Island Harbour Bay, just barely returning to normal from a hectic Festival Del Mar celebration, was the scene of much activity and a large crowd again on Sunday, April 27. The occasion was the 7th Annual Memorial Day for Jamida Webster.
Jamida, was a sixteen-year-old student at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School and a popular cyclist in the Inter-house Sports Day Competition. But on the fateful evening of Thursday, March 13, 2003, she was brutally murdered while cycling in the Mount Fortune area, causing much pain and grief in Anguilla.
After some reflection, and in order to keep her memory alive, over the passage of time, a well-supported Memorial Committee embarked on an annual commemorative cycling event and other activities, thus memorising her to this day.
The Jamida 7th Annual Memorial Day, at the Robert Harrigan Jetty, took the form both of an opening ceremony and a memorial service. The theme of the event was: “Looking out for each other and working together for a safer Anguilla”.
The programme, chaired by Mr Timothy Webster, included tributes by Commissioner of Police Mr Rudolph Proctor (delivered by Superintendent Mr Elliot Forbes); Leader of the Opposition, Mr McNiel Rogers; Mrs Rita Carty, a teacher at the Comprehensive School; Elder Keith Smith of the Mount Fortune Seventh-day Adventist Church; Chief Minister, Mr Hubert Hughes; and Ms Coleen Johnson, a Comprehensive School student. There were also song renditions by Caledah Hull, a young upcoming singer; and Anguilla’s reggae artiste, Bankie Banx.
It was a reflective and sobering occasion for Jamida’s family, friends and many other persons, still contemplating her untimely loss. Her parents, Mr Kent Webster and Ms Iris Hughes, who have been warmly encouraged by the ceremony, the cycling event, and other activities including a boat race, have expressed their thanks and appreciation to all for their participation and encouragement.
Following are the results of the cycling competition (supplied by the Department of Sports):
1st Dannie Laud
2nd Dean Hodge
3rd Stephen Temo
4th Sherwin Osbourne
5th Vinesh Narine.
