News

Minister of Social Development, Evans M. Rogers, says there will be changes in the way the Anguilla Health Authority is carrying out its duties.
He made the statement as he addressed the Second Quarterly Review meeting for 2007, held at Paradise Cove Resort on July 27, at which the members of a new Board of Directors, under the chairmanship of former Director of Health Services, Dr. Franklin Lloyd, was announced.

Anguillian Giordan Connor, now a highly qualified university graduate, is a fine example of how an ambitious young man, who started out as a footballer, can make it to the top of the ladder in education through sheer hard work and dedication.

Two separate efforts taking a number of years to successfully amend and modernise the Anguilla Constitution have gone to naught, with the latest one being rejected with a call for full internal self-government and the postponement of a visit on Monday this week by a British delegation in relation to constitutional reform.

Members of the newly-installed Government on the French side of St. Martin paid a courtesy call on the Anguilla Government on Wednesday, July 25. They were welcomed by Acting Chief Minister Victor Banks on behalf of the Hon. Osbourne Fleming, who left the island on his way to the United States. There he will be undergoing follow-up medical checks now that his kidney transplant operation was done a year ago.

The Negotiating Team set up by the Anguilla Government appears to be on a firm footing in preparation for the upcoming talks with the British Government on the island’s future constitutional status.

Adventists and persons from other religious denominations in Anguilla crowded the Shimei Tabernacle at Long Bay where a ceremonial service of thanksgiving was held last Saturday, July 14, to mark the 75th Anniversary of Adventism on the island.

The Anguilla Chamber of Commerce  has won the award for “ Best Project from a Chamber of a Developing Country and became 2nd finalist in the category “ Best Membership Recruitment Project at the World Chambers of Commerce Competition.

The Mega-yacht Marina to be constructed as an integral part of the further development of Altamer Resort is to be the first of its kind in Anguilla and is expected to be a facility with great tourism potential for the island, attracting the rich and famous.

Five university-trained musicians from the United States along with two music teachers from Anguilla, Kimba Southwell and Lennox Vanterpool, with support from the Tourist Board, are conducting a two-week training camp for some 80 young people in Anguilla.

Cara Webster-Connor, a young Anguillian woman, has distinguished herself in the field of law by obtaining a first class honours degree from the University of East London where she spent three years. This is considered a rare achievement and, in Cara’s case, it is an even more astounding success. It was only after leaving the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School that she was able to do her CXC ordinary and advanced level subjects and while employed to run errands for lawyers.

It was just a week on Tuesday, July 3, after the first demonstrations on June 26 and 27 that the protests flared up again. This time the situation appeared more explosive. Much to the relief of all concerned, however, a new agreement to end the crisis was announced as twilight settled over the Government Secretariat compound where hundreds of Indian workers and sympathising Anguillians had converged.
Last week’s demonstrations in The Valley saw a number of Anguillians expressing support for the Indians who complained that they could not live on US$180 per month; that they had concerns about food and water and that many of them were sick and needed medical attention. The support of the Anguillians this week was likewise very strong.

The decision of the Police in Anguilla to stop a demonstration by Indian construction workers, walking to the Valley in protest of their cause, turned into an ugly situation on Tuesday, July 3.

The Valley Primary School, lacking an auditorium, took its 17th Graduation Ceremony to the Church of God (Holiness) on Monday evening, where a capacity crowd, mostly parents, were in attendance.

Over 200 migrant workers showed up on the lawn of the Post Office to meet with the Labour Commissioner on Tuesday, June 26 at 1:00 p.m. In an event that has been unprecedented in Anguilla, the public and migrant workers are alleging that the Viceroy Project is being involved in human trafficking and human rights violations. In a press release made by Viceroy, it read, “It is the policy of Viceroy Resorts and Residences to hold its contractors responsible for adhering to best employment practices, and we have already launched our own probe into this matter.” A large number of workers came in various groups with the first arriving at the Labour Commissioner’s Office. They were immediately seen while the others stayed below under the tree at the Post Office. In the meantime, another contingent of workers were reportedly walking to The Valley but were stopped on Back Street by members of the Royal Anguillian Police Force.

In a ceremony held Tuesday, June 26, many people were invited to attend the Laying of the Cornerstone for the construction of the West End Branch of the National Bank of Anguilla. The function was attended by prominent members of the community such as HE The Governor Mr. Andrew George, Ministers of Government, and the Honourable Attorney General Mr. Wilhelm Bourne. The ceremony was chaired by NBA’s Commercial Credit Officer Ms. Marslyn Richardson. The invocation was given by Mrs. Christine Fleming, the proprietor of Christine’s Minimart. Mrs. Fleming was one of many Anguillian business people honoured at the ceremony as pioneers in the business and have made Anguilla proud with their endeavours. They are also faithful customers of NBA and were honoured throughout the proceedings.

This year’s ATA summer tennis camp will have a distinctly different feel from all preceding years. Firstly, the entire three weeks of camp will be at the same location, at the brand new state of the art facility in Blowing Point. Secondly, a new mentoring initiative has been put in place whereby players in the older “tournament” group will act as assistant coaches for the younger kids. Equally, by having all the kids at one location, it means we can keep our entire staff of coaches from all over the world at one place, where their eclectic teaching knowledge and experience can be shared amongst their peers, allowing an atmosphere of tennis excellence to prevail in a way which has been impossible up until this point.

Flags of the island shot in the air and shouts echoed in the large ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Miami, Florida, as the Anguilla National Culinary Team not just achieved a Silver Medal in the Taste of the Caribbean Competition, but swept on to the finals. It was the first time in ten years that an Anguillian team accomplished such a feat in a contest that was both intense and exciting.

This week was indeed full of excitement with the arrival of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave Ruler to Anguilla. According to information on their official website, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service (RFA) is a civilian manned fleet, owned by the Ministry of Defence. Its main task is to supply warships of the Royal Navy at sea with fuel, food, stores and ammunition which they need to remain operational while away from base. It also provides aviation support for the Royal Navy, together with amphibious support and secure sea transport for Army units and their equipment. Yet, as more information was provided by the Commanding Officer Captain George Jarvis at a press conference at Police Headquarters, it was made clear that the Wave Ruler and RFA have many other roles as well.

The Anguilla Beautification Club (ABC) wants to see all the communities and neighbourhoods of the island areas of exquisite charm and attraction and with a high degree of cleanliness befitting its marketing as an upscale tourism destination.

Margaret Hughes (Muggie), a caring and community-conscious resident at Blowing Point, has been the recipient of a plaque from the Ministry of Social Development for her caring love for, and assistance to, a sick young man of the village over a period of 23 years.