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British Officers to be Phased Out of RMPF

Commissioner Chris Burgess and Deputy Commissioner Simon Morson 

Britain plans to eventually phase out the employment of United Kingdom (UK) officers as Police Commissioner of Montserrat and opt for a local or regional officer, according to an Inspection Report by a top law enforcement adviser released last weekend.

When the two-year contract of current Police Commissioner Chris Burgess, a Briton, comes to an end next January, he is to be replaced by another expatriate.

"It is planned to replace the next expatriate Commissioner with a local or regional police officer," stated Mr. Chris Gale, Police and Criminal Justice Adviser for Britain’s Department for International Development (DFID), in his 14-page report. "The current RMPF (Royal Montserrat Police Force) senior officer cadre will be given the opportunity to develop to enable them to compete for the post in due course,"

Mr. Gale also envisaged that on the appointment of a local officer to the post of Commissioner, "the expatriate role can evolve" into the non-executive appointment of a Strategic Police Adviser to the Commissioner "to focus on the continued development issues facing the force."

Following his June 7- 9 inspection of the RMPF, Mr. Gale said that "difficulties may arise in getting a replacement" for Commissioner Burgess over the millennium period, but he did not go into details.

Deputy Police Commissioner Simon Morson is a Montserratian.

Current British expatriate Staff Officer to the Commissioner, Superintendent Charles Greeney, is to be replaced by another Briton who will then focus on development issues and adopt a project management-based approach.

Since the eruption of the volcano four years ago, the RMPF has been unable to address the issue of succession, a situation that has been "exacerbated" by the retirements of senior officers without proper planning and so the need arose to bring in Superintendent Greeney.

The Gale Mission was mounted to assess and report on the efficiency and effectiveness of the police force by inspecting all operational and administrative departments and speaking personally to many of the ranks and members of the executive of the Police Welfare Association

The RMPF has 63 members out of the required 67, which means that the ratio is 1:68 for an estimated population of 4,550, "an exceptionally high figure," the report concluded.

Veteran West Indies cricket journalist Tony Cozier has identified the constant bombardment of the region by televised games and programmes as one of the major reasons why West Indies cricket is "in a state of decline." 

(Read Coziers full address)    Other Speakers are also featured here

Mr. Cozier’s comments came in the feature presentation Tuesday night at the inaugural annual lecture series in honour of Montserratian cricketing great Charles ‘Jim’ Allen.

The cricket journalist with over 35 years’ regional and international experience said also that youths might be preoccupied with computer games, TV wrestling and soap operas but "not playing the game."

"Will in the next two three years a new Brian Lara or Jim Allen emerge or are we going to see Michael Jordan’s and Scotty Pippins?" Mr. Cozier asked, alluding to two leading U.S. basketball stars.

He observed that except for Brian Lara and possibly Shivnarine Chanderpaul, in the West Indies team "we have no more batsmen in the middle order that we can call on"

Youths, he argued, prefer to play games such as football and basketball, which take less time, rather than play long hours in the hot Caribbean sun.

The cricket journalist deemed a "contradiction" the fact that West Indian cricket was at its lowest ebb while at the same time there is more regional and international participation by youths through the Under-15 and Under-19 regional tournaments and tours to England and Australia

"It would seem to be a contradiction that now when there are more chances for young cricketers than ever…every little fault is detected," he told a gathering of about 150 persons at the Brades Pentecostal Church, where the lecture was held.
The recent Nortel Under 19 Tournament held in Barbados, "was not encouraging," he said.
"Most depressing of all," he added, was the performance of the Leewards and the Windwards, considered the "nursery" of West Indies Cricket.
"Struggling even against a team like Canada is a very depressing sight indeed" he said.

Mr. Cozier also singled out the poor condition of pitches as adversely affecting players

The cricket journalist recommended that the Jim Allen Lecture Series, the brainchild of Salas Hamilton, Chief of Staff of the Chief Minister’s Office, move a step further next year to include a cricket match of West Indian players.

"A generation of Montserratians is right now a part of this community with no idea or concern about the inputs of Jim Allen as an ambassador for us," Mr. Hamilton told the meeting..

The University of the West Indies (UWI) is expected to continue its involvement in future lectures as Montserrat seeks to revitalize local cricket through the newly established Montserrat Cricket Association.

UWI Resident Tutor Dr. Howard Fergus said, "It is our view that our involvement will help to give permanence to the series even though there is a lot of competition from soap operas and wrestling and so forth these days."

Jim Allen played from 1969 to 1985 for Montserrat, amassing 2,654 runs from 51 innings, six not outs at an average of 64.25

Mr. Allen, a Member of the British Empire (MBE), also scored five centuries at First Class cricket, having made his debut in 1971, and played Lancashire League Cricket, chalking up a total of 1,142 runs, including seven centuries.

According to Mr. Cozier, however, because of the superb batting lineup of the West Indies team, Jim Allen never got picked to represent the region because "it was a very difficult side to get into" but "nowadays, Jim Allen would walk into a West Indies side."

This past Tuesday night an Inaugural Lecture Series honouring Charles Henry 'Jim' Allen for his great and outstanding performances in cricket in Montserrat and the region was launched by the Office of the Chief Minister, through its Chief of Staff Salas Hamilton, and with the University of the West Indies through its Resident Tutor Dr. Howard Fergus, CBE.

The feature speaker at this event was renowned cricket commentator and journalist Mr. Tony Cozier of Barbados. In his address, Mr. Cozier honoured Jim for his outstanding performances, some of which he had witnessed himself regionally and in Australia. He recalled that Jim's biggest chance came when he played with the Cavalier team, which toured Australia for the "Packer series" and at which time he was given mention for selection to tour with the West Indies team. Jim had made it into the team because Lawrence Rowe had taken ill.

The issue of Jim's non-selection to the West Indies team has always been a sore point with Montserratians, but Mr. Cozier explained that Jim was prominent at a time when there was an outstanding crop of cricketers already playing for the team.

Mr. Cozier also spoke to the issue of what seems to be a slowly dying sport in the West Indies. The cricket journalist deemed a "contradiction" the fact that West Indian cricket is at its lowest ebb while at the same time there is more regional and international participation by youths through the Under-15 and Under-19 regional tournaments and tours to England and Australia.

He suggested that the youths might be preoccupied with computer games, North American sports, TV wrestling and soap operas but "not playing the game." He expressed surprise that even the Leewards and Windwards had shown serious decline in standards.

The evening’s function was well attended, which speaks for itself, but congratulations are in order to all who staged the event. During a discussion period following the various addresses, several not-so-new issues were raised, including that of insularity among selectors and players. But overall the concern reverted always to the thoughts expressed by Mr. Cozier, when it was agreed that some of the problems had existed long before now, even not too many years ago when the West Indies enjoyed some of the greatest cricket ever.

The problem that was aired is not one special to cricket or other sports alone. It is one which is being seen right here in Montserrat, even in addition to our other struggles, as causing havoc with the ambition and discipline of our young and even the not so young. We are already seeing the tragedies of the problem in other areas.

While any strides that we may have made towards reviving or lifting the standard of our cricket have been devastated with the advent of the ongoing volcanic crisis, we here in Montserrat are being offered the opportunity to start "fresh."

