The pomp and ceremony that usually marks the Anguilla Day celebrations will not be a feature this year. This is due to the covid-19 disease, the restrictions being placed on large gatherings and the need for social distancing.
Premier Victor Banks, who has played a key role in the official celebrations over the years, announced the cancellation of the event in a statement which appears elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian newspaper.
Anguilla Day, the most celebrated national holiday on the island, marks the turning point when the people of Anguilla, led by Revolutionary Leader, James Ronald Webster, ousted the St. Kitts police and took control of the affairs of the island on May 30, 1967. That secessionist movement eventually blossomed into the formal separation of Anguilla from St. Kitts-Nevis, by the passage of an Order-in-Council in both Houses of Parliament in the United Kingdom, with effect from December19, 1980.
It is the first time in 53 years that the Anguilla Day Celebrations were disrupted. The celebrations normally include an Official Parade and Inspection of uniformed contingents on the Ronald Webster Park; addresses by the Governor, Premier and the Leader of the Opposition; the presentation of the Anguilla Badge of Honour and Queen’s Certificate to two categories of awardees: one for contributions to the Anguilla Revolution and the other for contributions to Social Development.
The parade is then followed by a round-the-island boat race, accompanied by boat loads of merry-makers; and there is also a mass luncheon for senior citizens from across the island.
This year’s Anguilla Day celebrations differ sharply from that of previous years. There will be no Official Parade. The Official Speeches and Awards will instead be presented at the Conference Room at the Ministry of Finance. The 2020 awardees are Mr. Leander Bryan, (Revolution); and Mrs. Rosena Brooks, Mrs. Ursil Webster and the late Mr. Wycliffe Richardson (Social Development). While the Senior Citizens’ Luncheon will be held, it will involve drop-offs to the Senior Citizens’ Homes rather than having the usual gathering at the Blue Ridge Conference Centre at South Hill. There will not be the round-the-island boat race.
The other Anguilla Day activity will be the opening of the historic community Bedney’s and Roger’s wells at West End on May 30. Both wells have been painted in the national colours of Anguilla for the occasion.
The theme of the 53rd Anniversary of the Anguilla Day Anniversary Celebrations is: “History, Culture & Heritage: Know Your Identity, Anguilla Day, 2020.”
The activities leading up to Anguilla Day were arranged as follows:
May 17: National Day of Prayer; May 24: Anguilla Day Fun Cycle Race; May 26: Festivals of Choir (Virtual Choirfest 2020); May 27: Poetry Competition (Virtual); and May 29: Official Anguilla Day Speeches, Ministry of Finance.
(To be checked after EXCO meeting Thursday)
