Category: News

What a marvellous turnout for St Helena Day. This year Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has agreed the theme for this family should be the ‘Connected Commonwealth’. Building connections between people and, in particular, with our Commonwealth partners.

This year we mark the 70th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth. The Commonwealth is the largest worldwide partnership of countries after the UN, made up of 53 nations, and increasingly the overseas territories. Quite simply a family of friendly nations that have a wish to maintain a connection to the United Kingdom and amongst themselves.

People, governments and organisations across the Commonwealth connect through youth events, cultural networks and educational exchanges. We connect and work together to protect our natural environment and the oceans we share. We connect and cooperate amongst our businesses to encourage economic development. We connect and share in friendly rivalry on track and pitch and encourage our young people to participate in sport to develop achievement and generosity of spirit. This year at St Helena Day we honour the friendship of the Commonwealth to help us in being better citizens.

This year, Her Majesty has written:

“We are able to look to the future with greater confidence and optimism as a result of the links that we share, and thanks to the networks of cooperation and mutual support to which we contribute, and on which we draw. With enduring commitment through times of great change, successive generations have demonstrated that whilst the goodwill for which the Commonwealth is renowned may be hard to define, its impact is very real. We continue to find new ways of expressing through action the value of belonging in a connected Commonwealth.”

Her message of connection and goodwill echoes here today on St Helena. There will be contests and challenges, winners and the not so successful, excitement and surprises. But amongst the personal hopes and actions, remember we are stronger when we work together as a society, connected in a common spirit of friendship.Let us also offer our support to the Saints who will be participating in the forthcoming Island Games. Thousands of athletes will come together in June to compete in Gibraltar and Wales. It is another example of young people connecting across islands with similar hopes and desires as ourselves. St Helena can be proud we will be competing and flying the flag for our territory.

Growing up in small communities surrounded and shaped by the sea instils in us a resilient spirit, a pride in our heritage and a determination to defy the odds to be successful.

I am privileged to be here at the start of the St Helena Day 2019 celebrations.

HE Governor Dr Philip Rushbrook
21 May 2019

The following is a Public Announcement from Judicial Services:

The St Helena Court of Appeal will be sitting in the United Kingdom on Friday, 24 May 2019, to consider an appeal against the sentence in the case of Benjamin vs The Crown.

The hearing in the United Kingdom will have a live video link with the Court House in Jamestown.

The hearing is due to begin at 9am and the Court House will be open to the public.

SHG
22 May 2019

https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh

St Helena Police are still actively investigating the theft of a silver ford fiesta car, registration number 2969, belonging to Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc which occurred on Thursday, 18 April 2019 (Maundy Thursday), in the Rock Rose area.

Within the car was a substantial amount of cash which was contained in two cash tins, one red and one black, both were stolen. If these are found by a member of the public please call the Police immediately on tel: 22626.

A number of persons were arrested on Thursday, 16, and Friday, 17 May 2019, in connection with the incident and have been released on police bail. Enquiries are ongoing.

If any member of the public has any information at all about this incident, no matter how minor it may seem, please contact Police Headquarters.  

A reward of £1000 is being offered by Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc to anyone providing information that leads to the conviction of those responsible for this crime.

#StHelena #StHelenaPolice #PoliceInvestigation #StolenVehicle

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SHG
20 May 2019

The following is a Public Announcement from Waste Management Services:

Waste Management Services (WMS) would like to advise the public that there will be no changes to existing services during the upcoming Public Holidays:

• Tuesday 21 May – St Helena’s Day
• Monday 10 June –  Whit Monday
• Monday 17 June – In lieu of HM the Queen’s Birthday

Residents are requested to have their waste ready for collection by 6am on their normal collection day. Late placement of bins may result in missed collection.

Public areas and toilet cleaning services also remain unchanged.

Horse Point Landfill Site remains open to the public 24/7, including Public Holidays. Users are encouraged to recycle as much of their waste as possible prior to any disposal in the Bulky Waste Cell.

When in recreational areas, do not litter. To protect the environment, please ensure that all litter is properly disposed of in the public litter bins provided (recycling as much litter as possible), with larger volumes of litter bagged accordingly.

WMS would like to thank the public for their continued cooperation.

Waste Management Services – ‘working in partnership with customers for a cleaner and greener St Helena’.

SHG
20 May 2019

https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh

The following is a Public Announcement from Corporate Services:

The public is reminded that the 2019 Provisional Register of Electors has been published and the deadline for applications to amend the register is 4pm on Wednesday, 22 May 2019.

Persons who are eligible to have their names entered in the Register may apply to amend the Provisional Register to add or remove their name, remove the name of someone who has died or left the Island or who might be ineligible for inclusion in the Register, change an address or electoral district in which he/she will be allowed to vote or correct any other error. 

