Anguillians, residents and friends widely anticipated this Easter weekend for at least two reasons. Firstly, there are those persons who believe, as I do, that Easter is the most important date on the calendar because it represents the ultimate sacrifice of death on a cross for the salvation of all mankind. And then there are others who look forward to this time of the year when we celebrate our rich heritage from the waters around us in an event called Festival del Mar. These two groups are not mutually exclusive. They are in fact most of the same people. However, they all seem able to mix the joy of Easter, and the religious ritual it entails, with the pride of heritage and the fun and merrymaking it engenders. All in all, it makes for a most enjoyable time.
The traditional Easter celebrations took place at the various churches and the important message of the Season rang out in word and song from pulpits and pews all around the island. But it is fair to ask whether we have changed over the years in the way we celebrate the Easter Season. Have we become too commercial in our approach? Have we lost the true meaning of Easter? There are many different views on this subject but there is the undeniable fact that just like Christmas, over the years, Easter has always been a time for fun and merrymaking. It was also a time when loved ones wanted to return home to be with their family and friends. A time when families went the extra mile to lift spirits and share love. So the answer to the question whether we have changed is, for the most part, no.
But, perhaps, things have become much more complicated as we seek to blend the simplicities of yesteryear with the technologies of the present. Imagine everything we say or do being transmitted all over the world instantaneously through facebook; streaming; skype; twitter; and every other form of social media. And marvel at the ease whereby our loved ones and visitors can come to our shores and join in our celebrations, from any part of the world, in a matter of hours.
All of this is true for the Easter services as well as Festival del Mar. My friends around the world were filling me in on things that were happening at the Festival as well as at churches on the island in real time. I will grant you, though, that Festival del Mar would have received many more postings than any of the Easter church services. However, the festival, unlike the church services, was all in one place. Perhaps if there were more ecumenical events around this time that would probably bring more people together to celebrate the miracle of Easter. But this is not about promoting competition between the spiritual and the temporal. Both the Easter story and Festival del Mar have a place in our lives and there is good reason to celebrate both.
Easter has had a huge jumpstart on Festival del Mar, chronologically. Festival del Mar is seven years old — but every year it continues to grow in size and popularity. 2014 is no exception. That growth has had a tremendous impact on our economy as we have come to the point where visitors have made this event a part of their calendar. I must therefore take this opportunity to praise the founders of this festival for their vision and foresight in creating Festival del Mar. And I must single out Fitzroy “Briggie” Tomlinson because the event was his brainchild. However, Briggie’s vision could not have been realized were it not for the hard-work and dedication of a team of workers under the leadership of the Honourable Othlyn Vanterpool. Every year they come together to make the event bigger and better — this year was indeed the largest ever. I will leave the matter of “better” up to the massive gathering that crowded the entire bayside strip in Island Harbour. Whatever their several opinions on that score everyone seemed to accept that they had a wonderful time.
Speaking about score — there was another anxiously awaited event for the Easter weekend. It was the Annual Easter Monday Anglican versus Methodist Cricket “Fete” Match. It is held on the grounds of St. Mary’s Church during their Easter Monday Bazaar. Every year since we have played on those grounds the Anglicans have beaten us severely. I will not comment too much on the reasons why — because there are a number of Anglican fans that don’t seem to have much of a sense of humour. Now we Methodists would like to win — but we still regard it as a “fete” match and enjoy ourselves immensely even in defeat. But I am afraid that there are one or two Anglican ladies, whose names I dare not mention, who would like to have “my head on a platter” because of my snide and mischievous comments in The Anguillian last year. So this year I will stick as close to the facts as mischief will allow.
We, Methodists, have been planning for the rematch since last year. We even considered bringing in some Methodists from overseas — but that was ruled out as being too expensive. Then someone came up with a plan: “Let’s have two matches instead of one! One over 19 and one under 19 — this way we can eliminate some of dem Anglican youngsters who were on the National Under 19 team!” Illidge got a boy dere who does make us see horrors! Deal! The Anglicans bought it! In hindsight, I believe they figured: Good! We can now boast of winning two matches instead of one! We on the other hand felt: “We goin focus more on de big Match!”
Easter Monday now come! We all ready for action. BAM! As expected we lost the under 19 match by a mile! No sweat! We waiting for de big game!
Calamity set in! We lost our number one female player and we had to substitute a rookie at the last minute. The rules say we must have two women on the team and one must bowl! Never mind we fight to the last! Let’s psych dem out with trash talk!
Match on! Dey win the toss and put us in to bat! The Anglican version of “Tantie Merle” passing in front us swinging her hips giving us de evil eye. I don’t believe she like a Methodist “on paper!” I look around — No Bishop Brooks! I say to myself: “Maybe he smell the rat!” This is the Methodist day!!! More bad news! I didn’t make the side — but neither did Rev. Wycherley or Rev. Dunstan. I in good company! We goin still win!
Batters up! Slow start! Good finish! 73 runs! Highest Methodist score ever! But Tantie Merle back on parade! She get a wicket — she now looking for “man of de match”.
Anglicans in! Poor start! They can’t get the ball away! Methodist bowling and fielding tight. Wickets falling — runs short! Norman groaning! Lawlu get out bowled for a small score! Alex Adams in but can’t get it going. Tantie Merle sitting in the stands threatening a heart attack! Another wicket fall! Tantie Merle up to bat to claim her prize! Second ball stumps knock clean out! Tantie Merle gone for naught! Pandemonium in the Oval! Anglicans getting cold sweat! Seven overs gone three to go — 36 runs behind! Alex can’t get going! Somebody call for the Bishop! Sorry he is off-island! Anglicans in dire straits. Game on! Methodist leading big!
Anglicans camp gone quiet! Tantie Merle sucking her teeth! She can’t look in the journalist direction! Her spirits down! Look like the Methodist gone clear!
By the rules, the Methodist captain got to give the ball to a female player! Both female players rookies! Our best player injured! What we goin do! Eeeny, meeny, miny, mo! Gie she de ball! First ball short! Alex Adams jump on it! SIX!! Next Ball! SIX! Next ball! FOUR! Next Ball! SIX! Twenty-four runs off six balls! Two overs left! Twelve runs to go! Tantie Merle open she eye! Grab she umbrella! Glance over at the journalist! She still nervous but perking up! Alex now seeing de ball big like a breadfruit!
Four balls later Alex finish it off with another big SIX! Methodist lose again! Tantie Merle on parade! Pandemonium in the stadium! Tante Merle in front waving she umbrella. Methodists back to the drawing board! Until the next time, Anglicans! Calm down! Tis jus a “fete” match! See you next Easter!
