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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 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:

DatesAreas
1 June to 5 JuneJamestown
8 June to 12 JuneHalf Tree Hollow
15 June to 19 JuneLongwood, Alarm Forest and Levelwood
22 June to 26 JuneSt 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.

The Health and Social Care Portfolio would like to advise the public that the Pharmacy email address has changed.

All prescription queries and related correspondence should now be sent to: pharmacy.prescriptions@sainthelena.gov.sh

The previous Pharmacy email account will be deactivated on 30 May 2026. Please note that an automatic message is currently in place to direct users to the new address; however, messages will not be forwarded.

Customers are kindly asked to update their contact records and use the new email address with immediate effect to avoid any disruption to service.

The public are advised that due to the arrival of the cruise ship Azamara Onward on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, the Jamestown Wharf will be closed to all public access from 06:00.

The Jamestown Wharf will remain closed until the vessel has departed.

Access to the Jamestown Wharf will be strictly prohibited and limited only, to persons who have made prior arrangements with Port Control.

Port stakeholders, workers, and maritime users are requested to park all vehicles outside the main security barrier.

Boat owners are also advised that no maintenance work will be permitted on the Wharf during this period.

Port Control thanks the public for their cooperation and understanding during this time.

SHG

14 May 2026

The MV Karoline is scheduled to arrive at James Bay on Wednesday 13 May, at 06:00 hours. Weather permitting, the vessel will berth alongside Rupert’s Jetty.

During this time, Rupert’s Cargo Management Facility, the beach, Jetty, and Rupert’s Bay will be under Security Access Level 3, meaning these areas will be restricted to authorised personnel only.

Access will remain restricted until all cargo operations are completed and the vessel has departed.

Once the vessel departs, Security will reduce to Access Level 2, at which point only the Cargo Management Facility will remain restricted during normal working hours (08:00–17:00).

The beach, Jetty, and Rupert’s Bay will reopen to the public and can be accessed via the public walkway beginning at Liberation House or via the Ferry Service (charges apply).

After working hours, the Security Access Level reduces to Level 1, whereby vehicular access is allowed through the Facility.

St Helena Port Control thanks the public for their cooperation and understanding.

The public are reminded that the playground site at Half Tree Hollow remains an active construction area as part of the ongoing Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP) Playgrounds Project. The public are asked to stay outside of visible development areas and strictly adhere to site signage.

This new playground facility has been made possible through significant planning and investment under the EDIP, AC’s Multi-skill Contractors, assisted by HMP who has been diligently working to timely install the equipment, in all weather conditions. The continued support and cooperation of the community is appreciated as the project progresses towards completion.

Pictured is new playground equipment (upper terrace) and children’s outdoor gym equipment (middle terrace), recently installed. Still to be installed is synthetic safety grass beneath the existing swing frames (and swings / chains fitted) and climbing frame. Whilst equipment may appear inviting to use, the public (children) are requested to wait for a further announcement, when the playground is completed and equipment is safe to use.

The public are advised that the next round of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccinations for individuals wishing to receive their first dose has been scheduled as follows:

DateTime Location
Week 1First doses
Monday 18 May10am – 2pmHTH (CCC)
Tuesday 19 May10am – 2pmLongwood (Harford CC)
Wednesday 20 May10am – 2pmJTCC

Members of the public are encouraged to attend the session most convenient to them. Vaccination remains an important step in protecting yourself and the wider community from MMR. For individuals who are housebound and unable to attend any of the above sessions, arrangements can be made for a home visit by a nurse. Please contact the Health Promotion team on 25949 to register your request. 

Further to the previous public announcement regarding the Central Support Service Away Day, please note that this has been postponed due to pressing issues currently being dealt with.

Central Support Service will operate as normal tomorrow, 8 May 2026.

Please be advised that the Central Support Service, will be closed on Friday, 8 May to allow staff to attend their Away Day.

These office closures will include the Legislative Council staff office, the Archives, Communications Hub, IT Offices and Transport Section.

The Castle Switchboard will continue to be staffed until 16:00.

Normal business will resume on Monday, 11 May 2026, at 8:30.

We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Recent wet weather has delayed the road slurry programme, and some works have not been completed as scheduled.

Daily road closures on W-road were due to end on Friday, 8 May 2026, but will now continue due to these delays. Road slurry works, including on W-road, will continue from Monday, 11 May onwards.

To help the programme progress more efficiently and make best use of suitable weather conditions, additional road sections will also form part of the works. Daily road closures between 09:00 – 15:00 may take place over the next 10 weeks on the following routes:

Clear signage and advance notice will be provided where possible to help road users plan their journeys and minimise disruption.

Including these additional roads allows works to move between locations when conditions are unsuitable on a particular section. No more than two roads will be closed at any one time, and close coordination will continue with public transport operators, emergency services and churches to minimise disruption.

The public are thanked for their patience and cooperation while this essential road maintenance work continues.