Community

The Minister for Agriculture here has reiterated Montserrat’s call for greater inclusion of British Overseas Territories in regional agricultural initiatives and funding programmes.   Honourable John P. Osborne, was speaking on Tuesday’s What’s on Your Mind programme following his recent trip to Trinidad and Tobago. During his visit, Mr. Osborne attended meetings under the KOCARIP initiative — a partnership between the South Korean government and Caribbean nations aimed at advancing agricultural technology and climate resilience. He explains that the project focuses on introducing new farming technologies to the region and exchanging planting materials, as Caribbean crops have shown greater resilience to global warming.   Minister Osborne however noted that Montserrat and other British Overseas Territories continue to face barriers in accessing funding from regional and international sources. He further suggested that one solution could be for the OECS to manage project funds directly and deliver the initiatives in Montserrat, ensuring the island still benefits from regional programmes.   The Agriculture Minister reaffirmed his commitment as Chairman of the OECS Council of Ministers of Agriculture, to keep the issue on the agenda. He stated that Montserrat, as a full member of both OECS and CARICOM, should not be left out of developmental efforts.  

The Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) has launched its 2025 Creative Writing Competition. Persons from all age groups are invited to participate by submitting stories under the theme: “The Soufriere Hills Volcano: Untold Chapters”. The stories must be a true account based on the writer’s own experience, the experience of their family members, or a story passed down to them. Only one entry is allowed per person. This entry must be an original work, not published anywhere else. participants must also currently reside on Montserrat. For more information on categories word limits, and labeling instructions, interested persons can visit the Montserrat Volcano Observatory’s social media pages, email mvomontserrat@gmail.com, or call 1-664-495-2029. Entries can be submitted by email: mvomontserrat@gmail.com, or students can submit through their class teacher or school office. The deadline for submission is Friday November 7th, 2025.

Saint Peter, Montserrat — In a heartfelt gesture of community solidarity, St. Anthony Lodge No. 4684EC and RoyalArch Chapter 4684 collaborated to make a generous donation of $3,500.00 to the Social Services Department, aimed atsupporting vulnerable children in need of assistance to attend school.The contribution, which was presented by Presiding Master of St Anthony’s Lodge, Kenneth ‘Rabo’ Silcott, reflects theLodge’s enduring commitment to social upliftment and educational access for all. The funds will be directed towardessential school-related expenses, including school lunches, uniforms, supplies, transportation, and other critical needsthat often hinder children from disadvantaged backgrounds.“Education is the cornerstone of opportunity and development of a nation,” said Kenneth Silcott, “and we believe everychild deserves the chance to learn, grow, and thrive—regardless of their circumstances. This donation is our way ofhelping to remove barriers and build brighter futures.”Receiving the donation on behalf of the Social Services Department was the Director, Mrs Teresena Fergus, who onceagain expressed deep appreciation for the donation, noting that the Social Services Department “looks forward to thisannual commitment from the Lodge and the donation will directly impact families struggling to meet the costsassociated with schooling. This year, the donation would be used primarily to support some students who would like tofurther their education at the Community College but need support, as we have some cases that we are looking at. Theannual donation from St Anthony Lodge aligns with the Department’s broader mission to promote child well-being andequal access to education across the territory. We earnestly hope that other NGOs will come forward to collaborate inthis crucial mission of meeting the island’s educational needs.”This act of benevolence underscores the power of civic partnerships in addressing social challenges and, particularly asthe Fraternity celebrates it Centenary, reaffirms St. Anthony Lodge’s role as a pillar of compassion and leadershipwithin the Montserrat community. Witnessing the handover were Past Master Peter W.A. White OBE, MemberEdward Andrew and a representative from the Friends of St Anthony Lodge support group, Mrs. Lorraine François.

Young Montserratians living in the United Kingdom are being given a chance to make their voices heard in the House of Commons. Applications are now open for Montserratians aged 11 to 18 to represent the island at the UK Youth Parliament sitting on Thursday, November 6, 2025. The initiative offers young people the opportunity to observe proceedings and deliver a two-minute speech from the iconic despatch box during a special session dedicated to the UK Overseas Territories. Interested candidates are required to submit a one-page letter of interest highlighting their Montserrat heritage, their current educational journey, and their reasons for wanting to participate. Travel costs within the UK will be covered for successful participants. The deadline for submissions is Sunday, September 28, 2025. Applications and questions should be sent to admin@montserrat-gov.org The UK Youth Parliament brings together young representatives from across the country to debate and raise issues affecting their communities. For Montserrat, the event provides a unique platform for young voices to be heard on a national stage.