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MONTSERRAT
TO CELEBRATE THE GOLDEN JUBILEE
Montserrat, along with other
Commonwealth Nations is to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's Golden
Jubilee of her ascension to the throne.
Monday 3 June and Tuesday 4, June will be public holidays in Montserrat
and a number of working committees have been set up to plan events
leading up to the holiday weekend. This will replace the annual Queen's
Birthday holiday just for this year.
On the plans are a parade of uniformed bodies (this will replace the
traditional Queen's Birthday Parade), a cultural evening, an Ecumenical
Church service, activities for children, reception, sports events,
creative writing competition, lectures and exhibitions. |
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It is especially an opportunity to thank all those of you who help
others in your own local communities through public or voluntary
service. I would like to think that your work will be particularly
recognised during this Jubilee year.
I hope that this time of celebration in the United Kingdom and across
the Commonwealth will not simply be an occasion to be nostalgic
about the past. I believe that, young or old, we have as much to
look forward to with confidence and hope as we have to look back
on with pride.
I send my warmest good wishes to you all."
Elizabeth R.
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Queen Elizabeth 11 ascended to the Throne on 6, February 1952 after
the death of her father. On the anniversary of that date, earlier
this year Her Majesty The Queen sent the following message:
"Prince Philip and I have been deeply touched by the many
kind messages about the Golden Jubilee.
This anniversary is for us an occasion to acknowledge with gratitude
the loyalty and support which we have received from so many people
since I came to the Throne in 1952.
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FRENCH CHEF HOLDS TRAINING COURSE ON
ISLAND
A visiting French International Executive Sous Chef, Mr Luc Poirine is
currently on island to train local hoteliers and restaurant owners in
the art of pastry making.
Mr Poirine's visit has been organized by the National Development Foundation
(NDF) as part of their small business development thrust for Montserrat's
tourism sector.
The chef will hold two one week long courses (one in the mornings and
one in the evenings) and classes will be held in the modern kitchens at
the SDA Centre in Mongo Hill.
Mr Poirine has worked in leading restaurants in Europe and the Caribbean
and is currently based in Barbados. He specializes in pastries and Pastillage
(sugar icing) and is famous for his creations in chocolate. His visit
to Montserrat is being funded by CDB
NEW COMMISSIONER OF POLICE SWORN
IN
On
Wednesday 20, March Superintendent of Police John Douglas - a 35 year
veteran of the Royal Montserrat Police Force (RMPF) - was sworn in
as Montserrat's new Commissioner of Police.
The ceremony was administered by His Excellency the Governor Mr Tony
Longrigg at his office, Lancaster House in Olveston. Mr Douglas succeeded
Mr Alex Elder who has retired and has since returned to his native
Scotland.
Mr Douglas was born in St Kitts and came to |
Montserrat in the mid 1960's to become a constable in the local
force. He told reporters after the ceremony that his election to
the position of Commissioner shows that the British Government has
confidence in the local officials of the RMPF. He went on to say
that he believes in discipline within the force and is a firm believer
in community policing and that he hoped to see this aspect of police
work further develop under his leadership. Mr Douglas has been contracted
for two years.
His Excellency the Governor said during the ceremony that he was
pleased that one of the RMPF's own had reached the top spot and
that he was pleased that, for the first time in over a decade, a
serving member of the force had reached the top spot.
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In his goodbye comments, outgoing Commissioner,
Alex Elder reviewing his two years at the helm of the local force
lauded the introduction of community policing and wished Mr Douglas
well in the future.
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Mr
Douglas signs oath
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NEW FCO TRAVEL ADVISORY
FOR MONTSERRAT
Last updated: 04 March
2002
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are trouble-free. However, because of ongoing volcanic activity, entry
into the southern part of the island is prohibited. There is also
an exclusion zone around the southern coastal waters. But life and
commercial activity, including tourism, continue as normal in the
central and northern regions.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
The risk of theft and street crime is very low in Montserrat; however,
normal commonsense precautions should be taken.
The Soufriere Hills volcano continues to be active. Areas south
of a line extending from the summit of Garibaldi Hill in the west
to Pelican Ghaut in the east have been designated an Exclusion Zone
into which entry is prohibited.
There is also a small Day Time Entry Zone (DTEZ) into which daytime
vehicular entry is permitted when the island authorities consider
it safe. The volcano is continuously monitored by resident scientists.
