Remarks from London Office Director Mr Kedrick Malone on Cultural Exchange between the Virgin Islands and Hertfordshire County

Monday July 9th, 2012

Good morning everyone and greetings from the Team at the BVI London Office.

Please permit me to begin by giving a brief update on our involvement with the 2012 Olympic Games. BVI London Office (BVILO) has been attending the briefings and conferences including the London 2012 International Safety and Security Conference and the London 2012 Security Liaison and Briefing Meetings. There were three conferences and six briefings.

At these conferences and briefings we have gained firsthand knowledge of the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) plans and security updates relating to the Games. We have consistently relayed this information to our partners in BVI to allow for adequate preparation for those attending the Games or visiting London during that period. We have also maintained contact with the BVI Olympic Committee to stay abreast of our athletes’ progress. Regular updates were received each time the athletes competed.

In terms of supporting our Olympic team and the region, on 17th July, we will be hosting a Post Flag Raising Ceremony Reception at BVI House for our athletes and other athletes of English speaking Caribbean countries.

BVI House will also serve as a National Olympic Committee House where our residents and citizens can come to enjoy the Games while in London. Our plans are to mount a display of the BVI’s Olympic history and have a TV screen available to allow visitors to view the Games. More importantly, BVI House will serve as a resting place for our athletes and officials. The opportunity will be taken as well to show our many visitors BVI Art which will be launched on 24th July during annual BVI Art and Culture Show and Territory Day Reception.

Turning to today’s Press Announcement.

We are truly pleased to have contributed to the plans to have the dancers of the Enis Adams Primary School and their chaperones’ visit London to participate in this cultural exchange.

It is customary when BVI Islanders visit the city, whether for personal or business reasons, that they visit BVI House where they receive the special Team BVILO welcome. We look forward to receiving this group and vow to provide whatever assistance we can to make their visit enjoyable and safe.

I would like to extend a huge thank you to our friends in Hertfordshire County, Aston Village, for agreeing so graciously to host our dancers and chaperones. In particular, we would like to recognize Mrs. Shirley Parker and her husband Dave. They have gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the group will be comfortable and well taken care of.

We wish the group a safe journey and look forward to welcoming them at BVI House.