Local News

On Monday morning, May 10, ferryboat operators in Anguilla withheld their services causing disruption to the travelling public. The operators were protesting the action of the Port Management in denying access to the port to those crew members who had not secured valid crew passes in the time allowed.

The Anguilla Heritage Trail is a joint project supported by the Anguilla Archaeological and Historical Society (AAHS), the Anguilla National Trust (ANT), the Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB), the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association (AHTA) and individual and corporate donors. The trail is scheduled to open officially during Anguilla Day celebrations this May.

Anguilla was recently represented at two regional meetings and a one-week leadership training workshop in Belize, by the Director of Fisheries and Marine Resources, James Gumbs.

The following is a tribute written in a newsletter at CuisinArt Resort and Spa in honour of the late Gloria Rogers, a longstanding employee there who died on Thursday May 6th, 2010. A private memorial service was held at the resort for her on Tuesday this week.

The students at the Morris Vanterpool Primary School will soon have a sports project upgrade, valued at $5000, thanks to Avilene Richarson who emerged as the local winner of LIME’s CARIFTA Schools Sports Text Competition.

There seems to be a “mother lode” of issues that I can write about regarding this new Government --- as I grow steadily into my label as “The Journalist”. However, I think that it is imperative that I respond to a number of policy statements/proposals advanced by the Honourable Chief Minister and reinforced by his son the Honourable Parliamentary Secretary, Haydn Hughes.

The passing of Anguillian businessman, Mr. Ashley Brooks, is another reminder of the frailty of mankind and the common destiny that faces everyone. But the pain is something that, however often a death occurs, untimely, expected, or, as it is, a natural sequence to the Great Beyond, the hurt lingers on.

Last Thursday saw the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources (DFMR) undertake their first Green Turtle survey for the 2010 monitoring season. In total thirteen turtles were measured and tagged, two of which had been captured before during previous surveys.

Lynval Richardson, Sheila Harrigan Davis, Deanna Cabrera, Julie Hanley and Randy Hodge are the latest success stories at Cap Juluca, as the award winning resort continues to demonstrate its commitment to the development and advancement of Anguillians in leadership and management positions.

The following address was delivered to the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association on April 22nd by first nominated member and Parlimentary Secretary the Hon. Hayden Hughes.

Anguilla, April 1981

While in Anguilla in 1981, my young family stopped by the Anguilla Drug Store to pick up some postcards. My eight year old son, Eric, and five year old daughter, Melanie, explored the vast array of products while my wife and I searched for postcards of the amazing Anguillian beaches.

The Government of Chief Minister, Hubert Hughes, has signed an agreement with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for the preparation of a Sustainable Tourism Master Plan for Anguilla. The plan will be funded through a grant of US$150,000 from the bank’s Special Resources Fund.

Thanks to an amendment to the Financial Administration and Audit Act and the cooperation yeas of all seven Elected Government and Opposition Members, and the Parliamentary Secretary, a shutdown of the Anguilla Treasury on Friday, April 30, under the parent Act, was averted.

A man, not belonging to Anguilla, is being held as a suspect in connection with two incidents at Shoal Bay on Sunday, May 2. The Police reported on Wednesday this week that in the in the first matter, they responded to a report of a rape on the beach at Shoal Bay east at 1.00 a.m. On arrival, they were told that a masked man, armed with a firearm, approached a couple, robbed the male of his wallet and its contents and raped the female, both of them local persons.

Acting Commissioner of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, Rudolph Proctor, announced on Wednesday the promotion of five officers, from among twelve, who recently sat the Police Promotion Examinations for Constable to Sergeant and from Sergeant to Inspector.

A quantity of gym equipment held at Social Security, for use by its personnel as well as persons in the community on the payment of a fee, was handed over on Tuesday this week to the Sports Department and the Anguilla Football Association. It is to be used for the physical development of athletes training for international competitions in particular.

Barrister-at-Law and Senior Counsel at Caribbean Juris Chambers, John Benjamin, said the one-week Legal Training Programme for International Attorneys he attended at the Association of the Bar in New York City, was very useful.

The congregation of the Jireh Seventh Day Adventist Church at South Hill on Saturday (Sabbath)  May 2, held its annual Community Guest Day when members of the church are encouraged to invite members of the community to worship with them.  The theme chosen for this year was :" Forgiveness - A Tool for Peace in the Community."

Just retired Commissioner of Police in Anguilla, Keithly Benjamin, who made history on the island, having been appointed from the police constabulary to the post of Junior Magistrate, was given a big send off at a crowded formal dinner at DaVida Restaurant at Crocus Bay on Saturday, May 1.

The following is the text of the Labour Day Address delivered by Anguilla's Minister of Labour, the Hon. Walcott Richardson.

It gives me great pleasure to join all Anguillians and residents of our beloved land on the occasion of celebrating Labour Day. This day was first celebrated in 1889 to commemorate the right of unionized workers to an 8-hour working day with no loss of pay.