Local News

The Following is the text of a radio Broadcast by Chief Minister Hubert Hughes delivered on Monday evening' December 5.

The soggy grounds at Government House, on Saturday, December 3, caused by the recent flash floods in Anguilla, forced the Soroptimist Club to change the usual venue for its Christmas Fair to the courtyard of the General Post Office on Sunday, December 4.

Anguilla’s ninth Race Against HIV/AIDS was held on Saturday, December 03, 2011. The primary purposes of the race are to heighten awareness and understanding, in the local and regional communities, as regards HIV/AIDS and to help reduce the stigma associated with the disease.

DIGICEL Anguilla has just emerged from a day of celebration of its Sixth Anniversary of operations as a telecommunications company on the island. The occasion was marked on Friday, December 2, with a treat for customers, free pre-paid subscriptions, handsets, credit and other gifts and prizes.

The Government decided a few weeks ago to terminate discussions with the potential buyer. It is reported that there was a breakdown in negotiations due to disagreement on the terms of the MOU. The main disagreement apparently related to the employment of local labour and to what another member of the Tourism Investment Committee(TCI) described as personality differences.

The Valley Street Festival at the People’s Market was a beehive of activity as the Ministry of Tourism, the Anguilla Tourist Board and the Hotel & Tourism Association combined their efforts to launch Tourism Week 2011. The opening fair and festive event, last weekend, was dubbed “A Taste of the Islands”. It was an attractive mixture of steel pan music, arts and crafts booths and food stalls, all creating a fine display of the cultural and tourism aspects of life in Anguilla and other parts of the region.

Life is slowly returning to normal particularly in The Valley and the eastern sections of the Anguilla, where a freak rainstorm, with flash-flooding, dumped torrents of water which also cascaded into the surrounding low-lying areas from higher elevations.

The Police reported on Wednesday that nine serious crimes were committed in Anguilla during the period November 23-30.

Among them were two burglaries at North Hill and Island Harbour where jewelry and money were stolen. The other six offences were thefts at Long Path, South Hill, Rey Hill and The Quarter. The stolen items included a pocket book with contents, fertilizer, a bicycle, guitar, money and keys.

The Public Accounts Committee, which is attached the Anguilla House of Assembly, is to meet for the second time in the near future.

Chief Minister, Hubert Hughes, who led a delegation of four persons to the Overseas Territories Consultative Council Conference in London, has charged that they experienced a fairly hostile reception at the bilateral meetings due to inaccurate reporting from Anguilla.

Senior Environment Health Officer, Oliver Hodge, whose career in public health in Anguilla spans more than 38 years, is retiring from the public service on December 17.

The following is the text of a Radio Anguilla broadcast delivered on Monday November 21 by Elected Representative for Island Harbour Hon. Othlyn Vanterpool. It is a response to a broadcast made by the Parlimentrian Secretary Hon. Haydn Hughes on Wednesday November 16.

Fellow Anguillians, on Monday 14th November 2011 I addressed you on the issue of Chief Minister Hughes’ continued false and irresponsible statements that the present issues at Cap Juluca are as a result of an MoA that Mr Aron signed with the AUF Government. On Wednesday November 16th, 2011, the Honourable Parliamentary Secretary Hadyn Hughes, son of the Chief Minister, responded to my address. In his response he accused me of making false and misleading statements.

Customers of the National Bank of Anguilla are being offered a number of new products and services which the local banking institution announced on Thursday, November 24. The announcement was made at a press conference held in NBA’s Board Room, and chaired by Market Research & Business Development Support Officer, Mrs. Deslyn Smith.

Workers representing Immigration, Customs, Security, the Ports Authority and the Anguilla Tourist Board attended a useful one-day workshop on Tuesday this week. It was a joint effort by the Tourist Board in conjunction with the Anguilla Community College, the Ministry of Tourism and the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association.

The Soroptimist Club of Anguilla joined voices around the world in condemning violence against women and children in all communities. The event was a rally on the grounds of the Scouts and Guides Ruthwill Auditorium on Friday, November 25, which was observed as the United Nations-declared International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The following is a statement from the FCO website about the OTCC meeting held in london last week at which Anguilla was represented.

This year’s Overseas Territories Consultative Council (OTCC) concluded this week following two days of successful talks between UK Ministers and Premiers, Chief Ministers and elected leaders of the UK’s Overseas Territories (OTs).

Medfest, a series of activities over a two-day period, last week, was a unique way to raise funds for the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Both main events, the one on Friday, called “Devyn’s Ice Cream Party”, and “Family Festival” on Saturday, comprised various separate activities and speakers.

Renowned local Author and Artist Jo-Anne Mason, creator of the Caribbean Tales series of illustrated Children’s books held a lively, fun filled book reading and signing event at Viceroy Anguilla’s colourful Kids Club, Generation V this Thanksgiving.

Three visitors who have been staying at Paradise Cove Resort each year for the past eleven years were honoured on Saturday evening at a cocktail reception at the Resort. Luke Taiclet, Ann Michalski and Kay Osmanski first stayed at Paradise Cove in 1999 and have continued to visit every year except one.

The Ministry and Department of Education in Anguilla initiated a roundtable discussion on Monday this week with a number of private and public sector stakeholders. The aim is to develop a Technical and Vocation Education and Training (TVET) policy to create more skilled jobs on the island for persons not academically inclined, but who can contribute substantially to the various employment trades in a growing economy.