The Editor,
The Anguillian
THANK YOU
The family of the late Mac Owen of North Hill, Anguilla, would hereby like to acknowledge the gesture made by the Anguilla Boat Racing Committee – and to express our appreciation to them – for re-naming the August Monday Boat Race the ‘Mac Owen/Elliot Carty Boat Race’.
It is a heart-warming and proud day when these boat racing pioneers are being commemorated for helping to set Anguilla Boat Racing on the wonderful course it follows today. Thanks especially to Roland Hodge, President of the Anguilla Boat Racing Committee, 2012, and to Paul Romney, Committee member, for their enthusiasm.
Mac Owen owned two boats, the ‘Violet’ and the ‘Green Dolphin’, and Elliot Carty owned the ‘Winsall’. On a point of celebration and gratitude to the hard working owners and crews, in days gone by the winning boat was saluted with a loud roar of conch shells by happy supporters on the shore. Perhaps today a short song or a drum roll by one of the many bands on the shore could signal the triumphant victory of the winning boat as her crew seizes the flag.
Boat racing is one of a very few sporting events where no spectator has to pay to see the race. It is free for us all to enjoy.
Thank you and great Boat Racing!
Sincerely,
Violet Owen Berry