The Executive Council has approved seven persons for the award of the Anguilla Badge of Honour and British Queen’s Certificate on Anguilla Day.
The official parade and ceremony marking the 49th Anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution and Anguilla Day will be held at the James Ronald Webster Park on Monday May 30th, 2016.
The Awardees for this year are:
- Mr. Colins Hodge – Revolution
- Ms. Ethlyn Fleming – Revolution
- Ms. Juliette Hawley – Revolution
- Ms. Agnes Duncan-Maurice – Revolution
- Ms. Miriam D. Hodge – Social Development
- Mrs. Viola Winifred Connor – Social Development
- Mr. Raymond Conrad Connor – Social Development
It is to be noted that the Awards have been categorized as follows:
- a. Anguillians and/or non-Anguillians who have played a critical role during the Anguilla Revolution of 1967-1969; and
- b. Anguillians and/or non-Anguillians who have made outstanding contributions to the Social, Political, Economic, Cultural and (Arts, Science and Technology, Entrepreneurship) development of Anguilla since 1969.
I. Mr. Colins J. Hodge – Revolution
His personal testimony might never be told, but the events surrounding the Anguilla Revolution are well chronicled in Petty and Hodge’s book, “Anguilla’s Battle for Freedom, 1967 – 1969.” As a young man, just twenty years old, Colins was among the men who ensured that the St. Kitts policemen were carted off the Wallblake Airport onto a flight back to St. Kitts on May 30, 1967. He was one of two men who guarded the plane to ensure that the policemen did not disembark.
Petty and Hodge in the book detail the plot to overthrow the ruling government in St. Kitts in 1967. It was on the afternoon of June 9th, 1967 when the sloop ‘The Rambler’ owned by James Ronald Webster of Island Harbour set sail for St. Kitts with 18 men on board including Colins to execute the plan. Colins along with four others were captured and arrested by the St. Kitts police on suspicion of their involvement in the failed coup d’état.
It would take some four months before the case could be heard. On October 26, 1967, Colins was the first man to be tried. On the announcement of a non-guilty verdict, Colins was immediately flown home to his beloved country where he was greeted by a large and appreciative crowd.
II. Mrs. Ethlyn Fleming – Revolution
Ethlyn provided a key transportation link during the Anguilla Revolution. The then 18 year old teenager, driving Charlie Fleming’s Volkswagon bus, would transport supporters to and from the venues of the various protest actions and demonstrations, during the day and well into the evening hours. She was considered to be ‘The Taxi of the Revolution” and also transported food to feed the many freedom fighters. Ethlyn was also a very vocal participant in the 1967 uprising, standing shoulder to shoulder with the other men and women in support of the cause.
III. Ms. Juliette Hawley – Revolution
Juliette was one of the many women who stood by the side of Mr. James Ronald Webster during the Anguilla Revolution. One account of her bravery was when Mr. Tony Lee was coming to Mr. Webster’s office, Juliette was there with her fellow protestors holding a banner which read “No Tony Lee here today.” When the trucks needed to be filled with rocks to be used as weapons she was there to lend a hand. Saving and securing Anguilla was the focus at that time and Juliette played her part not for awards or ceremonies but out of her deep love for her beloved Anguilla.
IV. Ms. Agnes Duncan – Revolution
Agnes was one of the many women who stood by the side of Mr. James Ronald Webster and other revolutionary heroes such as Charlie Fleming and Edward Duncan during the Anguilla Revolution. She was among those who kept watch and protected the shores of Anguilla and also rolled drums at the airport to stop the St. Kitts policemen from landing. She also assisted with cooking of food for the many brave freedom fighters.
V. Ms. Miriam D. Hodge – Social Development
Miriam Hodge née Fleming is regarded as one of the pillars of the West End community. She was born in West End in 1921. She attended the West End Primary School now the Alwyn Allison Primary School and later travelled to Aruba where she met and married Elred Hodge from Long Bay. She returned home in 1954 and along with her husband settled into the West End Community where they raised 7 children. Miriam, a Methodist, played an active role in the West End Methodist Church now the Immanuel Methodist Church and for well over 50 years served as a member of the Choir, Women’s League including a stint as President, Steward and Class Leader.
She was deeply immersed in the sport of boat racing along with her husband and as a seamstress would make sails for the racing boats. For many years she operated a grocery store as well as a bakery. Miriam later served for a period of six years as a representative member for West End/Long Bay on the Public Service Commission and the Social Welfare Department. She continues to be admired for her efforts to help her fellow man.
VI. Mrs Viola Winifred Connor – Social Development
Viola Connor has been actively involved in the life of her church and her community throughout most of her life. She is considered to be one of the founding members and stalwarts of the Blowing Point Maranatha Methodist Church. In addition, she has been very active in community life including serving on the Poor Law Board and Welfare Department Liaison Community Welfare Officer and President of the Blowing Point Community Policing Watch Committee, an organization which works closely with the Royal Anguilla Police Force to reduce crime and deviant behavior within the Blowing Point Community. Viola also served as the Scout Master for the 6th Anguilla Boy Scouts of Blowing Point during the 1990s.
Viola has dedicated and committed her life to the community and her church to ensure that the social needs of the society are given the attention to sustain its people and she is a shining example of what it means to put country above self.
VII. Mr. Raymond Conrad Connor – Social Development
Raymond is considered to be one of the pioneers in the development of Anguilla’s tourism and boat building industries. In the 1940’s this young entrepreneur built many small boats for himself and Anguillian fishermen and by the 1960’s had established himself as a leading boat builder not only at home but the region as well. Many of his boats were used in the modernization of the island’s ferry boat and cargo boat trade between Anguilla and St. Maarten.
In later years, Raymond became involved in the tourism industry in a different capacity. He became a taxi driver, a job that he did for many years before retiring in the mid 2000’s. He was privileged to be honoured as a ‘Pioneer in Tourism’ by the Anguilla Tourist Board some years ago for his sterling service to the development of tourism in Anguilla.
There is no doubt that Raymond Connor, now 89 years old, has significantly contributed to Anguilla’s social and economic development. His entrepreneurial skills have not only helped him to adequately provide for his wife Viola and their family of ten children, but has also helped the island of Anguilla and its people to become more self-sufficient by benefitting tremendously from the service industry. His contributions as a shipwright are etched in the annals of Anguilla’s history and pictures of his boats are also prominently displayed at the Anguilla Heritage Museum under the curatorship of prominent historian Mr. Colville L. Petty, OBE.