Gloria Kelsick & Ralph Hodge
Following a preview in The Anguillian newspaper, several weeks ago, the unique octagon-shaped Crocus Bay Gazebo was officially opened on Sunday, March 3, in the presence of a large gathering.
It was a well-organised and proud event for the self-help group, the executive members, and persons from the neighbouring communities who, in some way or another, even by residency, were all involved in the making of the gazebo.
The Treasurer, Mr. Ralph Hodge, one of the main speakers at the event, and the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Harris Richardson, were among a number of persons who declared that the colourful, spacious and multi-purpose gazebo was “a must-see for tourists”. Further, to accomplish that, they called for the building, which replaced the Hurricane Irma destroyed old tamarind tree – a former place of relaxation and domino games – to be placed on the Tourist Board’s list of tours. They were not disappointed because, on the following day, a group of tourists from the cruise ship, Odyssey Seabourn, were taken by Lively Island Tours on a guided tour of the historic beach where the gazebo is nestled.
The high-beach-ground gazebo, attractively painted in the national colours of Anguilla, and with several of the island’s official flags fluttering aloft at its eight sides, was dedicated by retired Anglican and Methodist Ministers, Reverends Menes Hodge and Dustan Richardson respectively. They represented the twinned north and south communities where the residents are predominantly either Anglicans or Methodists.
The ribbon, at the entrance to the community gazebo, was cut by 98-year-old Ruby Reid-Connor, mother of Ralph Hodge, who lived and worked in the area all her life. She was assisted by Mr. David Lloyd, one of the family proprietors of the nearby daVida Restaurant and other surrounding properties.
Mr. Hodge, known for his long financial experience and ability in the Anguilla Public Service, was regarded as the right person to be the Treasurer for the gazebo project. With its financial records at his fingertips, he reported that the cost of the building amounted to some 100,000 EC dollars; and that the donations collected from many persons, ranged from 13.40 to 6,000 EC dollars.
Both he and Mr. Harris Richardson took much pleasure in mentioning the names of many persons (risking inadvertently missing others) who had contributed financially and otherwise to the project. Among those singled out were Mr. Horace Brooks, who largely carried forward the project; Mr. Carl Brooks, the architect; Mr. Sutcliffe Hodge; Mr. David Lloyd; Mr. Will Richardson, whose company provided the paint; the ownership of the hillside CeBlue tourism development – and many other persons.
Ms. Valarie Hodge, of North Side, the President of the Executive Committee of the Crocus Bay Gazebo project, chaired the opening ceremony. Mrs. Gloria Kelsick, another Committee Member delivered the Vote of Thanks. She was preceded by her son, Mr. Romero Kelsick, who spoke about the Crocus Bay area from a new generation perspective.
It was a memorable occasion and the hope was expressed by the speakers that the project, not necessarily an exact replica, would be manifested in other community areas in Anguilla.
