Local News

Last week readers will remember that Guilford Gumbs, Superior Supply, is a celebrated patron of Patrick-caught fresh fish and coincidently was standing on the dock when he arrived from a day of fishing. As such, elite wine merchant Gumbs was pressed into service for the picture that displayed a portion of the catch.

In an official handover conducted on April 4, 2007 at its offices in The Valley, the Caribbean Commercial Bank (CCB) donated EC$6,750 to the Department of Education to assist them in their effort to upgrade the computers in the schools.

Some 112 students in the upper classes of three primary schools in Anguilla have graduated from a nine-week Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) course conducted by officers of the Royal Anguilla Police Force.

Mrs. Arina Melvina Webster, formerly of Island Harbour, is the latest Anguillian to attain the grand senior age of 100 years and to be honoured by Queen Elizabeth The Second. She is the proud recipient of a special Birthday Card sent by Her Majesty from Buckingham Palace in London.

On Thursday, March 22, a press conference was held at the Anguilla Tennis Academy’s new facility in Blowing Point to announce the recipients of three scholarships for the acclaimed ATA After School Programme. Some time ago, it was announced in The Anguillian and The Daily Herald that Paul Lowerre, Senior Vice-President for UBS Financial Services, graciously donated USD $30,000 to start a Youth Endowment Scholarship Fund for children who want to play tennis. It is the interest from that endowment that has already given the opportunity to begin a selection process for three young children.

The Caribbean Commercial Bank has donated US$2,500 to the Anguilla Amateur Athletic Association (AAAA) to give athletes the opportunity to compete regionally.

The Government met for 1 hour and a half with the staff of Cap Juluca to alleviate their concerns and to share with them what has transpired thus far in the resolution of Cap Juluca. Mrs. Phyllis Fleming-Banks chaired the meeting. The Chief Minister said he deemed it necessary that he brought clarity to the issue of Cap Juluca and the sale of the said property. Mr. Fleming said there have been a lot of rumours and speculations that have left many persons within and without Anguilla confused as to what to believe. It is hoped that from now onwards it will be perfectly clear what has really transpired and where Government is on the issue of Cap Juluca.

The skies cleared on March 17th and the gates opened at 9 am to enable hundreds of eager shoppers to once again get great deals at AARF’s 4th Annual Yard Sale, which was held on the Grounds of the Department of Agriculture. The day turned out to be a great social event with a wonderful mix of shoppers that included Anguillians, residents, workers from different islands as well as many tourists.

A number of appointed Elders and Deacons at each of the three Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Anguilla have formally taken up their respective posts following an Ordination Service at the Mount Fortune Church on March 24.

A special service in appreciation of teachers in Anguilla was held at the Mount Fortune Seventh-day Adventist Church on the afternoon of March 24.

The educators were welcomed on behalf of Pastor Danny Philip, his wife and the congregation, by Marilyn Hodge, General Secretary of the Anguilla Teachers’ Union. She expressed thanks for the kind hospitality, untiring support, generosity and thoughtfulness of the Church for organising the Teachers’ Appreciation Day Service.

The legislative framework for Anguilla’s Education Development Plan is now being scrutinised by a committee comprising the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Rodney Rey and Education Officers.

Members of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School Literary and Debating Society were special guests at the Cap Juluca monthly Employee Awards Luncheon last week. The students, headed by President Shirmel Richardson were presented with a cheque for US $500.00 as part of their fund-raising efforts, after partnering with the resort in a clean-up of Cove Bay Beach earlier in the month. Some thirty members of the Club had participated in the community service event and Cap Juluca had supported their efforts by providing equipment and brunch for the students.

6:45 am, Friday, 23 March 2007 (the day and morning before the Jimmy Buffett Concert), Patrick Webster calls his boating friend and says, “Michel called very late last night and needs Yellowfin tuna.” at Côté Mer Restaurant. The conversation digressed into a heated argument about the poor sea conditions and the difficultly, time and expense in getting into deep water and the poor likelihood of landing a large commercial grade Yellowfin.

In a brief ceremony at the offices of Alex Richardson & Associates, TSG Technologies (Anguilla), Inc. recently presented the first of its educational contributions to The Valley Primary School and the Education Department of Anguilla.

The National Bank of Anguilla Ltd. has announced that it will be commissioning a Mobile ATM Unit shortly. The Bank’s CEO Mr. E Valentine Banks says that “the addition of this unit to the Bank’s network of ATM’s around the Island is part of the Bank’s overall strategic plan to expand its presence in the communities on Anguilla. It is the Bank’s intention to utilize the NBA Mobile ATM wherever there are large gatherings of people for public functions and at projects throughout the island. It is expected that this service will bring significant relief to many, as cash would be made readily accessible to persons without them having to leave a function or their job.”

Kyle Hodge is the local winner of the Optimist Club of Anguilla 2007 Oratorical Contest.

The Youth Sailing Club, whose members have mastered the small Optimist boats they have been practicing on, now have a larger boat- a J24 yacht- to further enhance their experience.

The Valley Primary School and the Morris Vanterpool Primary School at East End were presented with prizes on Monday this week following an art competition held by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The contest, arranged last October, was aimed at getting school children to demonstrate an understanding of how the sub-regional organisation works in the interest of the people in the member states.

If any residents or tourists have passed by the Anguilla Tennis Academy’s facility in Blowing Point, lately, they will have seen much progress. Although construction is somewhat behind schedule, due to labour problems and mass development is Anguilla, the facility is now much closer to nearing completion. The most obvious sign of major improvement is that the courts have finally been paved. Currently, representatives from Agile Courts are in the process of constructing the courts, putting up the fences, and placing the light fixtures. Yet, as equally noticeable, the stadium court is finally starting to take form. This centre court will be able to hold up to 2,500 people and will house bathrooms, locker rooms, an eating area and gymnasium. Moreover, the main building is 85% finished with only minor works left: tiling, placing the glass in the door frames, bathrooms, and some electrical work.

A committee hand-picked by the Chief Minister’s Office and headed by Permanent Secretary, Foster Rogers, is putting together a comprehensive programme for the celebration of Anguilla Day, the 40th Anniversary of the island’s revolution.