At 75, Mabel Gumbs, of The Quarter, Anguilla, is one of the oldest nationals continuing a tradition of food culture and arts and crafts which is being handed down, to some extent, to the younger generation and is often celebrated. Her dedicated work has not gone unrecognised, as she has bene the recipient of a number of awards. The latest honour bestowed on her was initiated by the Anguilla Creative Arts Association (ANCAA), of which she has been a longstanding member, in collaboration with the Department of Youth and Culture.

Mabel Gumbs seated with various persons in attendance

She was honoured on Saturday, January 30, at a ceremony held at the Scouts and Guides Ruthwill Auditorium. The reasons given for her honouring were: her community work over many years; for being a true Anguillian cultural bearer in terms of needle craft, conducting sewing and craft classes (for children and adults) and food preparation.

Among the awards she received on that day was a plaque from ANCAA, presented with much gratitude and affection by Carol Matthew, a member of that organisation. The recognition she was given by all other persons was not only for her sterling contribution to culture and arts and crafts, but for her continuing involvement in the Anguilla Guide Association, her links with the Scouts Association, the Anglican Young People’s Association and membership of the Mothers’ Union at St. Mary’s Anglican Church.

Sandra Fahie and Girl Guides

Among those who paid glowing commendation to Mabel, as she is popularly called, was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development responsible for culture, Mrs. Chanelle Petty-Barrett. The education official is not only one of the many young people who greatly admire her work, but has been a long lover of “that mouth-watering, finger-licking, satisfying…corn soup”, one of the delicious dishes Mabel is noted for.

“By simply doing what she loves to do, cooking and baking, Mabel is making her contribution to the preservation of our traditional dishes, “Mrs. Petty-Barrett stated. “Without her, many of us in my generation would not know what Anguillian corn soup tasted like. Sometimes we take things and people for granted, and overlook how valuable persons like Mabel are to cultural preservation, particularly in the area of food preparation or, as well call it today, the cultural arts.”

The Permanent Secretary also spoke highly of Mabel’s craft skills, recalling seeing her displaying her work at fairs or exhibitions staged by ANCAA. She saw this “as another way in which Mabel has made her contribution to cultural development and preservation by simply doing what she loves.”

Mrs. Petty-Barrett lamented that, unfortunately, traditional craft-making was an aspect of culture that did not appear to appeal to many young people. She said that all persons should be grateful to ANCAA for keeping the skill alive, and encouraged younger persons to join the organisation in order to prevent the tradition from becoming extinct.
She extended congratulations to Mabel on behalf of the Ministry, and on her own behalf, for the honour bestowed on her.
In a far-reaching biography, Linda Lake of the Department of Youth and Culture, described Mabel as “a true culture bearer par excellence” and traced her life and work from childhood up, and spoke of persons like Teachers Clorita Mason, Wilma Lake, Isa Lake and Iris Hodge, who influenced her handicraft skills.

“Mabel has truly mastered the art of cultural transformation and preservation of our cultural heritage and, for this, she deserves many accolades,” Ms Lake added in praising her “unselfish spirit and unstinting contribution to the social and cultural development of Anguilla.”

Others who spoke, or made presentations at the ceremony, included Sandra Fahie on behalf of the Anguilla Brownies, Guides and Cub Scouts, Lorna Bacchus, Daisy and Shirley Richardson, Lana Hoyoung, John Martin and Sons, Mary Martin, Kingsley Richardson, Jerome Roberts, and family members Sutcliffe Hodge and Sarah Hodge.

Replying, Mabel was grateful to ANCAA for organising the award ceremony. She said she had accepted the recognition, plaque, other awards and flowers with much pride and gratitude. She hoped that her work would be a lasting encouragement to other persons to involve themselves in the development and presentation of the culture of food and arts and crafts.

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