Victoria Chalmers

Governor, Her Excellency Harriet Cross, formally presented the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) to Dr Jean Handscombe last Friday, recognising her longstanding contribution to preserving the island’s cultural and historical records. The award, announced in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours Overseas and International List, highlights Dr Handscombe’s decades of voluntary service with the Montserrat National Trust, where she has played a critical role in safeguarding archives of national importance. Speaking at the ceremony held at the Governor’s House, Governor Cross described Dr Handscombe as an extraordinary woman, whose dedication has ensured that Montserrat’s history is preserved for future generations.  She noted that Dr Handscombe, originally an accomplished educator and researcher in Toronto, has spent more than 30 years contributing to the island’s cultural life, including over a decade leading the Montserrat National Trust’s archive work. In her response, Dr Handscombe expressed gratitude to the people of Montserrat, crediting them for helping her understand what aspects of the island’s history should be preserved. She said the honour was shared with all those who contributed to the work, noting that documenting and safeguarding these stories is important for both present and future generations. Dr Handscombe was among two Montserrat recipients named in the honours list, alongside Dulcie James, who was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her service to public and financial sectors and community development.