Persons eligible to be registered must:

• Have St Helenian Status as defined in the Immigration Ordinance, 2011
• Be 17 years of age or older with St Helena as their ordinary place of residence

 There are some exceptions, such as mental incapacity or someone serving a prison sentence of 12 months or more.

For information, spouses or life partners who do not have St Helenian Status whose names were included on the Register that was published in July 2017, will be protected by virtue of the transitional provision that was included in the Elections (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017. This protection will remain in place until 30 June 2020 provided that the person concerned continues to comply with the other requirements of the Elections Ordinance.

The Register is available on the SHG Website via the following link: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government-gazettes/

Hard copies have also been placed at the following locations:

• Customer Service Centre, Jamestown
• Public Library, Jamestown
• ANRD Offices, Scotland
• Rural sub Post Offices

Copies are also held by the Assistant Registration Officer at the Castle, Jamestown, and the Assistant Registration Officer at the office of the Administrator, Ascension Island.

Applications using the prescribed form ‘A’ will need to be submitted to the Assistant Registration Officer, at the Castle by no later than 4pm on Wednesday, 22 May 2019. Form ‘A’ is available on the SHG website: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/forms/ Copies are also available at the above locations.

Further information about registering and making amendments may be obtained from the Assistant Registration Officer, Anthea Moyce, at the Castle on tel:  22470 or via email: anthea.moyce@sainthelena.gov.sh

The final Register of Electors for the year commencing 1 July 2019 will be published in June.

If your name is not on the Register of Electors you will not be able to stand or vote in any Bye-Election or General Election.  It is therefore your responsibility to check the Provisional Register and to make application to have your name included if it is not already listed.

SHG
20 May 2019

https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh

St Helena is currently experiencing very hot weather conditions, which can start unexpected fires. Items such as magnifying glasses, mirrors and glass paperweights can reflect and concentrate the sun’s rays to a single point, causing any nearby combustible materials such as curtains, clothing, paper or furniture to spontaneously combust.

Due to this process, the sun’s rays are magnified, hence it is a dangerous practice for anyone to leave any glass objects in window sills or within close proximity to any windows that catch direct sunlight. In fact, anything that can concentrate the sun’s rays such as fish bowls, glasses of water, paper weights etc should be kept away from any window to reduce the risk of a potential fire.

Safety tips

• Keep magnifying mirrors out of direct sunlight
• Never put glass ornaments or paper weights on window sills
• Never place ornaments or glass paper weights in direct sunlight
• Make sure shaving or vanity mirrors are not left on windows sills
• Close all blinds or curtains when rooms are not in use. If windows do not have blinds, please consider installing them
• Be aware of all objects in your home or places of work that can concentrate the sun’s rays and remove them to a safer location away from direct sunlight

The St Helena Fire & Rescue Service advises the public to assess their work/home environment to prevent any unexpected fires from occurring.

Should you require any fire safety assistance for your place of work or home, please feel free to contact the St Helena Fire & Rescue Service on tel: 23344.

#StHelena # Fire&RescueService #FireSafety #SafetyAdvice #AltogetherSafer

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SHG
17 May 2019

The Education Directorate has recently made three new appointments within their team.

Angela Benjamin is the new Assistant Director for Lifelong Learning and will oversee the sectors under Lifelong Learning including the Public Library, the St Helena Community College, the St Helena Research Institute, and the Scholarship scheme.

Angela said:

“To be successful for the role of Assistant Director for Lifelong Learning is a major accomplishment for me and I am proud to accept the position. The role is a diverse and challenging one, but also rewarding. This is a big step in my career and I am looking forward to it. As a team within the Education Directorate, together we will continue to strive to develop the provision of adult learning for the community of St Helena.”

The second new appointment will see Kerry Lawrence take on the post of Assistant Director of Schools.

In her new role, Kerry will provide a professional advisory and support role to the Director of Education to ensure that the key areas of focus in Primary and Secondary Education – Standards and Achievement, School Improvement, School Organisation, Admissions, Behaviours and Attendance – are maintained.

Kerry said:

“I am delighted with this opportunity and look forward to working closely with colleagues across all schools to continue enhancing the teaching and learning experience and learner progress. Leaving Prince Andrew School will be bittersweet as I will certainly miss the student interaction and being at the chalk face, but more significantly the working relationships formed with a fantastic team. However, I anticipate supporting them further in a slightly different capacity as Assistant Director of Schools.”

Lastly, Teacher Training Advisor, Garry Cameron, will depart the Island at the end of June 2019. Frazer Stone, currently teaching at Prince Andrew School, will succeed Garry and take on the role as the new Teacher Training Advisor for the Education Directorate.

Frazer said:

“It is a huge privilege to be involved in the training and development of St Helena’s teachers. Garry Cameron has done an outstanding job and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his hard work and dedication. Following such an outstanding individual really inspires me and he has set the gold standard for my personal expectations as the new Teacher Training Advisor.”

The newly appointed officers will now continue working hard to achieve the goals of the Education Directorate with their focus being to educate and upskill the children and adults of St Helena now and into the future.

