Local News

Five persons were arrested and charged under the Firearms Act and appeared in the Magistrate’s Court:

“O HUSH THE NOISE, YE MEN OF STRIFE”

HE The Governor reflects in his Christmas message on his favourite carol.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Another year has passed, and another Christmas is upon us. 2011 hasn’t been an easy year in Anguilla, or in most of the world. 2012 promises to be (we hope) better for Anguilla; and (we fear) worse for at least some parts of the world.

Commissioner of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, Rudolph Proctor, has cautioned members of the public to be on guard against any increase in robberies or thefts now that the Christmas season is here.

Anguilla, St. Martin/St. Maarten, St. Barths, St. Eustatius and Saba are working together, as an inter-regional group,to pool their resources to ensure the successful joint-marketing of their diverse tourism product. The aim is to promote travel within the five territories as well as to attract visitors from Latin America and other markets.

Festival De Noel, usually held on the grounds of the old East End School, was displaced this year and had to be scaled down due to the recent rainstorm which caused large-scale flooding in the area. Nevertheless, the three events at two other locations, went well, according to Jerome Roberts, speaking on behalf his Committee members.

• Many Customers win free landline, mobile or internet service for forty years

Many LIME customers have been receiving the gift of a lifetime this holiday as the telecoms company gives away landline, mobile and internet services for forty years! Ten (10) of the twenty eight (28) lucky customers have been presented with their gifts over the past two weeks as LIME General Manager Mark Romney and members of his sales team visited the elated individuals at their home or workplace to deliver the breathtaking news.

Island Harbour Bay was the scene of much colour and activity as a large number of children performed and received Christmas gifts arranged by the Community Care Centre there, one of a number of such village establishments in Anguilla.

One of Anguilla’s youngest religious leaders, Pastor Lucien McDonna, was the recipient of much recognition and tribute for his outstanding ministerial leadership and community involvement on the island.

“Gorgeous Scilly Cay is simply the best,” is the catch marketing slogan coined by its operators, Eudoxie Wallace, his wife, Sandra, and their sons, Alexander and Brandon.

Sitting majestically like a palace on the rock-bound coastline at Brimigen, Anguilla, Villa Kishti overlooks the vast ocean. It boasts an architecture that is almost unmatchable on the island, but one of its greatest features is that it was built by Anguillians under the renownedleadership of Audley Carty.

On Tuesday 20th December Viceroy Anguilla held an exciting “Pep Rally” for its full complement of permanent staff, seasonal workers and corporate assistants. The lively “Pep Rally” - which took the form of a party - was designed to both motivate and thank the 600 plus staff at the Anguilla resort who will be looking after over 650 guests this festive season. The hotel will be at 100% occupancy this weekend.

The staff and students of the non-profit Anguilla Youth Sailing Club (AYSC) will hold their 5th Annual Boxing Day cocktail party and fundraiser on Monday, 26 December. The party is being held this year at the Governor’s Residence at Old Ta and begins at 3:00 PM, lasting until 7. The event is open to all - residents, visitors, and tourists alike - and is free of charge. Complimentary drinks and canapés will be served by young sailors from the AYSC Racing Team.

Several hundred children, from throughout Anguilla, including their parents, filled the parking lot at the National Bank to capacity for the 23rd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Gift Give-Away on Thursday, December 15. They were welcomed by Mrs. Jo-anne Hodge who chaired the programme.

Arlette T. Richardson and Danicia L. Hughes, both Anguillians, earned Bachelor Degrees at Midwestern State University on Saturday, December 17. They were among a group of twenty Caribbean students who also graduated with degrees.

One of the features of the official opening ceremony at H.O.P.E. Centre,in theNauson House, was the laying of a wreath in memory of a number of departed freedom fighters in the Anguilla Revolution.

After assembling off the George Hill main road from about 10 o’clock on Tuesday morning, December 13, between 60 and 80 persons, including Government political leaders, staged a protest march at about 3.45 p.m. at the Governor's Office, at Old Ta, demanding the recall of Governor Alistair Harrison by the Foreign Office in London.

Anguilla is the first English-speaking Caribbean territory to be recognised as Tsunami Ready. The official status was accorded to the island at a special ceremony at the Wallblake Conference Centre on Monday, December 12. The event was chaired by the Hon. OthlynVanterpool, member of the Island Harbour community, and Elected Representative for that district where tsunami evacuation education has been a main focus by the Anguilla Department of Disaster Management.

There were nine serious crimes reported by Police in Anguilla during the period December 7-14.

Chief Minister, Hubert Hughes, told reporters on Tuesday that the petition to the Minister for the Overseas Territories, Henry Bellingham, was the most significant factor of the protest march against Governor Alistair Harrison and the demand for his recall.

Media representatives in Anguilla were told by the Police on Wednesday, December 14, that investigations were ongoing in the recent attempt to import a quantity of firearms and ammunition into the island from the United States. It was disclosed that there was a strong possibility that other arrests may be made later.