West End, already the main tourism belt in Anguilla, is further accentuated in that regard by the preservation and decoration of two wells there showcasing the cultural and social history of the island. That history dates back to their digging in the mid-1800s and their use, since then, as community water resources over the years.
The wells now form part of an increasing number of local tourist attractions with appropriate notations on the inside and outside of two definitive huts painted in the National colours of Anguilla and with hoisted National Flags.
The Roger’s Well, to the south, and the Bedney’s Well, to the north, were formally commissioned as tourism sites at a special ceremony on Wednesday, June 24. Estimated to be at a depth of sixty to seventy feet and twelve feet respectively, they are located just across the main road from each other. They are also separated by a branch road leading into Long Bay Village which was named the Arthur Fleming Snr. Road during the same ceremony.
Ms. Gina Brooks, Tourism Planner, who chaired the ceremony, said in part: “The Ministry sees the development of the Roger’s and Bedney’s Wells as the first step in the creation of an Anguilla Wells Tour from east to west with several stories.
“This initiative is just a part of Government’s overall vision for the enhancement of Anguilla’s tourism product-offering for our visitors. It is also to ensure that the Anguillian community can savour the richness of Anguilla’s history, heritage and culture now and for generations to come.”
Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism, Mr. Cardigan Connor, remarked that while nowadays when his ministerial colleague, Mr. Curtis Richardson, boasts about the supply of water in Anguilla 24/7, “we had water 24/7 in West End and Long Bay for more than 100 years. The only problem was that my aunt had to walk three miles to the Roger’s Well and three miles back. That is an appreciation of how far we have come.”
Mr. Connor spoke about the importance of preserving the history of the wells on which many families in the western end of the island depended on for water, and the interest they will generate for tourists. Among those he singled out for commendation was Cheddi Richardson who did the design work for the wells.
Manager of Destination Experience, with the Anguilla Tourist Board, Mr. Jameel Rochester, said: “I am excited because working in destination experience, I now have two additional things, the Roger’s and Bedney’s Wells, that I can promote and market Anguilla not only internally, but for our visitors coming to the island particularly. The locations are a very excellent area for bird-watching and even the sunset. We, at the Anguilla Tourist Board, are very excited to be part of initiatives like these that promote our community and the historical and cultural components of Anguilla as a tourist destination. These are experiences that our guests are looking for and they are authentic.”
Ms. Tiffany Rogers, Programme Officer at the Department of Youth and Culture, congratulated the Ministry of Tourism on the venture and looked forward to the decoration and unveiling of many other wells in Anguilla.
A brief history of the wells was given by Ms. Daphne Hodge-Connor of Long Bay who, as a young schoolgirl, walked without shoes, on a dirt track to the shallow Bedney’s Well for water to wash clothes. She also recalled getting water from the Roger’s Well for drinking and cooking. It is understood that Robertson Rogers, after whom the well was named, was born in East End.
In terms of the Arthur Fleming Snr. Road, Alfred Fleming, one of his great grandchildren, told the gathering: “It was my long-time dream to have the name of our great grandfather affixed to this road for his work on this area of land. His descendents, the Fleming’s family, celebrate this moment with great pride. I wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the Government of Anguilla for accommodating my request. Special thanks to the Honourable Cardigan Connor and Lelia Richardson for their assistance.”
Ms. Ivy Plank, a Long Bay resident, said that according to her information, the late Arthur Fleming was born in that village in 1836 and died in 1922, having lived through a period of slavery. He had five brothers and two sisters and was a Local Preacher at the Methodist Church at West End. He was a skilled stone mason and, though relatively poor, he was able to purchase an area of land, now registered as the Arthur Fleming Estate, for fourteen pounds. It is in this vicinity of the twelve-and-a-half acres of land that his name has now been affixed to the road leading down to the Bedney’s Well.
The joint ceremony was a delightful occasion with many persons from the West End/Long Bay community, the Government of Anguilla and tourism representatives in attendance. The ceremony ended at the Bedney’s Well where there is also a board walk to the scenic Meads Bay Pond and bird sanctuary– yet another tourist attraction.
