The public are advised that strong winds and isolated showers are forecast across the Island between 18:00 on Tuesday 20 May and 09:00 on Wednesday 21 May with a risk of these bringing some disruption.
The forecasted south easterly winds may peak to occasional gusts of 25-30 KT for most of the island and isolated gusts reaching 35-40 KT may occur in exposed areas such as Levelwood, Sandy Bay, Blue Hill and Longwood.
Consideration should be taken when preparing for St Helena Day as furniture, stalls and other loose items may be blown over by the strong winds overnight.
Boat owners should ensure their vessels are securely tied to their moorings and motorists are also advised to look out for loose debris on roads.
The public are advised of the following changes to the public transport bus schedule for Wednesday 21 May 2025 (St Helena’s Day):
The Route 4 bus from Blue Hill to Jamestown will leave Barren Ground at 10:30 en route to Jamestown and depart from The Malabar bus stop, Jamestown at 19:00 for the return journey.
The ‘everyday’ bus routes 1, 2 and 3 will operate as per the published timetable, and can be used for ‘hop-on, hop-off’ journeys by the public.
Route 1 departs Bottom Woods at 13:35 connecting with Route 2 from Levelwood at 13:50 and the return journey from Jamestown departs at 21:06 connecting with Route 2 for Levelwood at Hutts Gate.
Route 3 departs White Gate at 13:46 en route to Jamestown via Scotland, Rosemary Plain and New Ground. The return journey departs Jamestown at 20:58.
Please be advised that due to the road closure at the Grand Parade on St Helena’s Day, bus pick up and drop off points for Jamestown will be at the Malabar bus stop.
As previously announced, and as a result of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Migrant Agreement Memorandum of Understanding, HM Customs and Immigration are undertaking specialised training over the next six weeks. Due to the varied scheduling requirements of this essential training, a weekly opening hours schedule will be in effect and will be published accordingly.
The opening hours for week commencing 19 May 2025 are as follows:
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 11:00 – 15:00
Monday and Wednesday: Closed
Consequently, during this training period, the reception desk will be unattended, staff will have limited access to emails and cashier services will be slower which may result in delays. Please also be aware that the HM Customs and Immigration Offices will be closed daily for a staff lunch break between 13:00 and 13:30.
We appreciate your understanding and patience as we invest in the professional development of our team to fulfil the requirements of this important agreement. The weekly opening hours will be communicated regularly.
HM Customs and Immigration thanks the public for their cooperation during this important training period, which will ultimately enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of HM Customs and Immigration services in line with our obligations under the BIOT Migrant Agreement Memorandum of Understanding.
St Helena Port Control is pleased to announce the successful recovery and restoration of the navigational aid marking the Papanui wreck in James Bay.
Thanks to the vigilance and community spirit of local fishermen, the buoy was located and returned to Port Control several days later by the crew of the MFV John Melliss.
Fisherman, Dorian Caswell, affectionately known as ‘Duffy’, commented:
“I predicted to my wife Christine, as I was leaving Friday evening 21 March, that I would find the buoy on my fishing trip on board the MFV John Melliss to Bonaparte Seamount.
On Saturday morning, 22 March, whilst on watch at 05:00, I saw the light flashing on my starboard side and immediately knew it was the buoy. I woke my crew member Donovan O’Bey and changed course towards the flashing light and we saw that it was the missing buoy. We retrieved the buoy approximately 63 nautical miles from St Helena.”
St Helena Port Control extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to the captain and crew of the MFV John Melliss for their prompt and efficient action in locating and returning this vital navigational aid. Their efforts ensure the continued safety of all boat users in the vicinity of the Papanui wreck.
Select Committee 1 will hold its fourth live hearing in the Council Chamber, The Castle, on Monday 19 May 2025. The topic under scrutiny is Health & Social Care: Provision of Facilities and Services with the focus primarily on the following:
Hospital (including Palliative care)
Community Care Centre, Sheltered Accommodation and Domiciliary Care
Safe Haven and Children’s Home.
Members of the public and interested persons are invited to attend.
The meeting will start at 10:00 and the proceedings will be broadcast live on SAMS Radio 1.
