Contact address:- 45 Sidney Road, Harrow,
Middlesex HA2 6QD

Chair: Gilmour Smith Email:

Secretary: Sam Jordan Email: sammyj45@aol.com

Treasurer: Wendal Boyce Email: wboyce60@aol.com

NEWSLETTER November 1998

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 1998

The Annual General Meeting of the Alleyne School Alumni Association (UK) was held on Saturday 31st October 1998. The following officers were elected to serve for the next year.

Chair: Mr Gilmour Smith

Deputy Chair: Ms Ena Trotman Stoby

Secretary: Mr Sam Jordan

Asst Sec'ty: Ms Marie Herding (Springer)

Treasurer: Mr Wendal Boyce

Comm } Ms Glendene Jodhan (Hope)

members } Ms Brenda Goring

} Mr Alvin Griffith

} Ms Loleta Morris (Morris)

} Mr Roy Hurley

The premier task to exercise the minds of this new Committee is the planning and organising of Reunion 1999, to be held in London between August 6th and 14th next year.

It is our wish and intention to reach as many Alleynians as possible wherever resident in the UK and beyond, and this is how you can each help.

. Spread the word to friends and colleagues.

. Let the Committee have names and phone numbers/addresses (postal and Email) so that as many people as possible can be kept informed.

. Let the Committee know if you or friends can offer accommodation to visitors from overseas during August 1999.

Grand Reunion and Graduation ceremony in the year 2000

The Barbados chapter of the Alleyne School Alumni Association will host a Grand Reunion and Graduation ceremony in the year 2000, at which all those former students who did not formally graduate, will get an opportunity to do so that summer.

Keep your holiday diary open. More anon.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Members are reminded that the annual subscription is still only £15, and covers the calendar year. Your subscriptions are urgently needed if Reunion 1999 is to be a success, so please send your cheque(s)/Postal Orders, made payable to Alleyne School Alumni Association (UK), to the Secretary at 45 Sidney Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA2 6QD.

The following articles are intended to bring you up to date:

(i) Benefits/importance of submitting your Tax Return correctly and on time.

(ii) Current requirements on New Passports.

(iii) Independence message 1998
 

IS YOUR TAX RETURN RIGHT?

- Inland Revenue Windfall Expected Again

The Inland Revenue collected a windfall profit of approximately £2bn in 1998 from penalties, interest and surcharges (Source: Money Marketing). This profit was raised through those who failed to complete their self-assessment tax forms either correctly or on time. This is roughly equivalent to the extra spending announced for this financial year on both the health and education services in Scotland, all without raising taxes.

Self-assessment was meant to make life easy but there are a number of reasons why it is in reality proving complex. For example, different rates now apply to both allowances and income sources. Capital Gains Tax calculations have now become so involved, computer programmers are having difficulty providing workable software solutions to tax practitioners. It may be a question of going back to manual calculations!

The taxpayer now bears the responsibility of getting it right so it is essential that you take care and keep proper records. Unfortunately you have already missed the initial deadline of 30th September, when the Inland Revenue would have done the calculations for you.

The Inland Revenue is auditing returns on a random basis, not only to make sure the system is working, but also as a deterrent to those who may otherwise take advantage.

Call for information if you need guidance to complete your tax return and establish the necessary records in order to meet the next deadline (31st January 1999).
 
 

The United Kingdom Passport Agency has announced that with effect from 5 October 1998, ALL children who are not already included on a valid 10 year passport will need to hold their own passport if they are to travel abroad. After 5 October, it will not be possible to add or include children on British passports. This includes new-born babies and all children up to the age of 16. Children aged 16 and over already have to hold their own passports and are unaffected by these changes.

Children who are already included on an existing passport may continue to travel with the passport holder until one of the following occurs:-

. The child reaches the age of 16

× The passport on which the child is included expires

× The passport on which the child is included is submitted for amendment.

PLEASE NOTE: Children cannot be re-added to passports which are submitted for amendment after 5 October 1998. In these circumstances, you will need to apply for separate passports for any children who were previously included on your passport.
 
 

It is with special pleasure that I salute all Barbadians living overseas as we celebrate the 32^"d Anniversary of Independence of our homeland.

