Several hundred fun-loving people from across Anguilla took the opportunity of Monday’s holiday, marking the Official Birthday of Queen Elizabeth the Second, to enjoy two annual events planned for that day.
One was the East End Village “thing”, an assortment of culinary delights, games, cycling, music and exhibitions, now in its second year. The other event was the Momsin Uncle Willie Boat Race, a long-established competitive sailing sport at Crocus Bay.
The East End event, in the old schoolyard area, which came sharp on the heels of the Welches Fest, was described by Mrs Cora Richardson Hodge of the Hope Centre. “It is a combination of the Morris Vanterpool Primary School, the Hope Group, which is part of the Hope Centre, as well as the Deion Richardson Classic Bicycle Race,” she explained. “The turnout is pretty good and what we actually have is a family fun day where the children can come and enjoy themselves. We have bouncing castles; children’s games; and domino competitions for adults. We also have different bands and singers and a variety of delicious food and other delicacies. It is a pretty exciting time and I think everybody is looking forward to a grand time as the day progresses.”
She continued: “The reason we call it “a village thing” is that the East End Community is actually a village and we want to foster togetherness because we have noticed that over time families have become distant. We are all caught up in our work and everyday activities. No one is taking the time to sit down, get to know each other, and spend time not only with people just within their own district, but from other districts as well. We want to foster a community spirit and to bring our people back together again to enjoy, relax and simply to hang out.”
Mrs Richardson Hodge took the opportunity to praise the Welches Fest which was held on Whit Monday, June 9. “It was a great turnout. We support the Welches Fest and the Welches Fest supports us as well, so I think it is a great combination,” she added.
Meanwhile, about six miles away, at Crocus Bay, nine boats competed in the Momsin Uncle Willie Boat Race. The participating boats were Eagle, Miss Anguilla, Satellite, Real Deal, Sonic, Light and Peace, Viking, Stinger and De Tree. The race went around Prickly Pear and back – a distance of about ten miles.
“This race was started in 1998, while Momsin and Uncle Willie were alive,” Harris Richardson, one of Anguilla’s boat-racing enthusiasts said. “We thought we should honour and glorify them while they were alive. A group of us at Crocus Bay got together and decided that we should put together a boat race in memory of Uncle Willie who was a pioneer of boat-racing at Crocus Bay.
“Every morning he would leave his house (now the office of NAGICO Insurance) – just across from the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School – and walk to Crocus Bay. I must say that the Momsin Uncle Willie Boat Race Committee was instrumental in putting on the first round-the-island boat race. We, in The Valley, are proud of that because a number of people said it could not be done, but it is now a landmark in boat-racing in Anguilla.”
Mr. Richardson was grateful to Caribbean Commercial Bank for contributing a prize to the Momsin Uncle Willie Boat Race from its inception. Other contributors are Mr John Benjamin, Ashley & Sons, the Original Barbers of South Valley, Koal Keel Restaurant, Ani Villas, CeBlue Villas and Beach Resort, NAGICO Insurance, DaVida’s Restaurant and Hall’s Bakery.
“I can see this race going from strength to strength and we are expanding the committee to ensure that it continues,” he stated.
When the race ended, the five boats in the winning positions were: De Tree in first place, followed by Sonic, Viking, Eagle and Miss Anguilla respectively.