Mr. John Smith, the newly elected president of the Montserrat Cricket Association (MCA), gave the vote of thanks at the Inaugural Lecture Series, which is expected to be annual event. He took the opportunity to give an insight of what he referred to as his "ambition for Montserrat's cricket." He said that the association had been allocated lands at Geralds to develop cricket facilities. "…to invite teams like we've had in the past to Montserrat, and moreover I believe that in the year 2007, we will have a World Cup game here in Montserrat."

That received great applause, but let us hope that this ambition will not turn out to be just a dream, aired and forgotten. It must receive the greatest cooperation by all concerned, even though it seems not to be in our culture of operation to plan so far in advance..

During the evening it was mentioned that the West Indies will host the cricket World Cup competition in year 2007. By 2004 Montserrat should have its facilities in place so that it can begin to test and prove that it is capable of hosting one of these matches.

Except for the editorial, opinion articles expressed in these pages are not necessarily those of the Montserrat Reporter editors, employees or advisers. Readers are encouraged to submit commentary articles. All viewpoints, unless libelous, in poor taste, or anonymous, are welcome. Send your contributions to The Editor, P.O. Box 306, Olveston, Montserrat, W. I., e-mail: editor@montserratreporter.org. Manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by a return stamped envelope. The Montserrat Reporter is a privately owned independent newspaper.

My friend and I had harsh words and parted angry and unhappy. As I look back, our argument seemed trivial. But he had not taken a step toward making amends. Why, I though, should I be the one to take the first step?

Later, I watched an inchworm on its journey along the blossom of a flower. Slowly, an inch at a time it moved forward. I gently pushed it to the edge of the blossom, where it turned again, starting over because it had been disturbed.

I realized that friendship should be measured also. My friend and I could take firm and steady steps, starting over if disturbed, reaching toward fulfillment. I went to the telephone and called him.

When we make God’s love a part of our lives, we are able to take the first steps, starting over if disturbed, reaching toward fulfillment. I went to the telephone and called him.

When we make God’s love a part of our lives, we are able to take the first steps to make amends, to "forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven."

PRAYER: Thank you, God, for your ever-expanding love that takes us beyond ourselves and makes us your children. AMEN.

The journey to forgiveness begins with a single step.

NEWS BRIEFS

The long August Monday holiday weekend delayed the Public Works and Communications Ministry in cordoning off of the St. George’s Hill area and so prevented other areas in the Daytime Entry Zone (DEZ) from being opened on Friday, a top Ministry official has said.

"The decision to do St. George’s Hill was done on Friday…It’s a big holiday weekend so they did it the next working day," the Acting Permanent Secretary at the Public Works and Communications Ministry told the Montserrat Reporter.

There appeared to be a trickle of concerns about the delay in reopening the DEZ even though the decision to close off the St. George’s Hill area and reopen other areas was made Thursday afternoon of last week.

At least one man noted that the continued closure of the entire DEZ had prevented him from cleaning up his building as scheduled, because the workman might not be immediately available after the Belham barrier was opened again.

Government accepted a recommendation by the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) that the DEZ should be declared out-of-bounds after scientists expressed concern about two explosive events 14 hours apart on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week.

The MVO on Thursday recommended that the Exclusion Zone be expanded to include St. George’s Hill because anyone entering that area ran the risk of being struck by flying rocks and hot ash surges as unstable parts of the dome collapsed.

The MVO has restated that the current type of volcanic activity is associated with the winding down of the Soufriere Hills volcano, which first rumbled back to life in July 1995 and claimed 19 lives two years ago.

The Customs Department has launched an investigation into the alleged "aggressive and rude" treatment meted out to a visitor who has since formally brought the matter to the attention of the Governor, Chief Minister and the Director of Tourism and Customs, Comptroller Rudolph Dyett said Friday.

John Golds, who is a former Chairman of the Montserrat Electricity Company (MONLEC), said in his complaint formally lodged with the Comptroller that he was treated rudely by a Customs Officer on arrival on July 7.

Mr. Golds related that at the time of the occurrence he was seeking to bring on island some vegetables and fruits purchased in Antigua for his hostess.

"These I declared and was rudely told ‘put them over there for inspection.’ Since there was no one to inspect the items, I enquired how long this would take and was again rudely told, ‘no idea perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow.’ No apology, no pleases just aggressiveness. I, therefore, informed him that as far as I was concerned he could keep the items and walked out," Mr. Golds said in his July 11 letter to Mr. Dyett, a copy of which was obtained by the Montserrat Reporter.

Mr. Golds pointed out that in the past he had always enjoyed the hospitality of Montserrat since he first visited here in 1968, except for being greeted by "wholly unhelpful" customs and immigration officers, forcing him to restrict his visits to "solely business" rather than social or holiday trips.

Accompanied by his hostess, they returned to the customs area to get a more definite and understanding explanation from the Customs Officer but "this time he was even more offensive and simply told us to get out of the Customs Hall," Mr. Golds reported.

Eventually, he said, they got the vegetables and fruits when a government official, a friend of his hostess, intervened.

The Customs Comptroller, however, said that disciplinary action against the alleged errant Customs Officer would depend on the outcome of the probe.

Mr. Dyett said the final outcome of the matter would depend on a response to a letter he has dispatched to Mr. Golds .

"I have written to Mr. Golds so it depends on how he sees it. I am waiting to see if he responds and if he doesn’t, then we would have to view it as (dead)," the Customs Comptroller said, while emphasizing that "it is difficult for one to comment further on the issue."

Customs Officers, he said, were normally advised about the rudiments of customer services and human relations.

Mr. Golds in his letter cautioned the Customs Comptroller that such alleged behavior could adversely affect the recovery of Montserrat’s economy because much would depend on the development of long- and short-term tourism, as in the past.

"I would stress that my concern was not caused by the fact that my items had to be inspected, simply the attitude of your officer. It is just as easy to be an efficient government servant by being pleasant than to be rude and aggressive," Mr. Golds said.

Caribbean pushing traditional foods

The Caribbean is moving to raise the profile of its traditional foods through a US$500,000 project being jointly funded by the Multilateral Investment Fund of the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) and the Caribbean Culinary Federation (CCF), according to a statement by the CCF.

"It will enable CCF to raise the profile of the Caribbean and its multi-faceted culture through the refinement and promotion of cuisine indigenous to the region," the statement added about the project, which also involves the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA).

The money would be used for the creation of a "comprehensive" set of standards for contemporary Caribbean cuisine including recipes, cooking methods, utilization of Caribbean products, equipment specifications and function.

The development of standards, policies and procedures governing food and beverage apprenticeship schemes would also form part of the package of assistance.

Countries across the region would be eventually be able to participate in national and regional culinary competitions and benefit from distance education via the Internet.

Funding for the programme is part of a bigger component of the Caribbean Tourism Credentialing Programme (CTCP), jointly funded by the MIF and the CHA which would eventually see the formation of a broad-based regional certification and cerdentialing programme for the hospitality sector.

The Physical Planning Unit on Friday assured that it got the green light from the Administrator of the Kirnon family’s land at Gerald’s to build the new heliport, even though a section of the land does not fall within the two existing leases.

