Community

The Caribbean Cadet Medal was presented to two current members and one former member of the Montserrat Cadet Corp. (Retired) Captain Roosevelt Jemmotte, Captain Glenroy Foster, and Second Lieutenant Carmencita Duberry Farrell, received the medal during a Church Parade held alongside the Royal Montserrat Defence Force at St. James Anglican Church on Sunday. They were awarded in recognition of distinguished service to the regional cadet movement. The service marked the start of the RMDF Training Year and provided a fitting setting to honour leadership, commitment, and service within the cadet community. The Caribbean Cadet Medal is awarded to recognise exceptional service and outstanding contributions to the development of the regional cadet movement. It honours officers and individuals whose leadership, commitment, and dedication have strengthened cadet training, youth development, and regional cooperation across the Caribbean. Commanding Officer of the Montserrat Cadet Corps, Captain Colin Fergus noted that the awards recognise service that goes far beyond the parade ground, honouring leadership, mentorship, and a genuine commitment to developing young people through cadetting. The Montserrat Cadet Corps extended sincere congratulations to the awardees On behalf of the Association of Caribbean Cadet Commandants. The awardees were also thanked for their exemplary service to youth development and regional cooperation.

152 children and adults have a clearer view of the world today. They were the recipients of eye care services provided last week by the Rotary Club of Guadeloupe in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Montserrat and the Ministry of health and social services. President of the Rotary Club Audris Jno Baptiste is ecstatic about the Better Eyes Project, which she says was hugely successful.

The Royal Montserrat Police Service is making preparations for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Festival. This was confirmed by commissioner of police, Mark Payne on ZJB Radio on Tuesday. Commissioner Payne shared that the RMPS intends to repaint road markings where necessary, and use radar guns for traffic enforcement during the busy season. He added that police officers from other Overseas Territories will be present on Montserrat during the season to help the RMPS.

The government of Montserrat is forging ahead with a comprehensive plan to build capacity on island. So says minister for Agriculture, lands, housing, environment, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable John Patrick Osborne. Speaking on a recent “What’s on Your Mind” programme on Radio Montserrat, minister Osborne stated that this multi-sectoral/multi-ministerial plan will embrace a number of areas to include provisions for population growth and retention (10,000 people as a working figure), among others.

An initiative aimed at strengthening women’s skills and employability was formally launched this week, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Rotary Club of Montserrat and local sewing enterprise, UnSewcial. The partnership, funded through a Rotary District Grant, will see young women on island receive training in sewing, using equipment and materials purchased through district funds. President of the Rotary Club of Montserrat, Audris Jno-Baptiste, described the signing as a historic moment for the club, noting that the project reflects Rotary’s commitment to empowering young women through entrepreneurship and skills development. Entrepreneur and self-taught seamstress Kristen Taylor-Hilton welcomed the collaboration, noting that while sewing is often viewed as an outdated skill, it offers significant economic and therapeutic benefits, and has the potential to empower women creatively and financially. Taylor-Hilton added that details of the training programme will be finalised and shared publicly in the coming weeks. Meantime… District Governor Saraya Gustav-Warner, who presented the certificate to praised the Rotary Club of Montserrat for initiating the project, noted that it aligns directly with Rotary International’s focus on growing local economies. She said the programme provides participants with a marketable skill that can support households and contribute to community development. Governor Gustav-Warner explained that the project is funded through the Rotary Foundation, supported by contributions from Rotarians worldwide, allowing clubs to reinvest in meaningful community-based initiatives.