For updates on the Soufriere Hills volcano log onto the Montserrat
Volcano Observatory (MVO) on: www.mvo.ms
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In addition, there is a two mile Marine Exclusion Zone from a point
off the southern end of Old Road Bay in the west, around the south
of the island to a point off the bluff at the northern end of Trants
Bay in the east. All shipping is required to stay clear of this
area.
For further information on whether the DTEZ is open and for conditions
of entry please contact the Police Headquarters Telephone (001 664)
491 2555.
Maps showing the Exclusion Zone and Day Time Entry Zone can be
obtained free of charge at the port of entry.
HEALTH
There is a well equipped 30-bed hospital which provides a 24 hour
casualty service. However, anyone requiring specialist medical treatment
may need to travel to a neighbouring island. Visitors should ensure,
as usual, that they have adequate medical insurance, which should
cover the cost of possible medical evacuation.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
UK passport holders and nationals of other Commonwealth countries,
including other United Kingdom Overseas Territories, do not require
a visa to enter Montserrat but should be in possession of a return
ticket to their place of permanent residence.
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GENERAL
Visitors can reach the island from Antigua by helicopter (20 minutes)
or high speed ferry (one hour). Information on transport and current
timetables can be obtained from Montserrat Aviation Services (MAS)
by telephoning them at: +1 664 491 2362 or faxing them at: +1 664
491 7186.
Montserrat is a United Kingdom Overseas Territory. The Governor’s
Office on the island will assist British nationals where necessary,
however, this does not include the renewal or replacement of British
passports which is carried out by the British High Commission in
Barbados.
INSURANCE
In addition the FCO strongly recommends that all travellers abroad
take out comprehensive insurance. For medical/inoculations advice:
contact your GP, and refer to the Department of Health website.
For visa information: contact the relevant Embassy/Consulate in
London.
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GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SUPPORTS LOCAL PROJECTS
Following the meeting of all Montserrat's NGO's and Community Groups
held at the Brades Pentecostal Church last year the Governor's Office
has supported an increased number of local projects arrising from that
meeting. All of the projects were managed by local agencies and individuals.
In the region of £380,000 (approx EC$1.5 million) has been expended
on a wide variety of projects over the past financial year (April 1 2001
to March 31 2002). The Governor's Office has accessed three major funding
areas to support these projects, namely the Foreign & Commonnwealth
Office (FCO) Overseas Territories Environmental Fund; the FCO Good Governance
Fund and the DFID Small Grants Scheme.
Some of the local projects supported include:
ENVIRONMENTAL:
1. The Montserrat Oriole Project supported by the Montserrat National
Trust working in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Briatain's
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
2. Environmental workshop in June 2001
3. Derelict vehicles clean up campaign
4.Development of Duck Pond Park & Picnic area and ongoing
development of a family park in Woodlands.
5. Grassing of Brades Primary School playground
6. Back-yard garden fencing for the Look-out community.
TRAINING
1. Arts & Crafts Training Project
2. Ongoing NGO Training Project by Partners of the Americas in
collaboration witht the University of the West Indies
3. Gymnastics training programme organised by Ms Tammy Foot
4. Ongoing Bee Keeping Project
HEALTH
1. Improving conditions at the St John's Hospital for psychiatric
patients
2.Supply and training in use of foetal monitor at the St John's Hospital
3.Supplying equipment for the elderly and the infirm.
4. Drug education projects.
LEGAL & LEGISLATIVE
1. Computerisation of the Court records
2. The training of election officials
3. Human Rights training
GENERAL PROJECTS
1. Support for local pig farmers
2. Irrigation projects for backyard gardeners
3. Support for Emerald Community Singer's UK tour
4. Air coditioning units for the Public Library.
Currently the Governor's Office is inviting ideas for projects to support
during the new financial year which begins on 1 April 2002. All recognised
NGO's and Community Groups who have ideas for funding are invited to discuss
them with their peers at the Montserrat National Trust or Partners of
the Americas during the NGO training course. The contact at the Governor's
Office for further discussions is the 3rd Secretary / Staff Officer at
491 2688. E mail: govoff@candw.ag
Her
Majesty The Queen's
Commonwealth Day Message
(11
MARCH 2002)
Over the past fifty years the Commonwealth has undergone a remarkable
transformation from an association defined by its history into the modern,
multicultural organisation we know today. Across those years, it has been
the privilege of many of us to witness that evolution: to see at first
hand the contribution made by the Commonwealth's leaders, as evident in
Australia last week; and to share in the enthusiasm and warmth of its
peoples.
