Community

The Montserrat Animal Protection Society (MAPS) is extending its opening hours for the next few weeks. According to MAPS, this is to encourage more persons to drop by and walk, groom or play with the animals. The Shelter will now be open on Tuesdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, Wednesdays 2 pm to 4 pm, Fridays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, and Sundays at 8:00 am. Persons are encouraged to continue supporting MAPS as they strive to improve and develop their services for the island’s animals.

The Rotary Club of Montserrat is preparing to welcome District Governor for Rotary District 7030, Soraya Warner-Gustave, who will make an official visit to the island from February 5th to 8th, 2026, as part of her annual district engagements. The visit will focus heavily on community-based projects and youth development, with several key presentation visits scheduled during her stay. On Friday, the District Governor will attend the presentation of a Sewing Skills for Employment project, a district-grant-funded initiative aimed at improving employability among women, providing sewing training along with equipment and materials to support sustainable skills development. Later that Friday, Governor Warner-Gustave will visit Salem Daycare and Nursery, to take part in the presentation of a sensory board, marking the final phase of a Rotary project to supply sensory boards to early childhood centres across Montserrat. Saturday, the District Governor will attend the closing ceremony of the Better Eyes Project at St. Peter’s Clinic. The initiative, undertaken in partnership with the Rotary Club of Jarry in Guadeloupe, provides eye examinations and free prescription glasses to vulnerable residents, enhancing access to essential eye care services on the island. In addition to project presentations, the visit includes courtesy calls on the Premier and Governor of Montserrat, meetings with Rotary, Rotaract and Interact executives, and joint fellowship activities with visiting Rotarians from Guadeloupe. District Governor Warner-Gustave is a long-standing member of the Rotary Club of St. Lucia, a past club president, former District Secretary, and strong advocate for youth leadership and Interact development across District 7030. The Rotary Club of Montserrat says the visit underscores Rotary’s continued commitment to service, skills development, health, and youth empowerment, while strengthening regional partnerships within the district.

Justice endures when it is principled, accessible and relevant. That note from Attorney Chivone Gerald at the recent ceremonial opening of the 2026 Law Year. Addressing the court on behalf of the Montserrat Bar Association, Gerald highlighted the quiet but diligent work of the judiciary, court staff and legal practitioners, often carried out under challenging conditions. She stressed that judicial independence protects the vulnerable and brings stability to Montserrat’s democracy and noted that public trust depends on fairness, transparency and the integrity of the Bar.   Looking ahead, she welcomed ongoing efforts to modernize the justice system and recent legislative updates to the Magistrate’s Court Act and child maintenance laws. The Opening of the Law Year was held under the theme, “The ECSC: Justice that Endures; Anchored Independence, Strengthened through Trust.”

Government Minister John Patrick Osborne has called on residents here and overseas to start speaking about Montserrat in a more positive light. Osborne says there are good things happening on the island but these are spoken about enough. The Minister of Agriculture highlights developments in healthcare, education and other sectors, along with the fact that Montserrat is one of the safest places in the world to live.

The Royal Montserrat Police Service has received several useful technological upgrades over the past few months. In an interview with ZJB, commissioner of police Mark Payne discussed some of the technology advancements made in the Service. He talked about recent forensics training, noting the benefits of increased digital forensics’ capability. The commissioner also discussed drone training on Montserrat, which he said was done in collaboration with other local departments. Commissioner Payne highlighted the addition of two new sea vessels, explaining their functions. He also explained how the vessels, along with the drone technology, help to secure Montserrat’s marine borders.

Applications are now open for the Miss Tween Montserrat Pageant 2026. This new pageant is being put on by Taylored Productions, and is open to young girls between the ages of 9 to 12. To be eligible for participation, applicants must fall within the age category, be currently living in Montserrat, and be attending a school in Montserrat. Parental or legal guardian consent is also required for all participants. According to Taylored Productions, the Miss Tween Montserrat Pageant 2026 is a confidence-building showcase designed to empower young girls through culture, creativity, leadership, and positive self-expression. The application link can be found on Taylored Productions social media pages. The deadline for application is Friday 13th March, 2026.