The East End Village ‘Ting, on Monday, June 11, a public holiday in Anguilla, marking the Official Birthday of Queen Elizabeth, saw the Old East End School grounds taken up by a large cluster of tents – seemingly bigger than in previous years.
The tents housed a variety of food and drinks stalls, several groups of domino players, with one tent, at the head of the area, providing DJ and band music. Cycling involving different categories, was also part of the event.
The Elected Representative for District 2, East End/Sandy Hill, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge, a member of the organising Hope Centre Group, was among the large crowd and was involved in the services provided at one of the tents.
Speaking to The Anguillian newspaper at the heavily-patronised event she said: “It is a pleasure to be here again at our East End Village ‘Ting. It is our sixth anniversary. We have about nine booths with all sorts of food. From early this morning two of the booths were selling breakfast and quite well, and now as we go into the afternoon, we have lunch. The Hope Centre has its own booth with food and drinks as well. The Morris Vanterpool School also has a booth and is selling popcorn and other fun things for the children; and on the basketball court the school has a ‘carnival’ and various games for children. If they win games, they get a gift; and if they don’t win, they consolation prizes.
“Around breakfast time we had Took & The Boys String Band playing. We now have a DJ playing. This afternoon we will have the North Sound Band and then tonight there will be Cool Session (a Band from St. John). It has been a very good day so far. We also had the bicycle race as well as a domino competition.”
Mrs. Richardson-Hodge expressed thanks to a number of sponsors. They included the Rotary Club of Anguilla which not only gave a monetary contribution but also toys for the carnival activity; Digicel, Anguilla Water Sports; the Anguilla Tourist Board, the Social Security Board and ANGLEC. “I know that times are difficult and that after the storm, funds are very tight to come by so we appreciate all the assistance from all of our sponsors,” Mrs. Richardson-Hodge stated.
“The East End Village ‘Ting was initiated by the Hope Centre but is a collaboration with the Morris Vanterpool Primary School as a fund-raiser,” she added. “The school has had to be relocated after Hurricane Irma. You can see behind us the remnants of the former school building but we will be rebuilding the Morris Vanterpool School – and the donations and fundraisers we are having will be helpful to the school.”
