Following her inauguration ceremony at the House of Assembly Chambers, on Tuesday afternoon, July 23, Anguilla’s newly-appointed Governor, Her Excellency Christina Scott, entertained the largest crowd of guests in recent times at a welcome dinner reception at Government House that evening.
Many of the guests found much dining comfort and relaxation at the eastern area of the expansive grounds bedecked with tables and chairs. Many more guests took up standing positions to the west. In that area, in addition to the usual bar, was a tent-covered food display where a number of attendants served the guests.
On the ground level patio of Government House were a number of steel band players from the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School whose excellent music, under the watchful eye of their trainer, Michael (Dumpa) Martin, was a most entertaining feature of the reception. It was largely due to their continuous playing, and probably much fatigue, that Governor Scott, as a mark of appreciation, arranged for the children to be served dinner first.
Another feature of the reception was the blessing of the food by Superintendent Minister of the Anguilla Methodist Circuit, the Reverend Dunstan Richardson, who joined in welcoming Governor Scott to Anguilla. He was the second member of the Clergy to have officiated at the Governor’s inauguration events. The first was Bishop Errol Brooks who had earlier delivered the prayers at the swearing-in ceremony.
Among the guests were members of the Executive Council and the House of Assembly, many representatives of the Ministries and Departments of Government and the private sector as well as the Clergy.
Midway into the reception, Governor Scott expressed thanks and appreciation to the invited guests for their presence and for the warmth and hospitality shown to her both at the inauguration ceremony and at the reception. She thanked all persons for their hard work at the two functions – and the children who were involved in the events. She was also appreciative of the work of the staff at the Governor’s Office and at Government House.
The reception was held from 6 – 9 pm, giving all persons an opportunity to meet and greet the island’s twelveth Governor.