Alan Gunne-Jones, head of the Physical Planning Unit (PPU), explained in a telephone interview with the Montserrat Reporter that an agreement has been reached in principle to proceed with the building of the heliport on the land.

One-third of the entire area on which the new heliport would be built, he said, was not covered by either of the two existing leases.

Mr. Gunne-Jones said that when the Administrator comes in another few weeks, efforts would be made to combine both leases into one.

"One of the leases has to be updated and we will take the opportunity to rationalize both lease agreements and have them relate to one area," he said.

Work has begun on the construction of the new EC$690,000 Heliport at Gerald’s, expected to be internationally certified by the United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

The Community Services Department has again taken on the giant task of organizing a children’s summer workshop, which runs for three weeks. The workshop, which is based at the Brades Primary School, caters for over 200 children from 5 to15 years, and involves children in a wide range of enriching and enjoyable activities, from which each child can choose two. These include arts and crafts, dancing, story telling, drama, steel pan, sports and swimming.

Facilitating the workshop are hard-working and committed Community Development Officers Joseph ‘Teacher King’ Kirwan, Mary Fergus, Joy Pond and Laura Taylor, supported by their department head, Chief Community Development Officer Maudlyn Sweeney. A host of dedicated resource persons and volunteers are sharing their skills with the children.

In the arts and crafts sections the children are being exposed to a wide variety of skills, and are enjoying the hands-on experience. Some are attentively learning crochet, wool crochet and canvas needlework under the guidance of home economics teacher Althea Allen, crafts-lady Josianne Martin, and day care teacher Cheryl Fergus.

Also teaching arts and crafts are MSS fifth formers Sasha Cabey and Dionne Semple, assisted by home economics teacher Patricia Harris. Sasha is teaching the children to make picture frames out of cardboard covered with fabric, and decorative jewelry boxes out of card, among others; while Dionne, who will be taking art at CXC, is involving her group in spray-painting and potato-cut-printing, techniques which they will be using to decorate T-shirts. The children also get a chance to do free drawing.

Tie-Dye is taught by fashion artist Gesi Kagbala. They will graduate to dyeing their own individual T-shirts. People will remember Gesi from the days of her aunt’s fashion business, Authentic Africana Fashions.

The arts and crafts section received a boost this week with the arrival of Guyana’s Crafts Production and Design Officer, Ann Greene, who is also teaching Tie Dye. Ms. Greene’s visit from Guyana especially for the workshop is sponsored by the Commonwealth Youth Programme,

Story telling is taught by writer, performer and dramatist A-dZiko Simba, who is over from Jamaica on a welcomed visit. She involves her group in a variety of activities such as drawing and singing, and is assisted by fourth formers Anetta and Anita Gordon.

Also giving support in the story telling section is Chief Librarian Ruth Allen.

Miss Allen explains that at present the relocated Public Library is not in a position to organize a children’s summer workshop, as they did for many years before the volcanic crisis; so her involvement in the story telling is a gesture of the Library’s support for the workshop.

Starting this week, drama has been added with the arrival of Montserrat’s former Cultural Officer, dramatist Yvonne Weekes. Ms. Weekes is currently coordinator for the Associated Degree in Theatre Arts at Barbados Community College.

Dance is being taught by Natalie Edgecombe, a former member of the dance group, Sisters of the Nile. She is on vacation from her university studies, assisted by Community Development Officer Joy Pond.

Also incorporated into the workshop, starting this week, will be a special project to be put together by Zazel, a New York-based professional dancer and model with Montserrat roots. She will be involving the children in a production based on the new children’s book, "Little Island, Live Volcano" by psychologist Carol Tuitt and singer/musician Randy Greenaway. Randy is also involved with the production, which will include drama, dance and singing. Also assisting this week are Richard and Nancy Hermany, who are sharing their singing and dancing skills respectively.

In the steelpan section the workshop is lucky to have the services of pan teacher and tuner Francis Llewellyn, who has come from St Vincent especially for the workshop. He says the children, who are divided into beginners and advanced groups, are enthusiastic, confirmed by the exciting sounds coming from the building. He is teaching the children to use a more gentle stroke on the pan, he says, which will result in longer life for the pans in between tunings.

His first task was to tune the pans, and he will also be tuning the other remaining pans on the island - a legacy from the time when several schools had thriving steelbands before the volcano.

Francis is responsible for the school steelband programme in St Vinvent, which he initiated in 1989. His work includes the setting up of steelbands in the schools, training and pan tuning. He has been assisted by Glasford James, and is this week joined by pan tutor, arranger and tuner Lennox Glean from Guyana, whose visit, like Ms Greene’s, is sponsored by the Commonwealth Youth Programme.

Drumming is taught by Peter ‘drumming maddy’ Sullivan, a former member of several bands in Montserrat.

For the sports section of the workshop the children are bussed to Salem Park, where they are exposed to football, cricket and athletics, under the guidance of Sports Officer Fitzroy Buffonge, coach Wilston Scotland and Football Association member Stedroy Cabey. Assisting with the sports programme are four British university students (Tom, James, Hamish and Robby) who have come over especially for this puropose. Netball is taught by coach Valerie Samuel.

Swimming is for the younger ones (5- and 6-year-olds) this year, and several home owners/occupiers have again kindly allowed their pools to be used for the lessons - five pools in all. Volunteers supervising and teaching the children include Julia Eakins, Margaret Wilson, Sallo Boekbinder, John Smith, Linda Green, Basil Walters, John Keller and several others, as well as the four visiting students mentioned under sports.

This workshop is a brave cooperative effort to give children enjoyable and enriching outlets for their energy and creativity, and the resource people, volunteers and Community Services staff have made an outstanding contribution, which is much appreciated. Before the volcano forced the evacuation of Plymouth, the Public Library and other organizations used to organize children’s summer programmes every year.

It’s good that Community Services, for the second time, has taken up this challenge.

The two teenage brothers who last month allegedly killed Nathaniel Duberry, 16, are out of police custody and expected to return to court next Tuesday when a Preliminary Inquiry is scheduled to begin.

On July 26 the duo were granted $15,000 bail each, which legal experts explain is not cash but recognizance, with one surety for each of the boys, one of whom recently graduated from the Montserrat Secondary School.

Police Commissioner Chris Burgess said the police prosecution "made no objection" when the lads’ lawyer made an application for bail.

"It is not that unusual, especially where juveniles are concerned," Burgess told the Montserrat Reporter when asked if it was not unusual for persons charged with murder to be granted bail.

The police prosecution, he said, was ready to proceed with the Preliminary Inquiry, which Senior Magistrate Brian Cottle had given one month to complete the probe into the July 6 incident.

The Magistrate has already cautioned that he would not tolerate any adjournments in the case.

Police are alleging that the two teenagers, age 16 and 15, murdered Nathaniel Duberry, 16, between July 6 and 11 at Brades.

Original charges of causing grievous bodily harm were withdrawn and the charges of murder were instituted after Duberry died in a Guadeloupe hospital, to which he was air-dashed in an unconscious condition Wednesday of last week.

When the original charges of causing grievous bodily harm were instituted, the boys were released on EC$10,000 bail each, ordered to surrender their travel documents and report to Police Headquarters each day while remaining in the custody of their parents.

