As reported in this edition of The Anguillian newspaper, five nationals were the recipients of the 2021 Anguilla Day Awards which were presented on Monday, May 31, by Premier Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster. He was assisted by the reigning Miss Anguilla 2019-2021, Ms. Latonya Mussington.
They were all awarded for their contribution to the Social Development of Anguilla. It is the first time that there were no awardees for the Anguilla Revolution.
The bios of the awardees are as follows:
i. Mrs. Mona Aldyth Tulip Carol Fleming – Social Development
Mrs. Mona Fleming is the former wife of the late revolutionary leader and Honourable Speaker of the Anguilla House of Assembly, the late Mr. Atlin Noraldo Harrigan. At that time, as a young wife and mother, she was instrumental in supporting the work of her husband. While her contribution behind the scenes of the revolution cannot be underestimated, Mrs. Fleming’s main contribution to Anguilla has been her involvement in the development of culture and arts.
Mrs. Fleming was one of Anguilla’s premiere fashion designers and dress-makers. Her creations graced the stage of the Anguilla Carnival Queen Show from 1977 to 2000 in the evening wear and swimsuit segments. Her flamboyant and creative designs thrilled audiences with their surprise elements and found favour with competition judges year after year.
From 1992 to present, Mrs. Fleming has been the President of the Sunshine Theatre Company. Sunshine Theatre can arguably be credited with reigniting a passion for Theatre Arts in Anguilla with the staging of plays and other performances over several decades. Mrs. Fleming was instrumental in recruiting and grooming young actors for the performances, getting persons involved in the annual observation of Black History Month through the presentation of poems and prose, and staging the annual Awards Banquet where persons are recognized for their contribution to cultural preservation and development.
Mrs. Fleming currently serves as President of the Anguilla Retired Persons Association, having been a member since 2015.
ii. Mr. Anthony Crispin Bryan – Social Development
Mr. Anthony Bryan popularly known as ‘Dr. Splinter’, ‘Mighty Splinter’ or ‘Splinter’, is a veteran Calypsonian. As an aficionado of the Calypso art form, ‘Dr. Splinter’ began singing at the age of fifteen. His journey started in the junior competition and he naturally transitioned to the senior competition where he blossomed into an iconic cultural artist.
He is a highly decorated calypso performer for well over 20 years and captured the coveted calypso monarch title eleven (11) times. His many compositions have captured and archived Anguilla’s history, struggles and successes through song. Calypsos such as Honour Our Greats, Scrap Book, Integrity and Falling Apart continue to be favourites on the airwaves because of their timeless and poignant messages.
‘Dr. Splinter’ has been crowned Leeward Island Calypso Monarch, having represented Anguilla in that competition on at least four (4) occasions. He has also represented Anguilla in competitions in Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica and St. Maarten and elsewhere. With each performance, he has demonstrated that he is one of the greats. Calypso lovers near and far are still thrilled by his contributions to the art form.
iii. Mrs. Florence Elmaire Harrigan – Social Development
Mrs. Florence Harrigan has meaningfully contributed to Anguilla’s development in all areas of her life. As a Sunday School Teacher in the 1970s, she molded the minds of many children and carried this same passion into her service as a Business Studies Teacher. She was instrumental in setting up the Business Department (then Unit) at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School and later the Adult Education Programme, which she coordinated. As a Teacher, she assisted many young people with honing the skills needed to achieve success in their professional pursuits. She also used her knowledge and experience to assist in the formation of the National Secretaries Association, now the Anguilla Association of Office Professionals.
Mrs. Harrigan was also actively involved in cultural preservation and transmission as one of the founding members of the Anguilla Cultural and Social Society, which initiated the Emancipation (Carnival) celebration in Anguilla. She also played an integral role in the establishment of the Mayoumba Folkloric Theatre, one of Anguilla’s oldest and most renowned cultural performance groups. She has been casted in various local plays including the famed Malliouhana which was part of Anguilla’s showcase at CARIFESTA in 1981.
With regard to her influence on women and girls in particular, Mrs. Harrigan served for many years as a Brownie Guide leader, Treasurer of the Anguilla Girl Guides Association and Secretary of the Caribbean Link of Guiding (which spans twenty one (21) Organisations). She is a founding member of the Anglican Church Women’s Association (ACWA) and served as President for several terms. As a Member of ACWA, she spearheads various fundraising and outreach activities and has organised Conferences and Workshops on Gender Affairs and Women’s Spiritual Development. Mrs. Harrigan has engaged in work to support the most vulnerable and in this regard, has served as an Executive Member of the Association for the Blind.
iv. Mr. Elvet Macmurtry Hughes – Social Development
Mr. Elvet Hughes has lived an impactful life in service to his Creator, his Community and Anguilla in general. As an Educator, Mr. Hughes began his career as a Mathematics Teacher at the then Valley Secondary School. In later years he also served as the school’s Principal. He subsequently served as Chief Education Officer and later Permanent Secretary responsible for Education. Mr. Hughes is noted for having served with distinction.
Though retired, Mr. Hughes is currently a Math Lecturer at the Anguilla Community College.
Mr. Hughes is also a volunteer Tutor of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. As a founding Tutor of the Saturday morning classes for Grade six students at the Adrian T Hazell Primary School, he is part of a cadre of tutors who provide academic support for students. The programme is open to students from across the island at no cost.
Many of the persons under Mr. Hughes’ tutelage can attest to the positive and transformative impact he has had on their lives and many have entered careers in engineering, medicine and other fields, thus contributing to national and global advancement.
Mr. Hughes is also integrally involved in other areas of community life. He is an active member of the Bethel Methodist Church where he has held many leading roles. Being an avid farmer, he has also served as President of the National Farmers’ Association ensuring the interests and concerns of Anguilla’s Farmers play an integral and collaborative role in the development of Anguilla’s agricultural sector. He is also a member of the Anguilla Beautification Club.
v. Mr. Clive Claud Davison Carty – Social Development Posthumously)
Mr. Clive Claud Davison Carty (posthumously) served Anguilla in both the public and private sectors. In the Anguilla Public Service, he served first as a Teacher at the then West End Primary School, then in several Senior Administrative positions including Administrative Cadet, Assistant Secretary, Administrative Secretary and Permanent Secretary. As Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Tourism and Lands he played an influential role in the development of Anguilla’s tourism sector. He was one of key architects of the Government’s tourism plan and policy, which focused on high yield, low volume tourism.
On exiting the Public Service in the early 1980’s, Mr. Carty became General Manager of Cul de Sac Hotel, then owned by Mr. Leon Roydon. With his pioneering spirit, he later established the Mariner’s Hotel in Sandy Ground, which opened for business in 1983 and subsequently emerged as one of Anguilla’s leading tourism properties. Mr. Carty’s contribution to tourism cemented him as a pioneer in the industry. After leaving the Mariner’s Hotel, Mr. Carty still remained in the tourism sector and established Anguilla Travel Services, a Travel Agency that is still in operation.
Mr. Carty’s contribution to the tourism sector and his astute business acumen resulted in him serving as Chairman of the Anguilla Tourist Board for many years and holding other appointments including Chairman of the National Bank of Anguilla and the Public Service Commission.
In addition to his tourism contributions, Mr. Carty was an avid photographer who amassed a large collection of photos of various aspects of Anguillian life. Some of his prized photos can be found in Discover ANGUILLA, a booklet he co-authored, which contains some of Anguilla’s most beautiful scenes.
