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.
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 the week commencing 05 May 2025 are as follows:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 11:00 – 15:00 (for businesses and individuals receiving and issuing items/shipments)
Wednesday and Friday: 09:00 – 15:45 (open to merchants only)
Wednesday and Friday: 10:00 – 15:00 (for Immigration customers)
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.
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.
The weekly opening hours will be communicated regularly.
The Health and Social Care Portfolio is pleased to announce its first benefit from the preventative care British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) fund that will enhance hearing care for our local Community. This essential funding allows SHG to address the urgent need for modern interventions through a comprehensive upgrade of the Audiology service. The upgrade will include training of a local staff member, the provision of new equipment (including loanable hearing aids), and specialist support to modernise the island’s hearing healthcare.
This funding will facilitate the procurement of advanced diagnostic tools, including digital audiometers and tympanometry devices, leading to more precise hearing assessments and better-fitting hearing aids for patients. SHG has also partnered with the Hearing Aid Supplies and Services (HASS) Group and Phonak to support service delivery and training.
Community Nurse, Kamella Buckley, has begun audiology training, ensuring future self-sufficiency in hearing care from 2026 onwards. Once qualified, she will handle diagnostic assessments, hearing aid fittings, and ongoing maintenance, reducing the need for visiting audiologists.
Minister Martin Henry stated:
“This investment from the BIOT fund represents a major step forward in ensuring accessible and high-quality hearing care for our community. Many residents have been waiting for interventions for an extended period, and with this extra funding, we can now provide life-changing support, restoring hearing function and preventing further health deterioration.”
The first phase of service has already begun, with clearing the backlog of assessments and fittings for very urgent cases. The new framework will ensure that all patients receive modern digital audiograms, replacing outdated paper-based methods and will be used to inform a priority list for future visits.
Photos
Marinda Uys, member of the Audiology visiting team, presenting some of the new equipment
Marinda Uys demonstrating how some of the equipment works
Community Nurse, Kamella Buckley, testing some of the equipment
The Property Section, in collaboration with HM Prison Services and Waste Management Services, is undertaking efforts to restore and enhance the appearance of the Crown Estate. This partnership is working well, and has already shown significant success with the clearance of the moat in Jamestown. This area has been transformed following the removal of overgrowth, bulky waste and litter, significantly improving its visual appeal. This marks the first step in this arrangement, which plans for similar works to other public spaces across the Crown Estate.
Mark Brooks, Minister for Treasury and Economic Development, commented:
“This collaboration is a prime example of what can be achieved when portfolios and services work together. The successful clearing of the moat in Jamestown highlights the positive impact of such partnerships in improving our community spaces, benefiting both residents and visitors alike. Maintaining and enhancing the Crown Estate is essential, not only for its environmental value but also for its contribution to our island’s economy. With continued collaboration and active community participation, we can ensure the Crown Estate remains a sustainable and cherished resource that can be enjoyed by future generations while supporting long-term economic growth.”
Despite this significant progress, littering remains a persistent challenge. Regrettably, litter was observed in the newly cleaned moat just days after the initial clearance. This ongoing issue detracts from the area’s beauty and poses environmental risks.
Christine Scipio, Minister for the Environment, Natural Resources and Planning, commented:
“We must all take responsibility for the environment we share, as our collective efforts are essential to preserving St Helena’s natural beauty. Littering not only damages our environment but also undermines our efforts to present St Helena as a responsible and sustainable destination. We urge all residents and visitors to do their part in keeping our island clean.”
Recognising the Crown Estate as St Helena’s most valuable asset, its continued restoration and sustainable management rely on collaborative efforts. Achieving these goals requires the active participation of the entire community. By working together, we can preserve and celebrate what makes St Helena unique, ensuring that the Crown Estate remains a cherished resource for future generations.
Photos
The moat before the restoration
The section of the moat at The Coffee Shop after restoration
The section of the moat at The Mule Yard after restoration
April 2025 marks a significant milestone for mental health support in St Helena with the official launch of “www.mindingmymind.sh”, a dedicated website designed to empower and support young adults on the island.
The website is based on extensive research into the unique needs, aspirations, and challenges faced by young Saints. “www.mindingmymind.sh” aims to be a vital first step in learning about mental health. Whilst not a replacement for existing healthcare services, the website provides valuable self-help strategies and resources tailored to the St Helena community.
Key Features of Minding My Mind
Saint-friendly mood management: A range of self-help strategies designed to enhance mood and well-being, reflecting the local context.
Curated local and international resources: Access to trusted resources, both local and international, that have been tested and proven effective.
Self-guided mood and sleep monitoring: Tools to help users track their mood and sleep patterns, enabling them to identify when additional support may be needed.
Tailored approaches to building resilience: Information and strategies developed through direct feedback from the St Helena community.
“www.mindingmymind.sh” is the culmination of years of work spearheaded by Dr Tara Murphy, a researcher with prior experience in St Helena. Dr Murphy conducted a study in 2019-2022, laying the foundation for the website’s development.
Dr Murphy explained:
“It is a space where people from St Helena can access evidence-based approaches and helps Saints manage their own mental health. We have strived to create a platform that feels personal and relevant to Saints, incorporating their valuable feedback. Our hope is that www.mindingmymind.sh will offer practical support for mood management, promote positive activities, and contribute to overall well-being.”
User privacy is paramount. No personal details or data are collected when using this website.
Feedback and Evaluation
From April to August 2025, the team will conduct an evaluation of “Minding My Mind” based on user feedback. Young adults aged 16 and over are invited to participate in the study. Those interested in providing feedback please contact Dr Tara Murphy by email at Tara.Murphy@nottingham.ac.uk.
Due to unforeseen circumstances the twentieth meeting of Ministers Question Time has been postponed and will now take place on Friday 2nd May 2025 at 10:00 in the Council Chamber. This meeting is open to the public and will be broadcast live via SAMS Radio 1.
The topic for this meeting is ‘The Fisheries Ordinance, 2021’.
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 this week are as follows:
Tuesday to Thursday: 11:00 – 15:00 (for businesses and individuals receiving and issuing items/shipments)
Tuesday to Friday: 09:00 – 15:45 (open to merchants only)
Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 – 15:00 (for Immigration customers)
Consequently, during this training period, the reception desk will be unattended, and staff will have limited access to emails, which may result in delayed responses to queries. 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.
