Two thoughtful, energetic and patriotic Anguillians have volunteered to clean the grounds of Ronald Webster’s Mausoleum, at Pope Hill, with a resolute intention to regularly maintain its upkeep.
The two, Trevor “Ras Bucket” Davis and Leslie “Islie Dabasha” Brooks, both representatives of the Rastafarian group Roots Binghi, approached the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Social Security Board for permission to frequently groom the area in order to beautify and maintain its pleasant appearance and scenery. Both the Minister of Home Affairs, the Honourable Kenneth Hodge, and the Social Security Board approved and applauded their efforts.
The Mausoleum houses the remains of the late James Ronald Webster, affectionately referred to as the Father of the Nation, for his stalwart courage and bravery in fighting for Anguilla’s political freedom from the oppressive St. Kitts regime. With the recent rainfalls, the area around the “Father’s” tomb had been overgrown with wild vegetation and other unsightly brush.
On Wednesday, January 6th, at the Mausoleum’s site, The Anguillian spoke with “Ras Bucket” about what motivated his interest in the maintenance of the grounds. He explained: “As a conscious civic-minded citizen, I have been always fond of following Mr. Webster as our first Chief Minister of Anguilla. I have had a keen admiration for him, particularly in respect of the work that he has done for this country. It is noteworthy that I share the birth-month of March with him, as his birthday used to fall on March 2nd and mine on March 26th.”
He continued: “With all the love and respect that I have had for this man, as the ‘Father of the Nation’, it was a befitting welcome for me when his daughter, Yvonne, invited our group, Roots Binghi, to play a selection at his funeral in the Anglican Church on January 13th 2017. It was the first time that our group played in a church setting for a ceremony of this kind. For us it was historic, and we received the blessings for it. Moreover, Mr. Webster had been very kind and considerate to the Rastafarian Movement.
“Therefore, with this kind attachment, my colleague ‘Islie’, and I, can’t do less than to contribute our best efforts towards the upkeep of the ‘Father’s’ resting place. This place was in a bad state not too long ago. It was terribly overgrown with wild bush. But both of us mobilised some help to clean it up, and we want to maintain its appearance going forward.”
Ras Bucket noted that the rocks in the foreground are important, and they should be always visible and not obscured by bush. “These rocks,” he said, “symbolises our beloved Anguilla as ‘The Rock’.” He mentioned that the Ministry of Home Affairs in collaboration with the Social Security Board (which was founded by Mr. Webster) has great plans for the site but, in the meantime, he and “Bro. Islie” will do whatever they can to keep the area looking pleasant and presentable.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