A Montserratian who was twice recognized by the Chief Education Officer (CEO) in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) for his "outstanding performance" in the academic and technical/vocational fields wants to become a pilot or civil engineer.

Royden Greaves plans to return home to enter Fourth Form at the Montserrat Secondary School (MSS).

Roy Greaves, his father, said, "Royden says he wants to be either a pilot or a civil engineer and therefore has his sights set on going to university after completing high school."

The young Greaves previously attended the MSS, where he completed his Form 1 studies.

A former student of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) School and the MSS, he received the CEO Award for the 1997-1998 academic year for his "outstanding performance," having entered the BVI High School in September, 1997.

Again in the 1998-1999 school year he "made it" onto the CEO’s list of "outstanding performers in their respective forms." The Greaves family, who hail from Salem, are among the thousands who fled the island due to the now four-year-old volcanic crisis.

During the six terms Royden spent at the BVI High School, he achieved six A’s in Integrated Science, six A’s in Technical Drawing, five A’s and a B in Geography, five A’s and a C in Craft Design and Technology, and three A’s and three B’s in English Language, according to a certified transcript of his academic record.

The transcript also shows that during the six terms, he got two A’s, two B’s, two C’s in Mathematics, and three A’s two B’s and a C in History.

Senior agriculture officials here were mum on Thursday about the arrangements being made for the ferrying of donkeys to Grenada since the denial by that island’s government and animal rights organisation of being involved in the transaction.

Agriculture Minister P. Austin Bramble maintained that "as far as I am aware Grenada is certainly one of the countries that we are working on," but directed additional enquiries to Agricultural Development Officer Justin Cassell.

Mr. Cassell declined to comment on the matter but other senior Agriculture Ministry officials directly involved in the donkey-shipment project said Forestry Adviser Tony Hill has all the details but is away on leave and could not be contacted by telephone.

"There are no documents here to say which organisation is being contacted in Grenada," the official told the Montserrat Reporter, adding that he, too, was eagerly awaiting the return of Hill next week to get the matter cleared up.

The official said he did not believe that it was a government-to-government arrangement but it was a private sector arrangement that ultimately would have to satisfy the quarantine regulations in Grenada.

Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell said in a statement Tuesday that Montserrat did not request that donkeys be exported to his island and as far as he was aware no one was authorized to proceed with any such importation.

Secretary of Grenada’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) has also denied requesting any permission to import donkeys from Montserrat.
Britain’s Department for International Development (DFID) office here has already been instrumental in getting EC$40,000 to the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and the International Donkey Protection Trust (IDPT) to ferry about 40 of the 50 donkeys expected to be rounded up in another few days.

Donkeys, especially those in the newly developed Lookout village, have been blamed for the destruction of some of the buildings there, as well as gardens.

Agriculture officials put the number of roaming donkeys island-wide at 500, many of which have been abandoned by owners who fled the island three or four years ago due to volcanic activity.

Baroness Symons, who paid keen attention to Montserrat’s volcanic crisis, is no longer the Minister responsible for Britain’s remaining colonies.

She was replaced on July 29, 1999, by Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC, a member of the Legal Bar of neighbouring Antigua and Dominica, a statement from Government Headquarters said yesterday.

"Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC replaces Baroness Symons, who has been moved to the Ministry of Defence," the statement said.

Baroness Symons, who visited Montserrat twice, was well liked by islanders and widely regarded as someone deeply emotional and sympathetic to the volcanic plight of Montserratians. Just before leaving Montserrat on her first visit, Baroness Symons said of the people in Montserrat, "You are living here in very poor circumstances which we must do something about."

Like so many before and after her, she went on to say: "Nothing takes the place of actually being here and seeing for myself the devastation that has been visited upon Montserrat, particularly seeing how much rebuilding had taken place in Plymouth after Hurricane Hugo and then completely devastated by the volcano and people struggling against enormous odds to keep life going properly."

Baroness Scotland, married and the mother of two sons, has served as Chairman of the British government’s Caribbean Advisory Group, and was the Dominican Representative of the Council of the British Commonwealth Ex-Services League and a patron of the Women and Children's Welfare Fund, Lifeline in Trinidad and Tobago.

The new Minister at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with responsibility for all British Overseas Territories
was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 29 July 1999, seven years after she was voted Black Woman of the Year (Law) for 1992.
After graduating with an Honours Bachelor of Law Degree, Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC was called to the Bar at Middle Temple at 21. At 35 she was appointed a QC.

In addition, she was one of Her Majesty's Commissioners for Racial Equality and is a former member of the Bar Public Relations Committee, Race Relations Committee, Professional Conduct Committee, the Judicial Studies Board Ethnic Minority Advisory Committee and the National Advisory Committee on Mentally Disordered Offenders.

Baroness Scotland has specialised in family and public law and has chaired and represented parties in a number of major inquiries relating to Child Abuse, Mental Health and Housing.

While Montserrat is "a safe and low crime environment," question marks surround the accuracy of the crime-reporting figures, according to an Inspection Report by a senior British police adviser released at the weekend.
"The crime reporting and recording system of the RMPF (Royal Montserrat Police Force) is very basic and it is doubtful if the statistics are entirely accurate due to difficulties in quality controlling the process," Chris Gale, Police and Criminal Justice Adviser to the Department for International Development (DFID) said in his 14-page report.

The Gale report, which followed a wide-ranging June 7-10 mission, recommended that the Commissioner of Police "review and revise" the crime reporting system using the Overseas Territories Regional Criminal Intelligence System (OTRCIS) and an appropriate format for crime recording.

The report shows that during 1997, 246 of the 339 recorded crimes were solved, and for last year 123 of the 178 recorded crimes were solved, leading to Mr. Gale’s conclusion that "Montserrat is a safe and low crime environment."

There were no murder and manslaughter offences during the past two years but major types of criminal activity recorded were burglary, with 133 in 1997 and 88 last year; reported assaults in 1997 totaled 42, while in 1998 the figure was 26.

Reported drug offences showed a decline from 60 in 1997 to 15 last year, all of which were solved in both years. Other unnamed criminal activity dropped from 52 in 1997 to 20 last year.

Although "recorded crime levels are low," the DFID Police and Criminal Justice Adviser identified the need for an effective and efficient criminal investigation department even though the "workloads are manageable" for the small Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Plans to upgrade police operations, as noted by Mr. Gale, include the setting up of a Scenes of Crime Office, which would include a photographic darkroom and the introduction of anti-drug education in schools from the next academic year "to target drug abuse amongst the youth."

Montserratian Umpire Basil Morgan has been hailed as one of the "rising stars" on the horizon of his profession by the West Indies Cricket Board.

"Mr. Morgan’s strength appears to be his consistency and both Captains and Match Referees rated him highly for his consistency and ability to cope with pressure," Executive Secretary of the Board Andrew Sealy said in his assessment.

The WICB made its assessment of Mr. Morgan and 17 others.

Mr. Morgan stood in four One-Day Internationals of the Cable and Wireless 1999 Series, four matches of the Busta Cup Series, as well as the semi-finals.

Also he stood in the Red Stripe Bowl.

In assessing another umpire, Billy Doctrove, it was noted that he and Mr. Morgan "remain our new International Umpires for the 21^st Century."

