Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/3227/-1/140/
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The Anguilla Beautification Club Makes A Difference
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By: Brenda Carty
Since its inception in 1992 the Anguilla Beautification Club (ABC) has had a tremendous impact on the island and its gardens and continues to beautify the island through its members.
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Queen Elizabeth Avenue
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The ABC was started in 1992 by Lidia Shave, who was the wife of the governor at that time. She invited a few persons with a love of gardens to discuss what could be done and soon the ABC was formed. For many years it was a very informal club and anyone who wished could join by attending meetings and assisting in projects. In 1999 it was formally constituted and now has an executive committee to run its affairs. The main objective of the Club remains the enhancement of the environment of the island through the planting of trees, shrubs and other plants and to encourage the development of home gardens.
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Flowers on Display
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The first major project of the ABC was the planting of trees on the Queen Elizabeth Avenue in The Valley. Funds were raised by individuals purchasing a ficus benjamina tree and dedicating it for a birthday, wedding or memorial. Some one hundred volunteers assisted in the planting of the trees that were imported from Florida. Despite setbacks from two hurricanes they have grown well and now provide a beautiful border on the avenue that is much admired.
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ABC Round-a-bout
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The Club continued with many projects around the island and now has 40 members. The annual Flower and Garden Show has proved very successful and attracts many entries. Flower arranging classes for children and adults have contributed to the growing interest and improvement in flower arrangements at the show. The Club also holds regular plant sales with young plants sold at reasonable prices to encourage the planting of trees and shrubs in gardens. Members keep up their knowledge by having talks on various methods of propagation, plant care and the control of pests and plant diseases. They have also toured gardens and nurseries at hotels and resorts and private residences on the island.
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Princess Diana Memorial
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Projects have included the planting of trees and shrubs at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, the library, the primary schools, Campus B of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School, the Webster Park car park, the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal, the Soroptimist Day Care Centre garden, Wallblake Airport and many other areas around the island. In addition to planting trees near to the airport terminal, members ensure that the arrival and departure lounges have attractive potted plants. The Welches Polyclinic garden was landscaped and planted by the ABC members and the Blowing Point Road has recently been beautified with the planting of flamboyant and palm trees and oleanders. The latter project was funded by a grant from the Anguilla Community Foundation.
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Well Garden
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Special trees have also been planted in memory of persons. An African Tulip was planted at the entrance to the Secretariat in memory of Princess Diana; in the grounds of St Gerard’s Catholic Church a shower of gold tree was planted for Mother Teresa; and Nurse Miriam Gumbs was honoured with a yellow Poinciana planted in the grounds of the hospital. A small garden was planted by the Well at Sandy Ground in memory of Rupert Carty. Three flamboyant trees were planted at Blowing Point in memory of Lydia Gumbs, a member of the ABC from its inception, her husband Jeremiah Gumbs and the third to mark World Tourism Day. A yellow flamboyant was also planted at the corner of Coronation Avenue and the Queen Elizabeth Avenue to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee. These trees are all maintained by the Club members and that forms a good part of their work.
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ABC Tree Planting
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For its 10th Anniversary, Club members decided to take over the roundabout at the top of the Sandy Ground hill. This was attractively landscaped and planted with fox tail palms, allamanda, plumbago, oleander and asparagus ferns around the perimeter. It has proved quite a challenge for members as the goats in the neighbourhood were rather partial to some of the original plants and they had to be changed. However, it is now looking very good and the goats have decided to go elsewhere.
The ABC has certainly made a tremendous difference to Anguilla and through encouragement from its members to many private gardens as well. Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming says, “The Ministry of Natural Resources welcomes the positive role that the ABC continues to play in the enhancement and conservation of our native flora for future generations. Your focus on aesthetics and restoring the natural beauty of Anguilla complements the efforts of other public and private sector agencies to ensure the sustainable management of our environment. We value your contribution and commend you for your gift of time, energy and expertise.”