The bright and balmy morning of Anguilla Day, May 30th 2023, offered great weather for the parade of uniformed contingents which made their way north from the Scouts and Guides Gazebo to the Ronald Webster Park, marching to the rhythms of the Royal Anguilla Police Force Community Band.
The National Song was followed by a fervent prayer from Pastor Rondy Isles. Then the uniformed organizations, which included the Royal Anguilla Police Force, the Cadet Corps, JTR Security Services, Pathfinders, Boys Brigade, and Guides and Brownies, all under the command of Junior Neville Hamilton, were inspected by the Honorable Premier, Dr. Ellis Webster.
The ceremony was moderated by Teacher Conlloyd Gumbs. He linked the heroic acts of the revolutionists as the planting of a seed – a mango seed – that has transformed itself in a fruitful tree which, over the past 56 years has provided delightful, refreshing fruit for the couple of generations past, and is destined to continue bearing its fruit to the delight of generations to come.
An outstanding highlight of the ceremony was a special drill display by the Cadets Corps. Their demonstration and skillful maneuvers were admired and cheered by the audience. All uniformed bodies then performed a march-past received by Premier Webster and Governor Daniel-Selvaratnam who stood at ease on the ceremonial stand.
Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, who has since left the island to take up duties in the Turks and Caicos Islands, delivered a passionate address. She spoke of the warmth and spirit of the Anguilla community, the unflinching bravery and vision of its forebears and the delight with which she carried out her service and obligations to the Anguilla people.
“I wish you all a blessed and joyous Anguilla Day,” she stated. “Anguilla Day is a time set aside rightly to remember, to celebrate, and to take pride in not only achievements but also in the values that join Anguillians together as a people. Anguilla is a nation of proud community-minded people.”
“Over the past two-and-a-half years,” she reflected, “I have had the honour of serving as your Governor. I have witnessed countless examples of how the strength and resilience of your community is the backbone of this nation. I have had the privilege of meeting and working with so many dedicated people, and across all communities I have seen admirable commitment to national development and unwavering support in driving charitable endeavours.”
“It is without a doubt that with fifty-six years behind her, Anguilla continues to embrace the vision of the founding fathers and mothers who fought for the perseverance of the Anguillian identity,” the Governor said. “They saw Anguilla’s potential and they had a clear vision of the port to which they successfully sailed and anchored this great nation.”
“As we remember, my thoughts and prayers are with all families who have lost loved ones this year. I take this moment to recognize the contribution they each have made over their lifetime as members of our communities,” Her Excellency said.
“We recognize today leaders of all forms from across our communities, and, in particular, we celebrate our honourees who are ambassadors of service, community care and pride,” she noted. “It is this strength of service that is felt so keenly across the island which makes Anguilla Anguilla.”
“The Archbishop of Canterbury said during the coronation of King Charles III, ‘We crown a king to serve. The King of kings, Jesus Christ, was anointed not to be served but to be served. He creates the unchangeable law of good authority which shows that with the privilege of power comes the duty to serve,” Her Excellency reflected.
“As I conclude my service to you as your Governor, I would like to thank you all for your warm embrace and for sharing your strength of pride and community with me as I delivered my duties and obligations as your Governor,” she said. “I made an oath to serve the people of Anguilla, and I sought to do this with devoted commitment and care. I appreciate deeply you unwavering support during my term of office. It has been a sincere honour to serve, and I will miss you.”
“As I say goodbye,” she concluded, “I wish each of you all the best as you drive forward with strength and resilience for the continued prosperity of this beautiful island that I hold dear to my heart. Happy Anguilla Day.”
The Anguilla Day Address by the Honorable Premier Dr. Ellis Webster portrayed an old Anguilla that has passed, according to the words of the Honourable Father of the Nation, James Ronald Webster, and a new Anguilla that is imminently rising.
After greeting the audience and welcoming the delegates from St. Martin/St. Maarten, whom he referred to as Anguilla’s cousins, the Premier expressed his appreciation for the service of Her Excellency the Governor.
“I specially greet Her Excellency, the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, whose last ceremonial event in Anguilla is today before she leaves for duties in the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Premier Webster said. “I wish to thank you, Your Excellency, on behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla for your dedicated service to and on behalf of Anguilla, and we wish you all the best in the TCI.”
“I wish to congratulate today’s honourees who have made outstanding contributions to this country. Anguilla owes you a debt of gratitude. I wish a warm welcome to our new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Robert Clark. I wish him every success here in Anguilla as he leads the Royal Anguilla Police Force. I also wish to welcome my wife, Dr. Marjorie Webster, as well as the members of my family who are present,’ Premier Webster said.
‘“Forging towards a Common Destiny, Anguilla Proud and Strong in 2023’ is our theme for this 56th anniversary of Anguilla Day. The late Father of the Nation, the Honourable James Ronald Webster, wrote in his book “Revolutionary Leader”, ‘The old Anguilla with its multiple social, economic and political difficulties is in the past, and what has emerged is a new Anguilla with a bright future for its people.’ The new Anguilla is a far cry from the dirt roads, a lack of electricity and water services, poor economic and depressed social status. Our people are free and happy. They live comfortably, have great faith in the future, and they look at their island with pride as it moves ahead, building an enviable heritage for future generations…” Premier Webster noted.
“We are at a point,” the Premier concluded, “where finally we can say that our administering powers are engaged, contributing to our stability, development and economic resilience. So let us rise today with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these days of challenge to make Anguilla what it ought to be.”
“We have an opportunity to make Anguilla a better nation. Let us be able to say like the late Mr. Webster, ‘The old Anguilla with its multiple social, economic and political difficulties is in the past, and what has emerged is a new Anguilla with a bright future for its people…This is my wish today,” the Premier indicated.
“So, let us forge toward that common destiny, ensuring that Anguilla remains proud and strong, endeavouring to be free. Have a happy, healthy and safe Anguilla Day. May God bless you, and may God continue to bless Anguilla,” the Premier concluded.
The Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge said that according to her, “all is not lost, but that as a people we must make a concerted effort to tackle the negative influence that can serve to demean our society.”
“The development of any country comes with its unique set of challenges, and Anguilla is no different,” she said. “As we survey the landscape of our country we can see that the source of our challenges are both external and internal. Negative factors such as drugs, gangs, violence, greed, corruption and envy can all spoil our island’s name. There is, therefore, much work to be done as we forge ahead.”
“As we collectively battle the negative forces that threaten our country, let us each do our part to be the change that we want to see. Let us set the example for others to follow. Happy 56th Anguilla Day to each and every one of you,” the Opposition Leader said.
In honour of those Anguillian heroes and heroines of the past, and in recognition of the who were awarded at the ceremony, the St. Augustine’s Anglican Church Combined Youth Choir, accompanied by the St. Augustine’s Youth Band, lustily rendered Gramps Morgan’s “People Like You”. Renditions were also presented by Vere Music.
Those receiving the Badge of Honour and King’s Certificate for their outstanding contributions in the 1967 Anguilla Revolution and for Social Development included: Mr. Valentine “Bobby” Ruan, who engineered the vessel used to transport Anguilla’s warriors to St. Kitts on a mission to overthrow Bradshaw’s regime; Mr. Naman Webster, who was an outstanding foot soldier of the Revolution; the late Mrs. Bernice Lewis, who was a noteworthy nurse through the course of the Revolution and after; Mrs. Serene Carter-Davis, another noteworthy nurse; Mr. Evans Harrigan, former member of the Anguilla Council of 1972 to 1976; Mr. Seymour Hodge, former President of the Anguilla Progressive Association of New York; and Mrs. Judith Gumbs, Health Care Professional.
