Local News

One of the features of the just-ended Anguilla Tranquility Jazz and Golf Festival was the attendance by a large number of Anguillians who mingled with the many visitors to enjoy the event aimed at jump-starting the tourist season. The musical performances were held on the grounds of CuisinArt Resort & Spa, apart from the golf segment, which was held at the Temenos Golf Course.

In a rare public appearance, Chairperson of the Anguilla Community College Board of Governors, Rhona Richardson-Roydon, has expressed much satisfaction and pleasure over the continued success of the Anguilla Community College and its benefits to education on the island.

After two decades of lobbying toward this end, the Anguilla National Council of Women (ANCW) has commended the Government of Anguilla for its decision to establish a Gender Affairs Unit within the Ministry of Home Affairs. The ANCW has also offered its expertise to the Government of Anguilla, and other civil society organisations in Anguilla, to expedite the operations of what is expected to be a vibrant, adequately resourced unit.

Anguilla’s Chief Minister, the Hon. Hubert Hughes, had planned a press conference on Friday, November 12, after meeting with the CARICOM delegation, which sought to find out what were the challenges facing the island an its people. Mr. Hughes said, however, that the lengthy meeting did not allow the previously-arranged meeting with the press to take place.

The Anguilla Development Board in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) through the Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services (CTCS) conducted a four-day workshop on Computerised Job Estimation Tools (CJET), which was held at the Paradise Cove Resort from November 8 – 11, 2010.

Simply Natural by Yinka, Anguilla’s long-standing health food establishment, is this week celebrating 17 years of providing herbal alternatives to the community. The locally owned and operated business opened its doors on November 16th, 1993 with a small selection of products. Today, in addition to providing herbal and nutritional counselling services, the alternative healing centre continues to cater to a wide cross section of the health-conscious community, as well as visitors, with a large variety of reputable brands and products.

A new Optimist year and a new beginning for the Optimist Club of Anguilla.

On October 30th the leadership of the Optimist Club of Anguilla changed hands. The Handing Over Ceremony was held at Grillers in Stoney Ground. It was the 15th

The faculty and student body of St. James School of Medicine in Anguilla have expressed thanks and appreciation to many residents, and other persons, who shared in, and supported, the institution’s health fair on Saturday, November 13.

The protracted delay of the appointment of the Second Nominated Member to the Anguilla House of Assembly ended on Monday, November 8, when Governor Alistair Harrison appointed Mr. Leroy Rogers to the parliamentary post.

The people of Anguilla will have reason to demand better service from senior Government employees following two one-week Public Administration Law Workshops at Masara Resort, Katouche Bay, from November 8-19.

Police

During the period November 3rd to November 9th, five thefts were reported in The Valley, Stoney Ground, North Side and Blowing Point. The items stolen included 17” spoke rims, jewelry, car stereo, fruit trees and cash.

The visit to Anguilla by a top level CARICOM delegation, which should have begun on Tuesday this week, but was “cancelled until further notice, due to unforeseen circumstances”, took place on Thursday instead.

“I think the tourist season this year is going to be extraordinary,” Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, the Hon. Haydn Hughes, told The Anguillian. “In the past, we more or less brought in the tour operators and travel agents to see the splendour of Anguilla and then sell the island. But one of the things I have done after assuming responsibility for tourism, is reaching directly to the consumer,” Mr. Hughes said.

On October 10, 2010, the Dutch territory of St. Maarten became an autonomous constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, making it a constitutional equal partner with Aruba. It now has responsibility for its own affairs, except matters of defence and foreign policy. Its first Prime Minister, a woman, is Mrs. Sarah Wescott-Williams, who has family connections in Anguilla.

I hope all might excuse this unsolicited review of Battle, as I would like to refer to the work, because the events it chronicles were truly a Battle Royal, to say the least! Quite simply, this book was a page burner, cover to cover. The account is as easily read and engaging as the best of novels, while it meticulously documented such a great moment in Anguilla’s history. On every page, it was interesting, scholarly, organised and beautifully written.

The Social Security systems in Anguilla and elsewhere in the Caribbean region are under review under an arrangement agreed by the CARICOM Heads of Government. It is to see what areas of best practices, where some systems may be doing some things better, can be implemented to improve the work or efficiency of other such organisations.

The Executive Council has given its approval, in principle, for the establishment of a Gender Affairs Unit in Anguilla.

The Policy Paper was tabled at Friday’s meeting of the Executive Council by Minister of Home Affairs the Hon. Walcott Richardson.

On Sunday November 7 a group of Soroptimists from the St Martin Club joined Anguillian Soroptimists on the beach at Cove Bay. The two clubs have a Friendship Link and each year get together for a fun day, and for each club’s anniversary dinner.

The Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and the Anguilla Community College, which have similar objectives with respect to education and development for the people of the island, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday, November 9, to work together towards their shared goals.

Anguilla-based companies T&M Construction and Comet Systems are in Nevis assisting with the restoration of the Four Seasons Resort in time to re-open for the holiday season. The resort has been closed since October of 2008 when Hurricane Omar caused flooding throughout the property's lower level Great House and Cottages and damaged landscaping and site structures across the property.