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The Governor’s annual Christmas Card Competition, open to all children of primary school age, has once again showcased the creativity and spirit of our island’s young people. We received a fantastic array of wonderful entries from each primary school and are delighted to announce the outcome of this year’s competition.

While every entry deserves recognition, 14 children were given special mention for their engaging and imaginative designs, all of which captured the essence of our community and the festive season. The final vote for the winner occurred at the Governor’s Residence during the King’s Birthday Party on Friday 14 November where 10 shortlisted entries were displayed and every guest was given a vote in a secret ballot.

Special Mentions

We are pleased to announce that Nathaniel Benjamin was selected as the overall winner for the 3rd year! Nathaniel’s artwork will be featured on the Governor’s official Christmas card this year. Nathaniel will be invited to join the Governor for tea to recognise his success along with the three runners up – Madison van Wyk, Georgia Thomas, and Conor Phillips.

All entries will be displayed in the tourism window at The Canister in town over the festive period for all to enjoy the wonderful artwork produced by our talented young people.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the children who took part and to the schools for their support in making this event such a success. 

Photos

Winning card – Nathaniel Benjamin

Runner up – Conor Phillips

Runner up – Georgia Thomas

Runner up – Madison van Wyk

#StHelena #ChristmasCardCompetition

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Select Committee 1 is pleased to announce the two key topics that will be scrutinised early in the new year:

These topics have been selected due to their importance to the long-term well-being, development, and resilience of St Helena.  The Committee welcomes contributions from all members of the public to support these inquiries. 

We encourage anyone with relevant knowledge, lived experience, data, or professional insight to share their input.  Submissions may include observations, case examples, or recommendations that could assist the Committee’s work.

Submissions can be sent to the Committee Secretary via email at marita.bagley@sainthelena.gov.sh, or by letter addressed to:

Committee Secretary, Legislative Council Office, The Castle.

All submissions must be received by 16:00 on Friday, 9 January 2026. Your contribution could help shape future policy —thank you for taking part.

St Helena Government (SHG) wishes to advise the public that a wide-ranging review of the fishing sector has been initiated.

It will include an evaluation of the following:

A fisheries review task group will be appointed along with clear terms of reference to help guide its work.

For further information please contact SHG Portfolio Directors, Darren Duncan or Damian Burns via email darren.duncan@sainthelena.gov.sh or damian.burns@sainthelena.gov.sh.

#StHelena #FishingSector #Review

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The public are advised of the upcoming opening of new, modern public toilet and shower facilities located in Rupert’s, adjacent to the Saints Tuna Corporation building.

These new facilities, which include gender-neutral toilets, showers, and a dedicated baby changing cubicle, will be open for public use starting Friday, 28 November 2025.

Key Information

Closure of Old Facilities

From the opening date of the new facilities (Friday, 28 November), the public should no longer use the old toilet facilities, which will be locked and permanently closed. It is intended for the old structure to be demolished and its footprint remediated to blend with the surrounding area.

Request for Respectful Use & Reporting Issues

The public is requested to use the new facilities respectfully to ensure their longevity and cleanliness for all users.

To report any issues regarding fixtures or fittings, please contact Gina Henry, Crown Estates Officer via gina.henry@sainthelena.gov.sh or Tel: 22270.

Waste Management Services is responsible for the routine cleaning of these facilities. All cleanliness issues must be reported to Karl Martin, Environmental Officer Risk Management, via karl.martin@sainthelena.gov.sh or Tel: 24724.

Photos

Baby-changing facility

Gender-neutral toilet

Showers

The new amenity facilities

St Helena Government (SHG) was pleased to celebrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day yesterday, 19 November 2025. GIS Day is an annual global event that highlights the importance of geographic literacy and demonstrates how GIS technology helps solve real-world challenges.

GIS: A Key Tool for St Helena’s Development

GIS is a powerful system for creating, managing, analysing, and mapping all types of data. By connecting data to maps, GIS provides valuable insights into geographic data patterns and relationships, supporting informed decision-making across multiple sectors.

In the lead-up to GIS Day, the SHG GIS team engaged with the local community at the Agriculture Show at Francis Plain on Saturday, 15 November 2025. The team showcased how this technology is already being used to support and enhance St Helena’s agricultural sector.

GIS Manager, Devlin Yon, commented:

“Our presence at the Agriculture Show was a great success. It gave us the chance to show farmers and residents firsthand how GIS can be used to monitor crop health, analyse soil types, and improve irrigation efficiency. Integrating geographic data into agriculture is crucial for sustainable development and resource management on the island.”

Celebrate GIS Day

GIS Day serves as a call to action, encouraging everyone, from students to professionals, to understand and use geographic science and technology. SHG remains committed to expanding GIS use to support evidence-based planning and operations across government departments, including infrastructure, environment, emergency services, and land management.

For more information about what was showcased on GIS Day, please scan the QR code or click the link:  https://arcg.is/1GXnfK0

If you would like to participate in our Crop Calendar survey please follow the link and QR code below:  https://arcg.is/58SLC  

QR Code to Story Map QR Code to Survey

#StHelena #GIS #GISDay

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SHG
20 November 2025

Personnel from across the St Helena Government (SHG) and key stakeholders have successfully completed International Maritime Organization (IMO) Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) Levels 1, 2 and 3 training, delivered by Ambipar Response Ltd between 21–30 October 2025.

The programme, funded by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) through the FCDO’s OT Civil Resilience programme, included both refresher and new training to maintain St Helena’s capability to prepare for and respond to marine oil spill incidents. Participants represented agencies including Port Control, Sea Rescue, Customs, Environmental Management, Police, and Solomons & Company Plc.

