Despite the financial challenges facing Anguilla and the consequent reduction in the power of spending, there is still much of a Christmas mood throughout the island. After all, apart from the usual commercialization of the season, the spiritual meaning and importance of Christmas has not been forgotten. The true message of the yuletide that Christ, the Redeemer, was born into the world is still rampant and acknowledged in this Christian island. And this is a plus for Anguilla and its people.

Lighting of The Valley Christmas Tree

The effects of the global financial woes impacting Anguilla are clearly visible. The shopping craze, both locally and in neighbouring St. Martin/St. Maarten, is noticeably far less vibrant than last year Christmas season. There has been a marked decline in the crammed ferryboats shuttling extravagant Anguillian shoppers from Anguilla to the half-French, half-Dutch territory to spend thousands there, thus reducing the usual beehive of activity at Blowing Point Port.

But perhaps the most glaring example of the island’s financial situation is reflected at Coronation Avenue in The Valley. There, the many towering road-side trees and surrounding area remain undecorated and unlit this Christmas and only the main tarmarind tree at the Trough has been decorated and lit up. It is all a result of lack of sponsorship by the business community feeling the brunt of the financial squeeze.

Distribution of gifts to children

Undaunted however by the situation, The Valley Community Christmas Festival of Lights Committee swung into action t a late stage and succeeded in getting the main tree lighted, thus bringing some cheer and colour to the usually dark area. It has been a most commendable effort, assisted by the Anguilla Electricity Company which restored the overhead cable lines destroyed by Hurricane Earl. The official lighting of the tree on Tuesday this week, December 21, was performed by Minister of Infrastructure and Elected Representative for Valley North, Evan Gumbs, who extended season’s greeting to the large crowd and turned on the switch.

Prior to that, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Haydn Hughes, expressed pleasure over the event, saying it was a treat not only to the people of The Valley community and Anguilla in general, but tourists as well. He commended The Valley Community Christmas Festival of Lights Committee for its sixteen years of dedicated work.

The highlights of the evening were entertainment by Dumpa on the steel pan and Perry on the keyboard; De Movement Band and the Laught-it-off Puppet Show. Included on the programme was a Santa Claus treat for children.

William Vanterpool, one of the original members of the Festival of Lights Committee, credited, in his Vote of Thanks, ANGLEC for its assistance and noted that last year the electricity bill for the full lighting up of the area was EC$10,000. It was paid by Social Security. Mr. Vanterpool also thanked a number of persons who in several ways assisted with the lighting of the main tree. He was grateful for the large turn out by persons from throughout Anguilla and offered season’s greetings to all.

The Anguillian takes this opportunity to join in extending a happy Christmas season to all of our people and those visiting our shores at this time, particular the increased number of tourists at the island’s hotels, villas and guesthouses.

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