Montserrat Disability Goes Global – DPINAC Day Three

I was in the bar last night. There were three blind people sitting opposite me and a man with a prosthetic leg to my right. The waitress came up and said, “I didn’t realise there were five of you I’ll get some more menus.” “There’s no need,” I said “those three can’t see”. “Why?” she…

Disabled Peoples’ International Assembly – Day Two

Today I got a first-hand account of the formation of DPI from two people, who were there. It is Day two of the disability assembly, and it is largely internal business: Strategic planning and internal management. We started with a brief history of where we are and how we got here, provided by Henrietta Davis-Wray…

Day One with the Disability Advocates

I’m at the Regional Assembly of DPI NAC. That’s Disabled Peoples’ International North America and the Caribbean.  It takes place every two years, and this time we are in St Kitts. It’s hard work and I have genuinely lost count of the number of speakers. As I am typing this I am listening to Annicia…

Coming this September – Montserrat in the CONCACAF Nations League

Following on from last season’s qualifying tournament, the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League starts this September. The format is that the 41 nations (and in this tournament, Montserrat is a nation) are split between 12 groups with the top teams in the four League A groups playing off for the Championship next year. Montserrat has qualified…

Disabled People’s International – North America and the Caribbean

One of my many roles in Montserrat is Public Relations and Campaigns Officer for the Montserrat Association for Persons with Disabilities.  I issued this release today. It's about next weekend's Assembly of Disabled People.s International: North America and the Caribbean, which I will also be at. Montserrat to be Represented at the Regional Assembly of…

Procurement in Montserrat: Are We Copying DFID’s Mistakes?

This morning I noticed that the Government had published new Procurement Regulations which will take effect from 1st September. If like me you missed the fanfare, that’s because they were quietly placed on the Attorney General’s Website.  I know it’s a dry subject but I think people genuinely would like to know what has been…

Brexit and the Overseas Territories: Why Golden Elephants are the Answer

The UK announced last year that following Brexit EU funding would be guaranteed for the OTs until 2020, under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement. The agreement also meant that territories such as the Falklands would retain tariff-free access to the EU, despite not being a member. This is mainly fish and sheep products. Falklands…

Coming Soon? – The AIR Studios Musical Heritage Tour

Of  Montserrat’s various tourism plans, policies and strategies (I’ve seen reference to five in the past three years, but have only tracked down three)  the most deliverable seems to be the one contained in the Mott MacDonald Economic Growth Strategy. This talks about better access and marketing, supporting a niche of repeating and long-staying visitors,…

Interview with Selvyn Maloney. The Man who Spayed and Neutered my Cats

This article, by Jennifer Parker is taken from Veterinary Practice Magazine    https://veterinary-practice.com/article/life-as-the-chief-veterinary-officer-in-montserrat?fbclid=IwAR3S2MHzT0WXFGHXVtzvZ7Elr2Y1fI7C_AWJMhozeBh2nEXVI55RI1a5XIU Selvyn Maloney, CVO of the tiny Caribbean island, describes the job’s charms and challenges following years of volcanic activity. Monserrat is famous for its endemic wildlife; nature enthusiasts travel from afar to glimpse the Montserrat oriole, a beautiful passerine bird, and the Montserrat galliwasp,…