News

Ever so often people ask why did Anguilla secede from St. Kitts. The reasons given are always clear. Here now is part of a research document, which should provide an even clearer picture.

While the rest of the Caribbean goes about its normal business, Anguilla is taking time off over the coming days to celebrate the 37th Anniversary of its 1967 Revolution in which it broke ties with St. Kitts-Nevis.

Anguilla’s new Governor, Alan Edden Huckle, and his wife, Helen, arrived on the island on Thursday May 27. They were welcomed at Wallblake Airport by members of the House of Assembly and other officials.

The resignation on May 4 of Albert Hughes, Elected Representative for West End, from the Anguilla United Movement (AUM) which had two members in the House of Assembly, has led to the withdrawal of his support from his long-standing colleague, Opposition Leader Hubert Hughes.

Miss Hazel Shermel Gumbs, an outstanding young Anguillian scholar, graduated Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with two degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, from Howard University in Washington DC on 8th May 2004.

Plans are under consideration in Anguilla for the establishment of a Joint Fire Service with domestic and airport components. The aim is to create a new Government department and to identify its organisational structure, staffing requirements and training needs.

After almost five and a half years of service to Anguilla, advertisers and subscribers everywhere, The Anguillian has begun a process of change aimed at enhancing its image and meeting the demands of the times.

Anguilla is the host island for the current 44th National Organisation Membership Mid-Year Meeting of the West Indies Junior Chamber of Jaycees.

The Anguilla Tourist Board and its newly-appointed Marketing Director in the United States, Marie Walker, have embarked on a very ambitious programme of increasing occupancy levels in Anguilla from 45 to 65 percent. Director of Tourism, Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch, alluded to this earlier in the week at a breakfast press briefing with a group of US travel agents at Tasty’s Café. She stated that one of the initiatives was a Travel Agents Tour Programme which was being referred to as The Alluring Anguilla Experience. It is hoped that through this effort the agents brought to the island would find it to be beyond their expectations and would be able to better sell the destination and subscribe to the new brand for Anguilla – Feeling is Believing.

After more than 20 years as a member of the Anguilla United Movement, which has been in Government twice and is now in opposition, Albert Hughes of West End, has resigned from the party. He has accused the Executive of casting him aside for another candidate in next year’s elections and vows he will contest the seat for the last time because his people would like him to represent them again. But in a letter the party’s executive has swiftly rebuked him for his claims.

Anne Edwards, who has 29 years of outstanding service in the field of education, went on pre-retirement leave this week, her last post being Deputy Principal at Campus B at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School.

Ripples Dart Club and friends held a raffle to raise funds for 12-year- old Jason Richardson of West End who has to undergo open heart surgery. Funds raised amounted to US$2000.00 which Jacquie Ruan, owner of Ripples, handed to Rolf Masshardt of La Sirena Hotel on Tuesday May 11.

Anguilla, where tourism plays a major role in the economy, has joined other Caribbean islands in expanding airport facilities to meet the demands for larger aircraft and to accommodate increasing numbers of travellers. Preliminary work has now commenced on the expansion of Wallblake Airport to 5400 feet with extensions both to the east and to the west. The US$20.7 million project falls short of 600 feet to the east, following the failure of Government so far to acquire the needed land.

Five privately-owned buildings were demolished this week as preliminary work on the expansion of Wallblake Airport continued. Two of the buildings were owned by Leslie Brooks and Conrad Bradley in the Long Ground area. They will now be replaced elsewhere by Government.

Some 135 workers and 40 sub-contractors employed on the golf course project by Flag Luxury Properties, demonstrated outside the Government Secretariat on Wednesday.

When the profiles of Anguillians noted for their indomitable courage and dedicated service are written, the Honourable Eric Leith Reid will stand out among them. The long-serving and highly-respected Minister of Social Development has added a new chapter to his contribution to Anguilla, the people of the island and to his own life. Known for his resilience and steadfast faith, he has adjusted quickly to the difficulty of losing his vision and on Wednesday this week, April 14, resumed his ministerial duties after an absence of about four months.

Flags flew at half-mast in Anguilla this week as a mark of respect for the passing of Jeremiah Gumbs, one of the most influential and dedicated patriots to grace his native island; and on Thursday he was laid to rest at the Sandy Ground Cemetery but the memory of him will live on for many years to come.

The Judgment by High Court Judge Justice Davidson Kelvin Baptiste in the case brought by the Lakes against the Anguilla Government, regarding its move to acquire 26 acres of land for the extension of Wallblake Airport, was handed down on Monday, April 5. The 37-page ruling was read by the Anguilla-based Judge Justice Janice Creque.

Anguilla Drugstore Owner/Manager, Olive Hodge, MBE, has qualified for pension under the island’s Social Security system having reached the age of 65 on March 9 and having been a faithful contributor to the fund.

Twenty-five students from the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School in Anguilla and other young people from St. Lucia, St. Vincent and St. Kitts, began a three-day Healthy Lifestyles Workshop here on Tuesday.