Local News
Gertrude Callwood, Beloved Owner of Gertrude’s Beach Bar, Passes Away at 78
Gertrude Aloma Callwood, the heart and soul behind Gertrude’s Beach Bar, passed away today, August 18, at the age of 78. Born on March 9, 1946, Gertrude was a beloved figure in the Jost Van Dyke community, known for her warm hospitality, infectious smile, and the welcoming atmosphere she cultivated at her famous beach bar.
In a heartfelt Facebook post shared by her family earlier today, they announced the sad news: “Good day beautiful family and friends of Mama Gertrude of Gertrude’s Beach Bar. It is with sad news that we announce the passing of our dearly beloved mother, sister, aunt, granny, friend.”
They continued by asking for the community’s support: “Please, we are asking if you have any memories or pictures of Mama Gertrude to please flood her timeline at this moment. Thank you. May the memories of her passionate love remain in our hearts forever.”
For decades, Gertrude’s Beach Bar was more than just a place to grab a drink or enjoy the ocean breeze; it was a gathering spot for locals and visitors alike, where people felt like family. Mama Gertrude, as she was affectionately known, had a way of making everyone feel at home, and her legacy will surely live on in the stories and photos that will now fill her online memorial.
Her passing marks the end of an era for Jost Van Dyke, but her spirit will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of the island’s culture. As the community grieves, they also celebrate a life lived with love, laughter, and a deep connection to the people around her.
Education
HLSCC Expands Global Educational Pathway with CMI Level 3 Diploma
Business
British Virgin Islands Seeks Consultancy for Digital Economy Overhaul
The government of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has issued a tender for proposals to revolutionise its digital economy. This ambitious project will involve the development of digital identities, ID systems, payment platforms and data exchange frameworks. The winning bid will be responsible for evaluating the current state of government agencies and the territory’s digital public infrastructure.
According to the tender released on September 12, the chosen consultant will report directly to the Permanent Secretary and collaborate closely with the Digital Transformation Steering Committee. The consultancy will be structured into three key phases:
Phase One: Digital Maturity Assessment
This phase will involve assessing the current digital maturity of government entities by identifying gaps and benchmarking against best practices. The assessment will cover IT infrastructure, policies, platform development and maintenance, service delivery channels, data management practices, and the digital literacy of government employees.
Phase Two: Strategy Development and Implementation Roadmap
In this phase, the consultant will develop a comprehensive Digital Transformation Strategy and an implementation roadmap. This will include outlining initiatives, timelines, resource allocation, prioritisation, risk management, and a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework.
Phase Three: Enabling Environment
The final phase will focus on reviewing the existing legal, regulatory, and policy framework. The consultant will propose reforms to align with international standards and best practices in data protection, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.
The tender explained that this phase will also aim to promote innovation and growth in the digital economy while safeguarding public interest and consumer rights. Additionally, it will ensure that digital transformation efforts are inclusive and suited to the specific context of Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The consultant will also conduct a cybersecurity risk assessment and develop a comprehensive cybersecurity framework.
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