. There are many people all over the world in the
same position as that lady. We all want the best for our children.

Sierra Leonne Little Boy

Howard Pym Makes Lancashire Pensioner Very Happy

2008-06-21T23:16:00.000-07:00

An amazing story written by Sonja Astbury, Education Reporter for the Lancashire Evening post, who have kindly given us permission to use this article.

A high school’s links with the West African nation of Sierra Leone have led to an emotional reunion for a Lancashire pensioner.

Jack Ainscough, 71, has been presented with photographs of the grave of his eldest brother, Ronald (pictured below), who died at the age of 19 during World War Two.

He had lost treasured photographs of his brother’s final resting place in Sierra Leone after his mother died several years ago.

Leading motor mechanic Ronald Ainscough was the eldest of five children and landed in Sierra Leone in 1944 aboard HMS Kilmalcolm. He died of malaria.

The serviceman’s grave was tracked down by three people from Albany Science College in Chorley.

Paul Ratcliffe, a lab technician, science teacher Belinda Baybutt and local man Howard Pym each provided a link in the chain of events leading up to the grave’s discovery.

Mr Ainscough, of Mill Street, Adlington, near Chorley, said: “I was walking the dog with Paul one day when he told me about Albany sending off shoeboxes full of gifts to Sierra Leone.

“I told him I had a brother buried there and that the only photographs the family had of the grave had been lost when my mother died eight years ago.”

Mr Ratcliffe tracked down the grave on the Internet and passed the information on to Mrs Baybutt who, in turn, asked Mr Pym, the school’s link with Sierra Leone, if he could locate the grave on his next visit to the country.

Mr Pym, of Charnock Richard, is Britain’s honorary Latvian Consulate and does a lot of work for overseas aid.

Mrs Baybutt said: “Howard was due to leave for Sierra Leone with another consignment the next day so there wasn’t time to pinpoint the exact location of the grave.”

Mr Pym added: “The hardest part was locating the cemetery because not many people know about it.It took about three days but I found the grave in perfect condition, overlooking the ocean and maintained to the highest standards even though it is in such a poor and sometimes dangerous place.”

He told Mr Ainscough: “I can only say that your brother is lost but not forgotten.”

Mr Ainscough added: “I can’t tell you what it means to have these photographs. I’m just so grateful to everyone involved for making it possible.”

Sierra Leone served as a staging post and housed military bases during the Second World War. Aircraft destined for the Middle East and the North African front flew via West Africa and were serviced there.

Ships bound for India and the east, unable to use the Suez Canal, had to sail round the Cape and were serviced and loaded with supplies at West African ports.

End Of Main Newspaper Article

Howard Pym commented, ” I was delighted to have helped in the search for the grave of Mr Ainscough. I also wish to thank my friend in Freetown, Koyema for all his help in locating Mr Ainscough’s resting place in King Tom Cemetary, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

It was quite an emotional time for me when we first found the gravestone, as it was for Mr Jack Ainscough when I presented him with the photographs.

To all those people lost in war around the world and also those lost in the terrible civil war that ravaged Sierra Leone, I wish to add these few words. You may all be lost, but no one is ever forgotten”

Howard Pym Meets Vaira Vike-Freiberga. The President of Latvia

2008-06-16T17:10:00.000-07:00

Howard Pym In the company of Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the president of Latvia.

Howard Pym Celebrates 4 Years As Honorary Consul Of Latvia

2008-06-15T15:17:00.000-07:00

Howard James Pym, who lives in Lancashire, England, was made honorary consul to the Kingdom of Latvia in August 2004. Mr Pym said he couldn't believe how fast the time had gone by and that it felt like yesterday when he was first honored with the position of honorary consul to the Kingdom of Latvia.
The picture below shows Mr Howard Pym and Mr Brian Twist posing for the press outside Mr Pym's gates.

Howard Pym Invited To Police Horse & Dog Demonstration

2008-06-15T14:40:00.000-07:00

Animal 'Officers' Work Their Magic

Howard Pym with a party of dignitaries were treated to an amazing display of dog and horse skills on a visit to Lancashire's police headquarters.

The party included Chorley MP :indsay Hoyle, Coun Cath Hoyle, Lord Hoyle and of course, the Honorary Consul for the Republic of Latvia, Howard Pym. who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Pauline Pym.

Animal welfare co-ordinators Brian Twist and Lesley Jones welcomed the group to the Hutton base.

Mr Twist said : " It was a comprehensive tour of the HQ. First of all they visited the mounted branch and were welcomed by Sgt Tony Critchley who explained the training and duties of a mounted officer.

They watched officers and their horses in the training arena, followed by a video showing the teamwork of officers and horses on active duty on the streets.

We saw the methods they use for training such as patrolling crowds at football matches and concerts. It's amazing to see how the mounted branch has advanced since it started."

Intensive

From there, the group was introduced to Sgt Phil Kenyon and Insp Robin Howard who explained the intensive training required before a dog becomes a fully operational working dog.

He said: " The dogs showed everyone how they chase criminals and how they can disarm someone carrying a gun. They also did a practice run finding drugs and explosives."

The animal welfare department has been established by the police authority which has an independent panel who regularly do spot checks on the dogs and horses at various venues throughout the divisions.

Howard Pym Honorary Consul Of Latvia For Manchester