Mr. Howard Chengajune
Come Wednesday, August 7, Blowing Point is to have its biggest boat race and beach party in recent times, part of the Anguilla Summer Festival.
That’s the word from the Elected Representative for the area, Mr. Curtis Richardson, who has tasked himself with personally raising US$12,000 to finance the twinned event.
Of that sum, US$6,500 is to pay cash prizes for the winning boats, while the remaining US$ 5,500 will pay for the band music, other activities and organisational expenses.
So far, Mr. Richardson, the Minister of Infrastructure, is making good progress in raising the money. His first success was on Monday, July 15, when the Country Manager of Nagico Insurance, Mr. Howard Chengajune presented him with a cheque in the sum of US$2,000. “I received a request for assistance from the Minister for the boat race and beach party event at Blowing Point and we are happy to assist,” he commented. “Nagico is always giving back to the community in Anguilla when it can.”
Mr. Richardson said he was encouraged by the size of Nagico’s contribution and expressed thanks to the company and the Country Manager. As a token of appreciation, he presented three promotional t-shirts – to the company – inscribed with the words “Blowing Point Beach Party” on the back and “Curtis Love” on the front. Mr. Richardson was grateful for a number of bags and other supplies he received from the insurance company manger for distribution to boat captains and crew – as well as other persons.
The Minister, who is working on behalf of the Blowing Point Community Group, said he thought it was a brilliant idea when the Group approached him last year saying its members wanted to bring back the August holiday season’s boat race and beach party. As a consequence, he assisted in raising US$10,000 for the event at a time when a number of businesses were unable to provide the required sponsorship.
Regarding the boat race, Mr. Richardson stated that arrangements had been made to place the winning stake – for the racing boats entering the Blowing Point Harbour from Sandy Ground – high up towards the end of the bay. The intent is to provide spectators with a clearer view of the boats and the conclusion of the race – taking into account the busy inshore waters with the in and out operations of the ferryboats.
In addition to various carnival activities, the Anguilla Summer Festival includes four main boat races: the August Monday race at Sandy Ground; August Tuesday race at Island Harbour; the August Wednesday race at Blowing Point; the August Thursday race at Meads Bay; and the Champion of Champions race at Sandy Ground, usually on the following Sunday.
