Excited and culturally-attired, young and adult nationals took to the stage in a series of splendid performances at the Rodney MacArthur Rey Auditorium on Monday evening, October 11, for the launching in grand style of the book, Anguilla’s Battle For Freedom 1967-1969. The informative and stimulating book was written by leading historian, Colville Petty, along with Nat Hodge.

Members of the Klassique Academy of Dance

It was a most engaging and delightful evening for the large gathering from all walks of life. Many of the adults present were still cherishing vivid recollections of the Anguilla Revolution and the bravery of its leaders and freedom fighters opposed to the long domination and ill-treatment of the island by the St. Kitts. What was of particular interest was the involvement of many young people in the programme, who became conversant with the Anguilla Revolution through intriguing stories told to them by their elders and teachers.

Mayoumba Folkloric Theatre performers in song, dance and music

We are out to build a new Anguilla, the revolutionary song, sung and played lustily by members of the choir of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, joined with the rest of the cultural performances to create a memorable display of talent, national consciousness and pride.

The performing groups, preceded by Cordane Richardson and Dumpa Martin, who played the National Song, God Bless Anguilla, comprised the caste of the popular and professional Klassique Academy of Dance; beautiful singer, Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch, and Anguilla’s reggae internationally-recognised entertainer and song-writer, Bankie Banx; and the long-established and celebrated Mayoumba Folkloric Theatre. Cultural poet and writer, Patricia Adams, captured the history and spirit of the revolution in one of her best-loved commemorative poems. The various performances, well-distributed throughout the programme, provided a lively and enjoyable backdrop to the speech-making portions of the event.

Bankie Banx and Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch

The programme was superbly chaired by Graduate Teacher at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, and proof-reader of the book, Michelle Queeley. “I anticipate a somewhat emotional experience for me, simply because I am inclined to engage your sensibilities as you celebrate the severing of ties from St. Kitts, the land of my birth, which I hold very dear to my heart,” the well-spoken educator told the audience in the auditorium, radio listeners and television viewers. “Nevertheless, I wish to go on record in applauding the stout-heartedness of all those Anguillians in their fight as they fought relentlessly to secure Anguilla’s freedom. I therefore welcome you to the launch of Anguilla’s Battle For Freedom 1967-1969, which is in essence an offshoot of an earlier work, Anguilla’s Battle For Freedom 1967, which was published in 1987 in commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution.”

Section of applauding audience

She continued: “The work, to be launched, is co-authored, as in the case of the original publication, by Mr. Petty, historian, writer and political analyst, and Mr. Nat Hodge, a well-known journalist in Anguilla. I pause and ask you to salute these two noble gentlemen for ensuring that Anguilla’s history remains part of our collective consciousness.”

Michelle Queeley and Chanelle Petty-Barrett with students in song

lwandai I. Gumbs, Anguilla’s well-known radio personality, delivered a wide-ranging introduction of the authors of the book. He spoke of Mr. Petty, whom he knew as his secondary school teacher, an academic, historian, writer, public service administrator, up to his appointment as Acting Governor, and someone who cared about him and gave him support and encouragement. He introduced Nat Hodge as having been a long-standing journalist in St. Kitts, News Editor and Director of Radio Anguilla and now publisher of The Anguillian newspaper, who assisted him in his training and development in radio broadcasting, programming, public relations and sales and marketing.

Mrs. Noreen Hodge, Mrs. Sylvene Petty and others

“I thank you, two, for the impression that you have made on my life; for the continued support that you unwaveringly rendered,” Iwandai I said to Colville and Nat. “It has allowed me to go forward with confidence so I can look back with pride. I have known you two to be friends and associates for a long time. You teamed up in the past to give us great offerings in print. Again, we joyfully receive your givings. With that enduring bond, continue to be a source of inspiration to all of us and may success follow you wherever you go.”

Applause from audience

Mr. Petty presented an outline of the book, the reasons for the Anguilla Revolution and the popular support it enjoyed on the island. He made the point that Anguilla’s Battle For Freedom “must be seen as a celebration of the revolution and the sacrifices made by the heroes and heroines for a free and prosperous Anguilla.” The full text of his remarks is published elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian.

Colville Petty and Nat Hodge autographing books

Rita Celestine-Carty, Head of the English Department at the Comprehensive School, gave a remarkable critique of the book. She said the work, originally published in 1987, had now re-appeared “in bigger, bolder, better form.” She also stated, by way of introduction: “Its 204 glossy pages, dedicated to the heroes and heroines of the Anguilla Revolution, chronicled the events of the two years of Anguilla’s history that the people of this island rightly used to qualify themselves. They considered this as their most defining moment: the time when the whole world realised that a dusty people were ready to get up and dust themselves off and demand a brighter future and were adamant that they would not take no for an answer.” The full text of Mrs. Celestine-Lake’s critique is published on other pages of this edition of The Anguillian.

Section of audience

Mrs. Chanelle Petty-Barrett, Mr. Petty’s daughter, delivered expressions of appreciation to the authors, all who assisted with preparations for the launch of Anguilla’s Battle For Freedom, the various performers, the media and technical personnel and, in particular, Ken Hodge of The Graphic Edge, who did the artwork and design and organised the printing of the book by Cole’s Printery Ltd. in Barbados.

As mentioned above, the launching ceremony was concluded by the singing and playing of the Anguilla Revolutionary Song: We are Out to Build a new Anguilla by representatives of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School Choir. The nationalistic power and beauty of the song, the blending of the young voices, and the music, along with the humming and tapping of the captive audience, filled the spacious auditorium to overflowing.
Anguilla’s Battle For Freedom is available at Heritage Collection Museum at East End, The Anguillian Office on the Cauls Pond Road, Stoney Ground; the Anguilla Drugstore in The Valley; and Coral Reef Bookstore at Little Harbour. The selling price is US $25.

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