Government officials have expressed concern for Montserrat’s small population and the impact that HIV/AIDS could have on the country.

At the close of 2008, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Waterworth, Governor of Montserrat, l rate of 0.6%, and between 1985 and 2007, there were 35 reported cases of HIV/AID and 3 associated deaths.

Until Montserrat’s Governor revealed this information in his World AIDS Day speech for December 1, 2008, an official statistical position for HIV/AIDS on Montserrat could not be obtained.

Along with the governor, representatives of the Ministry of Health have demonstrated concern that reported cases of HIV/AIDS in the country do not reflect an accurate picture.

Available statistics indicate that only about 1 in 10 cases of HIV/AID infections are reported in Montserrat. In fact, CAREC estimates that there are about 30 people living with HIV/AIDS in Montserrat.

In Mr. Waterworth’s speech on World AIDS Day 2008, he said, “Sometimes, the scale of AIDS is so overwhelming that the numbers are beyond understanding. For example, in Malawi, 14% of adults are HIV positive and AIDS have orphaned more than one million children. So, let’s bring it down to a human scale by looking at the case of Marie Day Silva, a nanny in the USA who is from Malawi. She lost 14 of her family including her father and two brothers to the disease. That’s what a plaque really means….”

With an official workforce of 2,593, Montserrat faces grave concerns regarding the history of uneven spread of HIV/AIDS. As described by His Excellency, “…. Any attack on this small productive and reproductive group has far reaching negative implications for economic growth, social stability, and nationhood. AIDS erodes productivity, consumes savings, increases expenditure and reduces income. With every new case the negative impact worsens.”

However, by noon, the strong winds stirring outside were successful in reassigning most of the sandy and grainy-type ash fall. The sun replaced the ash indulged skies that were, hours earlier, raining miniscule grains of sand, and the almost vacant traffic returned to normal.

It is official; the 2008 Ms. Montserrat Festival Queen is Ms. Loralyn Fergus.

According to Deonne Semple, facilitator of this year’s pageant, “Ms. Fergus was sponsored by Montserrat Limited and received trophies for the best swimsuit, the best talent, and the best creative wear.”

Ms. Semple says, “Ms Sharlene Lindsay, sponsored by TK Construction, was awarded 1st Runner Up, wining Best Evening Wear and Best Question and Answer. She also received the prize for Miss Photogenic. Ms Nadika Farrell, sponsored by Illuminat (Anu), received best introductory speech and Miss Congeniality.”

The main prizes for this year pageant were a car for the Queen, laptops and monetary prizes for the other three contestants, $2,000.00 for the first Runner Up, and $1,500.00 for each of the other two contestants.

Deonne adds, “Ms. Fergus has long looked forward to wearing the Crown and now that she has gotten the opportunity I’m certain she will serve her rein and Montserrat well.”

Leader of the Montserrat Shamioles Masquerade Group

With just hours remaining in 2008, the Emerald Shamioles are entertaining visitors and residents with their cultural dances. The Emerald Shamioles is the name of a masquerade group of children in Montserrat. Masquerade dancers have been a part of Montserrat’s culture for decades before the group’s leader, James ‘Titus’ Fredrick even existed.

Choreographed steps, called ‘cadrels’, timed to the rhythm of a fife, a type of flute-like musical instrument, and various types of drums appear to draw a crowd within seconds on the streets of Montserrat. Mr. Fredrick says that the cadrels range from one to five. As the number increases, the pace of dancers increases. In addition, Titus adds that there is also the ‘heal and toe polka’.

Once onlookers are enticed to throw money, the pace of the masqueraders seems to pick up to an incredible frenzy of energetic dance moves, thereby causing onlookers to throw more money.

The traditional costume of Montserrat’s masquerades includes a colorful striped or floral patterned top, accented by flowing streams of various colored ribbons, bells, and mirrors; there are matching knickers; a headpiece; and a mask.

One of the current members of the Emerald Shamioles started as young as three years old and is now seven. Currently, the group members’ ages range from 7 to 12. Titus himself says that he has been dancing for 45 years now. When questioned as to when he plans to stop dancing, Titus says, “I started dancing at the age of 8. Right now, I am 59 years old. I plan to dance at my own funeral.” James admits, “The actual novice of masquerade dancing takes about six months before they are performance ready.

