Local News

The Health Authority of Anguilla is ensuring that staff members in the various departments of the Medical and Health Services are fully focused on their individual and collective responsibilities. This is seen as an important element in the work of the autonomous body to provide quality care for the people of Anguilla.

Two workshop sessions on domestic violence, delivered by the Family Hope Network and the Royal Anguilla Police Force, ended with the participants pledging to do their part to stop the menace in the society. Those who attended the workshop were awarded certificates of participation.

One of the last surviving early Anguillian teachers has been laid to rest after making a sterling contribution to the island. Stephanie Mildred Hodge of The Valley, known as “Teacher Steph”, died on April 20 about two months short of her 92nd birthday. The service, in celebration of her life, was held at St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church on April 24 and was followed by interment at St. Mary’s Anglican Churchyard Cemetery, the pious former educator having earlier been a member of that church.

Residents in the western area of Long Bay are still talking about a huge grass fire on April 23rd that stunned many of them and left a vast track of land severely scorched and blackened.

The records show that there are a number of Anguillian men and women who have been blessed with longevity and for the most part are doing very well to their delight and that of their families and friends.

Catherine Brooks, among her daughter and many friends, celebrated her 99th birthday at her residence at North Valley on Monday, April 26.

When the profiles of Anguillians noted for their indomitable courage and dedicated service are written, the Honourable Eric Leith Reid will stand out among them. The long-serving and highly-respected Minister of Social Development has added a new chapter to his contribution to Anguilla, the people of the island and to his own life. Known for his resilience and steadfast faith, he has adjusted quickly to the difficulty of losing his vision and on Wednesday this week, April 14, resumed his ministerial duties after an absence of about four months.

Flags flew at half-mast in Anguilla this week as a mark of respect for the passing of Jeremiah Gumbs, one of the most influential and dedicated patriots to grace his native island; and on Thursday he was laid to rest at the Sandy Ground Cemetery but the memory of him will live on for many years to come.

Work on the expansion of Wallblake Airport to 5,400 feet will commence on May 1. This follows the signing of the contract between the Anguilla Government and Lagan Holdings of Ireland on April 8 at the Caribbean Commercial Bank Conference Room.

Cable and Wireless in Anguilla has announced the launching today, Friday of its new Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), providing a variety of multi-featured mobile phones to the public. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Sutcliffe Hodge, described the occasion as one of the most exciting days for the telecommunications company.

The Anguilla Archaeological and Historical Society has publicised the planned rebuilding of the Old Court House as a National Museum and the construction of a Historic Village at Crocus Hill as its prime project.

The Anguilla Progressive Association of New York (APANY) will honour two Anguillians as part of its programme for the celebration of the 37th Anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution.

Managing Director of Scotiabank (Anguilla) Limited, Walter MacCalman, is delighted that his institution has been given an opportunity to enter into a partnership with the Government in the substantial financing of the expansion of Wallblake Airport.
“Our Anguillian staff stand a little taller and can say “we did our part,” he told this newspaper. He was speaking shortly after signing agreement with the Government to provide a loan of US$15 million for the airport works. The full text of his statement is as follows:

The Health Authority of Anguilla has completed its first quarterly review of its functioning as an autonomous body, fully in control of the medical and health services of the island.

The Anguilla Amateur Athletic Association (AAAA) on Tuesday celebrated the achievement of the island’s third medal in the CARIFTA Games. This followed the winning of a Silver Medal for Long Jump by Shara Proctor in the just-ended games in Bermuda. Last year she was the winner of a Bronze Medal.

The Judgment by High Court Judge Justice Davidson Kelvin Baptiste in the case brought by the Lakes against the Anguilla Government, regarding its move to acquire 26 acres of land for the extension of Wallblake Airport, was handed down on Monday, April 5. The 37-page ruling was read by the Anguilla-based Judge Justice Janice Creque.

Anguilla Drugstore Owner/Manager, Olive Hodge, MBE, has qualified for pension under the island’s Social Security system having reached the age of 65 on March 9 and having been a faithful contributor to the fund.

Twenty-five students from the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School in Anguilla and other young people from St. Lucia, St. Vincent and St. Kitts, began a three-day Healthy Lifestyles Workshop here on Tuesday.

The High Court on 31st March 2004 handed down its decision on the joint applications by Daniel Mussington and Gervin Gumbs for a Declaration that Section 27 (a) and (b) of the Jury Act violates their constitutional right to the protection of the law and to a fair hearing by an independent and impartial Court, and is therefore unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect.

Former top public servant, Ralph Cornwallis Hodge, is of the view that there are a number of burning issues facing Anguilla which are demanding its leaders to take a different look at. He is hoping that his coming forward as a candidate for Valley North - ‘home sweet home’ - in next year’s general elections, would inspire other well-meaning persons to be bold enough to see the position of the island and to step in to get Anguilla back on track.