Local News

The Ministry of Social Development, Departments of Youth and Culture and The Valley Community Youth Development Committee invite you to the third public consultation on Friday 6th February Bob Marley Day, from 5:30 pm at the Valley Basket Ball Grounds.

In its continuing effort to place more emphasis on training and education for members and businesses in Anguilla, the ACOCI sponsored two four-hour seminars on “Goal Setting and Business Planning” presented by noted International Speaker, Morton Patterson. The sessions were held 29 January at Paradise Cove Resort and all seats for both of then were filled.

LIME, the new telecommunications company, which has replaced Cable & Wireless, will not have the customary Valentine’s Day promotions this year, but will be offering its big deals during the whole month of February instead - more time for everyone to benefit.

Road Bay, Anguilla, was a scene of much excitement on Sunday, February 1, as just over 30 youngsters ranging from 7-16 years and a number of adults from Anguilla and St. Maarten participated in the 2nd Sailing Dinghy Regatta, a sporting event of the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club.

The Department of Probation is pleased to announce the launching of a public sensitization campaign for the Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre. The Department is embarking on this campaign with the aim of informing and educating the public about the objectives and functions of the Centre. The programme will allow the Department and the Community to interact through various mediums, with the view that this will be an exciting and informative undertaking for us all.

Effective February 2, 2009, the Department of Labour will introduce a new work permit identification card, equipped with features and benefits to increase security and efficiency.

Digicel, the Bigger, Better Network has launched Prepaid BlackBerry with affordable plans to suit every budget. Available as a 7-day, 14- day or a 30-day data plan, the prepaid option provides all Digicel customers with a flexible, simple and cost-effective approach to accessing the rich benefits of the BlackBerry platform.

Mrs. Donna Banks, Special Assistant in the Ministry of Tourism reported on Wednesday this week that in spite of the challenges over the past eighteen months to improve access out of the San Juan hub, Anguilla Air Express operated by Rainbow International Airlines will commence serving the Anguilla San Juan route beginning February 14, 2009.

Cap Juluca, now perhaps the most rejuvenated and attractive resort in the Caribbean, has launched its 21st year of operations and, in a presentation ceremony on Tuesday this week, long service and other awards were distributed to its deserving and proud employees.

CuisinArt Resort & Spa, a high-end property on Anguilla’s southwest coast, has now officially opened its state-of-the-art expanded Venus Spa, a facility which will ultimately increase the rave reviews the hotel currently enjoys around the world.

Police in Anguilla have launched a manhunt for a number of armed and masked persons who are responsible for a spate of robberies and burglaries on the island, committed largely against restaurants earlier this month and with some violence, as recent as January 22 and 26.

Following is the text of a lecture delivered by Anguillian Historian, Mr. Colville Petty, OBE, to the Royal Anguilla Police Force on monday January 26. His address in which he covered the above matters, was part of activities marking the 37th Anniversary of the Police Force.

“Is it nothing to you that crime and other social ills are rampant in Anguilla?” the voice of Pastor Norril Gumbs of the First Baptist Church at Welches echoed in the spacious edifice on Sunday, January 25. His challenge was to the people of the island, many of them seated in the pews below his pulpit, to confront evil and to work with the police.

The members of the Ex-Police Officers’ Association demonstrated a sense of camaraderie when they remembered their colleague, Alban John, and presented him with a small, but much-loved gift at the start of activities marking the 37th Anniversary of the Royal Anguilla Police Force on Sunday, January 25.

At their now weekly Wednesday press conference, Opposition Members in the Anguilla House of Assembly, Hubert Hughes and Edison Baird, joined in expressing grave concern over the high level of crime on the island and called for strict remedial measures to deal with the situation.

The Seventh-day Adventist community in Anguilla is currently involved in a field campaign to raise funds of which a large portion is to be distributed to assist with various social and educational needs on the island, including the less fortunate.

The Anguilla Beautification Club (ABC) is holding its 10th Flower and Garden Show under the theme “Celebration!” It will take place at Wallblake House on the weekend of February 28 & March 1. There will be several events for the anniversary with an extra special entrance display by Black Orchid. There will also be a special 10th Anniversary commemorative glossy booklet (8.5 by 11 inches) containing features, tips, plant care information, photographs of past shows and much more.

Chief Minister and Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Osbourne Fleming, said the Royal Anguilla Police Force was continuing to face daunting challenges. He defined the role of the police as including upholding the law fairly and firmly; preventing crime; pursuing and bringing to justice those who break the law; generally keeping the peace and, not least of all, protecting, helping and reassuring the community.

The Anguilla Customs Department is among such public sector establishments in three Overseas Territories benefiting from a reform modernization programme with the assistance of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in the ASYCUDA Programme.

Into a world filled with the news of job losses, recession and financial crises comes a renewed call to ‘Be inspired’ rather than give in to despair. This challenge comes from Dr. Julian (Jules) Ferdinand in his first publication with the name “Be Inspired” which was launched in St. Vincent at a book signing ceremony on January 13th 2009. Dr. Ferdinand, the former CEO of the East Caribbean Group of Companies, writes a weekly column in The Vincentian newspaper, and has written extensively on the need to cultivate habits that retain a focus on constantly improving one’s personal performances.