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St Helena Government (SHG) is pleased to advise that the Playgrounds Project in Half Tree Hollow, funded by the UK Government through the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP), has progressed well and most facilities will be ready for use on St Helena Day, Thursday, 21 May 2026.
This new playground facility has been made possible through significant planning and investment under EDIP. AC’s Multi-skill Contractors, assisted by HM Prison, have been diligently working, in all weather conditions, to timely install the equipment. To ensure these facilities stay in top condition for years to come, we kindly ask for your help in looking after them. The continued support and cooperation of the community is appreciated.
Key Features of the New Facility
- Half Tree Hollow (Upper & Middle Terraces): Features brand-new playground equipment on the upper terrace and a dedicated children’s outdoor gym on the middle terrace. For maximum safety, all equipment on the upper terrace is fitted with high-quality Grasslok safety surfacing beneath.
- Swings and Climbing Frames: Inclusive and flat-seat swing frames, alongside a robust climbing frame, have been installed over a synthetic grass soft surface.
- Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA): Court markings have been successfully laid out on the existing hard surface. To complete the court, specialised MUGA ends, featuring built-in goals, basketball and netball hoops, rebound panels, and gated wheelchair access, will be installed in the coming weeks.
Longwood Green Playground is now fully complete. It features a large timber climbing structure with a protective Grasslok soft surface underneath, alongside various other newly installed play equipment.
Photos
Arnold Crowie, Director of AC’S Multi-skill Contractors, and Assistant Freddy Henry.
Covered picnic and seating area
Playground equipment and inclusive swing on upper terrace
The playground is wheel-chair accessible
A children’s outdoor gym can be seen on the middle terrace
The MUGA markings laid out on the existing hard surface.
Longwood Green Playground is complete following the completion of the large timber climbing structure with a protective Grasslok soft surface underneath, alongside various other newly installed play equipment.
#StHelena #PlaygroundsProject
The Education, Skills and Employment (ESE) Portfolio is offering non-compulsory nursery education for all children between the ages of three and four years.
ESE will be in contact with parents/guardians of those children born on island and who are eligible to enter nursery education in the school year September 2026 – August 2027. This is to offer a place and provide details of school placement and date of admission.
It would be appreciated if parents/guardians of children who were not born on St Helena could submit the following information in writing to the Assistant Director of Schools, Kerry Lawrence, so that an offer of placement can be made:
•The child’s full name and date of birth
•Name and address of parent or guardian
•Telephone number and email address (if applicable)
Once all required information has been received, parents/guardians will be advised of their child’s nursery placement.
All correspondence pertaining to this matter can be sent to the Assistant Director of Schools, Kerry Lawrence, at the Education and Learning Centre, Jamestown, by email to: kerry.lawrence@sainthelena.gov.sh
The St Helena Government (SHG) is close to concluding negotiations with the Government of the United Kingdom (UKG), for an extension to the existing Memorandum of Understanding relating to the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
In a series of calls with the Minister for the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty MP and officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Chief Minister has successfully impressed the critical importance of securing a balanced outcome, which recognises the additional contribution St Helena is making to the British family and ensures commensurate UK investment in the island’s long-term sustainable development.
Chief Minister Rebecca Cairns-Wicks said:
“The St Helena Government will only agree an extension which is in the best interest of all residents and is supported by all relevant UK Government Departments. While this may mean a delay in signing an extension now, I want to ensure all aspects of the deal can be implemented long-term.”
#StHelena #BIOT #Agreement
The public are advised that the next round of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccinations for individuals due to receive their first or second dose in Jamestown will take place as follows:
Date: Thursday, 28th May
Time: 11:00 – 14:00
Venue: JTCC
Important reminder: If attending for your second dose, please ensure that at least 28 days have passed since your first vaccination.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend the session most convenient for them. Vaccination is an important step in protecting yourself and helping to safeguard the wider community.
For individuals who are housebound and unable to attend any of the scheduled sessions, home visits can be arranged with a nurse. Please contact the Health Promotion Team on 25949 to register your request.