According to James Frederick, “Dancing masquerade is an exceptional source for a very demanding and high intensity exercise. It builds your stamina and endurance. There is also the psychological benefit. For example, I remember when one of my dancers first started. His family told me that he was a sick boy. He has been dancing with me now for over three years, and I have never seen him sick.”

Mr. Frederick went on to reveal that, “All my dancers know that I expect them to pay attention to their studies or they will not be allowed to dance.

Revealing some of the Shamiole’s achievements, Mr. Fredrick says, “The Shamioles have traveled the Caribbean, Cuba, and the United Kingdom (UK). Next year, the group may get an opportunity to perform in a cultural show in Boston, in the United States.

The groups leader, known as ‘Titus’ says, “He is pleased to play a part in preserving an important part of Montserrat’s culture.” Titus also emphasized his pleasure in seeing that the future generations of Montserrat have taken up an interest in part of our ancestral culture, which had just about gone extinct due to the onslaught of the current volcanic crisis and the resulting migration of more than 90 percent of the island’s residents.

James ‘Titus’ Frederick says that, “Montserrat’s Shamioles has dominated ‘Caribfesta’ and are perceived as the most original masquerade group in the region. Our uniform and our dances make us stand out. We have made the front pages of many newspapers.”

During the very early morning hours of 30 December 2008, a small, armed force of 11 to 12 police officers raided a business in Carrs Bay, Montserrat, which just the previous day hosted an internationally female reggae artist.

Many of the witnesses expressed disgust and concern for what they described as an outright disgrace for this year’s annual festival celebrations. One male resident said a scene like this could only leave a bad first impression.

The owner of Jahlist Ital and Crafts says that the Royal Montserrat Police Force has been harassing her for decades and the intensity and frequency of these raids are increasing. Jahlist says, “They have even gone so far as to harassing her ill mother.”

According to this business owner, “For the entire festival season, Jahlist Ital and Crafts is the only establishment subjected to an armed raid by police officers.

When contacted about the incident, the Royal Montserrat Police Force’s Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner were not available to comment on this raid.

On December 29, 2008, international headliner, Ifrica, visited Montserrat and agreed that Montserrat is one of the world’s best kept secret.

Amongst resident Rastafarians in Carrs Bay, Montserrat, Ifrica gave an exclusive interview.

Ifrica was the featured artist in Ancient Order Promotion’s third annual ‘Soulfest’. According to Ancient Order Promoter, Mr. Lenox ‘Dinka’ Tuitt, “This year’s event displayed a unique angle by featuring and producing an all female show.”

Ifrica made history by being the first internationally acclaimed artist to visit Montserrat and actually mingle and interact with Montserrat’s residents.

For those residents that were fortunate enough to have such a close encounter described the famous songstress as being down to earth and humble.

One member of Ifrica’s welcoming party in Montserrat revealed that the artist was amazed at the lack of security needed in Montserrat.

According to Ifrica, Montserrat appears to be a country with “zero violence”. Ifrica admits that both the country and its residents are enchanting. In fact, she revealed that she found the green in Montserrat much greener that her own very green homeland of Jamaica.

Ifrica’s investiture as Jamaica’s entertainer of the year is just one of many note worthy achievements accomplished during her past ten years in the music industry.

One of her current hit singles ‘Daddy’ is an example of Ifrica’s ability to personalize and generate interest and attention for a controversial issue. Although she admits that it is not a personal experience of hers. However, she found it extremely disturbing to watch a pregnant nine year old.

When offered the opportunity to deliver a message to Montserrat and the world, Ifrica said, “I came to Montserrat, and I found out that violence is zero here. It is all about love and togetherness…. Even the animals, they play with themselves; they hold a lot of joy. They are not frustrated…That is important. I just wanted to say to the Montserrat people just be careful about the stuff that you introduce into your space, because not a lot of it is towards your development, and the society is always looking for ways and means to make money from violence, because that is what keeps them rich. Look at the products they introduce to you and ask why they are introducing them.”

To the world, Ifrica said, “I see that a new war just started in the Garza Strip. It is about time now that we, as a people, are grateful unto the almighty for the fact that he gave us this beautiful world for us to enjoy and to live. Just like you can have a little island name Montserrat where nobody kills…. People have their differences, but they talk it out…. It is about that time now where we, as the people of the world, stop being egotistic and just look at the big picture…. As wherever you may be in the world, there is a sun. There is a sky. That is showing equality. That is showing justice for all. It’s for us, now, as human beings, to put aside our differences….”

