FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASELondon, 7 July 2025 – The Montserrat Government UK Office (MGUKO) hosted a powerfulNational Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 29 June 2025, at Westminster Central Hall tocommemorate the 30th anniversary of the Soufrière Hills Volcano eruption.
The service drew more than 500 attendees – from senior officials and diplomaticrepresentatives to community members who travelled by coach from Preston, Ipswich andBirmingham – creating a national moment of remembrance, resilience and renewed purpose forMontserratians at home and abroad.
Throughout the 1995 crisis and its aftermath, churches in Montserrat and across the UKdiaspora mobilised critical relief: transforming sanctuaries into community hubs, coordinatingdonations, guiding displaced families through benefits, housing and job support, and rallyingthe Windrush generation and pre-eruption migrants to welcome newcomers. Sunday’s servicepaid tribute to this enduring faith-led support, underlining how church communities continue tobridge generations and keep Montserrat’s spirit alive.
The event was livestreamed worldwide; the full recording is available here:
This Thanksgiving Service is part of the UK’s SHV30 commemorations, honouring those lost, celebrating the island’s recovery, and bridging generations to inspire a future of resilience andself-reliance.