Plans for the establishment of a Cultural Centre on Montserrat are advancing as the island’s Legislative Council this week approved legislation for the establishment of a Montserrat Arts Council (MAC).

That announcement was made by Chief Minister David Brandt in starting off debate on the MAC Act at the recent sitting of the Legislative Council.
"We are going to build a Cultural Centre, and in that Cultural Centre you will have provisions for recording, you will have provisions for staging plays…" Mr. Brandt said.

The multi-disciplinary Cultural Centre, which would be built at Isles Bay at a cost of US$1.5 million, would include the development of masquerades, jumbie dances and poetry reading.

Already donated is US$600,000 by Sir George Martin, who owned Air Studios at which, among others, Paul McArtney, Elton John, Rhythm and Blues and Volcano Band recorded over the years. There are plans to lobby the British Lotteries Commission to contribute the remaining US$1million, Mr. Brandt said.

An architectural plan is being drawn for the building and is expected to form part of a public brainstorming session.

The University of the West Indies has also promised to assist in Montserrat’s cultural development.

The Chief Minister who holds ministerial responsibility for culture, told the House that the establishment of the MAC was aimed at having a coordinated and non-political approach to the island’s development of culture.

"Government does not want to politicize this thing. We want to get it in the hands of responsible people and people who have that kind of aptitude, so that when people who delve in these matters make recommendations to people like us (politicians), we will be sure that it is on a sound foundation," he said.

The objectives of the MAC include the fostering and development of art, uplifting the condition of arts and artists, ensuring the implementation of government’s policy on culture, implementing government’s regional and international commitments on culture and coordinating the activities of the agencies in Montserrat responsible for cultural activities.

Government and the opposition, Mr. Brandt said, would eventually be visiting neighbouring islands to promote Montserrat’s culture and business, "because sometimes culture and business could marry."

Opposition Member for Central Reuben Meade, a former Chief Minister, expressed "full support" for the MAC Act and suggested that at least a Wall of Fame could form part of the Cultural Centre "so that those individuals who have made significant contributions to the cultural landscape of Montserrat could be honoured for posterity so that the young ones who come up after we are gone (can know)."

A large gathering turned out at the Brades Pentecostal Church Auditorium on the evening of Tuesday August 3^rd for the inaugural annual Jim Allen Lecture Series.

On hand were several present and past cricketers and cricketing pundits, among others.

Put on by the Office of the Chief Minister, in collaboration with the University of the West Indies, the first lecture was considered a major success.

Highlighted by the feature presentation by renowned West Indies cricket commentator, writer and analyst, Barbadian Tony Cozier, the atmosphere was emotionally charged as the various speakers for the evening, including the Acting Chief Minister Mrs. Adelina Tuitt, paid tribute to the man who has reached the farthest in the sport, as far as Montserrat is concerned --- the irrepressible James Charles "Jim" Allen.

Chaired by the Resident Tutor of the University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies, Dr. Howard Fergus, the lecture saw international cricket umpire Basil Morgan providing some statistics and highlights of Jim Allen’s career between 1969 and 1980.

Creole Poet Ann Marie Dewar also recited a poem entitled "A We Jim" which was greeted with raptuous applause from the large and appreciative crowd.

A place was also reserved for discussion towards the latter part of the programme and apart from focusing on Jim Allen’s successes over the years, and why he wasn’t given a chance to play for West Indies, several persons also made comments and gave suggestions to check the current decline of regional cricket.

The President of the Montserrat Cricket Association, John Smith, who delivered the vote of thanks, also outlined a number of plans and programmes for the advancement of cricket on Montserrat.

First of all let me say how absolutely honoured I was when I received the call from Salas to present the inaugural Jim Allen lecture here in Montserrat. It really is a tremendous honour for me.

I also feel very humble to come to this island which has had so much tragedy in recent years. My previous visit to Montserrat coincided with tragedy, because I came here as the editor of the Barbados nation when Hurricane Hugo devastated the island, and you’ve had even more tragedy since then. And it is an upliftment for all of us in the Caribbean to see how you have managed with it here and have shown the courage that you have done in the face of such adversity. So I do feel very honoured to be here this evening.

I even felt more honoured when I arrived on the helicopter, to be greeted by the Chief Minister; he was going the other way. Not often cricket commentators arrive to be greeted by the Chief Minister. It was only coincidence, but nevertheless, it made me feel even a little bit humbler.

My recollections of Jim Allen go back to when he first started in first class cricket in the Caribbean and as Basil (Morgan) was telling you, scored two hundreds against Barbados. And any Barbadian would tell you that unless you score a hundred against Barbados at Kensington Oval you do note rate. And I will add that Jim Allen scored his first hundred in Barbados against Barbados before Viv Richards scored his first.

But, I have other memories of Jim Allen. Jim Allen’s hundreds, as you all know here, (I’m preaching to the converted of course, but being in this building, I suppose that is only natural), in Barbados were against high-class Barbados bowling at Kensington Oval, where Barbados were seldom beaten. They tend to be beaten more often now.

But, my most vivid memory of Jim goes back to VFL Park in Melbourne Australia when Jim Allen was there with the West Indies World Series cricket team, and he was playing in the Cavaliers, which happened to be the West Indies reserve players.

Lawrence Rowe was injured and Jim Allen was brought into the side to replace Lawrence Rowe for a World Series match against Australia. I happened to be doing the commentary at the time and when Jim Allen appeared they’d never seen him on television before. No one knew where he came from, who he was and it was left to me, therefore, to explain where he came from, who he was.

And I explained, trying to set the scene, telling people in Australia that he comes from an island called Montserrat. The light bulbs which were illuminating the ground at VFL Park that night were carrying more kilowatts than would light up the whole of Montserrat. In a ground that will hold 75,000, Montserrat’s population would fit in there several times over.

As Jim walked out, he had never played a night match in his life before. His eyes were blinking. And I built it up. I said he’s nervous, his eyes are blinking, he has never faced a ball, a white ball under lights, Gary Gilmour was bowling, and he hit the very first ball he faced back overhead for six. That was Jim Allen.

And because he made runs against high-class bowling in the Caribbean, in Australia and in Werneth, in that one season he had in the Lancashire League, when he outscored everybody else, including the great Rohan Kanhai, that made Jim Allen the player he was. He had an unorthodox stance, as we all know. He stood up facing mid-on. Nowadays, that could never happen. He would be coached out of it. But, he was a natural player, and he had a good eye and he could read a game of cricket.

The question of whether he should’ve played for the West Indies or not I know remains here. He would’ve played for the West Indies, but he did go to Kerry Packer’s World Series cricket, and he would’ve been an outstanding member of the West Indies team which went to India while World Series was on in Australia.

Not to forget that at that time, the West Indies batting order was Greenidge, Fredericks, Kallicharan, Clive Lloyd, Larry Gomes was in the side as well, Viv Richards. It was a very difficult side to get into. Nowadays, Jim Allen would walk into a West Indies side.

But, the question I think I want to ask tonight, and perhaps a lot of you have asked as well, is why a Jim Allen Lecture Series? It is the same reason why Sir Garfield Sobers has been declared a national hero in Barbados, why Sir Frank Worrell is on the Barbados $5 note, why George Headley’s image stands outside the stadium in Jamaica. These are the symbols of the excellence which we have achieved as a people here in the West Indies.

