Category: Press Releases

A Commemoration of Napoleon’s Death on St Helena took place at Napoleon’s Tomb on Saturday, 2 May 2015, at 10am. A short film will be shown on Local TV Channel 2, covering the ceremony led by Father Dale Bowers.

During the Commemoration, the UK and French National Anthems were sung, along with a musical recital.  Wreaths were laid on behalf of the French Nation, La Fondation Napoleon and for the Island of St Helena.  .

Broadcast times on Local TV Channel 2 are as follows:

• Wednesday 20 May – 19:00
• Thursday 21 May – 19:00
• Friday 22 May – Broadcast after the SAMS News Bulletin at 19:00
• Saturday 23 May – Broadcast after the SAMS News Bulletin at 19:00
• Sunday 24 May – 19:00

SHG

19 May 2015

St Helenian student, Rebecca Lawrence of Half Tree Hollow (photo attached) has recently achieved a First Class (BVMedSci) Degree in Veterinary Medical Sciences at The University of Nottingham.

Rebecca’s Degree lasted three years, but forms a part of her five-year veterinary qualification.  In order to qualify as a Veterinary Surgeon, Rebecca has to complete a further two years of study and clinical experience.

Over the last three years Rebecca has covered ‘pre-clinical’ aspects of veterinary science, including normal animal anatomy and physiology, husbandry and practical techniques. Rebecca’s final year consisted of completing a dissertation, where she focused on the effects of essential oils on influenza virus infection.

Rebecca explained:

“I enjoyed this project a lot, it allowed me to work in an area I was very interested in, structure my own work routine, and take responsibility for producing results.”

On the back of her dissertation, Rebecca has also been recognised for having the highest thesis marks in her Year Group.

Chief Secretary, Roy Burke, said:

“Rebecca has achieved something truly outstanding in a very demanding subject.   Our sincere congratulations and best wishes for the next phase of her programme.” 

During her time in the UK, as part of the requirements for her course, Rebecca undertook work experience.  In years one and two she completed 12 weeks of Animal Husbandry EMS (Extra Mural Studies), which involved working on several farms including a sheep, dairy and pig farm, and horse yard.  She also spent three weeks in France studying animal behaviour with llamas.  In the next two years, Rebecca will complete the 26 week requirement of Clinical EMS in various veterinary practices, applying the knowledge and skills learnt in Vet School.

Rebecca commented:

“Thank you to everyone at home who have been very supportive up to this point, my friends and family in the UK, especially my sister Laura who has been invaluable during the last three years, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, whose scholarship enabled me to undertake this course; and to Mrs Kedell Worboys MBE and her Office.”

After passing her third year, Rebecca immediately began her fourth year, with year five to begin in May 2016.

SHG

19 May 2015

The Port Control Section invites members of the public to attend an open discussion on the proposed new rules and regulations regarding the safe use of PWC in St Helena waters.

The meeting will take place on Wednesday 27 May 2015 at 4pm in the Passenger Terminal/ Customs Building at the Wharf.

Port Control encourages as many stakeholders or interested persons to attend. Your input and ideas will be most welcome.

For a copy of the draft rules & regulations please contact the Deputy Harbourmaster, Steve Kirk, on telephone 22287 or email deputy.harbourmaster@hmrc.gov.sh

SHG

19 May 2015

Just after 11pm on Saturday 22 April 2006 a man was found lying in the Run at the rear of the Standard Public House, Jamestown. The man, Mervyn Crowie, was subsequently declared deceased soon after 11.30pm that same evening.

An investigation into Mr Crowie’s death was carried out and it was concluded that his death was accidental.

Following a recent further examination of this case, the circumstances that led to the death of Mr Crowie are to be the subject of a further investigation.

The family of Mr Crowie are aware of these developments and are being supported and kept up-to-date by local Officers.

No further details will be released at this time but if any person has any information in relation to the death of Mr Crowie they are asked to contact the St Helena Police Service.

Trevor Botting, Chief of Police

19 May 2015

RMS Shipping Schedule April – July 2016

The current RMS St Helena Shipping Schedule comes to an end in April 2016, just under 12 months away.

In their meeting of Tuesday, 12 May 2015, Executive Council approved the RMS Shipping Schedule from April 2016 to July 2016 and noted the proposed booking policy for the final voyages (241-243) of the RMS St Helena.

The new schedule includes the following four key components:

• A final voyage to Tristan da Cunha in April 2016.
• The RMS being anchored in Jamestown on the proposed official opening of the Airport on 21 May 2016.
• A final voyage to the UK and  after disembarking her passengers RMS making a promotional trip up the river Thames and mooring alongside HMS Belfast near the Tower of London.
• The RMS anchored in Jamestown for five days prior to its final sailing to Cape Town.

The focus of these final voyages is to commemorate the life of the RMS over the last 25 years and its strong links to the local community. Consequently, priority booking will be given to residents on St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha. In order to enable the maximum number of people to travel, group bookings will not be accepted (families will not count as a group) and St Helena Line will be looking to fill all available berths onboard.

For the UK voyage the following arrangements apply –

From Monday 1 June at 9am, for a period of two working weeks ending on Friday 12 June at 4pm, bookings will only be accepted for the St Helena to and from the UK and Ascension to and from the UK sectors. Bookings will only be accepted from residents (With a current residential address) on St Helena and Ascension (including those who do not have St Helenian Status).

