Topic: News

The Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, Lands Housing and the Environment (MATHLE) in collaboration with the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) hosted the Sixteenth Meeting of the Caribbean Fisheries Forum at the Montserrat Cultural Center, April 16 & 17, 2018.  This Forum meeting will be immediately be followed by a Regional Workshop to review the Draft Protocol to integrate Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management into the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy on 18 April 2018.  Participation at both meetings included heads of National Fisheries Authorities from the member states of CRFM, observers and Partner Organizations.

The Objectives of these Meetings were to provide updates on the progress of programmes, projects and activities being undertaken by the CRFM in conjunction with Member States and network partners, and to prepare recommendations for the way forward for consideration by the Ministerial Council.

The opening ceremony was held in the Sir George Martin Auditorium.  The National song was sung by Mrs. Mildred Chalmers and the feature address was presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Trade, Lands, Housing and the Environment – Mr. David Osborne.

The Government of Montserrat held its 4^th National Honours and Awards Ceremony on March 16, 2018. This ceremony has been held on three previous occasions – March 2014, 2015 and 2016.

There were six (6) awardees this year. Three persons were presented with the Order of Merit – Mr. William Bodkin, Rev. Dr Beatrice Allen and Mr. Cecil Lake MBE. The Order of Distinction was presented to Ms Manelva Greenaway and the Order of Excellence was presented to Dr. Lowell Lewis and Mrs. Margaret Dyer-Howe.

Performances for the occasion were given by Mrs. Mildred Chalmers with a beautiful rendition of the National Song, the Emerald Shamioles Masquerades entertaining cultural dance and the Matrix Dancers – group talented of young persons – led by Ms. Bianca Chambers.

The decoration of the Sir George Auditorium was done by Celebrations Design.

The Catholic Community held its annual St Patrick’s Dinner on March 10 of this year at the Montserrat Cultural Centre – in the Sir George Martin Auditorium. This event has been an annual event put on by the Catholic Church for well over 20 years.  The funds raised from the dinner is in support of the Catholic School – currently the St. Augustine Catholic School here on Montserrat.  Special appearance by Father George Aggar who complimented the occasion with an Irish melody.

Décor for the event was done by Celebrations Designs– Verna Brandt – which she does as her contribution as a member of the church.

Last month our Cultural Centre was gifted with new audio equipment.  Two employees of Disney’s Lion King on Broadway (Butch Servillo and Alain Van Achte) have been working closely with Hon. Donaldson Romeo, Premier of Montserrat, to bring new life to the Centre.  The new equipment was installed and a tutorial was set up to teach a few volunteers how to use and take care of the equipment properly.  Butch and Alain hope to be able to continue to provide their services and provide more donated equipment in the fall of this year.