The East End Community has been given a donation of USD$3,000 by Cable and Wireless towards the presentation of a special Christmas programme called ‘Festival D-Noel’ to be held from December 8-15 at the Basketball Court area in that village.

L-R: Jerome Roberts, Sutcliffe Hodge and Avon Carty

A cheque for that amount was presented on Tuesday this week to Jerome Roberts, President of the Committee, by the company’s Chief Executive in Anguilla, Sutcliffe Hodge. Roberts said the festival was an effort to bring the community together and to help stave off the negative publicity being experienced in some areas of the island. He recalled that the Young Adults at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church had been involved in “Christorama” which had now served its purpose having raised funds for the rebuilding of the Church.

“I have said to a few folks within the community that it is high time that we bring back something into the community. Let East End again shine in the positive,” he stated. “We have been hearing a lot of negatives about the young people within the community, but I feel there is a lot to gain from the community. There is a lot of talent there and we just need to get some sort of outlet whereby they can at least shine. Therefore a group of persons came together and we formed what is called The East End Community Committee and the activity that we have earmarked is called “Festival D-Noel.”

Mr. Roberts said the opening ceremony on December 8 would be followed by an entertainment session involving the Super Fly String Band of Stoney Ground, normally sponsored by Cable and Wireless, and the Better Band.

December 9 will be a Prince and Prince Show, involving students from the six Government primary schools, commencing at 3 pm and sponsored by FirstCaribbean International Bank. A treat will be sponsored by the Elected Representatives of District One and Two, Osbourne Fleming and Kenneth Harrigan respectively. Following the treat will be Gospel concert, sponsored by the Anguilla Electricity Company. On November 11 will be the Miss Macho Show, similar to a Queen Show. There will be three segments – the introduction, talent and evening wear. Seven ladies have already registered for the show.

On November 12 will be a Christmas Song Competition; On November 13 a Country Music Show involving local musicians and sponsored by Cable and Wireless.

There will be no activity on Thursday, November 14 as the East End Group will be joining the Valley Committee in its Christmas Tree lighting. Friday, November 15 will climax the week of activities with a Food and Craft Fair.

Cable and Wireless Chief Executive said although he had busted his budget, having already made contributions to a number of causes on the island including the substantial sponsorship of the Valley Community Tree Lighting activities amounting to some US$20,000, he hoped that by Cable and Wireless contributing to Festival D-Noel that other businesses would see the need to step forward and make similar contributions “as we try to heal our nation and have more positive activities to bring our young people together.”

Some EC$90,000 is estimated to cover the cost of Festival D-Noel.

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