The Glasgow Commonwealth Team, the BBC film crew, a number of bearers of the Queen’s Baton in Anguilla, and other invited guests, were hosted at a reception at Government House on Tuesday evening, March 31, by Her Excellency the Governor, Christina Scott.
In welcoming the visitors, the Governor commended the baton bearers for their willingness and patience. She also spoke about the excitement she had witnessed as she sailed around the coast from Road Bay to Island Harbour with some of them, or met them there.
President of the Anguilla Commonwealth Games Association, Kenn Banks, joined in thanking the baton bearers on Monday, and urged other persons to participate in the continued event on Tuesday.
Ms Fortuna Bellrose, Vice President of the Commonwealth Games for the Caribbean Region, was pleased with the general involvement of the people of Anguilla in the Queen’s Baton Relay, and thanked the Governor for her role in the planning of the event.
She also praised the members of the Anguilla Commonwealth Games Association for their work, as well as the members of her team who accompanied her to Anguilla.
Louis Rosa, the Team Leader from Glasgow, gave a description of the baton. Among other matters, he referred to a “secret” message which the Queen enclosed on a rolled parchment which she will read at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. He also spoke about a collection of gemstones in the head of the baton, one of which was to be presented to Anguilla, and all other countries, at the end of the tour of the baton.
Meanwhile, during the reception, Anguillian Sixth Form student, Jose Vanterpool, was given an opportunity to join others around the Commonwealth in registering his views for a seminar about issues facing young people and what Governments should do. The young leaders’ conference, as the event is called, will be held in Glasgow by the Royal Commonwealth Society a few weeks before the Commonwealth Games.
Mr Vanterpool told the media that he had written a challenge to Government leaders to reduce the increasing rate of unemployment in the various Commonwealth member countries, including Anguilla, and to promote social and economic development.
The reception also featured cultural presentations by the Mayoumba Folkloric Theatre whose performances – folk singing and dancing – were well received.
