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Reminder

St Helena will once again join more than 200 Beacon locations in uniting the nation in common celebration of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th Birthday – following the lighting of the Principal Beacon in London by Her Majesty The Queen.

On St Helena, the special gas fuelled Beacon produced for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June 2012, with a unique burner head in the shape of a diamond, will be lit by the Hon Speaker, Eric Benjamin, in the Mule Yard on Thursday 21 April 2016 at 7.30pm.  This year the event, in conjunction with Corporate Services, is being organised by the Girl Guiding Association on St Helena.

The event will open at 7pm with an orchestral piece, followed by prayers, poems, greetings, quotes and songs presented by the Girl Guiding Association and the reading of Prince Charles’ message by Acting Governor, Sean Burns.  HM Queen Elizabeth II will be honoured in celebratory fashion by those in attendance singing ‘Happy Birthday’ and highlighting this remarkable milestone of HM The Queen’s life.

Refreshments and stalls will be available following the official ceremony.

SHG

19 April 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

History was once again made on St Helena today as the first large passenger jet aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 (ZS-ZWG), touched down at St Helena’s new Airport shortly after 12.00 noon. This is the actual Boeing aircraft which will serve the St Helena/Johannesburg route. Four photos are attached.

As planned, British Airways (operated by Comair) brought in this ‘Implementation Flight’ from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, complete with various Comair, Basil Read and other passengers – plus a consignment of aircraft spare parts which will remain on the Island.

In preparation for the commencement of scheduled air services, the objectives of the Implementation Flight include route assessment, airside operations, passenger and cargo handling, training and various aspects of safety at St Helena Airport. It is planned that the aircraft will make a few flights over the next two days, before the Implementation Flight departs St Helena on Wednesday afternoon (20 April 2016).

Martin Louw, Operations Director for Comair, said on arrival:

“The flight itself was a ‘non-event’ – beautiful over the sea with a fantastic view of the Island coming into land.  As you will have seen we did a few practice approaches just to make sure we understood the approach – safety is always paramount.”

 

SHG

18 April 2016

Currently on Island assisting Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs team, in the implementation of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA World), is Mr Owen Holder from Barbados and Mr Ernie Boland from Dominica (photo attached).

 

Ernie and Owen are on Island for three months assisting the technical and functional teams. While here they will also be:

• Making recommendations to ensure secure and efficient trade procedures and controls are in place
• Providing technical advice on the most suitable architecture and configuration for ASYCUDA World on St Helena
• Organising and delivering technical and functional training
• Assisting with the maintenance and configuration for ASYCUDA World

Both consultants are based at the HM Customs & Revenue Office at the Wharf and will be working closely with the various stakeholders of ASYCUDA World to ensure the delivery of an effective training programme.

ASYCUDA World is a web-based system that sets a platform for e-Government to improve trade facilitation and avoid delays. The improvements ASYCUDA will deliver include faster and more streamlined clearance of goods processes, better accounting and statistical capabilities and a paperless system.

ASYCUDA World used on St Helena is the most up to date version, developed by a dedicated team from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It can be found in over 100 jurisdictions worldwide.

SHG

19 April 2016

 

 

 

The Primary Sector will be hosting their annual Athletics Day on Wednesday 20 April 2016.  The sports will start at 10am and end at approximately 2.30pm. All parents, guardians and members of the public are invited to attend.

As this is a school event the Primary Sector would appreciate if all spectators could observe the following conditions in the interests of the safety of all schoolchildren:

• No animals will be allowed on Francis Plain for this event
• Only the appointed marshalls, helpers, invited guests and School Team Leaders will be allowed on the field for the duration of the event
• Only school appointed photographers will be allowed on the field to photograph the event
• No alcohol is allowed
• Smoking is restricted to the designated smoking area – the green shed next to the Pavilion
• All litter is placed into the bins provided

Please note if parents/guardians wish to transport their children home after the event they are asked to ensure that they make teachers aware of this on the day so that all children can be accounted for.

The Education Directorate look forward to your support in making this a successful day for our children.

SHG

18 April 2016

 

Acting Governor Sean Burns and Marina Burns, hosted a special reception at Plantation House last night (14 April 2016) to formally thank the team from Air Safety Support International (ASSI), DFID’s Airport Project Manager, Nigel Kirby, and the pilots and crew of the Bombardier Challenger 300 business jet, for their work on St Helena.

