Local News

Digicel Anguilla’s ‘Key to your Fortune’ promotion is off to an exciting start with $500 weekly winners and the first $1,000 winner.

The Caribbean Commercial Bank, now celebrating its 30th Anniversary, has been commended for taking time to offer thanksgiving to God for its existence and for being able to provide a series of well-needed services and support for the people of Anguilla.

The impressive, well-organised and highly-patronised Comprehensive Learning Centre at North Hill has won the financial assistance of Cable & Wireless as part of the telecommunication company’s support for education.

The Anguilla Great House now has an international hairstylist at the service of guests and local customers. The highly-qualified beautician is Sharnez Johnson who was born in India but grew up in Africa.

Friday, November 3, 2006, will go down in the annals of Anguilla’s history as the date when the island’s first ever golf course, destined to be one of the world’s finest, was officially opened. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, set for 7.30 a.m., kicks off the inaugural Marquis Jet-Temenos Golf Club Invitational, the proceeds of which will benefit the Anguilla Children’s Fund. The ceremony has been arranged to take place at the 10th hole of the Golf Club at the St. Regis Resort & Residences.

A further step towards the establishment of a tertiary education institution in Anguilla was taken on Tuesday, October 31, with the ceremonial opening and dedication of a Community College Development Unit. The facility is housed in the Cannonball Building on the Airport Road which was used over the years for certain private sector services.

Steve Bryan, who was awaiting a re-trial on a charge of murder in the case of Jamida Webster, and was a remand prisoner at Her Majesty’s Prison in Anguilla, has died at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

In the coming weeks the Health Authority of Anguilla (HAA) will be embarking on perhaps the most significant undertaking in its short history. Chairperson of the Board, Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks, put this into perspective when she addressed the opening ceremony of the Third Quarterly Review meeting on October 26 at Paradise Cove Resort.

Training is part of the main focus of CuisinArt Resort & Spa for the 2006/2007 tourism season. This is according to General Manager Stephane Zaharia, who said it was also the focus of the hotel last year but will now be increased.

One of the immediate matters which have come to the attention of Governor Andrew George is the fact that male teachers in Anguilla are on the decline. This was noticeable during his familiarisation visits to the primary schools this week and last week.

The National Bank of Anguilla Limited has climaxed a long series of activities with the launching of a special 20th Anniversary Commemorative Magazine. It admirably covers the period 1985-2005 detailing the establishment of the Bank and its successful operations.

The Social Security System in Anguilla observed its 24th Anniversary this week with a series of activities. The week began with the Director, Board and Staff Members attending the divine service at the Central Baptist Church on Sunday, October 29.

Anguilla’s 18 hole Miniature Golf and more… entertainment complex opened the new season with a Halloween Costume Party for children of all ages this past Sunday. Complete with a spooky House, ghosts, goblins and scary music, Play-a-Round was transformed into a thrilling Halloween Bonanza for the 75 or more costumed children with their parents who also attended to cheer on their “Goblins and Princesses” in the First Annual Anguilla Costume Contest and Party.

After 37 years of continuous commitment, Kenn Banks has proceeded on pre-retirement leave from the Anguilla Public Service. Tuesday, October 31, was his last working day. He will be celebrating his 55th birthday later this month when his colleagues will be holding a big farewell party for him.

The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court is celebrating its 40th Anniversary of the Court. In commemoration of these events, each of the nine member states and territories which include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Montserrat St. Lucia, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, will host various events in each State from November 2006 to February 2007.

Paradise Cove Resort in Anguilla is the venue this week for a four-day Regional Customer Service Workshop for Frontline and Management Staff of Social Security Institutions. The workshop, under the theme “Exceeding Expectations with Service Excellence”, was sponsored by the Anguilla Social Security Board and the Inter-American Conference on Social Security.

The Anguilla Development Board (ADB) is again in a substantial position to provide a good amount of financing for many persons on the island. A loan of US$5 million, the equivalent of EC$13.5 million, has just been announced by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The money is to finance agriculture, industry and commerce projects, medium and small enterprise projects, mortgage financing projects and student loans. These are critical areas in which many low-income persons find difficulty in accessing the normal lending institutions, according to Anguilla’s Minister of Finance, Victor Banks.

PRESS STATEMENT

Anguilla National Tourism Investment Limited (ANTIL) and Auberge-Firesky LLC, signed a Heads of Agreement on Friday October 20th, 2006 for a joint venture to purchase, improve and expand Cap Juluca’s facilities. ANTIL is an Anguillian company that represents the interest and aspirations of the people of Anguilla and in particular the management and staff, to participate in the ownership of Cap Juluca.

The newly-formed local company, Anguilla National Tourism Investment Limited (ANTIL), and the US company, Auberge-Firesky LLC, developers and operators of unique luxury five-star boutique hotels, have signed a Heads of Agreement to promote tourism development on the island.

Thirty years have come quickly for Pastor John Gumbs, his associates and congregation, but it is really a long time for the Sovereign Grace Baptist Church at George Hill, Anguilla, to have survived its varied challenges and to be pressing on.