Seven copies of the latest book, written by historian, Mr. Colville Petty, OBE, entitled A Handbook History of Anguilla, have been purchased by his wife, Mrs. Sylvene Petty, and presented as her personal donation to the Morris Vanterpool Primary School at East End.
In making the presentation on Tuesday this week, to the teachers of the seven classes of the school, Mrs. Petty said the second edition of the book is of great value to all the teachers and students. She noted that her husband’s well-researched and carefully compiled history book covers a full range of historical information. The book is not only of general interest and enlightenment to all readers, and a national record of events surrounding Anguillians and happenings in Anguilla, but it is also usually used as a pertinent and reliable reference source of material for the annual inter-school quiz competition.
A former Principal of the Morris Vanterpool Primary School, Mrs. Petty is a frequent donor to the school at which she taught and administered for many years. She was particularly pleased to purchase the seven history books for the school and to have made the presentation. She noted that last year the school won the annual history quiz competition and was of the view that when studied and applied, the information provided in the books would enable the school and its students to stay ahead of the competition. She used the opportunity to urge the students to encourage their parents and other family members to purchase copies of the book for use in their studies of Anguillian history. She was delighted with the continuing progress and achievements at the school and admonished the teachers and student body to keep up the good work.
The Principal, Mr. Michael Skellekie, said the school had already purchased one copy of the history book for office use and that Mrs. Petty’s undertaking to purchase and donate the additional copies was a very kind gesture. Teacher Wreneth Brooks, who gave the Vote of Thanks, on behalf of the school, stated that the books were a most generous contribution and a welcome addition to the resources of the school.
In his preface to A Handbook History of Anguilla, Mr. Petty wrote: “It is a treasure-trove of history of the Anguillian people. It is my sincere hope that they will find it an enriching and empowering tool for assisting in the charting of a course for their island’s socio-economic and political advancement.”
