As the people of Anguilla settle down to the results of the June 29 general elections, a Thanksgiving Service has been held in honour of the Honourable Victor Franklin Banks, former Premier and District Representative of Valley North and Valley South.
Mr. Banks, who was not elected in the Valley South constituency a month ago, has now retired from active politics after over forty years in this area of national life. During that extensive period, he served in different political groupings, the last one having been the Anguilla United Front which he led, and which is credited for much of the financial, economic and constitutional achievements on the island.
Former Premier Banks, family members and others 
To his credit, and that of the AUF Government, are: the difficult handling of the banking crisis; settling the long-running Cap Juluca ownership and operations saga; the rebounding of Anguilla following Hurricane Irma; the securing of the 60 million pounds for various public sector projects including the reconstruction of schools, health and port facilities; important changes to the Anguilla Constitution – including citizenship rights for Anguillian grandchildren born abroad and island-wide elections to increase representation and democracy in the House of Assembly; protecting Anguilla from the Covid-19 pandemic; and the obtaining, just before the elections, 100 million EC dollars from the UK Government to cover revenue shortfalls including the payment of civil servants until the end of this year; and most recently presiding – as Minister of Tourism – over Anguilla’s coveted achievement of “Best Island in the Caribbean” award for the fourth consecutive year (2017-2020) by Travel & Leisure.
The crowded Service of Thanksgiving, on Sunday, July 25, took place at Mr. Banks’ beloved Ebenezer Church, the oldest and still functioning Methodist edifice in the Leeward Islands District of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas.
The service was conducted by Rev. Joseph Lloyd, who knew Mr. Banks from his [Banks’] childhood as a student at the Ebenezer Methodist Church School. He was assisted in the introductory portions of the service by Ms Roxana Brooks. Rev. Lloyd told the congregation that he had received a telephone call from the well-known Basil Brooks, of the Original Barbers of South Valley, on behalf of other constituents, requesting a Service of Thanksgiving for Mr. Banks.
The Minister reported that Mr. Brooks told him that “he felt moved to organise a Church Service of Thanksgiving expressing gratitude to God for Mr. Victor Banks for being the deliverer of excellent service to Anguilla, especially the South Valley community. And this was done over a forty-year period.” He added that Mr. Brooks then invited him to deliver the sermon to which he readily accented.
Unveiling of Gift for Mr Banks 
Mr Banks addressing congregation
Rev. Lloyd continued: “Our brother, Victor, was regular at worship services and other church functions, and he willingly rendered service in various ways. We often hear it said that ‘service rendered unto man is service rendered unto God’…I am sure that Brother Victor’s exit from the highest public office will by no means prevent him from continuing to serve his community and island with pride. Surely, he will continue to render exemplary service. Looking at his face tells me that.
“Having been relieved from a prominent political position which our brother occupied for many years will, I am sure, not cause him to feel that his service to God’s people has ended. So Brother Banks, continue to serve even though you may not be as active as you were in years gone by. There is something that God has specially for you to continue to do.”
Glowering tributes in word and song were delivered by a number of persons. They were: Mr. Vere Connor; Mr. Hulia Carty, Jr; Ms. Marisa Gumbs; Mr. Lawrence Carty; Mrs. Blondell Rodgiers, who traced Mr. Banks’ social life over the years; Mr. Fabian Fahie, whose presentation is published elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian newspaper; Mr. Basil Reid; and the Men’s Fellowship in which Mr. Banks holds membership.
Mr. Banks was the recipient of a number of gifts. The presenters were: Mr. Jason Brooks; Mr. Elica Sasso; Mr. Clive Smith; Ms. Mikayja Carty; and Ron and Lisa Webster.
An acknowledgement in the brochure for the Service of Thanksgiving reads as follows: “The constituents of District 4 place on record our sincere thanks and deep gratitude to our representative for over 40 years, the Honourable Victor F. Banks, a man of exemplary character. Words are not enough to express our esteemed regard for you. Not only have you represented us nation-wide, but you have also given us a deep sense of pride knowing that you are held in such high regard both regionally and internationally.
“You have left an indelible mark wherever you travelled to represent Anguilla. You are to us one of the most effective representatives in the region but also, to your constituents and the wider community. You are a mentor, a father, a friend, a brother and a teacher. You exemplified the words in the passage Mathew 5: 38-39.
“Thank you for caring and for dedicating your life and passion to us. Thank you for being that exemplary leader that many epitomize. Thank you for sowing love, where there is hatred. Thank you for turning the other cheek. Thank you for those teachable moments that your life and character exemplify. Thank you for being the man God created you to be. Thank you for all you have done for us. Thank you for who you are – a man after God’s heart. We love you.”
Responding, the former Premier stated in part: “I am most appreciative of those persons who thought enough of me to come up with this idea. And I am indeed grateful to those who thought it was a good idea – and have therefore come out in numbers to be part of this event.
“I want to say to all of you – and I hope that no one takes it the wrong way. It was necessary for me but I greatly appreciate this genuine gesture. Being in public life – especially politics – is a thankless enterprise. But it is not necessarily because the people you serve are ungrateful. It is mainly because most people do not really understand the work you do or the sacrifices you must make.
“As a servant of the people, it is what I have come to expect so I am never disappointed. However, I always appreciate when someone or some group of persons take the time to say thanks. And so, I highly appreciate your presence which, for me, is a clear indication of your gratitude for my contribution to the service of Anguilla. It began over forty years ago, so I am glad when you said let us go into the House of the Lord to do this – because I have been truly blessed…
“My colleagues know that it is my attitude that I do not like the political process – that is, the campaigning. What I like is the service to Anguilla and its people. And it does not matter whether someone supported me or not. My approach is the same if he/she has a genuine need. I do not see ‘blue’; ‘gold’; or ‘purple’ when it comes to dealing with the citizens of Anguilla.”
Mr. Banks lost the composure he was struggling to maintain as he went on: “And for those persons who claim not to like me –my heart is clear. I have never deliberately shown them anything but LOVE. There are many persons, of a more polarized political orientation, who consider this to be a weakness – but for me it is who I am, and I have absolutely no plans to change. That is a change that will have to wait.”
The former Premier, Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Commerce, added: “I am thankful that, for the most part, you and a considerable number of citizens believe that despite all that has been said, I am a person worthy of your trust and have made a sound contribution to Anguilla. And that is what today is all about.
“I therefore feel privileged to have served; proud of my record of contribution; and must be thankful to God for His Providence – giving me the opportunity and the wherewithal to do my best for so many years.
“My wife, Cerise, and most of my immediate family are here: children; grandchildren; siblings; my only surviving Auntie Naomi; nephews; nieces; and I say in-laws and out-of-laws; cousins; and whose love for me is unconditional.
“And, for the many persons in District 4, Valley South –young and old – who have supported me for so many years during my service to Anguilla, I must express how humbled I am for the level of support and attention you have given me during this journey.
“I again resist calling the names of the original organisers/promoters of this event; as well as persons who have said nice things; sung nice things; performed nice things; and done nice things. Thank you for thinking so highly of me.”
