THE ISLES OF S

CILLY

B Y BI L

LY AN D H

A Y D N

The Isles of Scilly form an archipelago off the southwestern tip of the Cornish peninsula of Great Britain.

WH THE WHALES CAME Two children named Gracie Jenkins and Daniel

Pender are best friends living on the island of Bryher. They enjoy sailing wooden boats that they make off the numerous beaches but the tide carrys their favorite one across to a forbidden bay. This is the home of a local hermit nicknamed the Birdman, who all the children are forbidden to go near and who none of the adults trust. This is partly due to him being born on a nearby island named Samson which all locals avoid as they say it is cursed. On stormy cloudy nights he goes over to Samson and can be seen sending lantern signals out to sea.

Although the Isles of Scilly are still part of the ceremonial county of Cornwall, and some services have been combined with those of Cornwall, since 1890 the islands have had a separate local authority. Since the passing of the Isles of Scilly Order 1930, this authority has had the status of a county council and today is known as the Council of the Isles of Scilly. The adjective "Scillonian" is sometimes used for people or things related to the archipelago. The Duchy of Cornwall owns most of the freehold land on the islands. Tourism is a major part of the local economy, along with farming and agriculture. Natural England has designated the Isles of Scilly as National Character Area 158.