News

Alan Huckle, the next Governor appointed for Anguilla will not be wearing the traditional uniform on ceremonial occasions. The gleaming white attire, complete with sword, helmet and plume of swan feathers among other regalia, is now a thing of the past. The British Government has no interest in the pomp and circumstance surrounding the colonial outfit and has not been paying the cost for the dress. That cost, probably in the region of three thousand pounds, has been left for the Governments of the Overseas Territories or the Governors themselves to pay.

A Major Disaster Tabletop Exercise took place at Police Headquarters in Anguilla on Wednesday, March 31st. The first of its kind on the island, the event involved the participation of personnel from the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Police Force, Customs, Immigration, Wallblake Airport, Fire and Security Departments.

Cable and Wireless in Anguilla has been the main sponsor of the Inter-House Athletic Competition of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School for the sixth consecutive year.

The European Commission is providing 8 million Euros under the 9th European Development Fund (EDF) to Anguilla for the development of the island’s air transport sector. The balance of previous unspent EDF funds of 0.29 million Euros will also be available for this project.

The Optimist Club of Anguilla has donated EC$5,000 to the Anguilla Aids Foundation to assist with its work on the island.

A marketing consultant who fell in love with Anguilla, its people and way of life when he first visited the island in 1997, is confident that he can attract large numbers of Puerto Rican visitors to the island. He is Guillermo Pino, Anguilla’s newly-appointed Tourism Representative there. “It’s a perfect market because it is so close yet so distant,” he said. “If you are from Puerto Rico, coming here would be perfect because you will get away from traffic, noise and work, yet you are so close to home.”

A press conference at Callaloo Villas and the Angulla Yacht Club at Cul de Sac linked up to artistes in the United States was told that the 14th annual Moonsplash Music Festival here April 1-4 will be a grand affair.

Cable and Wireless has donated US$2,150.00 in sponsorship funds on behalf of Malone Richardson, a participant in the Carifta Games in Bermuda.

Authorities in Anguilla have made a determined effort towards protecting the island and making it a safe place for all of its citizens, residents and visitors. It is a three-some commitment involving the cooperation of the Police, Customs and Immigration. The partnership agreement is considered to be a big leap forward in guaranteeing the island’s security. It is set out in a Memorandum of Understanding which was signed on Wednesday, March 10, by the heads of the agencies. The signatories were Commissioner of Police Keithly Benjamin, Acting Comptroller of Customs, Glen Hodge, and Chief Immigration Officer, Ensor Gumbs. The signing was witnessed at Police Headquarters by Governor Peter Johnstone and Minister of Finance, Victor Banks.
The Mission Statement of the Memorandum of Understanding is to combat drug trafficking, smuggling of illicit substances, contraband and illegal immigrants, money laundering and terrorism.

“I am very excited about it and jazz is growing tremendously in Anguilla because of other promoters being involved,” said Valentin Davis. He was commenting on the upcoming Anguilla Jazz Festival which he will be presenting along with his friend and world top-rated steel pan player, Neville York.

Lionel Hodge, 43, died at the Princess Alexandra Hospital on Monday March 8, after he was struck by a backhoe on the Blowing Point Road. The accident occurred between 3:50 and 4:00 pm.

The new road from Blowing Point to Little Harbour has been completed and the six sections of road that were damaged in Hurricane Lenny have now been rehabilitated.

With the recent announcement by Government that an interim solution to the expansion of Wallblake Airport had been arrived at, it is now anticipated that construction work will begin next month.

Surgeon at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Anguilla, Dr. Marjorie Yee-Sing, has warned persons on the island to watch the fatty and greasy foods they are eating. “One of the major concerns here in Anguilla is the number of patients that I have seen with gall bladder disease, and that has a direct impact on the amount of operations we are doing for that particular disease as patients are referred to me when they have that disease and I have to do an operation on them,” she stated. The highly-respected Jamaican-born surgeon made the comments in an interview with The Anguillian.

Thirty-two middle management public servants drawn from throughout the public service, and divided into groups of 16 over two separate days this week, had a most enjoyable learning experience. The interactive sessions, held at Paradise Cove, involved lectures and group discussions which were described as inspiring and most effective.

Police Commissioner Keithly Benjamin says despite difficulties in dealing with certain matters, officers of the Force are still relatively upbeat in carrying out their duties and are determined to crack the criminal cases at hand.

As the Anglican Church observes the traditional Lenten Season, commemorating the passion of Jesus, 14 paintings of the journey to Calvary have been dedicated at St. Andrew’s, Island Harbour.

The Anguilla Red Cross Committee appears to be on a path of rejuvenation to make its presence and service greater felt on the island.

In a brief but impressive ceremony at Government House, Miss Irma Elizabeth Richardson of Long Bay was presented with the Insignia of the Most Excellent Order of Member of the British Empire (MBE).

The Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which at last appears to be making its voice heard, may soon achieve some substantial inroads into the island’s economic development. Motivated by an active Board of Directors and a hard-working Executive Director, chamber body, through its new Business Development Centre, is taking a hard look ahead. It is examining ways and means in which it may help in the continuing effort in moving the island forward and training its entrepreneurs and other people to meet the coming challenges.