A large crowd of villagers from North Hill and other areas of the island attended the birthday celebration of Anguilla’s grand old man, Christopher (Kit) Richardson, who turned 101 on Monday, March 12.

Centenarian with Rev. Niles

He is the oldest Anguillian male on the island with other men well in their 90s. There are at least two women, one at the Miriam Gumbs Senior Citizens Home and the other at Blowing Point, who are over 102 years.

Kit Richardson’s wife, the late Adriana Richardson (Ms Dan), lived for 100 years. With 101 years in his life span so far, he remains mentally alert, relatively healthy and an avid reader. He is being cared for by his son Claude and daughter-in-law, Muriel Richardson who, with the assistance of others, organised the celebration.

Centenarian with Colville Petty

The celebration, under a tent on the grounds of the Zion Methodist Church at North Hill, included a service conducted mainly by the Reverend Dr. H. Clifton Niles, Christopher’s son-in-law. He was assisted by Reverend James Richardson, originally from North Hill.

Reverend Niles, using an acrostic of the birthday holder’s name, said among other kudos that he was a man of Christian character, a man of honour, good relationships, integrity, sincerity, trust and truth, a man of obedience, principles, high expectation, endurance and a man of righteousness.

Centenarian with Mrs. Veronica Gumbs

During the service there was a period for tributes during which a number of persons spoke highly of Mr. Richardson. They included Veronica Gumbs, wife of Reverend John A. Gumbs, who related a story of being rescued by him when she was a girl travelling on the ill-fated MV Liberator. She presented him with “a money tree” – a sack of one dollar US notes affixed to a plant effigy.

Other speakers were Richardson’s son, Claude, who was grateful to all for attending the birthday celebration; Cynthia Buchanan, Eileen Richardson, Rhon Connor, Assistant Anglican Priest, Reverend Menes Hodge; David Carty who, in a well-thought out poem, captured many aspects of Christopher’s life; Sir Emile Gumbs who spoke on his life as a seaman and the difficulties he encountered at sea; Muriel Richardson (his daughter-in-law) who joined her husband, Claude, in thanking those who attended and spoke at the ceremony and Marilyn Bartlett-Richardson who calls him uncle.

Replying to the tributes, Christopher stood at the microphone and thanked everyone for their presence and good wishes.

Invited guests at the celebration

The service climaxed with the serving of delicacies in further celebration of Christopher Richardson’s 101 birthday.

Mr and Mrs. Claude Richardson and family have expressed their thanks and gratitude to all for attending the celebration and for their contributions and good wishes.

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