Children and adults from The Valley area are finding much delight in spending a most relaxing and enjoyable time at an attractively lit up Christmas Theme Park at North Side.

Organisers of North Side Theme Park and children

The road side land, made available by the owners, the Fahies family at The Forest, is a scene of much imaginative beauty. Every tree is adorned with multi-coloured Christmas lights, with the centerpiece being the towering tamarind tree. Effigies of the fabled Santa Claus, reindeers, the Biblical manger and a host of other lighted objects, some in motion, punctuate the well-decorated grounds. There is also a separate play area for children.

The thoughtful undertaking is the work of the North Side Community Foundation comprising residents of the area. “We, men, women and children, got together and put this on for our village,” said Tarmara Gumbs, a member of the organising committee. “Our goal is to do this for the children. That is our main focus. We have big plans for this and really need the sponsorship to get it going. We intend to make it better every year with more fun for the children.”

Nevisian family

Miss Gumbs went on: “This year we have added the arch at the entrance, an angel and a church. Also new, is the play centre which we put in place with the sponsorship funds we received from First Caribbean Bank for the children’s party. We bought our own swing set, bouncing castle and sea-saw so we have children here all day and all night enjoying themselves…We worked long nights putting this together and the North Side community has been very diligent in coming out and doing the work.”
The lighted grand park area was opened on Saturday December 19 and will continue until January 3 when the lights will be turned off.

Miss Connor a Valley Resident

Tamara, a former Miss Anguilla, and an ardent youth worker, said that last year the North Side Community Foundation had a budget of under US$5,000 and this year it was US$7,000. “We used every penny that we got into the playground for the children and even though the cost looks like a million dollars, it is only 7,000 dollars,” she told The Anguillian. “Our big plan for this area will be at a cost of US$25,000 for what we want for the children and hopefully we can get that going for next year.”

The North Side Foundation has its motto: “Bonding Through Talent, Culture & Tradition.” The organisers acknowledged that the Christmas Theme Park was a reality as as a result of the kind sponsorships, donations, efforts and service of their “lend-a-hand" community volunteers and friends.

They have listed with thanks the sponsors as follows: Caribbean Lottery, the Anguilla Government, First Caribbean Bank, OT’s Contracting Services, LIME, ANGLEC, Anguilla Masonry, Exodus Band, Infusion Band, Arian Freight Services, Lee Brooks, Chumney Imports, Teal Electric, Rev. Richard Fahie & Family, Kool FM 103.3, Kenneth Maynard, Eldon Rey, Junie Fleming, Cheddie Richardson and the Media.

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