The Executive Council has approved seven persons for the award of the Anguilla Badge of Honour and Queen’s Certificate on Anguilla Day. The ceremony marking the 52nd Anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution and Anguilla Day will be held at the James Ronald Webster Park on Thursday 30th May 2019
The Awardees for this year are:
Approved the nominations for the Anguilla Day Awards and Queen’s Certificate for 2019 as follows:
(1) Mr. Franklyn Kenneth Gumbs – Revolution
(2) Mr. Kenneth A. Richardson – Revolution
(3) Mr. Clarence Bridgington Fleming – Revolution
(4) Mr. Horace Brookes – Social Development
(5) Mr. George M. Brooks – Social Development
(6) Dr. Oluwakemi M. Linda Banks – Social Development
(7) Mr. James Lawrence Carty – Social Development
It is to be noted that the Awards have been categorized as follows:
Anguillians and/or non-Anguillians who have played a critical role during the Anguilla Revolution of 1967-1969;
Anguillians and/or non-Anguillians who have made outstanding contributions to the Social, Political, Economic, Cultural and (Arts, Science and Technology, Entrepreneurship) development of Anguilla since 1969.
i. Mr. Franklyn Kenneth Gumbs – Revolution
At 6:00 am on May 30th, 1967, Frank, aged 23, reported for work as a bulldozer driver at the Public Works Department. He was working at the time in the George Hill area. At 6:30 am, Mr. Wallace Rey (Politician) called on Frank and the late Maxwell Vanterpool to get the bulldozer and the scrapers onto the airstrip at the then Wallblake Airport as St. Maarten had informed Anguilla that St. Kitts police were on their way by air. Immediately both Frank and Maxwell entered the airstrip using a track directly opposite the Old House, now the Roti Hut. During the morning, both men, Frank in the bulldozer crisscrossed the airstrip blocking the plane carrying the St. Kitts police from landing. By night, Frank was part of the group of freedom fighters guarding the beaches at Sandy Ground and Blowing Point. Frank in his recollection of his role during the Anguilla Revolution when asked why he risked his life simply said “I did it because I love Anguilla.”
ii. Mr. Kenneth A. Richardson – Revolution
Mr. Kenneth A. Richardson is a well-known
Anguillian from East End with a strong patriotic commitment to Anguilla. Like many of his peers, he migrated to St. Thomas for employment but remained loyal to his homeland. His loyalty was manifested when he returned home and participated in the Anguilla Revolution. He was one of the protesters in the demonstration against Statehood (when a coffin was carried symbolizing ‘the death of Statehood” which was introduced in February, 1967). He was among the demonstrators who marched to Police Headquarters on May 29, 1967, and ordered the St. Kitts police to leave the island. He was with other foot soldiers, including his brother Gifford, who guarded the beaches, two of them being Crocus Bay and Road Bay, to ward off potential invaders from St. Kitts. He and others were also at Wallblake Airport to block the landing of reinforcements.
A notable demonstration, in which Mr. Richardson was present, was at the Airport against Mr. William Whitlock. The British envoy arrived in Anguilla on March 11, 1969, with unaccepted proposals to the Anguilla crisis and was promptly expelled from the island. He was involved in the huge and highly explosive demonstrations against Tony Lee who, on March 18, 1969, was appointed Commissioner with sweeping powers under an Order in Council of 1968. Mr. Richardson was among the demonstrators who demanded the withdrawal of the British Paratroopers who invaded Anguilla on March 19, 1969. During the two difficult years (1967-1969) of the Anguilla Revolution, Mr. Richardson, who travelled back and forth between Anguilla and St. Thomas, collected and donated money towards the support of the island and the Revolution.
iii. Mr. Clarence Bridginton Fleming – (Posthumously) Revolution
As a friend of the late Father of the Nation, Mr. James Ronald Webster, the late Mr. Fleming was an active participant in the 1967 Revolution. He was one of Mr. Webster’s closest friends and security guards. He was responsible for securing the guns when it was necessary to do so. He risked going to jail like everyone else for the cause of the Revolution. He was one of the men like Eugene Fleming, Charlie Fleming, Valentine “Bobby” Ruan and many others who dedicated their time to make sure that the island’s coastlines were safe and protected. He transported Anguillians to and from demonstrations and meetings and secured the revolutionary leaders at their meetings.
iv. Mr. Horace Brookes – Social Development
Mr. Horace Brookes has been involved in Community and Cultural development initiatives for over forty years. As a businessman and the manager of The Valley Bakery in the early days he used this platform to be involved in various sponsorhips and support for a number of sports and cultural activities.
