Chief Minister Banks inspecting the parade members.
Chief Minister Banks and Governor Foy taking the salute.
Police community band leading the parade.
ANGUILLA-- Anguillians came together at the James Ronald Webster Park on Wednesday, May 30, to enjoy and take part in the annual Anguilla Day ceremonial parade and award presentation ceremony marking the 51st anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution. The programme’s theme was “Still Strong, Proud and Free, Anguilla at 51, Charting our Destiny.”
Event chairperson Chanelle Petty Barrett welcomed Governor Tim Foy and Mrs. Foy, Chief Minister Victor Banks and other officials of government.
Petty Barret said, “This is a day of national celebration, and we have a lot to celebrate. We have gone through the worst storm in our history and we emerged devastated but not defeated. If our forbears could have seen how we worked together to help Anguilla recover, they would have been proud to see Anguillians working in fellowship to fulfil a common purpose of rebuilding a better Anguilla.”
Governor Foy wished everyone a Happy Anguilla Day and passed on best wishes from Boris Johnson and Lord Tariq Ahmad. He said, “As a result of Hurricane Irma, we all emerged stronger because of the support and inspiration that we gave and gained from each other. I’d like to thank all of you that gave me help and advice during that critical time.” He said while making note of the loss of life, property and livelihood caused by the storm, we need to now move on. “Recovery progress has been remarkable; I expect to see a bounce back in the economy in the second half of 2018.”
Leader of the Opposition Palmavon Webster spoke of the different atmosphere in Anguilla from last year’s Anguilla Day, noting that there is more desire, determination, hope and most of all, unity. She suggested the island must do more to make changes in renewable energy, stop sand mining, replace trees that were lost and ban single-use plastics. She urged everyone to work together to achieve progress and to chart the future destiny, noting that the youth of the island must be prepared.
Chief Minister Banks thanked everyone in Anguilla and beyond who supported the island after Hurricane Irma. He referred to the theme, noting that there is a need to build bridges both physical and spiritual and that new tools and skills must be developed for the island to be successful. He wished everyone a happy Anguilla Day, noting that it is a day about unity and successes and a day to look forward to the future. He paid homage to past chief ministers and thanked them for their service to the island as well as the unsung heroes of the Anguilla Revolution. He encouraged all Anguillians to become effective builders of bridges.
The event began and ended with an exceptionally polished and synchronised display of ceremonial marching parade skills, led by the Royal Anguilla Police Force (RAPF) and the community marching band, followed by the Prison Officers, Fire Officers, Boys and Girls Brigade, Pathfinders, Scouts and Guides. The cadets gave an exceptional drill display and included was a poetry reading by T’arah Niles, an Anguillian cheer by the Anguilla Elite Cheer leading group and a song event by the Anguilla Jubilee Choir.
Anguilla’s five 2018 award honourees were: Bevan C. Hodge (deceased), a pilot with Anguilla Airways who transported world media into Anguilla during the revolution to help them tell the story; Charles C. Liddy, a foot soldier who kept watch on the beaches for intruders; Brenda Hodge, a nurse who founded and continues to manage the Tender Loving Care Home for the elderly; Patricia Beard, a community worker who worked in the education field and as a family life educator and health promotion officer, raising the profile of HIV/AIDs awareness and programming; and Yolande O. Richardson, who served as the first female principal of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School, and later as chief education officer.
