The Queen’s Baton Relay spent two days exploring Anguilla from 9 to 10 May.
The Baton was welcomed onto the island with a welcome ceremony at the Governor House, where Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, Governor of Anguilla, passed the Baton to Batonbearers on bikes to officially start the Relay.
The cyclist Batonbearers then handed the Baton to 103-year-old Althea Richardson, just before Ursula Connor became a Batonbearer at the age of 108-year-old as students of the Bethel Methodist Pre-School gathered around her and performed a song.
The next stop along the Relay was Adrian T. Hazel Primary School, where the Hon. Hadyn Hughes, Minister for Tourism and students were Batonbearers and planted trees. The day continued with visits to Anguilla Tennis Academy, Maranatha Pre-School, Aurora Golf Course, as well as Alwyn Allison Richardson Primary School, where students had the special opportunity to be Batonbearers and were joined by Cardigan Connor, Anguillan born former England cricketer.
Later that day, the Baton was taken aboard a boat to cruise around the island and visit West End Arch. In the afternoon, Batonbearers visited Bedney’s and Roger Wells, which families used to depend on for water use but are now regarded as historical, cultural landmarks. Daphne Hodge-Connor was among the Batonbearers to carry the Baton in this area, which was meaningful for her as she can still recall having to walk barefoot down a dirt track to fetch water from there for eating, drinking, and washing.
At Valley Primary School, Batonbearers and members of the community joined together to plant trees. One of the Batonbearers was the highly accomplished DeeAnn Kentish Rogers, who is a former beauty-queen, graduate of University of Birmingham, Commonwealth Games athlete, Anguilla Minister for Education and Social Development, as well as former acting Premier of Anguilla.
The first day ended at Road Salt Pond, which is a registered important bird area.
On the second day of the Anguillan Relay, Batonbearers visited six different schools, where students were given the chance to carry the Baton as well as plant trees to commemorate the occasion.
Another of the stops along the route was the Heritage Museum, where the curator, Colville Petty OBE, carried the Baton and spoke about local history. At the National Commercial Bank of Anguilla, sprinter, Shyrone Hughes acted as a Batonbearer.
In the evening, Batonbearers relayed the Baton from the Valley Road to Carter Rey Boulevard to the People’s Market, where an evening celebration was held for members of the local community to engage with the Relay. The String Band and Steel Pan Dancers both performed at the celebration, creating a carnival atmosphere.
