GOVERNOR DEPARTS

At a series of goodbye meetings and social events to mark her departure, Government Ministers and senior Civil Servants have been paying tribute to the departing Governor. Mrs Deborah Barnes Jones has been instrumental in getting all major Departments of Government to draw up business plans for their future development. These plans have been an integral part of the budgetary planning process and have formed a major input into the civil service reform project that is currently ongoing.

At a series of goodbye parties and receptions a number of presentations have been made to Mrs Deborah Barnes Jones to serve as reminders of her three years in Montserrat. She explained to those present that she had received permission from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to take two years leave of absence to allow her to oversee her twin daughters transition from school to college in the USA where they are based. However, it will not be a wasted two years added Mrs Barnes Jones, she is to take the opportunity to study for a Masters Degree in Disaster Management. "Montserrat has given me the practical experience of managing the volcano, now I can look at the theoretical aspects of disaster management" Mrs Barnes Jones explained to listeners at a goodbye reception held at the Cultural Centre on 25 June.

At the 25 June event there were glowing tributes from the Hon Chief Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Attorney General and the Hon Financial Secretary. Presentations were made to Mrs Barnes Jones by the Hon Idabelle Meade on behalf of the Government and people of Montserrat and Mrs Angela Greenaway made one on behalf of the Civil Service. The Emerald Community Singers made their own tribute in music by singing four songs to the departing Governor.

MONTSERRAT CELEBRATES QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY

Saturday 16 June saw the celebrations in Montserrat of Her Majesty The Queen's Official Birthday with new look activities.

The morning saw the parade of uniformed bodies with the salute being taken by Her Excellency the Governor, Mrs Deborah Barnes Jones. The parade featured the Royal Montserrat Defence Force, the Royal Montserrat Police Force, the Cadet Corps, the Prison Service and a host of voluntary uniformed bodies. The parade was led by the Royal Antiguan Police Band who were in Montserrat for the weekend.

In the afternoon, the Governor's office hosted a family fun day at Blakes Football Field. Over 1500 people attended, a third of the island's population. A host of voluntary organisations joined forces with Governor's Office staff to organise the afternoon's events. These included athletics, seven a side football, a domino competition, kite flying, children's games and a tug of war competition. Music was provided by the Youth Steel Orchestra, the Junior Masquerades and a guest appearance from the Antiguan Police Band. Food and drink were distributed by Government House staff and a hi-fi system was supplied by the Cultural Centre.

All in all, everyone enjoyed the day's activities and the Governor was quick to thank everyone who had helped in the arrangements. She pointed out that this was her last Queen's Birthday Celebrations as Governor of Montserrat and that she wanted to celebrate it in style.

Pictures show the Queen's Birthday Military Parade

TWO MONTSERRATIANS NAMED IN QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST

Receiving the OBE is Mr Chadd Cumberbatch, a teacher, poet, playwrite and actor. Mr Cumberbatch, a resident of Salem, teaches at the Montserrat Secondary School. He receives his award for services to Education and Culture. Mr Cumberbatch has toured the Caribbean with his plays and sketches and recently took his HIV / AIDS awareness production, St Marks Place to the United Nations HQ in New York for a production there.

Receiving the MBE is local businessman Mr John (Johnny) E. Wyke. Mr Wyke has worked with the Christmas Festival Committee for nearly three decades in every aspect of the year end festival. In recent times, Mr Wyke also became the leader of the 'Friends of the Cultural Centre Committee' attempting to raise funds to complete the kitchen and bar facilities at the centre. He also gives his time generously to a host of other voluntary organisations and committees.

Her Excellency the Governor, Mrs Deborah Barnes Jones personally congratulated the two men on their awards.

GOVERNMENT OF MONTSERRAT AGREES NEW CONTRACT WITH WINAIR

WINAIR's current contract for providing air services for Montserrat ends on July 10th 2007.

The Government of Montserrat explained that in a liberalized environment WINAIR has the right to request a fare adjustment and a flexible schedule, and after receiving advice from the Air Services Monitoring Committee the Government has agreed to a moderate fare increase with the airline, to take into account rising operational costs.

The increases in fares range from five US dollars (USD$5.00) to fourteen US dollars (USD$14.00) on all fares to and from Montserrat.

Under the contract WINAIR will operate four daily flights, with the option of reducing the number of flights to three per day, depending on the load factors. However, the airline will consult the Government of Montserrat with any proposed changes to its schedule.

The Honourable Minister of Communications and Works Idabelle Meade says the new arrangement with WINAIR will open up the market for other airlines to operate scheduled services in and out of Montserrat, and ferry operators to provide services.

Picture shows Winair's twin otter aircraft landing at Gerald's airport

MONTSERRAT PREPARES FOR 2007 HURRICANE SEASON

The names of prospective storms for 2007 are: Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dean, Erin, Felix, Gabrielle, Humberto, Ingrid, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Noel, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van, and Wendy.

