Local News

Crime in Anguilla has risen to an alarming 21 incidents for the week, up from 13 last week. The main crime for the period August 12 to 19 was theft with a total of six.
The thefts occurred at George Hill, The Valley, Blowing Point, Rey Hill, The Farrington, and Deep Waters. Items stolen were two pallets of blocks, one bicycle, one goat, one 2000-gallon water tank, one laptop computer, one Olympus camera, one Blackberry phone and US$5970.

A just-published report on Wallblake Airport in Anguilla, by the UK-based regulators of the Aviation Security Services for the Overseas Territories, has disrupted the flying into the island of such private jets as the Gulf 4s, 5s, 6s and Global Express. As a result one of these jets, bringing a client to Anguilla, has had to land at Juliana Airport in St. Maarten and the client continued his journey here by a shuttle service provided either by air or sea.

In addition to matters regarding Wallblake Airport and jet aircraft flying to Anguilla, as well as the air ambulance and health insurance services for civil servants and other persons, the Chief Minister’s Press Conference on Tuesday, dealt with a number of other matters as indicated above.

Head of the Drugs and Firearms Unit in the Royal Anguilla Police Force, Inspector Paul Sinclair, has spoken out sternly against assaults on Police Officers. This followed an incident where Armand Hennis attacked a Police Constable during the Summer Festival.

Anguilla has joined insurance regulators in the OECS in intervening in British American Insurance Company (BAICO) in an effort to safeguard the interest of policyholders and investors.

Anguilla was recently represented at two regional fisheries forums in St. Lucia. The first event was a two-day Caribbean workshop on international fisheries management hosted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO); where participants were exposed to the Canadian approach to fisheries management. Canada has a long history of fishing and fisheries management and its system is recognised as one of if not, the best in the world. Goals of the workshop included:

The Valley Community Troupe, which showcased its high level of cultural performance as “The Kings and Queens of Cultivation,” during the Parade of Troupes for the Summer Festival, is grateful for being adjudged first place winner.

Manager of the Anguilla Development (ADB), Althea Hodge, has given a comprehensive overview of the functioning of the organisation over the past thirty years. The overview (published elsewhere in The Anguillian), was delivered at a press conference on Tuesday this week.

The Anguilla Electricity Company (ANGLEC) has initiated two scholarship programmes, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Department of Social Development, to assist students in the six Government Primary Schools as well as the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS).

The Anguilla Development Board (ADB) is a statutory organization, established under the Anguilla Development Board Ordinance (1978). The legislation was passed in the House of Assembly with Sir Emile Gumbs as the Chief Minister. Actual operations commenced in August 1979, under the Chairmanship of Mr Franklin Connor. Other founding directors of ADB were Mr. Eric Reid (Deputy Chairperson), Mrs Daisy Richardson, Mr. Ambrose Richardson, Mr. Lindsay Richardson and the late Mr. James Beard.

Last Saturday the Soroptimist International of Anguilla Club held its 28th Anniversary Dinner at Da Vida Restaurant at Crocus Bay. The event was very well attended and all enjoyed the hospitality and dinner.

Saturday evening, August 15, saw two rival political meetings at the eastern end of the island. The first was a tent meeting held in District 1, Island Harbour, where the ruling United Front Party officially introduced its new candidate, Othlyn Vanterpool, for next year’s general election. The second meeting was in District 2, East End/Sandy Hill, and was held by the Anguilla Progressive Party whose candidate there is Jerome Roberts.

The claim that Island Harbour and East End are twin villages with similar problems and needs and, like all the other constituencies, are calling for good political representation, was echoed at last Saturday’s public meeting held by the Anguilla Progressive Party on the grounds of the old East End School.

Anguilla’s cannons, scattered around the island on land and under the sea, are familiar sites for fishermen and divers, appreciated by all who “discover” them again and again.

Since the inception of the Anguilla Drag Racing Association, considerable emphasis has been placed on doing our best to represent Anguilla in the racing events held in Nevis.

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands -- Governor Gordon Wetherell announced on Friday morning, 14th August, that, following the decision in the Court of Appeal in London on 12th August and on the instruction of UK ministers, he signed a proclamation that brings into force the Order in Council suspending parts of the Turks and Caicos Islands constitution.

On Monday 10th August, Her Majesty’s Prison hosted visiting Pastor Alphonso Bailey, and his wife Marsha, for a two-day motivational workshop with the prisoners. Mr Bailey was invited to deliver this programme by Ms Shariffa Wallace, Rehabilitation and Development Coordinator at the prison. The Baileys travelled from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, and were on-island for three days.

The Department of Environment this week facilitated the development of Anguilla’s Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA) with special emphasis on the Tourism Sector. The Assessment took the form of a workshop that ran from August 18 to 20 at the Teachers' Resource Centre.

The week long camp during August 10-14 was designed for children, between the ages of 5-11, providing an opportunity for them to connect with other children in their age range by doing, caring, and sharing - All aimed at Enhancing social skills, Encouraging team spirit and Fostering leadership traits.

An all girls group of students, from Campus B of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, turned out some beautiful pottery vessels and other objects following a three-week workshop organised by the National Council of Women. The training was undertaken by Patrick Hall, a Potter of Jamaica.