News

Professionals in the public and private sectors in Anguilla crowded the new b-mobile store at Cable and Wireless on Tuesday, July 12, for a presentation on an advanced technological system called BlackBerry designed “to make life easier.”

Over forty employees mainly in the tourism industry were presented with certificates following their completion of various human resource development courses held in Anguilla. The awards ceremony took place at the conference room of the Anguilla Tourist Board on Tuesday, July 5.

The Anguilla chefs who competed in the Taste of the Caribbean competition, at the Hyatt Regency in Miami on Tuesday, June 29th, did quite well. They won the award for the most “innovative Caribbean menu” to the applause of their cheerleaders. In the overall competition they received a Silver Award.

General Manager of Cap Juluca Resort in Anguilla, Eustace Guishard, is the recipient of the 2005 prestigious Caribbean Hotelier of the Year Award called the Golden Conch Award.

According to Mr. Darwin Hazell, Principal of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School, seventy-five percent of the sixth form students were qualified to graduate on Tuesday 28th June, 2005. The graduation ceremony took place at the Teachers’ Resource Centre.

One day, the Fountain Cavern, a ceremonial place of worship for the early inhabitants of Anguilla and their visiting Amerindian friends from neighbouring islands, may become one of the most preserved and developed tourist attractions in the region. It will also be remembered as a place when the more modern inhabitants braved the steep decline to fetch buckets of water from the fresh springs on the floor of the coral cave at Shoal Bay North.

More than 100 young people, fresh from completing their final exams at the Comprehensive School, attended the Second Annual School Leavers Seminar at the House of Chandeliers on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

The Anguilla Electricity Company (ANGLEC) has embarked on a number of projects aimed at ensuring that the utility keeps ahead of the high demand for electricity, which is being caused by several projects now under construction.

On Monday, June 13, Governor and Mrs. Alan Huckle took on the double task of hosting a mass reception and a flag ceremony on the grounds of Government House, the Queen Birthday Parade at the Ronald Webster Park having been put aside this year. The parade usually follows close on the heels of Anguilla Day when Anguillians celebrate the island’s May 30, 1967 Revolution.

A two-day Occupational Health and Safety Workshop has emphasised a call for a system whereby workers who sustain injuries on the job can receive certain compensatory benefits.

Acting Chief Minister, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Victor Banks, told a large gathering that Government has to stagger the implementation of various projects or risk a massive importation of labour. He was at the time delivering an address at the Anguilla Day celebrations at the Ronald Webster Park on Monday, May 30.

The High Court began sitting in Anguilla on Thursday, June 2, in its criminal jurisdiction.

A new school building is being proposed for Island Harbour. This was one of the matters discussed there between a team of Government Ministers, other officials and teachers this week.

As Anguilla observes the 38th Anniversary of its 1967 Revolution, which resulted in a considerable amount of economic growth and transformation, Government representatives and the people are discussing the biggest proposed development project so far which is now heading for approval. It is the Junks Hole Estate Tourism Project which, when completed, will double the present number of hotel rooms on the island.

The passage of a Bill for The Mutual Legal Assistance (Tax Matters) Act, 2005 was delayed in the Anguilla House of Assembly on Tuesday, May 24, following strong objections by two members. The draft legislation was however taken back to the House on Thursday afternoon, May 26, for further consideration.

At the end of the Cable and Wireless-sponsored 17th Annual Primary School Spelling B Competition on Tuesday night, May 17, Stoney Ground School emerged with an almost perfect record winning 39 out of a total of 40 points. The school, which came second last year, thus won the championship trophy held by Valley Primary and was awarded the first prize of US$1,000.

Anguilla is to benefit from the posting of Mr Roger Bellers, Disaster Management Adviser for the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, to Anguilla for one year. He is the adviser for all the Overseas Territories and has visited many of them. He was recently in the Turks and Caicos Islands for more than two years and prior to that in the British Virgin Islands.

An oral health survey conducted in Anguilla shows that there is a need to strengthen the island’s dental services by implementing a stronger prevention programme particularly for children.

As the need for better qualified persons in the public and private sectors of Anguilla increases, a considerable amount of interest has been shown in new opportunities for higher education being introduced on the island.

With the fast pace of development on the island and the increasing need for a dedicated and satisfied workforce, the Anguilla Government is making an aggressive effort to ensure that the working environment between employers and employees is a smooth and cooperative experience.