The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect against serious illness.The public are advised that the next round of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccinations for individuals due to receive their first or second dose in Jamestown will take place as follows:
Date: Thursday, 28th May
Time: 11:00 – 14:00
Venue: JTCC
Important reminder: If attending for your second dose, please ensure that at least 28 days have passed since your first vaccination.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend the session most convenient for them. Vaccination is an important step in protecting yourself and helping to safeguard the wider community.
For individuals who are housebound and unable to attend any of the scheduled sessions, home visits can be arranged with a nurse. Please contact the Health Promotion Team on 25949 to register your request.
The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect against serious illness.
The St Helena Government is pleased to announce that Solomon & Company now expects Jacob’s Ladder to temporarily reopen to pedestrians at 17:00 on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. The ladder will remain open through the long weekend so it can be lit on St Helena’s Day and enjoyed by the public. It will close again at 08:00 on Tuesday, 26 May, and remain closed until mid-June to allow completion of the works.
The lights were funded by Lord Ashcroft under the Jacob’s Ladder Rehabilitation Project. Installation works form part of an FCDO EDIP UK-funded initiative, managed through the Programme Management Office (PMO), representing a significant investment in enhancing one of the island’s most iconic landmarks.
The switching on of Jacob’s Ladder lights on St Helena’s Day is a fitting tribute to the island’s heritage and marks an important milestone for the community.
The public’s patience is appreciated, and thanks are extended to Solomon & Company for their role as contractors in delivering this project.
The St Helena Government (SHG) is providing its scheduled update on the territorial hantavirus response.
Successful Pre-emptive Relocation to the UK
A coordinated territorial operation was successfully completed over the weekend to relocate individuals identified as the highest risk contacts to the United Kingdom.
A chartered Titan Airways flight arrived on St Helena on Saturday, 16 May, before flying to Ascension Island on Sunday, 17 May. The flight has since departed for the UK, successfully relocating a total of nine individuals (four from St Helena and five from Ascension Island). All individuals arrived safely in the UK, where they are continuing their isolation periods in proximity to specialised medical facilities. None of these individuals were showing symptoms of illness, and the transfer was executed purely as a pre-emptive and precautionary measure. The symptomatic patient on Ascension Island transferred to the UK by medevac on Friday 15 May also arrived safely and is now being assessed. Hantavirus tests continue to be negative and symptoms are resolving.
Gold Command wishes to express its sincere thanks to all stakeholders involved in ensuring this complex operation was completed safely and efficiently, including teams at St Helena Airport, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the UK Government, local Emergency Services, and Public Health officials.
Territorial Status and Testing Update
- St Helena: There remain zero confirmed or suspected cases of hantavirus on St Helena. The patient admitted last week under Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) protocols continues to receive care at the Jamestown General Hospital.
- On-Island Testing: Specialist UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) personnel continue to manage the newly established, limited on-island laboratory testing capability. Testing remains strictly reserved for clinical screening as determined by the medical team and is not available on request.
- Tristan da Cunha: The single probable case remains stable.
- Ascension Island: Further to the precautionary medevac of a patient last week, there are currently no confirmed cases on the island.
Communications Schedule and Public Guidance
In line with our adjusted schedule, routine updates have decreased in frequency. The next regular update will be shared via local radio broadcast this Wednesday, 20 May, followed by the next formal press release on Friday, 22 May. If any urgent developments occur, additional updates will be issued immediately.
If you had direct contact with the MV Hondius and develop symptoms, please contact the Hantavirus Screening Line on 25949 for guidance before visiting any medical facility.
#StHelena #PublicHealth #UKHSA #GoldCommand #TerritorialUpdate
The St Helena Fire and Rescue Service will be conducting routine fire hydrant inspections across the island starting Monday, 1 June 2026.
These regular inspections are essential to ensure all hydrants remain fully operational and ready for fire protection and emergency responses, keeping our community safe.
