Local News

It was a pleasing and well-accomplished event on Tuesday evening this week, when fifteen students, called “clients” in the Job Education and Skill Development Initiative (JESDI), graduated at the Soroptimist Centre in The Valley.

Fellow Anguillians, over the past two weeks I have addressed you on the present state of affairs in Anguilla. I stressed that for us here in Anguilla with leadership responsibilities we will no doubt continue to have another very difficult and challenging year ahead under the existing financial and economic circumstances being experienced globally.

The world’s largest yacht, Eclipse, was in Anguillian waters this week, along with two other mega-yachts. All three vessels were anchored off Meads Bay, providing its crew and passengers with stunning views of the bay and tourism properties. The accommodation facilities included Viceroy, Frangipani Beach Resort, Carimar Beach Club and Malliouhana Hotel and Spa.

Anguilla has benefited from the donation of an outdoor volleyball court from the regional volleyball bodies of the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) and the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA), through the efforts of Mr. Glen Quinlan.

The roundabout in the area of the House of Assembly, the Courts, Police Headquarters and Inland Revenue Department, has already taken on much transformation and beauty, with the commencement of enhancement work there.

The Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service has carried out its biennial simulation exercise to maintain its licence for the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport, a category five facility.

Citizens for National Unity and Development met with three Ministers of Government and some persons from the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday, January 11. A press release on Wednesday stated that the group affirmed its support for the Government of Anguilla, especially in the current context where there is a fundamental difference in the perspectives of the Government and the British over the 2011 budget. Members volunteered their expertise and experience to ensure that in any future debate, what is best for Anguilla may be decided and achieved.

After a long period of silence, but obviously with some intensive work, Conch Bay Development Ltd, a company owned by the Lake and Kentish families in Anguilla, is back in the news with its planned luxury resort and hotel and residences.

In his first press conference for 2011, on Tuesday this week, Governor Alistair Harrison, along with Deputy Governor, Stanley Reid, responded to various questions from reporters from the print and electronic media houses in Anguilla.

10 JANUARY 2011

Hon. Hubert Hughes
Chief Minister

Dear Hubert,

ANGUILLA'S PUBLIC FINANCES

I am writing to explain why the Secretary of State has, in accordance with section 57(2) of the Anguilla Constitution, instructed the Governor to reserve Anguilla’s 2010 Appropriation Bill which contains the 2011 budget for the signification of Her Majesty’s pleasure, and to propose how the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of Anguilla could work together to find a way forward.

FELLOW ANGUILLIANS

I thank you for your tremendous attendance this evening. It shows that you have listened to the call to join with me in this fight for our FREEDOM – ECONOMIC FREEDOM. This is the first in a series of Rallies that we will be holding because no one must say that they do not know what is currently facing Anguilla.

Fellow Anguillians – Again let me take this opportunity to wish all Anguillians, our many residents and visitors a very Happy and Healthy New Year!!!

St. Mary’s Pre-school, one of Anguilla’s long-serving early education centres, is not only doing exceptionally well in its present responsibilities, but is setting its sights on greater achievements in terms of developing the minds of its young students.

Two Canadian Parliamentarians took the opportunity of a recess of their Parliament to holiday in Anguilla with their female companions, staying at Elodias Beach Resort at Shoal Bay, but travelling throughout the island on bicycles.

As promised last week, more information is now being presented about the exploratory establishment of a Cancer Education and Information Centre, Registry and assessment and referral system in Anguilla.

As 2010 came to a close and 2011 rolled around, there were several customers who, until they received a call from the island’s leading telecommunications company, did not know quite what LIME had in store for them for Christmas or the New Year!
More winners have now been selected in LIME’s ‘Christmas pon de Remix’ promotion and the most recent winners are Ms Shirlene Stephen, Ms Cynthia Gumbs, Ms Jean Gumbs and Ms Julia Gumbs who were all recipients of wonderful Christmas or New Year Gifts.

Juanita Crawford has received assistance with her studies at the University of the West Indies through the donation of a one-time scholarship grant from the Soroptimist Club. At the monthly meeting of Soroptimist International of Anguilla a cheque was presented to Juanita by President Blondell Rodgiers and Treasurer Anita Brooks.

The New Year has seen the completion of the Executive Management Team for the Anguilla Community College (ACC).

Mrs Rhona Richardson-Roydon, the Chairperson of the Board of the ACC, has recently appointed the College’s first Registrar in the person of Ms Carla Harris.

A delegation of (14) fourteen accommodation members, industry partners, and Government officials including Parliamentary Secretary and Special Advisor to Tourism, the Honorable Mr. Haydn Hughes; Mrs. Sherille Hughes, 3rd, Vice President, CHTA and President of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association and Mrs. Gilda Gumbs Samuel, Executive Director of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association (AHTA), will travel to Jamaica later this week to attend the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association annual Market Place Conference.

The Dungeon Gym and Fitness Centre, a well-established facility owned by Haydn and Marissa Hughes, held its first awards and recognition ceremony on January 8 at Sand Bar Restaurant at Sandy Ground. Nine students were awarded for their hard work and commitment to healthy lifestyles.