Local News

The National Bank of Anguilla Group of Companies held a gala event on March 8 at the Anguilla Great House during which there were presentations to the 1985 Promoters of the Bank, to staff members for outstanding customer service in 2007 surveys and a dinner.

The Anguilla National Youth Council continues its efforts to develop the capacity of the organisaiton to fulfill its mandate. From the 8 - 9 March 2008, members of the Executive Committee, and a subgroup from the general membership, were involved in a retreat at the Anguilla Great House.

In an endeavour to empower the youth of Anguilla, and thereby effectively combat delinquent behaviour, Youth Crime Watch of Anguilla has developed MY Saturday.

A charitable scholarship fund in honour of long-time resident David Berglund has been established with the Anguilla Community Foundation (ACF). The fund was created by a gift of US$75,000 from Judy and Paul Carmichael and will be a scholarship granted yearly to an Anguillian resident wishing to pursue studies in veterinary science.

The Caribbean Commercial Bank (CCB) in Anguilla and the St. Kitts-based Caribbean Credit Card Corporation Ltd. (CCCC) conducted a half-day seminar in Merchant Operating and Risk Management on Tuesday for representatives of merchants on the island doing business with both institutions.

A Safe Hospital Checklist Team, working for the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) on an assignment in the region, completed a survey at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Anguilla this week.

The 2008 Johnno Beach Clean-up Campaign was launched in Anguilla on Tuesday this week in a continuing effort to preserve the beauty and attraction of the island’s world-class beaches.

Fisherman Patrick had almost gone landlubber addle based on the Anguilla Christmas Winds that have lasted into March. The winds have kept the East End seas high and the fishing fleet idle during some long stretches of time this season.

His Excellency The Governor Mr. Stanley Reid (Acting) and Mrs. Reid, Permanent Secretary of Education Mr. Rodney Rey, Chief Education Officer Mrs. Rhonda Connor and Principal of the ALHCS Mrs. Ingrid Lake, were some of the esteemed guests invited to the opening of the Careers and Guidance Unit located on Campus A of the secondary school.

The 3,700-odd shareholders of the National Bank of Anguilla Group of Companies will be delighted to hear that the Bank has now reached its first one billion dollars in assets. The announcement was made on Wednesday, February 27, by Chief Executive Officer, E. Valentine Banks at a press briefing called for that purpose.

Come Saturday, March 1, residents in Anguilla will begin paying five cents more for electricity in terms of fuel surcharge. ANGLEC’s General Manager, Neil McConnie, says the company was forced to increase the fuel surcharge from its present rate of 26 cents per unit to 31 cents. He nevertheless pointed out that the company will be absorbing 22 cents of the increased amount in order to reduce the burden on customers and emphasised the need for electricity consumption to save on bills.

In the continuing spate of serious and minor road accidents in Anguilla, Nell Rogers, 44, of Stoney Ground, died some hours, at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, after he was severely injured on Saturday, February 23.

There were six arrests during that period, according to Sergeant Randolph Yearwood.

The Training Department of the Royal Anguilla Police Force has moved to address a need within the organisation for members of its ranks (from Constables to Sergeants) to communicate better with the public in the course of their duties.

Once again the Anguilla Beautification Club (ABC) has come up trumps with the annual Flower and Garden Show, now in its ninth year, held in the grounds of Wallblake House over the weekend of 23 and 24 February.

‘Anguilla Botanicals,’ the first exhibition for ten years by artist Jo-Anne Mason, opened on Saturday 23 February at Savannah Gallery to universal acclaim. Visitors thronged the gallery eager to see the work.

Anguilla, which has been part of the Leeward Islands Literary and Debating Competition for some fifteen years, is back in the debate after a one-year suspension.

There is growing interest among members of the Anguilla community in various education opportunities being made available on the island.

There has been much public discussion on the school holiday approved last year for Anguilla’s Revolutionary Leader, Ronald Webster, by the House of Assembly and in observance of his birthday. The approval stopped short of providing for a full public holiday in view of the already established Anguilla Day celebrated annually on May 30. The matter has been a subject of heated debate with Mr. Webster’s birthday approaching on Sunday, March 2.

Anguilla’s Revolutionary Leader, James Ronald Webster, has risen above the den of noise about an annual national holiday for his birthday simply to send a statesmanlike message to citizens urging them to continue to build and strengthen their homeland for another 40 years.