The inspections will take place between 10:00 and 15:00 according to the following schedule:
| Dates | Areas |
| 1 June to 5 June | Jamestown |
| 8 June to 12 June | Half Tree Hollow |
| 15 June to 19 June | Longwood, Alarm Forest and Levelwood |
| 22 June to 26 June | St Pauls, Blue Hill and Sandy Bay |
During testing, residents in the affected areas may notice temporary water discolouration or a slight drop in water pressure. If your water appears discoloured, simply run your cold tap for a few moments until it clears.
All inspection crews will be clearly identified while carrying out their work.
The St Helena Fire and Rescue Service thanks the public in advance for their cooperation and understanding as we maintain this vital safety infrastructure.
For additional information or queries, please contact the St Helena Fire and Rescue Service on 23344.
International Maritime Organisation (IMO) International Day for Women in Maritime is observed on 18 May every year. The day celebrates women in the industry and is intended to promote the recruitment, retention and sustained employment of women in the maritime sector, raise the profile of women in maritime, strengthen IMO’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (gender equality) and support work to address the current gender imbalance in maritime.
The IMO-WISTA (Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association) Women in Maritime Survey 2024 reported that women account for just 19% of the workforce with only 1-2% of them being a part of the seafaring workforce. For more information visit the IMO website at https://www.imo.org/en/about/events/pages/international-day-for-women-in-maritime-2026.aspx.
To mark this occasion on St Helena we are promoting one of our St Helenians working in the maritime industry, Master Nicola O’Loan (Nee Mittens).
Nicola started her career at sea at the age of 16 years. She joined the RMS St Helena under Curnow Shipping at the time as a deck cadet.
Nicola commented:
“I first stepped foot onboard the RMS on 13 November 1996 and clearly remember the first week very well en route to Cape Town. Having never left St Helena before it was definitely an eye opener into the real world”.
Nicola worked towards gaining her Certificate of Competency as a 3rd Officer at South Tyneside Nautical College in the UK. This involved a combination of studying at college and spending time at sea.
Nicola added:
“I was lucky to have had the opportunity to spend time on various types of vessels during my cadetship: the passenger liner, Queen Elizabeth (QE) 2, sailing across to New York and the Norwegian Fjords and a container ship, CGM Cavalier, travelling from Europe to South America and the Caribbean. With Trinity House maintaining navigational buoys and lighthouses around UK and at UMA dredging”.
Nicola qualified as an Officer of the Watch (OOW), 3rd Officer, in summer 2000 and then sailed for a few years as 3rd and 2nd Mate onboard the RMS St Helena. She then joined Red Funnel Ferry Company on the ‘Ro-Ro’ and Hi-speed vessels operating between Southampton and the Isle of Wight as Chief Officer and became Master on the Hi-speed vessels in 2007.
When reflecting on her career Nicola says:
“As a young girl, it was a fantastic opportunity that helped shape my future while contributing to the growing number of females in the Merchant Navy. I would encourage anyone to take the leap and pursue such an incredible career opportunity if given the chance. Not only does it offer the opportunity to see the world, but there is also so much to learn and gain from a career in the Merchant Navy”.
More Information About Women in Maritime
- In the 18th century, women were often considered bad luck on ships, believed to distract the crew and anger the sea. Despite restrictions, women served as stewardesses and keepers of ship records. Wives of captains sometimes took command in emergencies, such as the case of Caroline Mayhew in 1846.
- During WWI and WWII, women significantly increased their presence in shipbuilding, with women making up nearly 65% of West Coast US shipbuilders during World War II, though many lost these jobs after the war.
- The only way for most women to take part in running a merchant vessel before 1900, was through marriage or by being the captain’s daughter
- Women in Maritime – Ida Lewis (1842–1911) was a renowned American lighthouse keeper famously nicknamed “the bravest woman in America” for her daring rescues of shipwrecked sailors and residents in Rhode Island. As keeper of the Lime Rock Light Station, she officially saved 18 lives, some estimates suggest up to 36, and was the first woman to receive the Gold Lifesaving Medal.
