Local News

Cap Juluca will be re-opening and managing the Temenos Golf Course, as of December 19, it was announced this week. Cap Juluca Properties Ltd Chairman and CEO Adam Aron issued the following statement:

For the first time, some of the wild flowers of Anguilla, so often disregarded by even the most discerning naturalist and floral lover, have been depicted on a set of six postage stamps released on Tuesday, December 1, by the General Post Office in The Valley.

Tourists and Anguillians alike are flocking to Crocus Bay at the foot of The Valley. The area has become a place of much attraction, fine dining, and relaxation. This is not only due to the opening of the lovely, top-notch and formal locally-owned DaVida Restaurant, but now the addition of its informal exquisite Bayside Bar and Grill and related services.

A recently-qualified Anguillian medical professional, Dr. Ayanna Twanna Gumbs, has taken up a one-year appointment in St. Lucia.

She is the daughter of Anne Edwards, retired Deputy Principal at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, and Tracey Gumbs.

The spate of burglaries, though sporadic at times, is continuing to be a nuisance to victims and the police in Anguilla. Out of the 17 criminal activities reported for the above period, five of them were burglaries: three in West End and one each at North Side and Blowing Point.

The Honorable David Carty, Speaker of the House of Assembly, will be wearing one of his other hats next week as he represents Anguilla at the historic COP15 Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Rotary Club of Anguilla held its Foundation Dinner for 2009-2010 at the top floor, formal events section, of DaVida Restaurant at Crocus Bay on Saturday, November 28, at which six persons who have contributed to Anguilla in various capacities over the years.

After two years and ten months, in the post of Director of the Financial Services Commission, Mr. Niguel Streete is to leave Anguilla on December 22 at the end of his contract which was originally for two years. He will be joining his family who preceded him in August to Grenada, his homeland, to seek early registration in school for his two children.

Inspector Andy Arsenault, Head of the Financial Investigation Unit of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, was part of a two-man delegation at a Grand Corruption Practitioners Conference at New Scotland Yard on November 24 and 25. He was accompanied by Inspector Emris Rogers of the Criminal Investigation Department.

In a statement to The Anguillian, Mr. Calvin Bartlett announced that he was not fired or retired from the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce but had resigned from his position as Executive Director with effect from December 7th, 2009.

Mr. Bartlett, who is now moving on, feels that he had contributed greatly to the development and recognition of the Chamber during the seven years in which he served with much sacrifice and hard work but with an absolute sense of pride and accomplishment.

Anguilla’s Revolutionary Leader, James Ronald Webster, who keeps a low profile, appeared on a public rostrum on Sunday, November 29 at the parking area of the park that bears his name and delivered a short address to the gathering there. The event was a ‘Concerned Anguillians Rally” to which he was invited and prayed about.

There are profound messages of hope that fit well with the theme “Endurance and Opportunity in Challenging Times,” for the current observance of Tourism Week, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Victor Banks, said in a radio broadcast.
“In Anguilla we have a large undertaking so as to withstand the effects of the world-wide economic and financial situation and its impact on us as a destination,” he stated.

Tourism Week commenced in Anguilla with Government officials in the Ministry and Tourism Board and members of the Anguilla United Movement, attending the divine service at the Seventh-day Mount Fortune Church at East End on Saturday, November 28.

A capacity crowd packed the auditorium of the No-Walls Church of Hope at 4:00 on Sunday afternoon, November 22nd, to mark a special Thanksgiving Service for the church’s sanctuary extension. Throughout the entire proceedings, those in attendance were inspired by many unique features that reflected sentiments of thanks on the part of Pastors James & Pat Harrigan, as well as the many parishioners of the church.

Anguilla, as a tourist destination, is getting some well-needed publicity, in Europe, in the widely-circulated publication – Expressen, a Swedish “independent liberal” daily newspaper founded in 1944.

Several islands of the Caribbean took part in the Cultural Fair on the grounds of the Agricultural Department on Saturday November 28 at the opening of Tourism Week. There were several booths from St Kitts/Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Dominican Republic, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, Anguilla and the Philippines. Each stall had samples of food, and products and crafts for sale. Music by local band Smokey and the Boys, added to the lively atmosphere.

A dedicated 42-year-old community worker from the little island of Mayreau in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been adjudged as most deserving of the top award in FirstCaribbean International Bank’s region-wide Unsung Heroes programme for 2009.
Mr. John Augustus Roache, familiarly known as “Uncle John”, emerged as the most impressive among 29 regional finalists when the distinguished panel of regional judges assembled by the bank to choose its Unsung Hero recently to make their final selections. Inspired by his own mother’s life of service to others, Roache began from an early age to dedicate his own life in the same way.

Kreative Communications Network (KCN) has been bringing local programming to Anguilla for more than twelve years, starting with just 15 minutes and extending to two hours. On Monday November 30 it launched 24-hour programming that can now be seen on Channel 12. Programmes will include some of the old favourites as well as many new ones but emphasis will be placed on authentic local programming.

One of the most promising and impressive offers recorded so far to take over and develop the Temenos/Flag Luxury Property in Anguilla, was put forward on Monday this week, November 23. That was when Mrs. Sheila Johnson, principal of Salamander Hospitality LLC and her team of advisers, met with Government and members of the Opposition and wrapped up their discussions with a press conference, all meetings having been held at Sheriva Boutique Hotel.

There were two burglaries at Sandy Ground and Welches during the period November 18-25 as reported by Sergeant Randolph Yearwood. A cellular phone and a memory chip were stolen in one case and in the other nothing was taken.