In opening remarks, Sean Burns said:

“Thank you to everyone who has been involved in the Airport Project for your efforts. Special thanks this week go to the ASSI team who are here tonight. I think everyone should be incredibly proud. We’ve been through remarkably busy weeks and months and I know there is still a way to go.

“We await with great interest ASSI’s report once they get back to the UK.”

The Bombardier jet and her passengers departed the Island just after 9am this morning (Friday) after conducting several flights as part of ASSI’s on-site audit of St Helena Airport – part of the certification process.

Three photos are attached to this release.

 

SHG

15 April 2016

 

As planned, British Airways (operated by Comair) will conduct an Implementation Flight to the Island in a Boeing 737-800 aircraft on Monday 18 April 2016, arriving at St Helena Airport at approximately 11.40hrs.

Naturally, this arrival time, and the flight itself, is subject to weather conditions and other factors.

We hope to be able to confirm the precise time of arrival on local radio on Monday morning.

The aircraft, registration ZS-ZWG – the actual aeroplane which will serve the St Helena/Johannesburg route – will depart OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at approximately 08.30hrs SA time.

In preparation for the commencement of scheduled air services, the objectives of the Implementation Flight include route assessment, airside operations, passenger and cargo handling, training and various aspects of safety at St Helena Airport.

Practical Arrangements for Vantage Points

The public is advised that there will be no access to the Airport site at Prosperous Bay Plain until nearer the commencement of commercial operations.  This is to allow completion of the final stages of Airport certification and operational readiness. 

Basil Read, working closely with the St Helena Police Service, has identified various public vantage points where people will be able to get a good view of the aircraft landing. Other vantage points, such as Woody Ridge, will also be available – but there will be no traffic management at those places. The public is therefore asked to take extra care when driving to and parking at other vantage points on the Island.

The one-way system used on previous flight days (to alleviate congestion in Longwood) cannot be used this time due to road building work beyond Reggie’s takeaway.  An alternative system will be put in place to help manage traffic in the area, using the two parallel roads through Bottom Woods.  This will be signposted and Police Officers will be on hand to assist motorists.

The public are strongly encouraged to car share where possible, and to be mindful of their personal safety, particularly when on foot.  Please drive and park sensibly and be aware of your surroundings.

Longwood to Bottom Woods (up to Reggie’s takeaway)

• To approach the vantage points below, vehicles will travel via Longwood Gate and through to Bottom Woods
• A one-way system will be in place at Bottom Woods using the road that runs parallel to the main road.  Please adhere to the signage in place and follow the directions of the officials and Police Officers on site
• Please note that there will be no access to the Airport Access Road between Reggie’s and Deadwood on this occasion due to construction works taking place

 Reggie’s Takeaway to Bradley’s

• Exceptionally, parking will be allowed on the left hand side of the Access Road from the area of Reggie’s Takeaway at Bottom Woods to the barricade at Bradley’s
• Vehicles should be parked sensibly so that access can be maintained to residences, to the Met Station, the Waste Management Facility at Horse Point, and the Airport
• It is essential that access is maintained to these sites for emergency services.  Your co-operation in this matter is greatly appreciated

Horse Point

• Horse Point on the day will only be accessible on foot – this is to protect Wirebird nests and other endemic species from accidental damage. A barrier to vehicles will be in place along the track that leads to Horse Point, just past the Waste Management Facility
• The public should be mindful that Horse Point is an environmentally sensitive area and are urged to take care when moving around this area

Horse Point Landfill Site

• Limited parking will be available at the Horse Point Landfill site. Members of the public are asked to follow the directions of the site operator
• Please note that the Horse Point Landfill site will remain open only until 4pm and all vehicles must be removed from the site by that time.  The Landfill site will be locked promptly at 4pm and will reopen the following morning

 Millennium Forest

• The Millennium Forest car park will be available for drop-off of pedestrians only.  No parking will be permitted in this area

 Bradley’s Camp/Garage Area

• A barricade will be in place just after the turning to Bradley’s Camp, indicating that the Airport site is not open to the general public at this time
• A viewing area before the barricade will be available

 Interested members of the public are asked to listen out on Monday morning for radio news updates.

Enquiries about the practical and traffic arrangements on the day can be directed to the Police on tel: 22626.

SHG

15 April 2016

 

 

The new Governor Designate, Ms Lisa Phillips (photo attached), will be arriving on the RMS St Helena on Tuesday 26 April 2016.

