Paulesa Ryner - ZJB Radio

Community Invited to Learn How to Protect Kidney Health

The Ministry of Health here is hosting an informative session on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) next week. The session will feature Visiting Consultant Nephrologist Dr. Nanveet Kalsi who will be discussing topics such as Keeping your kidneys healthy, How NCDs affect kidney function, Living with CKD, and Dialysis and treatment options. The session will be held on Wednesday, 1 July 2026 from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m at the Davy Hill Community Centre. All are invited to attend. Meantime, in a radio message, public health nurse, Nurse Sylvia Julien explained the impacts of Kidney disease. She also shared ways persons can reduce the risk of Chronic Kidney Disease.

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Citizenship Ceremony Marks New Chapter for 31 Residents

Community, News

Eight individuals on Montserrat were conferred as British Overseas Territories Citizens, while twenty-three were conferred as British Citizens on Wednesday morning. The Citizenship Ceremony for the Conferment of British Overseas Territories Citizenship and British Citizenship was held at the Governor’s Residence. During her opening remarks, Governor, Her Excellency Harriet Cross, welcomed Montserrat’s newest citizens into what she described as a growing family, thanking them for choosing the island and expressing confidence in the contributions they will continue to make to its future. Minister of Agriculture, et al, Honourable John P. Osborne, thanked the recipients for choosing to remain in Montserrat despite the hardships following Hurricane Hugo and the Soufrière Hills volcanic crisis, describing their commitment as an act of courage and faith that has not been forgotten. The ceremony was organized by the Office of the Deputy Governor, underscoring the Government’s continued commitment to recognizing and welcoming new members into the national community.

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Public Service Week Launches Months of Recognition and Wellness Activities

Community, Government, News

The Office of the Deputy Governor has officially launched Public Service Celebration Activities 2026, with this year’s observation taking place under the theme “Public Service with Purpose: Serving Today, Shaping Tomorrow.” The activities will run from June through October and are designed to recognize and celebrate the dedication, professionalism and contributions of public officers across the Government of Montserrat. The programme will begin during Public Service Week with an official launch on June 23, featured remarks from Deputy Governor, Honourable Lindorna Lambert-Sweeney, who will also undertake visits to ministries and departments over the coming months to engage with staff and learn more about their work and achievements. A range of activities has been planned to promote wellness, professional development, teamwork and public service excellence. These include a Public Service Trivia Challenge, a Fitness Video Challenge, a Ministry Video Showcase and a Jingle Competition aimed at highlighting the values of the public service. Public officers will also be encouraged to participate in wellness-focused initiatives, including health screenings, a Sneaker, Jeans and Water Day, and a series of “Talking Health” radio programmes addressing topics such as mental health, stress management and work-life balance. Additional activities include monthly Lunch and Learn sessions, a debate and panel discussion on the future of the public service, a community engagement project with the Lookout Warden Assisted Senior Citizens Home (LOWSA), a Public Service Sports Day and a Civil Servants Recognition Event to honour outstanding officers and unsung heroes. The Office of the Deputy Governor is encouraging public officers to take part in the various activities, noting that the celebration provides an opportunity to recognize achievements, strengthen relationships across ministries and departments, and reflect on ways to continue building a modern, responsive and citizen-focused public service.

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2026 Calabash Festival Calendar Officially Unveiled

Uncategorized

The official calendar for the 2026 Calabash Festival has been unveiled. This year, the annual celebration is set to take place from Saturday July 18th to Sunday, July 26th under the theme “Carved in Culture, Spiced to Life.” The Montserrat Arts Council (MAC) says the public can prepare to experience the best of Montserrat’s cultural flair. Events on the calendar include Sea Scape – Coastline Tours and Kayaking, Neighbourly Day Church Service, a Children’s Bus Tour, a Radio Panel Discussion, Market Day, and a Grand Food Fair. The Festival ends with a three-day Produced in Montserrat Expo (PRIME) event, with the PRIME Lyme on Friday, the Main Expo on Saturday, and the PRIME Montserrat Business Awards and Gala on Sunday. Private events also appear on the calendar, including Calasplash and a Teen Sip n’ Paint. The full calendar can be viewed on the Montserrat Festivals and Montserrat Arts Council social media pages. For updates and more information, persons can contact the Montserrat Arts Council at info@artscouncil.ms or at 1-664-491-8555/8556.

