June 2012 The Antigua and Barbuda High Commission Official Newsletter A newsletter produced by the Antigua and Barbuda High Commission London for nationals and friends of Antigua and Barbuda Issue 149 National Honourees receive awards “Each For the more than 100 rela- Most Precious Order of ny, where he was honoured tives and friends gathered un- Princely Heritage. The awards for his service to the arts in der a flamboyant tree at Gov- were established under Na- the form of Calypso. Endeavour- ernment House, to witness the tional Honours Act of 1998. investiture of 21 honourees, it “It happened and I am hon- ing all was a signature moment. “I think it is a very big honour oured to be amongst the and when you achieve some- knights.” Achieving” Governor General Dame thing like this, you have to feel Louise Lake-Tack, decked in good,” Sir Eric Burton of Bar- Sir Eric and Sir Rupert were her official whites, and accom- buda said in an interview with the only awardees to be in- panied by her Deputy, Sir Eu- OBSERVER Media. ducted as Knight Commanders stace Francis, presided over of the Most Distinguished Or- the official ceremony. Burton, who was knighted for der of the Nation. his service in politics, agricul- ture and the fishing industry, Dr Philmore Benjamin and said he does not stand on cer- Paul Deeth Esquire were in- emony, but recited the refrain stalled as Commanders of the of a song to express his emo- Most Illustrious Order of Mer- Inside This tions: “„The good things you it-CM. Vincent Edwards Es- do, you don‟t get credit. If you quire, Johnson G Harris Es- Issue make a mistake nobody forget quire, Joseph Hunte Esquire, it‟, but I think the well thinking Maisie Southwell, Nora David, Her Majesty‟s Dia- 4,5 Sir Rupert Philo Gwendolyn King-Richardson, mond Jubilee Cele- brations Tyrone Mason Esquire, Wil- The award ceremony was the liam A Lee Esquire, Ephraim L Sir Viv speaks to the 6 culmination of formalities be- Gomes, Esquire and Camella Press gan last year when the award- Philip-Hodge were inducted as Congratulations to 7 ees were named on Independ- Officers of the Most Illustrious Justin Thomas ence Day. Order of Merit-OM. Antiguan made 7 Under the admiring gazes of Sir Eric Burton Dr Patrick Thomas is now a Mayor of Luton family and friends, the hon- Member of the Most Illustrious ourees knelt in front of the people look and see what you Order of Merit-MM. Antigua and Barbuda 8 Queen‟s representative, were have done and because of that, at the Olympics touched on both shoulders I feel I was well honoured.” Clarence E Edwards Esquire, with the knighting sword and Ivor Davis Esquire, and Ivan „Reg‟ Cornelius dies 9 arose with their new titles. This was indeed a fitting quote, Scott Esquire, Egbert Joseph as it was penned by Rupert Esquire, Samuel Gordon Es- Herald, Valerie Richards Bur- “King Swallow” Philo, who was quire and Sylvester Browne 45th Anniversary of 10 ton, named the honourees knighted alongside Sir Burton. Esquire are Officers of the ABNA which included three divisions; “It was great; it‟s good, lovely, Most Precious Order of Internship 12 The Most Distinguished Order a good feeling. I never dreamt Princely Heritage-OH. Programme at Anti- of the Nation, The Most Illus- of it, but it did happen,” Sir gua and Barbuda trious Order of Merit and The Rupert said after the ceremo- * * * * * * High Commission 20th July 2012 Antigua and Barbuda High Commission, 2nd Floor, 45 Crawford Place, London W1H 4LP Telephone:020 7258 0070 Facsimile:020 7258 7486 Email: [email protected] 2 High Commissioner’s Message „Reflections‟ In my last message, I focused on Antigua and Barbuda‟s performance since Independence in 1981. While doing that however, I could not help but reflect on several key events taking place around me and the hectic plans being put in place to commemorate two significant milestones in the national lives of two of our Caribbean Neighbours. The first event referred to above is the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, our reigning Mon- arch and the Head of State of Antigua and Barbuda. HRH Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in 1952 follow- ing the death of her father, King George VI. The young monarch had to return to the UK to assume her duties His Excellency Dr Carl B W Roberts, CMG and pledge her full support to promoting the unity of the High Commissioner to the Court of St James‟s Commonwealth of Nations which has now grown from its humble beginnings to an organisation of 54 Member States. The programme to celebrate the Queen‟s Diamond Jubilee in the Realms had been long in the plan- ning with High Commissioners in London. There were regular meetings with Palace Officials to ensure that an appropriate and fitting celebration of this special event included programmes across the