Today, the Commonwealth is a meeting place for North and South, East
and West. It is built on diversity - which is why this year's theme, "Celebrating
Diversity" goes to the heart of the association.
Politically, the Commonwealth sees its diversity as a strength . That
was certainly true of its invaluable contribution to the ending of Apartheid
in South Africa. The practical assistance it was able to offer in such
crucial areas reflects the kaleidoscope of its membership and its expertise.
As a result, the Commonwealth was able to work with all the different
communities of what is now proudly called "the rainbow nation".
Bridging social and political divides has also been a feature of the Commonwealth's
continuing work in seeking to encourage democracy, good governance, the
rule of law, and respect for human rights.
In all this, we recognise that promoting diversity is not just tolerating
difference. Living together as neighbours needs more than that. The true
celebration of diversity involves reaching out, recognising and embracing
difference, and in so doing enriching our lives. It requires respect for
others and a readiness to learn from them; recognising that we have duties
as well as rights; and seeking to leave the world a better place than
the one we inherited.
As each of the last fifty has passed, so too has our appreciation of the
contribution made by the Commonwealth, an association of peoples as much
as it is of governments, bound together by ideals as well as interests.
If the Commonwealth is to remain a force for good, we must ensure that
those ideals are carried forward by the millions of young people across
the world who are its future - so that they too can celebrate and build
on the diversity of this unique organisation.
Elizabeth R
NAVY SHIP HMS SUTHERLAND TO VISIT
The West Indies Guard Ship, HMS Sutherland will visit Montserrat between
27 and 28 March 2002 to pay a courtesy call on the island. HMS Sutherland
has a ships company of over 200.
A full programme of events are being planned for the visit including
sports, work parties, cultural and social events and in addition courtesy
calls will be made on H.E. the Governor, Mr Tony Longrigg and the Hon.
Acting Chief Minister, Mrs Idabelle Meade by the Commanding Officer and
senior officers of the ship.
This will be HMS Sutherland's first visit to Montserrat since assuming
duties as the current West Indies Guard Ship.
THREE PERSONS ARE TO BE AWARDED
THE
MONTSERRAT CERTIFICATE AND
BADGE OF HONOUR
His Excellency the Governor, Mr Anthony J Longrigg is pleased to announce
that three persons are to be awarded the Montserrat Certificate &
Badge of Honour. They are (in alphabetical order):
Eileen Edwards, MBE
For her contributions to the field of Education. She held the post of
Principal of the St Augustine School for eleven years after her retirement
from the Civil Service. She worked tirelessly to ensure that the children's
education was not unduly interrupted during the volcanic crisis when the
school had to relocate.
Gerodine Mason
For her contributions to the Girl Guide Association for approx 50 years
and where she currently holds the position of guide leader. In addition
she has been a member of many cultural groups including the Emerald Community
Singers, the Montserrat Amateur Dramatic Society and Voices. She has also
contributed significantly to the island's Anglican Community.
Pastor Abraham Riley
For his contributions to the community as a Minister of Religion for
the past 36 years. He is currently the District Superintendent of the
Pentecostal Assembly of the West Indies - Montserrat District. He also
serves on the following committees: Juvenile Assessors, Public Assistance,
and the Mentally Challenged. He remained on island during the volcanic
crisis to minister to the remaining population irrespective of their faith.
A formal awards ceremony will be arranged for later this year.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE
21 MARCH 2002.
LOOKOUT NURSERY SCHOOL OPENS
The Lookout Nursery School, built with DFID funding, was officially opened
at a ceremony on Sunday 24, March 2002.
The school, built by Ryan Enterprises, has taken around nine months to
complete and cost EC$800,000 to build.
At the opening ceremony, the building was blessed and there were speeches
by Education and DFID officials. The Master of Ceremonies at the opening
ceremony was Mr Eugene Skerritt the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry
of Education, Health & Community Services. Also in attendence at the
ceremony was His Excellency the Governor and Mrs Longrigg.
MONTSERRAT SENDS CONDOLENCES
ON PRINCESS MARGARET'S DEATH
Following the death of H.M. The Queen's Sister, Her Royal Highness The
Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowden last month, a condolence book was
opened at the Governor's Office in Olveston to allow members of the public
to sign. The condolences from Montserrat were forwarded to Buckingham
Palace.
The funeral of Princess Margaret took place at St George's Chapel, Windsor
on Friday 15, February and in Montserrat all Union flags were flown at
half mast.
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