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The public are advised that the Education, Skills and Employment Portfolio will be closed on 05 December 2025 from 11:00 to 16:00 to attend their end of year party.
These office closures will include the Education Learning Centre, St Helena Community College, St Helena Research Institute, Career Access and the Public Library.
Normal opening hours will resume on 08 December 2025 at 08:30.
The Government of St Helena wishes to inform residents of the imminent arrival of Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) TIDESPRING, which will be visible from various vantage points around the island from approximately 10:00 tomorrow, Tuesday 25 November. The vessel is expected to anchor off St Helena at around 07:00 on Wednesday 26 November when they will be laying a wreath on the Darkdale.
RFA TIDESPRING has recently detached from the UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG) after a seven-month deployment on Operation HIGHMAST and is now transiting home. During their brief visit, the ship’s company will be conducting a circumnavigation of the island.
Key Information
- Visibility: Residents may see RFA TIDESPRING and its Merlin helicopter operating around the island from tomorrow morning. The Merlin will be flying between 08:30–10:30 and 12:00–15:00 and will be visible from the island.
- Shore Visits: Of the ship’s company, approximately 100 personnel are expected to come ashore to visit St Helena. The first Liberty Boat is planned for around 08:00 on Wednesday. The ship’s Commanding Officer will be laying a wreath at the Cenotaph, and visiting key sites around the island, including a tea at Plantation House.
- Departure: RFA TIDESPRING is scheduled to depart St Helena at approximately 16:30 on Wednesday 26 November.
#StHelena #RoyalFleetAuxiliary
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White Ribbon Day, observed annually on 25 November, is a global movement dedicated to ending violence and promoting respect and equality. This year, we broaden our focus to address violence and discrimination in all forms, including sexism, racism, bullying, and harmful gossip; issues that deeply affect our community.
The Health and Social Care Portfolio proudly support this initiative and calls on everyone on St Helena to stand together for a safer, more inclusive society. By wearing white, we show solidarity and commitment to ending abuse and discrimination in all its forms.
Why This Matters
Violence and discrimination are not limited to physical harm; they include behaviours and attitudes that undermine dignity and equality. These can manifest as:
- Sexism: Making unwanted comments or jokes about someone’s gender, appearance, or abilities
- Racism: Discrimination or prejudice based on race or ethnicity
- Bullying: Repeated harmful behaviour intended to intimidate or humiliate
- Gossiping: Spreading rumours that damage reputations and relationships
Such actions erode trust, harm mental health, and weaken the fabric of our community. Together, we can break this cycle.
Join the Activism March
On Tuesday, 25 November 2025, join the White Ribbon Working Group for the Activism March:
- Start: 12:15, at Police Headquarters (Coleman House) for the flag-raising ceremony.
- Route: March into Lower Jamestown
- Finish: Castle Gardens for reflections
Let’s make our voices heard and show that St Helena stands united against violence and discrimination.
Our Local White Ribbon Logo
We are excited to announce the launch of our local White Ribbon logo, designed by one of the joint winners of the SHSS Logo Competition. This logo represents St Helena’s commitment to ending violence and promoting equality.
From 25 November until 12 December 2025, we encourage all staff and partners to use this logo as an email signature to show support during the 16 Days of Activism.
What Are the 16 Days of Activism?
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign that runs from 25 November (White Ribbon Day) to 10 December (Human Rights Day). On St Helena, we extend this to 13 December, concluding at the Football Presentation event with a moment of silence and closing reflections, a powerful way to unite sport and community in the fight against violence and discrimination.
Become a White Ribbon Ambassador
The White Ribbon Working Group is seeking individuals passionate about creating change.
What does a White Ribbon Ambassador do?
A White Ribbon Ambassador:
- Actively promotes respect and equality in the community.
- Speaks out against violence, discrimination, and harmful behaviours.
- Supports awareness campaigns and events.
If you are interested, please contact Nicole Hercules at [email protected].
Support Services
If you or someone you know is affected by violence, discrimination, or needs someone to talk to, help is available:
- Royal St Helena Police Service: 22626
- Domestic Abuse Service Lead: 25343
- Equality & Human Rights Commission: 22133
- Mental Health Team: 22593
- Children’s Services: 23312
- Samaritans: 20000 (free, confidential, 24/7)
Together, let’s create a community built on respect, compassion, and equality.
Photo
Locally designed White Ribbon Logo
#StHelena #WhiteRibbonDay #16DaysOfActivism
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The St Helena Government extends a sincere thank you to everyone who participated in the recent community engagement evenings and the drop-in session at The Canister regarding the Water Resource Management Plan (WRMP). Your invaluable contributions have already played a crucial role in shaping the direction of this vital project. The questionnaire remains open until 10 December 2025.
We are now entering the final stages of developing the WRMP, and it is important that we hear from as many members of the public as possible. If you have not yet completed the questionnaire, we strongly encourage you to take a few minutes to do so.
Your opinions, ideas, and local knowledge are vital. They will strengthen the final plan that will guide how St Helena secures reliable and sustainable water supplies for our households, agriculture, businesses, and the natural environment in the years ahead.
By completing the questionnaire, you are helping us:
• Improve how water is sourced, stored, and used
• Build resilience to drought and climate change
• Protect our natural environment
• Ensure community needs are fully understood and reflected
Please use the QR code below to access the questionnaire and share your views.
Hard copies are also available at Essex House, the Public Library, and ENRP Scotland for anyone who prefers to complete it by hand.
Thank you for taking the time to support this important project and for helping secure St Helena’s water future.
This project forms part of the £30 million Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP), funded by the UK Government, supporting a sustainable future for St Helena.
