The Ministry of Social Development announces the establishment of the new Anguilla Summer Festival Committee. Recognising the need to build on lessons learnt from the past and lay the foundation for the growth and improvement of the Summer Festival, Executive Council has appointed the Committee for a two year term beginning 8th December 2014 and ending on 30th November 2016. The new Summer Festival Committee will be responsible for organising the Summer Festivals for 2015 and 2016, as well as assisting the Ministry of Social Development in planning for and establishing a more permanent organizational structure for the management of the Summer Festival and other festivals.
This distinguished team of individuals is led by Committee Chairman Mr John Benjamin QC and includes several past chairmen such as Mr Alwyn “Jerry Dice” Richardson, Mr Davon Carty and Mr Vanier Harrigan; all of whom have a wealth of experience in festival development, production and promotion. The other Committee members were also carefully selected based on their expertise and commitment to cultural development. They are:
• Ms Cleonette Lake (Financial Controller)
• Ms Shellya Rogers (Administrative Officer)
• Mr Romare Kelsick
• Ms Erlyn Fiona Wilkinson
• Mr Shayne Thompson
• Mr Keithley F T Lake
• Ms Countess Lisa Rey
• Mr Courtney Morton
• Ms Joan Richardson
• Mr Joseph Vanterpool
• Mr Paul Romney (Boatracing Representative)
The Honourable Jerome Roberts, Minister responsible for Culture thanks the members of the new Anguilla Summer Festival Committee for their willingness to serve in this capacity. The Minister recognizes that all the members are making sacrifices to ensure the success of the Anguilla Summer Festival and that they do so out of a sense of patriotism, interest in the improvement of the festival and genuine love for culture in all its forms. Minister Roberts is confident that this Committee will make the strides necessary to ensure the long term sustainability of the Summer Festival. He looks forward to the collaborative effort of the Ministry of Social Development and the Anguilla Summer Festival Committee in establishing strong mechanisms to build a renowned, reputable and resilient festival.
Chanelle Petty Barrett
Permanent Secretary, Culture
16th December 2014
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)