As an avid footballer he was always at the forefront of the development of that sport which included the training of youngsters in the community to hone their skills in this area and to be a part of clubs that kept them involved in disciplined pastimes. Through his efforts the youngsters in The Valley Community formed many football clubs that eventually led to their involvement in other community projects.
In the area of music and culture he was the manager and producer of the famous North Sound International Band which remains legendary as a musical group on Anguilla.
Mr. Brookes’s contribution and pride in the development of his community includes many voluntary initiatives that he has led over the years but in recent times we have been impressed with his dedication to the maintenance and care of Crocus Bay. He personally and without compensation has been maintaining the facilities at Crocus Bay as the self-appointed Custodian of thus keeping them clean and safe for both visitors and locals alike.
v. Mr. George M. Brooks – Social Development
Today, though retired from active work, George ‘Giggy’ Brooks’s legacy of trust, sound structures, smooth finishes and timely delivery still follows him. He is still well sought after by persons for whom he has worked and others to supervise their various projects and provide estimates of work and building advice. Testament to this was how busy he was post the passage of Hurricane Irma. His trustworthy nature ensures that he still oversees and supervises the maintenance of many properties for persons at home and abroad.
Over the years, George ensured the skilled development of his employees and others in the field of construction. Many who have perfected their craft have joined the field of well sought after tradesmen and praise him for his positive influence on their lives spiritually, morally, and professionally. Several of them still seek his wise counsel at every phase of their various projects. Those who came up under his direct tutelage would tell that his motto for the job was Church! Work! Sleep!.
George’s impeccable contribution to the construction industry on Anguilla has had a significant impact on the social development of Anguilla through the development of the island’s residential and commercial sector. There are the many stories told by many Anguillians on island and in the diaspora who never saw their homes or stopped to think about their investment until they were given their keys. A testimony to the character of the man George ‘Giggy’ Brooks.
vi. Dr. Oluwakemi M. Linda Banks – Social Development
Dr. Oluwakemi M. Linda Banks completed her primary and secondary education in Anguilla and her teacher training at St. Lucia Teachers’ College. She has earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology 1986, and a Master’s Degree in 1983, both from the Pennsylvania State University as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Education from Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts, USA. She is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the St. James Medical School in Anguilla, and serves clients in her role of Clinical Psychologist, in her practice the Sunshine Lady Professional Services on Anguilla. She has been Anguilla’s first and only doctoral level clinical psychologist from 1986 to 2018. She is also a Lecturer at the UWI Open Campus, Anguilla and the Anguilla Community College. She is a Human Resource Development Consultant, an Educator, a radio and television Communications Specialist, a Motivational Speaker, a Certified Court Mediator, an Assessor in the Juvenile Court, an Employee Assistance Counsellor, an Anglican Lay Reader and Chalice Administrator, a Poet, a Composer, and an Afrocentric Entrepreneur. Dr. Banks also founded Anguilla’s first Advertising and Radio and Television Production Agency. Sunshine Lady Productions where she documented, presented and has archived several years of Anguilla’s cultural and historical development. Dr. Banks is the Founder of the UNESCO endorsed Teacher Gloria Omololu Institute (now Omololu International School). She also holds leadership positions in many local, regional and international organizations including the Commissioner of Girl Guiding Anguilla, and Chairperson of the Caribbean Link of Guiding (with 21 member organizations), President of the Anguilla National Council of Women and of Soroptimist International of Anguilla and President of the Caribbean Conference of Churches.
vii. James Lawrence Carty – Social Development
Lawrence or “Lawlu” is an icon in sports in Anguilla for over 50 years. He is an accomplished cricketer and has been involved in the administration of cricket both locally and regionally. He served as a Leeward Islands Selector from 2013 – 2017 and was Chairman during the period 2013 – 2015. He has held several positions in the Anguilla Cricket Association over the years and continues to contribute to the development of sports in all its aspects. He has also excelled in other sports including football, table tennis and volley ball. He was also very much involved in the development of music and culture as part of the management team of the famous North Sound International Band which remains legendary as a musical group in Anguilla and the wider Caribbean. Mr. Carty has given unstinting service to the development of the Anguillian community in the areas of sports and culture in a manner that has instilled pride in people of all ages.
