News

Coccoloba Resort, at Barnes Bay in the western area of Anguilla, which changed ownership at various times since its inception in the mid-1980s, is to be demolished following its purchase from the Montreaux Group. In its place, and on additional land to the west and east of the existing property, will be erected a new project whose developers are the KOR Hotel Group of Los Angeles, California. The project is estimated at a minimum cost of 120 million US dollars including the price of the extra land.

As the Governor’s Office, through the Deputy Governor, continues to reform and modernise the Anguilla Public Service, a three-member Integrity Board has been appointed to examine issues of conflict of interest where reported and to advise on how to resolve them.

Anguilla is the only Caribbean island chosen as part of an Atlantic Rim Festival tour by Ensemble Moscow XX1, the first professional and international orchestra to be established in Russia. Its conductor, Irish-born Lygia O’Riordan, who has fallen in love with Anguilla, has been on the island this week making arrangements for the December 18 and 19 tour.

“It is good to get out and about. I don’t want to sit in the Governor’s Office as it were in my ivory tower. I really want to get a real understanding of how people think, what their problems are and whether I can help or not.” Those comments were made by His Excellency Governor Alan Huckle in an interview with Nat Hodge, Editor of The Anguillian on Monday, October 11. He was at the time visiting the office of the newspaper as part of his continuing tour of the island and meeting its people.

The National Bank of Anguilla Limited has entered into a partnership with the Anguilla Tourist Board as the Official Bank of the Tranquillity Jazz Festival over a three-year period and has made an initial donation of US$50,000.

Wednesday, October 13, was graduation day for 117 Fifth Form students at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School in Anguilla. The theme of the graduation ceremony was Flying Higher, Reaching Further.

Some dates have been changed, like the time when Dash-8 aircraft should resume operations at Wallblake Airport in Anguilla (from October 16 to November 1), but December 17 is still the target date for the completion of the runway. “There are some challenges ahead, but we can get pass them,” Kenn Banks, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities and Housing, told a press briefing on Tuesday, October 5.

Teachers in Anguilla were told at the beginning of a week of activities that their task was a heavy burden, but they should not give up.

Police in Anguilla announced on Tuesday, October 5, that a man was charged in connection with the murder of Jamida Webster of Island Harbour on or about March 13, 2003.

McGill University trained Anguillian Physician, Dr. Clyde Laurian Bryan, is now serving the people of the island at his Alantic Star Center of Medical Excellence at South Hill. The Internist opened his private practice on October 1, after completing a one-year contract with the Health Authority of Anguilla.

The Health Authority of Anguilla sees the Welches Polyclinic as a showpiece of its efforts to provide a reliable system of non-emergency health care services to patients at the district level and outside the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Mr. Peter Kennett, the British-born detective leading the investigations into three murders and one disappearance in Anguilla, has assured the people of the island that he will do his very best to resolve the tragic cases.

A new political party has been announced to contest the general elections in Anguilla constitutionally due next year.

Caribbean Juris Chambers, one of the leading law firms in Anguilla, celebrated its 21st Anniversary on Friday September 24, with a lavish party for staff, friends, colleaques and members of the general public.

The people of Anguilla and other islands served by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court are to see a re-structuring of the Magistrates’ Courts, according to Acting Chief Justice, Adrian Saunders.

Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming and Minister of Finance Victor Banks attended the Sixth Overseas Territories Consultative Council (OTCC) held in London on September 21 and 22. The meeting was hosted by Bill Rammel the Overseas Territories Minister and attended by Chief Ministers and senior politicians from the British Overseas Territories, including the Premier of Bermuda and Councillors from St Helena and the Falkland Islands. The only territory not represented was the Cayman Islands, due to the recent hurricane disaster.

Shanghai, China – The Anguilla financial services industry was in the spotlight at the Asia Offshore 2004 Conference held September 14 - 17 in Shanghai and hosted by the Asia Pacific Offshore Institute (APOI). The theme for this year’s conference was “A Brave New World – Investing Into and Keeping Abreast with the Offshore Financial World”.

Psoriasis (pronounced sore-i-ah-sis) is a common and chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. This disorder can cause severe emotion and physical impact on individuals with it. Although there is no cure, many of the symptoms can be controlled with treatment.

Cable & Wireless’ Business Unit in Anguilla has donated EC$5,000 and 500 exercise books to the Education Department for the schools on the island. The donation was made as part of the company’s philanthropic objectives under its new Foundation recently announced in St. Lucia.

In a historic signing ceremony at the Ministry of Infrastructure Communications and Public Utilities, the Public Utilities Commissiontoday issued Weblinks Limited the first telecommunications license inAnguilla’s recently liberalized telecommunications market. Weblinks, alocally owned telecommunications company since 1999, won the competitive bid for the license in December 2003, beating out DigiCel. A second license was won by Wireless Ventures (Anguilla) Ltd. in April 2004.