It didn’t start with Garfied Sobers. Sobers goes back to Worrell, Weekes and Walcott; Worrell, Weekes and Walcott go back to Headley, Headley back to Challenor, Challenor back to H.B. Austin. It goes all the way back and when we honour our cricketers, our heroes, as we do, as we are doing this evening, as we have done all through the Caribbean, we honour the history of the game.

The game did not start day before yesterday as so many youngsters seem to feel now.

It is being built up, and I’m sure that you here in Montserrat will know that the grounding for producing a Jim Allen, the grounding for producing a Viv Richards, the grounding for producing a Gary Sobers and so on, the grounding for producing a Brian Lara came through history.

Jim Allen’s father, I believe, I’m sure I’m right in saying, was a man who influenced his children to come and play. Viv Richards’ father, and going back over the years, that is what has made us so excellent at this game. The question of course now is why are we in a state of decline. We are also gripped by this game of cricket. It is a virtual religion, again I think it’s appropriate that we’ve held it in this edifice this evening. Because it is, to us West Indians, a game which is a religion, from Jamaica in the north to Guyana in the south and to every single West Indian who is outside in New York, Toronto, England, wherever they are, they rejoice when the West Indies are doing well, they get very depressed and argumentative and ignorant when they get beaten, as we all know.

Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Housing, Lands and the Environment, Austin Bramble University of the West Indies Resident Tutor Dr. Howard Fergus Featured Presenter Tony Cozier Chief of Staff Salas Hamilton; West Indies Cricket Umpire Basil Morgan; President of the Montserrat Cricket Association, John Smith Other distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

The Honourable Chief Minister sends his regrets at not being able to attend this historic and meaningful event due to pressing matters overseas.

He is presently leading a Montserrat delegation en route to Ireland and would have wished to be a part of this exercise, which is dear to his heart.

The Government of Montserrat realises that our people have made significant contributions at all levels locally, regionally and on the international scene. However, too many times these persons are not recognised and rewarded meaningfully by their own. We know that the most treasured accolade comes from your own family, and it is a pity, that over the years we as Montserratians have epitomised the cliché ‘a prophet has no honour in his own country.’ In an island that is small and where there is so much talent, we can be so harsh and condemning to our own who struggle for success and excellence.

The Annual Jim Allen Lecture Series is a step in the right direction to correct that shortcoming. The Government is also committed to developing a nation that is conscious of itself as a people who are of worth to the world.

We have traveled far and have being robbed of our identity by others. This is now our home and in the process of achieving nationhood, a people must be inspired by the great ones among them who can be identified with. It should be easier to associate with the great paths trodden by other Montserratians. Such a road is preferable to the work of other so-called great persons thrust upon us.

The Jim Allen Lecture Series therefore serves the purpose of reflecting the achievements of a great Montserratian. It also serves as an inspiration for others, because this man from Harris’ Village still remains today our most respected cricketer. The Series is also timely as the Montserrat Cricket Association only last week had its elections and has the challenge of revitalising the game on island. The Ministry of Sports stands ready to offer all assistance necessary to the Cricket Association, especially now that things are no longer the same as the pre-volcano days.

The initiative for the Series may have originated from the Office of the Chief Minister, but the event is a national one, which must be influenced by the Community. We are grateful for the collaboration with the University of the West Indies and the input given by that institution. The game of cricket echoes deep within the bones of us West Indians and carries the emotions of generations. It may be a good idea to create a small committee to handle the Series, so the event has the input of the cricket pundits around the island.

The Government of Montserrat has also taken other steps to address the idea of developing a sense of self within our people. Already a committee is about to be established to look at names of roads, national sites and Government buildings. This exercise is critical to keep our history alive for generations to come. So the Jim Allen Lecture Series is part of an overall plan to move this island forward by developing and respecting our people.

We say thanks to Tony Cozier for agreeing to make the first presentation, and there are others regionally and locally who are just as eager to be a part of the event. The response is heartening and it shows that our island still has the support necessary to be an example of what a 21^st century small developing territory should be.

I have not touched on the statistics of Jim Allen or made much mention of his ferocity as a batsman, although I, too, have vivid memories of paths blazed by balls from his bat. I leave those comments for the cricket commentators present with us this evening. However, this Government would like to acknowledge Jim’s contribution in a meaningful way in light of present day circumstances. Our plan is to act quickly upon advice given by the man himself and his close relatives and friends. His work must not go unnoticed and the same can be said for all our heroes.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you and look forward to the rest of this evening’s programme.

Honourable Acting Chief Minister, Adelina Tuitt Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Housing, Lands and the Environment, Austin Bramble University of the West Indies Resident Tutor, Dr. Howard Fergus Featured Presenter, Tony Cozier, West Indies Cricket Umpire, Basil Morgan; President Montserrat Cricket Association, John Smith, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Three years ago, while speaking to the present Chairman of the West Indies Cricket Selectors, Mike Findlay, the name Jim Allen came up.

Two years ago, deep in the jungles of Suriname, I sat on a bus heading for a maroon village as part of a Caribbean Broadcasting Union excursion to the interior. Seated next to me was Tony Cozier. Our conversation turned to Jim Allen.

I can relate several discussions throughout the region that focussed on a brutal batsman from Harris’ Village called Jim Allen.

It is these conversations outside of Montserrat that triggered a new respect for my fellow villager. This statement can be considered a self -indictment. But I am willing to recognise the error of my ways and ask for forgiveness by corrective actions.

Too many of our local heroes gain their kudos through eulogies and token promises, with no real meaning and recognition from their own. A generation of Montserratians is right now a part of this community with no idea or concern about the input of Jim Allen as an ambassador for us. The youth born in the 1980s and onwards can repeat the achievements of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen stating their place of birth and shoe size. These youth are never told of our own heroes who etched their mark at Hyde Park, Geralds Park and Sturge Park etc.

Maybe we have lost the art of relating oral history because of the internet, North American media and hustling to survive today’s challenges. But I recall the pounding of cricket balls on galvanize roofs in Harris’ village as scant regard was paid to wayward deliveries on a Sunday afternoon. On these afternoons, like on any other West Indian island, Montserrat held its informal, but effective practical classes on the village green where the best passed the matriculation exams, based on skill, for entrance into the national team. I remember the late Teacher George Allen, called Teacher, because of his precision and quest for perfection in strokes fluent and neatly clipped, to roll along the turf to disturb the donkeys tied in Tommy Daley’s paddock. In the mosaic of the past there are too many names to cull from; some are present here tonight.

The Annual Jim Allen Lecture is a move towards filling the vacuum. It is intended to inspire our young by bringing to life a history rich with the achievements of Montserratians. It is intended to instill a respect and reverence for our heroes and is expected to work in tandem with the goals of the revived Montserrat Cricket Association in revitalising local cricket. The Series is an idea that struck me one day during a moment of reverie. These days we seem to do that a lot, as we try to eke out an existence in a new environment that seems to be dictated by other forces. But there are some elements which we can directly influence, especially when it comes to rewarding our own.

On sharing the thought with the UWI Resident Tutor, he agreed to collaborate with the Ministry of Sports on the idea. This event goes beyond personalities and is in our interest as it becomes institutionalised with the assistance of the UWI for the benefit of future generations.

