An Anguillian Minister, the Reverend E. Dunstan Richardson, who served at Wesley Methodist Church in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, was celebrated at an evening of music on Sunday, November 6, at Bethel Methodist Church in Anguilla.
It was an Evening of Music in appreciation of Reverend Richardson and presented by the members of the Wesley Methodist Melody Makers Steel Orchestra (of St. Thomas) and their parents.
The concert began with a patriotic melody involving the “Virgin Islands March” and the National Song of Anguilla. Other selections were For the Beauty of the Earth; I’ll Never Be The Same Again; I Surrender All; There Is No Other Like You (a Lurgical Dance); My Prayer; Bringing In The Sheaves and Great Are You, Lord. These were all performed by the over thirty visiting members of the steel orchestra and their parents. There were also two selections by the young people of Anguilla.
According to a history of the Wesley Methodist Melody Makers Steel Orchestra, this musical band was organised some twenty-six years ago in St. Thomas to counteract much of the anti-social behaviour in that community.
The idea was brought to the attention of Reverend Richardson who served at Wesley Methodist Church between the years 1987 and 1991. The Steel Orchestra was eventually set up. Over the years it has performed in St. Thomas, St. Croix, Tortola, St. Kitts, and Alabama in the United States.
The evening of music, in appreciation of Reverend Richardson, was well attended by church and community members of Anguilla.