Commonwealth and not just in the UK. When one reflects on such a life of dedication one cannot but be impressed, nay perhaps I should say humbled by the conviction which prompted such devotion to her life-long promise. The dedi- cation was not the only thing we can reflect on and show admiration for. During the last 60 years Her Majesty also recognised and accepted many changes which kept the Monarchy in step with the evolving society and endeared her to her subjects over which she held sway. In 1992 the Queen offered to start paying Income and Capital Gains Tax. Her official residences were opened to the public. It is my belief these single acts alongside her new approach to public engagements drew her closer to citizens all across the world. These “walk outs”, now the stand- ard adopted by many members of the Royal Family, evidenced the resurgence of support and ap- preciation for her family and silenced many voices calling for radical change to her status. No wonder there was so much public support for the programmes celebrating her Diamond Jubi- lee. The Pageant on the Thames, when nearly 1.2 million persons braved the weather to line the banks of the Thames River to see 1000 flotilla vessels and the Service at St Paul‟s Cathedral along with the Carriage Procession to Buckingham Palace, the balcony appearance, the flypast and the Feu de Joie – well you had to be there to feel the joy and pride. The concert with its host of world famous performers and the messages of greeting and congratu- lation read by Prince Charles, the crowd sending get well cheers to Prince Phillip who was at the time in hospital and finally the lighting display on Buckingham Palace. Extremely well done!!. I re- flect on the Queen‟s historical visit to Northern Ireland and her meeting with Sinn Fein‟s Mr McGuiness. It is my belief also that these motivating and uplifting celebrations buoyed many of the crowd who pushed the UK team to perform at their best at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. 3 The celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee were not limited to the UK. Members of the Royal Family spread out across the Realms to take part in various celebrations. In Antigua and Barbuda the Earl and the Countess of Wessex represented the Queen. They arrived on the 6th March aboard the Motor Yacht Leander and spent two glorious days during which there were the usual inspection of the Guard of Honour, tour of Nelson‟s Dockyard Museum, courtesy visits to Mount St John Medical Centre (children‟s ward), Princess Margaret School, The St John‟s Cathe- dral, two lunches and a State Dinner. Similar programmes, as in the UK, took place in Antigua and Barbuda - the lighting of a Jubilee Beacon, Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving and the Recognition of 50 worthy Antiguan and Barbudan citizens with the Diamond Jubilee Medal. Immediately following the event in Antigua and Barbuda, the Governor General Dame Louise Lake –Tack GCMG DCN DstJ travelled to the UK in acceptance of the invitation from the Palace to be part of the celebrations here. The Governor General and Mrs Roberts and I were present at the Thames Diamond Jubilee River Pageant, the service at St Paul‟s Cathedral and the Concert at Buckingham Palace. We were all in a celebratory mood, but we recognised that other celebrations of a similar histor- ical significance were yet to come. Two Caribbean countries, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago opened their year-long celebrations with Jamaica 50 UK at “Jamaica House” at the O2 and Trini- dad and Tobago‟s Cultural Village at the Tricycle Theatre on Kilburn High Road in London. “On behalf of the staff of the High Commission here in the UK and Antigua and Barbudan com- munity it gives me great pleasure to extend to both of our Country‟s neighbours hearty congrat- ulations on the achievements of 50 years as a Sovereign Nation. It is indeed an honour to be able to share in their joy and sense of pride and I extend on behalf of all Antigua and Barbuda citizens, friends of Antigua and Barbuda the staff and the family of the High Commissioner best wishes for the future. May the blessing of the Almighty we serve, unite and preserve us all now and in the future”. I end this message with the best of moods having reflected on the many positives I have been privileged to enjoy over the past months. His Excellency Dr Carl B W Roberts, CMG High Commissioner * * * * * * * * 4 Her Majesty The Queen‟s Diamond Jubilee Antigua and Barbuda was represented at Her Majesty‟s Diamond Jubilee Celebra- tions by Her Excellency Dame Louise Lake-Tack, GCMG, DStJ, Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda, His Excellency Dr Carl B W Roberts, CMG, High Commissioner and Mrs Pauline Roberts, spouse of His Excellency.