Two leading women in the Anguillian community have been presented with awards from Queen Elizabeth The Second, at Government House in Anguilla, by His Excellency Governor Alan Huckle.

Mrs. Rogers, MBE, Gov. Huckle and Lady Gumbs, MBE

They are Lady Josephine Gumbs, wife of former Chief Minister, Sir Emile Gumbs, and Mrs. Audrey Rogers. They are both recipients of the Award of the Warrant and Insignia of a Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE). The awards were first announced in the Queen’s New Year Honours List in January 2006.

The presentation ceremony on the grounds of Government House was witnessed by a large number of invited guests from the public and private sectors including family and friends of the awardees.

Invited guests at Government House for the presentation ceremony

In presenting the awards, the Governor read the biographies of the awardees. He said Lady Gumbs had contributed significantly to community development in Anguilla since settling permanently on the island in 1995. Since then she has taken a leading role in various community organisations including the Anguilla Beautification Club of which she became President in 2003. She has been the Coordinator and Chairperson of the Anguilla Flower and Garden Show which she helped organised since 1999.

She has held various positions in Soroptimists International of Anguilla since 1996 and, most recently, organised a successful Biennial Meeting of the Soroptimist Regional Council of the Caribbean in Anguilla. She has taken an active part in the activities of St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church over the years. She is also a founding member and secretary of the Sandy Ground Environmental Committee and is a member of the Community Council there. She has been a member of the Anguilla Tourist Board and a part-time correspondent of the highly-respected Daily Herald Newspaper of St. Maarten.

Invited guests at Government House for the presentation ceremony

The Governor also praised Lady Gumbs for being meticulous in her attendance of all forms of social events on the island and her contributions to many charities. He stated that she was particularly kind to spouses of Governors and has helped them to settle on the island. “An award to her in her own right is well-merited for her sustained and positive contribution to Anguilla’s development,” he added.

Governor Huckle said Audrey Rogers had worked tirelessly as a volunteer in the Anguillian community. In the past she has worked as an Auxillary at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and has also helped in the remedial reading programme at primary school level and has played a role in the summer programme for children with behavioural difficuties.

Sir Emile and Lady Gumbs

An active member of St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, she has served and sung for many years in the Choir and Chorale and is a valued member of the Mothers’ Union. For more than a decade she has served on the Vestry Committee including five years as a Priest Warden.

Like Lady Josephine, she has also been an active member of the Soroptimist International and for the past seventeen years she has been a great organiser of various functions including the Christmas Fair, usually held at Government House grounds, and also the Annual Variety Show there.

Mrs. Rogers is a keen supporter of the National Trust and preservation of the environment. She has been President of the Council for the Conservation of the East End Pond and an active member of the Eco-Tourism Project Steering Committee. She has provided outstanding commitment to the Anguillian community and has always been willing to serve in whatever capacity. She gives of her time freely and with enthusiasm.

The honouring of Lady Gumbs and Mrs. Rogers was applauded by the large gathering which joined them at the tables for food and refreshment following the ceremony.

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