Each year a lecture will be given focussing on cricket. A presenter will be invited to share his thoughts, which may not always be agreed on, because with the plethora of cricket pundits around, personal views usually stand even in the face of logical challenges. But that is the fun of cricket. We all think we can solve its woes. This game is one of the few remaining regional institutions that unite us. With all the bickering over the composition of the West Indies cricket team, our regional ambassadors still have the support of a group of territories seeking hope in a world that still treats us with scant regard. Through the Jim Allen Lecture Series, we can stimulate academic thought for solving some of the chronic problems of our game. After all Montserratians are experienced in resilience and survival tactics.

Over the years Jim Allen has refused to give me an interview on any taping facility. But he speaks from the heart from any location.

F. Scott Fitzgerald said, "Show me a hero and I will write you a tragedy." For us Montserratians it is not too late to meaningfully respond to Jim Allen’s needs. He lost his morale years ago after being an Ambassador for us on the international greens. Under the floodlights at night in Australia, he took his stance and viciously carved our space to the world. That is a reality. Let us now face this reality. And there are others.

I thank you.

Millicent Bass, Manager of the Golden Years Home for the Elderly, represented Montserrat at a recent two-week regional course in Gerontology and Geriatrics in Barbados.

Her participation in the programme was sponsored by Help Age International.

The training programme covered social gerontology and medical geriatrics.

The two-week regional course was held against the background that the specialty of gerontology and geriatrics is relatively new to the region, as well as the noted increase in the number of elderly in the Caribbean.

The course was designed to provide an insight into the social and medical problems faced by the elderly in the Caribbean, and how best to deal with such problems.

Mrs. Bass and her counterparts are expected to share their knowledge about the elderly with colleagues, in order to achieve a multiplier effect.

Nortel has finally granted us our petition!

Yes, Nortel has finally pointed to the solution to our perennial problem!

In spring, we petitioned Busta (Busta, Give us Dis Day) on behalf of the West Indies team and begged his mercies to end the crisis in West Indian batsmanship. Just as we have come to associate with our Christian God, Busta answered us in three ways - no, yes and wait.
We had prayed fervently for high-value cricket, as is characteristic of West Indian cricket, for a cadre of resilient, gutsy, talented and enduring middle order batsmen to replace our unproductive and under-performed middle-order batsmen and; two openers with the talent and mettle to replace our unskilled openers.

Busta nodded with approval but delayed the gratification.
Well, Nortel has granted the delayed gratification in summer. A gift is not always given in its finished form. Sometimes the gift is given in its raw form - to be molded, fashioned, refined and perfected. The recipient or beneficiary, like the potter in the art of pottery, becomes responsible for shaping the clay into the desired finished product.

Nortel granted us our critical requests. The reports indicated that level of cricket was generally high in the 1999 Nortel Under-19 championship.
Two high-value and highly entertaining matches need to be highlighted - the semi-final matches between Barbados and Jamaica and between Guyana and Trinidad.

In the first semi-final, Barbados edged Jamaica to the finals in a nail-biting finish. The Weekend Nation columnist concluded: "This match will long be remembered for its several twists and turns. Neither side deserved to lose, but in the end Barbados sneaked into the Nortel Networks youth championship final after completing another stunning revival." Jamaica set a target of 217 in 71 overs, moved swiftly to 140 for two a half-hour after tea, piloted by one of the commanding batsmen in the championship, Marlon Samuels.

Ryan Hinds, one of the prolific genuine all-rounders put the brakes on the Jamaicans in the afternoon, bowling his left-arm spin. When play resumed after 5:40 following stoppage due to rain, Samuels, on 104 (with the support of tail-enders took the charge to the Barbadians) and with Jamaica needing 38 runs with two wickets in hand, took the attack to the Bajans. But once Samuels was out for 119, the Barbadian young cricketers were safely into the finals against Trinidad.
The second semi was a high-scoring game, which ended with Trinidad qualifying for the final Kensington game. Guyana scored 308-9 declared and Trinidad and Tobago replied with a mammoth 396, the highest total in the championship.

The architects of the Trinbagonian innings were prolific batsmen, Zaheer Ali and Gregory Mahabir. A solid century partnership between them ensured that the twin-island republic made it into the finals. Requiring just first innings points to ensure safe passage, the middle order batsmen ensured that the brilliance of the top order batters was not wasted.
Guyana, six-time winner of the championship, would have felt themselves safe with a score of 308, but the retinue of talented left-handed batsmen on the Trinidad and Tobago team made them pay dearly for either their optimism or their miscalculation.

But finishing as losers for first time since 1991, the South Americans have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. They gave their best; they played high quality cricket, the type that we have languished for.
There were also many significant totals, a phenomenon that is a scarce commodity in the West Indies senior team. The Leeward islands posted 214 against the Nortel XI; Barbados posted 230 against the Windward Islands, scored 256 against Guyana and 214 against the Jamaicans; the Nortel XI posted 247 against the Leeward Islands; Guyana posted 223 against the Nortel XI, 250 against Barbados and 308-9 declared against Trinidad and Tobago; Trinidad and Tobago posted scores of 278 against the Leeward Islands and 396 against Guyana.
Perhaps the high level of application of the young middle order batsmen was the most encouraging. Their resilience, endurance and guts, sometimes under very difficult circumstances, were evident. A few instances will confirm the attitude and temperament of our West Indian youthful cricketers.

Zaheer Ali hit four fours and a powerful leg-side six and faced 240 balls in his knock of 88 against Guyana, and also struck nine fours and a six in 66 scored against the Leeward Islands.

Gregory Mahabir batted for 287 minutes, faced 214 balls in scoring 70 against the Leeward Islands.

Trinidadian Devon Rogers made 60 against Jamaica with only one boundary off 151 balls in 158 minutes at the crease.

Jamaican Marlon Samuels scored 65 against Trinidad and Tobago, 104 not out against the Leeward Islands in his team's 165 for 3 declared and 119 against Barbados in one of the most entertaining innings of the championship.

The talented left-handed Barbadian Ryan Hinds guided Barbados to a 78-run first innings lead with a knock of 124 in his team total of 230 against the Windward Islands, and scored 91 not out against Guyana. The prolific all-rounder hit 11 fours in an innings that spanned 261 minutes and 200 balls.
The most comforting development was the performances of the opening batsmen. Jamaican opening batsmen Brendon Parchment gave a good account of himself. Parchment scores included a 68 not out against Trinidad and Tobago, scored in 286 minutes off 165 balls with seven fours.

Sherwin Ganga hit an unbeaten 63 against Canada. There were other useful scores from Windward Island opener, Devon Smith, Leeward Island opener, Shane Jeffers and Barbadian Jason Hayes.
Guyanese number three batsmen, Narsingh Deonarine scored 142 against Barbados. He scored more than half of the team's total (250) and dominated a face-saving 109-run third wicket partnership with Roopnarine Ramgobin, who
scored 40.

