Local News
Positive Action Movement Member Verne Maduro Dies
Verne Maduro, friend of the late British Virgin Islands political activist Noel Lloyd and member of the Positive Action Movement, has died.
Maduro, also known as ‘Old Oak’, was involved in the 1960s opposition movement led by Lloyd to stop British developer Kenneth Bates from owning large portions of land in the territory.
In 1967, then Administrator Martin S. Stavely signed two 199 year leases with a British Company, Bates-Hill, giving the company control over 60 acres of reclaimed land around the small mangrove-fringed Wickham’s Cay and almost three quarters of the island of Anegada.
Lloyd publicly opposed the Bates-Hill Agreement when it was rumoured that the company did not plan to allow locals access to the site except in a service capacity.
The Positive Action Movement was formed and following public meetings at the Bandstand on the Old Recreation Ground in Road Town, demonstrations and marches to Government House and the Chief Minister’s Office, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) was finally persuaded to appoint a commission of inquiry.
The United Kingdom loaned the territory $5.8M to buy out Kenneth Bates-Hill’s contractual interest in 1970.
Local News
Governor’s Office Delivers Trauma Risk Management Training to Frontline Officers in Virgin Islands
The Governor’s Office, with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, this week delivered Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) training to frontline officers in the Virgin Islands, including members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, prison officers and volunteers from Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR).
The program is designed to help first responders recognize and manage the psychological effects of traumatic incidents encountered in the course of their duties. Participants received instruction on identifying early signs of stress-related responses and providing peer support following critical events.
According to the Governor’s Office, the training forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen welfare and resilience within frontline services across the territory.
“By strengthening welfare and resilience within our front line services, we are ensuring that the people who protect us are supported themselves,” the Governor’s Office said in a statement.
Officials thanked participants for their involvement and acknowledged the trainer for leading the sessions.
Trauma Risk Management, commonly known as TRiM, is a peer-support process used in emergency services and military settings to assess and address the mental health impact of traumatic exposure.
Maya Marcellin, Teen Universe British Virgin Islands, departed the territory on Feb. 22 for Nicaragua, where she will compete in the Teen Universe International Pageant.
Marcellin left the British Virgin Islands on Sunday accompanied by family members and supporters as she begins representing the territory in the international competition. The pageant will bring together contestants from several countries to compete in preliminary events leading up to the final show.
Supporters gathered prior to her departure to offer encouragement as she travels to Nicaragua to represent the British Virgin Islands on the international stage.
Governor’s Office Delivers Trauma Risk Management Training to Frontline Officers in Virgin Islands
Maya Marcellin Departs for Teen Universe International Pageant in Nicaragua
Andrea Wilson brings Caribbean colour to the NYFW debut
