There was an absence of the full pomp and ceremony that usually mark Anguilla Day. But, despite that, the celebration of the 54th Anniversary of the 1967 Anguilla Revolution, held in the Conference Room of the Ministry of Finance, on Monday, May 31, did not detract from the historic importance of the event.
It is the second year, due to COVID-19, that the main Anguilla Day event, occasioned by the May 30, 1967 Anguilla Revolution, was held at the Ministry of Finance. It usually takes place at the James Ronald Webster Park with an Official Parade, addresses and the honouring of nationals for their part in the Anguilla Revolution or their contribution to social development. While the 2021 addresses and awards were held as usual, like last year, the island-wide boat race was cancelled and the senior citizens luncheon, normally held at the Blue Ridge Conference Centre, was replaced by the taking of the lunches to the residents at the four senior citizens homes instead.
The ceremony at the Conference Room at the Ministry of Finance was presided over by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Development, Investment, Commerce, Information Technology and Natural Resources, Mrs. Chanelle Petty- Barrett.
She gave a brief but comprehensive review of the social, economic, political and constitutional history of Anguilla, and its people, as she outlined the reasons for the 1967 Anguilla Revolution.
She said: “Anguilla was trapped in an unwelcomed union with St. Kitts which resulted in its people having little say in decisions which affected their lives. The announcement of Statehood in 1967 was the last straw. And it was a signal that Anguillians would have to fight in order to free themselves from the unwanted union. Thirtieth May, 1967, was a highpoint in that fight. Historically, it was the day that the St. Kitts police were expelled from Anguilla but, symbolically, it was the day that Anguillians tangibly asserted control over their own affairs. It was the day that hope was restored to the people of Anguilla – hope that things would get better; hope that the island they loved daily would flourish; that their children would have more opportunities and a better quality of life than they did.”
The Permanent Secretary added: “I say to Anguillians, near and far, that all of us are a manifestation of that hope. Wherever you are right now – whether you are providing emergency care services in a hospital; offering guest services at a resort; preparing gourmet dishes in a restaurant;competing in sports on the world stage; working in the public service; making music/art film; furthering your education; running your small business; fishing; hosting a radio show [or] laying blocks at a construction site.
“Whatever it is that you are doing – always remember we are a manifestation of that hope. We are a testament of what is possible when people have hope. We are a testament to what is possible when you press on despite the odds, despite the setbacks and despite the detractors. Anguilla is no stranger to crisis. Resilience is etched in our DNA. Our ancestors did not give up then and, regardless of what we face, we won’t give up now. All of us make up this colourful fabric of Anguillian society…”
The official addresses were delivered by Her Excellency Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam; Leader of the Opposition in the Anguilla House of Assembly, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge; and Premier Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster who also presented the Anguilla Day Awards. Their addresses are published elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian newspaper.
Other persons who participated in the ceremony included the Rt. Rev. Leroy Errol Brooks, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the North Eastern Caribbean and Aruba, who delivered the opening Prayer; Calypsonian, “Dr. Splinter” (Anthony Bryan, one of the awardees), who sang “Honour Our Greats”; Mrs. Hyacinth E. Hughes, who recited one of her published poems: “Anguilla Look Where You Came From”; and Ms. Latonya Mussington, Miss Anguilla 2019-2021, who assisted Premier Webster in presenting the awards.
The five awardees, all for their contribution to Social Development, were: Mrs. Mona Aldyth Tulip Carol Fleming; Mr. Anthony Crispin Bryan; Mrs. Florence Elmaire Harrigan; Mr. Elvet Macmurtry Hughes; and Mr. Clive Claud Davison Carty (posthumously). Their bios are published elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian newspaper.
