The tenth annual Heritage Fest was held at Campus B of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School on Friday 26th May 2023 from 8.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. This event is designed to focus on and highlight cultural practices in Anguilla – both traditional and contemporary. The first of its kind occurred in May 2012. There was a scaled down commemoration in 2020, but there could be none in 2021 due to the fact that schools on the islands were closed as a result of the pandemic.
It is the hope that, from preparation for and participation in the day’s activities, students will learn not only about the past, but also how they can contribute to the further development of their nation.
This year the theme, ‘Foundation is the Education’ was explored. This theme was chosen as this year also marks the 70th anniversary since secondary education was established in Anguilla.
After the general assembly which featured a presentation on the theme by Farrah Banks, students engaged in indoor and outdoor games such as boat-racing in a pool, skipping, playing marbles, frying fish and johnny cakes, dancing to local music and general positive socializing. Local treats were on sale and all were regaled to a free serving of peas soup.
The Heritage Room featured the expert storytelling of Mr. Ivor Hodge 
as well as an exhibition of artefacts of life in Anguilla in the not-so-distant past. Students could also listen to Mrs. Eileen Thompson, a member of the inaugural cohort of the Valley Secondary School, recount the very first days of secondary school in Anguilla.
A highlight of Heritage Fest is the Heritage Cake annually produced by Master Cake Artist and Science Teacher, Mrs. Mary Smith. This year Mrs. Smith skillfully combined the themes of Heritage and education and produced a cake in the form of various school supplies with a nod to The Anguillian newspaper and the history text Anguilla’s Battle for Freedom written by Colville L. Petty and A. Nat Hodge. The Heritage Cake is always shared up and enjoyed by all present at the Fest.
The ALHCS extends gratitude to the Department of Youth and Culture for their kind sponsorship of the treat for the event. It is only with partnerships such as these that the School can advance its goal of contributing to the ideal Anguillian person – one who possesses a sense of civic responsibility, is culturally aware and imbued with national pride.
– Contributed
