Following an open procurement exercise conducted in October 2022, SHG has entered into a contract with Ambledale Workshop Ltd of Nr Ladder Hill Rifle Range for the refurbishment of Bishops Bridge. These works will address the structural integrity of the bridge and associated health and safety issues.
The total value of this contract is £32,258.29 (thirty two thousand, two hundred and fifty eight pounds, twenty nine pence).
Works will commence from Monday, 9January 2023, and are programmed to be completed by end of March 2023.
During the period of works, Bishops Bridge will be closed to all vehicles and pedestrians. Diversion routes will be signposted. Further details will be provided by Ambledale Workshop Ltd.
The project is being funded under the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP) Micro Projects. Executive Council previously agreed a number of smaller Micro Projects under EDIP, which can be implemented relatively quickly with a low total cost and which are not subject to detailed business cases.
The public will be kept informed of progress and are thanked for their understanding during this time.
Once again, anti-social incidents have been reported in and around Castle Gardens over the weekend of 17 and 18 December 2022.
St Helena Government (SHG) are working in unison to look at addressing the concerns of residents and the general public regarding this ongoing pattern of behaviour.
Incidents including criminal damage, graffiti, underage drinking, urinating in public, and threatening behaviour to residents and passers-by are all occurring in this area. People are worried about leaving their homes at night in case their properties are damaged or items are stolen.
It is regretted that such action is needed, but authorities will likely now need to deploy extra lighting, CCTV and other tactics to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
However, early intervention or prevention is better than cure and this is a community-wide issue. Individuals need to take personal responsibility for their actions and activities. We would ask that everyone – from the youngsters involved, to their parents and entire community to ensure that this behaviour does not continue.
We are a small community and such behaviour tar the Islands reputation.
A statement from the Safety, Security & Home Affairs Portfolio highlights their concerns below:
“All members of the public should feel comfortable using public spaces, no matter the time of day or night. It is not right that a small minority are affecting the ability of others to enjoy Castle Gardens and the surrounding areas. This is a unique park area in the heart of Jamestown, but it is being turned into an area that people are afraid to enter at certain times, and somewhere that is acting as a catalyst for more serious antisocial behaviour and criminality.
“One of the defining features of St Helena is its people and its community. Is this really what we want Jamestown to be known for? With Christmas soon upon us, we urge people to show some respect to the others members of this community and hope that further anti-social behaviour stops. SHG will do its part in tackling the issues, but the community must also do its part. Please think about the long-lasting damage this is doing to our Island.”
Further to recent announcements, SHG confirms that Side Path Road will reopen to vehicular traffic and pedestrians from 3.30pm today, Tuesday 20th December. Road signs are in place at the top and bottom of the road to confirm that the speed limit remains 20mph, and no cycling is permitted up or down Side Path.
Side Path is now predominantly a two lane road, but there are still constrictions at various points where vehicles (depending on their size) will need to take care when passing each other.
Please take particular care until familiar with the new road layout, remain in your lane, and only straddle the broken white centreline of the road when it is safe to do so.
All traffic management barriers and signage at the Hospital area will be removed by the reopening time.
The public are thanked for their patience, understanding and co-operation during the road closure.
On the reopening of the road, Minister for Treasury, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development Mark Brooks said:
“I, as I’m sure many others will today, welcome the reopening of Side Path. The works undertaken have been substantial, and although disruptive, should mean that the Island is able to safely enjoy this new fit-for-purpose road for many years to come. This has been a significant project and I want to thank the contractor and their staff, the project team officials and all those who have helped to make this happen.”
The Highways Authority have given approval for the car parks on the Grand Parade and in front of the Court House to be closed from 4pm on Tuesday 20th December to accommodate Pilling Primary Schools’ Festival of Lights that evening.
The organisers of the event would therefore appreciate if all vehicle owners can kindly remove their vehicles off the parking lots at this time. This will allow the necessary arrangements to be made for the event. Vehicles may still access the seaside and wharf via the Grand Parade before the procession begins.
In addition, to accommodate the Festival of Lights starting from the General Hospital at 7.30pm, Constitution Road will be closed to the general public from 6pm to 7.45pm, whilst remaining open to residents and emergencies services only.
Vehicle owners are asked to remove their vehicles from the cark parks in front of the Hospital by no later than 6pm. During this time, the Maldivia Car Park may be used for visitors to the General Hospital.
During the time the parade is passing through the streets, vehicle owners are asked to utilise alternative routes and to adhere to any signage in place. Marshals will be on hand to assist with any emergencies.
Since this is a school event, no alcohol is permitted to be consumed by anyone that is taking part in the parade. People travelling on the backs of vans/trucks are asked to do so with safety, and to remain seated whilst traveling along Ladder Hill/Side Path Roads. All floats must be no higher than 4m.
There will be a Fireworks display from the top of Ladder Hill to conclude the evening’s event. Pet owners are asked to consider their pets safety during this time.
We thank everybody in advance for their support and look forward to you all joining us for The Festival of Lights.
On Tuesday 13 December 2022, Ethel Yon OBE was appointed as Sheriff of St Helena by Governor Nigel Phillips CBE.
Mrs Yon took the prescribed Oaths before the HE Governor in the Governor’s Office at the Castle on Thursday 15 December. Mrs Yon was previously appointed Sherriff, and her current appointment is effective until 31 December 2023.
The Sheriff of St Helena is nominally responsible for enforcing Court Orders, with this usually carried out by the Police Service on the Sheriff’s behalf. The Sheriff is also responsible for summoning Jurors when a Jury is required, either in the Supreme Court or for a Coroner’s Inquest. Their most conspicuous public role, however, is the swearing in of Governors and Acting Governors.