I know that the well-being of Barbados is always foremost in your hearts and minds, but more so at this time of year when the fires of nationhood burn brightest in our souls.

That is why I have the honour to reassure you that Barbados continues to do well in all areas of national life.

And let me stress quite early that your unwavering moral, financial and other support have in large measure contributed to the maintenance of economic growth and development, and the social and political stability we have been able to enjoy.

For your contributions we are enormously grateful, as indeed, we are for the commitment of Barbadians in all walks of life at home. Above all, however, we continue to be grateful for the good graces and blessings of Almighty God.

As a result, I am pleased to report that Barbados is now enveloped in an atmosphere of national self-confidence that is often remarked upon by many of you, either when you return home yourselves or receive visits or communications from your relatives and friends back in Barbados.

Part of that self-assurance, not arrogance, stems from the remarkable reversal we have had in our economic fortunes. This has been demonstrated in very comfortable high levels of foreign reserves, rising employment, a construction boom, and growth in the tourism and financial services sectors.

But let me put at ease any fears you might have, that we might be so concentrating on our present economic success, that we might be tempted to ignore the problems emerging in the global economic situation.

Far be it from that, for very early I not only cautioned Barbadians about the possible negative impact such global trends might have on our domestic economy, but also took positive steps to

safeguard our long-term interests.

Meanwhile, my Government has been putting into effect numerous measures to encourage the development of the small business sector and prepare the Barbadian workforce both present and in the future for the demands that will be placed on it by the technological explosion.

Included in this is the sum of BDS $350 million to be spent in and on Barbadian schools over the next seven years through EDUTECH 2000 to ensure that our school population is educated in schools that are computer-ready and otherwise well equipped and appointed in basic facilities.

Added to this, my Government is working to secure the future of all Barbadians by forging ahead with programmes designed to upgrade the physical infrastructure at our major gateways - Grantley Adams Airport and the Bridgetown Harbour. We have also started a major programme to upgrade our roads and street lights.

You would wish to be aware that we have not been content to let the construction boom be only in commercial ventures, but are pursuing a vigorous policy to ensure the availability of houses to all Barbadians, including the less well off.

On the question of land, you will be pleased to know that the non-partisan committee set up by the House of Assembly to look into the sale of land to non-Barbadians is expected to submit its report to Parliament by November 30. Its findings will be used by Government to arrive at a rational and objective position on this very important and sensitive topic.

But not all the progress Barbados has enjoyed over the past year has been in material and tangible forms.

Also undergoing a significant boost have been the psyche and spirit of the Nation as we moved beyond the institutionalisation of Emancipation Day

in 1997, to the erection this year of a monument in Golden Square, Bridgetown,
 
 

to commemorate those who died in the 1937 Riots, along with the legal pardon of those who were imprisoned for involvement in that heroic event of nationalism.

But taking pride of place was the celebration of the first National Heroes Day on April 28,1998, when Barbados accorded the lofty status and eminent title of "The Right Excellent", to ten of its most outstanding citizens.

It was a memorable occasion that in many ways signified the psychological maturity of our country as a nation willing to define for itself the criteria and characteristics by which it is prepared to determine those chosen to be elevated to the pantheon of national heroes.

We are convinced that by any standards Barbados has done well. At the same time, however, much more needs to be done in our unending quest for the continued improvement in the quality of life of all Barbadians.

I know that many challenges will continue to confront us, some of which will be not of our own doing and choosing, but which, nevertheless, we will have to overcome for the good of Barbados.

I know that all Barbadians abroad will also have a key part to play in the successful resolution of these challenges. For it will be your prayers, support and goodwill that will help to fortify us at home, particularly those charged directly with the governance of our affairs.

It is comforting to know that in our desire and determination to secure the long-term future of Barbados and all that we hold dear in its culture, traditions and way of life, that you Barbadians in the UK are standing shoulder to shoulder with you.

I look forward to your continued support and on behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, wish you a very happy Independence, knowing that we are always in your hearts and assuring you that you are always in ours.

OWEN S. ARTHUR

PRIME MINISTER