Director of Education, Wendy Benjamin, concluded:

“I would like to extend my congratulations to all three officers and wish them well as they undertake their new roles within the Education Directorate.”

#StHelena #Education #NewAppointments

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SHG
17 May 2019

The SHG Health Directorate is currently running a short survey to help them understand issues that may affect health on St Helena. The directorate can then plan how to address and better prevent these issues for the future.

So far, the Health Directorate has received a very good response, but would like to remind and encourage community members to participate in the survey. The online and paper surveys will close on Monday, 20 May 2019.

You can complete the survey using any of the below options:

• To take part in the online survey for adult community members, click on the following link: https://kwiksurveys.com/s/Z9KhVvRw
• Paper forms of the survey are available at the Public Library in Jamestown. Completed forms can be placed in the ‘Survey Return’ envelope at the Front Desk of the Library
• Face-to-face surveys are also taking place until end of May 2019

The Health Directorate anticipates the results from the survey will be available by July/August 2019.

#StHelena #HealthDirectorate #Survey #Health #Wellbeing #AltogetherHealthier

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SHG
17 May 2019

WEDNESDAY, 8 MAY 2019

The Social & Community Development Committee (SCDC) held their monthly meeting on Wednesday, 8 May 2019.

Deputy Chief Secretary, Gillian Francis, attended her first meeting as a non-voting member permanently replacing Government Economist, Nicole Shamier.

Adult Social Care Team Manager, Philbert Howell, who recently arrived to the Island on a two-year contract, was warmly welcomed. His experiences include areas of adult care, children’s services and mental health.

The Safeguarding Directorate’s proposal for an Adult Welfare Bill to be drafted was agreed. This legislation does not currently exist on St Helena. The Welfare of Children Ordinance will also need updating.

The need to further refine occasional Liquor Licencing under the Liquor Ordinance was agreed and will be followed through. This will include public consultation.

The update from the Chairman of the Working Group reviewing the Social Security Ordinance highlighted that an optional analysis including recommendations had been compiled. This requires some further consideration but should be ready soon for presentation to the full Committee.

It was noted that the Working Group examining the Immigration Ordinance has set a deadline of 31 December 2019 for revised legislation to be in place prior to which there will be public consultation including on the issue of St Helenian status. Landholding will be addressed separately.

The Committee had no objections to the Safeguarding Directorate being renamed as the Children & Adults Social Care Directorate from 1 June 2019.

The SCDC consists of voting members, Councillors Anthony Green (Chairman), Cyril Leo (Deputy Chairman), Kylie Hercules, Derek Thomas and Gavin Ellick; and non-voting members, Safeguarding Director, Tracy Poole-Nandy, and Deputy Chief Secretary, Gillian Francis. The Committee Secretary was Anne Dillon.

#StHelena #SCDC #MeetingSummary

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SHG
16 May 2019

Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) Jamestown is currently trialling the use of Pet Therapy within the prison.

Prison Therapists around the world use animals to encourage a positive way of life, as well as to improve aspects such as low self-esteem, forming better relationships with others, communication deficiencies, health and wellbeing.

Prison Manager, Heidi Murray, said:

“We have been lucky enough to have a member of the team, whose dog Pip, has been coming in to the prison over the last few months. Pip is a dog who loves to be patted and fussed over, so she was a natural for coming in to the prison and spending time with the men in our care. The impact is already proving to be a positive one, as she has provoked conversation from prisoners who find communication difficult, and her calm and placid temperament means that some who are not used to dealing with dogs, have become more confident when approaching her.”

Studies have shown that animal assisted therapy programmes within the prison system have a major effect on prisoner rehabilitation. They foster life-enhancing skills such as coping skills, community rehabilitation, responsibility, and enhance the quality of prison life. Focusing solely on punishment will not work for the rehabilitation of offenders. The approach to rehabilitation has to have many strands for it to be effective, and pet therapy is one of the methods being adopted by HMP Jamestown.

HMP Jamestown has now, working alongside Senior Veterinary Officer Joe Hollins, introduced a kitten to the prison. Named Rainbow, the kitten will remain in HMP Jamestown for a four-month probationary period in the first instance. This will allow HMP Jamestown to ascertain whether they are able to deal with the demands of a young kitten, that no-one has allergies in relation to Rainbow, and that they are able to maintain the animal’s health and welfare.

Heidi added:

“Rainbow is already making a big difference to the prison and appears to be very comfortable in his surroundings. His health and welfare is being taken care of by some of our longer-term residents, and hopefully this will provide them with all the benefits that come with animal assisted therapy programmes.

“Added to the benefits for the prisoners, Rainbow was a kitten who could very well have faced the unthinkable if a new home had not been found for him. So hopefully this will be a successful situation all round.”

#StHelena #HMPJamestown #PetTherapy #Rainbow

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SHG
15 May 2019