- The Legend of Awilda: Alwilda was a Scandinavian princess in the 5th century. Her father arranged a marriage for her to Alf, the crown prince of Denmark, but Alwilda refused. To avoid this arranged marriage, together with some female friends, she decided to dress like a sailor and take command of a ship. While sailing, Alwilda’s ship encountered a pirate ship that had recently lost its captain, and the pirates elected her to be their captain. The prince of Denmark sent his son Alf to fight against the pirates. Alf’s courage impressed Alwilda and made her reveal her real identity. They married onboard the pirate ship and lived happily as King and Queen of Denmark.
Are you a woman working in the maritime industry and would like to share your story? Please get in contact with Wendy Benjamin via email at wendy.benjamin@sainthelena.gov.sh.
Photos
Nicola with a fellow cadet on board the RMS St Helena
Nicola in the Master’s seat of a Red Funnell ferry
(Photos courtesy of Nicola O’Loan)
Discussions between the St Helena Government (SHG) and the Government of the United Kingdom (UKG) regarding the extension of the existing Memorandum of Understanding relating to the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) have progressed positively.
While agreement has substantially been reached, final matters remain subject to confirmation before formal communications can be issued. All parties continue to work constructively to conclude the process as quickly as possible.
We now expect to provide a further update early next week. Thank you for your patience and understanding while these complex discussions have been taking place.
#StHelena #BIOT #Agreement
The St Helena Government (SHG) is providing its final daily update for the week regarding the hantavirus response, as local and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) teams continue their coordinated efforts across the Territory.
Pre-emptive Relocations Scheduled
Following specialised risk assessments, the planned, pre-emptive relocation of higher-risk individuals to the UK is scheduled to go ahead this weekend. Please note that these movements remain subject to weather conditions. Four individuals currently on St Helena and five individuals on Ascension Island will be relocated to the UK to complete their isolation periods near specialised medical care.
None of the individuals scheduled for relocation are currently showing symptoms of illness, and these transfers are being undertaken purely as a pre-emptive and precautionary measure.
Financial Support for Self-Isolating Individuals
To assist those impacted by public health measures, SHG will provide financial support to eligible individuals identified as higher-risk contacts who are required to self-isolate for 45 days. This scheme is specifically designed for people formally instructed by SHG Public Health to isolate at home who cannot work, resulting in a loss of income. Eligible applicants may receive support payments of up to £160 per week during their isolation period. These payments will be made weekly, and the first payment will be backdated to the start of the individual’s isolation.
Eligible individuals will be contacted directly by SHG with further details on the scheme and instructions on how to access it. Please note that employees who continue to receive their normal salary from their employer during this period (including SHG employees) are not eligible, as they have experienced no loss of income.
Adjustment to Communications Schedule
As the initial phase of the incident response stabilises and our enhanced on-island capabilities are established, the frequency of routine public updates will decrease. For the following week, information will be shared on the following scheduled basis:
- Monday and Friday: A formal update will be issued via official SHG press releases.
- Wednesday: An update will be shared via local radio broadcasts (SAMS and Saint FM) featuring public health and government officials.
The public are reassured that if a situation arises where additional or urgent communications are required, SHG will issue updates accordingly.
Territorial Status and Testing Reminders
- St Helena Status: There remain zero confirmed or suspected cases of hantavirus on St Helena.
- Testing Feasibility: UKHSA laboratory personnel continue to verify safety and quality checks to establish limited, on-island testing capabilities ahead of the weekend. Testing will be strictly reserved for clinical screening and will not be available on request.
Public Information and Guidance
The next routine update will be issued on Monday, 18 May 2026.
The community is thanked for their continued support and is reminded to rely on official SHG channels for verified information. The updated Q&A can be accessed here: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/hantavirus-qa/.
If you had direct contact with the MV Hondius and develop the following symptoms, please contact the Hantavirus Screening Line on 25949 for guidance before attending any medical facility:
- Fever
- Extreme fatigue (feeling more tired than usual)
- Muscle aches
- Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
- Shortness of breath
#StHelena #PublicHealth #UKHSA #TerritorialUpdate