Following the National Hurricane Conference, the DMCA issued the following list of Hurricane Shelters for 2007:

In Salem:

The Salem Methodist Church
The Salem Police Station
The Salem Anglican Church
The Salem Primary School
The Shiloh Penticostal Church
The Salem Catholic Church
The Montserrat Secondary School

In St Peters:

The St Peter's Old School

In Cudjoe Head:

Brades Pentecostal Church
Brades Primary School
Cavalla Hill Methodist Church KoinaKraft Centre
Cavalla Hill Methodist Church Education Centre

In St Johns:

Davy Hill Pilgrim Holiness Church
Emmanuel Apostolic Church
SDA Mongo Hill Shelter
Church of God of Prophecy
St Johns Anglican Church
Judy Piece Methodist Church

In Lookout:

Lookout Primary School
Lookout Activity Centre
Lookout Community Centre

The DMCA have also issued a Resident's Guide to the 2007 Hurricane Season and copies of this are currently being distributed to every household in Montserrat.

MONTSERRAT'S EMERGENCY POLICY GROUP AGREES TO KEEP EVACUATION MEASURES IN PLACE DESPITE LULL IN VOLCANIC ACTIVITY

The MVO Director, Dr Vicky Hards, reported that there had been little change in the state of the Soufriere Hills Volcano since the last EPG meeting on 16th May 2007. Dr Hards confirmed that there had been a pause in fresh magma extrusion from the volcano since early April. Her presentation included a series of photographs and an infra red survey of the dome carried out on on 6th June 2007 by helicopters from HMS Ocean. These showed very steep dome sections and a large mass of hot material over the top of Tyers Ghaut. Dr Hards noted that the 2007 hurricane season is upon us and resulting heavy rainfall could result in a dome collapse with possible pyroclastic flows and mudflows. She repeated that the amount of material above Tyres Ghaut to the North West of the dome is sufficient to generate pyroclastic flows and surges capable of impacting on the lower Belham Valley and low lying areas up to lower Happy Hill and the Old Towne ridge.

The EPG noted the three (3) scenarios put forward by the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) based on the lull in volcanic activity:

1. that this represents a short pause in activity of several months, or

2. a longer pause in activity of one or two years, or

3. the end of this episode of the eruption

Noting that the current lull in volcanic began in early April 2007 and is therefore now approaching the period of three (3) months mentioned in the SAC scenarios, the EPG has agreed that the SAC should be tasked to re-evaluate the risks to the unsafe areas. EPG members concluded that until then, the configuration of the dome requires the precautionary measures already in place to remain. This includes the continued evacuation of the unsafe areas. The EPG has recognised the need for clear demarcation of the Maritime Exclusion Zone, (MEZ) and for a process for requests from persons to enter the MEZ to be setup. The EPG has requested that a meeting be held as soon as possible with the island's fishermen, to discuss the Maritime Exclusion Zones (MEZ) around various parts of the island and the demarcation of the boundaries of the MEZ at sea.

Picture shows the dome in mid-June 2007

MONTSERRAT DELEGATION ATTENDS CUBA CONFERENCE

The Montserrat delegation comprised the Hon Mrs Margaret Dyer Howe, the Minister of Agriculture and the Environment, Mrs Denise Philips of MONFEST (the Montserrat Christmas Ferstival Committee) and local playwrite and actor, Mr Chadd Cumberbatch OBE.

The Montserrat group joined with over 600 delegates from around the world representing over 30 countries. 'Cultural Diversity' was the central theme of the conference and delegates discussed recognition of cultural plurality, diversity of expressions and the cultural processes in development in a globalised world.

Originally founded in 1999, the Congress has amongst its objectives the promotion of exchange of cultural experiences, ideas and projects for human creativity. It is the first time that Montserrat has attended the Congress.

One of the interesting items on the agenda was a round table discussion, named Culture-Mondo and this looked at themes such as diversity in the global world, as well as cultural industries and technological changes.

CULTURAL CENTRE GETS CINEMA LICENSE COURTESY OF GOVERNOR'S GRANT

The state of the art centre, which contains the Sir George Martin Auditorium will soon be able to show first run films in the auditorium. As one of her last donations to the Montserrat community, the outgoing Governor, Mrs Deborah Barnes Jones, presented a cheque for over EC$6,500 to the centre to pay for the first annual license to allow the movies to be shown.

The Motion Picture Licensing Company of the United Kingdom has awarded the Montserrat Cultural Centre an umbrella license to show the films of 50 independent producers and major studios. The £1200 license fee was paid by Governor Barnes Jones as a gift to the people of Montserrat so they can use the cinema facilities and enjoy the films. The Centre will start up its Cinema Club in the near future and monies raised from the small membership fee will ensure that future license fees in subsequent years can be met.

The cheque was handed over to the newly appointed Manager of the Cultural Centre, Amanda Osborne and Director of Technical Operations at the centre, Mr Chris Runciman. Looking on at the short ceremony, held at the Cultural Centre were members of the Friends of the Cultural Centre and wellwishers.

Miss Osborne thanked Mrs Barnes Jones for her kind donation and said that she was leaving behind a legacy that will allow future generations to enjoy cinema on island once again.

The island's only cinema - The Shamrock, was destroyed by pyroclastic flows in Plymouth over a decade ago.