The Speaker of St Helena Legislative Council, the Hon Cyril K Gunnell, will depart the island on Sunday 11 May 2025 to attend the Commons and Overseas Territories Speakers Conference (COTSC) 2025 in Westminster, London, by invitation of the House of Commons Speaker, the Rt. Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, from 13 to 16 May 2025. He will be accompanied by Legislative Council Office Assistant, Miss Morgan Thomas-Henry.
Speaker Gunnell said,
“It will be an honour to participate in this face-to-face COTSC meeting on behalf of the Legislative Council. I have agreed to present a keynote speech on Presiding and Proceedings”.
The Hon Speaker will return to the island, following a period of medical leave in Johannesburg, on Saturday 14 June 2025. Miss Thomas-Henry will return on 17 May 2025.
In the absence of the Speaker, the Honourable Deputy Speaker and Legislative Council Office Staff will conduct business accordingly.
As the world marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day on 8 May, the St Helena Veterans Association (SHVA) will hold a series of commemorative events, with the support of various island agencies and partners, to remember the significant contribution of the island to this crucial Allied effort.
VE Day marks the official surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945, a moment of collective relief and celebration after years of devastating war. But even in this remote corner of the South Atlantic, the impact of the war was felt deeply. Whilst initial plans for a St Helena naval station did not fully materialise, the island’s strategic importance became apparent. The sinking of the RFA Darkdale in October 1941 brought the realities of the conflict to St Helena’s shores, highlighting its vulnerability. Nevertheless, the island adapted and continued to contribute to the broader Allied effort. The island later served as a place of refuge for survivors ofthe British passenger steamship S.S. City of Cairo. These events illustrate the far-reaching impact of the Battle of the Atlantic and the part played by St Helena during this critical period.
These experiences will be reflected in the island’s programme of events organised by the SHVA, designed to honour both international and local contributions to the Allied victory:
The programme will include:
09:00 – Reading of the Proclamation, outside The Canister
11:00 – Main Service led by Bishop Dale, two minutes of Silence and Wreath Laying, at the Cenotaph
18:30 – Ringing of Church Bells
Additionally, High Knoll Fort will be illuminated today and tomorrow in red, white, and blue lights.
The legacy of St Helena’s wartime contribution reminds us that even the most remote places can be profoundly connected to world events. As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe, the events planned to take place on Thursday 8 May 2025 will serve as a poignant reminder of the wartime experiences and contributions of the people of St Helena alongside the wider Allied forces in the pursuit of peace.
Photos (Courtesy of the Museum of St Helena)
The wreck of the RFA Darkdale the morning after the attack.
Approval has been given for the closure of the road and all carparks in the area of the Cenotaph at the seafront on Thursday, 8 May 2025, from approximately 10:40 to the conclusion of the event, to accommodate the VE Day wreath-laying ceremony.
The day’s programme will include:
09:00 – Reading of the Official Proclamation to the public at the Canister
10:15 – Second Reading of the Official Proclamation to the public at the Canister
10:40 – Gathering at the Cenotaph for the main service
11:00 – Main event at the Cenotaph including a two-minute silence and the laying of wreaths. The service led by Bishop Dale
18:30 – Ringing of church bells island-wide.
Appropriate signage will be in place, and the public are thanked in advance for their cooperation.
All members of the public are warmly invited to attend this important occasion.
The Emergency Planning Department is seeking resident’s on-island who can translate languages other than English. These persons would be part of a volunteer group ready to assist in emergencies involving visitors with limited English.
To register interest please contact the Deputy Emergency Planning Manager, Anel O’Bey, via email through: anel.obey@helanta.co.sh or by telephone on 25052, with your name, contact details and the languages you speak.
HM Customs would like to inform the public they will be closed to merchants and consolidator cargo on Tuesday, 06 May 2025. This closure is due to the delayed arrival of the South Africa Airlink Flight.
Normal business will resume for merchants on Wednesday, 07 May 2025 from 09:00 – 15:45.
Normal business will resume for consolidators on Thursday, 08 May 2025 at 09:00.
HM Customs would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. The public are thanked in advance for their understanding and cooperation.