Prolific number three batsmen Marlon Samuels and Ryan Hinds brought back some much-needed combination of occupation and stroke-play in our batting.
Nortel has also pointed the prophet(s) to the future leaders of the West Indies Cricket Team. Two captains stood out in the youth championship: Trinidadian Zaheer Ali and Barbadian Ryan Hinds. According to reports, they managed their teams creditably. The young but intelligent leaders switched their bowlers around very intelligently, handled their field placing maturely and managed their teammates admirably under pressure.
Nortel has granted us our petitions by pointing us to the talented young batsmen in-waiting.

Thank Nortel!
Peter Adrien
Author and Sports Commentator

The World is agog with new millennium talk and plans. Persons have booked hotel rooms and made aeroplane reservations because they have determined where they want to be when this unique time-event hits human history. But strangely, to my way of thinking at least, many have the date wrong.

The year 2000 will be remarkable in its own right with its triple zero and with the supposed confusion which it could bring to our computerised world. It is worthy of some celebration because it marks the end of the 20th century and it is the eve of the 21st. We celebrate Old Year's Eve as well as New Year's Day.

A cricketer does not have a century at the end of his 99th run, he has to complete the 100 runs with double noughts after the one. He starts on his second century when he has 101 runs.

My contention (though open to challenge) is that the new millennium does not begin until the old millennium ends; and the old millennium does not end until the 20th century ends. But then, the 20th century does not end until midnight December 31, 2000. In my book then, the new millennium does not begin until January 1, 2001.

If we consult history we will find that the beginning of the last millennium was celebrated in 1901. That's my opinion. Do you agree?

EAT from the LAND not from the CAN

The first batch of Thyme seedlings were distributed to farmers this week. Seedling production and distribution is part of phase I of this project aimed at achieving self-sufficiency and acquisition of an export market for Thyme.

Questions for August Agri Quiz Competition will be announced on ZJB Monday August 8^th, 1999. Copies of these can be collected at the Ministry of Agriculture, Brades, Telephone: 491-2546/2075.

The actual round-up and capture of these animals is to commence immediately. Guyana is the latest country to express an interest in receiving donkeys from Montserrat.

The Propagation Unit is bulking-up mango rootstocks. It is expected that several hundreds of mango plants will be available in February next year.

The Director of Agriculture, Mr. Claude Gerald will deliver an update on agricultural development in the North on Farmers Corner Thursday August 12^th, at 8:00 p.m.

Drivers of vehicles transporting sand from the mound at Isles Bay are reminded of the following:

• Sand is delivered at Isles Bay Monday-Friday 7:00 am-12:00 p.m. & 2:00pm-5:00pm; Saturdays & Sundays 9:00 am-12:00 noon. A permit is required for each trip which is issued on site.

• Sand is only permitted to be moved during the time specified anyone caught violating the law will be subjected to prosecution.

• Be wise and only move enough sand for the job intended. Don’t let the wind and rain waste it. Think about the future. Think about others who will need the sand.

CANCER OF THE CERVIX, AND QUESTION AND ANSWERS ABOUT TAKING A PAP SMEAR

There is evidence that cancer of the cervix is a major health problem among Caribbean countries and the death rate from cancer of the cervix is 3½ times higher in the Caribbean than in North America.

Barbados has the highest mortality rate from this Disease in the Caribbean. Women are encouraged to attend appropriate health facilities for pap smear screening. Various methods are used to encourage women to do pap smears these include verbal, through the media, educational sessions, and through health care professionals counseling and the provision of a pap smear request form when they interface with any medical clinics not merely Gynaecological, Antenatal, Post Natal or Family Planning Clinics, Out Reach Programs through NGO’s) such as Women Groups and Community Organization, Work Sites, and Special events such as "Cancer Prevention Month" or "Pap Smear Week."

1. Pap Smears should be carried out on all women between the ages of 18-69 years old.
2. Women over 69 years of age who have never had a pap smear.
3. Women who have abnormal gynaecological symptoms and signs, such as abnormal bleeding after a period or after sexual intercourse, vaginal discharge, and bleeding during the menopause.
4. A women who presents herself for examination, must be acquainted with the procedure so that she will cooperate.
5. Staff at the health facilities must provide a professional and relaxed atmosphere, so the client may feel at ease when answering questions and allaying all fears with regards to the examination. Ensure privacy, and sufficient time to answer questions.
6. Emphasize the importance of a follow up examination.
7. Group or individual orientation may be carried out depending on the circumstance. Pamphlets explaining the procedure are available to be given to the women at the time of orientation.
8. Health workers must realize the importance of obtaining and legibly filling in all information requested. This information is essential for accurate interpretation of the pap smear. The information includes identification, data previous and current therapy, parity (that how many children a women has and physical findings are all vital in making sure errors are avoided.

Here’s a guideline we all need to master

If we talk to an off-shore broadcaster:

Every high ash cloud spent,

Each explosive event,

On our island is not a ‘disaster’!

While each donkey colt may be cute,

A nomad adult is a brute.

We have plans to cut

Their numbers here, but

Grenada just will not salute.

Jus wonderin why they are moving the donkeys from one volcano to another volcano.

Jus wonderin if self preservation is behind the move to shift the superior and highly talented "Deputy" from the belly of Administration to obscurity at Training

Jus wonderin' if the Air Doctor is enjoying his casual stroll down the avenue of medical academia while the island is held hostage to his publication.

Jus wonderin who is going to take the ECCB's advice that "anyone coming into contact with the false bills should contact the nearest police station" knowing that "anyone caught in possession of bogus bills runs the risk of prosecution."

Jus wonderin if the Montserrat Reporter could help the Ministry source takers for the donkeys.

Jus wonderin why the those in officialdom do not rest the wheels and use the hooves.

Jus wonderin how who in Grenada know about the donkey shipment.

Jus wonderin if the Heliport upgrade is on a downgrade.

Jus wonderin if the area beneath Fogarthy provides a special shield for the Sanitary's nose.

Jus wonderin if a Kick em Jenny tidal wave will cool off Soufriere.

Jus wonderin if the new vehicles are signs of prosperity or victory.

Jus wonderin how it costs so much money just to ship forty donkeys and who will really benefit.

Jus wonderin if the Black Bird fever is cooling down.

Jus wonderin when the MVO will get back its dedicated helicopter so the road-blocks to the St. George's Hill area may be removed.

Jus wonderin when we will cease having to avoid goats on Fogarthy Corners.

Goats at the bottom of Fogarthy Hill

Jus wonderin if since no one seems to own the goats if people can take them away for their own use.

NBA Ltd.

FOR SALE

CARPE DIEM

Old Towne, Montserrat

Lot #165 (0.45 of an Acre)

Carpe Diem Villa is situated on landscaped ground, with flowering shrubs, fruit trees, combination fence and hedge.

Construction - Reinforced concrete, cement blocks, wood, asphalt shingles.

Utilities - Electricity, Water, Telephone, Cable TV

(For more detailed description of property including pictures, please turn this page over)

Asking Price - US$200,000.00*

(Transfer Fees - 8% ( No Capital Gains Tax, No Death Duties).

TradeWinds Real Estate

Woodlands:

Attractive Villa on landscaped double lot

2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms on main floor

Separate spacious one bedroom apartment on lower level

Semi furnished, well maintained, garage

Modern kitchens and bathrooms

Currently in use as a guesthouse, or apartment can be rented separately.

Move in condition.

Asking price US$ $225,000

Contact: