dis•tinc•tive adjective \di-‘sti?(k)-tiv\
: having a quality or characteristic that makes a person or thing different from others : different in a way that is easy to notice
: appealing or interesting because of an unusual quality or characteristic
This is one of a series of photographs capturing a distinctive discovery that was viewed through the lens of the canon rebel that was given as a Christmas gift in December of 2006. What many a naked eye saw everyday, my love for photography saw in a whole new light. This image and others was shared with my sister who at that particular time was working in Management, and my cousin who had recently returned home from culinary school, I was into Tourism Real Estate. The three of us were always ready for adventure; and after this awesome find we invited our family to join us on many adventures all over this blessed land of Anguilla, we call it Family Adventure Day. Restoring and regenerating the Old Valley Well was now our mission and these adventures gave us tons of inspiration.
The countless hours spent inside the derelict buildings and under the shady genip trees, Will forever be placed in my sister and I most precious memories. Jordel never felt the Mosquitos bite, and on Tayna’s first look inside the Well she displayed a dizzying look and told us she thinks it goes straight to Brimegin. We entered and peered into the separate structures oblivious to the dirt, debris, musty smell, cobwebs and other elements. The grey painted shelves still held some fittings, a ladder leaned on one of the inside walls, and a wooden bench was covered more than 2 feet high with metal fittings. Keys hung on the wall next to a window.
Jordel pointed over in a corner to a black box and said “red light, green light one. two. three” it was an old traffic light. I tried to slow their thoughts and ideas, but the truth is my own imagination was racing ahead of me, we were in unison dreaming aloud. Idea after idea, smiles and more ideas. The excitement, built a momentum causing an adrenalin rush at our realization the we had discovered abandoned treasure dated 1918. At least to us it was. Many days we never noticed the sun had set and countless mornings we got there before the sunrise.
Our VISION was clear a Museum of Local History, Exhibition Spaces, Lounge, Restaurant, Retail Facilities, Public Restrooms, Outdoor Stage, Meeting facility, Marketplace and Youth Development Initiatives, as well as a tea and herb garden, bringing a much need uplift to the Historical Valley.
This DREAM will one day soon become a reality. We pitched our ideas to our family and friends and soon they were hanging out with us at The Well as if the place was already in operation. We then set about the technical task of formally inquiring; to discover no one or agency had an interest in this property, and it sure could be ours. In 2010 by way of the Executive Council of Anguilla our dream was coming true. The passion all too much alive and even more so with support and encouragement from various sources, we were viewed by many as young Anguillan pioneers; each with distinctive skill sets ready to make a difference in our Community. With precision and focus we wrote out our business plan for our Old Valley Well Project.
REALIZATION quickly came that The Old Valley Well, was grounded in the history of Anguilla. Restorations completed will be a premier historical attraction offering unique services to the community. Located in the heart of Anguilla’s Lower Historical Capital; it’s uniqueness cannot be replicated anywhere. Our main goal at this point was to completely restore and renovate the buildings to original form as much as possible; by doing so we will be preserving and displaying a piece of our historic traditions bringing enrichment to our community. This restoration of the Old Valley Well transforms these structures into a Museum of Local History: bringing Attraction, Arts, Creativity and Culture to the Lower Historical Valley. The Engine House, Pump Room, Cistern and the actual ‘Well’ along with items from local Collectors will become the focal points for Museum tours and exhibitions. The site offers a unique setting for Marketplace events and concerts, it also provides a perfect venue for meetings, storytelling, educational programs, talent development, local art and craft displays and socializing.
Tayna, Jordel and I agreed that the creation of some much needed tourist attraction and national pride is vital, and needed in this area of the Valley; and wanted to give others the benefit associated with partnering. Therefore we set about seeking contributions to restore and make operational those aspects that preserves our history.
As you pass the distinctive beauty that is the Valley Well, this Historical Building that was once invisible, is now the toast of the town in the Lower Historical Valley as it gets a new chance at life thanks to the Anguilla Social Security Board for recognizing the importance of the restoration, thus giving a generous financial contribution towards phase one of The Old Valley Well Project. We look forward to a continued partnership with the Anguilla Social Security Board.
We express our sincere gratitude to the various consultants, architects, heavy equipment agents, engineers, builders and design planners in the industry, that assisted us at the inception stage and continue to offer their services to date. These are ones that also believed our plan could indeed work, and gave of their time and expertise to help bring our vision to life. Now at phase one we say special thank you to those persons who have volunteered their time and resources to remodel, repair, repaint and refurbish the buildings. Thank you to for your passion and dedication, hard work and commitment at phase one. Thanks to family and friends and all other persons for their volunteerism and support. Appreciative thanks to the business community for their contributions, good service, and professional courtesies. Thanks to The Honorable Mr. Evans Gumbs for his support of the project, thank you to The Honorable Chief Minister Mr. Hubert Hughes and other Ministers of Government for the opportunity to pursue our ideas. To date we have received contributions totaling in excess of $US $15,000; However volunteers and donations are still needed for the outdoor stage, public restrooms, additional roofing, doors and windows, lighting for gallery and performing arts. The project also requires fixtures and display units for the exhibits, air conditioning, landscaping, cast iron gates, plumbing and electrical supplies, and other capital needs. While the details haven’t been finalized, all donors and volunteers will be recognized in some permanent way at the site of The Old Valley Well Museum of Local History. Contact can be made at tagumbs@gmail.com or 264-772-2895
Jordel is no longer with us as the vision the three of us saw so many years ago is finally beginning to appear in our Community. His legacy is and will continue to be an inspiration to many. I am confident that one day we will exhibit his life and accomplishments here at the Museum of Local History. Tayna and I hope that because of our ideas and vision, resulting in the uplift of our community, that positivity and virtue will flow up and down the Lower Historical Valley, and eventually throughout Anguilla. I encourage Anguillians, please open your eyes and hearts and you will notice that there is something in your own village or wider community that you can do to help make it a better place.
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
