The lighting of Coronation Avenue in The Valley, the Sandy Hill Roundabout, Uncle Charlie Tamarind Tree (also in the Sandy Hill area) and elsewhere on the island, has done much to promote the spirit of Christmas on the island. It not only engenders a feeling of cheer and provides some places to visit at night, but is a silent demonstration of how members of the various communities and sponsors from the business sector can come together in a simple way to contribute to the common good of Anguilla.

The first area to be lighted was Coronation Avenue in The Valley on December 14 for the seventh year. It is a joint effort by the Valley Community and the Agricultural Sports and Cultural Club under the theme “Follow the Star.” The lights have been strung on some 50 towering road-side trees and other adjoining areas with the centrepiece being the tamarind tree and trough overlooked by a giant star atop the agricultural building. The lights were switched on to the applause of the spectators by Tashanta Brooks, who was Second Runner-up in the Miss Anguilla Pageant this year.

The main speaker was the Elected Member for Valley South, Victor Banks. “I am proud to be a part of the Valley because of the efforts of these young people year in year out,” the Minister of Finance said at the opening ceremony. “They believe that this will bring attention to what Christmas means to the people of Anguilla, to the people of the world. It is a time that we make merry, but it is also a time that we give thanks for the birth of the baby Jesus whose coming into the world has made a change in all of us.” He praised the members of the club for being very enthusiastic about social and cultural community development and taking on a number of environmental and cultural projects to build the Valley community and Anguilla in general.

Members of the All-Ah-Wee Theatre Group performing at Coronation Avenue Lighting

Mr. Banks said the Christmas lighting showed that “the business community and the youngsters in Anguilla can get together to do something positive to bring attention to the importance of this season and the importance of community. It is a show of confidence in the youngsters that businesses could entrust their sponsorships into the hands of these youngsters to do this.” He said this type of activity brought hope to Anguilla by showing that a lot of young people were still doing positive things. He hoped this would continue as the future of Anguilla was in the hands of its youth.

The Minister pointed to some of the negative types of behaviour among young people which bring harm to themselves and the community. He cautioned the youth to be very reflective about the kind of activities they participate in during this Christmas season.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development, Ralph Hodge, who spoke on behalf of Minister Eric Reid.
During the opening ceremony Christmas gifts were presented to a large number of children. There was also a presentation of awards to winners of the Teacher Kendra Essay Competition, a tribute to the late Valley resident who died after being struck by a remote-control ‘toy’ boat at Road Bay.

Participants in the ceremony included Pastor Phillip Gumbs who gave the invocation; Chief Education Officer, Verna Fahie, who spoke with respect to the Teacher Kendra awards; former Miss Anguilla Tonya Brooks who chaired the proceedings; Tashanta Brooks, who gave a motivational speech in addition to switching on the lights; the Albena Lake –Hodge Comprehensive School Steel Orchestra, the Happy Hits Stringband of Island Harbour and Shawne Bryan, providers of music selections; and Travis Carty who gave the Vote of Thanks.

Children receiving gifts from "Santa" at Coronation Avenue Lighting

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