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Future of Overseas Territories White Paper Still Under Consideration

Community, News

An urgent call for a new policy document on the British Overseas Territories has been gently rebuffed by the UK Government. According to reports, the UK Government insists it is “open-minded about future options” and will keep the idea “under review”. The OT’s had pushed for a new White Paper, 14 years after the last one was published, during an inquiry this year by a House of Lords committee at Westminster. James White Jr has been following the latest development.

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World Paediatrics Team to Conduct Speech and Language Assessments in Montserrat

Community, Health, News

Representatives from World Paediatrics are on a three-day mission to Montserrat. The visit by the four member team is part of a pilot project to assess speech and language difficulties among children on island. Speaking to ZJB News, they said the hope is to identify children with speech, language or developmental problems here. Speech and language specialists Lauren McIntosh, Jill Hodge, and Wendi McMillan. The other member of the team is Atyna Harry. Dr. Tiffany Skerritt-Flemming from the Ministry of Health is working with the team of speech and language specialists. She is encouraging parents and all concerned to take advantage of this opportunity and to participate in the sessions.

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Teecha Conference Hears Call for Stronger Focus on Social and Emotional Learning

Community, Education, News

High-quality early childhood education is about much more than teaching children basic literacy and numeracy skills. That statement from Professor Zoyah Kinkead-Clark, who was the keynote speaker at the Third Annual Teecha Early Childhood Conference held at the Montserrat National Trust this week. Addressing participants at the conference, Professor Kinkead-Clark explained that early childhood education helps children develop essential social and emotional skills, including cooperation, communication and the ability to express their feelings appropriately. She noted that these skills are becoming increasingly important as children spend less time engaging in face-to-face interaction and outdoor play. The senior lecturer also emphasized the importance of nurturing curiosity, resilience and confidence from an early age, describing children as natural explorers. Professor Kinkead-Clark stressed that experiences during the early years helped shape brain development and laid the foundation for future learning and success and urged educators and caregivers to be intentional in supporting children’s development. Professor Kinkead-Clark is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at The University of the West Indies, Mona in Jamaica. She also serves as the Manager of the Dudley Grant Early Childhood Resource Centre and Lead External Examiner for Early Childhood Programmes in Belize and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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DMCA Calls for Greater Climate Resilience on World Environment Day

Community, Environment, News

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) is encouraging residents to recognize the important link between environmental protection and disaster preparedness as Montserrat joined the global observance of World Environment Day on June 5. In a social media post last Friday, the agency marked the occasion under the theme “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” noting that the message is particularly significant for Montserrat given the climate-related challenges forecast for the coming months. The DMCA referenced the latest outlook from the Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF), which points to an increased likelihood of several climate hazards during the June to August period. These include rising temperatures and possible heatwaves; an elevated risk of bushfires during hot and dry conditions; intense rainfall events capable of triggering flooding and flash floods; the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season; and recurring Saharan dust episodes that can reduce air quality. According to the agency, protecting the environment and strengthening climate resilience are critical components of disaster risk reduction. The DMCA noted that healthy ecosystems can help communities better withstand natural hazards, while sustainable environmental practices can reduce vulnerability to disasters. The agency emphasized that building a resilient environment is an important step toward creating a more resilient Montserrat.

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Premier Meade Calls for Greater Optimism About Montserrat’s Future

Community, News

Montserrat’s Premier is encouraging Montserratians to adopt a more positive outlook on the island’s future and to actively contribute to national development. Speaking on the What’s on Your Mind radio programme, Premier the Honourable Reuben Meade acknowledged that government has a role to play in development, but said citizens also have a responsibility to support progress, urging residents to think about how they can contribute. Premier Meade warned that constant negative commentary can discourage potential investors who may only hear criticism of the island. He stressed that while challenges remain, there are also positive developments taking place that deserve recognition.

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Public Works Department Maintains Readiness Ahead of 2026 Hurricane Season

Community, Government, News

Acting Director of the Public Works Department (PWD), Felix Persaud, says the department remains actively engaged in preparations to help protect critical infrastructure during the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Providing an update during the Disaster Management Coordination Agency’s National Hurricane Conference last week, Persaud said PWD will continue maintaining the island’s water and drainage systems, with particular attention being paid to ghauts and waterways to reduce the risk of flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. Persaud also pointed to government investments in hurricane resilience measures, including the installation of permanent hurricane shutters on public buildings such as the ZJB Radio Montserrat facility. The acting director also highlighted the recent reopening of Belham Bridge after more than 30 years, noting that PWD, in collaboration with the DMCA and Montserrat Volcano Observatory, will continue monitoring the bridge, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

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