For a third consecutive year, Ancient Order Promotions is able to entertain the public of Montserrat with artists who are willing to contribute to the country’s musical culture, in spite of its not so ideal minuscule population.

Responding to the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) report, the NDPRAC met in light of this report and recent eruptive events. The NDPRAC considered any safeguards necessary and looked at longer-term protection for the people of Montserrat.

According to the Governor’s Office, “The eruptive event of Tuesday, 2 December 2008, occurred without warning. A small dome collapse triggered a Pyroclastic flow and one or two explosions. The Pyroclastic flow took only two minutes to reach Plymouth and the sea and caused surges reaching almost to the top of St. George’s Hill, burning much of the vegetation in its path. Explosions and small Pyroclastic flows have continued this week. The activity signifies a change in the behavior of the volcano.”

The Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) advised that the hazard level should remain at 3 but since events are occurring without warning and into new areas, access to some areas require further restrictions.

At the conclusion of the meeting, “NDPRAC decided that the hazard level would remain at 3; no access will be permitted to Zone C, Cork Hill, Weekes, St. George’s Hill, Delvins, Foxes Bay, and Richmond
The NDPRAC reports that a substantial gate will be erected to replace the barrier at Woodville (the boundary of Zones B and C). Additionally, transit through the maritime exclusion zone will be prohibited with immediate effect and the two-mile exclusion zone must be observed.

Further quarry operations at Trants must be conducted strictly within the permitted areas and renewed attention paid to measures to reduce hazard to workers.

The NDPRAC revealed “that vehicle access to Garibaldi Hill has become very difficult and requested the Minister of Communication and Works to consider making the road a pedestrian only route.”

According to the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), “There was an explosion and pyroclastic flow at the Soufriere Hills Volcano at approximately 9:35pm local time on 2 December 2008.”

The MVO’s scientist report, “The explosion appears to have taken place on the western side of the lava dome. The explosion sent large blocks to distances up to a kilometer from the dome. Incandescent blocks were scattered over the north-western side of Gages Mountain which implies a vertical element to the explosion. There have been no reports of air-fall pumice or ballistics in inhabited areas.”

The MVO reports, “the pyroclastic flow was on the western flank of the volcano. It traveled down Gages Valley and into Plymouth and appears to have reached the sea. Buildings were set alight in Plymouth and could be seen burning from Salem for several hours afterwards.

Reports reveal that the explosion and pyroclastic flow both generated ash columns and these were accompanied by lightning strikes. It was not possible to estimate the height of the ash columns. The ash was blown to the west, and there have been no report of ash fall in inhabited areas.

The hazard level remains at a 3.

The Citizens for the Redevelopment of Montserrat (CRM) reports progress in their efforts for the development of geothermal energy on Montserrat, which they believe is rich with geothermal resources.

While attending the 48th OECS Authority meeting hosted in Montserrat, Hon. Joseph Parry, representing Prime Minister Denzil Douglas, pledged to work with Montserrat in developing geothermal energy.

During the University of the West Indies (UWI) Alumni banquet, Hon. Joseph Parry said, “We can develop this natural renewable resource not only for Nevis and St. Kitts but also for the people of Montserrat. Certainly, together we can exploit this resource in terms of not only selling it locally but making it available to the islands in the northern part of the Caribbean. We are in a time of increasing economic difficulties and recessions as a Caribbean people so we are aware that we must work together at this economical difficult time to save ourselves to survive and to ensure that we progress even as we seek to harness and direct all our resources for success.”

Ray Tyson of CRM reports, “We have been working very closely with the DFID…who is now financing the exploration. We were invited to join…so we have been working very hard and very quickly. We have now come to a decision time in which we have three major world leaders in geological surveys…As we said before, the survey is one of the most important thing before we start to do the drilling.”

Mr. Tyson expressed hope that CRM will be in the position to place with one of three companies the start of geothermal activity by the middle of January 2009.

The CRM revealed in a press conference last year that they had received not even a minimal response or any level of cooperation from the Government of Montserrat to establish a company called ‘Montserrat Geothermal Power Company’. As a result, it remains unknown what their intentions are