Anguilla’s erstwhile Governor, Mr. Tim Foy, OBE, may have wanted to slip out of the island quietly, after a three-and-a-half year tour of duty, without any official ceremony. But the Government and the Police ensured that he was accorded a special farewell at his departure.
There were three events at which he was thanked for his work – and for being “the best Governor of Anguilla”. Firstly, aside from any gratitude expressed to him at the final Executive Council meeting which he chaired, he was publicly bidden farewell at a luncheon; at the handing over ceremony for the thoroughly refurbished Princess Alexandra Hospital; and at a Guard of Honour.
The luncheon, hosted by the Government, but with some financial input by the Governor’s Office, was held on December 22 at Flavours Restaurant at La Vue Boutique Hotel. Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Kenneth Hodge, said in part: “In all my years in the public service, I have organised a lot of functions for a lot of events, but today it is a singular pleasure for me to have been one of the organisers of this event. This is because the person for whom it is intended, I have come to appreciate him in a major way, especially since coming to office.”
That was the trend of the brief addresses by the other speakers acquainted with the Governor’s work in Anguilla – and their interactions with him. They were, in order of delivery, Premier Dr. Ellis Webster, whose Anguilla Progressive Movement became the island’s Government on June 30, 2020 and had six months working with Governor Foy; former Minister of Home Affairs in the Anguilla United Front Administration, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge, now Leader of the Opposition; former Premier, Mr. Victor Banks, who led his Government team in working with the Governor for almost all of his three-and-a-half year tenure; Mr. Clive Smith, former Chaplain of the House of Assembly and a friend of the Governor; Mrs. Evalie Bradley, former Ministerial Assistant, whose son, Mr. Perin Bradley, is the Deputy Governor; former Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Cardigan Cardigan; Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism, Mr. Haydn Hughes; and the present Parliamentary Secretary, Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie.
Minister Dee Ann Kentish-Rogers made a presentation to the Governor’s wife, Dr. Dina Foy, who emotionally responded and expressed her delight in having served in Anguilla. Another presentation, a replica of the racing boat, Miss Anguilla, was made to Governor Foy by Premier Webster.
Among other words of appreciation and of his imminent departure, the Governor stated: “I think the people here said some really nice things about us…, but I think we really have to look at it the other way around in terms of what we got from being in Anguilla. Both of us will leave here much richer for the experience – because we have been privileged to join you for a very, very small part of Anguilla’s journey. That journey started in 1650 [the date of the British colonialisation of the island] and it is going to go on for many years to come.
“When I look to the future, that journey is brilliant; and it is brilliant not because of the beauty of Anguilla which everybody takes for granted. It is really a beautiful place, and that will give you the future you so richly deserve. If I were to find 15,000 people in Britain, would I find the diversity of talent, ability and skills? The answer is no. There is something special about Anguilla. Person to person, you fight and punch your way forward consistently, and that is what is going to make Anguilla successful.”
The second farewell event was the handing over of the hospital ceremony on December 29. Following the addresses, Premier Webster; Permanent Secretary, Health, Mr. Foster Rogers; and CEO of the Health Authority of Anguilla, Mrs. Maeza Demis-Adams, thanked the Governor for the funding of and improvements to the hospital – as well as his wife, Dr. Foy, for her medical services and policy advice. They were both presented with tokens of thanks and appreciation.
The third farewell event was on the day of the departure of the Governor, his wife and their son. That event, on December 30, was at the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport. It was a Guard of Honour formed by a contingent of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, accompanied by the Police/Community Band. The event was supervised by outgoing Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Morrison, and was under the command of Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Elliott Forbes. The Guard of Honour was inspected by the Governor accompanied by Mr. Morrison and Mr. Forbes.
Premier Dr. Ellis Webster and all members of his Cabinet were present for their final goodbyes to the Governor and his family. There were also a number of residents in the airport lounge who waved goodbye.
Asked for his comments, Premier Webster told media representatives: “It is sad to see Governor Foy leaving the island because I think he has done a great deal for Anguilla ever since he came. He was faced with a hurricane and a pandemic. He saw that we had many needs in the healthcare system and in education. I think he went out of his way for the people of Anguilla, so it is sad to see him leave. I think that the six months we had with him have been very productive for Anguilla. For us, as an Administration, I think his guidance has been immeasurable and certainly we will miss him very much.”
Commenting on the official send-off, Governor Foy replied: “I am genuinely humbled. I didn’t expect this. As I always said, we have just been so happy to be on a journey with Anguilla. It was a privilege and a joy, and I am taking more out of Anguilla. It is an amazing place and it is going to boom. It will go on and on, and 2021 is going to be brilliant. Take it from me.”
The Governor and his family left the island on a Trans-Anguilla flight to Antigua to board a British Airways aircraft for London.
