The Rotary Club of Anguilla held its Foundation Dinner for 2009-2010 at the top floor, formal events section, of DaVida Restaurant at Crocus Bay on Saturday, November 28, at which six persons who have contributed to Anguilla in various capacities over the years.

They were presented with Certificates of Appreciation.

The awardees and representatives

Two of the awardees were the inseparable and popular radio personalities Iwandai I (Howard Gumbs) and Ras B (Whaldama Brooks) of Upbeat Radio. Iwandai I served as an Announcer at Radio Anguilla from 1976 and later became Senior Announcer and Sales and Marketing Officer. He relinquished his employment in January 2000 and later that year took up work at the privately-owned Heart Beat Radio, in The Valley, which was renamed Upbeat Radio when a new FM broadcasting station was established at Rey Hill.

His colleaque, Ras B, served at Radio Anguilla as a News and Sports Writer and Presenter from 1980 to March 2000. Following that he continued his services at Heart Beat Radio and is now carrying out the same service with much skill and admiration at Upbeat Radio. He also enjoys much esteem and popularity as a radio journalist and correspondent regionally and internationally. A well known linguist and a graduate of the College of the Virgin Islands (now University of the Virgin Islands), he recently retired as a Spanish and French Teacher at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School but has been recalled to continue his services.

The other honourees were: Owen Mussington of East End, a well-respected young man who “gives of himself unselfishly to the promotion of youth development in his village." A recent First Caribbean International Bank Unsung Hero, Mr. Mussington has established to his credit the annual East End 10/10 Cricket Tournament, a Community Gospel Band and has embarked on a woodwork project. He is also a Basketball coach. Further, for over 20 consecutive years, up to the present, he has been serving as President of the Parent Teachers Association at the Morris Vanterpool School.

Children of Mr. James Mussington and Rotarians

Dr. Page Edgar of Seafeather’s Bay. She is a Diagnostician and Interest who has been serving the people of Anguilla for the past twelve years. Dr. Edgar has been described as “a true humanitarian exemplifying the Rotary ideals of ‘Service above Self;’ a hardworking and energetic practitioner who volunteers on several heath-care committees, and a prime example of living and adhering to the ‘Rotary Four Way Test.’”

The late James Alpheus Mussington. He was a cargo boat and ferryboat owner who was born in Sandy Ground and later resided at Blowing Point with his wife, Mrs. Ilene Mussington, and family. He was praised for his outstanding service to Anguilla as the Certificate of Appreciation was presented to his wife.

The other awardee was Mrs. Sheila Connor of South Hill. She was born in Barbados but migrated to Anguilla in 1969, is married to Anguillian Clarence Percival Connor and is the mother of three children. She later adopted three other children. After some years she returned to Barbados to educate her children following which she came back to Anguilla in 1997 and began a day care service for children. She works in cooperation with the Department of Social Development by taking care of a child who was referred to her. Mrs. Connor has been described as “a reliable, trustworthy and caring individual who is always willing to assist the Department to provide care and protection for children.”

Ras B, who spoke on behalf of the award recipients, thanked the Rotary Club for the recognition accorded to them and for its work in the Anguillian communities.

Rotarians and others

The awards were presented following the dinner at which introductory remarks were made by the President of the Rotary Club of Anguilla, Dr. Lindel Brooks. He referred to the founding of an international professional club in February 1905 by a group of gentlemen who believed they could better serve the many communities from which they came. “The club was so designed that those who became members placed service above self," he explained. “They looked into their communities and saw the ills… and shortcomings…and thought that by putting their skills together they can provide a better community in which they lived and, if such a model can be sustained, the world at large can benefit.”
The Dental Surgeon and Rotarian said the Rotary Club of Anguilla, a branch of Rotary International, was likewise involved in providing assistance in the local community. He stated that as part of its work the club had also undertaken “to pay tribute to those who distinguished themselves by serving the public and putting service above self." He was pleased to be part of the celebration in which the six awardees were recognised for their contributions to the people of Anguilla.

The Foundation Committee comprises Anne Edwards (Chairperson), Jonel Powell, Romma King and Larricia Lacorbiniere.

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