She will be met onboard by the Acting Governor, the Chief Secretary and the Aide De Camp – who will accompany her ashore, where she will be welcomed by the Vicar General, the Honourable Speaker, the Sheriff and Honourable Members.

Ms Phillips, accompanied by officials, will walk from the Customs Terminal along the Seafront to the Castle entrance, before proceeding to Plantation House. The Inauguration Ceremony will subsequently take place in front of the Supreme Court Terrace, starting at 2pm, when uniformed contingents and schoolchildren will be on parade.

Her Excellency will then proceed to the Governor’s Office at the Castle where she will be able to greet Councillors, officials, dignitaries and members of the public.

Ms Phillips will be accompanied on the RMS by Mr Alex Cameron, Head of the Southern Oceans Department in FCO’s Overseas Territories Directorate – who will be visiting the Island for the second time from Tuesday 26 to Friday 29 April 2016.

 

SHG

15 April 2016

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS TO PARTICIPATE IN READINESS TRIALS AT

ST HELENA AIRPORT

 Basil Read is planning a series of trials to test operations at St Helena Airport.  The trials will give Airport personnel the opportunity to put into effect their training, prior to the commencement of commercial flights to and from St Helena Airport. This is your opportunity to view St Helena Airport prior to its official opening.

•  Saturday 30 April, Saturday 7 May and Friday 13 May have been set aside for operational readiness trials

We need your assistance in playing the role of passengers arriving or departing on a flight. 

•  We require 100 volunteers on each day to play the role of passengers

On each of the trial days we will ask volunteers to go through the Departures process.  Following a short break, we will then reverse this and ask volunteers to go through the Arrivals process as if you have just stepped off a flight.  At the end of the trial, we will ask for your honest feedback on how the Airport can improve its services in readiness for scheduled flights.

 To Volunteer

•  Please contact Tessa Roberts at the Access Office to offer your help on one of the trial days.  Tessa can be contacted on telephone 22494 or via email roberts@sainthelena.gov.sh
• Offers of help will be assigned on a first come, first served basis
• Any interested person can volunteer but we would ask that parents make bookings for persons under the age of 16
• You will need to bring along your Passport and your luggage
• You will also need to arrange your transport to and from the Airport, making this as realistic as possible as if it were a real flight. For example, would you have friends or family see you off at the Airport? – if so, they also have a role to play on the day
• Perhaps local tour operators might like to ‘book’ a tour group onto the flight?  If so, please get in touch to help us test this scenario
• Final details, times and what to expect on the day will be provided to confirmed volunteers

 ‘Bookings’ will close on Wednesday 20 April 2016.

 

SHG

15 April 2016

Initial public consultations on the Ten Year Plan for St Helena have now come to a close. Over twenty community events were held across the Island – with around 100 people expressing their views on priorities for St Helena.

If members of the public were unable to attend any participation event they can still contact Tom Holvey, at the Castle, to express their views on priorities for the Plan. Tom can be contacted on tel: 22470 or email: tenyear.plan@sainthelena.gov.sh

Work will now begin between SHG officials and Councillors to pull together a draft document to be presented to the public in the coming months. There were many ideas and views expressed throughout the process, with better communications from government, increasing prosperity and making the most of the Island’s assets being key themes raised.

SHG would like to thank all those who took the time to attend a meeting or to give their views in other ways. Further public meetings with be scheduled to discuss the draft plan.

Councillor Brian Isaac said:

“I was glad to see that many of the meetings were so well attended. The level of contribution from Islanders was of such a high standard and we heard so many great ideas which Councillors will now work with government officials to pull together into a plan.”

 

SHG

15 April 2016

 

On 8 April 2016, a 36 year old local man from Ladder Hill was charged with one count of rape. He was released on bail to appear before St Helena Magistrates Court on Thursday 28 April 2016.

 On 11 April 2016, a 25 year old local man from Longwood was charged with failing to comply with his notification obligations under the 2003 Sexual Offences Act. He was released on bail to appear before St Helena Magistrates Court on Thursday 21 April 2016.

 Also on 11 April 2016, a 51 year old local man from Jamestown was charged with failing to comply with his notification obligations under the 2003 Sexual Offences Act.  He was released on bail to appear before St Helena Magistrates Court on Thursday 21 April 2016.

 

Trevor Botting

Chief of Police

14 April 2016