The very active and influential Department of Youth and Culture has added another dimension to its growing statue as a robust organisation in the cultural development of the island – and the recognition of some of its contributors.
This was demonstrated at a National Arts and Culture Awards cocktail at Coba Restaurant at Viceroy Anguilla on Saturday, December 19. The event coincided with Heroes and Heroines Day which, because of the weekend, was observed by an official calendar holiday on Monday, December 21.
Four deserving Anguillians were presented with awards in different categories. The awardees were Tasha Settohle, whose birth name was Keith Adolphus Richardson; Barrister-at-Law, John Benjamin, QC; Felix Fleming and Mrs Irenee Edwards.
Settohle made a name for himself when, in his formative years, he developed a fascination for drums and began to learn drumming under the tutelage of Jack Fleming, resident of South HiIl. He was in his early teens when he journeyed to St. Thomas to seek employment at various establishments. There, in between several jobs, he teamed up with a number of Caribbean musicians, as a drummer, and travelled with bands to several parts of the region.
On his permanent return to Anguilla, Settohle became the leading drummer with Bankie Banx’s Roots and Herbs performing in live shows for several years. He also teamed up on occasions with the Artels, a band formed by Arnie and Terry Harrigan; Kingsley & the Ultra Dites; Kenneth Maynard of the North Sound Brass Steel Orchestra; the Mad Squad band and other local musical groups. Though not as active as in the past, Tasha Settohle still appears on the drumming scene and has accordingly been honoured for his contribution to the musical arts in Anguilla – one of the award categories.
John Benjamin was honoured in the category for Culture Development, Preservation & Promotion. A lover of cultural life, he has served as Chairman of the Anguilla Carnival Committee, bringing to the Summer Festival considerable experience having been a promoter of festivals in Birmingham, England, and a founding member of the Notting Hill Carnival in West London.
He has been able to contribute to the cultural life of Anguilla while serving in various other capacities. These include head of Caribbean Juris Chambers; Managing Director of Benjamine Company Services and Cube Credit Services Limited; Chairman of the Anguilla Tourist Board; President of the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Co-founder and President of the Anguilla Bar Association; President of the Rotary Club of Anguilla; President and Founder of the Anguilla Financial Services; President of the Anguilla Lawn Tennis Association and the Anguilla Football Association. He is currently a member of Anguilla Constitution and Electoral Reform Committee; and is a leading talk show host in Anguilla with much respect gained from his landmark freedom of expression case at the London Privy Council.
Felix Fleming, who was selected for the Theatre Arts Award, entered on the theatrical stage at an early age, having been mentored by his father. He was a main character in most of the folktales at East End. Migrating to St. Thomas in 1958, he formed a dance band – The Flamingos – with several Anguillians, and later started Sunshine Theatre which actively continues today not only with performances in Anguilla but in other Caribbean islands as well. Through his theatre company, he is also a major contributor to Black History Month celebrations every February.
Mrs. Irenee Edwards, honoured in the category of Visual Arts, is best known for her artistry and masterpieces in various types of handicraft including sewing, knitting, crocheting, blackwork, cross stitch, embroidery, hardanger and other forms of craft work.
In addition, she is a noted backyard farmer, confectioner, brewer of local drinks and an agricultural exhibitor. She believes that one must have passion, love, patience and dedication in the performance of various types of work. But, above all else, she is particularly committed to perfecting her needle and thread handicraft.
The rock awards, created from polished native stone of Anguilla, were presented to the recipients by Mr. Cardigan Connor, Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Arts and Culture. Mr. Connor delivered an address in which he congratulated the awardees. He was assisted at the presentation ceremony by Ms Chelsey Hughes, Miss Anguilla 2015-2016.
The composition of the Rock Awards Committee for 2015 is Jacqueline Bryan-Niles, Chairperson, who gave a rundown of the nomination and selection process; Davon Carty, Angela ‘Singing Angie’ Ruan and Karimah Carty.
Mr. Bren Romney, Director of Youth and Culture, expressed thanks to the sponsors of the event, the entertainers and other persons, including members of the awards committee. The sponsors were listed as the Government of Anguilla, Coba Restaurant at Viceroy Anguilla; The Anguillian newspaper; Titanium Sounds; Just Imagine, Sugar & Spicy Aromas Basket Works and K. Sharp Photography.