Bookings will require a deposit to be paid. All bookings during these two weeks can only be made through Solomon’s office on St Helena or AIG on Ascension and will be on a first come first served basis.

At the end of the two-week period, the schedule will be advertised internationally and bookings taken through normal channels with the requirement for a deposit to be paid at the time of booking in accordance with current terms and conditions.

For the Tristan voyage the following arrangements apply –

From Monday 1 June at 9am, for a period of one working week ending on Friday 5 June at 4pm, bookings will only be accepted from residents on St Helena and Tristan (including those who do not have Islander status). Bookings will only be accepted from people whose current residential address is on St Helena or Tristan and once a deposit has been paid. For those resident on St Helena there will be a limit on the allocation of cabins. All bookings during this week can only be made through Solomon’s Office on St Helena and will be on a first come first served basis.

For a period of two working weeks commencing Monday 8 June at 9am and ending on Friday 19 June at 4pm bookings will only be accepted from members of the Tristan Association. Prior notice of this arrangement will have been issued to the Association. No group bookings will be accepted and a deposit will be required as per current terms and conditions. All bookings during these two weeks can only be made through the AW Shipping Management Office in London.

At the end of this two-week period, the schedule will be advertised internationally and bookings taken through normal channels for the remaining berths with the requirement for a deposit to be paid in accordance with current terms and conditions.

It is hoped by adherence to these arrangements the maximum number of residents on St Helena , Ascension and Tristan can benefit from these final voyages on the RMS which is due to be withdrawn from service in July 2016.

The shipping schedule for April – July 2016 is attached to this release.

SHG & St Helena Line

19 May 2015

The Marine Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Directorate will officially launch their book ‘Marine Life of St Helena’ on Tuesday, 26 May 2015.  The book costing £15.00 (a special price for the launch), comprises of images displaying to its reader what’s ‘under the sea’ on St Helena.

Marine Conservation Officer, Elizabeth Clingham, said:

“This book is extremely visual as we wanted it to be engaging to the general public, maximising reader potential.  Many will be familiar to the species shown in the film ‘Marine Life of St Helena’ however there are a few that some might not expect to be in St Helenian waters.” 

The project was lead by Dr Judith Brown, previous Darwin Marine Biodiversity and Mapping Project Manager and Marine Section Manager, who along with her team collected images for the book.

In collaboration with the Nature Conservation, the book will be launched at the Canister (upstairs), open to the public at 12noon.

SHG

19 May 2014

Four Days Left to Make Amendments

The public is reminded that a Provisional Register of Electors was published on Friday 8 May 2015 and there are now just four days left to make any amendments to the register, before a final version is printed on 1 July 2015.

Members of the public who are eligible to have their names included in the Register can now make application if they would like to add or remove their name, remove the name of someone who has died or left the Island, correct the name of someone who has married, or correct any error in the details recorded in the Register including change of address and/or electoral district.

To register, persons must:

• Be over the age of 18 years with St Helena as their ordinary place of residence
• Have St Helenian status or be the spouse or life partner of a person who has such status.

Further information about registering and making amendments may be obtained from Registration Officer, Gillian Francis, at the Castle on telephone number 22470 or via email gillian.francis@sainthelena.gov.sh

The Provisional Register (and application forms) is available for inspection on the SHG website and various outlets (full details were published in last week’s newspapers).

Applications to amend the Register must be made in writing (on the correct form or by letter) and submitted to Registration Officer, Gillian Francis, at the Castle by no later than 4pm on Friday 22 May 2015.

SHG

18 May 2015

Providing Invoices to HM Customs and Excise upon Importation of Goods to St Helena 

Recently arriving to the Island was newly appointed Head of Internal Audit, John Kanes (photo attached).  John is contracted by St Helena Government for a period of three years.

John faces a challenge in his new role, with his main priority being to recruit an Internal Audit Team.  John will also focus on future recruitment and envisages developing ways to attract students still at school to develop careers in Internal Audit and thus secure a future for the section.

John commented:

“While here I hope to help people do their jobs better. I am not an expert in specialised jobs but am an expert in risk and control and can provide an outside eye on how things might be done differently and more effectively.”

John hopes that the job of Internal Auditor will be looked upon as a ’Trusted Adviser’, working together with people to solve problems, and from whom colleagues openly seek advice.

During his first week John has met colleagues within Corporate Services and attended meetings with the Acting Governor, Chief Secretary, Financial Secretary, and Chief of Police. He has also met the Chief Auditor and his team and previous employees of the Internal Audit Office.

John is a qualified Chartered Internal Auditor.  Previously he has worked as a Senior Internal Auditor for the House of Commons and has vast experience working within the public sector.  For the first 16 years of his career John worked for the Church of England covering matters of Finance, Procurement and Copyright.

SHG

15 May 2015

In accordance with Section 15(3) of the Immigration Ordinance, 2011, the following persons have been granted St Helenian Status:

• Mrs Mylyn Walton of Rockside Lane, Cow Path, Half Tree Hollow – with effect from 17 March 2015.
• Miss Anna Coletta Chiduku of Sydenham Cottage, St Paul’s – with effect from 20 January 2015.
• Miss Nicola Diane Chapman of Sea View, Alarm Forest – with effect from 19 August 2014.

SHG

13 May 2015