A certificate presentation was held at Plantation House on 30 October 2025, attended by His Excellency the Governor, SHG officials, and the Ambipar training team.

Senior Response Consultant and Trainer at Ambipar, Harry Jolly, said:

“Ambipar are extremely proud to have once again supported SHG and its partners in building resilience and developing their skills in marine oil spill response. It is clear that the island continues to take proactive steps in line with international best practice.”

Portfolio Director, Alex Mitham, added:

“This training ensures St Helena remains ready and capable to respond effectively to pollution incidents, protecting our marine environment and community.”

The training forms part of SHG’s ongoing work to strengthen environmental resilience and uphold international maritime standards.

Photos

Governor Phillips delivers his opening speech at the Certificate Presentation Reception at Plantation House

Ambipar Trainer, Harry Jolly

Certificate recipients

NOTES TO EDITOR:

#StHelena #Maritime #OilSpillResponseTraining

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The Tourist Office will be closed from 13:00 tomorrow, Wednesday, 19 November 2025.

Normal operations will resume from 08:30 on Thursday, 20 November 2025.

The Tourist Office would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, and the public are thanked in advance for their understanding and cooperation.

Looking Ahead – Protecting St Helena

The St Helena Government (SHG), in partnership with Connect Saint Helena Ltd and JBA Consulting, invites all residents to take part in the public consultation for the island’s new Water Resource Management Plan (WRMP).

This important plan will guide how St Helena can secure reliable and sustainable water supplies for our homes, agriculture, businesses, and natural environment over the coming decades. It will explore:

•How water is currently supplied and used across the island;

•Options for improving storage, sourcing, and efficiency;

•Ways to strengthen our resilience to climate change and drought;

•Opportunities to protect our environment while meeting community needs.

Why Your Voice Matters

Water affects everyone on St Helena. Your local knowledge, ideas, and feedback are vital to shaping a plan that reflects our island’s priorities and requirements. By getting involved, you’ll help guide how water is managed and invested in to meet our current needs and the needs of future generations.  Please hit the QR code below to complete our questionnaire and be part of securing water for St Helena.

How to Take Part

Join one of our community consultation events: 

St Pauls:   Kingshurst Community Centre– Tuesday 18th November 7pm -8pm

Longwood:   Harford Community Centre – Wednesday 19th November 7pm – 8pm

 Jamestown:   Saint Helena Community College Hall – Thursday 20th November 7pm – 8pm

Consultation materials will also be available online and at key public venues, with opportunities to submit feedback in writing. Your input will help refine and evaluate the resourcing options being proposed before the plan is finalised later this year.

This project forms part of the £30 million Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP), funded by the UK Government, supporting a sustainable future for St Helena.

11 November 2025

Chief Minister, Dr Rebecca Cairns-Wicks MBE, is due to depart St Helena on Saturday 15 November 2025, to travel to the UK to attend the annual Overseas Territories (OTs) Joint Ministerial Council (JMC).

The JMC takes place every year in London and is hosted by the UK Government. It brings together elected leaders and representatives from all the OTs, as well as UK Ministers, and provides the principal forum for political dialogue and consultation between the UK and the OTs.

The JMC is due to begin on 24 November 2025, with the main formal discussion meetings taking place between 26 and 27 November. The Chief Minister will also have a number of official engagements before and after the event itself. These engagements will include a bilateral meeting with Stephen Doughty, Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories and meetings with other UK Government Ministers, OT leaders and other representatives.

The Chief Minister will be joined by His Excellency the Governor Nigel Philips CBE and SHG UK Representative, Kedell Worboys MBE.

The Governor  and the Chief Minister are due to arrive back on St Helena on Saturday 6 December. Whilst they are off-island, Tasha Harris, Head of the Governor’s Office, will  be sworn in as Acting Governor and Minister Martin Henry will be appointed Deputy Chief Minister.

In speaking about her attendance at the JMC, the Chief Minister said:

“I am honoured to represent St Helena at my first UK Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council. This is the most important annual political event in the calendar for St Helena and all UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs). Bringing together UK Ministers and elected leaders from each Territory to discuss key issues, agree priorities, progress action and strengthen the partnership between the Territories and the UK Government. This is an important opportunity for our new Government to raise St Helena’s voice directly in the UK, to showcase St Helena’s progress and achievements over the last year, highlight our challenges, set out our plans for development and advocate for the support needed to build a more sustainable and resilient future for our island.”

11 November 2025

Recently, St Helena was nominated for ‘Most Desirable Island (World)’ at the 24th annual Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards. The results were announced yesterday at a special event held during the World Travel Market (WTM) in London.

While St Helena did not win this year, the nomination itself signifies St Helena’s growing reputation and positioning on the international tourism map.

The awards are voted for by thousands of well-travelled readers of the UK’s leading travel magazine, Wanderlust and St Helena Government would like to thank everyone locally and internationally who voted for St Helena.

Minister for Economic Development and Environment, Natural Resources and Planning, Karl Thrower, commented:

“Our nomination at the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards confirms that the unique beauty, history, and genuine warmth of the St Helenian people resonate deeply with discerning travellers. It signals a growing appetite for unique, off-the-beaten-path destinations offering authentic, immersive experiences, which St Helena has in spades. We thank everyone for taking the time to vote for St Helena and hope we can call on your support for similar opportunities in future.”

Photos

Tourism Manager, Dianne Venning and Economic Development Officer, Marcella Mittens at awards ceremony.

#StHelena #WanderlustTravelAwards #ABreathOfFreshAir

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SHG
10 November 2025