When Norris Edwards was admitted to the Miriam Gumbs Senior Citizens Home on November 5, 2003, he brought a certain attraction to the well-kept institution. Visitors were taken up with him as he looked at them in silence with twinkling eyes and appeared to be someone of much standing.

Mr. Norris Edwards

He only speaks when spoken to. When he is lured into a conversation, one immediately understands his bearing, striking personality and background. He has been one of Anguilla’s proud sea captains, sailing across the Caribbean and beyond the region in some of the popularly-known boats of his day, an experience he badly misses and often speaks about.

Today, despite his broken situation, Norris still longs for the day when he could return to the excitement of the sea and sailing but sadly, that day eludes him. To borrow a quotation from David Carty’s book on boating in Anguilla, “the sea is in his blood”. The time has come however for him to take it easy and rest from his travels. The Home offers a most comfortable place and atmosphere for him with attentive staff ever so often around him.

Norris, originally from Sandy Ground, turned 76 on Monday June 19 and Digicel presented him with a cake on his birthday. While he enjoyed the delicacy, thoughts of returning to the sea occupied every crevice of his restless mind. He said to the Editor of The Anguillian: “Boy, I can’t wait to go back to the sea” and touchingly bowed his head. “I understand,” the Editor replied.

Anguilla owes a debt of gratitude to Norris for his sea-faring life, its people having benefited much from his transportation of food, other supplies and Anguillian men across the region’s waters in the early and difficult days.

Norris has a number of family members in Anguilla including Johnno and Anne Edwards, two of his siblings.

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