Post by: gunug on June 24, 2008, 10:46:31 AM
QUOTE
Hill, 65, has lived in the Shetland Islands on the edge of the Atlantic since 2001, when his boat capsized there during an unsuccessful attempted to circumnavigate Britain.
He is Forvik's only resident, and his home is a tent on the storm-battered island. He says on his website that he plans to create Forvik's own currency -- the "gulde" -- print his own stamps and raise his own flag.
"There will be no income tax, VAT (value added tax), council tax, corporation tax, or any of the other taxes instituted by the British government," Hill wrote.
Hill's claim dates back to a 15th century arrangement between the Norwegian King Christian and King James III of Scotland when the Shetland Islands were effectively pawned to King James in lieu of a marriage dowry.
According to Hill's studies of the history of the island, in 1669 King Charles II re-confirmed Shetland's status at the time of the pawning, meaning the islands remained directly answerable to the crown -- represented today by the Queen.
"The monarchs and governments of Scotland, and Great Britain and the United Kingdom have for many years assumed powers over these islands of Shetland to which they were not entitled," he wrote.
"By declaring Forvik a crown dependency I am simply re-establishing the correct legal relationship between this part of Shetland and the crown.
Hill said he had written to the Queen offering his services as "steward" and recognising her as head of state.
"I also invite anyone from any country in the world, who supports these aims, namely to become free of liars, thieves and tyrants in government, to become a citizen of Forvik," he added.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080621/od_uk_...nd_independence
He is Forvik's only resident, and his home is a tent on the storm-battered island. He says on his website that he plans to create Forvik's own currency -- the "gulde" -- print his own stamps and raise his own flag.
"There will be no income tax, VAT (value added tax), council tax, corporation tax, or any of the other taxes instituted by the British government," Hill wrote.
Hill's claim dates back to a 15th century arrangement between the Norwegian King Christian and King James III of Scotland when the Shetland Islands were effectively pawned to King James in lieu of a marriage dowry.
According to Hill's studies of the history of the island, in 1669 King Charles II re-confirmed Shetland's status at the time of the pawning, meaning the islands remained directly answerable to the crown -- represented today by the Queen.
"The monarchs and governments of Scotland, and Great Britain and the United Kingdom have for many years assumed powers over these islands of Shetland to which they were not entitled," he wrote.
"By declaring Forvik a crown dependency I am simply re-establishing the correct legal relationship between this part of Shetland and the crown.
Hill said he had written to the Queen offering his services as "steward" and recognising her as head of state.
"I also invite anyone from any country in the world, who supports these aims, namely to become free of liars, thieves and tyrants in government, to become a citizen of Forvik," he added.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080621/od_uk_...nd_independence
I'm not sure a government can exist without liars, thieves and tyrants; well at least I've never heard of one!
I also like his nickname in this other article:
QUOTE
Mr Hill, originally from Manningtree, Essex, settled on the island after his failed solo attempt in 2001 to circumnavigate Britain in a home-made boat - earning the 'Captain Calamity' name - capsized west of the Shetland islands, the UK's most northerly island group.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/215...nd-islands.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/215...nd-islands.html
Post by: Gregg on June 24, 2008, 11:31:22 AM
Post by: gunug on June 24, 2008, 12:10:01 PM
Post by: Frances144 on June 24, 2008, 01:00:49 PM
No one is taking him very seriously.
Good luck to him, I say.
Post by: Highmac on June 24, 2008, 01:07:03 PM
Apparently midwinter can be bleak and very cold. This comes as a surprise to me. Can you confirm that Frances?
Post by: Frances144 on June 24, 2008, 01:53:50 PM
Post by: Paddy on June 25, 2008, 11:41:56 AM
http://shetlandconversation.squarespace.com/forvik/
So...if he lives in a tent on an otherwise uninhabited island, presumably without any electrical service, water etc., how does he manage a web site and answer email?
Post by: Frances144 on June 25, 2008, 11:53:22 AM
Post by: Xairbusdriver on June 25, 2008, 05:29:38 PM
QUOTE
how does he manage a web site and answer email?
Solar, wind and/or ocean wave powered satellite, of course! Paddy, that's the trouble with you guys on the other side of the great lakes, you don't think 'outside the box' enough!
Post by: Gregg on June 26, 2008, 07:13:11 AM
It's a small area.
QUOTE(Frances144 @ Jun 25 2008, 01:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hopefully with the power of my wifi BluTooth wireless network thingy, I should be able to locate my work from 800 miles away!