The just-ended celebration of Anguilla Day, 2012, marking the 45th Anniversary of the island’s revolution, which led to its formal separation from St. Kitts-Nevis, had its theme “Rejoice, Rebuild and Reconcile”. Various activities during the month climaxed on Wednesday, May 30, with an Official Parade at the Ronald Webster Park.
The participating units included contingents from the Royal Anguilla Police Force,Her Majesty’s Prison Officers, Fire Brigade, Scouts, Cub Scouts, Guides, Brownies, Pathfinders and Girls Brigade, all under the general command of Inspector Marva Brooks. The parade was inspected by Chief Minister, Hubert Hughes, and later on both he and Governor Alistair Harrison took the salute at the dais as the contingents marched past.
Speaking on the Anguilla Day event, Governor Harrison said in part, “In looking forward, I think we should think about the three themes: ‘It is time to rejoice, to rebuild and to reconcile. Over the last 45 years, it is no doubt that Anguilla has been rebuilt, and is built and developed in ways that probably the people of 1967 could not have imagined would be possible. There has also been a great deal of reconciliation…Perhaps more is needed, but there is no doubt that there are very friendly [relations] between the people of Anguilla and St. Kitts and also within – between the people ofAnguilla.”
The Governor said not enough attention was being paid to ‘rejoice’. He observed that Anguilla was facing a very difficult economic situation like the rest of the world. He went on: “I pay tribute to the elected Ministers of EXCO who are working tirelessly to develop Anguilla…but no one in Anguilla, perhaps no one in the world can solve the world’s economy by themselves. It is clearly going to be a long and difficult road which we must continue to travel on.
“Of course we have problems with crime, and again I pay tribute to the work done by the Chief Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and other prominent politicians in coming together to fight crime. I have said in a recent statement how I see my role and I believe that working together we can overcome it.”
The Governor advised his listeners to think about what a wonderful island and people they are. “Let’s rejoice in that…because by rejoicing, we can look forward with absolute confidence to the next 45 years.”
Opposition Member, OthlynVanterpool, said that in 1967 Anguillians were asked to stand firm against external threats from St. Kitts with respect to its revolution, but 45 later the island was being threatened from within. He referred to the incidence of gun violence and declared his support against violent behaviour and other acts of crime. “What is happening inAnguillatoday is contrary to the vision of our forebears and is, to my mind, an abomination to the sacrifice that has been made – and we continue to make – for future generations,” he continued.
“I appeal to our patriotism to help to eradicate this threat to the realisation of an Anguilla proud, strong and free…This seems to fit with the theme for this 45th Anniversary: ‘Time to Rejoice, Rebuild and Reconcile.’ Every Anguilla Day should be a time to rejoice, but such rejoicing must be coupled with reflection. I believe that such reflection at this time must certainly call for the rebuilding and reconciliation of our situation as it stands today.”
Revolutionary Leader, Ronald Webster, in a letter (read by his step daughter, Patsy) to Chief Minister, Hubert Hughes, addressed the question of independence for Anguilla, urging him to begin the process by holding a referendum. Mr. Webster was followed by Mr. Hughes who said there was an urgent need for Anguilla to proceed to that status. (Excerpts from their statements are published elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian.)
Other events during the ceremony included the unveiling of four national symbols and the honouring of ten Anguillians for their contributions either to the Anguilla Revolution or to Social Development. (See report elsewhere.)
It was one of the longest Anguilla Day ceremonies at the Webster Park. The other activities were a luncheon for senior citizens at the Blue Ridge Conference Centre at South Hill and an around-the-island boat race which started and ended at Road Bay, Sandy Ground.
