Local News

FirstCaribbean International Bank is looking for the unsung heroes across the Caribbean. The Bank today, launched a programme, in four of its 15 territories, which will honour those ordinary people who are selflessly and silently at work, building their communities.

Scotiabank Anguilla Limited is playing a major role in the expansion of Wallblake Airport, having provided a loan of fifteen million US dollars towards the project. The agreement, previously announced in April this year, was signed on July 2 by Minister of Finance Victor Banks and Managing Director of Scotiabank, Walter MacCalman.

Kendal Richardson of the Road Primary School is to be the first student to benefit from a scholarship grant of EC$500 from the Alumi Chapter of the Caribbean Students Organisation at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas.

The Teacher Training Class of 2005 presented an enjoyable concert at the Road Primary School Auditorium on Thursday June 24.

HIV/AIDS is a serious threat to every man, woman and child today. This threat is now now a frightening reality to the people of the Caribbean region, as our rate of infection increases rapidly, ranking our region second only to Sub-Saharan Africa with respect to the prevalence rate.

With the Summer Festival 2004 due to commence on July 8, the Caribbean Commercial Bank (CCB) has introduced eight contestants who will compete in the Talented Teen Contest, the annual activity sponsored by the Bank as part of the festivities.

Manager of Anguilla’s culinary team which competed in the Taste of the Caribbean competition in Puerto Rico, Wilbert Fleming, has highly commended the chefs on their performance.

Aldo J. Jackson, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Jackson of Little Harbour, Anguilla, has graduated from the University of South Florida with a Master of Science degree in Management Information Systems.

Lieutenant Governor of Zone Thirteen in the Caribbean District of Optimist International Mr Fritz Smith has been expressing his pleasure and satisfaction with the performance of the youth representatives from Anguilla and Tortola in the recent Optimist International Caribbean District Oratorical Contest.

While his visits to various departments and offices will enable Governor Alan Huckle to get firsthand information about their functioning, it is possible that some of them may receive some help as a result.

Durham University in the United Kingdom is inviting persons in Anguilla to enroll in its Caribbean Programme for the Master of Business Administration degree.
Dr. Christine Parkinson, the MBA Programme Director, was in Anguilla this week to raise awareness of the educational opportunity and to meet with a number of persons including Graham Grabtree who is providing some organisational support.
According to her she also held discussions with officials at the Caribbean Commercial Bank in connection with providing loans to students enrolling in the programme. The cost of the studies over a period of two and a half years is US$20,000.

The Health Authority of Anguilla is in the process of seeking accreditation for the provision of health services on the island. Chairperson of the autonomous body, Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks, said such an achievement would not only be useful in terms of international recognition and fitting within the context of the national and regional development of the organisation, but its actual success in moving forward to some important targets.

Anguilla was at the heart of what was a very successful Caribbean Hotel and Industry Conference in Puerto Rico last week. While the news centred on the performance of the island’s national culinary team in the Taste of the Caribbean competition, in which Alex Ballin was named Caribbean Bartender of the Year, there were two other achievements. These were the appointment of Sherille Hughes as Regional Vice President of the Caribbean Hotel Association and the award of CHA Executive of the Year to Mimi Gratton.

Newly-elected President of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), Berthia Parle, has commended Anguilla for its excellent showing at the national culinary competition in Puerto Rico and the recognition achieved by two officials of the island’s Hotel and Tourism Association.

Four newly-appointed recruits in the Royal Anguilla Police Force were welcomed in the House of Assembly on Tuesday.

At a General Meeting in Trinidad, the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) passed four resolutions aimed at fighting crime, illegal firearms and terrorism in the region.

On Wednesday, June 23, the Anguilla House of Assembly further amended the Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2004. It is to prohibit any person from importing or driving a vehicle with applied tint on the rear windows and rear windscreen which does not allow at least 50 degrees of light transmission.

One of the busiest projects under construction which Governor Alan Huckle and his wife have seen since their arrival in Anguilla about a month ago is the extension of Wallblake Airport.

This year 2004 represents ten years that the Caribbean Commercial Bank (CCB) has been sponsoring the Talented Teen Pageant in its entirety, an idea fostered by the management and directors of the Bank in encouraging, supporting and developing youth talent. Such involvement by a major corporate sponsor has been praised by the carnival committee organizers, youth group organizers, parents and the public at large for the initiative in the development of youth. Hence the pageant has become to be proudly known as the CCB Talented Teen Pageant.

There have been two presentations at the Miriam Gumbs Senior Citizens’ Home. The first came from the Anguilla Improvement Association in England and John Brooks, through whom the purchase and shipping arrangements were made. The gifts included a supply of bedspreads and sheets for both the home and the Princess Alexandra Hospital; and chairs and cooking utensils for the home.