A few years ago the Anguilla Government acceded to the request of Revolutionary Leader, Mr. James Ronald Webster, to discontinue the official celebration of his birthday in recognition of his leadership of the island. Mr. Webster indicated, among other things, that he preferred to withdraw from that spotlight and to remain in peaceful communion with God who led him during the difficult years of the revolution.
However, grateful members of the Anguillian public, and supporters of Mr. Webster, have continued, in their own way, to use the opportunity of the national holiday to celebrate the birthday of the Father of the Nation by holding a number of social functions. The two main annual events are a food and entertainment function involving the Sandy Hill and Festival De Noel Committee, and a boat race with the sanction and participation of the Anguilla Boat Race Committee.
The boat race usually starts in Road Bay, Sandy Ground, and ends at Island Harbour Bay – the village of Mr. Webster’s birth. This time, however, due to a late start, the race began at Island Harbour on Wednesday March 2, Mr. Webster’s 90th birthday, headed downwind to Shoal Bay and returned to Island Harbour. The class B boats – all from that village – were De Storm, F5 Tornado, Dark Shadows and Stay Up. The race, watched by a number of fans and visitors, was a delight and added a busy appearance to the Island Harbour Bay area. The event was sponsored by the Anguilla Social Security Board – an institution set up by Mr. Webster, in the early 1980s, to contribute to the social development of the island.
The grounds of the Old East End School, and inside the beautifully-refurbished building itself, were scenes of a larger and colourful crowd in celebration of Mr. Webster’s birthday. Food, music and dominoes and other games dominated the activities under the tents. Inside the decorated school building there was a well-attended tea-party with delicacies and bush tea served by Mr. and Mrs. Don Duncan, proprietors of Frangipani Catering Services.
Speaking at the East End event, Mr. Jerome Roberts, Chairman of the Sandy Hill and Festival De Noel Committee, told media representatives: “We are celebrating the 90th birthday of the Father the Nation. As you can see, there are various stalls, and many persons are enjoying themselves. It is all in keeping that the Father of the Nation has made great sacrifices for us and, as young people, we felt it is important for us to give back in this form. Although he is not here physically, the mere fact that we are here celebrating this occasion is indicative of our love and respect for the Father of the Nation, Mr. Ronald Webster. We wish him God’s blessing at this point in time, and we recognise that with his beloved wife at his side this has enabled him to move forward. We also want to recognise her and the rest of the family. We are happy to see people coming from all walks of life, throughout the length and breadth of the island, to celebrate in this manner.
“The sponsors for this event vary. We would like to say thanks to the Anguilla Development Board, Digicel/ Caribbean Cable Communications, LIME, Tropical Flower and the Anguilla Electricity Board. It hasn’t been much sponsorship but we have been able to make good with what we have.”
It is now five years that the event has been held by the Sandy Hill and Festival De Noel Committee.