QR Code
Link: St Helena Water Resource Management Plan – Fill in form
#StHelena #WaterResourceManagement #Plan
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The Marine Enforcement Section invites all fishermen to attend an information session on monitoring of St Helena’s Marine Protected Area (MPA). The session will take place on Wednesday, 26 November at 17:30 in the Conference Room at Old Customs House on the wharf.
We look forward to seeing you all there.
Should you have further queries please contact the Marine Enforcement Section on telephone number 25947/64642.
The Marine Enforcement Section invites all fishermen to attend an information session on monitoring of St Helena’s Marine Protected Area (MPA). The session will take place on Wednesday, 26 November at 17:30 in the Conference Room at Old Customs House on the wharf.
We look forward to seeing you all there.
Should you have further queries please contact the Marine Enforcement Section on telephone number 25947/64642.
Councillor Denis Leo and Samantha Cherrett, Climate Security Programme Manager (Governor’s Office/FCDO), will represent St Helena at the EU-funded Green Overseas Workshop on “Building climate resilient food systems”.
The workshop, which will take place in Tahiti from 1-5 December 2025, aims to build capacity and share experience and knowledge on the development and implementation of resilient food systems in the face of climate change impacts, with a focus on real challenges, practical solutions and their limitations.
This initiative underscores the commitment to safeguarding communities against the growing impacts of climate change.
Councillor Denis Leo will depart the island on Saturday, 22 November and return on Tuesday, 9 December. During his absence, Councillor Ronald Coleman has kindly agreed to assume responsibility for the Longwood district and can be contacted on email via: [email protected].
#StHelena #LegCo #GreenOverseas
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At its October meeting, Executive Council gave approval to commence the Customs and Excise Regulations 2025, which were originally endorsed in May 2025 but were placed on hold until the opening of the Rupert’s Cargo Facility.
Under these new regulations, the St Helena Government (SHG) Warehouse Rental Fees have been reduced by 50% from £5.00 to £2.50 per cubic metre for each month or part thereof for the first 3 months, and £10.00 to £5.00 per cubic metre thereafter, for each month or part thereof.
Historically, fees under the Customs and Excise Ordinance 1999 were not applied or collected, as they were subsidised by SHG due to the absence of a secure cargo warehouse for consolidators. With the introduction of a purpose-built secure cargo warehouse at Rupert’s, these fees are now being implemented, establishing a transparent system that ensures a level playing field for all users of the warehouse services.
The operations of Rupert’s Port are managed under contract by Solomon & Company Plc. Please note that the SHG Warehouse Rental Fees outlined above exclude any charges applied by the contractor.
For further information regarding these fees, please contact Customs and Immigration on Tel: (+290) 22287.
#StHelena #WarehouseRentalFees #RupertsCargoFacility
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The Marine Enforcement Section reminds all boat users that the buoy marking the Darkdale wreck is a location marker only.
It is strictly prohibited to tie or secure any vessels to this buoy for diving, fishing, or other marine activities.
This buoy is in place solely to identify the wreck’s position and ensure navigational safety. Tying boats to the buoy may cause damage to the marker, create safety hazards, and interfere with its intended purpose.
All mariners are asked to respect this rule to help preserve the wreck site.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Should you have further queries please contact the Marine Enforcement Section.
Contact Details:
T: 25947/64642
SHG
21 November
www.sainthelena.gov.sh
A meeting of Executive Council (ExCo) was held on 18 November 2025.
The agenda for the meeting was as follows:
| CLOSED AGENDA 1. Declaration of Interest 2. Confirmation of Minutes of the Executive Council Meeting held on 17 June 2025 3. Matters Arising from Minutes of 17 June 2025 4. Confirmation of Minutes of the Executive Council Meeting held on 23 September 2025 5. Matters Arising from Minutes of 23 September 2025 6.Recording of Decision(s) made by Email ExCo 10.1 Ship Registry – Appointment of Surveyors and Inspectors (ExCo Memo 63/2025) 7. Ministerial Updates on significant issues 8. Any Other Business NB Items marked (*) are commercially sensitive and depending on the subject matter, might not be referred to in the top lines |
The following items were considered:
2 – 5. Confirmation of Minutes and Matters Arising from the Minutes
Minutes for 17 June and 23 September 2025 were signed off.
6. Recording of Decision(s) made by Email ExCo
6.1 Ship Registry – Appointment of Surveyors and Inspectors (ExCo Memo 63/2025)
ExCo was asked via email to consider an urgent ExCo memo to advise whether the appointment of Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) Surveyors as flag state surveyors and inspectors for St Helena, in accordance with sections 103A and 103C of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 2021 as per Annex 1, should be approved.
The memo did not ask for any change in policy, funding or any other detailed matter that would normally require a face-to-face ExCo meeting but rather a technical request/authorisation by the Governor to appoint a surveyor on the advice from ExCo.
Governor Phillips recommended that ExCo agree to this request, as it was consistent with all actions to date.
On 21 October 2025, the Chief Minister confirmed agreement via email for the appointment of Surveyors and Inspectors of Ships in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 2021.
ExCo confirmed their approval of the decision made via email.
7. Ministerial Updates on Significant Issue
The following updates were provided on the following subject matters:
- Fishing – The substantive Fisheries Review
- Telecoms
- Energy – The Energy Project
- Medical Supplies – SHG continues to face a key challenge, i.e. the inability to secure essential medications due to regulatory restrictions and significant global shortages of many commonly used drugs. To obtain limited supplies, we are now required to airfreight most shipments at considerable additional cost. Despite these measures, we are still unable to source all the necessary medications.
#StHelena #ExCo #Toplines
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