On 6 December 2022, Port Control restricted public access to Rupert’s Beach and Rupert’s Jetty until further notice. This followed recent sea conditions exposing the undersea fibre optic cable pipework which lands at Rupert’s Beach.
The cable itself is undamaged. However, a small amount of the protective housing which encases it remains exposed on the beach, with a larger amount of the casing having become detached from the seabed and exposed in the waters leading away from the beach.
Authorities have been monitoring the situation and working with off-Island experts to establish next steps. Off-Island project staff have confirmed that they will not be able to come to the Island until early in 2023.
Following a risk assessment, authorities are satisfied that the general public pose little risk to the piping and, with suitable precautions observed, the piping poses little risk to the public. Port Control has therefore reopened public access to Rupert’s Beach and Rupert’s Jetty, subject to the following precautions.
Whilst it is expected that the regular movement of sand at the beach is likely to naturally rebury the piping in time, the public are advised to take caution when on Rupert’s Beach or when swimming in Rupert’s Bay.
As the piping remains exposed, the public should read the warning signs at the entrances to Rupert’s Beach and be aware of the location of the exposed areas of pipe, as detailed in the below images.
There is no risk of electric shock or electric exposure, but the piping does have metal bolts and joins on it which could cause injury, so members of the public should be mindful when near it (as detailed in the yellow box in the below image). Much like beach rocks, it could pose a trip hazard or a risk of injury were someone to fall onto it.
Members of the public are also advised to avoid swimming near the areas of exposed piping in the water (as detailed in the red box in the below image). Whilst it may not look dangerous, swell and waves can quickly drag or push you into the piping, which could then result in injury. The exposed piping near to the beach has been identified by two small marker buoys.
As anchoring could pose a risk to the underwater piping, boat operators are advised to adhere to the following. No anchoring is permitted inside of Rupert’s Bay between the end of the Jetty and Birdown. Outside of this area, anchoring should be avoided within 30m either side of the piping (as detailed by the purple line in the below map), up to 300m from shore.
A short video explaining this issue in more detailed will be aired on the Sure promo channel between Friday 16 December 2022 and Monday 09 January 2023.
Members of the public are also reminded to take care when swimming in the ocean, especially during the festive period, and remain vigilant to potential problems that you or others may find yourselves in.
If you happen to see a person fall into the water, or experience difficulty in the water:
Throw in a life ring or any form of floatation device.
Raise the alarm, Call 999 and ask for the Sea Rescue Service.
Stay on the line with the 999 operator and give as much information as possible.
In November, the three Island Primary Schools were invited by the Governor’s Office to participate in a Christmas card design competition, with the winner to be used as the Governor’s official Christmas card for 2022. The closing date for entries to be submitted to the Governor’s Office was 24 November.
His Excellency Governor Nigel Phillips CBE decided that the public should be asked to choose the winning card from a shortlist of candidates.
Following the difficult task of sifting by Mrs Phillips and the Plantation House team, 10 of the entries were selected and displayed at the Plantation House Christmas Fair. The public were then asked to cast their vote for the winning card throughout the day.
We are very pleased to announce that the winner of the competition was Nathaniel Benjamin, aged 7, of St Paul’s Primary School. Congratulations Nathaniel!
Nathaniel’s card has now been printed and will be sent to officials, departments and organisations both on Island and across the world.
Thanks are extended to the teachers for organising the competition within their respective primary schools, to all the students who participated in the competition and to all the many members of public who helped to select the winner.
On the conclusion of the competition, Governor Phillips said:
“I would like to congratulate Nathaniel on being selected the winner, and thank him for designing me such a wonderful Christmas card! There were so many excellent entries that I would not have been able to choose one myself, so I’m grateful for the public in helping to select this year’s card. Nathaniel should be very proud of his design, which will now be seen by a great many people all over the world.”
The public is advised that the Immigration Office, located at the Customs Building (lower floor), will be closed from 1pm today, Wednesday 14 December 2022.
During the closure, all urgent queries can be communicated to the on-duty Police Controller, at Police Headquarters, on tel: 22626.
Normal opening hours will resume on Thursday, 15 December 2022, at 8.30am.
The public is thanked for your support and cooperation during this time.
Prince Andrew School (PAS) will be hosting their annual Athletics Day at Francis Plain on Wednesday, 14 December 2022, starting at 9.15am, until approximately 2.30pm.
All parents, carers and members of the public are invited to attend.
In the interest of the students’ safety, PAS would appreciate if all spectators could adhere to the following conditions during this school event:
No animals will be allowed on Francis Plain during this event
Only the appointed Marshals, persons assisting with the event, invited guests and School Team Leaders will be allowed on the field for the duration of the event
Only school appointed photographers will be allowed on the field to photograph the event
No alcohol is allowed
Smoking is restricted on the whole of Francis Plain for this event. Persons wishing to smoke must do so outside of the Francis Plain and school premises. The allocated smoking area is along Watercourse Road
All litter is to be put into the bins provided
Parking in the area behind the Pavilion and the adjacent green shed is not permitted as this is the Fire/Emergency Muster Point for PAS staff and students.
Please note, if parents/carers wish to transport their children home after the event they are asked to ensure that they inform the Head Teacher or the child’s form teacher before the day or this can be done on the day. This is so that all children can be accounted for at the end of the day’s event.
Please come along to support your child and students on this day. PAS looks forward to making this a successful and enjoyable event for all.
The Post & Customer Services Centre wishes to inform all customers that the closing date for local mail before Christmas will be Friday, 16 December 2022, via the main Post Office. Failing to post by this date will cause delays, and may mean that mail is not delivered to the Sub Post Offices for collection before Christmas.
