The Christmas Season is depicted at North Side, just outside The Valley, in a most beautiful way that is attracting many people there at night after passing through the lighted and decorated Coronation Avenue.

What is special about the North Side area is the large open and attractively adorned park land in the centre of the village. It is providing a delightful playground at night for the children there, keeping them fully engaged within their own borders. In the centre, like in The Valley, is an enormous tamarind tree, its branches neatly trimmed and strung with multi-colored lights and atop is a waving ‘Santa Claus’. On the grounds are various illuminated images of the festive season and children’s playpens and in one corner of the square, beneath the lush overgrowth, is a well-laid out and orderly Nativity scene.

The lighted tree, centrepiece of the playground

The thoughtful presentation is the work of a group of industrious persons under the broad name of “The North Side Community.” Spokesperson, Tamara Gumbs, told The Anguillian: “I am one of the young people at North Side and we just came together and decided to bring a sense of community back to North Side. It is a community that I knew at a very young age and saw my mother [Roselyn Gumbs] and other elderly folks in the village enjoyed. We decided that we would bring back that feeling starting this Christmas Season in not only lighting up a tree but making it a type of community festive atmosphere so to speak. We are focusing on fun for the kids and it is about 20 of us who came out and put this together.”

The organisers and village children

The only planned activity by the group has been a fun day party for the young children in the village. Apart from that the area is ‘a free for all’ place for everyone to spend time in a manner that brings enjoyment and respect to themselves and all persons. “It is a playfield, you are going to like it; the kids can come in to play on the bouncers, use the swings and parents can come along and bring their cameras,” Tamara said. “If you want to bring your guitar to serenade in this field, that’s fine. We don’t have planned activities and the field will remain lighted until January 11.” She expressed gratitude to the Fahie’s family in The Forest who gave permission for the use of the land.

The Nativity scene

Tamara was grateful to a number of businesses and individuals who provided some very good sponsorship and other support to the North Side Community Foundation. The list includes the following: residents of North Side, the Anguilla Government, OT’s Contracting Services, Bryan’s Heavy Equipment, Boopsies Boutique, Anguilla Block & Sand/Anguilla Masonry Products, First Caribbean International Bank, LIME (formerly Cable & Wireless), Lloyd’s Aviation Services, AI Services, English Rose Restaurant, Chumney Imports, Kool FM 103.3, Rawlies M&M’s, Ivor Y& Carmen Rental, Professional Photos, Mr. Brenner and the Management & Staff of The Anguillian.

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